Approved as written:   5-16-2011       

                                                                                                Approved as corrected:                     

 

 

VERNON SELECTBOARD

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011

REGULAR MEETING AT 6:30PM

MINUTES

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                            OTHERS PRESENT:

Michael Courtemanche – Chair                                 Catrina Lawley - Secretary

Christiane Howe – Vice Chair                                                Sally Brassor - Treasurer

Patricia O’Donnell                                                       Sandra Harris – Town Clerk

Michael Ball                                                                David Andrews – Fire Chief

                                                                                    Todd Capen – Fire Captain

                                                                                    Seth Deyo – Recreation Park Director

                                                                                    Mario M. Buisa                                   

                                                                                   

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Robert Miller, Jr.                                              

                                                                   

 

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.

 

MINUTES

Minutes from April 4, 2011 were reviewed.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY CHRISTIANE HOWE TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 2011 AS WRITTEN.  MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL.  MOTION CARRIED 3-0-1 WITH PATRICIA O’DONNELL ABSTAINING.

 

Minutes from April 12, 2011 and April 18, 2011 were tabled until the next meeting scheduled for May 16, 2011.

 

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Michael Courtemanche acknowledged that it was a great day for the United States.  He expressed thanks to all the Vernon residents and their families that serve in the military currently and in the past. 

 

Courtemanche clarified the statement that was in the paper several weeks ago that stated it was a good day for Vernon.  Several people felt that was an insensitive comment and asked to have it addressed.  He stated that the Police Chief was pleased with the amount of interdepartmental cooperation they received and that they had just solved the case and did not intend to downplay the seriousness of the event.  The Police Department and the Selectboard realize that it was a tragic scenario.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO TAKE TOWN CLERK SANDRA HARRIS OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA.  MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

Town Clerk Sandra Harris presented a cemetery deed for Lot 169, Site C North Cemetery, so called, for Everett and Patricia McAllister to the Selectboard for their review and approval.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO SIGN THE CEMETERY DEED FOR LOT 169, SITE C FOR EVERETT AND PATRICIA MCALLISTER.  MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer Sally Brassor presented bills and warrants for the Selectboard’s review and approval.

 

Courtemanche asked Brassor to get in touch with Mr. Bill Vermouth to install wireless internet in the Selectboard Meeting Room using some of the technology budget funds.

 

Courtemanche questioned whether our insurance company has seen the proposed Return to Work Policy. Brassor confirmed that the Return to Work Policy is the recommendation and the wording from VLCT.  Ball will forward how to develop the policy and corresponding documents to Richard for his review.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO APPROVE AND PAY WARRANTS 24S/G ACCOUNTS PAYABLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,907.31; 17S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,290.05; AND 18S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,725.21.  MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Pool Refurbishment Project Bids were moved to later in the meeting.

 

Windham Regional Commission Appointment

Courtemanche announced that Steve will be leaving his position as our representative on the Windham Regional Commission.  Bob Spencer has expressed an interest in that appointment. 

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO APPOINT BOB SPENCER AS THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE TO THE WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION.  MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

Bob Spencer has stated that he would have to give up his position on the Windham Solid Waste Management Board. He is actively trying to find his own replacement for that Board. We will be looking for a new representative to that Board. Letters of interest should be addressed to the Selectboard c/o the Vernon Town Office.

 

The Finance Committee recommended appointing Janet Rasmussen to the Committee.

The Cemetery Committee recommended appointing Janet Rasmussen and Marcella Unaitis to the Committee.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO APPOINT JANET  RASMUSSEN TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND TO APPOINT JANET RASMUSSEN AND MARCELLA UNAITIS TO THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.  MOTION WAS SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

Town Gardener Contract

Brassor spoke with the Historians the other day.  The Historians hire the Gardener although the Town of Vernon pays for that position. Brassor has requested an agreement from the Historians outlining the Gardener position.

 

Courtemanche was unclear why we still needed a Town Gardener.  The only place that appears to be utilizing this service is for the Gazebo. The position requires the individual provide their own liability insurance.  A waiver has been signed in the past for the workman’s comp insurance.

 

Ball requested a simple letter of agreement outlining what the Town would be getting for the $1,000 that is paid out.  Secretary Catrina Lawley will get in touch with Peg Frost regarding that letter and will present it to the Selectboard at the next meeting scheduled for May 16, 2011.

 

There are fire tanks that will be put underground near the museum and the Selectboard wants to make sure that there is no duplication of work.  We do not have a timeframe on when that work will be completed.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Transitional Return to Work Policy

Tabled until the next meeting scheduled for May 16, 2011.

 

IBPO Memorandum of Agreement

This is an addendum to the IBPO Contract to correct a date in the Contract.  There was a special meeting on April 12, 2011 to discuss the correction requested. There was some general discussion regarding whether the Selectboard wanted to leave the contract the way that it was, sign the addendum, or not sign it at all.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AS WRITTEN.  NO SECOND. MOTION FAILED.

 

There was further discussion regarding how the mistake had been made and what impact this actually has on the contract.  This does not cost the taxpayers anything because it is outside details.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO APPROVE THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AS WRITTEN. MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE.  MOTION CARRIED 3-1 WITH PATRICIA O’DONNELL OPPOSED.

 

Brassor talked about the life insurance aspect.  There is an advantage to being a group.  It has been considered one percent noncontributory with the Town paying for it.  Now there is only one department and within that department there are two people opting out of it.  It is given after twenty hours per the Town Personnel Policy at one time the salary.  The IBPO contract reads 50/50.  Brassor is still waiting for final numbers regarding our premium.  The financial impact is unclear at this time.  There was a discussion regarding grandfathering the two employees in.  It was decided to wait for the new quotes to come in and to revisit this at the next meeting scheduled for May 16, 2011.

 

 

 

 

Pool Refurbishment Project Bids

Recreation Department Director Seth Deyo reported that bids were sent out to three companies for the pool repair.  We have been making minor repairs to areas of the pool, most recently in 2009.  This gutter repair project was first done back in 2004. 

 

Deyo stated that only one bid was received back from Falvey Pool in the amount of $9,600 with a completion date of May 18, 2011.  There are no groups using the pool until the second week of June.  This is less then what was in the Capital budget for the project.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM FALVEY POOL IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,600 FOR REPAIRING THE GROUT LINE BELOW THE STAINLESS STEEL GUTTERS.  MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

Fire Department – Reimbursement Policy

Courtemanche stated that the Fire Department has been working on a reimbursement ordinance for the Town.  He sent the policy to VLCT for them to review.  Jim Barlow has reviewed it and made some recommendations. 

 

Chief David Andrews and Captain Todd Capen presented the proposed reimbursement ordinance with the corrections that were recommended by VLCT.  Any collected fees would go as directed by the Selectboard. There is also a Length of Service Reward Program (LOSAP) Ordinance that is being worked on.  It is a shell only right now as there is a four year grant available for the creation of the ordinance, membership drives, reimbursement for training and length of service reward. Nuisance calls would average approximately $2,000-$3,000 in revenue with all the invoicing to be done by the Fire Chief. The Treasurer would be responsible for the collection of funds only, but not overdue funds.

 

O’Donnell said that she can not support this.  Mario Busia felt the Fire Warden should investigate and determine these calls to see if they fall under the nuisance definition.

 

There was discussion regarding whether this proposed plan should go before the Town as a Special Town Meeting.  Nuisance call definition was reviewed.  There were strong concerns voiced about the taxpayers having to shoulder the responsibility for the LOSAP once the funding is gone.

 

O’Donnell had concerns that citizens who have repeated medical issues might not call for help because they will be afraid that they will be charged.  Howe confirmed that concern as well.

 

An issue was raised about the Fire Chief having complete control over determining what is or isn’t a nuisance call based on the proposed Ordinance.  O’Donnell stated that she knows of one incidence where there was a fire, the Fire Department billed for that call and the insurance company stated they wouldn’t pay it because there was not an Ordinance in place to support it. This was a one time fire, not a nuisance call.  She feels that this is the reason the proposed Ordinance is being requested. 

 

Ball spoke in support of the proposed Ordinance.  We have people that are volunteering their time to go to these events where people are breaking the law and they are getting frustrated because there are no repercussions. This is an innovative way of doing that.  If you break the law then you are going to pay the consequences which are the fees to pay for the equipment.

 

Chief Andrews responded he is aware of the call that O’Donnell is referring to and stated that the insurance company inquired as to why they had not billed for that call.  Andrews confirmed that he did bill the insurance company.

 

Chief Andrews further stated that the volunteers are getting frustrated at having to respond to calls where there is a disregard for the law.  He is having a hard time getting membership up and had several calls where no one has responded.  The department is struggling to survive and this would be one way to eliminate the calls that are pulling people away from their jobs and lives unnecessarily. He asked the Selectboard for their ideas on how to increase membership.

 

Ball left the meeting at 7:56pm to respond to an emergency call.

 

There was clarification regarding the Fire Association and its role with the Fire Department.

 

Courtemanche is looking for an impartial group to make the determination on whether a call should be invoiced or not.  Andrews felt that the Selectboard is that impartial group.

 

Busia commented that he understood Andrews frustration and felt that nuisance calls need to be controlled but believes that senior citizens will not call for help when needed because of the possible expense.

 

Andrews commented that the medical calls language could be removed.  There is an image out there that you call 911 and you get thirty guys that will respond.  That isn’t the case anymore.  This is happening now, in our town and others. 

 

O’Donnell and Howe stated that they do not have a problem with the nuisance calls for people that are breaking the law.  Both of them have a problem with the determination of those nuisance calls.  Brassor suggested tightening up the language.

 

Subject was tabled for another meeting to be announced later.

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:21PM TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER WHICH DISCLOSURE MIGHT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AT THIS TIME.  MOTION SECONDED BY CHRISTIANE HOWE.  MOTION CARRIED 3-0.

 

Ball returned to the Selectboard meeting during Executive Session.

 

Executive Session adjourned at 9:03pm with no action taken.

 

Health & Safety Policy and Mission Statement

Courtemanche said that the Health & Safety Policy and Mission Statement needed to be signed every year.  Howe stated that she was told the same thing by the Town Clerk.

 

Ball read the language in the policy and clarified that it has to be reviewed by the committee annually and revised when necessary by the Selectboard.  It was reviewed and no changes were made.  This language is right out of the VLCT handbook.

 

No further action necessary.

 

 

 

A MOTION WAS MADE BY CHRISTIANE HOWE  TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:15PM.  MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL.  MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

Next meeting will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room located in the Town Office.

                                                           

                                                                                                Respectfully Submitted by:

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                Catrina Lawley, Secretary

 

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