Town of New Haven

Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

7:00 pm Town Clerks Office

Tuesday April 17, 2007

Present: Burt Hall, Keith Hall, Pam Kingman

Absent: Paul Audy

Others: Lowell Nottingham, Betty Bell, Roger Boise, Dale Everest, Jeff Everest, Barb Torian, Fred Napoleon, Allen Swain, Pete LaPete

Agenda Results:

NEW BUSINESS

Visitors Business:

• Riverside Cemetery: Betty Bell – Riverside Cemetery gate repair estimate to replace three posts for gates. Harold Tricou’s estimate total is $284.45 for parts and labor. Keith Hall made a motion to accept Harold Tricou’s estimate, Burt Allen seconded. Betty Bell also asked for permission to paint the fence to keep it looking nice. Burt Allen made a motion to go ahead, seconded by Keith Hall.
• Town Hall Rental: Lowell Nottingham – Looking to keep dialogue open between the school board and the selectboard. The school is looking for ways to save money, and they are curious about how much revenue the town makes on renting the Town Hall. After speaking with Barb Torian he realizes that it’s not much. The school pays for the heat and utilities in the Town Hall, maybe the town could share the heating cost, or have people who rent the Hall pay for costs. There have been times when it has been cold outside and there is an event in the gym; the doors and or windows are wide open. Keith Hall suggested that we analyze how much money is actually involved, and consider what is best for the whole Town. No action taken. Mr. Nottingham also wanted to let the selectboard know that the school is planning on doing something with the parking out in front of the school. He said he’s going to look into how many children ride the bus compared to how many are dropped off by parents. Burt Allen is pleased about keeping the line of communication open between the school board and selectboard. Barb Torian added that with a new custodian at Beeman and a new Principal starting next year this may be a good time to re-negotiate who is responsible for what in the Town Hall.
• Fence Rails / Plaque: Suzy Roorda – Request for funds to replace two fence rails on the town green, estimate for $20.00 for both rails from Middlebury Fence. Burt Allen made a motion to have Suzy Roorda go ahead and get rails, Keith Hall seconded. Also requesting permission to buy a dedication plaque for Leon Demers, Sr., he donated the River park property to the Town years ago.  Roger Boise raised concern that the plaque would disappear in a short amount of time. There was discussion about where to put plaque to keep it from getting stolen or damaged, or even giving it to the Demers family. Will have Suzy Roorda contact the Demers family to ask exactly what they are looking for. No action taken. Also, the snack shack used for baseball games will now be run by Mary Pat Roche. Betty Bell asked about the money that is generated from the snack shack. It was her understanding that the money was to be used to buy bleachers. Barb Torian answered that most of the money has gone to improve the ball fields. Roger Boise asked what Suzy Roorda’s job is? Pam Kingman answered that she is in charge of scheduling all the town hall functions, makes sure the building is locked up after each function, keep track of town hall permits. She works 12 hrs. per week.
• Lawn & Maintenance Contract: Allen Swain – Came in to sign lawn maintenance contract. He had some questions regarding the collaring of the trees on the town green. Not sure the trees will need collaring since the contract states the trees will also have mulch and edging around them. Burt Allen said not to collar the trees, Keith Hall agreed. Made the change to the contract. Mr. Swain added he likes to buy mulch locally and he likes to use plain mulch. Burt Allen said to use the plain mulch, Keith Hall agreed. Burt Allen made a motion to sign the lawn maintenance agreement, Keith Hall seconded.
• Sidewalk Project: Dale and Jeff Everest – Came in with concerns about the proposed sidewalk project, wondering if it was going to happen this summer. The Everest’s are asking if they have any say in the project and they feel there wasn’t much notice about meetings. There is the possibility this project will happen this summer. Roger Boise questioned if the entrance to Town Hill Rd. is changed, how larger trucks will be able to make the corner. There were several concerns raised about how the traffic will flow from Rt. 17 onto Town Hill Rd. and the possibility of more accidents. Pete La Pete asked how close the change in Town Hill Rd. will come to an existing well that is on the small triangular piece of property. He added that it is a high producing well and measures should be taken to make sure it doesn’t get damaged. There was a lengthy discussion about the changes to the roads and the impact of the new sidewalks as well as where old sidewalks use to be. Warren Whitcomb added that most sidewalks don’t last forever, and questioned why the town needs them. Barb Torian explained that several years ago the town secured a grant to have the Agency of Transportation do a traffic calming study. There were many different people involved, and the selectboard was consulted at the onset of the project. There was a contract signed about four years ago with Summit Engineering and the Town has been making payments on the project. The question was asked why it wasn’t voted on. Barb Torian explained that the sidewalk project was put into the budget and the budget was voted on.  Currently, Summit Engineering, Susie Leonard, and the State are all working together.  Susie Leonard and a consultant from Summit Engineering will be invited to the next selectboard meeting, May 1, 2007 @ 7:00pm.

Regular Business:

• Gravel Pit Regulations: Keith Hall  -  RE: Gravel pit regulations – found under mining law of the Federal Government the use of a gravel pit as a mine “only the contractor who is goes there to separate the gravel “ is under the government regulations – no one else. There had been some concerns that our road crew would be the ones operating this kind of machinery, but that is not happening. Roger Boise asked if the Town would not be purchasing a conveyor. Burt Allen said that is correct.
• Road Crew: Keith Hall – had received some complaints about the road crew sanding personal driveways. There was a discussion that this should not be happening, unless it is an emergency situation. Pete LaPete also received a call from someone who said they saw Scott Busier plowing at Andy Lott’s farm and Wishful Thinking Farm both on South St. He feels if you do it for one you need to do it for everyone. Mr. LaPete went on to say that if he catches the road crew again, he will take the town to court. There was a discussion about the following: Part time road crew help, how many hours are being put in. Dirt roads not getting graded often enough and how the road crew could use some direction. Pete Lapete questioned who Katie Reilley is and what her position entails. Burt Allen answered that Katie Reilley works three days a week doing paper work, and helps with grant writing. There are many demands from the state and she has been a huge help in getting things taken care of. Roger Boise asked about the road crew looking at dump bodies for trucks, Burt Allen said they are just pricing them, no action has been taken.
• Railroad Taxes: Barb Torian – The Railroad has purchased the old Omya plant, they are insisting that they are tax exempt and don’t want to pay their taxes. The Towns position is that they are leasing buildings on the site. Craig Newton of Phoenix Feeds is leasing from the Railroad and he is willing to pay the taxes that are due. Bill Paine has written a letter to the Railroad stating the town won’t tax the building they use, but will tax everything else.
• Follow up on the chloride tank – Gorman Bros. would not deliver only half a tank for trial use, we had to take a full load.
• Follow up on our Road crew helping the Town of Panton and us helping them. Burt Allen said this will only be on emergency basis only.
• Sign liquor license
• Sign overweight permits
• Sign Annual Financial Plan for Town Highways
• Sign Pay orders

OLD BUSINESS:

Adjourn: