Town of Eden
71 Old Schoolhouse Rd
Eden Mills, VT 05653
Minutes of Regular Meeting, August 10, 2015
The Eden Selectboard met at the Town Office on August 10, 2015. Present at the meeting were: Ricky Morin, Jubal Durivage, Dale Tatro, Faye Cochran, Noah Labow, Donna Whitcomb, Candy Vear and Tracey Morin.
1. Ricky opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.
2. Additions and Deletions to the agenda:
Add:
a. Under #5 Beach, Update of other activities:
i. Samantha Royer – manager helper
ii. Wish List
b. Under #7 Constable Update – report on a dog call.
c. Under #17 Sign Orders – change from (5) to (6)
3. Approve the Minutes of July 27, 2015: Jubal made the motion to approve the minutes of July 27th, 2015 as written. Dale seconded the motion. Approved.
4. Citizen Input: Faye Cochran asked the Selectboard to consider using money from the Eden Rescue Fund to purchase and install 911 signs for all residents as it has been several years since this group disbanded and it appears that it will not reorganize. Signage has been done in North Hyde Park and Faye felt this was a good way to utilize these monies as it will assist emergency agencies in response to 911 calls. Faye has spoken with the North Hyde Park/Eden Fire Dept. and they are willing to assist with this project. Dale made the motion to utilize monies held in the Eden Rescue Fund to purchase and install 911 markers for all residents. Jubal seconded the motion. Approved. Faye will work with the fire department on this project and get back to the Selectboard with more information. Ricky noted that if the project exceeded the funds in the account monies could be used from the American Gift Fund or Good Neighbor Fund to complete the project.
5. Beach Update:
a. Review agreement – paddle boat rentals: An agreement had been prepared, reviewed by Noah Labow and by VLCT. The agreement was to allow Noah Labow of Paddle North VT to set up a space at LERA to offer paddle board rentals and lessons for the remainder of the 2015 summer season. Noah has provided the town with proof of insurance. Dale made the motion to accept the agreement with Paddle North VT. Jubal seconded the motion. Approved and signed. Noah was provided with a copy of the agreement. Noah hopes to start offering the service this weekend.
b. Update on other activities @ LERA: From “Additions & Deletions”:
Samantha Royer – manager’s helper: Jackie submitted an employment application for Samantha Royer to work as a manager’s helper. Ricky asked what funds remained available. Candy reported $220 of the $650 allocated had been used leaving a balance of $430. The Selectboard questioned if Jackie or Ricky would be at LERA when school started the last week of August. Dale noted that we would only be looking at a three week situation. The Selectboard agreed to hire Samantha Royer to work at LERA as a manager’s helper up to the remaining funds available of $430.
Wish List: Jackie had sent an email with items they wished to purchase or replace for the Selectboard to review. It was noted that several items were normal maintenance and that is why we hire a manager. Dale said that Jackie had prepared the list as they had gone through half of the season and wanted to record things they had noticed or would like to do and that it was difficult for her to know what to spend as they had no budget and were striving to make money for the town with efficient operation of LERA. Jackie will be asked to provide estimates for the items. Year-end accounting and a three month accounting will be available at the next meeting.
6. Listers – meet with Ralph Monticello, open position on Board of Listers: This will be placed on the agenda of August 24, 2015 due to scheduling.
7. Constable Update – review changes to job description: Current information from the VLCT Handbook for Vermont Town Officers, July 2014 had been utilized in updating the Constable Job Description. VLCT was provided a copy of the revised form and had sent an email of their comments. Dale made the motion to accept and sign the revised Constable Job Description. Jubal seconded the motion. Approved and signed.
From “Additions & Deletions”: Report on a dog call:
a. Faye received a call from Tammy Thomas about a dog that was found with no identifying tags and brought to Gary Wright’s residence. The dog owner was camping on Lake Eden and reported that it did have tags but had gotten out overnight. Faye noted that Gary Wright should provide the Selectboard with a follow up report.
b. Faye received a call from Ingall’s Market of a found dog with no identifying tags which was bleeding from the mouth. The owner was found and advised to register the dog and others at the property by Monday. A neighbor to this property also had dogs that were not registered – they were told to do so by Tuesday. Faye will work with Rachel and follow up on both of these cases.
8. Animal Control Officer Update:
a. Animal Control Ordinance – became effective 8-7-15.
b. FYI: Rabies bait drop begins in August: Information received from the State of Vermont of the annual rabies bait drop was reviewed.
