Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting
7:00 pm Town Clerks Office
Tuesday May 1, 2007
Present: Burt Allen, Paul Audy, Pam Kingman
Absent: Keith Hall
Others: Betty Bell, Roger Boise, Al Karnatz, Jerry Smiley, Kirsten Pitts, Lowell Nottingham, Suzy Roorda, Harold Tricou, Fred Napoleon, Denis Guillette
Agenda Results:
NEW BUSINESS
· Pike Industries: Denis Guillette – Nighttime operation for a period of eight days in mid to late June for a project in Middlebury. Pikes will be notifying all residents and businesses that will be directly affected.
· Al Karnatz: Mark Smith’s Rt. 7 sub-division –The Planning Commission has given Mr. Smith preliminary approval for a six lot sub-division. The Planning Commission has encouraged him to create smaller lots, as well as having (parts undeveloped) PUD. Many towns write “open space agreements” and use the Town as the land holder of said un-developed lot. Mr. Karnatz stated that in the years he has been on the Planning Commission, this has never happened. In many instances a non-profit group like the Vermont Land Trust for example will hold the PUD. There is no site plan yet. Mark Smith is in the process of getting an Act 250 permit. There was discussion about who would be responsible for maintaining the undeveloped land and if it would be on the tax roll. The land would be taxed, and the land holder would have to work out some kind of agreement on maintenance. Paul Audy made a motion not to have the Town act as the land holder, seconded by Burt Allen. Approve three changes to the Zoning Regulations 1) changing section of Rt. 7 along were the Dunbar’s live to highway/commercial (voted on at Town Meeting). The Town Plan has been changed, now selectboard needs to hold their Public Hearing. That will be the main change. 2) Neighborhood/Commercial setbacks will be changed from 100 ft. to 50 ft. along North St. 3) Non- conforming use clause: If existing structure is destroyed by natural disaster or fire, like the Dog Team Tavern for example. The restaurant sat on an Agricultural/Residential lot, but the Dog Team Tavern was grand fathered from years ago and the Town needs to honor that. Current regulations say must rebuild within one year, Planning Commission would like to change that to two years. Paul Audy and Burt Allen both agree.
· Kirsten Pitts and Lowell Nottingham: Bids on relocation of ball fields – Five bids were received and opened on Friday April 27, 2007. Case St. Redi Mix was clearly the lowest bidder - $27,990.00. The Town has pledged $17,000.00 to the project and the school has the same amount to match. Case St. Redi Mix comes in under budget for all of the work. The school oversees the work, the selectboard issues the checks. Kirsten Pitts said she hopes to be under contract by May 11, 2007 would like to offer the bid to Case St. Redi Mix. During the project, David Whitcomb, Larry Buck and Jeff Pratt a Beeman schoolboard member will keep an eye on the progress of the project. Paul Audy made a motion to accept the Case St. Redi Mix bid, seconded by Burt Allen.
· Suzy Roorda: Town Hall application – Madeleine Quesnel would like to use the Cafeteria and kitchen for a 25th wedding Anniversary party on Sunday August 26, 2007. This will be a non-alcoholic event. Quesnels would also like to use the ball field for a family game of baseball. Selectboard signed the application.
- Storage containers for events in town, stuff in the back room of the King House is getting musty and sometimes mice get into things. Would like permission to buy ten large plastic totes, cost would be close to $100.00. She would then store the totes in the garage at the King house, she has already started cleaning stuff out of the back room that has accumulated. No action taken.
-Snack Shack money update – $1,000.00 raised last year went towards field maintenance. Any money raised goes to Alan Curler who then deposits it in the Town account.
- Demers Plaque – Phil Busier has been in contact with Alex Demers. Mr. Demers stated he’d like the plaque to be placed at the River Park, secured to a stone and cemented into the ground. Phil Busier is going to write up what the Demers family would like the plaque to say. No action taken.
- Trash Cans for the Village Green – Two covered trash cans are needed, the existing ones fill up with rain water or trash blows out of them. Prices range from $200.00 - $500.00. Discussion on how expensive these cans are, Fred Napoleon said he has catalogues with less expensive trash cans and he will drop off at the Town Office. No action taken.
- Sundial that used to be on the Village Green needs to be put back. It was inadvertently dug up and brought to Betty Bell who in turn brought it over to Suzy Roorda. It needs to be put on a pedestal back on the Village Green so it won’t get damaged; she is currently checking prices on pedestals. No action taken.
- Park Committee would like to have permission to contact Alan Swain to keep in touch with the park(s) maintenance. Selectboard granted permission for them to contact Mr. Swain directly.
- After school sports/summer camps – non-Beeman Elementary school students can participate in these activities because they are covered under the schools umbrella insurance policy.
- Gym closet door was damaged at the last pancake breakfast sponsored by the Fire Dept. It is unclear who tried to pry open the closet. The lock and brass are scratched and the wooden door has been chipped. Suzy Roorda is looking into the matter.
-Green up Day is Saturday May 5, 2007 – offering hot dogs and drinks on the Green, requesting $100.00 towards hot dog rolls. No action taken.
- Bristol Recreation is conducting a feasibility study to enlarge the Hub and enclose the ice rink. They are looking for a representative from New Haven Suzy Roorda was asked if she was interested. She said she was interested.
Jerry Smiley – Is asking the selectboard what they think about the site plan for the new town offices. Burt Allen and Paul Audy both agree they like the plan. Mr. Smiley suggested the first phase of the parking lot should be built to the north of the new building allowing easier access for Town employees. There was discussion about how to get water to the new Town office; do we drill another well or run pipe from the Town Hall. Paul Audy requested that Jerry Smiley have copies of his plan for people to view at the Public Hearing on Monday May 21, 2007 - 7:00pm @ Town Hall.
MISC. CORRESPONDENCE:
REGULAR BUSINESS:
OLD BUSINESS:
Adjourn: 9:35pm