Charlotte Town Meeting March 7, 2000

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE
TOWN MEETING
MINUTES
MARCH 7, 2000

MODERATOR: Jerry Schwartz

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

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Moderator Jerry Schwartz called the meeting to order and 
welcomed the assembly at 9:05 a.m., in the Charlotte Central 
School Gymnasium. Schwartz made preliminary announcements and 
outlined the rules of order for speaking.

The local Boy Scout troop led the assembly in the "Pledge of 
Allegiance."

Moderator Schwartz introduced Susan Ballard, who informed 
attendees that Census 2000 form would be arriving in their mail 
in a few days and asked for persons interested in being 
renumerators.

ARTICLE 1

Nancy Rosenthal moved Article 1, with a second from
the floor:
* "TO HEAR THE REPORTS OF THE TOWN OFFICES AND ACT
UPON THE SAME."

Hazel Prindle pointed out a typographical error in the Auditor's 
report on page 75 of the Town Report, noting the error changed 
the entire meaning of the report

VOTE: Article 1 was passed by voice vote.


ARTICLE 2

Lorna Jimmerson moved Article 2, with a second from
Larry Hamilton:
* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE TO HAVE PROPERTY TAXES PAYABLE
ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2000 AND TO HAVE PAYMENTS
MADE TO THE TOWN TREASURER UNDER 32 VSA SEC. 4773?"

Mike Yantachka discussed some extenuating circumstances the 
Board of Tax Abatement had dealt with in the past year for 
taxpayers who ended up being a day late in paying their taxes 
and were charged an 8% penalty.

Mike Krasnow asked if payments postmarked on November 15th would 
still be accepted and Town Clerk, Mary Mead, stated that there 
were no changes in the current policy.

Charlotte Town Meeting -2- March 7, 2000

VOTE: Article 2 was passed by voice vote.


ARTICLE 3

Tina Flood moved Article 3, with a second from
the floor:
* "WILL THE TOWN ACCEPT THE SELECTBOARD'S BUDGET OF
$1,431,481.00 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2000 TO
JUNE 30, 2001 LESS ANTICIPATED REVENUES?"

Selectboard Chairman Marty Illick stated the Selectboard had 
taken a conservative approach to the budget, working from 
November to January to prepare it with over 100 people 
submitting comments. Illick thanked the town staff and 
committees.

Robert Mack, Jr. noted the top of page 7 of the Town Report 
should say revenues and also added the board thinks this is a 
conservative budget, noting on page 8 the budget total is only 
$56.00 over the previous budget. Mack reviewed that several 
line items in the budget were absorbed into other lines and 
moved from the previous budget and there were decreases in 
personnel hours to cover budget expense increases that couldn't 
be helped, such as insurance costs, the capital expenses for the 
new fire station, etc.

Hazel Prindle asked about the line items on page 8 of the Town 
Report for legal expenses in the Planning & Zoning and 
Selectboard budgets and Mack answered that the monies were moved 
in the budget to reflect actual expenses and the overall legal 
budget was $1,000.00 over last year's. Prindle asked about the 
salary budget for the Zoning Administrator and Mack answered 
that all salary increases were across the board with the 
exception of the Town Clerk's. Prindle asked if there was less 
activity in the Zoning Office and Mack responded the Selectboard 
has already seen that.

Al Moraska, Chairman of the Planning Commission, directed the 
attendees attention to the salary on page 9 for the Zoning 
Administrator. Moraska stated the overall budget for Planning 
and Zoning this year was $75,000.00, down from $99,000.00 last 
year. Moraska discussed the elimination of the line item for 
Louis Cox's Deputy Health Officer position.

Al Moraska moved and the motion was seconded by
Sylvia Sprigg:
* "TO REINSTATE THE SALARY FOR THE DEPUTY HEALTH
OFFICER WITH A 2.5% COST OF LIVING RAISE FOR LOUIS
COX AND A 2.5% MERIT RAISE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE
PLANNING AND ZONING OFFICE."

Eric Van Vlandren asked what the increase would amount to in the 
motion for salaries in the P & Z office and the Moderator 
answered about $12,074 across the board.




Charlotte Town Meeting -3- March 7, 2000

Larry Hamilton asked the Selectboard members for the rationale 
in their preparation of the P & Z budget and Mack answered the 
DHO line item had been absorbed into the Zoning Administrator 
line item when Cox had been asked how many hours a week he spent 
on DHO work and Cox answered 1 or 2. Mack explained that the 
requests for permits are down and Cox spends less hours devoted 
to WIZN issues than he did 6 months ago. Mack said salaries for 
town employees are across the board except for the Town Clerk 
position and the Selectboard decided to prepare a conservative 
budget and not raise taxes.

Al Moraska responded he saw no evidence the DHO's hours were 
increased because of WIZN issues and the DHO has other duties 
including water testing, contaminations, rabies, etc., and this 
was in a sense "an insurance policy."

Sheldon-Dean responded the town was not eliminating the DHO 
position, only the line item and Cox still spends 1 or 2 hours a 
week on DHO duties.

Dan Rosen asked if Cox was being denied a merit increase and 
Mack answered no, the Selectboard had no indication they should 
do so and Cox had yet to be on the job a year.

Harley Allen, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, said 
Cox has done an excellent job with regulations and has worked 
overtime to increase the office's efficiency; which amounts to 
more work and less pay.

Charles Russell questioned why the Selectboard had budgeted Cox 
for 20 hours a week when the Planning Commission had recommended 
Cox be scheduled for 24 hours per week.

Charles Russell moved and the motion was seconded by
Holly Fournier:
* "TO AMEND THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO PROVIDE ONE
HOUR PER WEEK FOR THE DUTIES OF THE DEPUTY HEALTH
OFFICER AND ADD FOUR HOURS PER WEEK TO THE ZONING
ADMINISTRATOR'S HOURS, PLUS ALL RAISES PROVIDED FOR
IN SAID MOTION."

Hinsdale advised the motions on the floor were getting into 
personnel details and that raises, if adjusted should be across 
the board and not just for one office. Hinsdale added the DHO 
position is operating under Cox's terms of employment as stated 
in his letter of hire, April 26, 1999. Hinsdale stated he 
didn't think it appropriate to handle contracted personnel 
issues at Town Meeting. Hinsdale noted the revenues generated 
from Planning and Zoning activities have decreased and a new fee 
schedule is being addressed so that permits will cover more 
expenses.

Dr. Bernstein asked about health insurance benefits in terms of 
salary compensation and Mack answered Dean Bloch is on the plan, 
Cox is converting to the plan and Gloria Warden receives a 
$1,000.00 a year payment in lieu of insurance.



Charlotte Town Meeting -4- March 7, 2000

Liam Murphy said he thought it was inappropriate to discuss 
personnel issues in an open forum and said he was offended by a 
mailing he received from a candidate with a letter from a town 
employee lobbing for a raise. Murphy stated it is appropriate 
for town voters to elect a Selectboard they think is best and 
then give them their support.

Jim Donovan, A Planning Commissioner, said the office had 
started the year with no planner, which made for extra work and 
Cox being given a merit raise was appropriate as Cox had 
exceeded the board's expectations.

Rick Lunt asked whether voters could rewrite Cox's contract and 
Moderator Schwartz answered town residents could vote to change 
any line item. Hinsdale added the Selectboard would have to 
rewrite the contract, giving the money to the Planning and 
Zoning office.

Jim Donovan moved with a second from the floor:
* "CEASE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 3."
Vote: The motion passed by voice vote.

Moderator Schwartz explained the town would vote on the second 
amendment to Article 3 first.

Vote: The motion failed by decision of the house 87
in favor and 129 opposed.

Louis Cox stated he thought his job description was 
misunderstood; the DHO is appointed by the Vermont Commissioner 
of Health and a town can compensate the position. Cox stated he 
never said the DHO only took 1 or 2 hours a week and he needs 
help keeping up with the sewage ordinance and normal record 
keeping.

Martha Perkins said the voters may be voting on salaries for 
positions, but the real issue is quality of life and the town 
needs good planning to that end.

Holly Fournier said she was concerned, Cox has been efficient 
and called for an end to the "12 year assault and lack of 
support for the Planning & Zoning office."

Hinsdale said he didn't agree with Fournier's characterization 
of a 12 year assault on the P & Z office and Charlotte spends 
more time on planning issues than many other towns, and the town 
will be looking at a fee schedule increase which would benefit 
both applicants and residents and the Selectboard is not "anti P 
& Z."

Al Moraska said he thought merit raises for the P & Z staff were 
in order as the office was short-handed from January through 
April of last year and the employees put in extra hours.

Arthur Ridge stated a contract can be changed by either party 
and asked if Cox's contract had been changed and Illick 
responded no, it had not.


Charlotte Town Meeting -5- March 7, 2000

Jim Donovan moved with a second from the floor:
* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 3."
Vote: The motion passed by voice vote.

Vote: The motion carried by decision of the house
128 in favor and 109 opposed.

Nancy Sabin directed attendees to the costs of employee benefits 
on page 10, noting the rise in insurance costs by $6,000.00 and 
stating there is nothing in the personnel policy stating the 
town will pay the cost of 100% of family coverage. Mack 
responded it has been a long-time policy for the town to pay 
100% of coverage for full-time employees and 50% for half-time. 
Sabin stated the town is not following personnel regulations. 
Illick stated the figure was a projection of the cost of 
coverage and the board would be updating personnel regulations 
in July.

