Charlotte Town Meeting March 5, 2002

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

TOWN MEETING

MINUTES

MARCH 5, 2002

MODERATOR: Jerry Schwartz

SELECTMEN PRESENT: Chairman Robert Mack, Jr.

Debbie Ramsdell

Paul Arthaud

Charles Russell

Jim Sheldon-Dean

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Moderator Jerry Schwartz called the meeting to order and

welcomed the assembly at 9:13 a.m., in the Charlotte Central

School Gymnasium. Schwartz made preliminary announcements and

outlined the rules of order for speaking, including that any and

all issues to be voted on by Australian Ballot could not be

referenced or discussed at Town Meeting.

The local Boy Scout troop led the assembly in the "Pledge of

Allegiance."

ARTICLE 1

Craig Reynolds moved Article 1, with a second from

the floor:

* "TO HEAR THE REPORTS OF THE TOWN OFFICES AND ACT

UPON THE SAME."

Alison Lockwood noted on page 9 of the Town Report in the

Selectmens' budget for fiscal year 2000-2001 the legal expense

doubled and the miscellaneous expenses increased by 100 fold.

Russell and Arthaud responded that both the legal fees and

miscellaneous expenses were incurred from legal and engineering

fees related to the acquisition of the Burns property. Russell

added the Selectboard had decided on limiting the miscellaneous

expenses for the 2002-2003 fiscal year to $1,000.00.

Nancy Sabin noted in the Auditor's Report on page 33 the

recommendation of the Town Auditors that any expenditures not

approved at Town Meeting be approved by the voters at a special

Town Meeting. Hazel Prindle, speaking as one of the Auditors

said it was the recommendation of the outside Auditor in his

report so the Town Auditors included it in theirs.

Jan Schwartz suggested the town have a paid Recreation

Coordinator, as all the other towns in the school district have

one and Sheldon-Dean responded that if the people in the town

wanted a Coordinator it could be considered. Moderator Schwartz

offered the matter would be more appropriately brought up under

Article 13.

VOTE: Article 1 was passed by voice vote.

Charlotte Town Meeting -2- March 5, 2002

ARTICLE 2

Valerie Graham moved Article 2, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO HAVE PROPERTY TAXES PAYABLE

ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2002 AND TO HAVE PAYMENTS

MADE TO THE TOWN TREASURER UNDER 32 VSA SEC. 4773?"

Tina Flood noted that many towns receive tax payments in 3 or 4

over the course of the year and asked why Charlotte doesn't

have a schedule of multiple payments. Mack responded that is

just the way the town has historically received taxes over the

year and though it is a lot of work, it's just once a year.

Mike Russell said he thought quarterly tax payments would be a

service to the taxpayers and would make budgeting easier for

them.

Mike Russell moved with a second from Alison

Lockwood:

* "TO AMEND ARTICLE 2 TO ALLOW FOR QUARTERLY TAX

PAYMENTS."

Marty Illick said she thought Mike Russell's motion might be a

good idea, but thought it should be researched carefully first.

Clark Hinsdale, III said the taxpayers property tax rebate is

based on one payment per year and the amended motion would add

to the tax rate and the cost of postage for tax bills and noted

the town can borrow money at a lower rate than an individual, so

fiscally it did not make sense.

Spin Richardson stated the amended motion would add expense to

the town and countered the motion was for people who don't

carefully budget.

Martha Perkins suggested taxpayers could make arrangements with

the Town Clerk and Town Clerk, Mary Mead offered the town will

always accept early installments. Hazel Prindle added there is

a slot box at the Town Hall for tax payments to be made.

Bob Chutter moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 2."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

Vote: the Amendment to failed by voice vote.

VOTE: Article 2 was passed by voice vote.

ARTICLE 3

Tina Flood moved Article 3, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN ACCEPT THE SELECTBOARD'S BUDGET OF

$1,611,233.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2002 TO

JUNE 30, 2003 LESS ANTICIPATED REVENUES?"

Selectboard Chairman Robert Mack highlighted the changes in the

budget this year, beginning with the Selectboard's budget on

page 9 of the Town Report.

Charlotte Town Meeting -3- March 5, 2002

Hazel Prindle asked why in the Town Lands budget on page 12 the

"Cemetery Maintenance" line item was $500.00 less than the

previous year. Russell stated the town had budgeted that sum of

money for maintenance at the Barber Hill Cemetery that had yet

to be done. prindle asked on page 11 under the Highway Budget

where the increase in the budget was in anticipation of

decreased highway funding this year from the state. Mack

answered the town was expecting grants and had signed an

application for a grant for work to be done on Spear Street the

previous evening.

