Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of 09/22/08

Selectboard Members present: Judy Cleary, Bill Ormerod, Charlie Swanson, Randy DeVine and Bob Horr. Staff Members present: Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard, Skip Taylor, Zoning Administrator, and Katrina Antonovich, Parks and Recreation Director. Public Present: Paul Lavallee, Melissa Beerworth, Steven Stitzel, and Gary Gilbert.

1.Call to Order

Judy Cleary, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.

2. Minutes

A. Charlie motioned to accept the minutes from the meeting on September 15, 2008, as written. Bill seconded. Bob offered one amendment. All board members voted in favor of accepting the minutes as amended.

3. Items on the Agenda

A. Public Hearing on the current draft of the Town Plan- The public hearing began at 7:40PM. The board and members of the public present reviewed the current draft of the Town Plan.

Katrina Antonovich indicated that she sent comments to be added to the Plan to Greta Brunswick at Northwest Regional Planning; the comments have been added to the current draft of the Plan.

Melissa Beerworth referred to the Zoning Map and Proposed Land Use Maps on pages 85 and 86 of the Plan. Melissa asked if the Proposed Land Use Map is intended to change the zoning in Town. She indicated that on the Zoning Map, the Agricultural District covers most of the area. However, on the Proposed Land Use Map, the Agricultural and Rural Residential Districts are combined.
Skip Taylor informed Melissa that the Low Density Residential, Agricultural Forest, and Conservation Districts have been combined because all three of these require 2 acre zoning and allow the same permitted and conditional uses.

Bill motioned to adopt the Fairfax, Vermont, Town Plan dated September 22, 2008, as written. Charlie seconded. All board members voted in favor.

The public hearing concluded at 8:00PM.

4. Other Business

A. Skip Taylor indicated that he has e-mailed Nancy Patch, the County Forester, to find out if she is still interested in walking the Town Forest. Skip has also asked Nancy if she could provide more information about the services she can provide to the Town regarding the creation of a Forest Management Plan.

B. Bill indicated that the Safe Routes to School committee has received documentation, including the cost and scope of work, from the Engineering firm selected to administer the engineering study.

C. Bob indicated that he has spoken with Sheriff Bob Norris regarding the fireworks on Brewster Road; the case is currently being handled by the State's Attorney's Office. Sheriff Norris recommended that the board should create a policy regarding fireworks in Town.

D. Randy indicated that he was contacted by the Public Works Director of St. Albans Town who is investigating the purchase of a vactor truck, which is used to clean out sewer lines. The Director indicated that he would like to apply for a grant of $150,000 to purchase the truck. The Director informed Randy that he would have a better chance of being awarded the grant if the truck will be used by more than one municipality. The truck he would like to purchase costs $190,000; the difference would be shared among the municipalities using it.

Randy explained how the truck would assist in cleaning the sewer lines. The truck would not be purchased until 2012-2014. Randy indicated that some details would have to be worked out, including storage and maintenance.

E. Randy indicated that he received a new quote for inspecting and cleaning both water storage tanks from NE Tank. The new quote contains a price of $2,000 to inspect both tanks; the cost to install 8 anodes in each tank and to perform a dry inspection is $7,950.00. The quote is valid for 90 days.

Bill motioned to approve NE Tank Statewide Aquastore to perform the work indicated in their quote dated September 17, 2008. Charlie seconded. Bob noted that he would like to know how many anodes are being installed, and what they are made of. 4 board members voted in favor, and one board member was opposed. The motion passed.

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

G. Judy informed the board that she and Erin attended a workshop in Fairfield about drafting a Capital Budget Plan. She also informed the board that she, Sam, and Don have finished marking all of the trees.

H. Erin indicated that the recycle bins will be delivered this week. Erin will contact Bob Perry regarding notification to residents.

5. Public Input

A. Melissa Beerworth suggested that the board members could pick up their weekly mailing as a cost saving measure.

6. Executive Session

A. Bob motioned to enter Executive Session at 6:34PM to discuss pending litigation with Steven Stitzel and Erin McSweeney present.

B. The board returned to public session at 7:40PM.

C. Bill motioned to enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at 8:45PM. Charlie seconded. All board members voted in favor.

D. Bob motioned to return to public session at 9:22PM. Charlie seconded. The board returned to public session at 9:22PM.

7. Adjournment

Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:25PM. Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25PM.

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Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard