Board of Selectmen December 6, 1999

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

DECEMBER 6, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marty Illick

John Rosenthal

James Sheldon-Dean

Robert Mack, Jr.

Clark Hinsdale, III

OTHERS: Sandy Mayo

Nancy P. Sabin

Ray Walker

Rick Pollack

Dick St. George

Beth Merritt

Ker B. Walker

Charles Russell

Sylvia Sprigg

John Hammer

Stephen C. Brooks

Chris W. Davis

Linda S. Hamilton

Larry Hamilton

Louis Cox

Hugh Lewis, Jr.

Mary Ann Gatos

Alice Lawrence

Mary Mead

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 NOVEMBER 22, 1999 MEETING

ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA

Chairman Illick asked board members if they wished to approve

the minutes of November 22, 1999, noting that she had no

corrections. Rosenthal suggested on page 4, to indicate the

board was asked to approve 2 road names and not simply roads.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22, 1999."

Vote: All in favor.

Chairman Illick asked if the board members had any adjustments

to the agenda and noted she wanted to add an update on the Burns

property acquisition toward the end of the meeting.

Board of Selectmen -2- December 6, 1999

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Mary Ann Gatos did a presentation for board members on the work

her committee had done in assessing the needs for and of the

proposed senior center in town. Gatos referred to the

inter-relating questions to be answered and pieces that need to

come together to make the senior center be successful as "balls

in the air." Gatos noted one of the issues her committee was

working on was having an alternative site if the deal for the

land that Richard LeBoeuf intends to provide for the senior

center falls through. Gatos said her group had been looking at

organizational structures for the center and working hard to get

answers and information available to the public in time for Town

Meeting day in March. Illick noted that language for the Town

Warning would need to be ready by the end of January. There was

a discussion of the proposals by consultants (Debby Bergh and

Mad River consulting) that had been submitted for the senior

center and Rosenthal advised Gatos that the cap for consulting

on that project was $6,000.00, and $3,000.00 of that was

recently authorized for expenditure to get the project started

and the balance would be available if necessary.

Sandy Mayo suggested writing to the trustees of Walter Irish's

will (bequesting money for a senior center) for an advisory on

how to proceed and Illick responded the board had done so

already and advisories were not the same as assurances of

getting the willed money. Sheldon-Dean discussed the previous

advisory the town had received from the Trustees.

Nancy Sabin asked about the response from the town on the

petition she had submitted regarding funding of the senior

center and Illick responded she had discussed the matter with

the town attorney and wanted to be sure any articles presented

to the voters in the Town Warning did not conflict with each

other. Sylvia Sprigg noted she had recently spoken with Happy

Patrick about possible alternate sites for a senior center

should the LeBoeuf deal not happen.

FIRE & RESCUE BUDGET

Fire Chief, Chris Davis introduced board members to the new

Chief of Rescue; Ray Walker, and Fire & Rescue member; Rick

Pollack. Davis reviewed the proposed Fire/Rescue budget, noting

he had been working with an architect to cut costs on a new

station design and expected to go back out to bid with

contractors in January. David noted a 13% increase in the

overall budget, most of which was attributed to construction

costs. Pollack highlighted some of the changes from last year's

budget; increasing the budgeted allotment for electricity as the

rates have recently gone up and the proposed new building is

larger, and increasing the budgets for apparatus operation and

maintenance on trucks as these have historically been shown to

be underfunded. Davis noted that the budget has been increased

for personnel, from 1.5 full-time positions to 2 and the rates

for services from Lamoille has recently risen. Pollack said on

the revenue side, that payments for transport services are

Board of Selectmen -3- December 6, 1999

starting to come in and the amount of transports for which they

receive payments are up, noting this was before winter weather

began, as when it might be expected to rise. Davis said most

costs for supplies were level-funded, except for the supply of

fire-fighting foam, which was doubled as the department found it

most effective in extinguishing the last 2 fires and they are

reimbursed for the foam by insurance companies underwriting fire

claims. Davis said the department continues to add to the

number of fire ponds throughout the town each year and noted

some of the fire hoses and protective clothing needs to be

replaced this year as part of their regular replacement cycle.

Davis said their new budget has a 19% overall increase and

Pollack added that the squad is mostly volunteer at a total of

5500 hours put in by the volunteers last year. Wendy Schroeder

discussed budgeting capital improvements and Davis outlined the

Auditor's recommendations in his report.

TOWN CLERK BUDGET

Town Clerk, Mary Mead, said most of her budget was level funded

with the exception of office equipment, shelving and service

contracts. Mead said a new copier was on her "wish list," but

the cost, if granted, may be comparable as the current copier

contract does not include supplies for the copier, and some new

contracts do. Illick asked about employee hours in Mead's

office and Mead said Marlys Beck and Marlene Mansfield each

currently work 25 hours a week and she had put a raise in for

salaried employees in the budget and deleted the miscellaneous

expenses column in her budget. Mead also noted that Marlys Beck

had not received a raise last year. Mead said she was not

certain where to put some new equipment leases under line items

as the new leases covered several previous line items.

Hinsdale asked whether there should be a pay scale for all town

employees and Mead said it was not her decision. Wendy

Schroeder advised the Vermont League of Cities and Towns surveys

towns for pay schedules of town employees so that towns can look

at pay scales in other towns who ware structured similarly.

Mead noted she had received quotes for new health insurance for

employees and had estimated the line item in her budget.

LIBRARY BUDGET

Alice Lawrence and Beth Merritt reviewed with the board their

budget for the library, citing a 5.8% overall increase in

expenses and asking for a 2% increase for salaries. Lawrence

noted the Library Trustees were still trying to estimate energy

costs and added computer support costs to their budget. Merritt

noted book circulation is up 66% since the library opened and a

new librarian started working November 15th, 1999.

Board of Selectmen -4- December 6, 1999

RECREATION BUDGET

Illick stated Jessie Bradley was unable to attend this meeting

and reviewed the budget Bradley had submitted. Illick noted

that the costs of storage and maintenance of docks at the beach

are the largest expense in the recreation budget as they are so

large. There was a discussion initiated by Nancy Sabin as to

whether beach sticker fees cover the costs of a beach attendant

and other beach costs and Illick said the board would be willing

to look at those costs. John Hammer noted that the beach

attendants serve to keep the beaches tidy in addition to their

other duties.

CONSERVATION BUDGET

Linda Hamilton and John Hammer passed out copies of the

Conservation budget. Hamilton said this budget was less than

last year's budget. Hinsdale asked about an entry for grant

money and Hammer responded the grant money they were seeking had

to be fronted before it would be matched by the grantor. Illick

asked about mapping in the new Town Plan and Hamilton said there

was some critical wildlife habitats still to be readied, but

some of their maps were finished.

HIGHWAY BUDGET

Road Commissioner, Hugh Lewis, Jr., reviewed his highway budget

of $691,800.00, noting he had allotted $30,000.00 for paving a

yet to be determined dirt road, and $5,000.00 for a new roof on

the town garage. Lewis noted he had changed the budget for

covered bridges repair and maintenance from $5,000.00 to

$10,000.00 as that figure reflected his actual cost in previous

years. Sheldon-Dean asked what Lewis expected to receive in

state highway funding and Lewis responded that he didn't expect

much as the town had received a grant this year. Hinsdale asked

when Route 7 was to be widened and Sheldon-Dean said the last he

had heard from the state it would happen in the summer of 2003.

Mack asked about a line item for culverts and Lewis responded

they were for Thompson's Point Road and Black Willow, and he

felt they were overdue. Nancy Sabin asked how many miles of

dirt roads there are left in town and Lewis responded about 40,

Sabin questioned whether the town was paving dirt roads fast

enough to keep up with repairs and Lewis answered he had put

down a lot of gravel on the dirt roads this year to maintain

them. Larry Hamilton said he felt the town had the best road

conditions than now than in a long time.

ROAD COMMISSIONER REPORT - CLASS 4 POLICY, APPROVE TOWN ROAD

STANDARDS, SIGNAGE ISSUES, PERRY SUBDIVISION ROAD NAMES

Illick directed the attention of board members to a memo from

Dean Bloch on homeowners who want to use a Class 4 road as a

driveway. Mack said he thought this issue had been dealt with

15 years ago and Illick responded the town attorney had

recommended having a policy on the issue. Sheldon-Dean said he

Board of Selectmen -5- December 6, 1999

thought the engineering analysis seemed flawed and questioned

the wisdom of two homes sharing one driveway. Illick asked Mack

about the roles of the Planning Commission and Selectboard in

issues of public right-of-way and Mack said all curb and road

cuts were in the jurisdiction of the Road Commissioner. Lewis

said his concern was with any water coming off a driveway onto a

public road. Illick suggested that Lewis, Cox and Bloch discuss

the issue and she would put the item on the agenda for 12/20/99

at 5:30 p.m.

John Hammer, the Alternate Chittenden Solid Waste Representative

for the town, outlined the revised draft document he had

prepared for the town on road standards for FEMA reimbursements

after natural disasters. Hammer reviewed the need to have the

standards established in order to have FEMA monies replace roads

and bridges with the same level of quality as originally

installed. Hammer reviewed his changes to the draft he

presented at the last meeting. Mack initiated a discussion on

whether to replace one-lane bridges with larger ones and Illick

said the board would review the document and recommend any

changes.

Chairman Illick noted naming 2 roads in Tony Perry's subdivision

was on the agenda and noted Planning Commission approved the

subdivision application was in place.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by

Sheldon-Dean:

* "TO NAME TWO ROADS IN TONY PERRY'S SUBDIVISION; THE

NORTH DRIVEWAY AS CROSSWIND DRIVE AND THE SOUTH

DRIVEWAY AS SANCTUARY LANE."

Vote: 4 in favor, 1 abstained (Hinsdale).

