Vernon Selectboard Mtg.                                                                 2/1/10     

 

                                                                                Accepted as Corrected_________                                           

                                                                          

 

 

VERNON SELECTBOARD

SPECIAL

 MEETING

JANUARY 25, 2010                                     6:30 PM

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                 OTHERS PRESENT:                        

Mike Ball-Chair                                               Marylynn Scherlin

Mike Courtemanche                                         Sally Brassor

Lynda Starorypinski                                       Scott Lane                                                     

Robert Miller Jr.                                              Rebecca Blake

Len Howard                                                    Bruce Gauld

                                                                        Marybeth Hebert                                            

                                                                        Bryan Daniels

 

WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

At 6:33 pm Chair Mike Ball called the meeting to order, welcomed those present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT-

            No comment at this time.

 

FINALIZE BUDGETS-

The Board reviewed the following budgets in depth but not limited to the following:

 

·               Town Clerk’s Office-under by -0.21%

·               Town Treasurer’s Office-Level funded

·               Auditors-up by under by -0.94%

·               Listers-under by -1.96%

·               Selectboard-under due to grade adjustments at -38.76%

·               Employee’s Benefits-up by0.38%

·               General Expenses-under by-2.27%

·               Planning-up due to Clerical Assistance by 10.69%

·               Recreation Department- under by -0.02%

·               School Rental-up by 2.00%

·               Building and Grounds-Level funded

·               Cemeteries-Level funded

·               Seniors-Level funded

·               The Vernon Newspaper-proposed budget set at $4,400.00

·               Police Department-up slightly by

 

Scott Lane and Acting Police Chief Marybeth Hebert presented the Board with their revised budget. The Board reviewed the budget and with much discussion about out-dated equipment and getting the Department up to code. The Board agreed that the items are necessary for the operation of the Department. 

 

MIKE COURTEMANCHE MADE THE MOTION TO GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA TO ARTICLES TO REVIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT ARTICLES. LYNDA STARORYPINSKI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            The Board reviewed the Police Department Articles which included raising and     appropriating the sum of $4250.00 for purchase of 5 portable radios for the    Vernon Police Department. Scott Lane will speak at Town Meeting regarding the             radios if necessary. In the future the Department will try to get grants for as much             equipment as possible. The Department is also looking to purchase 5 bullet             proof vests, along with new computers and office equipment. It was the consensus of the Board to concur with the Police Departments needs.

The Board thanked the Police Department.

             

Continuing with the Budgets-

·               Fire Department-Level funded

·               Rescue’s Operating Budget-up by 3.00%

·               Other Public Safety-Level funded

·               Highway Maintenance-Level funded

·               Town Garage Operation-Level funded

·               Road Equipment Repair & Maintenance-Level funded

 

            The Board stated that the budget came in with a slight 2.42% increase.

 

FINALIZE CAPITAL PLAN-

            Corrections made to excess funds to the Capital Plan and adjusted to reflect          interest.

 

FINALIZE WARNINGS-

            The Board reviewed the Warnings for Town Meeting in depth.

 

Mike Ball read from the Office of the Vermont Secretary of State Opinions in response to the concerns of towns that printing and mailing town reports to every household was too costly, and that most town reports end up in the trash or recycling, the legislature changed the law to permit the voters of the town to vote to permit the town to provide “notice of the availability of the auditors” report” to the voters or residents of the town instead of mailing or distributing the report itself. The Law provides that “if the voters of the town vote to provide notice of availability shall be provided to the voters or residents of the town at least 30 days before the annual meeting” In addition, “upon request, the auditors shall mail or distribute a copy of the full report to a voter or resident of the town.” Note that if the town has voted to eliminate the office of auditor, the findings of the public accountant must be mailed or otherwise distributed by the selectboard.  This could be as a warning for next year to change how the town distributes the town report.

 

MIKE COURTEMANCHE MADE THE MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH SALLY BRASSOR ONA PERSONNEL MATTER, WHICH THE DISCLOSURE OF AT THIS TIME MAY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AND/OR THE INDIVUALS INVOLVED.LEN HOWARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

Mike Ball stated that the Board went into executive session @ 8:10 and came out at 8:24 and no action wad taken.

 

MIKE COURTEMANCHE MADE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. LYNDA STARORYPINSKI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.       

 

 Adjourned @8:25 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by _____________    Elaine Howard

 

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