Sabin asked how many employees are covered and Hinsdale 
responded 4.
Nancy Sabin moved:
* "THAT THE TOWN OF CHARLOTTE PAY NO MORE THAN
$7,000.00 FOR HEALTH INSURANCE."
The motion failed for lack of a second.

Peter Coleman asked if the town had received any money from 
films made in town last year and Illick responded the town 
received $500.00 for a commercial, $1,00.00 for one film and 
$2,500.00 for another, all which went into the General Fund.

Mike Yantachka asked about the Zoning legal fees line item being 
reduced and Illick responded the money was shifted to reflect 
the actual cost of the Planning Commission versus Selectboard on 
out of town lawsuits, which she could not comment on.

Andy Broderick asked about the two cents on the Grand List for 
the Conservation Commission and Illick responded that issue gets 
voted on every 10 years.

John Davis, Assistant Fire Chief, introduced Chief Ray Walker 
and President Rick Pollack of the Fire Rescue Department to 
answer questions on their budget. John Davis reviewed the 
Capital Budget on page 13, noting the department answers 130 
fire calls and 115 rescue calls each year.

Rick Pollack noted the department has brought in $14,000.00 in 
revenue over 6 months of billing for their services. Pollack 
and Davis went on to explain the charges for services; ambulance 
transport which is reimbursed by Medicaid, reimbursement for the 
use of fire fighting foam, etc. Jim Sheldon-Dean said in regard 
to Fire & Rescue service the last thing we want residents to 
think about in an emergency is costs and Pollack added no one 
would ever be refused service because of costs.






Charlotte Town Meeting -6- March 7, 2000

Sylvia Knight asked about the shift in line items for legal fees 
between the Planning & Zoning budget and the Selectboard budget.
Moderator Schwartz advised the issue had been addressed earlier. 
Illick explained the move was to reflect actual costs incurred 
by the Selectboard of the town being sued.

Knight said she would like to see some of the money restored to 
P & Z.
Sylvia Knight moved with a second from Louis Cox:
* "THAT $7000.00 BE RESTORED TO PLANNING AND ZONING
AND REDUCED TO THE SELECTBOARD, RESULTING IN
$13,000.00 FOR THE SELECTBOARD AND $9,000.00 FOR
PLANNING AND ZONING FOR LEGAL FEES."
Vote: The motion failed by voice vote.

Moderator Schwartz advised the next step was to vote on Article 
3 as amended. Moderator Schwartz reread Article 3 and the 
motion carried by voice vote.


ARTICLE 4

Cobey Gatos moved Article 4, with a second from Tina
Flood:
* "IF THE TOWN CONSTRUCTS A SENIOR CENTER WITH FUNDS
BEQUEATHED TO THE TOWN BY THE LATE WALTER IRISH,
SHALL THE TOWN VOTE TO DIRECT THE SELECTBOARD TO
INCLUDE IN EACH OF THE TOWN'S ANNUAL OPERATING
BUDGETS A SUM OF MONEY FOR THE OPERATION OF SAID
CENTER?"

John Rosenthal explained the town needed a binding vote to 
answer requirements outlined in Walter Irish's bequest to the 
town to provide a senior center.

Peter Coleman and Mary Anne Gatos outlined the terms of the 
Irish will and the work their committee has done to date answer 
the requirements of Irish's will by July 1, 2000. Coleman said 
a group of 12 to 20 interested people had been meeting on the 
senior center and advised this was to be a cafe-style gathering 
center and not a housing project.

Gatos reviewed three sites the committee had been looking at in 
the village: behind the Town Hall parking lot; Richard LeBoeuf's 
land behind the Town Hall and Post Office LeBoeuf is willing to 
lease to the town and the Gaboury property.

Coleman stated the senior center would be roughly the size of 
the current town hall and the committee thought the senior 
center would require an operating budget of about $24,000.00 to 
$30,000.00 including a salary for a coordinator. Gatos said the 
Committee looked at several revenue sources including and 
endowment, foundations, revenues from a craft shop and town 
support. Gatos said decisions for the center would be made by a 
7 member board.

Coleman asked any town residents 50 years or older to fill out 
the questionnaire for the center if they had yet to do so.

Charlotte Town Meeting -7- March 7, 2000

Larry Hamilton stated he would use the senior center very often 
and read part of the minutes from the previous year on the 
senior center.

Nancy Wood asked if there were any restrictions on having the 
center be multi-use and Gatos replied the attorney for the 
Irish's trust said yes, however the money could not be used for 
example a daycare center, instead and the board of directors for 
the senior center would make decisions on who uses the space.

Arthur Ridge said he would like to senior center, however the 
town is not obligated to provide any money for it and there was 
no call for a center prior to Irish's will. Ridge state he 
thought keeping the taxes lower would be of more help to 
seniors.

Tina Flood asked the $24,000.00 to $30,000.00 would be on the 
tax rate and Hinsdale responded 3/4 of a cent.

Dan Rosen said he supports the concept of a senior center and 
Irish's will presents an opportunity for the town.

Rick Lunt asked what was being mandated in terms of costs to the 
town and liability? Rosenthal responded a board of directors 
would be appointed by the Selectboard who would then present 
their budget to the Selectboard which would then be presented to 
the voters like any other town department.

Hazel Prindle read a flyer on the Irish will and the senior 
center, noting over 600 town residents are currently 50 years or 
older.
Jim Donovan moved with a second from the floor:
* "TO CEASE DEBATE ON ARTICLE 4."
Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.

VOTE: Article 4 was passed by voice vote.

Moderator Schwartz noted Hazel Prindle would be collecting 
donations for a World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.

At noon, Moderator Schwartz adjourned the meeting for lunch, to 
reconvene following the School District Meeting.

5:30 p.m. Moderator Jerry Schwartz reconvened the meeting and 
continued the discussion beginning with Article 5.


ARTICLE 5

Alison Lockhart moved Article 5, with a second from
the floor:
* "TO AUTHORIZE THE SELECTBOARD TO BORROW MONEY BY
ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR NOTES NOT IN EXCESS OF
ANTICIPATED REVENUES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR."

VOTE: Article 5 was passed by voice vote.



Charlotte Town Meeting -8- March 7, 2000

ARTICLE 6

Alison Lockhart moved Article 6, with a second from
Nancy Sabin:
* "WILL THE TOWN VOTE PURSUANT TO 32 VSA 3840 TO
EXEMPT PROPERTY OWNED BY CHARLOTTE GRANGE 398 FROM
EDUCATION AND MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR A PERIOD
OF FIVE YEARS COMMENCING WITH FY2001?."

Alison Lockhart asked how much tax the town would be exempting 
and Mack responded he didn't know exactly, as the town had 
always exempted the Grange, but he guessed the figure would be 
between $500.00 and $1,000.00.

Vote: Article 6 passed by voice vote.


ARTICLE 7

Moderator Schwartz noted that all motions under Article 7 are 
advisory motions to the Seletctboard and read Article 7:

* "TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME
BEFORE SAID MEETING."

Nancy Sabin noted in the Town Report on page 32, she wanted the 
money from the Breezy Point Library to go to the town library, 
instead of the school library.

Nancy Sabin moved with a second from the floor:
* "AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE SELECTBOARD SHALL ORDER
THE SUM OF $1,452.21 FROM THE BREEZY POINT LIBRARY
AND TRANSFER IT TO THE CHARLOTTE TOWN LIBRARY."
Vote: The motion carried by voice vote.


Alison Lockwood moved with a second from Sandy
Mayo:
* "THE SELECTBOARD SHALL PREVAIL UPON THE TOWN
COMMUNITY TO USE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AS OFTEN AS
POSSIBLE INSTEAD OF CHEMICALS."
Vote: The motion failed by decision of the house
24 in favor and 30 opposed.

Sandy Mayo discussed the Burns property option to purchase 
agreement, which the town has been paying on behalf of the 
Charlotte Land Trust.

Sandy Mayo moved with a second from Nancy Sabin:
* "IN THE FUTURE THE SELECTBOARD SHALL COME BEFORE THE
TOWN ON ANY EXPENDITURE NOT IN A LINE ITEM OVER
$2,000.00."

John Hammer asked how much it cost the town to have an election 
and Hazel Prindle responded from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.

Vote: The motion failed by decision of the house
24 in favor and 29 opposed.

Charlotte Town Meeting -9- March 7, 2000

Michael Yantachuhka discussed the issues the Board of Tax 
Abatement with taxpayer who are charged an eight percent penalty 
on their taxes for being a day late. Yantachka suggested 
advising the Delinquent Tax Collector to apply late fees at an 
adjusted rate.

Sylvia Sprigg said, as Chairman of the Civil Board of Authority, 
it is the responsibility of the Delinquent Tax Collector to deal 
with cases of human error and the town can't mandate this issue 
and if you don't like the policy, then vote in a new Tax 
Collector.

Mike Krasnow said delinquent tax penalties are used for general 
purposes and the people the town wants to find a way to address 
are those who intended to pay on time.
Hazel Prindle advised the Board of Civil Authority is not in 
complete agreement on how to handle this problem and stated her 
contention that a deadline is a deadline. Prindle offered the 
town should put up signs advising when taxes are due.

Nancy Sabin moved and the motion was seconded by
Mischul Brownstone:
* "TO ADJOURN THE MEETING."
Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 P.M.
Minutes submitted by:
Debby Flynn