Vernon Selectboard Mtg.                                                                 1/4/2010   

 

                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                          Accepted as Printed  1/18/2010

                                              

VERNON SELECTBOARD

 MEETING

 

JANUARY 4, 2010                                     6:00 PM

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                 OTHERS PRESENT:                        

Mike Ball -Chair                                             Sandy Harris              

Mike Courtemanche                                        Sally Brassor                                      

Lynda Starorypinski                                       David Walker                                                 

Len Howard                                                    Bill Smith -Lobbyist  

                                                                        Ed Miller -Lobbyist                      

ABSENT:

Robert Miller, Jr.                                                                    

                                                                       

 

At 6:10 pm Chair Mike Ball called the meeting to order. While waiting for them to arrive the Chair read the obituaitary of Jim Mockler. The board signed a card for the family. Jim Mockler had worked and volunteered for the Town of Vernon over the years. He certainly missed.

 

Mike Courtemanche made the motion to go out of order on the agenda to REVIEW THE “Certificate-no appeal or suit pending” with Sandy Harris the Town Treasurer. Len Howard seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

CERTIFICATE-NO APPEAL OR SUIT PENDING

            Sand Harris presented the board with the certificate on the 2008 Grand list. Sandy            conveyed that the certificate means that there are no appeals pending from actions from          the Listers to recover taxes paid under protest relating to the April 1st 2008 Grand List. 

                                   

Mike Courtemanche made the motion to sign the “Certificate-No Appeals or Suit Pending” for the 2008 GranD List. Len Howard Seconded the Motion. The motion carried.

 

lobbyist

            Mike Courtemanche stated that the Board had voted to continue on with the services of   the Lobbyist representing the Town of Vernon in Montpelier with regarding to    Vermont Yankee/Entergy. Bill Smith and Ed Miller conveyed their            recommendations for the Board with goals and plans for the legislative session. Some             recommendations would include a personal   involvement by the Board such as talking      with other selectboard’s and getting them on board with the relicensing. There was   much discussion about the impact of the closing of Vermont Yankee with    them    employing around 650 people and how that would affect the economy in this area. The     Lobbyist conveyed that people need to be educated and to focus on the needs of the            Town of Vernon. Vermont Yankee has been     a good neighbor to Vernon and the    partnership would need to continue. The next step for the Board would be to make    personal appearances along with testifying and writing letters to editors.  

The Board thanked Bill Smith and Ed Miller. 

 

WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

At 6:50 pm Chair Mike Ball welcomed those present to the regular part of the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT-

            The Board invited David Walker to the table to convey their gratitude for his         dedication to the Town of Vernon in completing the course requirements of the            Management Academy sponsored by the Vermont Local Roads Program. From             May 2008 to October 2009 David was one of the three participants representing             from Windham County twenty-two Vermont communities and the Agency            of Transportation. The course covered Goal and Objectives/Individual         Development Plans, Team Work along with other areas that will improve           Vernon’s Highway Department.

The Board Thanked David for a job well done.

 

MINUTE APPROVAL-

            12/21/09

LEN HOWARD MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 21ST

 MINUTES AS WRITTEN. LYNDA STARORYPINSKI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

BILLS AND WARRANTS-

LYNDA STARORYPINSKI MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE WARRANTS 12SG IN THE AMOUNT OF $64,546.12, 52S FOR $8,815.68, AND 1S FOR $10317.65. LEN HOWARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

ACTUARY RECOMMENDATIONS-

MIKE COURTEMANCHE MADE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT OPTION NUMBER THREE OF THE TEN YEAR ACTUARY RECOMMENDATIONS PLAN FROM RICCI CONSULTANTS, INC.  EMPLOYEE’S RETIREMENT FUND UNDER THE PROPOSED ASSET SMOOTHING WITH AN ACTICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $43357.00. LEN HOWARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

MIKE COURTEMANCHE MADE THE MOTION TO TAKE THE TOWN CLERK SANDY HARRIS OUT OF ORDER TO GO OVER THE WARNINGS FOR THE UPCOMING TOWN MEETING. LEN HOWARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.           

            Sandy stated that she did receive two articles from the Police Department but was            waiting on figures. The Board would need to review the articles in a work         session             to let Sandy know which ones would be presented at Town Meeting.  The       last       day for Sandy to receive articles from departments would be January 25th.     The Board is already meeting on that day to approve the budgets.  

            Another discussion was that other towns are looking to save money by not             mailing the Town Report. Sandy wondered how the Board felt about that. Sandy        is checking to see if the voters needed to vote on this. The Report’s could be             picked             up at the Town Office or a request for it to be mailed would still be a             savings to the Town. The Report could also be on the web site.

The Board thanked Sandy.

 

REVIEW BUDGETS-

            The Board reviewed some budgets without the benefits in depth but not limited to            the following:

 

  • Town Clerk’s Office
  • Town Treasurer’s Office
  • Building and Grounds
  • Fire Department
  • Road Equipment Repair and Maintenance
  • Town Garage Operations
  • Highway Maintenance
  • Auditors

 

NEW/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

            David Walker conveyed problems with the two ton four wheel drive truck. He      will get additional information from Ford regarding the repairs and cost and get           back to the Board on the night of 01/11/2010.

 

Len Howard made the motion that by AGREEMENT VIA e-mail the board would approve for rental options. Mike Courtemanche seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

The Board thanked David Walker.

 

                        Carpet Update-Tabled until Mike Coughlin can join the Board with                                    bids of movers.

 

                        EAP Services-EAP Services will cover the Fire Department.

 

Len Howard made the motion to ratify THE CONSENSUS VOTE for Chair Mike Ball to sign the EAP contract for the fire Department. Lynda Starorypinski seconded the motion. The Motion carried.

 

                        Clarification of Pay Increases Letter- This has already been taken care of.

 

                        Central Park-Tabled for another meeting.

                                   

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

 

Mike Ball stated that the Board went into executive session @ 9:10 and came out             @ 9:19 and no action was taken. 

 

MEDIA-

            No Media at this time.

 

LEN HOWARD made the motion to adjourn. mIKE COURTEMANCHE seconded the motion. THE motion carried.

 Adjourned @9:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by    Elaine Howard

 

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