Approved as written:

Approved as corrected:

VERNON SELECTBOARD

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

REGULAR MEETING

AT 6:30PM

DRAFT MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT:

Christiane Howe – Vice Chair Catrina Lawley – Secretary

Robert Miller, Jr. Sally Brassor – Treasurer

Patricia O’Donnell Sandra Harris – Town Clerk

Michael Ball Peg Frost – Historian Committee (6:30pm)

Tom Hendricks

Marylynn Scherlin –Cem. Committee

Chris Garafolo – Brattleboro Reformer

Carol Hammond

Sheldon Shippee(7:05pm)

Martin Langeveld(6:35pm)

Lynda Starorypinski(7:05pm)

Janet (7:05pm)

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Michael Courtemanche - Chair

WELCOME AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Vice Chair Christiane Howe chaired the meeting in Mike Courtemanche’s absent. Howe called the meeting to order at 6:34pm, welcomed those present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

MINUTES

Minutes from July 11, 2011 were reviewed. Michael Ball added a correction of “gird” to “grid”.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2011 AS CORRECTED. MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

Minutes from July 18, 2011 were reviewed. No corrections were made.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF JULY 18, 2011 AS WRITTEN. MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL. MOTION CARRIED 3-0-1 WITH ROBERT MILLER JR ABSTAINING.

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Howe asked the public to please sign in so they could be recognized as being present at the meeting.

Howe read a letter of recognition for Walter Zaluzny, who passed away. Mr. Zaluzny made numerous contributions to the Town of Vernon and our condolences go out to his family. The letter is part of the supporting documents available with the Secretary of the Board.

O’Donnell asked the Chair for a moment of silence out of respect for Walter Zaluzny.

A moment of silence was observed.

DEPARTMENT HEADS/COMMITTEE REPORT

Town Clerk – Cemetery Deed

Town Clerk Sandra Harris presented the cemetery deed for James and Wendy Parker, Lot 394, Site C.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALLTO APPROVE AND SIGN THE CEMETERY DEED FOR LOT 394, SITE C TO JAMES AND WENDY PARKER. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:42PM WITH TOWN CLERK SANDRA HARRIS AND TREASURER SALLY BRASSOR ON A PERSONNEL MATTER, THE DISCLOSURE OF WHICH AT THIS TIME MIGHT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOWN AND/OR THE INDIVIDUAL(S) INVOLVED. MOTION SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:04PM WITH NO ACTION TAKEN.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL TO ALLOW THE TOWN CLERK SANDRA HARRIS TO HIRE A TEMPORARY PART-TIME PERSON UNTIL SUSAN MILLER RETURNS AT A RATE OF $10.50 PER HOUR. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL. MOTION CARRIED 3-1 WITH ROBERT MILLER, JR OPPOSED.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Sally Brassor presented the Bills and Warrants for review.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROBERT MILLER, JR TO APPROVE AND PAY WARRANTS 3S/G ACCOUNTS PAYABLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,882.36; 29S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,867.97; AND 30S PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,301.09. MOTION SECONDED BY PATRICIA O’DONNELL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

Brassor mentioned that when David Andrews resigned as Fire Chief, he turned in the Town credit card and she wondered whether the Board would authorize her to have a new card ordered for the new Fire Chief, Todd Capen.

Ball inquired whether the fiscal responsibility had changed. O’Donnell questioned whether we have a policy that addresses this issue when an employee is still on probation. Having the cards is a fairly new process. Before, Brassor would be given the information and would have to order the supplies for the fire department.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO REISSUE THE CREDIT CARD IN TODD CAPEN’S NAME. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY ROBERT MILLER, JR. MOTION WAS CARRIED 3-1 WITH PATRICIA O’DONNELL OPPOSED.

Tyler Cemetery Fence

Howe reported that a letter was received from the Historians regarding the Tyler Cemetery Fence. The Historians would like to see the fence remain as a white picket fence.

Howe stated that on Saturday morning, she received a call that the fence had been vandalized. The police have been called and it is now under investigation.

Ball commented that the Board appointments committees to work on their behalf and feels that if there are concerns, those concerns should be addressed to the committees first before coming to the Selectboard. Marylynn Scherlin responded that no one came to the Cemetery Committee with any additional ideas or concerns. Sidney Sheldon said that it only came to his attention recently that the fence was put out to bid when he read it in the paper.

Scherlin reported that she had done some research on the suggested granite and iron fence and it would cost approximately $50,000 and is more then what is in the Capital Plan. She was also concerned that it would not protect the headstones, as that cemetery is closer to the road then others.

Miller stated that he had looked at the fence. There are a lot of pickets that have been replaced and he believes the fence could be moved back from the road. The real issue is why the road was moved back three feet. The movement is up north of Lee Jenk’s place.

Harris commented that there are graves really close to the fence and moving the fence would create a problem.

Ball mentioned that if snow was being pushed through the fence and creating an issue, that the snow could be plowed forward, past the cemetery and then pushed to the side.

O’Donnell stated that she wants to address Ball’s comment about the not coming to the Selectboard and going to the respective Committees first. She is very aware that she was elected by the Townspeople and disagreed with Ball. She thanked people for coming to the meetings and for getting involved. She wants the residents to feel that they can come to the Selectboard with any and all concerns or issues.

Sheldon commented that he is not opposed to the white picket fence, but feels that there might be a better option.

Lynda Starorypinski said that moving the road would cost additional money.

Howe asked the Cemetery and the Finance Committees to get together to discuss options and to invite the Historian Committee to participate in that discussion.

Sheldon requested that the Finance Committee be included in meetings where there are discussions on Capital Plan purchases. They would like to be part of the process prior to putting it out to bid.

Howe read Barbara’s letter into the record, asking to have the fence remain as a white picket style and quoting the history behind the current fence. The letter is on file as supporting documentation with the Secretary of the Board.

Howe thanked all the committee members for all that they do for the Town.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Equipment Operator/Mechanic

The Equipment Operator/Mechanic job description as discussed at the last meeting was not approved.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY ROBERT MILLER, JR TO APPROVE THE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/MECHANIC JOB DESCRIPTION WITH CORRECTIONS. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Funeral Announcement

Howe announced that the funeral for Walter Zaluzny will be on Wednesday at 10am at the Chapel and calling hours will be on Tuesday at the funeral home.

General Items

Howe stated that she can not locate her liaison listing as previous discussed at the last meeting. Ball will forward her a copy. Howe will send the excel spreadsheet of appointments to Catrina and suggested putting it on the Agenda for the next meeting.

O’Donnell announced that she had done some research in the policy regarding conflict of interest. It was last done 21 years ago.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY PATRICIAL O’DONNELL TO HAVE THE CURRENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COPIED AND SENT TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENTS AND TO BE READ INTO THE MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MICHAEL BALL. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

Howe commented that she has been in contact with the Secretary of State, who suggested that we do a new policy to include nepotism. This could be discussed further at another meeting.

Ball stated that he will not be at the next regular Selectboard meeting.

Media

It was confirmed for the media, that the Tyler Cemetery Fence had been put on hold due to the vandalism and that the Finance Committee and Cemetery Committee will be meeting to check out other possible options.

MEETINGS

The next Selectboard meeting will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL BALL TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:50PM. MOTION SECONDED BY ROBERT MILLER, JR. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

Respectfully Submitted by:

Catrina Lawley, Secretary

Return to Selectboard Homepage