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Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

11:00 am Town Clerks Office

Monday, February 12, 2007

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

Others: Phil Busier, Katie Reilley, Roger Boise, Neb Kehoe, Jerry Smiley, Lisa Sanchez,

Nina Bacon

Roads

Results:

          Tractor: Discussion of the use of Phil Busier’s personal tractor. The tractor has been at the shed off and on for about 2 years, it is used for mulching hay, sweeping roads, intersections, and to clean up after projects. It was agreed that the Town would put gas and oil in the Tractor in return for its use. Recently, the tractor had some minor repairs done to it for some leaks. Paul Choiniere did the repairs and billed the Town. It was agreed unanimously that the Town would cover the cost of the repairs, but in the future Phil Busier needs to get prior approval from the selectboard.

         Phil Busier had questions about money in the budget from last year. Keith Hall explained that the money from last year runs out on December 31, and that there is no money to be spent on new items until after the budget gets approved. Phil Busier had priced a trailer to hold the chloride tank, but all agreed it would have to wait until after Town Meeting.

         Conveyor: Comparisons on the two conveyors Phil Busier had gotten. There was discussion on the size of each conveyor as well as the difference in horse power. The selectboard wanted to be sure that it would strictly be used for sand and not salt.

          Cones and Barricades: These are now mandatory (according to the State) for road crews to have on each truck. The selectmen all agree that for safety issues all the trucks should be equipped with the correct amount of cones and barricades.

           Town Shed Bathroom: The Road Crew has had some problems with flooding. The pitch in the floor streams the water towards the restroom, they are now seeing signs of mold. They would like to improve the restroom as soon as possible. Phil Busier also asked at the same time they repair the restroom, if they could rent a lift to finish painting the ceiling in the garage. All agree this is ok.

           Discussion about our road crew sharing work with Rick Kehne who is the road crew for the town of Panton. Phil Busier feels they work well together with Rick Kehne. When New Haven has big projects it has been nice to have an extra hand. There were questions raised about the wear and tear on our trucks as well as time spent away from New Haven. It was also brought up that we need to take care of our own town before we help out somewhere else. Keith Hall suggested Phil Busier keep track of the hours spent in Panton as well as Panton’s time here, and to make sure that it is even.

           Roger Boise said he had done some research on towns with similar mileage. He compared the amount of road equipment New Haven has to what other towns have.  He found that our Town has a lot more equipment compared to other area towns.  

           Bill Masterson has been hired as a sub-contractor on “as needed” basis. Dave Heisler is healing and hopes to be back to work whenever it is possible.

            Discussion about truck box and sander- need 2 boxes to be switched back and forth; one for summer, one for winter. Need to keep to the budget amount.

New Business

Visitors Business:

             Addison County Transit Resources – Neb Kehoe came in to represent ACTR, he explained that they were not able to petition area towns for funding, and knows it is too late to change the warning. He has come before the board to ask for funding.  ACTR provided 15,400 rides to the people in New Haven last year. 835 folks rode the Tri-town shuffle, and there were a total of 48,000 rides. Mr. Kehoe handed out funding information, he added that they are coming up short because they didn’t get out any petitions. Is there any way to bring up at Town meeting? It was decided that funds can’t be raised because it wasn’t warned; it can be discussed, but we can’t vote on funds. If a resident proposes to vote to discuss the issue then yes, a discussion is ok.

             Town Office – Jerry Smiley working on figuring out the timetable for new town offices. With budget setting and vote we’re looking at a seven month time frame. First vote is coming up if we get the ok then he’d like to move along on hiring an architect.  Discussion on the future of the King house and what to do with it. Nina Bacon asked if there was ever an appraisal done on the King house?  Discussion about hiring an appraiser verses a realtor for King House.  The fact was brought up that the house is on the same sewer line as Town Hall and the school, and that the King House has its own well. There was further discussion about the costs involved in moving the house, if that is what townspeople decide to do.

             Roger Boise – Questions on the road budget, he wants to know if the road crew gets comp. time after their 40 hour work week. The answer was no, they are on salary. Paul Audy added some emergency situations may be taken into consideration. Roger Boise said he was quite pleased that the road crew did not get comp. time. For a comparison to the New Haven road crew, he acquired some information from area towns with similar mileage on how many people they employ on their road crew and what their hourly wages are.

              Lisa Sanchez – She is running for selectboard and she is looking forward to serving our town. She thinks the 5 member board is a good idea. She questioned the 11:00 am meeting time, because it makes it hard for people to attend. Paul Audy – at the 11:00am meeting, the selectboard is hoping to handle the road crew business. The meetings on Tuesday evenings are for other business. The selectboard can change the time to suit. Lisa Sanchez asked when the 5 member board would take effect, and the response was not until 2008. Discussion of 5 member board verses 3 member.

            Pam Kingman – Would like to take a computer class, selectboard all agree to reimburse for the class.

            Barb Torian – Would like to be reimbursed as a computer consultant for the town office, selectboard all agree.

 Keith Hall motion to sign pay orders, second Burt Allen

Correction to minutes from January 26, 2007 –Should read B & W Fuels delivered in October, not December.

Adjourn: 1:10pm

Respectfully Submitted

Pam Kingman