Town Of Fairfax Selectboard Minutes
August 31, 2009

Selectboard Members Present: Bill Ormerod, John Mitchell, Charlie Swanson, Randy DeVine, and Bob Horr

Staff Present: Skip Taylor, Don Pigeon, Katrina Antonovich

Public Present: Melissa Beerworth

1. Call to Order

Bob Horr, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

2. Items on the Agenda

A. Skip: Skip distributed his monthly activity report for review. Bob asked if he had heard anything more from the Sports Barn (Godfrey Stephen); Skip has not. There was discussion regarding Betty Parker’s sewer allocation which expires 10/2009. She will probably be coming in to request an extension.

B. Don: Review of Al Nichols’ access permit application – there are no changes. Bob signed off on the application. River Road is almost complete. There is no money in his budget for guardrails so for now he will install posts with reflectors. Next year he will consider guardrails in the budget for it. The trucks are stripped and ready for paint. The water project on Buck Hollow Road was then discussed. Don suggested we order all the parts, etc. that will be needed. Work will depend on weather – could be done this fall, but may not. Materials will be stored in the town shed. Bob spoke with Paul Langelier regarding storing sand across from his house, but will need to talk to him ahead because he still has cows in there. Randy reported the parts have been purchased. Extra personnel and equipment will be needed so it will need to be planned out between Don and Randy. They will sit down in two weeks to work it all out. John made the motion to give Don and Randy the authority to plan and run the project as they see fit, Charlie seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Four votes in favor, one abstained, motion passed. Bill presented responses from residents of McNall Road regarding the State’s plan for intersection work, and none of them want to see the intersection changed. The Goose Pond Road slide was revisited. Don removed 37 loads because they were in the traveled portion of the road due to the recent hard rains.

C. Randy: Randy presented a typical trench detail for use on the Buck Hollow Road waterline replacement. The main pump station alarm has been going off repeatedly. Randy had to order a new pump for a cost of $7,884.00. We need to get a list of sewer customers from Amy so a letter can be drafted to the customers instructing them as to where the filters for the meters should be located. Bill asked if the air lines had been cleaned yet. Randy said he has not had the time to do this with all the little things that keep coming up.

D. Water Ordinance Review: Bill reviewed Randy’s markups and had questions regarding Article I - Definitions. Bob suggested that since no Board members have any issues with Randy’s suggested changes, Bob and Suzanne make the changes together this coming week. Bob noted he tried to reach Brian Monaghan regarding review of the ordinance. Suzanne will fax the ordinance and he will give us an estimate of what he would charge to review it.

E. Land Purchase: Bob has received calls regarding the land purchase and he responded that he has not heard anything. The town is no longer interested in previous negotiations.

3. Minutes

A. Charlie motioned to approve the August 17th meeting minutes as written, John seconded the motion. Four voted in favor, one abstained.

4. General Business

A. Discussion of McNall Road intersection. We need to respond to the engineering firm and VTrans.

B. Linda Brunelle, 2 Hunt Street, has requested the sidewalk in front of her home removed. Bob will discuss it with Don so we can respond.

C. Charlie raised the issue of the letter to the Health Department. We have not received a response yet.

D. VCLT proposed bylaw changes were discussed. No action by the Board is required.

E. There was discussion regarding Ledge Road. The Board had been informed that no other residents had shown any interest in the direction of the process. Bob now has a list of interested parties. The Town’s position is the road does not exist and the burden of proof is on Giles Boissoneault.

F. Charlie stated we need to set up a joint meeting between the School Board and the Selectboard to discuss the next steps with the Safe Routes to School Program.

G. The Transportation Enhancement Grant presentation is scheduled for September 10th. If Bill or Charlie can not attend, Bob will go.

H. John raised the issue of the frequency of the Board meetings and his desire to continue to meet every other week permanently. We are only one of seven towns in the State that meets every week. Bob sees too many things in the past years that have not been accomplished due to time being wasted. John motioned to keep the meetings to every other week, Charlie seconded the motion. Bill questioned the duration of this policy. John stated it could be motioned to return to weekly meetings. Charlie stated we can call a special meeting if needed. Bill suggested perhaps sending a status report to Suzanne each week. Bill noted we can not take a vote or make a binding motion via email. Four voted in favor of keeping the minutes to every other week, one opposed. Randy believes there has been less micro-management since we have moved to every other week meetings.

5. Public Input

A. Katrina informed the Board of another grant available and is asking the Board for a letter of support to build a restroom facility and pavilion in the park. The grant is for $25,000 and due September 11th. Katrina will draft the letter for Bob’s signature. Bill made a motion to give Bob the authority to sign the pursuit of a grant letter, Randy seconded. Four voted in favor, one abstained.

6. Other Business

A. Randy got called to a “slippery sidewalk” in front of the FairPoint building. There was a drain leaching out near the sidewalk and the lawn clippings made it extremely slippery. Charlie suggested we draft a letter to VTrans informing them of the issue with the sidewalk level causing the situation.

B. The recent request for moving the speed limit signs on Fletcher Road was discussed. Bethany from NRPC is coming out on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to look at the situation.

C. There is another hearing on 15 Maple Street scheduled for September 21st. This is an eviction hearing and will be attended by members of the Sheriff’s Department. Any other interested parties are also welcome to attend.

D. Bill gave the Franklin County Law Enforcement Survey to John to complete and return.

E. Bill received a telephone call last week from David Murray regarding a barking dog complaint which has been an ongoing issue since August 2008. Mr. Murray sent Bill copies of the letters he has written and a tape recording of the barking which was listened to by the Board. A letter will be written to the dog owners informing them that their pet service is not in compliance with the town ordinance.

7. Executive Session

Bill motioned to enter executive session to discuss pending legal matters at 8:50 PM, John seconded. Four voted in favor, one abstained. John motioned to exit executive session at 9:03 PM, Bill seconded. Four voted in favor, one abstained. John motioned to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters at 9:03 PM, Charlie seconded. Four voted in favor, one abstained. Bill motioned to exit executive session at 9:19 PM, Randy seconded. Four voted in favor, one abstained.

8. Adjournment

Bill motioned to adjourn, Randy seconded, all voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Suzanne Lavallee,

Selectboard Administrative Assistant

Robert A. Horr, Selectboard Chair