FINAL VERSION AS AMENDED AND APPROVED ON April 14, 2003. Attest: _________

 

 

Town of Charlotte

Board of Selectmen

Minutes

 

Monday, March 24, 2003

7:00 PM, Charlotte Town Hall

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Chairman Charles Russell

Eleanor Russell

Jennifer Steele Cole

Paul Arthaud

 

OTHERS:                               Daniel Senecal-Albrecht (selectboard assistant)

                                                Stephen C. Brooks

                                                John Hammer

                                                Hugh Lewis, Sr.

                                                Tricia Coleman

                                                Peter Coleman

Mel Hawley

Sylvia Sprigg

Walter Gates

Robert Mack

Eric Van Vlandren

Chris Davis

Dick St. George

Dave Schermerhorn

Tom Heilmann

Nancy Salem

N. & J. Gates

Dick Weed

Jocelyn Bolick (clerk)

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

 

The items on the agenda were as follows; 

 

Adjustments to Agenda / Approve minutes of February 24th and March 10th / Public Discussion / Senior Center Discussion of Building and Water Issues – Wally Gates / Approve Amended Harassment Policy / Legal Issues / Fire and Rescue / Finish Selectboard Priorities & Workplan / Thompson’s Point Indirect Discharge Permit Approval / Extend Hugh Lewis, Sr. Term as Constable to State Required 2 Years / Selectboard Updates / Sign Bills and Warrants / Adjournment

 

Adjustments to Agenda

 

·        Selectboard Updates - Paul Arthaud with Rec Path Update

·        Mel Hawley’s letter

·        Selectboard Updates - Jennifer Cole with Thompson’s Point and Ag Lease Committee

 

Approve Minutes of February 24th and March 10th

 

Motion made by Eleanor Russell, seconded by Jennifer Cole:

“To approve the selectboard meeting minutes with corrections for February 24th”

Vote:  3 in favor, 1 abstention (Paul Arthaud, absent from Feb. 24 meeting).

Delete reference on page 3  “of the selectboard and others” concerning Peter Coleman taking pictures.

Correct reference on page 3 from “should object to the floating trail easement” to “should object to removing the floating trail easement”.

Correct reference on page 4 from “can’t touch because of the way …” to “can’t touch because of this encumberance”.

Correct reference on page 4 from “to discuss the agricultural leases” to “to the committee to address the agricultural leases”.

Correct reference on page 5 from “Eleanor Russell agreed, but feels” to “Eleanor Russell feels”.

Correct reference on page 6 from “for 43 sales” to “for the year 2002, there were 43 sales”.

Correct reference on page 6 from “$1,000,00” to “$1,000,000”.

Correct reference on page 6 from “are used at Nordic Farm” to “are used at Phase 1 of the Trevor and Melissa Mack Trail”.

 

Motion made by Eleanor Russell, seconded by Jennifer Cole:

 “To approve the selectboard meeting minutes with corrections for March 10th”

Vote:  all in favor.

Correct reference on page 3 from “HAVE to be done this year” to “are being done this year (either by the selectboard or other entities)”.

Add on page 4 after both motions “Vote: all in favor”.

Correct reference on page 7 from “subcommittees of the planning commission” to “subcommittees of the selectboard”.

Correct reference on page 8 from “Link Road” to “Lake Road”.

Correct reference on page 8 from “cracks in lots of the other words” to “cracks in lots of the other roads”.

Correct reference on page 9 from “One lane bridge” to “Bostwick Road has a one lane bridge”.  Add (after this corrected sentence) “There was some discussion on this issue.”.

Correct reference on page 9 from “$34000 had a fair amount” to “$34000 is a fair amount”.

Correct reference on page 9 from “you can grants” to “you can get grants”.

Correct reference on page 10 from “put it on the school board” to “put it on the ballot”.

Correct reference on page 11 from “money until you do not have it” to “money until you do have it”.

 

Public Discussion

 

·        Mel Hawley wrote a letter about the floating easement on the Greenwood America property.  He would like the selectboard to decide by August 1st whether or not to exercise the option on the easement.  Paul Arthaud said we will need to incur a cost to do the research (engineering, etc.) to make a trail that we won’t even use.  Since this is not a trail that is in any of the town plans, Paul feels he would let this one go at this point.

 

Charles Russell felt that tonight was not the night to make that decision, but it will be put on a future agenda.

 

Eleanor Russell said we don’t have a master plan, so we don’t know if that trail will fit or not.  Perhaps in the time given we’ll get more information to guide us.

 

Stephen Brooks asked when the option will run out.  Mel Hawley said there is no time pressure.  Charles Russell said we should know by August 1st whether or not we think it’s reasonable to build a trail through that land. 

 

Paul Arthaud agreed with Eleanor Russell that the trails committee should go forward and look at this option.  Charles Russell said we will look at it within the next 1 ½ months.  There is no formal trail committee right now; it is ad hoc.  They are working on a mission statement.  Eleanor Russell feels the selectboard has an obligation to give a timely answer.

 

Mel Hawley said he appreciates the board setting the trail easement on the property.  Since it is a floating trail easement (not in a fixed location), it is a true encumberance on the property.  It is not a floating easement on the Creamery Property, but it does affect the property between Lake Road and the Creamery Property.  It is difficult to design around something when you don’t know where it is exactly. 

 

Peter Coleman wanted to know if a floating easement is determined between  the selectboard and the owner of the land.  It is not dictated by the selectboard, is it?  The selectboard feels they will have an engineer take a look at it by August 1st to see if it’s practical to build a trail.  There are a lot of issues with these trails – that’s why the selectboard feels it is wise to form a committee to deal with these topics.

 

·        Stephen Brooks wanted to direct attention to tomorrow night’s conservation commission meeting.  One of their issues is to approve the letterhead for the conservation commission.  Stephen felt that the conservation commission should be using the town letterhead.  His objection is that it’s a terrible precedent – if it’s okay for one commission to do it, then it’s okay for every commission to fashion their own letterhead.  Also, liability-wise, issues should go to the selectboard first.

 

·        Peter Coleman asked when the February selectboard meeting minutes will go onto the website.  Discussion ensued about whether to put a draft version of the selectboard meeting minutes on the website.  The selectboard felt they should be approved first, but it was decided that a draft (unapproved) version will be put up on the website as soon as it is received (within 5 days).

 

·        Peter Coleman is ranting and raving for Jimmy Dickerson (who couldn’t come to rant and rave in person).  He has observed people riding on ATV’s and snowmobiles all over town property and the Old Lantern property and the town property up by Barber Hill Road.  He had mentioned it to the selectboard less than a year ago.  Charles Russell said he hadn’t heard any more complaints and had heard it had died down.  Stephen Brooks asked what the problem was – Peter said it was a liability problem if something happened on town land.  Is posting the land something that will help the situation?  Charles Russell said it all comes down to the enforcement of the rules.  Could VAST help out?  Making a trail through there might help solve the problem.  Peter recommends that this be an agenda item in a couple more meetings so we can discuss it more thoroughly.

 

Senior Center Discussion of Building and Water Issues – Wally Gates

 

Walter Gates wanted to talk about water and building issues with the Senior Center.  Back in December, a routine water test required by the state showed coliform.  Although it is not dangerous, it shows that potentially dangerous bacteria is getting into the well.  If that occurs, other things can be getting in there too.

 

Since that December test, they chlorinated the well, fixed the well casing at the top, put in a new pump after it failed, and made an internal plumbing change.  After each fix, they tested the well again, and each time the test failed.  But, after the last plumbing change, they got a set of clean tests.  Next they have to work with the state to fulfill the exact procedures they require to lift the boiled water ban (currently it is still in effect).  They are optimistic they have the situation in hand.  If they don’t, the next courses of action are quite expensive – either a chlorination system or an ultraviolet system with a chlorination backup system.

 

Building issues – the Senior Center has tried to get the contractor (Summit Construction) to come back and take care of a number of open items.  They have never received “as-built” drawings.  They are important since the building is never exactly built the way the architect has envisioned it.  There are mistakes that have been made that everyone agrees can remain that way;  there are times when someone thinks of a better way of doing something.  The contractor is supposed to record all the changes and give a set of prints that shows exactly how the building was built.  As an example, the Senior Center wanted to put in a handicap ramp, but they did not know where the electrical lines in the parking lot were built, so they had to hire Dig Safe to come in and find the lines.

 

Charles Russell said Peter Nelson (the supervisor with Summit Construction) said he will return Charles’ call when he has time and they will go to Montpelier and go through the prints together.

 

Walter Gates said the warranty period on the building expires in April, so if things are not fixed by that time, the contractors might claim that the warranty is up.  However, they have been unable to get that resolved.  Other items include a telephone line that was installed using an interior box and wiring on the exterior which has caused problems with the alarm system and the phone service.   Also, the backsplash in the kitchen came off – right now it is clamped down to be glued, but someone needs to caulk it.  Summit Construction said they will get around to it.  There are water stains from the drip edge, the great room door doesn’t have the right sill so there’s a draft, there is a crack in the french door, there are no box keys for the silent alarm, and the existing problems we spoke about earlier with the well.  The Senior Center is here to ask for help, they can’t seem to get it done.  The list has 10 items, but the contractor just says that they’ll take care of it.  The contract is with the town and Summit, not with the Senior Center and Summit.  The suggestion from the Senior Center is either to get Summit to get it done before the warranty or get the town attorney to get them to extend the warranty period.

 

Paul Arthaud said that they withheld payment for a period of time because of the punch list.  If Summit does not come through and fix these things, the selectboard will be looking for legal documents that state the final punch list.  The town will be looking for whom to pursue.

 

Stephen Brooks wanted to know if the selectboard is taking any action based on this discussion.  Charles Russell said he and Dan Senecal-Albrecht will call Summit Construction tomorrow and talk to them and see if it can all be resolved by April or get the warranty extended.  Summit Construction has been paid their last money.

 

Tricia Coleman said she wrote to the selectboard in June of last year exactly what should be included in the punch list.

 

Approve Amended Harassment Policy

 

Eleanor Russell circulated to the selectboard a copy of the policy that has been approved by the town counsel regarding harassment.  Eleanor said the changes made by legal counsel (Tim Huestis) was to change wording so it fits the legal model.  For example “illegal” was changed to “unlawful”.  He also wanted to insure it was in compliance with state and federal regulations regarding sexual harassment.  It is fairly straightforward.

 

Paul Arthaud wanted to know if a political campaign that distributed material that arguably showed hostility toward an individual would violate the harassment policy.  Eleanor Russell said the keywords are “protected under the law” such as on the basis of race, sex, religion, etc.  This is the wording that is considered proper by the state and town counsel.  Paul wanted to know if you write about someone in town office - is that considered harassment?  Eleanor said it had to show hostility based on race, sex, religion, etc.

 

Peter Coleman wanted to know if that includes accusing someone of diminished mental capacity.  The answer is no.

 

The workplace should be free of harassment for any employee or citizen.

 

Paul Arthaud still has a problem with the wording of the document.  Paul feels that there is material that is distributed from time to time that shows hostility towards the individual.  Eleanor said you can get angry with a person because of their hair color, but not because of anything protected under the law.

 

Motion made by Eleanor Russell, seconded by Jennifer Cole:

“To approve the harassment policy”.

Vote:  all in favor.

 

Legal Issues

 

·        Mathieu Motors – Appeal.  Tom Mansfield granted them a permit to sell cars at Mt. Philo Motors.  It was appealed with the zoning board who overturned Tom’s ruling.  It went to the environmental board and the town lost.  The selectboard needs to decide if they are going to appeal that decision.  Joe McLean said the town could appeal it to the Vermont Supreme Court but he didn’t feel it would be successful. 

 

Eleanor Russell said the bottom line is – the issue was whether that commercial property was used to sell previously owned cars continuously over time from Lacasse to Lavalette.  The decision stated there was always at least one car for sale there at all times.  There doesn’t seem to be any strong legal basis to appeal.  Joe McLean felt it would be $3,000-$5,000 to go to the Supreme Court without much chance of winning it.  The town has spent approximately $7600 in legal fees on this already.

 

Sylvia Sprigg said it was discontinued as a commercial property.  It is setting a bad precedent for the town that a discontinued commercial property is still allowed to be resumed as a commercial property.  The selectboard doesn’t feel happy about this decision, but it is a lost cause.  Sylvia feels we need to inform our zoning administrator to look into the facts and figures from the beginning.

 

·        WIZN – Party Status for ACT250 and Environmental Board Cases?  Do we want Stitzels’ office to get party status so we know what is going on with the court cases.  Robert Mack said he thinks we should just have the attorney that the selectboard has on the case review the documents.  Charles Russell said right now we don’t get notified about what is going on.

 

Paul Arthaud asked what are the costs associated with being involved?  It’s standard documents, should not be a huge expense.

 

·        Magill/Fournier – Pursue or Waive Condition Requiring Buried Utilities.  Dan Senecal-Albrechtcompiled the documents.  Lance Fournier subdivided his property in 2000.  He was supposed to bury his cable, but he didn’t and then sold his property. Magill put in an addendum when he purchased the property from Fournier forcing Fournier to bury the lines to comply with the town.  Magill is now trying to clear up his title.  He got a certificate of compliance from Tom Mansfield saying everything was okay (but it wasn’t). 

 

The selectboard has to decide whether to force Magill (the current landowner) to bury his lines.  Tom worked with him and tried to work out a settlement.  They came to within $2000 but could not agree on a figure.  Does the selectboard care enough about this to go after Magill or do we forget the whole thing and acknowledge that Tom should not have given them a certificate of compliance.  Tom made a mistake, but Magill has a certificate in hand.  What does it cost to town to pursue this?  Stephen Brooks felt if he is in violation of his permit, then he’s in violation of his permit!

 

Eleanor Russell excused herself from the discussion since she can see the wires from her property.

 

Mr. Fournier is the ultimate offending party.  He agreed to bury the lines and did not do it.  In the purchase and sale agreement, it says that the seller is responsible for burial of the existing electrical service to comply with the state of Vermont.

 

Stephen Brooks said someone wants special treatment, that’s what this all amounts to.  Sylvia Sprigg said Mr. Fournier already got special treatment on his questionable septic system.  It may be a different owner, but it’s the same piece of property.  Robert Mack said it was only one corner of the replacement area that did not meet requirements.  Sylvia Sprigg feels it is a terrible precedent to hand out a waiver after the fact (Paul Arthaud agreed).

 

The selectboard feels that they should send Mr. Magill a letter telling him to bury the lines.  That’s the first step.  Stephen Brooks said the zoning administrator should send him a letter, it doesn’t have anything to do with the selectboard.

 

Fire and Rescue

 

·        Approve Necessity Resolution for Fire Truck Bonding and Warning for the Vote.   The selectboard has the paperwork from the previous bond vote in 1998 when the ambulance was bought.  The CVU bond vote will be May 27th.  When do we have to have a vote so we can get a bond for this year?  We’d like to get it on May 27th with the CVU bond vote.  June 15th is the drop dead date when everything must be in.  Most of the paperwork can be done ahead of time, Eric Van Vlandren of CVFRS does not want to miss that window.

 

Dan Senecal-Albrecht spoke to someone from the Vermont Bond Bank, he prefers to email the application forms.  Verbally, May 20th sounded okay to the representative from the bond bank.  We can’t approve the necessity resolution tonight, but we will on April 14th.  If it must be done before April 14th, the selectboard will call a special meeting.  We can’t say the fire truck bond vote is May 27th because we haven’t confirmed that with the bond bank yet.

 

Eleanor Russell thought there would be a committee to look at the governance issue.  Eric Van Vlandren said they are currently rewriting their by-laws and before the vote they would pass them by the selectboard as well as with CVFRS’ attorney and a HR consultant.  CVFRS is exploring a more formal relationship with the town.

 

Dave Schermerhorn said back in the 60’s there was a fire commission established which was a liaison between the town government and the fire department.  He believes it still exists.  It was a three person commission that included the fire chief, a member of the selectboard, and another elected official.

 

Eleanor Russell feels there are a variety of ways that haven’t been considered concerning the towns’ relationship with the fire department.  Dan has contacted various towns to see how they are currently handling the relationship between the town and the fire department.

 

The selectboard will let CVFRS know what they find out about the bond vote.

 

John Hammer asked when will the barn burn occur?  Dick St. George said issues had come up, and it has not yet been rescheduled.  They will put it in the paper.

 

Stephen Brooks asked if it would be fair to say that the Lanes gave WIZN some of their property rights, and WIZN gave CVFRS some of their property rights.  The arrangement is that the Lanes entered into a lease arrangement with WIZN, there is a sub-lease arrangement between WIZN and CVFRS, and there is a bill of sale for the physical structure of the tower to CVFRS.  The lease by the Lanes to WIZN has been extended to the year 2031.  The Lanes extended the lease in November of 2001. 

 

Stephen Brooks asked if the income from Verizon and the ongoing legal fees associated with the tower are a wash for CVFRS.  The answer is probably – give or take a year.  Stephen Brooks wanted to know if it would make sense for CVFRS to give or sell the tower for $1.  They would get out of the liability of owning the tower.  Tom Heilmann said there are a lot of reasons why they may or may not want to do that.  Once they got the district environmental permit in June of 2000, WIZN started a move to get off the tower.  Hopefully that would stop or minimize all these cases.  Most other communities do get some form of revenue because of their towers to offset operating expenses. 

 

Tom Heilmann said he will continue his efforts to have issues that threaten the tower either dropped or moved off to the side.  If the opposition has objections that are directed to other users, they can air them out in a forum that doesn’t directly affect CVFRS.  He has been perplexed about why the issue is the tower and not the users that are causing the problem.  A lot depends on the way the environmental board is going to structure and manage this case.

 

Eleanor Russell asked if there is any value if the town counsel participates as a party to this?  Tom Heilmann said there might be some weight with the environmental board.

 

Charles Russell asked where Mt. Philo fits into this.  Eric Van Vlandren said they are looking at this in conjunction with the Ferrisburg Fire Department.  No enlargement of the tower is necessary, but they would need to put a generator and some other transmission equipment up there, and enlarge the structure, etc.  They want to confirm there are no dead spots in the community if they move to the tower up there.  CVFRS wants to develop another option.  If they move to Mt. Philo, they want to make sure that a change in management of the other players involved would not move CVFRS off the tower.  Charles asked if they were actively pursuing it and is there a timeframe in mind.  Eric Van Vlandren said they are pursuing it but looking at the physical aspects first.

 

Stephen Brooks said Governor Jim Douglas is drawn to problems with bureaucratic intransigence.  Someone should call him and describe the history of not being able to move this forward.  Stephen wanted to know if it would be helpful if the Charlotte selectboard and planning commission would draw up a brief letter of support for CVFRS or to district environmental so that Tom Heilmann could put it in his files for future use.  Tom said if we were dealing with a blank slate, it would be great.  But there are a lot of intricacies and complications involved with this case.

 

Stephen Brooks asked about maintaining a long term cash flow from the tower.  Tom Heilmann said the goal of the tower is to gain the potential income raised to offset operating expenses.  Users have a $25,000-$30,000 payment every year.

 

Tricia Coleman asked how much was spent already on legal fees with the tower.   CVFRS said most of the income from Verizon has gone directly to legal fees on this issue.  Robert Mack said a ball park figure was $25,000 from the town on legal fees on this issue.

 

·        Update on Harriet Barrows Will. Tom Heilmann gave Eleanor Russell a report on the will a few days ago which she passed on to the selectboard – it was very helpful on keeping the board up-to-date on the situation. 

 

Tom Heilmann asked that the information in the report, while available to anyone in the town, be kept in context and not have information pulled out in bits and pieces.  When you look at the language of the bequest, it is clear that it is a net income only bequest.  The beneficiary has no power to invade the principal of the trust.  There may be some softening of that, Tom is working on that right now.  Also, the trustee can be directed on how to make investments of the money by the trust.

 

Eleanor Russell wondered about the timeframe.  Tom said they were going to move as quickly as they can.  He feels they will start receiving the income on a quarterly basis very soon, but the end result may take a little while.

 

Paul Arthaud felt that the public should be aware that a trust yielding $30,000 to $50,000 a year could yield around $7,500 quarterly for CVFRS – which is not enough to fund equipment for CVFRS.

 

Stephen Brooks said the trust was created years before Harriet Barrows’ death, so the trust would not be subject to probate.

 

Eric Van Vlandren said whatever money received from the will would go to the benefit of the community – whether to buy things from the capital fund list, move something forward on the capital fund list, whether to defray costs elsewhere, etc.  Eric feels the most prudent thing is to go forward with the bond issue since the money from the trust may not be available for another year.  Eric said they will definitely lay out some scenarios on how the money will be spent, as well as continue a commitment to work with the selectboard.

 

Harriet Barrows died at the end of 2001, but Tom Heilmann got the first official notification in January of 2003 that a trust was set up for CVFRS.  Stephen Brooks said those who needed to consent during probate consented, so if there was any contention it was prior to that with the trust.  Basically, there will be more information to come.

 

Nancy Sabin wanted to know why we’re wasting time talking about the trust – too many unknowns in it right now.  Isn’t the issue on a re-vote because the town of Charlotte has counsel that doesn’t know what it’s talking about.  Counsel told the selectboard how to proceed with asking the townfolk for money for the firetruck.

 

CVFRS has reserved page 2 of the Charlotte News (due to Peter Coleman’s generosity) explaining a lot of these facts so that people can stop listening to the rumor mill and stop speculating – actually deal with some facts!  Hopefully the taxpayers can find a way to vote yes because it is still in the best interest of the community.

 

Finish Selectboard Priorities & Workplan

 

No time to do this tonight.  Eleanor Russell would like the selectboard to look at the list and send comments back to Eleanor.  It may not be a perfect result and it needs to be revisited after you have had time to think about it.

 

Thompson’s Point Indirect Discharge Permit Approval

 

Dan Senecal-Albrecht handed out a copy of the indirect discharge permit.  There are no issues to worry about, the plant is working fine at about half capacity.  There is a $100 fee plus about $378 based upon usage of 6,000 gallons.

 

The permit is for 20,000 gallons per day, it is currently using about 9,000 gallons.

 

Motion made by Eleanor Russell, seconded by Jennifer Cole:

“The selectboard authorizes Charles Russell to sign an application for an indirect discharge permit for the waste water system at Thompson’s Point”.

Vote:  all in favor.

 

Extend Hugh Lewis, Sr., Term as Constable to State Required 2 Years

 

Eleanor Russell made motion, seconded by Paul Arthaud:

“To have Hugh Lewis, Sr., appointed as town constable for 2 years”.

Vote: all in favor.

 

Selectboard Updates

 

·        Appointments to Town Commissions.  The seats that are up are Linda Hamilton on Conservation, as well as an existing open seat on the Conservation Commission;  Planning (Jeff McDonald, Dave Brown); Recreation (Steven Moore and Richard Bernstein);  Health Officer;  Tree warden.  We also need to advertise for a second constable.  We can put an open letter to the Charlotte News asking for letters from people interested in the positions.  The open letter will state that people should be aware that incumbents may be sending in letters also.

 

·        Trail Committee.  Dan Senecal-Albrecht said they met last Thursday and made a 3rd draft of the goals and objectives of the trail committee.  It is being edited by Dan and will be sent to the various parties involved.  Dan will take over the staffing responsibilities.

 

·        Burnt Rock By-Law Review.  Eleanor Russell and Jennifer Cole met with the Planning Commission last week.  It was a good meeting, lots of input from townspeople and interested parties.  The planning commission shared their outline for the process.  They are going to rent a school bus and interested parties can take a tour. 

 

·        Rec Committee Update. Paul Arthaud said they are ready to go to bid.  He got the new purpose and need description isolating it and connecting it to nothing.  They are pending a storm water discharge permit.  It is a path to nowhere, and the bid documents will be coming in April.

 

·        Eleanor Russell made a motion, Paul Arthaud seconded:

“To appoint Tom Mansfield as Deputy Health Officer.”

Vote:  all in favor.

 

·        Larry Lavalette is incapacitated and cannot run the flea market this year.  The selectboard has decided it’s not their issue and will do nothing at this time.

 

·        Thompson’s Point and Ag Lease Committee.  Jennifer Cole said they met last Wednesday to put in their final comments.  Dick Greene will come to the next meeting and explain their recommendations.  The recommendations are that the lease will continue with Aurora Farms for 5 years.  The Pony Club has one more year in their lease and they’ll finish cleaning up the boundaries.  The rest of the land will not be used for pasture.  The Sportsmens Club Alliance is agreeable with not having a lease.

 

Robert Mack wanted to know why they are not going out to bid on this land?  Paul Arthaud agreed with Robert – but these are just recommendations at this point.  It is up to the selectboard to decide whom to lease to, but the two groups that were interested were Aurora Farms and Charlotte Sportsmens Alliance.  The selectboard actually has to put it out to bid though.

 

Jennifer said one of the recommendations of the committee was that a procedure needs to be set up to review the leases.

 

Robert Mack said the people on Thompson’s Point only lease one part of the property.  They don’t have the right to run all over the place.  Robert said that committee is well represented with those people.  Jennifer said that the public should have access to town land.  Robert said he’s concerned with the combination of land (both crop and pasture).

 

Paul Arthaud said he’d be interested in maximizing the revenue on the property for the benefit of the town.  Jennifer said the committee felt the small size available for farmland was small enough and so broken up (by the waste water system, etc.) that it was not valuable for farming.  Robert Mack felt that the bidding process would tell you that.   He feels that if someone wants to be a hobby farmer, it would be valuable to them.

 

Charles Russell said to wait for the report that shows the recommendations of the committee.

 

Sign Bills and Warrants

 

Motion by Eleanor Russell, seconded by Paul Arthaud:

“To authorize Charles Russell to sign the appropriate documents CCC515 and CCC517 for Skip Sheldon”.

Vote:  all in favor.

 

Adjournment

 

Next meeting on Monday, April 14th, at 7 PM.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:25 PM.