Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of 09/29/08

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, and Peter King, Town Health Officer. Public Present: Melissa Beerworth and Carolyn Branagan.

1.Call to Order

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

2. Minutes

A. Charlie motioned to accept the minutes from the meeting on September 22, 2008, as written. Randy seconded. All board members voted in favor.

3. Items on the Agenda

A. Don Pigeon- Don reviewed the Town Highway Department's budget with the board. He indicated that all of the outstanding bills for the department have been paid. He would like to purchase another load of cold patch, and he anticipates purchasing two more loads of fuel before the end of the year. Don informed the board that the Highway Department will be working on an additional bay for the Town Garage. He anticipates that he will use 3-4 yards of concrete for the 24' x 14' bay.

Charlie asked whether the overtime for the Highway Department can be reduced as a cost saving measure. Don indicated that the standard work week for the Highway Department is 45 hours, as there are 3 employees instead of 4.

Bill asked Don if he was aware that part of the sidewalk on Main Street has been dug up. The Selectboard will issue a letter to the property owner advising him that he should restore the sidewalk to its original condition. If the sidewalk is going to be modified, he needs permission from Don.

B. Randy DeVine - The board discussed last week whether to collaborate with St. Albans Town to purchase a vactor truck, which is used to clean sewer lines. St. Albans Town will be applying for a grant for $150,000 to purchase the truck, which costs $190,000. The Town of Fairfax would be responsible for paying part of the difference.

Charlie motioned to purchase a portion of a vactor truck with St. Albans Town. Bill seconded. None of the board members voted in favor. All of the board members were opposed to the motion. The motion did not pass.

Randy informed the board that he tended to a water leak on Buck Hollow Road on Tuesday; there were two holes in the pipe. Randy indicated that he will need to replace approximately 1500 feet of 2" galvanized pipe. Randy will get prices for replacing the pipe.

Randy distributed quotes he received from New England Tank and Liquivision for cleaning the water storage tanks. At last week's meeting, the board awarded the contract to clean the water storage tanks to New England Tank.

Charlie motioned to rescind the motion awarding the contract to clean the water tanks to New England Tank. Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor.

Charlie motioned to award the contract, option #1 for $16,548, for cleaning the water storage tanks to Liquivision. Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor. Randy will contact Liquivision to schedule the tank cleaning.

Randy will contact Paul Lavallee to ask whether he is available to read meters in October.

Bill would like to continue working on creating a proposed budget for the Utility Department.

C. Peter King, Health Officer - Peter has received calls regarding mold in some rental units in Town. Peter asked the board who is responsible for the cost of testing the mold. Peter recommended that humidifiers should be used to remove moisture from the air. He is keeping a log of all of the calls and e-mails he receives. Peter distributed a packet of information describing the duties of the Health Officer. Charlie noted that information in the packet references state statute which indicates that the owner of the property is responsible for the testing. The board would like Peter to include information about mold in the Town Report.

4. Other Business

A. Erin will contact Greta Brunswick at Northwest Regional Planning regarding the adoption of the Town Plan.

B. The board reviewed the property listing that is part of the renewal application for VLCT PACIF insurance. Erin will contact VLCT regarding changes and updates the board would like to make.

C. Bob discussed the petition that was submitted, and the subsequent motion made, to not pave Sam Webb Road. Bob suggested that there should have been a time limit included in the motion, after which the board would re-evaluate whether to pave the road. Bill indicated that future boards can rescind motions that have been made. Randy noted that if homes on the road change hands, the residents will have to submit a new petition requesting that the road be paved. Charlie stated that the board should review information / feedback from the public, then make a decision.

D. Bill asked the board if would like the Planning Commission to review the Water Use Ordinance and submit their recommendations for revisions. Randy suggested that the Planning Commission should review the Sewer Allocation and Connection Ordinance. Randy indicated that he has had people ask him questions about the process for obtaining a sewer allocation.

E. Charlie informed the board that the Town's Village Center Designation has been approved.

F. The board reviewed an invoice from Colleen Steen for mileage.

5. Public Input

A. Charlie and Carolyn Branagan discussed the proposed detour for the Bridge #10 project. Charlie informed Carolyn that the proposed detour for the Bridge #10 project will be to use Milton-Westford Road to Route 7 to Route 104A, to Route 104. A letter has been sent by the State to the towns affected by the detour asking what they would like in return for the use of their town roads.

6. Executive Session

A. Bob motioned to enter Executive Session at 9:23PM to review the resumes that have been submitted for the Town Clerk / Treasurer position. Bill seconded. All board members voted in favor.

B. Charlie motioned to return to public session at 9:45PM. Bob seconded. All board members voted in favor. The board returned to public session at 9:45PM.

7. Adjournment

Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:46PM. Bob seconded. All board members voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:46PM.

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Erin McSweeney, Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard