Approved
as written:
Approved
as corrected:_
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011
REGULAR MEETING
AT 6:30PM
DRAFT MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS
PRESENT:
Michael Courtemanche –
Chair Sandra Harris-Town Clerk
Christiane Howe – Vice
Chair Peggy
Patricia O’Donnell Marylynn Scherlin –
Cemetery Committee
Michael Ball Representatives
from Big Guy Property
Robert Miller, Jr. Maintenance Company
Peggy
Farabaugh
JJ
and Ed Sleeper
MEDIA:
Chris Garafolo –
Brattleboro Reformer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Catrina Lawley-Secretary
WELCOME AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Michael
Courtemanche called the meeting to order at 6:30pm welcomed those present and
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
Peggy Farabaugh said that ABC news will be visiting Vernon tomorrow. Diane Sawyer from the ABC Nightly News has
decided to feature Vernon on her Made in America series. There will be a crowd scene at 12 noon at the
Town Hall for anyone in the community wants to be part of it. This series promotes shopping for American
made presents for the holiday season.
The event is being sponsored by the Town Clerk’s Office and Portside
Tavern will be providing pizza for people that come by. The basement of the
Town Office will be utilized as a place for people to get warm and for
refreshments. This conforms to the use
of town buildings policy because it is being sponsored by the Town Clerk’s
Office.
If people in the community have a business and want to come wearing a T
shirt or jacket with their logo on it; it is a time to advertise on National TV
their product or services. If you have a
product that is made in America, you can bring it and there will be an
interviewer from ABC News there that will meet with people and it could be
shown on the program.
MINUTES
The minutes from
November 7, 2011 were presented for review.
The following
corrections were made. Public participation is listed on page one and page
two. On page four, paragraph eight “a
motion was made by Michael Ball to raise the Ballot Clerk rate…” The motion shows that it was cancelled but
does not state any discussion as to why.
Add discussion regarding
the fact that the Ballot Clerks rate will be built into the budget for the next
fiscal year and therefore would not have needed a motion at this time. Motion
was cancelled because it was not necessary at this time.
Lawley corrected the
spelling of MaryBeth Hebert’s last name thorough out the minutes.
A
MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7,
2011 AS CORRECTED. MOTION SECONDED BY
CHRISTIANE HOWE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
None.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Sally Brassor was unable to attend the meeting. Courtemanche presented the bills and warrants.
Points that need to be addressed and clarified were: Overtime cannot be
received if you take a vacation day during that work week. The wellness program payment needs to be
reviewed. Clarification of individuals
that would never have overtime associated with their position, justification
needs to be added to the time card as to why the overtime was necessary. Also,
clarify the unauthorized hiring. The
liaison needs to go speak with the Department Head.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROBERT
MILLER, JR., TO APPROVE WARRANTS 11S/G ACCOUNTS PAYABLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,167.56;
45S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,223.81; 46S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,847.98
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOUR ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Courtemanche will talk with Sally Brassor and Howe will talk with the
Department Head. O’Donnell suggested that a letter be drawn up to the
Department Heads explaining that the use of overtime is not approved unless it
is an emergency. Courtemanche will work
on that.
Employee
Appreciation
Courtemanche commented that an email was received by the Treasurer
inquiring whether the Board would be approving the distribution of turkeys, hams
or gas cards for Town Employees this year.
Brassor’s second email outlined giving something to each employee that
receives a weekly payroll check, regardless of the amount of hours that they
put in. That would amount to 27 people.
Ball stated that it worked out to $37 each for the amount of money that
is in the budget. Last year it was about
$25 and we purchased them from Dan at the grocery store. Gift cards are now
taxed.
O’Donnell stated that when they start talking about the budget, she would
like to discuss gas cards for the fire department. But there is no money in the
budget for that. Courtemanche stated
that we could provide the fire department with a couple of extra turkeys or
hams so that they could have their own holiday dinner. This was agreed by the other members of the
Board.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
MICHAEL BALL TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TREASURER TO AUTHORIZE THE
PURCHASE OFTURKEYS OR HAMS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE TOWN EMPLOYEES THAT GET
A WEEKLY PAYROLL CHECK, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF HOURS THAT THEY WORK AND
TWO TURKEYS OR HAMS TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ENTIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT. MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
DEPARTMENT
HEAD/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
MICHAEL BALL TO TAKE THE CEMETERY DEED OUT OF ORDER. MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. HOWE WAS NOT IN THE
MEETING AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.
Cemetery Deed
Town Clerk Sandra Harris presented the Cemetery Deed Lot #355 North
Cemetery for Lawrence Shippee Sr., or Sonya Shippee.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
MICHAEL BALL TO APPROVE THE VERMONT WARRANTY DEED LOT #355 IN NORTH CEMETERY
FOR LAWRENCE SHIPPEE SR., OR SONYA SHIPPEE.
MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Cemetery
Caretaking Bids
The Chair of the Cemetery Committee, Marylynn Scherlin, presented the
Cemetery Caretaking Bids for review.
Courtemanche asked Scherlin if the Finance Committee has started to work
on the directive from the Selectboard to research the putting all of the green
areas in the Town out to bid.
Scherlin said that they are started to gather information. Courtemanche inquired whether they should
hold off on awarding the caretaking bids so that these areas could also be
added to the possible bid and could pull in a better price. Scherlin stated that she rather adjust the
budget than hold off on approving the bid.
O’Donnell was unclear how we would be able to award the bid and then
adjust the budget or change the contract.
Howe stated that if the bid was awarded then you have separated out the cemeteries,
but then you could go back and present that company with the additional areas
for them to bid on.
It was clarified that if awarded, you would not be able to include the
cemeteries in the town wide bid.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
PATRICIA O’DONNELL AT 7:13PM TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH CEMETERY
CHAIR MARYLYNN SCHERLIN ON A CONTRACTUAL MATTER, THE DISCLOSURE OF WHICH AT
THIS TIME COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AND/OR THE INVIDUALS OR COMPANY(IES)
INVOLVED. MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE
HOWE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNED AT 7:31PM WITH NO ACTION TAKEN.
Courtemanche stated that the Cemetery Committee and the Town have been
very happy with the services that have been provided by the Howes. However, the Board would like to award the
contract to a local company that has shown interest for a couple of years
now. There are some questions and
concerns that would need to be addressed first.
Howe stated that the present company had gone back and fixed items at the
Committee’s request without question.
Would that same service be available from the new company? Is the new
company aware of the Cemetery rules and regulations?
Courtemanche commented that there is some concern about the company’s
prior commitments to other jobs.
Representatives from Big Guys Property Maintenance were present to answer
concerns and address issues.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM BIG GUYS PROPERTY MAINTENANCE FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE TOWN OF VERNON CEMETERIES FOR THE YEAR 2012 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$16,900. MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
CHRISTIANE HOWE TO HIRE MATTHEW COOMBS AS THE MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT. MOTION
SECONDED BY ROBERT MILLERJR. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Velco Tree
Removal- Bill and Karen Gilbert
Courtemanche discussed tabling the item until the next meeting for lack
of information.
Ball handed out documents for the Board to review.
Ball stated that Velco came to the Board and asked for approval to remove
trees and had provided drawings of where those trees would be. What happened was they had talked with
Millers and they were going to talk to the other abutters, so the Selectboard
did not have any issues with it.
O’Donnell stated that in this case, the strip of land does not have any
abutters, but it is a very visual change.
The trees were replaced as instructed, but they are small shrubs. This
could be corrected by adding some oak trees in between the bushes. That would block the view which is the only
thing that the homeowners want.
Ball read an email that he sent to Velco on August 31, 2010 outlining the
Board’s conditions to the agreed tree removal. He feels that we need to talk
with Susan Hudson and say in accordance with the Selectboard approval that was
made, that the Velco reps and the abutters need to have a formal meeting and
address any concerns. He received a
thank you back from Chris Carr regarding his email.
Ball suggested that we set up the formal meeting. O’Donnell agreed. Ball
would also like a copy of the final ruling. O’Donnell will obtain that from
Susan Hudson.
Four Day Work Week
Discussion
Courtemanche stated that he was unable to get the additional information
that he requested from Brassor in time for this meeting. He was looking for how much overtime was
occurring since the departments went to a four day work week. We have not been having a savings on
electricity or heating.
Ball said that the Treasurer, Listers, Police, Town Clerk, Library and
elected departments are not under the Selectboard control in regards to setting
hours. We could only change the Road
Crew and Maintenance.
Howe feels that the town office should be open five days a week. Same with the Highway Department.
O’Donnell would like to see staggered hours. Miller agreed.
There was a discussion about bringing the sense of community back to the
town by bringing back classes and events into the town office.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
MICHAEL BALL TO HAVE ALL SUPPORT STAFF TO RETURN TO A FIVE DAY WORK WEEK WITH A
STRONG RECOMMENDATION TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FOLLOW SUIT WITH STAGGERED
HOURS. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE
HOWE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Liaisons will contact their Department Heads. Changes will take place
effective Monday.
Ratification of
Police Officer Wage
Courtemanche stated that there was a recommendation from Police Chief
MaryBeth Hebert to hire a part time officer at a Grade 7 Step 10 at a wage of
$17.82/hour based on his qualifications and 20 years of law enforcement service.
In order to expedite, this was ratified by three members of the
Selectboard via email.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
MICHAEL BALL TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF POLICE CHIEF MARYBETH HEBERT FOR
A NEW PART TIME OFFICER TO BE GRADE 7 STEP 10 AT $17.82/HOUR BASED ON 20 YEARS
PREVIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE. MOTION
SECONDED BY ROBERT MILLER, JR. MOTION
CARRIED 4-1 WITH PATRICIA O’DONNELL OPPOSED.
NEW BUSINESS
Selectboard Budget
Courtemanche asked the Board if they were ready to start working on the
budget or if they needed more time.
Ball commented that there is a need for more eye wash stations.
There are other areas that need to be looked at. BCTV would like for us to get a new camera
that is a stand-alone system. There
should be an increase in the employee appreciation fund. Need to look at the equipment fund.
O’Donnell stated that she needs to meet with Fire Chief Todd Capen to
help him with his budget this year. There is a lot that is being dumped on him
this year and he really needs the support of the Board. Ball said that they sat
down and talked and spent an hour about the budget. Ball will schedule a time that will be
convenient for Capen and O’Donnell. O’Donnell would really like to add gas
cards for the fire department in the budget for next year. Ball will do some research on what other
towns are doing and how much.
Budget work will continue on December 5, 2011.
Additional Item
Annual Assessment
Form-Rescue Inc.
Courtemanche said that he received the annual assessment form from Rescue
Inc., which requires his signature in order to begin the contractual
obligations for 2012-2013. The 2010 census numbers are giving Vernon a
population of 2206 with a $21.22/per person for a total of $46,811.32.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
CHRISTIANE HOWE TO AUTHORIZE CHAIR MICHAEL COURTEMANCHE TO SIGN THE CONTRACT
FOR PROVISION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR 2012-2013 BASED ON AN
ASSESSMENT FROM RESCUE INC WHICH STATES THAT THE POPULATION IS 2206 WITH A
$21.22/PER PERSON FOR A TOTAL OF $46,811.32.
MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Media
Items were reviewed.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY
PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MICHAEL
BALL. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:30PM.
Respectfully
Submitted by:
Catrina
Lawley, Secretary
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