Board of Selectmen January 14, 2002

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

JANUARY 14, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Robert Mack, Jr.

Charles Russell

Debbie Ramsdell

Paul Arthaud

OTHERS: Shirley Bean

Jim Dickerson

Stephen C. Brooks

Michael Yantachka

John Rosenthal

Nancy Sabin

Eleanor Russell

Hugh Lewis, Jr.

Leslie Lewis

Matt Lewis

Ty Lewis

Mary Beth Freeman

Dale Knowles

Gordon Troy

Carrie Spear

Richard Tenney

Frank Tenney

Mike Krasnow

Peter Coleman

Patricia Coleman

Walter Gates

Bill Michaud

Wendy Schroeder

________________________________________________________________

Russell called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. in the

Charlotte Town Offices. Chairman Mack was not yet present and

board members decided to begin by signing bills.

SIGN WARRANTS AND BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Board members signed warrants and bills. Chairman Mack arrived

at 7:10 p.m. Russell noted a maintenance AGREEMENT from the

state for roofs on covered bridges and Road Commissioner, Hugh

Lewis, Jr. said he hadn't reviewed it as yet.

Russell moved:

* "TO APPROVE THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR TIN ROOFS

ON COVERED BRIDGES."

The motion failed for lack of a second.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO ADD MIKE YANTACHKA AND MIKE KRASNOW TO THE

AGENDA."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -2- January 14, 2002

Mike Yantachka asked for an advisory resolution be added as an

Article for consideration at Town Meeting. Yantachka read from

the current schedule for delinquent tax payments and noted that

according to Vermont State Statutes, the Delinquent Tax

Collector can set any rate for penalties up to 8%, or the

Collector can ignore the penalties. Michael Krasnow added the

Delinquent Tax Collector has asked town officials for some

guidelines in issuing penalties.

Mack said he would be in favor of putting an Article before the

town if it was scheduled toward the end of Town Meeting and if

Yantachka was prepared to do a presentation. Yantachka said he

introduced an advisory motion from the floor last year at Town

Meeting, but by that time only 20-30 voters were present. Mack

said he thought a non-binding advisory motion at Town Meeting

would be the best way to handle the issue and what he thought

the Delinquent Tax Collector would be most comfortable with.

Russell said he would like to look into whether the issue could

be voted on by Australian ballot and would ask the town

attorney.

DALE KNOWLES - COYOTE ISSUE

Animal Control Officer, Dale Knowles said he had recently gone

to a private residence at the request of the homeowner to pick

up a dead coyote and then buried it. Knowles asked if this task

was within his duties as Animal Control Officer.

Mack responded that he thought this was a landowner problem

unless the animal is on a town road and suggested that Knowles

could get in touch with the Fish and Game Department with

questions about what he should do with dead animals.

BEACH SPEED LIMIT

Wendy Schroeder advised the board that draft copies of the beach

ordinance were in their mailboxes and asked board members to

review the ordinance.

BARBER HILL - JIM DICKERSON

Jim Dickerson, a partner in Lantern Visions, LLC, said Chris and

Heather Kingston had conveyed the upper section of Barber Hill

to the town and his business owns the lower section of Barber

Hill. Dickerson said that in the document conveying land to the

town there is a restriction for a tow rope, and the Kingstons

have agreed to have that single restriction deleted from the

deed. Gordon Troy noted the Planning Commission had discussed

the deed change and agreed to it

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE WARRANTY DEED

ON THE PARCEL ON BARBER HILL CONVEYED TO THE TOWN

DELETING THE RESTRICTION OF A TOW ROPE."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -3- January 14, 2002

JUNIOR - MAILBOXES & STATE BRIDGE REPORT

Road Commissioner, Hugh Lewis, Jr. said that about 90% if the

mailboxes in Charlotte are not up to the United States Post

Office's specifications and many are in the town's right-of-way.

Lewis noted he could be held liable for damages to the mailboxes

regardless of the box being in the town's right-of-way.

Ramsdell asked about the Post Office sending notices to postal

patrons who are not in compliance and Leslie Lewis said in some

cases they do, but rarely.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Ramsdell:

* "TO MAKE THE TOWN ROAD COMMISSIONERS NOT RESPONSIBLE

FOR DAMAGE TO MAILBOXES INCURRED WHILE MOVING SNOW."

Vote: All in favor.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO APPROVE THE FINANCE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN THE TOWN OF CHARLOTTE AND THE STATE AGENCY

OF TRANSPORTATION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO A COVERED

BRIDGE."

Vote: All in favor.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "WE HAVE RECEIVED AND REVIEWED THE CALENDAR YEAR

2001 BRIDGE AND INSPECTION REPORT FROM THE STATE

AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION."

Vote: All in favor.

Road Commissioner Lewis discussed with the board what the

Conservation Commission was planning for maintenance of covered

bridges in town.

TENNEYS - CONTINUATION

Chairman Mack reopened the hearing on the Tenneys Emergency

Health Order at 8:05 p.m.

Arthaud moved and the motion was seconded by

Russell:

* "TO ADJOURN AS THE SELECTBOARD AND RECONVENE AS THE

BOARD OF HEALTH."

Vote: All in favor.

Mach reported that a water sample had been tested from the

trailer involved in the Emergency Health Order and the sample

passed stae requirements. Mack asked how often samples would be

taken from here on out and Frank Tenney responded every three

months for one year and that the new tenant would just need to

be given a day's notice when testing needed to be performed.

Mack said the board would have Deputy Health Office, Tom

Mansfield keep track of the situation.

