Board of Selectmen June 24, 2002

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

JUNE 24, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Charles Russell

Debbie Ramsdell

Ellie Russell

Jennifer Steele Cole

OTHERS: Stephen C. Brooks

Steve Simpson

Hugh Lewis, Sr.

John Hammer

Nancy Sabin

Jack Miller

Marilyn Richardson

Spin Richardson

Hugh Lewis, Jr.

Jane Ann Kantor

R. St. George

Ker B. Walker

Chris W. Davis

Ann Owen

Debra Jones

Jack Galt

Roger Tesse

Jody Baker

Nancy Goodrich

Chris Cichoski Kelly

Eileen Cichoski Kelly

John Zahn

Dan Jackson

Sylvia Sprigg

Edward Siegel

Richard Hong

Bill Leckerling

Peter Coleman

Note: These are unapproved minutes only. For corrections and

approval of minutes, look to future meeting minutes.

________________________________________________________________

Chairman Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the

Charlotte Town Offices.

ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA

Chairman Russell said he wanted to review his discussion with

Bill Michaud on the ball fields if time permitted. Cole wished

to discuss the West Village planning committees.

SIGN WARRANT AND BILLS

Board members signed warrants and bills.

Board of Selectmen -2- June 24, 2002

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Stephen Brooks asked about the status of moving the Holcomb

house and Cole responded that the town hadn't heard anything

back from the family about whether it is available or even if

the town is interested in the property. Brooks suggested the

topic please placed on the next agenda.

Brooks said h thought the underbrush on Barber hill was getting

overgrown and should be knocked down. Chairman Russell said the

area was brush hogged 2 years ago and thought perhaps it should

be done again.

Brooks asked if anyone had arranged with Dick LeBoeuf for use of

his property on Ferry Road for parking for the town party on

July 13, 2002. Cole responded that she had discussed parking in

other locations with Alice Lawrence, but she would be willing to

call Dick LeBoeuf.

Brooks asked about lighting fixtures in the town hall parking

lot and Ramsdell replied she had spoken with Gary Thibault and

he would be getting to the job soon.

Peter Coleman asked if the town had a policy on using Barber

Hill as a wedding site and Chairman Russell responded that he

believed there was a reference to that in the deed to the town

from the Kingstons. Ramsdell offered that she would find the

answer to that question. John Hammer suggested that there are a

lot of scenic places in town that would be desirable for

weddings and E. Russell said perhaps the town should draft a

policy on the issue.

MARY MEAD - YEAR END FISCAL REPORT

Town Clerk, Mary Mead said the town is fiscally healthy, but the

(fiscal) year has not ended yet. Mead reviewed that town

revenues are up and some expenses are over budget and reviewed

those line items, but the budget year should "come out even" at

the year's close. Mead added she would be borrowing money for

paving in August. E. Russell complimented Mead on doing a good

job.

FIRE & RESCUE - LANDSCAPING

Fire Chief, Chris Davis showed board members a map of the

landscape plans for the Fire & Rescue building, noting the plans

focused on finishing off the fine details to the exterior of the

building and outlined how they would be paid for. Davis

discussed the history of the fundraising for the new building

and noted all the money from the construction account has been

spent. Davis said $17,267.00 has been spent out of the

operations fund for this year's budget and was asking for input

about what to do and noted the landscaping plans were put on

hold while the F&R pays for operational expenses, but Marilyn

Richardson has been working with the Senior Center to coordinate

landscaping with the F&R and the F&R has just started looking at

landscaping prices.

Board of Selectmen -3- June 24, 2002

Chairman Russell noted there was $45,000.00 left in the sewer

fund budget.

Rick Pollack said that the F&R is currently short-staffed and

they have done everything possible to withhold spending and

medical supplies have been kept at a minimum. Davis added that

the Department had a record number of calls lately and they were

asking from the board what they would like them to do about the

fact they know they are over budget. E. Russell asked that

Davis bring the board more details of the F&R's expenses.

Ramsdell moved and the motion was seconded by

E. Russell:

* "TO APPROVE THE LANDSCAPING AND SITE PLAN DESIGN FOR

THE CHARLOTTE FIRE AND RESCUE, WHICH INCLUDES

BUILDING IN THE ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AS OF MAY 25,

2002."

Vote: All in favor.

John Hammer discussed cars that are used for training exercises

by F&R and Cole suggested that perhaps the cars could be removed

soon after the training is over.

SELECTBOARD LETTER TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING

HINSDALE LARGE FARM OPERATION PERMIT

Chairman Russell said this item was put on the agenda so the

board could review its latest draft of a letter to the

Commissioner of Agriculture on the town's concerns with the

Hinsdales' application for a Large Farm Permit.

Jack Galt, a neighbor of the Hinsdales, said he and the other

neighbors of the farm have voiced concerns about the proposed

project, particularly with the lack of knowledge of the risks to

health and safety from such a large farm and especially with a

large manure pit. Galt said he didn't think the people making

the decision on the Large Farm Permit had enough information on

the possible ramifications of having such a large manure pit.

Galt read a resolution from the Michigan State Medical Society

calling for a moratorium on all new concentrated animal feeding

operations in Michigan and presented copies of the resolution to

board members. Galt also discussed similar action regarding

manure pits in Colorado and presented literature on the subject

to the board.

E. Russell said it was difficult for the board to discuss this

at this time as they were aware the Hinsdales would be soon

presenting a smaller permit application.

Chairman Russell read from last 2 paragraphs of the new draft of

the Selectboard's letter to the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Eileen Cichoski Kelly said that even with a smaller scale

operation of the Hinsdales' current application all the issues

raised to date need to be studied.

E. Russell said the Hinsdales' current application is not

complete, but when it is, the town will have 10 days to comment.

Board of Selectmen -4- June 24, 2002

Richard Hong said the board should not send out anything on town

stationery, as it was unethical and offered that opinions should

be expressed to the Commissioner of Agriculture individually.

Cole said she thought much of what the board put into the draft

reflected the concerns expressed to the board from the citizens

and the board could say there were people who asked for a

moratorium. Ramsdell noted that the Conservation Commission and

the Planning Commission were also drafting letters.

Susan Crockenberg said the person(s) responsible for pollutions

should not be giving assurances there would be no problems and

offered that independent experts should provide testimony in the

matter.

Chris Cichoski Kelly asked the board members for their personal

opinions on the Large Farm Permit. E. Russell said her opinions

on the issue have changed over time, and she supports the

current draft of the letter and felt the permit application

should be decided upon whether the land can support the large

farm operation and noted at present the board is only reviewing

the Phase I permit.

Chairman Russell said his opinion has also changed over time and

at the moment he was inclined not to write any letter, offering

do you take a poll on the issue or follow your conscience?

Chairman Russell said a letter would be a position of a

statement of the board and it is hard to know what the majority

of residents think and you can't just say something will cause

pollution without data. Chairman Russell thanked Galt for the

information he presented to the board.

Cole said the board could consider not writing a letter at all

and let the Commissioner of Agriculture make his decision. Cole

said she had been looking at the issues on the internet and she

thought Phase I should be supported as the town should support

agriculture and farms need to change with the times and work as

a business. Cole noted large farms can be a better environment

for cow and workers and farming keeps land open, but she was not

sure about future Phases.

Bill Leckerling said he appreciated all of the comments

presented and he wanted to live in a farming area. Leckerling

suggested that if a position were to be taken with the state, it

should be that the town is frustrated with this process and that

other businesses have a process to get their permits that

balance everyones input and the Large Farm Permit process is

flawed.

Nancy Goodrich said that day's Burlington Free Press stated the

decision would be either a yes or no answer based on the body of

evidence and suggested the town explore what the "body" is and

look at other large farms in Vermont and see what their

neighbors' experiences are.

Board of Selectmen -5- June 24, 2002

There was a discussion of getting more time to review the data

and possible ramifications of a large farm. E. Russell offered

that all citizens are allowed to comment individually and the

board can't ask the state to change the law, but comments can be

taken on the permit for 45 days with any new, pertinent

information.

Chairman Russell stated the burden of the final decision rests

with the Commissioner of Agriculture an the purview of the

Selectboard is limited to budgets, roads, etc.

Doug Weaver suggested instead of trying to change the law that

it would be more productive to discuss these issues in the realm

of public policy and that people have talked about this project

as a battle and at the end of this process he would like

everyone to feel good about what happened in a consensus

building process. Weaver said the Hinsdales had been knocking

on doors to discuss their plans with their neighbors, but

independent information would help everyone involved and the

town should aim for getting more time for information along with

a process to evaluate it. Chairman Russell said he agreed with

Weaver's statements, but thought regardless of any request for

more time and a process that the decision would come soon. E.

Russell reviewed the section of the Selectboard's letter that

discussed talking over issues with the Hinsdales.

Stephen Brooks noted there were 2 people who had attended the

meeting for the next agenda item and it was now 9:30 p.m. and

the board could revisit the Large Farm Permit issue later.

ROAD COMMISSIONER - JUNIOR LEWIS

Road Commissioner, Hugh Lewis Jr. said he had 2 people waiting

for bids to be opened and asked if the agenda could be planned

better the next time to avoid a wait.

Bids were opened for paving town roads, the Senior Center

parking lot, the Fire & Rescue parking lot and repair of the

sewer trench. The following bids were offered: Pike Industries

at $32.86 per ton for hot paving; Frank W. Whitcomb at $35.75

per ton for hot paving; D&F Excavating and Paving at $29.90 per

ton for hot paving and Gorman Brothers at $29.00 per ton for

cold paving.

Lewis said the town had used cold paving a few years ago and the

end result is a little rougher than the hot paving process and

said he was less inclined to using the cold mix again until the

town had more history with the first experiment. E. Russell

asked Lewis what his recommendation was and Lewis responded he

would go with the 2 lowest bids. Chairman Russell asked Lewis

to get references from D&F Excavating and Lewis agreed to do so.

Ramsdell moved and the motion was seconded by

E. Russell:

* "TO GO WITH D&F EXCAVATING PENDING A GOOD

REFERENCE."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -6- June 24, 2002

SELECTBOARD LETTER TO COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE REGARDING

HINSDALE LARGE FARM OPERATION PERMIT (CONTINUED)

Jack Galt advised that the goal should not be to make enemies

around town and the Hinsdales have stated that if the town does

not want their large farm they would withdraw their application.

Doug Weaver said this process should be made fair to the

Hinsdales and a committee should work on the process, but right

now the atmosphere is charges and the town should focus on a

solution.

Nancy Goodrich added that the townspeople were all committed to

having the Hinsdales' farm be viable and they were lucky to have

them as neighbors, but the town needs more time to look at this.

E. Russell reviewed that the town would be sent an amended

application by July 10, 2002.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chairman Russell discussed bills for maintenance of the ball

fields and said Bill Michaud has 3 bids for the work. Ramsdell

suggested that Michaud come in to discuss this matter with the

board.

Cole said she would be contacting people who had expressed

interest in working on the Burns/West Village Committees and see

if they are still interested and will then look at times for the

committees to meet. Chairman Russell suggested making

appointments at the next meeting.

E. Russell said she had attended the Planning Commission meeting

the previous week and reported that an ad hoc committee had been

formed to discuss trails, Linda Hamilton presented a draft map

of open fields in town and there was a presentation by IWO on an

antenna to be placed on a silo.

Cole discussed Thompson Point leases and feedback from the town

attorney and noted copies of his suggestions were put in

Selectboard mailboxes for their review.

APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 17TH MEETING

Ramsdell corrected on page 3 the reference to Fran Tenney should

be "Frank". E. Russell corrected Chairman Russell was the

Selectboard liaison for the Conservation Commission and E.

Russell was the liaison for Planning and Zoning. Ramsdell

corrected the spelling of "agreed" in reference to village

planning.

E. Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Ramsdell:

* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 17, 2002 AS

CORRECTED."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -7- June 24, 2002

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Russell asked board members what they thought should be

done with the draft from the board of a letter to the

Commissioner of Agriculture. E. Russell suggested just stating

the worries that had been brought to tghe board. Chairman

Russell suggested just sticking with the current draft until the

board had more information.

John Hammer said the responsibilities of the Selectboard are to

run the town and pay the bills and the Legislature writes the

laws and E. Russell asked Hammer if he would write a letter and

Hammer answered he did not know if the board had the authority

to write the letter.

The board took no action on the matter.

Having no further business, Chairman Russell

moved:

* "TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn