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School and Town Meeting Minutes
242nd Annual Town Meeting of New Haven, Vermont
March 1, 2004
7:00 PM Discussion of Australian Ballot Items
Moderator Lanny Smith introduced himself. He will try to follow Robert’s Rules of Order. He likes to run a loose version and allow everyone to speak. Please stand and state your name prior to speaking.
Warning was read and discussion was started.
The legal voters of the Town of New Haven are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Town Hall in New Haven, Vermont on Monday evening the 1st of March 2004, at 7:30 PM to act on Articles 24 through 33; and on Tuesday, March 2nd from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM to vote by Australian Ballot on Articles 1 through 23.
A DISCUSSION PERIOD FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT ARTICLES WILL BEGIN MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 1, 2004 AT 7: 00 PM.
ARTICLE 1. To elect the following Town Officers by Australian Ballot:
Moderator 1 year
Town Clerk 3 years
Town Treasurer 3 years
Selectman 3 years
Auditor 3 years
Library Trustee 5 years
Delinquent Tax Collector 1 year
Grand Jurors (2) 1 year
Town Agent 1 year
Trustee of Public Funds 1 year
Beeman School Director 3 years
The moderator commented on the fact that there were no contested races.
No other discussion.
ARTICLE 2. Shall the Town appropriate $1,700.00 for the Addison County Community Action Group? By Australian Ballot.
Keith Hall - Has served on the board in the past. They work hard to provide emergency services, fuel assistance, medical and dental assistance. They also supply assistance. They served 78 New Haven residents. Please support.
ARTICLE 3. Shall the Town appropriate $1,753.25 for the Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Inc.? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion
ARTICLE 4. Shall the Town appropriate $1,800.00 for the Addison County Parent/Child Center? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 5. Shall the Town of New Haven appropriate $ 300.00 to the Addison County Riverwatch Collaborative to support water quality testing on the New Haven River? By Australian Ballot.
Michael Manley – This money would be used to test waters in the river from above Lincoln to just below the Dog Team Tavern. Results would be published.
ARTICLE 6. Will the Town of New Haven, Vermont appropriate $ 350.00 for the Addison Otters Swim Team to be used to help pay annual operating expenses?
By Australian Ballot.
Beverly Mayer – This is a non-profit for Addison County kids. They use the Mt. Abe pool. Currently all fees are paid for by the participants. They do some fundraising. Need help. 45 kids from ages five to seventeen on the team over half of the kids are from the five-town area. They used to get $1,000.00 from Mt. Abe and don’t get that any more. Please support.
ARTICLE 7. Shall the Town appropriate $ 500.00 for the Bristol Family Center?
By Australian Ballot.
Kathi Apgar – Executive director for the last 14 years. Non-profit organization. Serving children from birth to 6 years old. 40-50% subsidized by the State. Please support.
ARTICLE 8. Will the Town of New Haven vote $1,500.00 to be paid to the Bristol Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department for support of its programs, including the Pottery Studio, Skate Park, Teen Center and Ice Skating Rink, which have been found to serve the Five-Town area? Said sum to come from the General Fund.
By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 9. Shall the Town appropriate $ 2,000.00 for the Bristol Rescue Squad?
By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 10. Shall the Town appropriate $ 1,200.00 for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 11. Shall the Town appropriate $ 1,650.00 for the Counseling Service of Addison County? By Australian Ballot.
Jim Gallott – Counseling service has a wide range of programs. They help people get and keep jobs. Serve the mentally disabled to live in the community. Please support.
ARTICLE 12. Shall the Town appropriate $ 700.00 for the Elderly Services Inc.?
By Australian Ballot.
Nina Bacon - Board member – They provide day care from 7-7 for elders Monday through Saturday. They served 170 Addison County residents. Help people to stay in their own homes.
ARTICLE 13. Shall the Town appropriate $ 350.00 for the Hospice Volunteer Services?
By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 14. Shall the Town appropriate $1,075.00 for the John W. Graham Emergency Shelter Services, Inc.? By Australian Ballot.
Keith Hall – They have a seventeen-bed capacity serving both men and women. They are handicap accessible. Participants meet with staff to form a plan to end their homelessness. Participants are not allowed to stay more than three weeks. 62 bed nights for New Haven residents.
ARTICLE 15. Shall the Town appropriate $ 789.00 for the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc.? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 16. Shall the Town appropriate $ 500.00 for the Open Door Clinic?
By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 17. Shall the Town appropriate $ 350.00 for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 18. Shall the Town appropriate $ 250.00 for the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 19. Shall the Town appropriate $ 525.00 for Vermont Adult Learning?
By Australian Ballot.
Keith Hall – Adults learn for free. Education for anyone over 16 with no diploma. Those working towards their GED and students with English as a second language. Served 239 people. Eight from New Haven.
ARTICLE 20. Shall the Town appropriate $ 215.00 for the Vermont Center for Independent Living? By Australian Ballot.
No discussion.
ARTICLE 21. Will the Town of New Haven appropriate the sum of $ 450.00 to WomanSafe, Inc. to support their mission to: work toward the elimination of physical, sexual and emotional violence against woman and their children through direct service, education and social change? Said sum to come from General Funds.
By Australian Ballot.
Donna Blaise – Operating since 1980. Served 150 people. Seven from New Haven.
Short break
Begin meeting again 7:35
New Haven Town School
Introduction of school board members: Lowell Nottingham, Al Calzini, and Phil Buchwald
Warning was read
The legal voters of the New Haven School District are hereby warned and notified to meet at the Town Hall in New Haven, Vermont on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 7:30P.M. to discuss and transact the following business. Articles 1 and 4 require a vote by Australian Ballot to take place on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 at the New Haven Town Hall between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
ARTICLE 1: To elect Town School District Officers for the ensuing year.
By Australian Ballot.
Sylvia Gonzalez is running unopposed.
ARTICLE 2: To act upon the reports of the New Haven Town School district Officers.
Kathy Giles: Wondered why the pre-k program and the full day kindergarten were not included in the Town Report.
Lowell Nottingham – Responded that the deadline for the town report had already passed.
Jerry Smiley: School decision had been made two and a half weeks prior to the town report needing to go out.
Kathi Apgar: Why wasn't the early childhood community consulted and what are the long-term costs and is there an intent to have three-year-olds participate in the
pre-kindergarten program.
Lowell Nottingham: The school board has been discussing this since 2001.
Kathi Apgar: Concerned that no one has heard of the program.
Lowell Nottingham: The board took a survey in 2000 and tried to bring the community in for consultation. The principal wanted to wait and have the discussion with the town, the board wanted to move forward. The board needed to work a package deal, which meant they needed to start now. The new cutoff date is January 1st. Some parents do not want the full day kindergarten program and some parents want their kids in the full day program. This would give them an option. The pre-kindergarten program will be a half-day option. The idea behind the pre-kindergarten program was to switch resources. Many of the older remedial kids could be helped at a lower level at no additional cost.
Jim Gallott: If the remedial teacher is moving what will happen to the kids that are in the middle now.
Lowell Nottingham: The teachers are behind this and will make it work.
Jerry Smiley: Concerned about adding three-year-olds to the school.
Donna Fournier: Confused that if no more kids are being served by the pre-kindergarten program then how many are served by the remedial program? Does this mean that the other children won't get the help they need if the position is currently 50 percent how will she be able to allocate her time? Are there others that provide these services for this age?
Lowell Nottingham: The program is optional.
AL Calzini: These are educational services not day care.
Donna Fournier: These are high per pupil costs why not outsource this program.
Kathi Apgar: Passionate about this activity. Her program does not just take care of children they are educators. All her staff is well educated. They are state accredited. No one discussed these issues with those who might lose income. How will people transport the kids? Will there be one-way transportation? Who will pick up the kids? I think this decision was made in a vacuum. You will now have four-year-old kids riding on the bus with high school kids. The economics for the child-care providers in the area could be significantly changed. Kids should be allowed to be kids; this will be too many transitions for the kids. Are these state-mandated dollars and will other providers be competing for these same dollars? Not enough people were consulted.
Lowell Nottingham: It was not their intent to do economic damage to anyone. Many parents were concerned that their kids were not ready for a full day kindergarten. They wanted an option. The board does not think the numbers will affect other providers. Best option they could come up with. The concern was for the remedial kids. They held many meetings in 2000 and thought they had a lot of input.
Pam Marsh: What is the source of funding for this program and what are the costs associated with this program?
Al Calzini: There is no budget change for this year. Some funding will come from the state.
Kathy Barrett: Reallocation of resources does have a budget impact. If kids don't qualify for this is there a duplication of services?
Kathy Giles: Has attended some of these meetings and it was made clear that kids need to be better prepared. They're doing this with no additional cost. Are there any other options or ways to do this? Teachers are behind the program and will do what it takes, however they will be stressing themselves. How can we do this with the least amount of risk? Could we beef up the kindergarten program instead?
Discussion of funding in the future.
Discussion of how to utilize the classroom aids for programs.
Pam Kingman: Where will the class be put. Is there space?
AL Calzini: The special education room will be enlarged and the teachers will give up the faculty room.
Pam Kingman: You will still need a place for the faculty to go.
People asked if Principal Debi Price could be allowed to speak. Moderator followed with request to the voters. There were a few people who said no and Debi Price was not allowed to speak. (Much to the dismay of the majority of people present.)
Rick Shappy asked the naysayers to reconsider. The moderator asked again and there were still people who did not wish this to happen. There was discussion as to whether one person could prevent someone from speaking. The moderator said he had spoken with the Secretary of States Office and the decision had to be unanimous.
George Jaeger asked if the meeting could be suspended for a few minutes so the principal could speak. The meeting was suspended for five minutes. We will reconvene at 8:20.
Principal Debbie Price spoke while the meeting was recessed she spoke of prevention rather than catch up and how the kids need to have a certain amount of gross motor skills and how this relates to their ability to read.
The meeting reconvened and there was discussion on how to go about stopping the pre-kindergarten program.
Discussion on how to publicize information so people would know what is going on.
Dean Gilmore: moved to accept the report. Seconded by Paul Garrow.
The article was reread. Mostly ayes to a few nays.
There was a slide show presentation about the workshop series.
ARTICLE 3: To establish salaries for the New Haven Town School District Officers for the ensuing year.
The question was moved and seconded. Then there was a brief discussion as to what the board members were making.
Rick Shappy: Moved to keep the salaries. Seconded by someone in the back.
Passed.
ARTICLE 4: FOR DISCUSSION ONLY, VOTE TO BE TAKEN BY AUSTRALLIAN BALLOT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2004 AT THE ANNUAL POLLING PLACE.
Shall the Voters of the New Haven Town School District appropriate $1,766,490 necessary for the support of its school for the year beginning July 1, 2004?
Rick Shappy: Would like to see percentage changes listed in the town report.
Jerry Smiley: Concerned about the increase. He realizes that the nurse position went to full time and that there have been some increases in the number of teachers. But what about the other $120,000.00.
Al Calzini: The school currently has many students with medical needs, which is why we needed to go with a full-time nurse. Also added a full-time aid. Elevator inspections. Bus increases. As well as some others.
Kathi Apgar: Are any of the medical expenses Medicaid billable or reimbursable, due to the life-threatening nature of the problem for one student which has resulted in a need for a full time nurse?
Discussion of whether two part-time positions would save money. No.
Bill Brown: The school is a large portion of the entire budget; there is not enough information in the report. I would like to see more detailed budget so I can tell where the increases are.
Richard Esty: What are the per pupil costs for this year and what will they be for next year?
Al Calzini: Kindergarten through 12th grade is at $10,000 per student.
John Freidin: His son has recently graduated from Beeman and has a child in second grade. He wishes other institutions would provide comparable service. The school has done a great job and the kids are getting a good education we should be proud and the voters should be willing to back up the school.
Rick Shappy: The focus on special education continues to go up is there any ability to control or address these programs? They appear to be eating away at the budget for the regular programs. We need to take care of all students.
Al Calzini: We don't have control over these costs. When a kid comes in we have to provide this service the state does not fully fund these programs.
Burt Allen: How much does Beeman get for special education from the state and how many kids are served?
Al Calzini: Debi Price has those numbers and she isn’t able to speak.
Paul Horn: In the past it has been around 35 kids.
Lowell Nottingham: Special education varies from town to town. We are a little below average on the type of service we provide. The services provided at Beeman are at a basic level.
Valerie Calzini: Special educator in the Rutland district. Budgets can fluctuate a lot. Schools are stuck trying to fund what the federal government has stated. These services are mandated by the state and we have no control over the costs.
More discussion about funding and what happens with money when there is a surplus or understatement.
ARTICLE 5: Will the voters authorize the Board of School Directors to make available school facilities and equipment for other specified purposes which appear to be in the best interest of the residents of the district, due consideration being given to efficient, economical and appropriate use of the facilities and equipment?
Moved by Tim Bouton. Seconded by Jim Ford.
Tim Bouton: Would like the School directors to allow the library to stay in the school.
Would remind the school that the Town Hall belongs to the town not the school.
Tim Bouton: Motion to amend the article to direct the school board to allow the Community Library to remain in its current space for as long as it takes, till they find another location without additional charges. Second by Wayne Marcelle.
Valerie Calzini: How does this address the previous plan for growth and use of the space.
Phil Buchwald: The libraries are getting too big and there's not enough room for the students to have a complete class in the library at one time, it is too crowded. School facility building should be used for the school first and foremost.
Al Calzini: In 1999 there was a long-range planning process and the committee did research. It was decided to separate the libraries by 2004. This was a long-range plan adopted in 2001 by both boards. Considered three options, expanding the school, remain the community library in existing space, separating into two separate entities.
Jim Gallott: Those ideas were mentioned as goals not deadlines. Could move into temporary quarters, which are budgeted for in the town budget.
Keith Hall: Spoke about the $25,000.00 grant that originally brought the libraries together.
Denise Martin: Spoke about the difficulty she had when her class needed to do a research paper. She had to bring materials to the classroom instead of the class being able to go to the library. 24 kids don’t fit. They were given a time frame and the time is now up. The school needs the space.
Donna Fournier: Spoke of being a community. A lot of kids in school and library for a lot of years. But there are still ways to make it work. Feels like community library is being evicted.
John Madden: Would like to keep the library in the school a few more years and save the $52,600.00.
Lowell Nottingham: Was a library trustee a few years ago. At one time they tried to withdraw the certification for the town portion of the library and he fought strongly to protect the library. He has spent a lot of time and effort working for the library. His kids were practically raised there. He wrote the grant for the computers with internet access in the library. He fought for the library when books were damaged and it was unclear how to replace them. He got the plumbers insurance to pay for the books. He doesn't like to talk about we and they or what who did when. This is difficult it is short-term use and he is concerned that it may turn into a longer period of time. For a situation that doesn’t work. The town needs a real library with its own building. It needs to be accessible to everyone. New Haven is at the bottom of the list of spending for libraries, compared to other towns’ libraries. This is the time to get a real library; this was the vision for the future of the town. Also relates to the King House.
Julie Tillson: Friend of the library and has a child at Beeman. Concerned that the library has no place to go. They have no intention of staying longer than needed. The books could be packed up with no place to go. Then people would forget about the library. You need to wait for the bond vote to go through.
Rachel Plant: Was the town librarian for five years. She increased the patronage, and programming. This community has a big heart and this is a hard time. The town is spread over a large area and has no corner stone or place to gather. The library gives a place to meet. They are outgrowing the space. Hopes town will step forward and look and commit to the library for the next 10-15 years. This is a fragile and stressful time but look where we could go. Proud to take the next step. Thank trustees for all their work.
Al Karnatz: Called the question. Pat Jaeger second. Debate stopped.
Read amendment. Many ayes and a few nays. Article is amended.
Article was amended to read
Will the voters authorize the Board of School Directors to make available school facilities and equipment for other specified purposes including allowing the community library to remain in its current space for as long as it takes to find another location without additional charges and purposes that appear to be in the best interest of the residents of the district, due consideration being given to efficient, economical and appropriate use of the facilities and equipment?
Ann Watson: Does that mean that we won’t spend the money for the temporary classroom? What do the library trustees want?
Michael Manley, Chair library trustees: There are 12 community libraries left in the state and not one of them works. The main reason they don’t work is because each librarian tends to view the space as their own. Due to the relationship with the school, the school librarian tends to see the joint space as theirs. The library has looked for places to move to and would like to be out, but they don’t have anywhere to go. That was the idea behind the mobile classroom. They have been given permission to use space on the King House Site. But can’t move forward until that has been resolved. The mobile classroom was the best solution they could come up with. If people think they should stay, that’s what they should do.
More discussion.
Pat Jaeger: call the question. Second by Al Karnatz.
Article reread. Many ayes and a few nays.
ARTICLE 6: Will the voters authorize the Board of School Directors to borrow money in anticipation of taxes according to state statute?
Moved by Pam Marsh. Second by Rick Shappy.
John Madden asked if all votes could be by hand vote. Discussion of the need to ask for each article.
Passed.
ARTICLE 7: To hear and report on any further business which may legally come before this meeting.
John Freidin: Asked for more information on the Hannaford Career Center.
Al Calzini: If it is voted down it will continue as it is. If it passes they will become a separate district with their own budget.
John Freidin: Is there any reason why we should do this?
Al Calzini: Would be the potential for more say. It would become a diploma granting institution.
Burt Allen: Good idea please support.
Jerry Smiley: Concerned that this is a move toward change in supervisory districts. Complicated issue. Should look before we leap.
Kathy Barrett: When she was on the Mt. Abe board they had no say on the budget. Everything was controlled by Middlebury.
Harvey Smith: Has been involved in the process. Supports it because it provides a voice. It is not related to the combining of districts.
George S. Apgar: Would like a straw vote on directing the school board to not have a pre-kindergarten program for this year.
Dean Gilmore: Needs to be a motion.
George S. Apgar: Motion to have a straw vote to voice to the school board the audiences opinion on whether there should be a pre-kindergarten program or not for next year. Jim Gallott second.
Discussion on how many kids might be affected. No clear number at this time.
John Freidin: Clarification on what yes and no mean.
Yes means you support the motion to not have program.
Wayne Marcelle called the question. Seconded by John Peters.
Call for show of hands due to voice vote being hard to tell.
53 ayes. 54 nays.
Denise Martin thanked Lowell Nottingham for his years of service on the board.
Pam Marsh motion to adjourn. Seconded by Jim Ford.
Adjourn 10:00 pm
Representative Harvey Smith presented a resolution for Julius Larrow for his many years of service to the community. Standing ovation with applause for Julius Larrow.
New Haven Town Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 10:10.
Select board members Amos Roleau III, Burt Allen and Larry Buck came to the front.
The moderator Lanny Smith was asked to start with Article 25 and he did.
ARTICLE 25. Shall the Town of New Haven vote to appropriate up to $8,000.00 ($10,000.00 less $ 2,000.00 already donated) for the purpose of building a gazebo on the town green?
Suzy Roorda moved the question. Seconded by Bill Schoonover.
Suzy Roorda spoke of the many possibilities for the gazebo. The company representative was allowed to speak.
Kathi Apgar: How much will it cost?
Representative Fred: Prices for materials are going up but they will maintain the pricing they have quoted of $6500.00 for the gazebo and $2946.00 for delivery and installation.
Wayne Marcelle: Does not want to compromise quality for price.
Fred: They will not.
Rick Shappy: Concerned about the structure being secured to the ground so it will not be moved by wind.
John Freidin: Is there an alternative to pressure treated lumber?
Fred: would be 5-15% increase for cedar. Would have to check with the Amish.
Kathy Barrett: Last year this was going to be a loan. What is it this year?
Suzy Roorda: Could be done either way. Not sure.
Bill Schoonover: Money raised could go for maintenance.
John Peters: What is the projected maintenance and who would pay. Also concerned that the green is not that big how much will this 20 foot structure take. Do we really need it?
Suzy Roorda: People want a place to host events. Weddings, Barbeques, Puppet show etc. It is all about community and a place for people to get together.
Marc LaPete: Call the question. Tim Bouton second.
Ayes appeared to have it. Show of hands requested. 74 in favor. 26 opposed.
ARTICLE 22. Shall the voters of the Town of New Haven approve the Sub-Division Regulations as approved by the Select Board on January 29, 2004?
By Australian Ballot.
Copies of the revised text are available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office, Village Green Market, New Haven Library and www.newhavenvt.com.
ARTICLE 23. Shall the voters of the Town of New Haven approve the
Zoning Regulations as approved by the Select Board on January 29, 2004?
By Australian Ballot.
Copies of the revised text are available for review at the Town Clerk’s Office, Village Green Market, New Haven Library and www.newhavenvt.com.
Al Karnatz will speak to both articles at once. Both articles were read and the Planning Commission members: Al Karnatz, John Evers, Jim Walsh and Keith Hall came forward to discuss the articles.
The Planning Commission has held many public hearings. The regulations are not perfect because there is no such thing. But they are a good fit for New Haven. They have been trying to create something that will go with the town plan. They have changed the home-based business to allow people to do things that they are already doing. They decided against the development review board. Would like people to support.
Jerry Smiley: Plans to vote for the regulations. They are needed in order to conform to the town plan. Asked for clarification of the district in which home-based business were allowed.
Al Karnatz: Residential districts only.
John Madden: Home based business being allowed in residential areas allows for unpredictable uses. Anyone could have any kind of business and he is concerned that that could affect property values. People should vote regulations down. He has a petition for revisions if anyone is interested.
Eugene Charlebois: Bought some property on Route 7 and has been trying to subdivide it for 31 months. Spoke poorly of the planning commission. Don’t be sheep. Spoke about not being able to park a camper for more than 10 days. Spoke about not having rights tromped on.
John Freidin: Wondered why there is no longer a density bonus.
Al Karnatz: There was division within the Commission on this issue and this is how it ended up.
More discussion about parking trailers.
John Evers read the wording from the regulations.
Fred Napoleon: Why do we have to have rules.
Tom Boise: Did you people draw up these regulations or adopt from another town.
John Evers: Spoke of attempts to get feed back.
More discussion of trailers not being allowed to park for more than ten days. Is in current regulations.
George Jaeger: Where is the chair of the board.
Doesn’t live in town.
George Jaeger: Should look at that problem.
Wayne Marcelle: Asked about outside storage of materials.
Al Karnatz: This is not allowed in current regulations.
Marc LaPete: If we vote no will we be done or will you be back again next year.
John Peters: Some rules are ridiculous, he doesn’t understand why or does he care. Community does not interfere with people’s lives. This board has done some real work. Lets approve the regulations.
Jerry Smiley: Spoke of the importance of having regulations that match the town plan.
ARTICLE 24. Shall the Voters of The Town of New Haven vote to appropriate up to $ 82,500.00 for construction documents and final pricing for development of the town offices and community center on the King House Site?
Moved by Tim Bouton. Second by Sue Ford.
Amos Roleau spoke of the difficult situation that was just made during the school meeting, unfortunate that it has come this far. The library is in a difficult situation. The problem of trying to organize enough committees to muddle through the preliminary information of the issues at hand. The town has just made a painful decision to not move the library into a temporary building, saving the money in hopes of working toward a community center. Spoke of the problem that no one ever donated a library to New Haven. Many other towns have had buildings donated to them. Thanked Mr. Manley for his time and effort in helping to muddle through the process of making the King House Site into a plan. The reason this is being done this way is so that the town can pursue grant options and come back with concrete numbers in the future. This plan encompasses all of down town area: The school, town, library and community needs.
Larry Buck: The select board has worked together with the school and the library to come up with a comprehensive plan that will work for everyone. The reason we have not gone directly to a bond vote is to try to get more accurate numbers prior to going for an approximate 1.2 million dollar bond vote.
Slide show presentation.
Amos Roleau: There was an addition for $44,000.00 in 1954. We are hoping to make a projection of something that will work for another 50 years.
Larry Buck: We are looking at the growing needs for space. The town hall is used frequently. We have 3-5 years left before the vault will be full. Meeting space is tight. Library is in need of space. The library could possibly use the meeting room temporarily. The traffic flow in front of the school is currently unsafe and needs to be addressed. The 1.2 million does not include the library. This is not just for buildings. This corrects the traffic flow in front of the school, parking issues, vault space, and meeting room. The last addition was put on in 1987. The population has increased by 40%. The Grand List has gone up by 170 %. We have looked at ways to divide up the costs as well as trying to keep them as low as possible. We will be pursuing grant sources, with potential for $100,000.00 to $200,000.00. The school could take on the funding of the traffic issues in front of the school. There is highway money available for traffic calming. We will need to do an audit prior to bonding. Bonding for 10,15 or 20 years would increase taxes by .10, .08 and .07 cents. We would like to move forward and develop plans for construction. Would hope to go to bond vote later in the year. And start construction in spring of 2005. We can wait, but the price will go up. We want your input. We would accept donations of expertise through the bid process.
John Madden: Appreciate your efforts, but concerned about the expense. Seems expensive for construction documentation.
Larry Buck: This would be for all specifications. Structural, parking, drainage etc. Would know pricing on materials needed.
John Madden: Why spend this money now? Why not see if people want to go for bond.
Larry Buck: This is the next step and it is a big one. If you don’t want to continue to go in this direction then we need to know now.
Amos Roleau: We need to be able to apply for grant money. We can’t do that with out commitment to the project.
Wayne Marcelle: Have you looked at new construction?
Not much difference in cost. People have voted to go in this direction.
Discussion: This is a historic place in town.
Cindy Kayhart: Confused over what a yes vote means. Yes means to move forward with renovation of King house and community projects.
Larry Buck: The documentation would provide pricing on all pieces of the project. If we need to cut pieces we will know the effect.
Julie Olsen: Why do you keep coming back for small pieces. Would rather be asked for whole amount. Don’t want to spend money if project gets voted down later.
Earl Bessette: Suggest moving house not restoring it. Could put up a small replica of the town hall instead. New building could have the ability to add on at a later date. Could build new for less money. Old buildings always need repairs.
Larry Buck: The whole building will be redone as if new. Won’t be continual need for repairs.
Amos Roleau: This is what the majority of people have said they want to do.
Rick Shappy: Would like to commend this approach. It is hard to get accurate information any other way. Would not like to be voting on a guess. This is a good approach.
More discussion.
Marc LaPete: What happens if this is voted down?
Larry Buck: Will need to come up with another plan.
Marc LaPete: Would rather see new construction.
Larry Buck: Voted to spend $26,500.00 to move in this direction last year. This pricing would need to be done and will be deducted from the total. There will be a new foundation and mechanicals. The current construction is better than what you can buy now.
Beverly Mayer: How much have we already spent?
Larry Buck: Purchased house for $155,000.00, spent $10,000.00 and $26,500. Library has contributed $10,000.00 to the process.
Beverly Mayer: We have already sunk too much money into an old building.
Al Calzini: Call question. Seconded.
One nay to calling the question.
Hand Vote requested.
58 yes. 22 no.
ARTICLE 26. Shall the Town of New Haven vote to pay real estate taxes to the Town Treasurer on October 1, 2004; delinquent taxes will be subject to interest charges of one percent per month and an eight percent penalty charged against them from October 1, 2004?
Moved by Kathi Apgar and Wayne Marcelle.
ARTICLE 27. Shall the Town of New Haven vote to allow the use of voting machines (tabulators) to count ballots at elections?
Kathi Apgar moved the question. Second by Rick Shappy.
Kathi Apgar: Are they from Florida?
John Freidin: Why do we want this?
Larry Buck: State is offering the machines for free.
Barb Torian: Federal money is being given to states to update their voting systems. State of Vermont is providing towns with checklists over 1000 people a free tabulator.
Ian Mitchell: Don’t want people hacking into system.
Barb Torian: This is a tabulator not a voting machine. The Town will probably not need to use it for a few years. If we do not get it now we will have to purchase it at a cost of around $6,000.00.
John Peters: Might be obsolete by the time we want to use them.
Discussion about not wanting the state to tell us how to count ballots.
Barbara Garrow: Its free lets take it.
John Madden: Paper and pencil works fine.
Question called.
Hand Count: 28 yes; 34 no.
Failed.
ARTICLE 28. Shall the Town vote to appropriate $ 25,000.00 to be added to the Truck Replacement Fund for the Fire Department?
Mike Dykstra: Currently have two trucks that need to be replaced. They are trying to catch up. Asking for $10,000.00 more this year.
Burt Allen: Good crew. Trucks need work. They have the best response time in the county.
Kathy Barrett: Glad to see people plan ahead.
John Madden: Good idea.
Al Calzini called the question.
Passed.
ARTICLE 29. Shall the Town of New Haven Vote to appropriate up to $120,000.00 for the construction of a sand and salt shed?
Paul Garrow moved the question. Kathi Apgar seconded.
Paul Garrow: What kind of shed and what is the need? $120,000.00 is too much for a salt shed.
Dean Gilmore: The government is mandating that towns cover their salt piles. They will no longer allow salt to filter into the ground.
Burt Allen: It will be a cover-all building. With arch type structure and thick poly fiber plastic. It will be set up on blocks 100 by 72 feet.
Amos Roleau: Have to put salt in the sand and the salt would eat the walls if building were not put up on cement blocks. We will have to do this eventually.
Dan Morse: The advantage is that the sand stays dry and don’t have to use as much salt.
Kathi Apgar: Called the question.
Article re-read. All in favor.
ARTICLE 30. Shall the voters of the Town of New Haven adopt the proposed Road Fund Budget in the amount of $ 581,752.00 a portion thereof in the amount of $ 461,406.91 to be raised by taxes, for the purpose of maintaining town roads for the year 2004?
Kathi Apgar and John Peters moved question.
Kathi Apgar: Thinks the roads are the best they have been in 20 years.
Jerry Smiley: River road still has some bad spots. Many cars travel the road and it is narrow and not safe.
John Madden: Would like to know how the surfacing budget is broken down.
Burt Allen: Two miles of new the rest will be resurfacing. New pavement will be on Twitchell Hill and Hunt Road.
John Madden: Many people use Hunt road to walk on. If you pave the road people won’t be able to walk, ride bikes and horses. Would like to amend the article to withdraw the paving of Hunt Road. No second.
Tim Bouton: Troubled by the $70,000.00 increase plus additional monies for a salt shed. Would have preferred that they reduced some of the budgeted amounts to accommodate the salt shed.
Francis Sturtevant: Glad to see Hunt Road paved, tired of the dust.
Kathi Apgar: What is the plan for paving the roads?
Amos Roleau: The roads are paved when they are ready.
Discussion on building up roads for paving and the desire to have all roads paved.
Passed.
ARTICLE 31. Shall the voters of the Town of New Haven vote to appropriate the following sum of money for the proposed 2004 General Fund Budget, being
$ 339,107.43 less the 2003 surplus of $ 64,615.54 less anticipated revenues of
$ 64,055.00 for an amount of $ 210,436.89. This amount to be increased by any additional monies voted affirmatively in prior articles of this Annual Meeting or voted affirmatively by Australian ballot on March 2, 2004. Tax rate to be determined by the Selectboard.
Moved by Kathi Apgar and Francis Sturtevant.
Al Karnatz: Would like to see the zoning wage line increased. Keith Hall is doing a great job.
Lanny Smith: Can’t amend the budget up.
Tim Bouton: Would like to see the general fund budget reduced if the library is not going to need a new building. And increase the zoning wages from that reduction.
Tim Bouton: Amend article to reduce the budget by $30,000.00. Second by Al Karnatz.
Kathi Apgar: The relationship between the school and the library is still tenuous. The Library will still need to start the breakaway process. Please leave the money in.
Discuss library structure.
Amendment changed to reduce general fund by $20,000.00.
Amendment Passed.
Karen Gallott: Would like to see money left in for library.
Phil Buchwald: Library does not need the money if stay in school.
Roger Stone: Call the question. Second by Al Karnatz.
Amended article re read.
Passed as amended.
ARTICLE 32. To accept the Auditor’s Report for the year 2003.
Kathi Apgar and Tim Bouton moved the question.
Passed.
ARTICLE 33. To transact, vote and act upon any further non-binding business which may legally come before this meeting.
Move to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted: Barbara Torian
Approved: _________________________ ___________________________