Present: Burt Allen, Larry Buck, Barb Torian
Others: Phil Busier, Betty Bell, Tim Bouton, Peggy Laro, Ralph Farnsworth, Kathleen Ready, Richard Wattz, Terrence Boyle, Anne Perkins, John Peters, Pat Palmer, Richard and Catherine Esty, Margaret Benn, Andrew Johnson, Catherine Walsh, Emily Walsh, Jim Walsh, Jonathan Chapin, Jim Dumont, Susan Dann, Jim Newton, Mary Pratt, Francis Sturtevant, Lynn Yarrington, Kate Selby, Chris Bray, Philip Bartsch, David Maille, Gerry Smiley, Harry Chaucer, Jeff Pratt, Susan Tomasi, Mary Manley, Michael Manley, Donna Fournier, Suzy Roorda, Margaret Carothers, James Burns, Stuart MacCrellish, John Spackman, Denise Many, Joanne Blangiard-Cimino, Anne Vernon, Sara Sparling, Al Karnatz, Gary Baker. (others who did not sign in)
AGENDA: Results
Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed.
It is in conflict with the town plan and it was voted, at town meeting in 2000 to appose the expansion of the lines. Property values will go down. Health and safety risks detract from the natural beauty of town. Will have a negative impact. Would like the town to put $20,000.00 toward legal representation and hiring of expert witnesses.
Pat Palmer He has a high tensile fence under the line and he gets a shock from 1200 feet away. What will happen when the line is increased?
Burt Allen Concerned that vote in 2000 was in reference to a different line and does not want to take action at this time.
Nina Bacon Doesnt matter what line, article referred to opposition of expansion of lines. Thinks town would be well served by having some help in this matter.
Jim
Burt Allen Questioned if people know how the grid works. Would like to wait for Roleau to return to make a decision.
Donna Fournier This is the same issue as the vote in 2000. Concerns are the same. Time is short and selectboard needs to make a decision.
Kathleen Ready Expressed concern that individual towns may be lumped together but that concerns are different and we need legal representation in order to be heard.
Richard Esty Will selectboard allow access to the money?
Larry Buck understands the need for an answer due to deadlines for decisions from the Public Service Board. This is our opportunity to negotiate changes. We need to look at Grand List values vs. equipment installed. What are the economics of the situation for the town as a whole? Many ways to look at decision.
Andrew Johnson Should think about spending that much money. Small chance of making a difference. We need the power. We import most of our power. Might be better to look at renewable energy sources. Might be a better way to spend $20,000.00.
Stuart MacCrellish Spoke about concern over the number of people with cancer along the power lines. If it is determined that there is an increased rate of cancer incidents due to the power lines the town could be liable. $20,000.00 would be cheap in comparison.
Jim
Larry Buck Can New Haven represent themselves without counsel?
Kathleen Ready Other towns have legal representation and
it has been suggested that
Sara Sparling There could be a 30-40% drop in property value with no compensation from VELCO.
Next deadline is Nov. 21st for the second round of questions.
Burt Allen - 17 million dollar investment into the substation.
Kathleen Ready We need to look at other alternatives. Larger users could have their own small
generating facilities. Closer and more
reliable then getting from far away.
Could also conserve energy.
Currently the need is in
Gerry Smiley What is the long term strategy that they arent talking about?
Mary Pratt Look at the aesthetics 20 years from now.
Jeff Pratt What is the Selecboards role? They have been directed by Article 19 at 2000 town meeting what have you done to act on the directive?
Discussion on how long is a directive valid. Until otherwise revoked. What kind of liability is the town creating for itself by not acting on the directive?
Larry Buck The town has appointed a group to deal with the situation.
Town has been proactive.
Chris Bray Concerned about Allens reluctance to engage a lawyer. Article 19 is clear what documents do you have that are different?
Burt Allen Will get to the bottom of the situation.
Donna Fournier The lines are visually ugly, there are health issues, and there are 19 people with cancer who have power lines in their back yards. Farmers cant access their fields. Property values will be lowered cant trust VELCO. Please spend the money.
John Peters VELCO is a corporation whose main directive is measured by maximum return for investment. The town spoke clearly $20,000.00 is cheap.
Peggy Laro just moved to town for quality of life. Now concerned that wont be here. Cant put a price tag on quality of life.
Anne Perkins Willing to bare the additional tax burden of spending the $20,000.00.
Kate Selby Would like to know why Mr. Allen thinks article refers to something else. Article should be in force until repealed. What difference does it make whether this is a different line proposal or not.
Burt Allen Will wait for Roleau
Tim Bouton There was not a proposed line at the time the article was voted on. The article addressed the potential exposure of power line expansion.
Mary Pratt Article states to take all steps with in their authority to appose the expansion of VELCO. It is politically expedient to do something now.
Sara Sparling reiterated the town plan directive against expansion of lines.
More discussion
Burt Allen - was asked what would make him change his mind. He would like to wait for Amos Roleau.
Margaret Benn concerned about a decision made by someone who was not here to hear the discussion.
Attempts to call Amos Roleau Later determined he was away
in
Joanna Cimino Wondered if selectboard has read any of the materiel. Selectboard has not. Why not. New resident concerned about why she is paying taxes and what selectboard is doing. Concerned about the deregulation of utilities and corporate hardball. Would like it to stop now.
Larry Buck many sides to the issues. Selectboard is doing the best they can.
Pat Minor Selectboard is trying to do the best they can the issues are complicated which is why we should get expert help now.
Kathleen Ready most towns are run by volunteers and we cant compete with hired staff running day and night. We need help.
Richard
Discussion about whether or not to make a motion.
Larry Buck motion to
allocate $20,000.00 for the purpose of hiring a lawyer and expert
testimony. No second to the motion.
Crowd request that they make a decision.
Discussion that if one abstains then the other one can make the decision.
Discussion filibuster stance. Not O.K. to prevent action from happening.
Burt Allen unwilling to spend money without Amos Roleau participating in the vote.
Larry Buck have made decisions to repair equipment before and this is more important would like to be able to vote.
Nina Bacon What about voting for a lesser amount.
Sara Sparling need whole amount in order to move forward.
Margaret Carothers Need to move forward.
Discussion 5 member selectboard needed.
Anne Vernon Selectboard has a responsibility to vote tonight. Amos Roleau should be here. Annoyed that board has not read the information. Should not wait for Amos Roleau because he was not here and does not know how we feel.
Discuss ability to vote and then reconsider when Amos Roleau comes back.
Larry Buck motion to
hire legal counsel and professional testimony to represent the Town of
Burt Allen concerned about alternatives if VELCO does not expand.
Burt Allen second motion.
Larry Buck voted for the motion. Burt Allen Abstained.
Motion carried.
John Peters thanked board for all their hard work.
The document has been altered and Ouimette suggested that we refuse to sign it. The dates are incorrect. Would be best not to accept the waiver because it is an altered document. Selectboard will go with Ouimettes advice and not sign the waiver.
Town Hall roof developed a leak. Murphys Metals came to look at it. The snow fall loosened the vent and flashing. Temporarily sealed so will not leak any more. They will come back and repair properly and put up ice blocks so will not happen again.
Discuss tobacco license application from Burlington Grocers. Application and fee has been held pending zoning decisions. Will send back to applicant.
Larry Buck motion to have Larry Buck in collaboration with Sara
Sparling and Kathleen Ready, (appointees to the VELCO Committee) will decide
how to spend up to $20,000.00 allocated by the town for the purpose of
retaining counsel and expert testimony to the public Service Board. Burt Allen second. All agree.
Look at plans for salt shed. May want to have two buildings one for salt, one for sand. Currently have gentlemans agreement with John Palmer to access his property.
Paving is done.
Thank You from people regarding good job on
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· VOCA Newsletter
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· UST TALK Underground Storage Tank Owner
Treasurers Report
Approved:
________________ ___________________ _________________
Amos Roleau III Burt Allen Larry Buck