Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 PM Town Clerks Office

Thursday, December 4, 2003

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Present: Amos Roleau III, Burt Allen, Larry Buck, Barb Torian

Others: Betty Bell, Bill Shafer, Allen Karnatz, Gary Baker, Jim Lathrop, Jason Lathrop, Justin Lathrop, Suzy Roorda, Bill Schoonover, Peter Fournier, Kathleen Ready, Jim Dumont, Bill Barnard, Teri Kuczynski, George Ellwood

 

AGENDA: Results

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed.  Burt Allen had corrections for minutes from last meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

  • Marilyn Grice – Riverside Cemetery – The cemetery trustees voted to turn the cemetery over to the town at their last meeting.  All bills have been paid and there are some assets, stocks and checking account at National Bank of Middlebury.  The stones have been cleaned.   Most of the stones have been repaired.  There is still some painting to be done.  The last lot charges were $300 for a two place and $500.00 for three or larger. Town may want to charge more.  Sandy Kemp has been doing the upkeep.  The cemetery association recommends that no large trees be planted and that a chain link or utility fence not be used.  Cemetery was established in 1891.  A box containing all the relevant information was given to the selectboard.

 

  • Sheriffs dept. – Speed Ordinance – George Ellwood – Speed limit in Vermont is 50 MPH unless other wise posted.  He has done a survey on River Road and Town Hill Road.  He has determined that River Road should be reduced to 40 MPH due to the curves and width of the road.  It is already appropriately posted to 35 MPH in some locations.  Town Hill Road is also a problem road with the number of residences and visibility problems.  Discussion on whether the road should be reduced to 40 or 45 MPH.  After discussion it was determined that 40 MPH would be a safe speed.  He would also suggest a town wide ordinance at 35 MPH for all dirt roads.  Discuss Pearson Road – although people travel fast it is a legitimate 50 MPH road.  Selectboard agreed to sign ordinances for River Road, Town Hill Road and all dirt roads.  Sheriffs department will continue to use the speed carts.  Ellwood will draft dirt road ordinance and return to selectboard.  All will get posted and signed at that time.

 

  • Addison County Solid Waste District - Teri Kuczynski – Bond Vote – Solid Waste District will be proposing a bond vote for the transfer station at the March town meeting.  They hope to make improvements that will increase the safety and efficiency of the transfer station.  Hope to be able to move the waste quickly and efficiently in a safe manner.  Discussion of fees, scrape metal, haulers and other misc. relating to transfer station.  There will be a rate increase to cover the bond.  The user fees will cover the bond this will not come out of property taxes. Discuss illegal dumping on road sides.  Town has the ability to have the sheriffs department investigate any illegal dumping. 

 

  • Clarification / resolution to retain lawyer for town on VELCO matters.

Jim Dumont - would like to represent the town in matters relating to VELCO.

Amos Roleau – Spoke about the selectboard being responsible for looking after the matters of the town.  The town attorney has said he is not qualified to represent the town in this matter and recommended Jim Dumont. He is concerned about spending money from the budget without town input.

Jim Dumont – Would like something in writing from selectboard stating that he is currently representing the interest of the town. VELCO does not want to answer his questions because they were unclear as to his status regarding the town.  He understands that he may not get paid for his time if the town votes against it on Dec. 22, 2003.

Burt Allen – Does not want to spend money with out a vote.

Amos Roleau – Spoke about the selectboard having been instructed by the town to do every thing in their power to prevent VELCO expansion.

Bill Shafer – Spoke of Article 19 not being based on this project and that the article may not be valid.  He has a legal opinion that the vote is not good and will pursue it if selectboard goes in a different direction.

Larry Buck – Would like representation for the town and believes the board should follow the wishes expressed by the towns’ people.

Bill Shafer – asked if article 19 is current.

Amos Roleau – Thinks article is still relevant.

Burt Allen – not confident that article is relevant.

Amos Roleau – Will get an opinion from the town lawyer and continue the meeting regarding this discussion after he has spoken with Ouimette.

Bill Schoonover – It appears that one citizen is putting up a road block to the 30-40 people who have been speaking about hiring an attorney.

More discussion

Phone call was made to Jim Ouimette – Amos will meet with him on Friday afternoon.

Burt Allen – concerned about keeping taxes down and the VELCO expansion adding to the Grand List.

Bill Shafer – Concerned that this is not the same project.  Concerned that Dumont is working for the Conservation Law Foundation and they have been halting good projects.  What is the possibility of New Haven becoming the center of a law suit? He does not believe Dumont will serve the town well.

Kathleen Ready – It was clearly stated by the board at the meeting on the 20th that it was not a problem to hire a lawyer for the town if the money were to be raised.   It was agreed that the town was in opposition to VELCO per the vote and information in the town plan.  That was the choice of the people – votes count and sometimes people don’t like the results, but it is not o.k. for one person to interfere with the process.  This is not how a town should be run.

Amos Roleau – Spoke of individuals having the right to express their opinion.  He will get clarification from the town lawyer and the town will vote on the money.  This will be the end of the discussion on this topic until he has spoken with Ouimette.

  • Heffernan – Act 250 – No action
  • Appoint Emergency Manager - can’t find one.
  • Appoint  Solid Waste Representative – Bill Barnard – sign paperwork
  • New Road –George Merritt is in the process of subdividing some of his property he would like to name the road Merritt Heights Road – Burt Allen motion to call the new road King Farm Road. Second by Roleau all agree.

 

Suzy Roorda and Bill Schoonover – Gazebo – Would like to use the town postal permit and tax ID # to do a mailing for the gazebo. Selectboard O.K.

Jim, Jason and Justin Lathrop – Have heard some mumblings in Bristol about enforcement action on New Haven concerning the gravel pit. He would be interested in purchasing the pit.  Discussion of an exposed pit over 10 acres regarding act 250.  Need reclamation plan.

 

Larry Buck – Would like to hire Kathi Apgar to start working on a Community Block Grant for the King House.  He will have her write up a proposal and submit to them.  Nothing new on the Sleeper property at this time.

 

Al Karnatz - Discuss Regional Planning delegate – Selectboard is not interested in appointing Chapin at this point in time.  Karnatz spoke with Jerry Smiley who said he might be interested.  He is familiar with the information.  Karnatz would remain as the alternate.  Larry Buck made a motion to appoint Jerry Smiley to Regional Planning and retain Allen Karnatz as alternate. Second by Burt Allen.  All agree.

 

Will try to schedule an emergency meeting as soon as possible after speaking with Ouimette

 

Bill Shafer suggested that town hire a different attorney.

 

ROAD CREW UPDATE

           

Busier has gotten a price for a spreader for the little truck at around $5,200.00.  Discussion problems with salt in the boxes and rusting.  Would like to have stainless steel so it would last longer.

Discuss way to cover the salt / sand pile.  Busier would like to have one building cover the whole thing. 

Discuss need to exchange right of ways with the Palmers.

  • Road Access Permit – Charles Lee –signed
  • Speed Limit / Road Access Policy
  • Sign pay orders        

 

MISC.  CORRESPONDENCE

  • Addison County Regional Planning – Letter response to Madden correspondence.
  • State of Vermont – Department of Public Safety – Letter highlighting problems and need to call dig-safe.
  • Vermont State – Agency of Natural Resources –Public Notice -  recertification Solid Waste District
  • Bill Shafer – Letter of intention to appeal vote if vote for spending money to fight VELCO.
  • Neri – application for Act 250 process – Middlebury Industrial Park – continued from last meeting
  • State Police –  application for Act 250 process – Route 7 New Haven  - continued from last meeting
  • Madden – various correspondence – Law suit /  warrant
  • Velco – Petition to enlarge power lines and substation – Related documents – On going many documents
  • VLCT – Municipal Salaries and Benefits Survey Results
  • VLCT – Health Insurance Rates
 
EDUCATION
·        VLCT – Local Economic Development Strategies – Dec. 10
 
NEWS LETTERS

·        Candidate Bulletin

·        Chamber News

·        VLCT

·        VSAA Reports

·        Opinions

·        Valuation Views

·        Addison County Regional Planning

·        VOCA  Newsletter

·        Volunteer Voice

·        Vermont Local Roads

·        UST TALK – Underground Storage Tank Owner

 

 

 

 

Treasurers Report

 

 

Old Business

Next regular meeting will be on January 8, 2004

Adjourn: 9:25

 

Approved:

                                                                                                                                        

________________            ___________________             _________________

Amos Roleau III                                 Burt Allen                                            Larry Buck

 

Respectfully submitted: Barbara Torian