Alison Lockwood asked if the budget allowed for the increase of

30-40 housing units to be built in town. Mack responded the

budget is adequate for the subdivisions in the works and noted

that most of the town's work happens before the house is built.

Nancy Sabin about employee benefits in lieu of insurance and

noted she would like to keep that line item in the budget as it

is less expensive for the town for employees who have access to

insurance elsewhere. Mack said the lieu of insurance payment

will happen in December and added the change was in keeping with

the town's Employee Personnel Policies.

Dr. Richard Bernstein said he would like to see the Senior

Center open for public events and offered he thought the policy

of serving senior needs only was a discriminatory policy.

Shirley Bean answered the will that provided the money to build

the Senior Center stated specifically the Center was for senior

activities. Many plans and activities will include young people

and senior programs are open to all people with seniors having

preference only for activities with a limited number of spaces

or seating. Bean added that if the town does not adhere to the

terms of the Walter Irish will the trustees who granted the

money could ask for it back. Bean said the Senior Center board

is not discriminatory and that all funds raised by the center

will go toward senior programs. Ray Harwick added the

$21,000.00 budget for operations is for the first 6 months of

the fiscal year and the Senior Center Committee is hopeful that

programs planned for the Center will help defray the costs of

operations.

Alison Lockwood said in the future she would like to see

financial statements in the Town Report for the Senior Center

and the Charlotte Land Trust. Frances Foster, on behalf of the

Land Trust said the Trust is currently putting together a budget

and said Lockwood had made a good point.

Tina Flood asked why $8,200.00 for a recreation path listed in

the Town Report on page 14 was not included in the Recreation

budget. Selectboard Assistant, Wendy Schroeder described the

areas involved and reviewed the path is part of the Route 7

construction project, so the town is receiving federal monies of

which 10% needs to be matched with local funds. Russell added

it would be easier to spend the money out of the General Fund

than the Recreation budget and Sheldon-Dean added the recreation

path is a one-time project, so it would not be appropriate to

create a line item for it.

Charlotte Town Meeting -4- March 5, 2002

Marty Illick added the Recreation Fund is generated with impact

fees, so the path belongs under the General Fund.

Dan Rosen asked how the Senior Center can serve senior and the

town interests at the same time.

Mack answered that 2 years ago there was an article on the

warning to support the Senior Center after its construction and

at that time no revenues coming into the center were discussed.

Shirley Bean added the Friends of the Charlotte Senior Center

talked with the town attorney about what they could and couldn't

do to qualify to receive the money from Walter Irish's will.

Bean said the center was not built with tax dollars, it was a

gift. Bean said the center has received gifts and volunteerism

and would be happy to do a financial report, adding the center

now has a $2,015.21 balance in its account.

Clark Hinsdale, III said the town voted to accept the gift from

Irish's will and he didn't consider the center to be

discriminatory in any way.

Tricia Coleman showed a scrapbook that would be on display in

the hallway with all the information about the center, including

a copy of Irish's will. Ray Harwick added the center doesn't

just operate with the money from Irish's will; $110,000.00 was

donated from the townspeople and $75,000 was given for furniture

and equipment.

Bob Chutter moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON ARTICLE 3."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

VOTE: Article 3 was passed by voice vote.

ARTICLE 4

Tina Flood moved Article 4, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO APPOINT THE POSITION OF TOWN

CONSTABLE FOR A TWO (2) YEAR TERM."

Russell stated the purpose of the Article was that the town can

not have an elected Constable and appointed Second Constables.

Vote: Article 4 was passed by voice vote.

ARTICLE 5

Tina Flood moved Article 5, with a second from

the floor:

* "TO AUTHORIZE THE SELECTBOARD TO BORROW MONEY BY

ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES NOT IN EXCESS OF

ANTICIPATED REVENUES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?."

Vote: Article 5 passed by voice vote.

Charlotte Town Meeting -5- March 5, 2002

ARTICLE 6

Tina Flood moved Article 6, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED

$3,000.00 FROM THE RECREATION FEE FUND FOR THE

PURPOSE OF UPGRADING THE SKATING RINK?"

Craig Reynolds as a member of the Recreation Committee,

discussed the need for a liner in the skating rink, its cost and

liner maintenance.

Josie Leavitt asked how many people use the rink.

Alison Lockwood suggested the Recreation Committee put together

a comprehensive plan for public lands to project future costs.

Russell noted the $3,000.00 will not affect the tax rate as the

money was left over from a previous year and needs to be used in

a certain time frame or else has to be returned to the General

Fund.

Lockwood said money sitting in funds does not address accounting

issues and the town needs a comprehensive plan in place or it

may come up short someday. Lockwood noted the costs for the

recreation path are not yet known.

Vote: Article 6 passed by voice vote.

ARTICLE 7

Alison Lockwood moved Article 7, with a second from

the Tina Flood:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO SPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED

$10,000.00 FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE

FIELDS ADJACENT TO THE BERRY FARM?"

Mack noted this is a new request for money and the Selectboard

wanted the voters to speak to the issue.

Bill Michaud said the baseball program has grown and has built 3

fields by the Charlotte Berry Farm, 250 children are involved in

Little League programs and now they have expended age groups who

will use the fields.

Jim Dovovan asked if the fields would be used only for Little

League games and Michaud answered, no, but they would be

baseball exclusive.

Dan Rosen asked if access to the fields was limited to Little

League teams and Michaud responded his group has not decided on

the matter yet, but the fields would be used predominantly for

Little League and baseball games.

Alison Lockwood asked who owned the land and Michaud responded

the Charlotte Little League. Lockwood asked if they were a

non-profit organization and Michaud responded yes.

Charlotte Town Meeting -6- March 5, 2002

Nancy Sabin said she has attended Selectboard meetings and never

saw any printed information on the fields. Sabin said the town

already has 4 fields, gifts cost the town money, and why can't

the people who use the fields pay for them. Sabin then asked

about access to the fields from Route 7. Michaud said the

access issue had been discussed with Clark Hinsdale, III.

Martha Perkins offered that if public money is used on a project

the issues of who can use the fields needs to be explored.

Marty Illick said supporting recreation fields for children is a

good thing and added that recreation fields were voted down by

the town and individuals went out to solve the problem and did a

great job.

Michaud said the Little League organizers expect that field

maintenance will cost 12,000.00 to $14,000, but it is hard to

predict as this is our first year.

Clark Hinsdale, III said Charlotte citizens made a conscious

decision of how we want to run our town. He added Charlotte has

the lowest tax rate in Chittenden County and we run committees

ourselves and allow for gifting to the town and volunteerism.

Dr. Richard Bernstein said the town is being governed by

interest groups and issues should be kept open, discussed

honestly and there should be a full discussion of ideas and

offered "this is sneaky."

Tina flood noted the Senior Center Committee outlined it's

future costs before the center was built.

Michaud said the Little League is aggressively fundraising and

hope to be independent of the town.

Shirley Bean asked how much of a tax the Article would add on

top of the budget and Russell answered about a quarter of a

cent.

Mark Powers said he has been involved with the ball teams for

ten years and Charlotte won a recent state championship and the

joy this brings to the kids' faces is wonderful! Powers urged

support of the Article.

Ruah Swennerfelt said the Little League was asking for a sum not

to exceed $10, 000.00; what happens to any unspent money? Mack

answered it was expectation the money would be spent.

Joyce Wallace stated the ball fields at the school are not in

good repair.

Lee Weisman said user fees are a way of supporting an

organization and would make more sense. Weisman discussed the

"unbalanced use" of town resources and offered the fields are a

distance from his home in East Charlotte.

Charlotte Town Meeting -7- March 5, 2002

Bob Chutter moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON ARTICLE 7."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

Vote: Article 7 passed by voice vote.

ARTICLE 8

Tina Flood moved Article 8, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED

$40,000.00 TO PAVE THE SENIOR CENTER AND FIRE

STATION PARKING LOT OUT OF UNSPENT FUNDS APPROVED BY

THE TOWN SEWER PROJECT?"

Selectboard Chairman Mack stated the board chose to come back to

the voters on this issue and believe for safety issues the

parking lot should be paved.

Alison Lockwood directed attention to the financial statement

the Fire and Rescue Capital Fund has $13,624.00 in its balance

and suggested that money could be used instead for paving. Mack

answered the voters have approved 3 cents on the tax rate for

capital improvements for the Fire and Rescue Department, and the

town has the money to spend on paving, but is asking the voter

to use it.

Jim Dovovan said he thought the main driveway in front of the

fire station should be paved, but questioned whether the whole

parking lot needed paving,and added there was not budget for

landscaping.

Jim Donovan moved with a second the floor:

* "TO AMEND ARTICLE 8 TO INCLUDE LANDSCAPING."

Shirley Bean offered the Senior Center has a landscaping plan

that the Planning Commission designed and Steve Weisbaum has

gotten donations for landscaping. Bean said the ground is ready

for planting and trees are ready for donating and the Garden

Club has plans to help. Hazel Prindle said she was collecting

money for landscaping costs.

Fire Chief, Chris Davis gave a history of the original plans for

the fire station and said paving in front of the station is

necessary and there are plans for blacktop there. Davis said

landscaping costs are not budgeted and the Capital Equipment

Budget is for pressing equipment needs.

Iris Muggenthaler said she can't walk on an unpaved walk and

said handicapped parking was necessary at the site.

Spin Richardson said the parking lot needs to be constructed

before paving happened and not just put gravel over clay. Mack

said shale was used. Road Commissioner, Hugh Lewis, Jr.

confirmed shale was used, but the big problem is an nonworking

drain behind the fire station.

Charlotte Town Meeting -8- March 5, 2002

Craig Reynolds moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

Martha Perkins asked if the fire station property will look like

after it is paved and Chris Davis answered he had been working

with Jim Donovan and David Wolfe on how it would look after

landscaping.

Nancy Sabin asked how much money was left over in the sewer

budget and Mack answered $47,000.00.

Alison Lockwood asked Tricia Coleman about the costs associated

with landscaping for the Senior Center and Coleman answered they

have applied for money, but don't have a specified dollar

amount. The landscaping is designed to allow for memorial

plantings and the Center is looking for donations.

Vote: Article 8 carried by voice vote.

ARTICLE 9

Alice Lawrence moved Article 9, with a second from

the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, TO CREATE A

ONE WEEK GRACE PERIOD AFTER THE DUE DATE OF NOVEMBER

15TH, DURING WHICH A 1% PENALTY IS ASSESSED ON

UNPAID PROPERTY TAXES, INCREASING TO AN 8% PENALTY

ON NOVEMBER 23RD?"

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS ADVISORY ONLY.

Mike Yantachka, a member of the Board of Tax Abatement,

discussed Article 9 and offered it would give a sense of

reasonableness into the process. Yantachka said taxpayers had

come in 1 to 3 days late to pay their taxes and had to go before

the Board of Tax Abatement to try and have penalties reduced and

often it depends on which board members attend a meeting as to

what decision is made. Yantachka offered that a 1% penalty

would be enough to deter late payments.

Mike Krasnow said that often the Board of Tax Abatement hears

cases of people in circumstances that were not that the taxpayer

just forgot to pay, for example, a child was hit by a car and

the parents still received a penalty for a late tax payment.

Krasnow said there is no financial advantage of paying taxes

late and votes on the board could go either way and are not

even-handed.

Alice Lawrence said as a Justice of the Peace, she is also on

the Board of Tax Abatement and spoke in favor of Article 9 ,

saying it would take the arbitration out of the board and take

pressure off the Delinquent Tax Collector.

Moe Harvey said he is also on the Board of Tax Abatement and is

a conservative on the issue. Harvey said in a recent case heard

by the board, one person didn't pay any of their taxes until

February and that late taxes cost the town money.

Charlotte Town Meeting -9- March 5, 2002

Ramsdell said she would like to point out that taxpayers receive

their tax bills weeks before they are do and wondered why people

pay taxes late.

Connie Balaban said the Town Clerk should hold the checks until

November 15th before cashing them.

Dave Perrin said he is also a member of the Board of Tax

Abatement and considers himself to be a conservative, but

supports this Article as he believes the board has been

inconsistent in their decisions.

Hazel Prindle said she was a Town Treasurer for 14 years and she

has heard lots of excuses and that outstanding taxes pay the Tax

Collector's salary and a deadline is a deadline.

Lee Weisman spoke in favor of Article 9.

Dan Rosen wondered what this measure would do to the Board of

Tax Abatement and said he didn't favor tinkering with something

just to lessen acrimony on a board.

Sylvia Sprigg said she has been on the Board of Tax Abatement

and she's a liberal. Sprigg said taxes can be abated for only 7

reasons and suggested the Article would give the board and the

Delinquent Tax Collector a clear mandate of what the town wants

them to do.

Vote: The motion passed by decision of the house

143 in favor and 59 opposed.

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. for lunch.

Moderator Jerry Schwartz resumed the meeting at 3:25 p.m., in

the Charlotte Central School Gymnasium.

ARTICLE 10

Linda Hamilton moved Article 10, with a second from

the Shirley Knight:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, TO

RECOMMEND THAT THE TOWN OF CHARLOTTE, STATE OF

VERMONT, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNITED

NATIONS USE THE EARTH CHARTER TO GUIDE DECISION

MAKING ON ISSUES OF LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND

INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE?"

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS ADVISORY ONLY.

Larry Hamilton reviewed a handout to the attendees on the Earth

Charter and said the United States is beginning to become

globally aware of impacts of issues outlined in the Charter.

Hamilton said 30 Vermont towns have this Article on their Town

Meeting warnings and Vermont towns could lead the way to larger

support and asked town residents for their support.

Sylvia Knight read a statement in support of the Earth Charter

and noted the measure will be voted on by the United Nations.

Vote: Article 10 carried by voice vote.

Charlotte Town Meeting -10- March 5, 2002

ARTICLE 11

Alison Lockwood moved Article 11, with a second from

the Marty Illick:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, TO URGE THE

STATE LEGISLATURE TO REPLACE VERMONT'S VOTING LAW

FOR STATEWIDE ELECTIONS WITH A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS

VOTERS TO RANK THEIR CANDIDATE CHOICES SO THAT,

WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A SEPARATE RUNOFF ELECTION THE

CANDIDATE PREFERRED BY THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS IS

ELECTED?"

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS ADVISORY ONLY.

Ramsdell read a statement outlining why she thought "Instant

Runoff Voting" was a good idea and necessary and noted 50

Vermont towns have the Article on their Town Meeting warnings.

Ramsdell listed those endorsing the measure.

Sylvia Knight spoke in favor of Article 11 saying it "makes for

more democracy."

Mike Yantachka also spoke in favor of the Article, noting close

races for Governor in recent years and that is for a two-year

term. Yantachka suggested the town should get a voting machine.

Martha Perkins asked what the process was after towns vote on

the Article and Wendy Schroeder said it would be sent to the

state legislature to give them a sense of what the voters

wanted.

Vote: Article 10 carried by voice vote.

ARTICLE 12

Alison Lockwood moved Article 12, with a second from

Richard Bernstein:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, TO

REQUEST THAT OUR LEGISLATORS AND CONGRESSIONAL

REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORT THE MANDATORY LABELING OF

ALL GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS AND SEEDS, AS WELL

AS A MORATORIUM ON THE FURTHER GROWING OF GE CROPS

UNTIL THERE IS CREDIBLE AND INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC

EVIDENCE THAT THERE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER HARMFUL

TO OUR HEALTH, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE SURVIVAL OF

FAMILY FARMS AND REQUEST THAT OUT SELECTBOARD

DECLARE A MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF GENETICALLY

ENGINEERED SEEDS IN THE TOWN AS A STEP TOWARDS

MAKING VERMONT A GE-FREE PLANTING ZONE BY THE 2003

GROWING SEASON?"

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS ADVISORY ONLY.

Dr. Bernstein asked what power the Selectboard could have in

this Article.

Ron Mellon said it is important to raise awareness and we want

people to consider the effects of genetic engineering and noted

this Article was on Town Meeting warnings across the state.

Mellon said people want to know what is in their food and any

Charlotte Town Meeting -11- March 5, 2002

potential dangers and there are many possible effects of

genetically engineered food and we have a right to take care of

or health and environment.

Dave Perrin said he felt this is a national issue and the

Article would only cause expensive lawsuits.

Dave Perrin moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO AMEND ARTICLE 12 BY DELETING THE WORD

LEGISLATORS" AND THE LAST CLAUSE BEGINNING WITH

"AND REQUEST OF OUR SELECTBOARD."

Larry Hamilton said he was going to make a similar amendment and

suggested another change.

Larry Hamilton moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO AMEND ARTICLE 12 BY ADDING BACK THE WORD

LEGISLATORS."

Alison Lockwood said she was in favor of the secondary amendment

as the state has rights and the government is not interested.

VOTE: The secondary amendment to Article 12 carried

by voice vote.

Valerie Graham said the problem with deleting the end of the

amendment is that genetically engineered seeds will contaminate

other crops, and wondered what other group besides the

Selectboard could enforce it.

Marty Illick said she was in favor of what Graham had just said

and noted this was an advisory motion.

Dr. Richard Bernstein said it is messy for the Selectboard to

assume a power we don't want to give them.

Martha Perkins wondered whether a committee could study the

issue and Russell suggested perhaps the Planning Commission.

VOTE: Article 12, as amended carried by voice vote.

Sylvia Knight said since Article 12 is an advisory motion it

doesn't require the Selectboard to do anything, it just advises

the Selectboard of our wishes. Knight said her problem with

genetically engineered seeds is they allow for the use of

pesticides and contamination.

Valerie Graham moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO AMEND ARTICLE 12 BY ADDING "AFTER THE FAMILY

FARMS": AND RESOLVE THAT THIS TOWN WILL MAKE EVERY

EFFORT COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY TO MAKE

CHARLOTTE AND VERMONT A GE FREE PLANTING ZONE BY THE

2003 GROWING SEASON."

Charlotte Town Meeting -12- March 5, 2002

James LaBerge said it was an interesting amendment, but he would

use caution in the wording as some genetically engineered plants

are actually hybrids, and every hybrid is genetically

engineered: what you're saying will take very seed off the

market.

Marty Illick said the key word is genetically engineer; organic

seeds are available, but the matter speaks to ecological

integrity.

Hazel Prindle said she gardens and buys produce in stores and

cautioned the measure could cause food shortages and problems.

Tina Flood moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 12."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

VOTE: Article 12, as amended carried by voice vote.

Larry Hamilton said hybrids are a natural occurrence when

species are mixed.

Tina Flood moved with a second from the floor:

* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON ARTICLE 12."

Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

VOTE: Article 12 carried by voice vote.

ARTICLE 13

Moderator Schwartz noted that all motions under Article 13 are

advisory motions to the Selectboard and read Article 13:

Tina Flood moved Article 13, with a second from

the floor:

* "TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE

SAID MEETING."

Jessie Bradley moved with a second from the floor:

* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, TO CREATE

A PAID POSITION FOR A RECREATION DIRECTOR WHO WILL

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF

RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE."

Alice Lawrence asked if the Recreation Committee had looked at

that issue and Jessie Bradley said it was something for the

Committee to look at and consider.

Jan Schwartz asked if this could be combined with a school

coordinator position as the Recreation Committee is all

volunteers.

Spin Richardson said he was concerned that there were bout 75

people left in attendance to vote on issues and Marty Illick

responded she thought 75 people in town was a darned good

survey.

Charlotte Town Meeting -13- March 5, 2002

Bradley said when she made the motion she intended for the

Recreation Committee to research the issue and get back to the

Selectboard and the town.

VOTE: The advisory motion carried by voice vote.

Dr. Bernstein Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge and the report

on page 40 of the Town Report.

Richard Bernstein moved with a second from Alison

Lockwood:

* "THAT THE SELECTBOARD NOT PERMIT THE USE OF

SYNTHETIC HERBICIDES AND PESTICIDES ON PUBLICLY

OWNED LAND IN CHARLOTTE."

Sylvia Knight said alternatives to pesticides and herbicides

need to be considered in putting human and ecological values

first. Knight said the burden of proof has been put on the

public, but should be put on industry in assessing risk. Knight

thanked Dr. Bernstein for his motion.

Arthaud said the issue would be brought up at the March 27, 2002

meeting with the Demeter Park Oversite Committee.

Marty Illick offered that we're not experts, but as a town we

can look at the general direction where we want to go.

VOTE: The advisory motion carried by voice vote.

Tina Flood said she wished to thank Jim Sheldon-Dean for his

time on the Selectboard.

Martha Perkins moved with a second from Alison

Lockwood:

* "AS AN ADVISORY MOTION TO ASK TAT STREET LIGHTS BE

INSTALLED ON FERRY ROAD FOR SAFETY PURPOSES."

Spin Richardson said as an adjoining neighbor it is an intrusion

into our neighborhood and added a lighting plan has been through

the planning process and permitted.

Raven Davis added she thought town residents were already losing

the night sky as is was.

VOTE: The advisory motion failed by voice vote.

Hazel Prindle announced she had collected $399.26 for the Senior

Center landscaping.