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Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 pm Town Clerks Office

Tuesday October 3, 2006

Present: Paul Audy, Burt Allen, Keith Hall, Barb Torian

Others: Jeannette and Eldon Sherwin, Suzy Roorda, Pam Marsh, Cyrus Levesque, Harold Tricou, Wayne Marcelle, James Gallott, Jerry Smiley, Maryann Tricou

AGENDA:

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed. 

NEW BUSINESS

Visitors Business:

• VELCO – Right of Way – Public notice of intention to sell was posted on September 26, 2006 and will be published in the paper on Sept. 28, Oct. 2, 5 and 12. Documents can not be signed prior to warning for 30 days.

Discuss changes to ROW with Transco (VELCO) Notice to the public has been posted and no documents can be signed until the 30 day period is up.

• Town Office Space - Jerry Smiley –He is waiting on the Selectboard. He has not done anything recently.  Has recommended that the board get a cost estimator.

Paul Audy – Thinks it would be a good idea to hire a cost estimator. 

Burt Allen – Believes that the King house will need to be moved in order to put up a new building.

Jerry Smiley – Wondered if that information came from a State official.  He believes that there is enough room in between the new location and the old building to do what ever needs to be done.

Discussion of what types of official stamps might be needed.

Jerry Smiley – Will need a few weeks to refine the drawings before they can go to a cost estimator.  He had been waiting for the board’s approval.  If the town likes the plan then you can move forward with budget information and begin the process of approval from state agencies etc.  Will then need to deal with the bid process, clerk of the works etc.

Keith Hall in favor of spending money for a cost estimator.  Motion to propose that the Town Office and Library (Community Center) be presented to the voters at the 2007 March Town Meeting.  Second by Paul Audy.  Discussion – Burt Allen – Can’t see it unless the King House is moved. Paul Audy thinks it can be worked around and should move forward with cost estimator.  Motion passed all in favor.

More discussion about moving the King House and approving a plan to go to a cost estimator.

Paul Audy – Motion to hire a cost estimator for the Town Office / Library (Community Center) designed by Jerry Smiley.  Second by Keith Hall.  Motion passed all agree.

Jerry Smiley will need a few weeks to define / finish the drawings.  This will include parking, site work, utilities etc.

Discussion of adding on 500 sq ft of addition space as an alternate for expansion on the South end of the proposed plans.   Discussion of parking area being kept as gravel and perhaps getting the road crew to help.

Wayne Marcelle – had a conversation with one of the King Family.  Thought that there was an agreement to use the original structure as town offices.  Family member might consider suing the town.  Better check the deed – Follow up the deed makes no reference to use of the house.

Jerry Smiley – His plans have left the house alone.  Even though there is no current client interested in using the house there may be one in the future. 

• Dunbar petition – Needs to be returned to the Planning Commission for technical corrections to be submitted in the format of an article to be voted on for the Town Plan. – The board requested that the Planning Commission make technical corrections and format an article to be voted on at Town Meeting. Letter given to the Planning Commission
• Zoning Violations – Boise, Martell, Elithorpe

Burt Allen thought Keith Hall should not make a motion regarding the Boise violation;  Since he was the zoning administrator at the time the Boise violation was issued.  He should abstain from any decisions relating to action he took while acting as Zoning Administrator.  Keith Hall had spoken to the town attorney regarding the matter.  Since the board is taking action on a decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment not the Zoning Administrator at the time it would be O.K. for Keith Hall to vote.  Keith Hall is willing to do whatever the board feels is appropriate.  Paul Audy made a motion that the decision of the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding the Rodney Boise violation at his rental property located on Route 17 be enforced by the Zoning Administrator and / or Town Lawyer.  Second by Burt Allen.  Motion passed all agree.

• Wayne Marcelle – Town Hall – both toilets not flushing properly need to pressure flush / hot water heater / shed for generator

Installation and purchase of the hot water heater would be $750.00.  The price is so high because the power source is out dated and needs to be brought up to code.  Paul Audy - motion to purchase and install a hot water heater for $750.00 hiring Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating to install the heater.   Second by Burt Allen.  Motion passed. All agree.

Problems with Toilets backing up – Selectboard directed Wayne Marcelle to take care of immediately.  Call Clark’s or Dundon or Senesack. 

Shed for the generator – Discussion of attaching it to the side of the building.  Snow load will be a problem.  Various locations discussed.  Suggest that Bill Brim come back in to talk about the situation with the Select board. – Keith Hall will talk to Bill Brim.

• Renewal for Insurance – VLCT – Selectboard O.K. for Barb Torian to fill out and return the renewal application.   Burt Allen will go through the equipment list with Phil Busier.
• Parking facing wrong direction on the green at night / no overnight parking?  Will order no over night parking signs.  Vehicle will be towed at owner’s expense.
• Will also post signs behind town hall No Parking Fire Lane Violators will be towed at owners expense.
• Copier - Still having problems getting the company to remove the old machine.  Jim Ouimette will write a letter.  Burt Allen will handle if that does not work.
• Town Hall Permits – Permit for Gail Freidin to use the kitchen – Approved.

Suzy Roorda would like to resign as auditor.  Annie Perkins is interested in becoming an auditor.  Paul Audy would like to have Annie Perkins come in and introduce herself before the board makes any appointments.

Playground equipment will be coming on Oct. 26^th.  They would like to remove the equipment by the 18^th.  Can they use Town equipment and the Road Crew?  O.K. for town crew to help with town equipment.

Suzy Roorda – Recreation Committee recently met and did some research into how the committee was set up and what the original charge was.  It was set up to have 5 members and 5 terms. The charge was to take care of the maintenance of the Village Green and the Town beach. The area where the flag pole and the monument is not included. They would like to have that area added to their care.  Would also like to take over the responsibility of mowing and have that money added to their budget.  Selectboard would like to keep control over the budgetary items.  It is O.K. with them if the recreational Committee wants to maintain the other area.  Discussion of the weed whacking killing the trees.  Discussion of who will take care of the sidewalks once they are put in.  The recreation Committee would like to do the town fair and the holiday lights.  All other events would be given to the events coordinator.  Suzy Roorda will present some budget proposals for division of money.

Burt Allen – The Fire Warden would like to purchase brooms, rakes and Indian packs.  There is some federal money available.  Would like to know if the Town will match the funds.  Selectboard would like more information.  Burt Allen will get more info.

• Appointments 

Conservation Commission

Energy Coordinator

Addison County Transit Resource

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

ROADS

Dave Heisler injured when he fell through a culvert and will be out for a few weeks.

Discussion of engine brakes – Need to contact the State to place signs on a State road.  Would like to put up something like - Please limit the use of engine brakes or please be considerate limit use of engine brakes.  Keith Hall will contact the State.

Discussion – Any one doing work for the town must fill out paper work prior to beginning work.

Phil Busier has another person coming to trap beavers.

Wayne Marcelle would be interested in mowing road sides.

• Town / Palmer Agreement
• Sign over wt permits

MISC. Correspondence

• Revolt and Repeal – Moderate legislators who would like to change the way the State sets the property tax rate. No alternative at this time.  Suggest the legislature be given 2 years to develop a new system that is fair, equitable, simple and returns local control. Please join us in endorsing this appeal.

Sign pay orders

Old Business

Adjourn: 9:10

Respectfully submitted:

Barbara Torian