Town of New Haven

Town of New Haven Selectmen’s Meeting

6:30 pm Town Offices

Tuesday November 6, 2007

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

Others: Scott Warner, Barb Torian, Jill DeVoe, Roger Boise, Polly Darnell, Jim Walsh, Denise Many, Wayne Marcelle, Chris Lizotte, Tom Mansfield, Donald Johnston, Jeff Everest

AGENDA RESULTS:

Read and approve minutes, make corrections if needed.

Interview for Road Crew position – Keith Hall made a motion to move  into executive session at 6:30 pm, Seconded by Burt  Allen. All agreed. Keith Hall made a motion to adjourn from executive session at 7:00 pm, seconded by Burt Allen. All agreed.

NEW BUSINESS

Visitors Business:

• Chris Lizotte – Representative from Middlebury Area Land Trust  (MALT) RE: Advent Church located on the former Dog Team property.  MALT is interested in purchasing the 5.1 acre parcel from Tom Mansfield and

Shelley Erikson. MALT would like to turn the property over to the Town to use as a park. Tom Mansfield said the location is a favorite fishing spot for many and is frequently used by the New Haven River Anglers. It is also one of the best swimming holes in the area. MALT would like to take possession of the property then turn it over to the Town for recreation purposes. It would serve the Town as a nice park provided the neighbors all agree. This is just the first step to see if the town may be interested in the property. The Advent Church would be deeded to the New Haven Historical Society for their use. The Church is in need of extensive renovations and MALT would be willing to help with grant funding from the State to help with both the Church and the park. MALT would like to move the Church to the center of the property because its current location is not easily accessible as it is too close to the road. Tom Mansfield said there are other options for the property, but this one would benefit the Town in two ways. Paul Audy, Burt Allen and Keith Hall are all in favor of the Town owning the property, but it depends on what the Townspeople have to say and how the neighbors feel. This will be the topic of discussion at the New Haven Historical Society meeting at the New Haven Congregational Church on Wednesday,  November 14, 2007 @ 7:00 pm. Chris Lizotte, Tom Mansfield, Shelley Erikson and one selectboard member will be there to answer questions.

• Donald Johnston – Ancient Roads: Mr. Johnston is willing to volunteer to help the Town find and document these class 4 roads. It is a tedious process and he will be asking for volunteers to help look through Land Records and do site visits if necessary. The Town has until February 2009 to complete the project. Donald Johnston is working for some other Towns on their Ancient Roads and he has been hired as their surveyor. If it New Haven needs a surveyor, he is willing to step aside and let the Town hire one.  Paul Audy said we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Mr. Johnston said there is grant money available to help with the cost of mailings etc. He would like to start the process in January 2008, with an informational meeting. Paul Audy made a motion to have Donald Johnston work on the Ancient Roads project, seconded by Keith Hall. All agreed.
• Jill DeVoe – Outside Audit has been completed by Tom Telling and Associates. The Town saved a lot of money by doing much of the leg work themselves. Jill DeVoe will be putting an article in the December newsletter letting residents know that there is a copy of the audit on file in the Town Office. Burt Allen made a motion to accept the outside audit, seconded by Keith Hall. All agreed.
• Barb Torian – Lyons Trust – Ms. Torian received a letter from English, Carroll & Boe in regards to the tax amount that the Lyons Trust owes. The Lawyers for Lyons trust are asking the selectboard to waive the interest and penalties from the tax bill because of an error the Listers made.Keith Hall made a motion to accept the payment for the tax amount and waive any other fees. Seconded by Paul Audy. All agreed.
• Wayne Marcelle – Several dog and cow issues – On Fog Valley Rd. Michelle and Ron Gorton are claiming Bill Schoonover and Shelley Gustofsons’ dog has run one of their calves to death. Wayne Marcelle, Keith Hall and Burt Allen all went to the Gortons home to look at the calf; all three determined the calf died of natural causes. There is a growing dispute between these two neighbors and the selectman and Mr. Marcelle have all encouraged the parties to seek help from the State Police; that this is a civil matter; and the Town does not want to get in the middle of it. The Gortons also have a bull being kept at Charlie Roys’ house on South St. Neighbor Andy Lott has called Wayne Marcelle on numerous occasions to tell him the bull has broken through his horse fencing. Mr. Lott has tried unsuccessfully to try to catch the bull because it is wild. Wayne Marcelle has placed many calls to the Gortons and Charlie Roy to apprise them of this situation, but they don’t return his phone calls. On North St. a bull and calf belonging to Eugene and Emily Charlebois have been seen running down the road, motorists have called the Town Office say they have come close to hitting them. Paul Audy made a motion to have Pam Kingman write letters to the Gortons in regards to the calfs’ death and about the bull on South St., as well as to the Charlebois’ in regards to their bull and calf running loose. Seconded by Burt Allen. All agreed.
• Wayne Marcelle – will be waxing the gym floor over the next four days November 9 – 11^th because there is no school on Friday.  
• State of Vermont Dept. of Taxes - Order to Reappraise                                                                                        

New Haven Board of Listers – Suggest rolling reappraisal beginning late summer / early fall 2008. No action taken.

• State of Vermont Program Development Division – 2008 Park and Ride Grant Program Agreement.  This is a three year grant. If there are any delays with the new Town Offices, the State should be notified so they can extend the grant. The State sends half the grant award up front, then the rest when the job is completed.
• Rattlin’ Bridge – Set weight Limit to correspond with the Town of Weybridge. Project Manager Chris Williams recommended the weight be set at 16,000 pounds or 8 tons. This corresponds with State Statute Title 23, Chapter 13 § 1392 Gross limits on highways. Burt Allen made a motion to set the bridge weight at 16,000 lbs. provided the Town of Weybridge agrees. Seconded by Paul Audy. All agreed.
• Glenn Lower email – Neighborhood Watch Signs on Munger St. Mr. Lower wanted approval from the selectboard to put Neighborhood Watch signs up on existing road signs. He admittedly has already put some signs up, and realized he should have asked for prior approval. Paul Audy made a motion to allow Glenn Lower to hang neighborhood watch signs on existing road signs from the South end of Munger St. to the North end. Seconded by Keith Hall. All agreed.
• Vt. Transco (VELCO) – Proposed lay-down area for pole storage at the New Haven sub station. Denise Many who resides right next to the sub station has been noticing an odor emitted from the poles that have been left in this staging area. Ms. Many said some days it is so strong that it permeates her house and she is concerned about the potential health risks to herself and her daughters. Denise Many has been in contact with John Stamatov at VELCO who admits the poles have been dipped in creosote and that is what she and her family smell. Mr. Stamatov reassured Denise Many that VELCO has recently changed the formula that they dip the poles in to eliminate the odor. VELCO also dumped two large loads of wood chips in the staging area to help control the odor which Ms. Many said has helped a little bit. There is concern that because her well is on that side of her house it too could be affected.   Forest Drive resident Jim Walsh said there is plenty of room on the substations 15 acres to lay these poles down so it won’t affect anyone. Mr. Walsh added VELCO is planning to do a noise test at the sub station in the near future. The Forest Drive residents all feel that VELCO needs to do the noise test when the entire project has been completed to get the full effect. Paul Audy made a motion to have Pam Kingman write VELCO a letter addressing the Towns’ concern with this staging area growing, and the health risks involved for the neighbors. Seconded by Keith Hall. All agreed.

MISC. CORRESPONDENCE:

• Ouimette & Runcie – Opinion on Highway Commercial District
• VLCT – Theft of 6 retread tires and 1 new rim with a new tire from the Town Shed.  Notified VLCT, they suggested filing a Police report along with the claim. Waiting to hear from Sgt. Hogan from VSP.
• State of Vermont Dept. of Public Service – VELCO Condemnation of deBoer property.
• Addison County Solid Waste Management District – 2007 Annual Report and proposed budget for calendar year 2008.
• State of Vermont Enhanced 911 Board – Reminder of updating / Maintenance Responsibilities – Denise Many who is the 911 coordinator said she is up to date; all maps have been submitted. She is awaiting a new map from Addison Co. Regional Planning.
• VLCT – New Vision Plan for members

REGULAR BUSINESS:

TREASURERS REPORT:

• Pay Bills
• Sign pay orders

NEWS LETTERS:

• VLTC News

OLD BUSINESS:

Adjourn: 9:00 pm