Vernon Selectboard Mtg.                                                                 4/19/10    

 

                                                                         Accepted as Corrected___5/3/10____                                                                                       

                                                                                

 

 

VERNON SELECTBOARD

 MEETING

 

 

APRIL 19, 2010                                         6:30 PM

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                 OTHERS PRESENT:

Mike Courtemanche-Chair                              Mike Coughlin                                                 

Mike Ball                                                        Chris Garofolo-Media

Chris Howe                                                     Phyllis Newton                                              

Robert Miller Jr. 7:03                                     David Walker

                                                                        Susan Miller

MEMBER ABSENT:                                     Seth Deyo

Len Howard                                                    Sarah Deyo

                                                                        Marylynn Scherlin

                                                                        Jeremy Coleman

                                                                        Carol Hammon

                                                                        Tom Hendricks

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                   

WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

At 6:31 pm Chair Mike Courtemanche called the meeting to order, welcomed those present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

            No comment at this time.

 

MINUTE APPROVAL

            3/5/2010

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5, 2010 MINUTES AS CORRECTED.  CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION.  THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

BILLS AND WARRANTS

CHRIS HOWE MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING WARRANTS:

                        19S/G   $105,322.58

                         15S      $9,724.52

                         16S     $11,141.71

MIKE BALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.                   

With much discussion about travel when going to trainings the Board moved on.

 

 MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH mike coughlin ON A PERSONNEL MATTER, WHICH THE DISCLOSURE OF AT THIS TIME MAY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AND/OR THE INDIVUALS INVOLVED. CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

Mike Courtemanche stated that the Board went into executive session @ 6:41 and came out at 6:51 and no action was taken.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA TO THE LISTERS. CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

LISTERS-PHYLLIS NEWTON

            UPDATE ON GRAND LIST/SWITCH YARDS-

Phyllis Newton had no new information on the Switch Yards being added to the Grand list. Phyllis stated that yes the deadline is April 1st but because it is a work in progress they have until June 1st.

            UPDATE ON GIS MAPPING PROJECT-

Phyllis Newton made a recommendation to go with Cartographic Technologies after she received three proposals. Phyllis stated that the Listers had meetings separately with each vendor and have picked one that they would like to work with. Mike Courtemanche stated that the Board would have liked to have seen the specs and bid proposal sent to each vendor. Phyllis stated that they have checked out the references on the proposed company and even visited one town that had the same mapping done. Mike Ball stated that without putting together a bid of exactly what the job requirements are, the company may not meet all of the town’s meet exceptions. Phyllis stated that before meeting with all the companies they didn’t know exactly what they wanted so it was impossible to put together a proposal. The Listers used the individual meetings to get an idea of what was needed and then chose the vendor that best suited their needs.  In the future the Board would prefer seeing the bid specification before a request for quotation is issued.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE CARTOGRAPHIC TECHNOGIES FOR THE GIS MAPPING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,660.00. CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

The Board thanked Phyllis.

 

JEREMY COLEMAN-FOYER PROJECT

Mike Courtemanche stated that the Board wanted to get an update from Jeremy on the progress of the Foyer Project. The permit just needed to be amended and that was causing some delays.. Jeremy showed the Board the current plans. .Jeremy stated that he would be advertising in the local paper for bids for the subcontractors to continue with the work. Jeremy is hopeful that things would be happening in about four to six weeks.

The Board thanked Jeremy Coleman and Mike Coughlin.

 

CHRIS HOWE MADE THE MOTION TO TAKE THE CEMETARY COMMITTEE OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA. MIKE BALL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

CEMETARY COMMITTEE-MARYLYNN SCHERLIN

            PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR HOWE’S LAWN CARE- Marylynn stated that the care taker requested to be paid monthly. Mike Courtemanche asked Marylynn if this was acceptable with Sally the Town Treasurer and if so the Board had no problem with doing that.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO CHANGE THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR HOWES LAWN CARE TO MONTHLY. CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

                MARKER RESTORATION MONIES –Marylynn stated that the Cemetery Committee wanted to request a special Town Meeting to raise and appropriate the funds for the restoration of the markers. The committee would still pursue grants and repay any monies received from grants back to the general fund. The Board agreed that yes this is importation to have the markers restored. The Board believed that the committee could write up something for the Town Newspaper to get everyone on board and to continue with pursuing of grants. Since one or two of the cemeteries are a small amount it was determined to start the repairs if budget would allow it.

The Board thanked Marylynn.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK @ 7:35 PM. ROBERT MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

The Board continued on @ 7:41PM.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO GO OUT OF ORDER TO THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT. ROBERT MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. 

 

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT-DAVID WALKER

            SAND AND FUEL BID

 

CHRIS HOWE MADE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BID FOR PETROLEUM WITH SANDRI DATED APRIL 12, 2010. ROBERT MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BID FOR WINTER SAND BID WITH ZALUZNY EXCAVATING. ROBERT MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

The Board thanked David. 

 

RECREATION DEPARTMENT-SETH DEYO

            UPDATE ON RECREATION DEPARTMENT- Seth stated that the Recreation Department is thankful for receiving from the Brattleboro Rotary a donation of $5,000.00 for the playground improvements.  Seth stated that a lot is happening at the playground with new wood chips and some updated playground equipment. Seth thanked the Highway Department with their help with the wood chips.

Seth stated they currently have a Rad Program for area kids along with a Mad Scientists Program. The Preschool just had a Potluck Supper with a Circus. The after school program is a huge success with 10 to 20 children involved with that.  Preschool enrollment is high with Linda and Sharon doing a great job. The Recreation Department is getting things cleaned up from the winter.

            DAY CAMP STAFFING- Seth stated that there is some staff changes with the summer program recommendation from the Recreation Board. These changes will combine two positions and would actually decrease the staff salaries line item. The board was okay with this as long as the Rec. Board and the Treasurer are agreeable with it.

            TOWN FOREST SIGNAGE/USE OF ATV’S-   Seth stated that there will be six signs-No Camping, No Fires and No ATV’s to be placed at the entrance of the Town Forest. Mike Courtemanche stated that this will need to be enforced and how could this be done. Mike Ball stated that the Fish and Game could possibility do this but it needed to be confirmed with the State. Seth believes that locking the gate and putting signs up was not going to stop people from riding ATV’s though the Town Forest.  David Walker stated that it wasn’t the ATV’s as much as it was with four-wheel drives. The Board discussed the formation of an ATV Club similar to V.A.S.T. This club could be responsible for self policing as well as promoting and protecting ATV use in the Town Forest as well as some other private properties. If someone is interested in forming an ATV Club, the Board would consider lifting the ban on the use in the Town Forest.  Seth is willing to have a conversation with Fish and Game.   

The Board thanked Seth.       

 

NEW/OLD UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chris Howe gave the Board her resignation from the Newspaper Committee. The Board thanked her for her service.

 

The Board scheduled a meeting on Tuesday May 4th at 6:30 for the IBPO with a light dinner.

 

Mike Ball stated that lights are pointing in the direction of the road and they were to be pointing to the ground. Mike Courtemanche would call a VELCO Representative to see if this can be addressed.  

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH   PHYLLIS NEWTON ON A PERSONNEL MATTER, WHICH THE DISCLOSURE OF AT THIS TIME MAY BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AND/OR THE INDIVUALS INVOLVED. CHRIS HOWE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

Mike Courtemanche stated that the Board went into executive session @ 8:10 and came out at 8:32 and no action was taken.

 

MEDIA

Chris Garofolo-Media from the Brattleboro Reformer asked the Board about the Cemetery Markers with a recap. 

 

MIKE BALL MADE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN. ROBERT MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED.           

 

 Adjourned @ 8:37 PM. NEXT MEETING ON mAY 3, 2010 at 6:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by Elaine Howard

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