TREE WARDEN - DISCUSSION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Tree Warden, Larry Hamilton, said he had no firm job description

and was looking for guidance in setting a town tree-cutting

policy, particularly with trees the town owns at Thompson's

Point which some tenants there have called "hazardous." Illick

explained to Hamilton that the town had written Secretary of

State, Deb Markowitz's office for guidance, but she felt the

response wasn't of much specific help.

Hamilton suggested a committee be formed to assist him in

setting policies on tree cutting at Thompson's Point including:

2 members from the Thompson's Point Association, Deputy Tree

Warden Norm Pellett, 1 representative from the Conservation

Commission, 1 representative from the Planning Commission and

the Town Zoning Administrator and Planner as Advisors when

needed.

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "THAT WE ON AN INTERIM BASIS ARTICULATE OUR SUPPORT

AS THE SELECTBOARD OF A CONSERVATIVE POLICY BY THE

TREE WARDEN OF CUTTING TREES AT THOMPSON'S POINT."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -6- December 6, 1999

Hinsdale moved and the motion was seconded by

Sheldon-Dean:

* "TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SELECTBOARD TO

APPOINT AND AD HOC COMMITTEE TO ASSIST THE TREE

WARDEN AND THE AD HOC COMMITTEE CONSIST OF THE TREE

WARDEN, THE DEPUTY TREE WARDEN, TWO MEMBERS OF THE

THOMPSON'S POINT ASSOCIATION, ONE MEMBER OF THE

PLANNING COMMISSION AND ONE MEMBER OF THE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND SAID AD HOC COMMITTEE

COMPLETE THEIR MANAGEMENT POLICY BY MARCH 1, 2000."

Vote: All in favor.

Hamilton said he would ask for 2 representatives from Thompson's

Point be recommended by the Association.

APPROVE AGRICULTURAL LEASE - CHARLOTTE PARK

Zoning Administrator, Louis Cox said the Planning Commission had

reviewed his new (combined) job description, and essentailly his

duties remain the same.

Stephen Brooks asked about job description changes and Cox

responded the duties are the same, but his postitions have now

been combined. Brooks asked about Cox's level of authority and

when he consults with the Selectboard and Hinsdale responded the

Chairman of the Selectboard should be advised of any current

enforcement violations Cox is dealing with, but Cox would not

need approval of the board to perform his duties.

Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "TO ADOPT THE NEW JOB DESCRIPTION, BASED ON THE

SEPTEMBER 22, 1999 REVISIONS FOR THE ZONING

ADMINISTRATOR/SEWAGE OFFICER/DEPUTY HEALTH OFFICER."

Vote: All in favor.

Hinsdale said Christine De Hagen had drafted a new lease for

Charlotte Park and that the Oversite Committee for the park

would need time to review it.

TOWN PLAN

Illick reviewed that the majority of the next Selectboard

meeting would be devoted to the public review of the new Town

Plan. Illick suggested that perhaps Dean Bloch and/or members

of the Planning Commission could review the highlights of the

Town Plan as there are 150 pages and there is no summary or

recap in the Plan and its changes since 1975. Rosenthal said

the Selectboard would be listening to public comments on the

Twon Plan and Illick suggested people focus on their largest

concerns with the Plan. Nancy Sabin said many Greenbush Road

residents were upset with a high population density in the west

village.

Board of Selectmen -7- December 6, 1999

Hinsdale said he likes much of the Plan and that Charlotte has

chosen a different path than surrounding towns with an emphasis

on agriculture, and recreation and suggested these differences

be prefaced in the Plan.

There was a discussion on planning and population density in the

village and Nancy Sabin said she felt affordable housing in town

had not been addressed as an issue and the maps in the Plan were

"a joke."

Stephen Brooks suggested the Town Plan be an instrument of

encouraging and discouraging the town's wants and non-wants and

Hinsdale discussed different ways to approach reviewing and

assessing the Plan at the next meeting.

BILLS/OTHER BUSINESS

Board members reviewed and signed bills.

Hinsdale said he had received a draft by fax of attorney Michael

Clapp's AGREEMENT on behalf of his client, Richard LeBoeuf on

the option to buy the Burns property. Hinsdale said the amount

of septic capacity the town had bargained for had not been

reflected in the AGREEMENT and he would follow up with the issue

the next day.

Rosenthal said he had been apprised by Happy Patrick war

monuments were ready to be moved to the town green. Rosenthal

asked if the penalty percentage the town collects on overdue

taxes could be revisited and Mack responded the percentage is

set by the state legistlature.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by

Hinsdale:

"TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All opposed.

Louis Cox reviewed and open-space agreement he felt was in

violation and suggested a court injunction instead of an appeal

as a strategy. Mack suggested Cox get permission from the

landowner to visit the site as soon as possible as Mack thought

the problem had been cleaned up.

Illick noted a letter from Joyce Wallace on an insurance claim

on a car accident she had on Church Hill Road in January.

Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by

Sheldon-Dean:

"TO PAY JOYCE WALLACE $400.00 PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT

THREE YEARS TO PAY ON HER INSURANCE CLAIM."

Vote: All opposed.

Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

"TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

Board of Selectmen -8- December 6, 1999

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn