Thursday January 15, 2004

7:00 PM

Present: Burt Allen, Larry Buck, Barb Torian

Others: Phil Busier, Phil Buchwald, Sue Ford, George Merritt, John Madden, Lowell Nottingham, Allen Karnatz, Cindy Kayhart, Lynn Goldsmith, Kathi Apgar, Nina Bacon, Lanny Smith, Jim Walsh

AGENDA: Results

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed. Approved

NEW BUSINESS

· 7:00 pm King House Informational Meeting –

Larry Buck gave informative presentation on the King House Community Center project. Some may be surprised by the 1.2 million dollar price tag. The selectboard is looking for input from the town’s people. There may be some confusion from the original comparison between new and old construction. The original numbers were based on 2500 sq ft. which came to $550,000.00The actual project is closer to 4000 sq ft. He has done debt service comparison for 20, 15, and 10 year bonds. It may be possible to drop some of the pieces from the project and get closer to 1 million dollar price. Library costs would be coming from private funds although the town would be supporting the mechanical system.

The town purchased the property in 2000 for $152,500.00 with the idea of developing it into town offices and a community center. The property will be paid off this year. The roof was repaired and the house was painted. The Library approached the Selectboard about moving on to the property. The Town, School and Library have shared costs to do the feasibility study. They have tried to do a 20 year projection for the needs of the community. In September of 2002 a public meeting was held and 4 plans were presented. The people at that meeting picked one plan that they preferred. And we have moved forward in that direction. The Town portion is around 4000 sq ft and the Library portion is around 2500 sq ft. Several people have donated time energy and services to help cut costs - The school board contributed to the study, Betty Bell and Bill Masterson took meter readings to measure the flows for the septic. Phil Busier contacted Regional Planning to do traffic calming / sidewalk study. Tim Bouton wrote a planning grant. The Library paid for there portion of the study. We have currently spent $17,500.00 for the feasibility study. The hope is to have a master plan for the community. Northern Architects has been developing numbers for the cost Larry Buck has asked them to make sure the project will not go over their projected budget. The plan includes site work in front of the school to eliminate the current chaos and dangerous drop off and pick up of children that currently takes place. More parking would be added behind the King House. The Baseball field would need to be moved and reconstructed. Discussion of blacktopping the traffic area behind the school. The existing well on the King House Property can be used. We have been granted a variance for the elevator. No elevator will need to be put in. The staircase can remain. Discussion various grant options. Can’t apply for grants until you have decided to move forward with project. We have been paying about 3 cents on the tax rate to pay off the note for the purchase of the property. We are paying about 4 cents to pay off the Beeman renovations. The Mt. Abe assessment will be around 3 cents. Each penny increase to the tax rate raises about $13,000.00. The tax increase on a $100,000.00 house for each penny will be about $10.00. Discussion of cutting the meeting room and the site work for the parking in front of the school and behind the house and not moving the baseball field would bring costs down to 1 million. Discussion of bringing the whole amount to the voters because that is really what we need. Suggestions that community help could help cut costs. Discussion professional fees seems high. Will need to negotiate costs as go along. Will need to send out a mailing explaining the drawings and the costs. Jim Walsh expressed concern over making sure that if you put that amount of money into a building better make sure it is protected against fire. John Madden suggested listing all the different options. Discussion what will happen if it doesn’t pass. The Library is concerned that they need to be out of the school by August and need a place to go. End Informational portion at 8:20

8:00 pm Public Hearing zoning regulations and subdivision regulations will be continued / postponed to January 29, 2004 7:00 pm

Discuss plans for new salt shed. Hope to present as a separate article. Phil Busier will complete estimate for project.

Work on Budget –

Wages – Part time help will stay at 10.50 per hour. Julius Larrow will stay at 11.50. Scott Busier will go up to 13.00. Phil Busier salary will go up to 42,000.00 per year. Will figure new road crew at 11.50 per hour and half a year of health insurance.

Voting Machines available from state – Normally cost $5,850.00 - Would need to have an article on the warning to allow there use. State will pay the maintenance contract for the first 2 years (approx. $200.00 per year). There will be programming costs between $400.00 – 1800.00 depending on the election. The state currently has money to help towns upgrade their equipment. This option may not be available again. Decide to put an article on the warning for town meeting.

ROAD CREW UPDATE

Vermont State – grant applications due by April 1^st.

· Over weight permit – D&F Excavating - signed

MISC. CORRESPONDENCE

Letter from Kermit Blaisdell to Beverly Landon – Explanation of Vt. Marble tax appeal situation.
Vermont State – Hazardous Sites List – to file
Legislative Report
John Madden – Correspondence relating to petition to not have out of town people on boards/commissions
Regional Planning Commission – newsletter and VELCO resolution
Heffernan’s – Do not like the way the Act 250 questionnaire was filled out will come to next meeting. Phil Busier and Burt Allen have spoken with the Heffernan’s. They will reconsider the gravel options at the next meeting.

EDUCATION

· VLCT – HIPAA compliance workshop Feb. 3, 4 or 6

· Local Government day Feb. 11

Old Business

Adjourn: 10:00 pm

Approved:

________________ ___________________ _________________

Amos Roleau III Burt Allen Larry Buck

Respectfully submitted: Barbara Torian