Town of New Haven                                                                                    Back to Home

Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 pm Town Clerks Office

Tuesday December 5, 2006

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

Others:  Phil Busier, Harold Tricou, Cris Messerle, Jim Gallott, Tim Bouton, Bill Brim, Pam Marsh, Roger Boise, Suzy Roorda, Aaron Gingras.

AGENDA: Results

Read and approve minutes make corrections if needed. 

ROADS

• Update – Phil Busier – Met with Martha Price from District 5;   She looked at the work done at Beldon Falls Road and was impressed.  Would like to see towns work together more.

o       Nash Bridge – has had some reinforcement to the structure in several locations. – There is one more bad spot he has ordered the steel to fix it.

o       Sink Hole at Dog Team Bridge – needs culvert or ditch

Dog Team Bridge - There is water coming down from the culvert across the road and has created a sink hole.  He will be doing more work to determine what is going on.

Has been putting in culverts.

o       Purchased some culverts

o       Snow plow blades

Purchased some snow plow blades.  Invoice came in very high.  Ordered 2 years worth.  Should he send some back?  He has 6 plows and 5 wings; it is a lot to maintain.  Paul Audy asked how long the edges last.  Phil Busier responded about 1 year.  Discussion small amounts of snow raise hell with the blades.  Will save about $7,000.00 if purchase all blades.  Phil Busier will do more research.

Road Access Permits – Coordination of approval with zoning administrator Road access permits will be given prior to a building permit.  Currently - most of the time the road crew puts in the culvert and the land owner only pays for the culvert.  Paul Audy – the town should be able to cover its’ costs.  The town would like to set a policy that all road accesses be constructed by the town from now on.  (on public roads)  Phil Busier and Katie Reilley will come up with appropriate fee schedule and information on the proper way to set a policy.  Tim Bouton suggested that the town might be able to charge for time and materials. Rather than a set fee.

Jerry Currier – is available to fill in for part time plowing.

o       Add in paper for additional help. Add for help deadline Dec. 15

o       Update on Dave Heisler – Still unknown as to when he will be able to return to work.

o       Bids for fuel due Dec. 15th

o       Rattlin Bridge – Dispersal of steel – Phil Busier stated it was O.K. for the State to take the steel.   Discussion about fixing the planks on the bridge again and repairing some of the steel.  If the town fixes the bridge again then the State may take it off their list like they did the last time the bridge was fixed.  Keith Hall will look into the situation. 

Recycling trucks can be placed between the garage and the salt shed for the winter.

• Plowing / sanding - school, church, elderly, sick etc. – Burt Allen – someone complained about the town crew sanding private driveways. Discussion – It is O.K. to sand or plow if they are in need (elderly, sick etc) Should not be plowing or sanding for individuals on a regular basis.  Should not be plowing or sanding the church on a regular basis.  O.K. to help them out once in a while.  Paul Audy – Phil Busier should use his discretion as to when it is appropriate and helpful on an as needed basis.  Not regularly. 
• Trees on Leduc Cross Road – by Durkee
• Beaver traps on property without knowledge? – See letter from Jay Best.  Keith Hall spoke with Mr. Best and the town lawyer.  The town does have the authority to place traps in their right of way.  Mr. Best was upset because he did not know the traps were there.  He hunts his dogs on both sides of the water.  He does not care for the beavers either but has to be able to keep his dogs safe.  Phil Busier apologized he must have missed calling him when he made the other phone calls.  Brissons’ have also given permission to trap beavers on their land.    The trapper will need to notify all land owners where the traps are in order to avoid injuries. 

There has been a request to put up a plaque for Leon Demers for donating the land for the park by the river.  Selectboard O.K.

Signed paperwork and pay orders.

• Town / Palmer Agreement
• Sign over wt permits

NEW BUSINESS

Visitors Business:

• Continuity of Government – Bill Brim – The work at the fire station has been completed.  They are waiting for the State to sign off on it.  Tony Bosnich suggested that they build a cage to go over the generator instead of building a structure to protect it from the snow.  The estimate to build the cage is $1800.00.  Discussion of using tubes and making sure that the cage is angled or peaked to protect the generator from ice falling off the roof.  Then a fence can be put around it.  Victor Bolduc has not finished all the wiring yet.  Keith Hall  motion to put a peak roof on the generator for not more than $1800.00.  Second by Burt Allen.  All agree.  Phil Busier will be asked to haul the generator to have the cage built.

Bill Brim – Rapid response plan needs to be updated.  Left a copy for each board member to review and update.   Discussion of determining who will be the lead agency in situations. 

There will be a table top drill on Jan 13, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in Rutland.  Please attend 9:30 start.

December 19^th the Red Cross Shelter Coordinator will be visiting the New Haven shelters for approval. 

Tim Bouton – Continuity of Government – The Selectboard had been asked to come up with a line of successors several months ago. He is wondering if they have come up with 3 names yet. Discussion of redoing the line of successors at the same time the Rapid Response information is done each year.  Selectboard will come up with names for their next meeting.

• Zoning Violations – Cris Messerle – In the spirit of cooperation he would like to let the board know ahead of time when there is the possibility of a violation.  The Railroad may have leased out another building.  The railroad is supposed to present a site plan for review to the Planning Commission.  This is the same process any business would follow.  The Planning Commission would then have the opportunity to address any issues like lighting, screening or egress etc.  The railroad appears to believe that they do not have to follow the town’s regulations.   Discussion of some things that the railroad is exempt from.  However once they go out of those items they are not exempt and should be following town regulations.  The railroad has been approached several times on different issues and they do not respond.   It now appears that someone is using the building that used to be used for recycling.  There has been no plan presented for that building.  Cris Messerle will be gathering more information to see what is happening.
• Paul Audy – If they are leasing out space then they need to present a plan to the town.  They should be working with the town.  Cris Messerle would like to send a letter to the railroad.
• Gym Floor – has not been getting clean.  There have been complaints from the people who have been using it.  Discussion of who is responsible for cleaning the gym.  Wayne Marcelle believes that the school is responsible during the school year and that he is responsible during the summer.  Discussion of what it was like when people had a separate pair of shoes for gym. Discussion of having the kids enter through the cafeteria.  Discussion of the after school program using supplies and the bathrooms being plugged on a regular basis. 
• Custodian Pay – Discussion Selectboard never determined whether they were going to pay Wayne Marcelle for an additional 5 hours a month.  Barb Torian stated that the work is not getting done.  Discussion of need for a job description.  Wayne Marcelle stated that he cleans the bathrooms every night. And cleans the office once a week.  Barb Torian stated that the tables in the office were not getting cleaned.  Wayne Marcelle stated that he did clean them but the cleaner he got from Tony doesn’t work.  Suzy Roorda asked Wayne Marcelle if he would please check the doors since he is the last one to come and he comes every night to do the bathrooms.  Wayne Marcelle stated he would check the doors.  Paul Audy O.K. to pay additional 5 hours per month. But he does not want to hear about things being dirty again.  Keith Hall O.K. with paying additional 5 hours per month, but he also does not want to hear about things being dirty again.  Discussion of duties between the school and the town.  A job description needs to be created.  Involve the principal and the school custodian.  Keith Hall will work on this.  Paul Audy motion to pay Wayne Marcelle an additional 5 hours per month.  Second by Burt Allen, All agree.
• Wayne Marcelle – Changes to dog ordinance – Discussion of the changes Wayne Marcelle requested to the ordinance.  Keith Hall motion to adopt the changes to the dog ordinance.  Second by Paul Audy, All agree.
• Wayne Marcelle – increase to impound fees.  New fees will be: Impounding Fee $75.00, Travel fees at .48 / mile.  Hourly rate for Animal Control portion is $15.00 / hour.  Boarding fees will be $25.00 per day.  Penalty of $100.00 may be applied.  If the animal is not licensed they would pay the regular state fee plus an additional $10.00.  Keith Hall motion to increase the impound related fees as stated above.  Second by Paul Audy.  All  agree.

Discussion about the Humane Society not including the town fees when they release an animal put there by the Animal Control Officer,  will include in the contract from now on.

•  Health Insurance – Blue Cross / Blue Shield presented 30% + increases to  VLCT  PACIF – VLCT tried to negotiate with them and ended up contracting with CIGMA at a lower rate of increase (closer to12% increase)  Selectboard would like to set up a meeting with VLCT representative. 

Roger Boise – Does not like what is happening with Phoenix feeds and the crouton place.  He does not think Phoenix feeds should be getting violations when the crouton place was allowed to start up.  The traffic on North Street has really increased.  There are trucks from Black River and UPS as well as others.  It’s not right.

Aaron Gingras – Town Hall application for the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of the month Adult supervision required.  Approved.

Suzy Roorda – Would like the board to be thinking about how they would like to separate the parks from the events in the future.  The Selectboard is the one responsible for setting the Town Hall policy and they will also need to determine how they would like to deal with the requests to use the hall for people charging fees for giving a class. 

VELCO – paper work for Right of Way on property off Plank Road – Vermont Transco had requested they be able to start early.  Selectboard decided not to sign.  Keith Hall will call them.

• Appointments   - no action

Conservation Commission

Energy Coordinator

Addison County Transit Resource

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

• Dog Hearing – Paul Audy motion to go into executive session to discuss the dog situation. Entered executive session from 9:30 to 9:35.  Keith Hall made a motion to have the Akita put down.  Second by Paul Audy.  All agree.  Wayne Marcelle will send a certified letter to the dog owner.  Letter to Humane society signed allowing them to dispose of the dog.
• Sign Pay orders - signed

MISC. Correspondence

• Blue Cross Blue Shield - Various items about health insurance
• Primoris – health insurance
• Jerry Smiley  - Memorandum - Community Center
• VELCO – South Burlington – re-design
• Jay Best – Beaver Trapping
• Comcast – Bought out Adelphia –
• VELCO – Request for early entry  - needs to be signed
• Northern Vermont Resources Conservation & Development Council – Request for funds $75.00 in budget for 2007
•  

NEWS LETTERS

·        Candidate Bulletin

·        VLCT

·        Opinions

·        Valuation Views

·        Addison County Regional Planning

·        Solid waste district

·         

Treasurers Report

Sign pay orders

Old Business

Adjourn: 9:45

Respectfully submitted:

Barbara Torian