9. Health Officer Update: None at this time.
10. Road Commissioner Report:
a. Open Roadside Mowing Bids: One bid was received at the town office and opened at this time - Bill Allen of Hyde Park for mowing @$70 per hour and moving fee of $200. The Selectboard asked to see other correspondence which had been received earlier in the year from two other vendors. Candy provided this information: Patenaude Bush Hogging of Newport – one cut by mile, 29.97miles, Class 2 & 3 @$95 a mile, $2847.15; two cuts @$190 a mile; trucking, one way $180; MSM Excavating – information only – call for quotes. Ricky noted that Bill Allen had provided roadside mowing to the town in past years and had done a good job. Eden normally mows Class 2, 3 & 4 roadsides. Jubal made the motion to hire Bill Allen to mow roadsides. Dale seconded the motion. Approved.
b. Drive Permit Application – Billy Atherton: Ricky has measured and marked the site and advised Candy of the existing 911 number and change to the drive location of moving west 207’. Ricky noted that a 15” minimum drive culvert will be needed. Jubal made the motion to accept the application with specifications noted. Dale seconded the motion. Approved and signed.
c. BBRoad Grant Cooper Hill approved – sign agreement: Jubal made the motion to sign the Better Back Road Grant agreement for drainage work on Cooper Hill Rd. Dale seconded the motion. Approved and signed.
d. NRSC-CD Square Rd update: Email correspondence from Kim Komer noted the State of Vermont’s disapproval of a yard king bridge, the need to put the project out to bid for AOP designs and inquiring if Eden had any suggestions of engineering firms. Additional email correspondence informed Eden that the project had been put out to bid using recommendations by VT Fish & Wildlife and USFWS. A copy of the RFP was included.
e. Dry Hydrant Grant update: Ricky met with Troy Dare at the potential dry hydrant site on East Hill. We need to determine who will maintain the pond, keeping it free of grass and weeds. The pond area of the dry hydrant will need to be cleaned prior to installation. It was noted that the other dry hydrant site in Eden which is on a private pond is maintained by the property owner. It was agreed that the town should not have to maintain a private pond. This site is different in that a regular hydrant will be used, set up closer to the roadside with a shut off valve at the pond and the hydrant. Troy has since contacted Ricky and would like the cost estimate as soon as possible. Ricky will meet with the property owners to discuss maintenance of the pond and go over the location of the pipeline from the pond to the hydrant.
f. Cargill Salt annual quote: Annual quote received from Cargill Inc. for the 15/16 winter season at $80.79 per ton of granular bulk deicing salt, delivered. This is an increase of $1.75 per ton over last year’s amount. Jubal made the motion to sign acceptance of the quote. Dale seconded the motion. Approved and signed.
g. Whitney Lane update: Dale reported that pile driving will start on Wednesday. Dale asked Tracey to contact Michie Corp., having them contact him to confirm information on the elevation of key ways of the box culvert and wing walls. Tracey will also look at Ruggiano’s agreement to oversee the project to clarify what they agreed to do and the cost. David Peatman has been working for Ruggiano on the layout. Other topics discussed included: project worksheets not needed from Dale as his quote and payment are lump sum; review of items to be subtracted from the lump sum if paid separately by the town; items/services which will be extra to the town; estimated time frame for pouring of concrete; attempt to complete work which needs use of the large excavator so that rental does not need to be extended.
h. Update of other activities of Highway Dept.: While contractor work is being completed at Whitney Lane the Highway Dept. will proceed with normal operations. Ricky would like to start the BBRoad Grant for East Hill, Boomhower Phase 4 as that must be completed this fall. Ricky notified the Selectboard that he may be out for up to three months this fall due to the need of a surgical procedure to his arm.
11. Eden Historical Society – Use of town field, Eden Day, 2015: A Use of Town Field Agreement had been prepared for consideration of the Selectboard. Eden Historical Society is hosting Eden Day, 2015 and would like use of the field for September 11th, 12th and 13th. Jubal made the motion to sign the agreement. Dale seconded the motion. Approved and signed.
12. Personnel Policy, Health Care Coverage Policy and Salary & Benefits Policy update recommendations: Copies were made available for the Selectboard and employees to review with additions highlighted and removals crossed off. All will review these documents for discussion at the next meeting.
13. Update from State Police – 7-20-15 accident on East Hill: As requested, Candy had contacted the State Police. The dispatcher advised that an officer had responded to the scene on July 20th around 8PM.
14. Ratify actions from July 27, 2015 meeting:
a. Outside Audit – Board Inquiry Questionnaire completed by Selectboard.
b. Dry Hydrant Application – motion to allow Ricky to sign and submit.
c. VT Youth Conservation Corp- notify LCPC that no projects at this time.
Dale made the motion to ratify the actions taken by the Selectboard on July 27, 2015 as listed above in #14, a through c. Approved.
15. FYI: Board of Abatement meeting, August 17th at 6PM.
16. Any other business: Dale made a motion to go into executive session for personnel discussion of a phone call he received today. Approved. Executive Session began at 8:45PM and ended at 8:50PM. Ricky reported discussion only with no decisions made.
17. As noted in “Additions & Deletions” – change (5) to (6): Six (6) orders were reviewed and signed.
18. Jubal made the motion to adjourn at 9:02PM. Dale seconded the motion. Approved.
Unapproved minutes.
Tracey Morin
Selectboard Assistant
August 10, 2015 Town of Eden Selectboard Meeting Minutes Page 3