Board of Selectmen November 8, 1999
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 8, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marty Illick
John Rosenthal
James Sheldon-Dean
Robert Mack, Jr.
OTHERS: Nancy P. Sabin
C. Steele
Mary Ann Gatos
Shirley Bean
Stephen C. Brooks
Wallace Smith
Sandy Mayo
Christine Gahagan
Sylvia Sprigg
Hugh Lewis, Jr.
Richard LeBoeuf
Shirley LeBoeuf
Hugh Lewis, Sr.
George Richards
John Hammer
Sarah Kenney
Michael Clapp
Wendy Schroeder
________________________________________________________________
Chairman Illick called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to
order at 7:05 p.m. in the Charlotte Town Offices.
APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 18 & NOVEMBER 3, 1999 MEETINGS
ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA
Chairman Illick asked board members if they wished to approve
the minutes of October 11 and 18, and November 1, and 3, 1999,
noting that approval for November 1, 1999 was an addition to the
agenda and both November 1 and 3 minutes were regarding
Executive Sessions of the board.
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Mack:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, AND 3, 1999."
Vote: All in favor.
Illick said she had one change to the minutes of October 11; on
page 4 to clarify that "Illick offered that permits must be in
hand by July 1, but there is some flexibility on a building plan
with permits."
Board of Selectmen -2- November 8, 1999
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Illick:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 11, 1999 AS
AMENDED."
Vote: All in favor.
Chairman Illick said she no corrections to the minutes of
October 18 and Nancy Sabin said she wished to correct that on
page 3, paragraph 4, regarding the petition she presented to the
board at the meeting that she had 139 signatures and the
petition asked for $30,000.00 toward a senior center.
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Illick:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 1999 AS
DISCUSSED."
Vote: All in favor.
Chairman Illick asked if the board members had any adjustments
to the agenda and noted she wanted to address Thompson's Point
issues at the end of the meeting as well as have an Executive
Session at the end of the meeting to discuss payment on the
Burns property option.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Constable Hugh Lewis Sr. discussed his dealings with people
bringing their dogs to Charlotte Park, which is prohibited, and
said he had repaired signs around the park stating dogs were not
allowed. Illick noted the new (no dogs allowed) signs would
arrive before Thanksgiving. Lewis noted that he and his Second
Constables had been on patrol Halloween night and there were no
problems.
Nancy Sabin asked about any action taken on the petition on
funding of the proposed senior center she presented to the board
at the last meeting. Rosenthal said Marty Illick had placed the
petition in his mailbox with instructions to take it to the town
attorney for his advice on what the town needed to do. Nancy
Sabin said she understood the town had a window of time to react
to a petition and was concerned about the amount of time that
had already elapsed. Sandy Mayo asked that it be noted on the
petition that it was presented to the Selectboard and received
by the Town Clerk on October 18, 1999.
BURNS LAND PROJECT - APPRAISAL & OPTION PAYMENT
Chairman Illick reviewed what had recently transpired with the
town's interest in the Burns property for municipal septic and
possible location of a senior center. Illick said she had
discussed with Spin Richardson on behalf of "the Associates"
having the town's option to buy the Burns property be taken over
by Richard LeBoeuf. Illick said she was aware of a number of
people interested in building lots on the Burns property as
presented by Spin Richardson to the Planning Commission on
Thursday. Illick said the Selectboard had been talking with
Board of Selectmen -3- November 8, 1999
Richard LeBoeuf and his attorney, Michael Clapp on transferring
the town's option to buy the Burns property with conditions.
Illick noted the board's interest in what was best for the
public good. Michael Clapp reviewed the terms of the current
draft of an AGREEMENT; that LeBoeuf was willing to make all
payments on the option to buy the Burns property, an extension
has been negotiated on the option and should LeBoeuf wish to
back out of the option, he would provide fifteen days notice to
give the option back to the town, should LeBoeuf get permits and
exercise his option, he agrees to convey land for a senior
center site and easements for municipal septic for the town and
land for trails and the AGREEMENT includes an endorsement in
principle of his projects and the town would be an Act 250
co-applicant for municipal septic and the senior center and
LeBoeuf will reimburse the town for the money it has paid to
date on the option.
Clapp said the Agreement needs to be reviewed by the Selectboard
and board members agreed to do so the next morning when Clark
Hinsdale, III, could attend.
TOWN ROADS - HUGH LEWIS, JR.
JIM DICKERSON LETTER
Chairman Illick invited Jim Dickerson to review his letter to
the town concerning his property, where a culvert had been
installed to complete a circular driveway. Dickerson said he
had researched with the town about what would be involved in
getting approval for his culvert prior to its installation, but
found there was no policy on installing culverts in town. Mack
said there is an unwritten policy that all culverts and curb
cuts must be approved by the Road Commissioner. The Road
Commissioner, Hugh Lewis, Jr. advised that while the property
owner pays to have the culvert installed, the town then pays to
maintain and/or replace culverts from that time on, so it is
important to have the Road Commissioner's input into the size,
installation, etc., of the culvert. Dickerson said he felt he
had been very open about his intentions and the culvert had sat
above ground for days prior to its installation and had no idea
there was a problem until Zoning Administrator, Louis Cox came
knocking on his door. Lewis stated he was more concerned about
the second curb cut. Dickerson responded that he could find no
reference in the town regulations regarding a residential curb
cut and suggested the town should write a regulation. Illick
thanked Dickerson for his time and input.
Nancy Sabin discussed a large culvert by the pond on Greenbush
Road with no shoulder and Lewis said he would look at it.
WOMEN'S RAPE CRISIS CENTER PRESENTATION
Sarah Kenney representing the Women's Rape Crisis Center said
she wished to thank the board for its $500.00 allocation on
behalf of the town. Kenney reviewed the services of the Women's
Rape Crisis Center, including a 24-hour hotline, victim advocacy
Board of Selectmen -4- November 8, 1999
program and educational outreach in schools and gave board
members brochures and pencils. Mack asked Kenney what the WRCC
was looking for next year for an allocation and Kenney replied
they were reviewing their costs for next year.
TOWN PLAN UPDATE/SCHEDULE & REGIONAL PLAN UPDATE/SCHEDULE
Illick discussed the proposed schedule for the Town Plan,
forwarded by the Planning Commission. Mack said no one has had
time to review the maps involved in the Town Plan, and therefore
couldn't possibly give their approval. Schroeder said if the
Town Plan isn't going to be ready for voter approval in March
why deal with it in December? Illick responded the Planning
Commission was worried about losing out on planning grants from
the state. There was discussion of the ability to adequately
review the Plan with the holidays coming up and consideration of
readopting the old Plan until the new one is in place. Illick
said she would pursue the issue with the Planning Commission.
Illick encouraged attendance at the meeting on the Regional Plan
on November 18, 1999, noting there were big changes from their
last plan and the Planning Commission was generally supportive
of the Regional Plan.
BUDGET 00-01 SCHEDULE
Wendy Schroeder reviewed the required scheduled budget meetings
and made some suggestions to streamline the budget process.
Illick suggested letting personnel know what the town may be
financially capable of prior to their meeting with the board to
review their budgets. Schroeder reviewed the capital budget and
how the new software for preparing the budget will make the job
easier.
INSURANCE - TOWN PROPERTY
Board members reviewed the current property coverage for the
town and Schroeder's memo on her recommendations. There was
some discussion on whether to cover the dock at the beach under
the policy, but no changes were made.
CHARLOTTE PARK OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE - APPROVE NEW COMMITTEE
Chairman Illick noted a memo to board members on the new
Charlotte Park Oversight Committee and said she had attended a
meeting of the Committee at 5:30 p.m. that same evening. Illick
said the Committee needed to be formally approved by the board.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Mack:
* "TO APPOINT MARTY ILLICK, MOE HARVEY, JACK PILLA,
DEBBIE FISCHER, NORM PELLET, NANCY WALSH, CLARK
HINSDALE III, MARY MEAD AND DOUGLAS HORNE TO THE
CHARLOTTE PARK OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND HAVE GAIL
HENDERSON-KING AS AN ALTERNATE FOR DOUGLAS HORNE."
Vote: All in favor.
Board of Selectmen -5- November 8, 1999
SIGN BILLS/OTHER BUSINESS
Board members reviewed and signed bills.
Wendy Schroeder reviewed a request by Elwin Jones to assign his
lease at Thompson's Point to his daughter, Sandra. Rosenthal
reviewed Town Clerk Mary Mead's notes on the matter. Mack
suggested that the transfer would mean the Jones's would have to
sign a new lease. The Selectboard agreed the transfer was fine
as long as the Jones's were willing to sign a new lease.
Rosenthal updated the board that Sherrie Simmons has been hired
as the new town librarian and volunteers from the town are
running the library until Simmon's start date, November 15,
1999.
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LAND NEGOTIATIONS
AND THE OPTION PAYMENT REGARDING THE BURNS
PROPERTY."
Vote: All in favor.
Executive Session began at 9:13 p.m. and ended at 9:50 p.m.
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RECESS TO
8:30 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING."
Vote: All in favor.
The meeting was recessed at 9:50 p.m.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LAND NEGOTIATIONS
AND THE OPTION PAYMENT REGARDING THE BURNS
PROPERTY."
Vote: All in favor.
Executive Session began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 9:15 a.m.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION."
Vote: All in favor.
Discussion related to how the town will best proceed with
securing community needs on lands owned by Richard LeBoeuf and
Earl and Mary Burns. The Selectboard negotiated the details of
a possible agreement with Richard LeBoeuf and his attorney
Michael Clapp. Joel Woolum provided support for LeBoeuf. A
mutually agreed upon document crafted to transfer the option to
buy the Burns property that the town has been paying on was the
result of this meeting. Illick and Hinsdale agreed to meet with
the Charlotte Land Trust to present the draft AGREEMENT and
Board of Selectmen -6- November 8, 1999
request feedback from the Land Trust. Hinsdale agreed to
continue to work with Michael Clapp to finalize the AGREEMENT
and produce necessary documents for the transfer to occur with
the goal of having LeBoeuf positioned to take over the option to
by the end of November.
Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
"TO PAY THE NOVEMBER PAYMENT ON THE BURNS OPTION."
Vote: All in favor.
Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
"TO ADJOURN."
Vote: All in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Debby Flynn