Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of 09/15/08

Selectboard Members present: Judy Cleary, Bill Ormerod, Charlie Swanson, Randy DeVine and Bob Horr. Staff Members present: Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard, Don Pigeon, Road Foreman, Josh Langelier, Town Constable, and Peter King, Health Officer. Public Present: Linda Corey, Paul Lavallee, Henry Raymond, Allen Karnatz, Melissa Beerworth, and Susie Jones.

1. Call to Order

Judy Cleary, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

2. Minutes

A. Bob motioned to accept the minutes from the meeting on September 8, 2008, as written. Bill seconded. 4 board members voted in favor, and one board member abstained.

3. Items on the Agenda

A. Don Pigeon- Don and Erin have completed the paperwork for DJ Leach's Worker's Compensation claim. Don anticipates sleeving a culvert on Fletcher Road either the end of this week, or the beginning of next week. He informed the board that he will be purchasing another load of cold patch; he also will be purchasing 12 tires before the end of the year, and one more load of fuel. Don indicated that there were 6 trees down from wind damage.

B. Josh Langelier & Peter King- Josh and Peter attended tonight's meeting to discuss recent reports of dog bites that have occurred on JR Young's property on Fletcher Road. Josh indicated he has spoken with JR, who informed him that he does have an electric fence around his property, and "No Trespassing" signs. Erin will draft a letter informing JR that he is liable if someone is bitten on his property.

Linda Corey asked Josh about some dogs at a residence on Meade Road. Josh indicated that he has spoken with the owner of the dogs and has issued a warning.

C. Randy DeVine - Randy reviewed the following reports for August 2008: Water Usage Summary, Vermont Monthly Water System Operations Report, Permit Monitoring Information, Operations Report for Aerated Lagoons, Sewer Discharge Report, and the Phosphorus Monitoring Report.

Randy informed the board that the quote he received from NE Tank is for cleaning one water tank, and not 2. Randy followed up with NE Tank regarding the number of anodes proposed in the quote. The quote includes 16 anodes; one tank currently has 8 anodes. Randy was told by the representative at NE Tank that 16 anodes are necessary for one tank, as opposed to 8, because the new anodes are made of zinc instead of magnesium. NE Tank will be providing a new quote.

Randy gave a summary of activities for the week, including, but not limited to: composite sampling, water sampling, brought the manhole in front of Tim White's house on Hunt Street to grade, read a meter on Summit View Street, helped Don Pigeon and Gary Stewart remove a picnic table and a bench from the river.

D. Allen Karnatz, Vermont Land Trust - Allen informed the board that a landowner in Town is considering selling some of his land to the Vermont Land Trust. Allen indicated that no deal has been reached; he wanted to meet with the board to find out if the board has any concerns, as the land is located close to the village. He has already met with the Planning Commission. Allen informed the board that no appraisal has been done on the land. Randy indicated that the Northwest Regional Planning Commission has recommended that the growth center should be expanded; he asked Allen if the expansion of the growth center would affect the potential conservation project. Allen indicated that he does not believe an expansion of the growth center would interfere with this project. Allen indicated that he will address the board again if the project progresses.

4. Other Business

A. Erin will contact the Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District for information and pricing.

B. The board has reviewed the Town Road and Bridge Standards, and the Statement of Procedures and Standards Regarding Town Highways. Erin will revise the document based on the board's recommendations.

C. Judy indicated that the list of the delinquent sewer accounts has been posted in the Town Clerk's Office.

D. Bill attended an Emergency Management meeting last week. He indicated that he, Steve Bessette, and Dean Potter will be receiving training on Disaster Land, a state designed computer program, which gives designated representatives real time access to Vermont Emergency Management information.

E. Bill indicated that the Safe Routes to School committee met with the Project Engineer from Lamoureux and Dickinson.

F. Household Hazardous Waste Day will take place on Saturday, October 4th, between 8:00 - noon at the Town Garage on Fletcher Road.

G. The board previously discussed the dyed fuel that Don purchases for the Town trucks. Charlie indicated that fuel is dyed to indicate what type of vehicle it is used for such as agricultural, off-road, Town Highway vehicles, and regular vehicles.

H. Bob indicated that the board should review the Sewer Ordinance and not the Sewer Use ordinance from the Town of Brandon for comparison to Fairfax's Sewer Allocation and Connection Ordinance. The board is in the process of reviewing, and if necessary, revising, all of the Town's ordinances and policies.

5. Public Input

A. Melissa Beerworth asked if crosswalks can be installed on Route 104; she cited between East Road and Minor's Store as a specific location. Bill indicated that he has submitted letters on behalf of the board requesting crosswalks that have subsequently been denied. Melissa also asked what the status of the boarding house on Main Street is. Bill indicated that the owner has appealed the DRB's decision to the Environmental Court.

B. Linda Corey asked if the board could make a formal motion to indicate that Sam Webb Road will not be paved.

Bill motioned to only pave Sam Webb Road upon receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the property owners on Sam Webb Road. Charlie seconded. 3 board members voted in favor, and 2 board members were opposed. The formal motion has been made, and has passed.

C. Paul Lavallee asked how much of the Town budget is being allocated to paving. Don submits a list of roads he would like to pave to the Selectboard in January, when the budget is created. The board then allocates funds based on Don's list of roads. Bill indicated that $155,000 was allocated for paving this year, the same as last year. Paul asked the board to consider allocating funds for sidewalks, rather than paving for one year. Charlie indicated that there considerations, such as rights-of-way and utilities, that need to be addressed with the State before a sidewalk can be constructed along Route 104.

D. Susie Jones attended tonight's meeting to discuss the Town's application for Village Center Designation. The application will be reviewed next Monday in Montpelier. Susie distributed the comments from the Staff Review of the application. Susie would like to touch base with the board on some items of concern before the application is reviewed. Susie discussed the Reviewer's concern regarding the northern end of the village, and the southwest end, including Hunt Street, School Street, and Maple Street.

Susie indicated that a village center designation can lend itself to grant opportunities for projects such as sidewalks. Randy asked if the Fire Department and the Rescue Squad could benefit from the grant opportunities. Susie indicated that the grants are generally awarded for infrastructure projects.

6. Executive Session

There was no Executive Session this evening.

7. Adjournment

Bill motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:17PM. Bob seconded. All board members voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:17PM.

________________________________
Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard