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Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 pm Town Clerks Office

Tuesday September 19, 2006

Present: Paul Audy, Burt Allen, Barb Torian

Absent: Keith Hall

Others: Cris Messerle, Pam Marsh, Mary Ann Tricou, Harold Tricou, Betty Bell, Phil Busier, Jerry Smiley, Suzy Roorda, Gail Freidin

AGENDA: Results

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed. 

ROADS

• Update – Phil Busier – There was a meeting on how to cost a road.  The group determined that it cost around $158,000.00 to do a ¼ of a mile from beginning to end; including digging up and removing any old pavement, ditching, putting down fabric, gravel and resurfacing.  If done by a subcontractor.   The group was very impressed that the town road crew had done all the work on Twitchell Hill Road themselves.  Most crews don’t do that nice of a job.

Discussion of removing the brush on the south end of the school line by the Johnson property and creating some parking spots there.  Jerry Smiley mentioned the potential problems relating to water runoff.  Phil Busier would drain the property so there would not be any problems.   Discussion of a potential need for a catch basin.

Discussion of Demers gravel pit.  Burt Allen will go with Phil Busier to look at it. 

The intersection between East Street and Route 17 is being re-evaluated by the State.

• Memo – Regarding bridges - Vermont Agency of Transportation – Bridge inspection reports from past years.  They are recommending that the Rattln’ Bridge will be funded during the FY 2008.  Construction could potentially start in spring of 2007.  Unless the legislature and the Governor strike the recommendations of the department.   Other bridge projects.  Nash Bridge and Dog Team have some how been removed from their lists.  A request needs to be sent to Mike Hodges.(See the related documents)

Discussion Bridges:  Rattlin Bridge, Nash Bridge and Dog Team Bridge

Nash Bridge – Will need to have the top taken off and repaired.  Discussion of how narrow the bridge is and how dangerous it is.  Traffic doesn’t wait for large vehicles to pass as they should. 

Discussion of problems plowing the bridge. 

Phil Busier would like to get some estimates from contractors on doing some bridge repairs.  Selectboard said it would be O.K. to get estimates.

Discussion of trying to get Nash and Dog Team Bridges back on the States list for repairs.  Selectboard O.K. to write a letter to the state.

Discussion of wanting to change the culvert on Plank Road by Sawyer Road, it is to low and not big enough for the amount of water.

Discussion of the Problems with the Beldon Falls under pass.  Phil Busier would like to look into digging it out, removing the culvert and tarring the whole area so the water could flow over it without tearing up the road.

Still having problems with beavers on Quaker Village Road.

Discussion going in on a chloride tank with the Town of Panton.  Will need to have an agreement in writing.  Selectboard O.K.  spending up to $850.00 with an agreement.

Discussion of putting a side mount mower onto the grader.  Phil Busier will get information and pricing.

• Town / Palmer Agreement – no action
• Sign over wt permits - signed

NEW BUSINESS

Visitors Business:

• Cris Messerle – Planning and Zoning issues – fees / petition etc. – The Planning Commission would like approval to spend around $300.00 to bind and print around 100 copies of the new Zoning Regulations.   Burt Allen made a motion to spend up to $300.00 for binding and printing of zoning regulations.  Paul Audy second.  All agree.

• Cris Messerle – The Planning Commission has had some issues with applicants not having all their information together prior to a hearing being warned for approval.  Discussion of the process.  Applicants usually come in with a preliminary sketch of what they would like to do. The board would then tell them what they will need to see and have in order to move on to a hearing.  As well as if they think it is something that is likely to pass if they get all the appropriate information together.  The problem is people think they will be able to get all the information together in time for the next meeting and then they run into problems getting the surveyor or the state or whoever to get the information done in time.  The hearings need to be warned at least 15 days prior to the hearing and the information is supposed to be available  for the public to see.  What has been happening is the hearing gets warned and then the applicant does not have the information they need and the hearing is postponed and the hearing has to be re-warned.  Planning Commission would like to continue a hearing for one month.  If the applicant continues to not be ready they will have to pay the fee again.  Selectboard O.K.  Discussion of having the applicant have everything ready prior to warning any hearing.  We will add the new information to the fee schedule and instructions. 

The Planning Commission held their public hearing on the Petition to change an area along Route 7 from residential to commercial.  The Selectboard will need to hold a public hearing and then put the amendment of the Town Plan up for a vote by the town.   The time frame is too short to make the General Election.  In reviewing the information it has come to the board’s attention that there is no actual amendment to the Town Plan included in the information.  Will need to ask the Planning Commission to prepare an actual amendment.

• Town Hall Applications – Application from Kim Callahan for dance and Yoga classes was approved.  They will be charged $35.00 per week.  They should pay one month in advance. 
• Gail Freidin would like to use the Town Hall for a fundraiser.  It will be a Contra dance, with Atlantic Crossing, and dinner. Held on Friday Oct. 27^th.  The fee will be waived. Selectboard approved.

• Pearson Road – Extra traffic due to route 7 construction; request for more monitoring from sheriff’s dept. They are already monitoring it regularly. Burt Allen will ask for a report from the Sheriff’s Department of which roads are being patrolled and when.

• Street lights on Dog Team Road – Were being paid by Chris Hesslink – Does Selectboard want to take over payments.  There are 3 street lights, 2 in front of the restaurant (smaller one is .47 cents per day the larger one is around .67 cents per day.)  The other one is on the North end of Dog Team Road.  Would cost around 50.00 per month to maintain all poles.  Paul Audy made a motion to have the town take over the payment for the street lights on Dog Team Road.  Second by Burt Allen.  All agree.  More specifically Line 44 Poles 33A, 67 and 69, starting on Sept. 7, 2006.

• Need copy of Bud Carpenters plans for the Minutes – Received.

• Town Office Space - See motion from Keith Hall – Jerry Smiley met with Bud Carpenter and wondered if you would be willing to provide a cost plan with the library included.  Would the Selectboard be willing to ask for that from him?

Paul Audy – Suggested waiting until Keith Hall is present.  Burt Allen has requested that Bud Carpenter add an additional 12 ft to the end of the building so the Library would fit better.  Jerry Smiley – Previous plans provide methods for expansion when it is needed.  Discussion of the Library having 1000 Sq. Ft.  The design is very efficient.  Discussion that the extra footage might not be necessary.  Burt Allen – adding on 520 sq ft would add on around $60,0000 of exterior building costs.  Discussion that Bud Carpenters costs were coming in around $120/sq ft and most cost estimators were closer to $178 / sq ft.  There is no architectural plans, no finish schedule, no sound treatment in the design from Carpenter.  Discussion on how the building would be put together. 

Paul Audy – We should wait until Keith Hall returns and then decide to spend the $1,500.00 to get a cost estimate.

Pam Marsh – The Library is willing to split the cost of getting an independent estimate.  Comparing Apples to apples.

Discussion of getting a detailed site plan so they can move ahead.  Will need to include a detailed site plan.

• VELCO – ROW for property off of Plank Road – Will require a public notice to be posted for 30 days prior to signing documents.  Will sign documents on Oct. 3 meeting. 

Discussion of making sure there are motions made for actions taken.

• Appointments 

Conservation Commission

Energy Coordinator

Addison County Transit Resource

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

MISC. Correspondence

• John Madden – RE zoning regulation petition
• Jerry Smiley – letter regarding the office space and his meeting with Bud Carpenter.
• VELCO – Various letters relating to the 115 line.  All following documents will go into the VELCO box for public perusal.  Please stay informed.
• Home Health – Request for help – given to Fire Department.
• Copy of letter from Vince & Brennan to the Planning Commission relating to the Dunbar petition.
• Vermont agency of transportation – Infrastructure bank -  - project construction financing
• Beeman Elementary School – Thank you for summer grant money.
• VLCT – Health Trust – renewal information
• Vermont State – Public notice regarding the public comment period for a discharge permit for Pike industries.
• Pam Marsh – Letter to Burt Allen regarding article in the paper about the Library.
• John Madden – filing a motion to amend
• VLCT – Annual Meeting– Addressing School taxes.  Please appoint a voting delegate.
• Cycle wise – Act 250 Permit application – to file

Sign pay orders

Old Business

VELCO – On going

Next meetings:  Oct. 3, 17, 31 and Nov. 14, 28 due to General election

Adjourn: 9:15

Respectfully submitted:

Barbara Torian