Rick Tenney discussed a slope that had been repaired since Otter

Creek Engineering had been to the site.

Board of Selectmen -4- January 14, 2002

Mack advised the Tenneys that they would be getting a decision

from the board on the Emergency Health Order in a few days.

Arthaud moved and the motion was seconded by

Russell:

* "TO ADJOURN AS THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND RECONVENE AS

THE SELECTBOARD."

Vote: All in favor.

Chairman Mack closed the hearing at 8:11 p.m.

SENIOR CENTER - WALTER GATES

Senior Center Treasurer, Walter Gates reviewed a draft of a

licence agreement for private and non-profit groups to use the

Senior Center for events as a means of raising revenue. Gates

shared with the board his proposed schedule of services for use

of the Senior Center.

Senior Center President, Shirley Bean added that those booking

the Senior Center would be allowed to use the kitchen, but not

the plates in hopes of encouraging them to use a caterer for

events.

There was a discussion of whether alcohol would be allowed on

the premises and Bean suggested it be the responsibility of the

caterer if alcohol is served.

John Rosenthal asked if there would be a limit on the number of

people for a given event and Shirley Bean answered that the

Center has a total capacity of about 100 people.

Gates noted an Open House and dedication of the Senior Center

was scheduled for February 3, 2001 from 2-4 p.m.

Gates discussed the Senior Center driveway shared with the Fire

& Rescue Department. Mack said he had talked with Chris Davis

and Davis had speculated it would cost about $8,000.00 to fix

the problems with the driveway. Gates reviewed the AGREEMENT

with the Fire & Rescue Department and advised the Selectboard

hold the rest of the money from the Irish estate for

construction of the Senior Center. Gates noted the Center still

needs exterior paint and landscaping.

Bean outlined the remaining kitchen equipment the Center would

need and said she would get final numbers to the board for their

acquisition.

Tricia Coleman said the Senior Center Committee received a bid

for $8,000.00 for painting the Center and noted the Center was

expected to receive a Certificate of Occupancy on January 28,

2002.

BILL MICHAUD

Bill Michaud, a representative of the Charlotte Little League

reviewed his recent letter to the board. Michaud reported the

Board of Selectmen -5- January 14, 2002

organization now has 3 fields by the Charlotte Berry Farm and is

expending its programs to older children and adults. Michaud

discussed field maintenance costs.

Mack asked if Michaud thought there was a demand for adult

softball and Michaud said he thought so. Russell asked Michaud

if they were still working on security for the site and Michaud

answered yes. There was a discussion of safety issues at the

entrance to the ball fields.

Nancy Sabin asked if there would be additional cost to the

schools to use the ball fields and Michaud said there were none

except transportation and the players would get to use better

fields.

Mack and Arthaud said they would like to see the costs of ball

field maintenance be added as an Article for Town Meeting and

Mack offered the board would be finalizing its Warning on

February 28, 2002 if Michaud wanted to firm up his estimates for

costs outlined in his letter.

APPROVE MINUTES

Russell suggested postponing approval of minutes to the next

meeting and board members agreed.

Wendy Schroeder said the MPO wants to send a representative to

talk to board members.

Ramsdell gave out copies of her draft of the Selectboard Annual

Report for their perusal.

TOWN AUDITORS

Auditors Hazel Prindle and Jane Peter reviewed their questions

from their audit of town expenditures and budgets. Prindle

asked about state aid for highways and Mack responded the

procedure has changed and the town does not know how much money

they will receive for grants until much later in the year.

Prindle asked for a breakdown of Selectboard and land

maintenance expenditures and Arthaud offered to make a printout

for her.

Jane Peter noted the Recreation Committee is over its budget and

Mack suggested the Town Clerk could go over the reasons for

overspending with her. Mack also noted Auditor Yacavoni

expressed some line items differently than the town did in his

report which caused some confusion. Mack also described a

mistake with the school budget that took 18 months to resolve.

Prindle said she needed a capital budget for town furniture and

equipment and asked for a report on how fees monies are used.

Prindle noted some cemeteries on Spear Street are in poor repair

and noted the Vermont Old Cemetery Association gives grant

monies for stone repairs. Arthaud asked Prindle if she could

fill out a grant application for the town.

Board of Selectmen -6- January 14, 2002

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE

AUBE-HINSDALE CASE."

Vote: All in favor.

Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION."

Vote: All in favor.

Chairman Mack reported the board took no action in Executive

Session. Executive Session ran from 9:35 to 10:05 p.m.

BUDGET AND TOWN WARNING

Wendy Schroeder reported that Animal Control officer, Dale

Knowles said he would like a raise in pay.

Mack noted a letter he received from Fire Chief, Chris Davis on

the Fire & Rescue budget. Davis removed $1,125.00 for septic

pumping and $2,000.00 for dispatching from his budget.

Mack reviewed with the board the Listers budget. Board members

discussed the Delinquent Tax Collector position and the hours

required to do the job.

The board discussed Fire and Rescue salaries.

Board members discussed the Highway budget, noting that the

winter in terms of road maintenance has been mild to date and

the use of salt on the roads. Board members discussed town

lands and Nancy Sabin stated that Barber Hill Cemetery was in

poor condition. Russell noted $500.00 budgeted for cemetery

repairs has yet to be spent.

Ramsdell said she had talked to Beth Merritt who reported the

Head Librarian did not get a salary increase, just the

assistants received raises. Russell question where the money

for raises may have come from.

Board members reviewed the Donations, Recreation Fund, Town Hall

maintenance, Senior Center and Miscellaneous budgets.

Having no further business, Chairman Mack

moved:

* "TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:08 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn