Board of Selectmen August 23, 1999

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
AUGUST 23, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marty Illick
Robert Mack, Jr.
John Rosenthal
James Sheldon-Dean
Clark Hinsdale, III

OTHERS:
Nancy P. Sabin
Stephen C. Brooks
Linda Radimer
Jim Wanner
Craig Senzel
Abbey Duke
Sylvia Sprigg
Dale Knowles
Sandy Mayo
John Hammer
Moe Harvey
Stanley Lane
Linda DeLong
Hugh Lewis, Jr.
Richard LeBoeuf
Lawrence Hamilton
Janice Heilmann
Craig Sims
Susan Sims
Mary Mead
Wendy Schroeder


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Chairman Illick called the meeting of the Board of Selectman to
order at 6:10 p.m. in the Charlotte Town Offices.

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION
WITH CHARLOTTE FARM AND MILLS, PERSONNEL MATTERS AND
WIZN NEGOTIATIONS WITH TOWN ATTORNEY, STEVE
STITZEL."
Vote: All in favor.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO GO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION."
Vote: All in favor.

The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 7:25 p.m.
Chairman Illick asked if approval of the minutes and Public
Discussion could be moved to the end of the meeting as the board
was behind schedule on the agenda and board members agreed.

Board of Selectman -2- August 23, 1999


HAPPY PATRICK - HISTORICAL SOCIETY REQUEST TO MOVE MONUMENTS TO
THE TOWN GREEN

Happy Patrick spoke on behalf of the Historical Society's wish
to move 2 out of 3 town war memorials, one by the Old Brick
Store from "The Great War" (World War I), which the Society
feels in its present location in a highly trafficked area may
someday be hit by a vehicle and the other is by the school
(World War II), since the town now has a green that this would
be a good location, on the north side of the town hall by the
flag pole. Patrick offered that another memorial is at the town
beach and the society was satisfied with leaving it in that
location. Patrick explained the Historical Society was willing
to pay for moving the memorials and was only looking for
approval from the board.

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT OF RELOCATING THE GREAT WAR
AND WORLD WAR II MONUMENTS ON THE TOWN GREEN AND WE
WORK WITH THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR SITING THEM."
Vote: All in favor.

Mack suggested that Patrick check with the Planning Commission
on the Society's wishes and Hinsdale offered to work with
Patrick on the project.


PANURGY - CRAIG SENZEL - Y2K/COMPUTER UPGRADE PROPOSAL

Chairman Illick acknowledged Craig Senzel from Panurgy, the
company that has been consulting with the town on Y2K issues and
Rosenthal noted that he had asked Jim Wanner to attend the
meeting as he was on the town's Y2K Committee. Senzel said he
had been working with the town's computer systems for years and
had been asked to do a study for the town on Y2K readiness.
Panurgy prepared a proposal to replace 5 out of 7 of the town's
computers which were not Y2k ready and replacing the town's
server and upgrading and standardizing software. Senzel said
the Y2k issue presented a good opportunity for the town to
upgrade its systems. Illick asked if the proposal was for all
the offices in the building and Senzel said yes. There was a
discussion on the software packages the town was using and
standardizing the programs being used and how this would affect
employees, Senzel offered that if necessary that mixed software
packages are doable and the main issue at hand is Y2K readiness.
Town Clerk, Mary Mead, outlined the needs of the offices,
stating the ages of computers in the building span 3 decades and
the only networking in the building is the computers all share a
common printer. Hinsdale said towns tend to budget at pressure
points and suggested that the town spend $10,000. per year over
3 years rather than going over budget and Mead responded that
the next 3 year's budget should be spent in service and
software. Senzel offered that Panurgy has worked with municipal
software before. Sheldon-Dean said the issue was how to make
the price tag palatable and suggested leasing equipment would
get the town through Y2K without going over budget.


Board of Selectman -3- August 23, 1999

Hinsdale suggested that a Selectboard member work with Mary Mead
and Wendy Schroeder to contain the computer/Y2K issues to
$30,000. over 3 years, instead of Panurgy's proposed $21,000. to
buy the computers and software outright

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by
Mack:
* "TO AUTHORIZE A SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRED BY JIM
SHELDON-DEAN TO MOVE AHEAD WITH A COMPLETE
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
THAT WE LIVE WITHIN THE AMOUNT BUDGETED THIS YEAR
AND NOT TO COMMIT TO A LEASE AGREEMENT OVER
THREE YEARS."
Vote: All in favor.

Mary Mead expressed her fears that the computer and Y2K issues
would have to be dealt with repeatedly in future Selectboard
meetings and Hinsdale responded that his motion would empower
the Subcommittee to make the necessary decisions without
returning to the board.


AFLAC - LINDA DELONG - HEALTH BENEFIT OPTIONS

Linda Delong, a District Sales Coordinator for AFLAC, a Health
Benefits insurer discussed the services of her company;
supplemental benefits to health insurance such as paying the
gaps for deductibles and co-payments, emergency treatments,
family member lodgings, etc. Delong said the employees would
pay for the services and a minimum of 3 participants are
necessary for the program and she was looking for permission to
talk with town employees. Mary Mead said she had no idea how
many town employees might be interested and Wendy Schroeder said
the League of Cities and Towns was looking at this program.


HUGH LEWIS, JR. - TOWN ROAD UPDATE

Hugh Lewis, Jr. discussed 2 highway grants totaling $31,000.
from the state he was using for paving. Lewis discussed the
crosswalk the Selectboard had discussed at the previous meeting
on F-5 saying the cost would be $150. for 2 signs saying "yield
to pedestrians" and paint on the pavement for a crosswalk.
Illick said the expenditure at this point was exploratory and a
final decision was yet to be made. Lewis said the paving for
the season would be finished the next day. Illick asked how
much of Greenbush Road would be paved and Lewis responded from
the intersection to Thompson's Point Road. Hinsdale asked about
road grating and Lewis said he had grated after the recent rain
and Hinsdale asked Lewis to stay within the road budget.








Board of Selectman -4- August 23, 1999

DAN COLE - COVERED BRIDGE WEIGHT LIMITS
HUGH LEWIS & DALE KNOWLES - CHARLOTTE PARK CLOSING FEES

Dan Cole, Deputy Town Constable, discussed a covered bridge on
Lake Road that was damaged by a vehicle and Cole discussed
monitoring bridges for damage and weight limits. There was a
discussion on bridge weight limits and sign posting
requirements. Cole said the state Agency of Transportation
didn't get back to him with all the information he wished to
present. Mack said the Agency of Transportation reviews bridges
every 2 years and makes their recommendations. Moe Harvey added
that the Agency of Transportation recommends weight limits for
bridges to the town, what has to be done to qualify for state
funds and advises if the town is unsafe. Harvey added that
bridges come under the responsibility of the Road Commissioner.
Cole said he would be willing to work with Lewis. Sheldon-Dean
said signs for bridges should be in conformance with state
standards and discussed his concern with the Quinlan bridge and
use of emergency vehicles. Hinsdale said the board's goal was
to act on recommendations after the state's assessment in
October.

Hugh Lewis, Sr., Town Constable, discussed his concerns with
residents who had contacted members of his staff with calls for
service and his desire for a directive from the board for
residents to call him first and allow him to answer the call
himself or delegate the call to a deputy. Lewis and Illick
discussed park closing fees and agreed to $600. for closing the
beach and $300. for closing Charlotte Park through the end of
the season. Illick suggested that a student or a neighbor
willing to open the park in the morning be looked into at a cost
of $2. per day.


SCENIC ROAD ASSESSMENT PRESENTATION - TREE WARDEN

Tree Warden, Larry Hamilton, said with the Conservation
Commission the town had received a grant from the Agency for
Natural Resources for $800. to assess scenic and wildlife
conservation values from the roadsides. Hamilton said
volunteers were asked to assess scenic values in half-mile
stretches in town and a map was prepared in conjunction with
Chittenden County Regional Planning. Hamilton directed the
board's attention to the map. Hamilton asked the board to
accept the product (map) for use in conjunction with utilities,
the Road Commissioner, or anyone dealing with roadsides. Illick
asked how this map correlates with previous maps and Hamilton
said their was a close correlation. Hamilton said he wanted the
map to be used for scenic road classification to be included in
the town plan. Mack discussed how the map may be used by the
Planning Commission and his concern that the scenic designations
not interfere with the normal duties of the Road Commissioner.
Illick suggested that there be a distinguishment between public
and private roads on the map and Hamilton agreed to do so.
Illick thanked Hamilton for his efforts and presentation.




Board of Selectman -5- August 23, 1999

REVIEW & COMMENT ON DRAFT CONCEPTUAL PLAN OF PROPOSED SEPTIC &
RECREATION FIELDS ON BURNS LAND

Wendy Schroeder reviewed a map prepared by Pinkham Engineering
of the proposed septic and playing fields on the Burns property
that the town is interested in purchasing. The map was a draft
concept illustration for the upcoming town meeting September
21st. Schroeder showed an overlay to the map of Mack's
recommendations after reviewing Pinkham's map. Schroeder said
she was looking for public comments on the draft and make
changes for the map to be presented to the town. Hinsdale
suggested showing the possibility of 4 baseball fields in
addition to the 2 soccer fields (1 baseball field was on the
map). Illick said with the minor changes the map was god enough
to show the general concept to the voters. Illick said a map
outlining where the Burns property was located would be helpful
and Schroeder said a map could be prepared without using Pinkham
Engineering to illustrate it.


PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Dick LeBoeuf discussed his disenchantment with Louis Cox, the
Zoning Administrator, photographing LeBoeuf mowing grass on his
property without discussing his reasons for doing so or what
zoning violations might be involved in his actions.

Nancy Sabin said in reference to the Burns property acquisition
proposal that if the this was the only proposal to be put in
front of the voters that the town would be in trouble. Sabin
also asked how much the proposed playing fields on the Burns
property would cost to maintain. Mack said the figure depends
on activity and level of quality put into the fields. Illick
added that costs were being looked into. Sandy Mayo asked about
having a traffic study in the area of the Burns property parking
lot addressing whether it is too close to the road. Moe Harvey
said if the Selectboard is prepared with good estimates on the
options for the town that his experience is the voters will
respond favorably. Sylvia Sprigg said that the town should be
looking at basic vs. extra when looking at the town's
expenditures.

Stephen Brooks reported to the board that he and Dick LeBoeuf
had met to talk about the foot bridges Brooks had placed on the
LeBoeuf property with a nice resolution; LeBoeuf accepted the
bridges as a private donation. Brooks thanked LeBoeuf.


BILL SIGNING/DISCUSSION

Illick noted to board members a letter from Gail Henderson-King
of Landmark Landscaping on the Charlotte Park and Refuge
landscape maintenance. Illick asked board members to approve
spending $1,300. as outlined in the maintenance agreement.
Illick outlined what the services were provided for in the
agreement.




Board of Selectman -6- August 23, 1999


Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO ACCEPT THE CHAIR'S RECOMMENDATION IN AS MUCH AS
THEY ARE IN THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT AND THE
RECOMMENDATION OF LANDMARK LANDSCAPING NOT TO EXCEED
$1,300."
Vote: 3 in favor, 2 abstained (Hinsdale, Mack).


APPROVE MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1999

Chairman Illick asked if the board wished to approve the minutes
of the Selectboard meeting of August 9, 1999. Illick noted the
following corrections: on page 1, to correct the dollar amount
for the grant for the underpass to be $150,000, on pages 2,3 and
4 to correct the spelling of the last name "Proutt" and on page
5 to correct the vote on "letting Sweeney do whatever he wants
for $1,000. per day" to be 4 opposed and 1 abstained (Hinsdale)
and on page 7 to change the dollar figure in the first motion to
$1,303. No other board members had changes.

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AUGUST 9, 1999
SELECTBOARD MEETING WITH THE NOTED CHANGES."
Vote: All in favor.

Board members reviewed and signed bills.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Hinsdale:
* "TO ADJOURN."
Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Debby Flynn