Eden Selectboard Minutes
Town of Eden
71 Old Schoolhouse Rd
Eden Mills, VT 05653
Minutes of Regular Selectboard Meeting
May 8, 2013
The Eden Selectboard met at the Town Office on May 8, 2013. Present at the meeting were: Ricky Morin, Leslie White, Jeanne Spaulding, Bob Spaulding, Anita Gagner, Patty Coon, Candy Vear, and Tracey Morin.
Ricky opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.
Tracey pointed out a couple of errors in the minutes: on page 2, paragraph 2: “emailed” should be “email”; on page 3, paragraph 10, “questioner” should be “questionnaire”. Tracey noted that the date at the top had been changed on the original that is recorded in the office. Leslie made the motion to approve the minutes of April 25, 2013, with corrections. Approved.
There was no citizen input. Neither Health Officer, Amanda Jones, nor Animal Control Officer, Bert Manning, was present to provide updates.
The Town received a notice from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) regarding The Municipal Dog Control Workshop to be held June 13, 2013, in Montpelier. Ricky asked if a copy had been sent to Bert. He also questioned if Bert had finished canvassing. Ricky wanted to know the comparison from last year with dogs. Candy replied there were about 500 last year, but it’s not up to 400 yet.
The Town received an Access Permit from Robert and Laura Stearns on North Road. Ricky has taken a look at it and doesn’t feel a culvert is needed. Leslie made a motion to approve the Application for Access Permit, with any work done to Town specifications. Approved and signed.
The Rouse Tire statement did not reflect a previously discussed Michelin rebate. Ricky will call Nelson at Rouse Tire in the morning and advised Candy to pay the bill in full to avoid a penalty or interest. Ricky made the motion to pay the bill with payroll tomorrow. Approved. If there is a rebate, the Town will receive a credit.
The Weight Permit for Warren Hill Trucking includes four (4) vehicles. Leslie made a motion to approve the Excess Weight Permit, to the attached Town Specifications. Approved and signed.
The janitor at the school inquired if they could work with the Town in sweeping the school yard. Ricky is currently trying a demo unit but the usually rented sweeper will not be available until June 10th. The rented sweeper costs $3,600/year, for a 40-hour period, and $90 per hour over that. The Town always uses the 40-hour rental period for Town roads. Any sweeping for the school would be charged at $90/hour plus labor, fuel, and truck costs. Ricky said it would be the same as when he does work for the beach or cemetery, with costs billed out. Leslie directed Tracey to write a letter to the school outlining the costs and available time frame, which will be after all the Town roads are done first, and that if they still wished the Town to do the sweeping, then the Selectboard needed School Board approval in writing.
The demo unit from Nortrak is “new but used”. They would like to give the Town a good deal on it. It’s a $20,000 unit that they might sell for $8,000-$10,000. There was discussion on how well the demo sweeper worked vs the rented unit.
The Selectboard has received a letter from Melinda Scott, at Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC), summarizing a joint meeting with Ricky on potential bridge and culvert projects. The Town’s priority after Whitney Lane is Knowles Flat Road. LCPC has $8,000 left to do engineering studies for Knowles Flat Rd, but the Town’s engineering for Whitney Lane was $12,000. LCPC wants the Town to pay a percentage of the $8,000 plus any overage. There was discussion based upon experience with Whitney Lane that, before engineering, boring samples should be taken. Tracey did remind the Selectboard that it would be four (4) years before the Town qualified to receive another structures grant. The Selectboard feels it’s not money well spent unless the LCPC wants to use the grant for boring samples. Ricky will call Melinda to say the Town would rather use the money for boring samples, explaining that this is step one of the process. If the grant is not for that, the Town is not interested. He’ll also find out the percentage split.
Ricky mentioned LCPC has a Roadside Ditch Management workshop on 5/20, and he may try to attend this free workshop.
The Town received an FYI email from Jim Smith regarding the Whitney Lane borings, and that the State would be happy to provide the geotechnical engineering assistance for the integral abutment bridge project. The email came from Chris Benda. Tracey mentioned that Diane Perley indicated the State now had time to come up and actually do the borings. Ricky advised Diane that Jim Smith was overseeing all aspects of this project. The Town received an estimate to do the work from Mike’s Boring & Coring. The last email received from Jim indicated plans from Ruggiano had been forwarded to the State. Ricky met with H.A. Manosh to walk the alternate route, and he is going to put together a quote. A proposal is on file from G.W.Tatro. When the second quote is received, the Town will decide whether it will do the bridge or the road. Ricky received some information about larger box culverts that he will bring to the next meeting. Depending upon soil samples results and AOT Pam Server’s approval, possibly one of these alternates would work. The Selectboard asked Tracey to follow up with Jim Smith to see where things are with the State as far as the borings. The Board decided not to sign the estimate from Mike’s Boring & Coring until the Town has heard from Jim Smith.
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns is offering a Stevens Advanced Driver Training Program (a.k.a. “Skid School”). This is an FYI only, and Ricky will not be attending.
Tracey mentioned that a letter was sent today asking the logger to attend the next Selectboard meeting on May 22nd and that copies had been emailed to the Selectboard. This pertained to Albany and Square Roads.
The Selectboard discussed chloride applications. Ricky said it’s now $1.00/gallon in place, up a penny from last year. It’s usually applied mid-summer, end of June, first of July, depending upon the year-end highway budget at the time.
Ricky met with Chris Brunelle on Monday for the LERA bank stabilization project, and Chris wrote a letter saying the work can be done between June 1 and October 1 and that it is a “non-reporting” project under the VT Stream Alteration General Permit. Chris suggested the work be done when the flow is low; it would not involve riprapping, just armoring one side. Ricky thinks that larger rocks, type 2, would be better than type 1, and doing the work before school is out, but before July 4. Scheduling with Bob was reviewed. Other maintenance at LERA was discussed: the road looks good; a couple of loads of sand are needed for the beach. Bob noted a repair needed to the slide. Leslie and Candy are meeting with VLCT on protocols to making the playground ADA accessible. Leslie felt that it made no sense to do repairs now until results from the VLCT meeting revealed what work is needed. The Selectboard discussed funding for the stream bed stabilization and possible improvements to the playground for ADA compliance. Leslie made a motion to use the funds that were given to the Town of Eden by the American Gift Fund for the stream stabilization project at the LERA. Approved. Tracey will start a file and have Candy set up account numbers to keep track of it.
Christopher LaBerge, Sr. Loss Control Consultant, from the VT League of Cities & Towns sent an email to Candy confirming a meeting on May 16th at 8:30 am at the Town offices regarding the LERA. Candy will confirm with Chris whom he will be meeting and where.
Bob Spaulding stated that start-up water maintenance and initial water test have been completed by Plumbing Solutions. Bob reported that one seasonal camper is set up on site due to a medical issue. Ricky said the Selectboard decided it was okay to bring trailers in on the weekend of May 11 and 12th, since the 15th falls in the middle of the week, but not before, and that everyone needs to be treated the same. That’s where the rules came from, the lottery. They understood Bob’s predicament, but the Town has had repercussions when the rules are not followed. Everyone with no membership must pay the day rate, no exceptions, no favors, no discrimination. Jeanne requested a copy of the minutes where it indicated that trailers could not be taken in until the 11th/12th. As long as the roads are dry, campers can go in this weekend and get set up, but they can’t stay there until the 15th;, they can’t use the electricity or water or sewer until then. Tracey asked Jeanne is she has a manager’s helper lined up. Jeanne replied that Suzanne is all certified (CPR) and will be coming in to meet with the Selectboard, and that she had one lifeguard so far.
Anita Gagner reported on Green Up Day, thanking Ricky for picking up all the stuff on Town highways. Participation was down compared to past years, and it was disheartening to find more garbage dumped after roads had been picked. Since Green Up doesn’t take tires, she takes the tires to the dump and endorses the Town’s check to give to Vermonters Helping Vermonters in exchange for the tire dumping fee. Ricky offered the Town truck for the tire dump run, as Sonny Longley is on the Town substitute highway employee list. Leslie would like to send a letter to Anita to thank her for her time.
The Town has received the confidential loss summary report from VLCT PACIF.
Leslie reported on the solar panel information. She met yesterday with the company rep and found the following: the Town would need seven (7) panels minimum, four( 4) at the Town Office needing 11 feet for turning and tracking, so the parking area would need to be moved and some trees cut. The other three (3) panels could be located at the Beach; clear line of sight, but it would involve taking down the old camp and some trees. The cost to town would be $0.00 if the panels could be sited in an empty field. There is a way to hook up to the grid from the meter at the Town Office, but a pole, meter, and transformer would need to be set at LERA. It’s a 10% savings to the Town; if the town spends $13,000/yr on electricity costs, the savings would be around $1,200. The next step is to contact Vermont Electric Cooperative for the cost of a pole, socket, and transformer to accommodate the panels. In order to be good neighbors, the Kneelands will be contacted to see if they would object to having tracking panels nearby. If the town has to move the parking at the Town Office, it will basically eliminate the savings for one year. The Board will continue to collect more information before moving forward.
There is a vacancy on the Eden Youth Sports Recreation Committee, and the Selectboard has received a letter of interest from Wendy Wells. Leslie made a motion to appoint Wendy Wells to the Committee. Approved. Tracey will send a letter of confirmation.
The Friends of Green River Reservoir, Inc. sent out a newsletter that they have added nearly 400 acres known as “Zach Woods” to the Green River Reservoir State Park.
Candy and Leslie will attend a meeting on May 15 regarding Health Reform and its effect on Eden employees’ health coverage and costs.
Hillside Trash sent a letter that effective June 1, 29013, the trash rates are going up $2.00/month due to the Moretown Landfill closing. They included a reminder of items not acceptable
Information was given to the Selectboard on NIMS and there was discussion on who was required to take the free online classes.
Leslie inquired if the Red Cross was contacted about the cots for the school for during emergencies. Tracey said she had not contacted them yet.
The Emergency Management Operations Planning information needs to be updated. This is usually done after Town meeting for LCPC. Tracey will bring the packet to the next meeting.
Budget Status Report and Budget Worksheets: Tracey explained the revenues and expenses and what’s left to receive and to pay before the fiscal year end. Candy did talk to Karen Jones about the delinquent taxes to be forwarded to the Town before June 30. Ricky reviewed the Highway Budget Worksheet and had some questions on that. Ricky mentioned that Truck 1 needs a new body, so maybe he can split the costs and buy the body before July 1. The Selectboard will have a better idea of remaining funds by the next meeting because more taxes should be received.
There were two forest fires, and the North Hyde Park Fire Dept sent a bill to the Town for manpower costs. Candy has contacted the Fire Dept and the decision was to hold off until further contact from the Fire Dept.
Three (3) orders were reviewed and signed.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Unapproved minutes.
Patricia J. Coon
Selectboard Assistant