Approved as written:06-06-2017
Approved as corrected: ______
VERNON SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017
REGULAR MEETING
6:30pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT:
Josh Unruh, Chair Michelle Pong, Town Administrator
Sandra Harris, Vice Chair Michelle Millerick, Secretary
Stephen Skibniowsky, Clerk Bob Spencer, Planning Commission
Jeff Dunklee Martin Langeveld, Planning Commission
Jean Carr Rita Mudd
Janet Rasmussen
Patty O’Donnell
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETINIG:
Josh Unruh, Chair called the regular meeting to order at 6:30pm, welcomed those present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO ADD REVIEW OF THE A NORTH SCHOOL ROOF BIDSTO OLD BUSINESS. SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
JEAN CARR MADE A MOTION TO ADD LIBRARYVOLUNTEERS DECORATIONS TO THE TOWN OFFICE BUILDING UNDER NEW BUSINESS. SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4 – 1 RECUSAL FROM JEAN CARR.
CHAIRS REMARKS:
None
GUESTS:
None
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS (non-Agenda items):
None
DEPARTMENT/COMMITTEE REPORT:
Town Plan Update Discussion
a) Friends of Vernon Center – Martin Langeveld – Discuss Village Center Designation
Martin Langeveld would like the Selectboards consensus to move ahead with this project. He brought and discussed the process and steps that will need to be done by September 30, 2017 in order to be completed before the next round of Municipal Planning Grant applications are due. He asked for the Selectboards support to move ahead with this.
b) Planning Commission – Bob Spencer – Discuss Flood Resilience Plan and Use of Professional Services Fund for NorthStar Review
Bob Spencer discussed the Flood Resilience Plan and pointed out the importance of having it as part of the Town Plan. Additionally, if there is a flood Vernon would qualify for more State financial aid.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 2, 2017. SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 ABSTENTION.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE EMERGENCY MEETING ON MAY 8, 2017 AS PRESENTED. JEAN CARR SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 ABSTENTION.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Bills and Warrants
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE PAYMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING BILLS AND WARRANTS FOR TUESDAY MAY 16, 2017.
22 –TAccounts Payable - $1,851,316.40
18SPayroll - $9,110.10
19SPayroll - $8,364.60
SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
22 – T Large amount due to some school payments
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Contract for Law Enforcement Service
Stephen Skibniowsky would like to see more details on their periodic reports, success rates etc. the Selectboard would like to have the Town Administrator and Stephen Skibniowsky to work on this being added to the Windham County Sheriff’s Contract.
b) Black Gum Swamp Designation – Selectboard position
Martin Langeveld updated the Selectboard on the Black Gum Swamp. The Selectboard decided to delay action on this until they have more information.
c) Farmland Protection – Jean Carr property on Pond Road – next steps
Carr property on Pond Rd. was approved for protection at Town Meeting. The Town needs to move forward to purchase the development rights. A survey has to be done. The Town Administrator would like the Select board’s approval to get the professionals needed and the documentation needed in order to get the correct deed of rights to the property.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEXT STEPS TO PURCHASE THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR THE CARR PROPERTY ON POND ROAD.STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 RECUSAL FROM JEAN CARR.
d) Dog Ordinance – Discussion
The Selectboard discussed the changes they want made to the Dog Ordinance. Steve Skibniowsky will work with Michelle and bring a comprehensive ordinance proposal to the Selectboard at a future meeting.
e) Emergency Management Grant Agreement – Sign document
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO HAVE JOSH UNRUH, CHAIR SIGN THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT AGREEMENT DOCUMENT. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
f) Library Volunteers
The Library would like the board’s permission to hang flag buntings and put flowers around the Town Office.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS, UNDER JEAN CARR’S SUPERVISION, TO DECORATE THE TOWN OFFICE WITH FLAG BUNTINGS AND FLOWERS. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 RECUSAL FROM JEAN CARR.
Old Business:
a) Police Inventory
The Selectboard discussed what to do with the many items left to get rid of.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO HAVE THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR GET RID OF WHATS LEFT OF THE POLICE INVENTORY IN WHATEVER MANNER SHE CHOOSES. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
b) Right to Farm Signs
The Town Administrator hasn’t heard back from Dennis Tier about the wood sign. The Selectboard will hold off on this until they get the bid from him.
c) North School Roof Bids
Four bids were received for the North School roof, $6,700.00 Indoor Air Technologies Inc., $8,000.00 Steve Giroux$8,500.00, Finnell Roofing Co and $13,902.00 Walker Roofing.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BID FROM STEVE GIROUX FROM BRATTLEBORO VT. FOR $8,000.00 FOR THE NORTH SCHOOL ROOF CONTINGENT UPON HAVING THE MONEY CARRIED OVER FOR THAT. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 NAY.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY):
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
Media – None
There were a lot of comments to FERC on the relicensing of the dams.
Entergy Vermont Yankee filed an amendment to the Certificate of Public Good that will allow modifications to reduce the secure area at the site from 10.5 acres to 1.3 acres consistent with a revised security plan for which they have requested approval from the NRC. It will encompass the storage pads and the security building.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
We have completed the upgrade for 4 computers in the Town Office. There is a request from the listers office for a Surface Pro they are upgrading their desk top.
Tim Arsenault is also working on upgrading in the Town Clerks office to complete digitization of land deeds. The process may involve upgrades to the public computer. Funding will come from the restoration fund and final estimates should be available at the next regular meeting.
The letter of agreement with Financial Advisor is complete and ready for signature.
Vernon’s investment fund certificates currently exist only in paper form and American Funds has asked that we convert those to electronic for security reasons. Gordon Christiansen, our financial advisor, has suggested that we proceed to do the same thing with all our paper certificates.
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN TREASURER TO APPROVE DIGITIZATION OF ALL THE CERTIFICATES THAT SHE DEEMS APPROPRIATE AND FURTHER THAT WE RETAIN A HARD COPY FOR STORAGE. SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE:
Economic Development in Villages and Downtowns Workshop – May 18, 2017 – 7pm – Townshend Town Offices
NDCAP and NRC – Thursday, May 25, 2017 – 6-9pm – Brattleboro Area Middle School all Purpose Room
Regular Meeting – Tuesday, June 6, 2017
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting Adjourned at 8:02pm
Respectfully Submitted by
Michelle Millerick
Michelle Millerick, Secretary
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Selectboard Regular Meeting 05/16/2017