TOWN OF STAMFORD
SELECTBOARD MEETING
April 18, 2013
Present:
Selectboard: Olaf A. Aase, David Bugbee and Nancy Bushika.
Thomas Houghtaling and Christopher Dargie were not present.
Visitors: Bill Levine and Debbie Darling. David Tatro, Road Commissioner.
David Fierro, Jr., Treasurer. Lori Shepard, Administrative Assistant/Town Clerk.
Olaf Aase called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
MOTION by Dave Bugbee to accept the regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2013 as written. SECONDED by Olaf Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
SELECTBOARD ORDERS
The Selectboard reviewed and approved the following orders:
WARRANT #17 $ 6,105.54 payroll
WARRANT #18 $14,329.92 accounts payable
REVISED WARRANT #12 $51,034.79 accounts payable
ROAD CONDITIONS
1. The roads were swept last week and came out nice. The job was completed in 8 hours, much faster than usual.
2. There was a small landslide on Mill Road last Saturday. Some trees came down and Jon Bohl was hired with the excavator to help.
3. Dave Tatro would like to ditch the water runoff from the end of Sparrow Drive to the nearby brook to reduce the landslides in that area. Although the property owner has already given approval, the proper paperwork will be prepared.
4. Dave Tatro has been grading roads. It’s almost getting too dry and dusty to grade and he might wait a bit until conditions are better to finish.
RECYCLING
1. The Free Home Hazardous Waste Day was held this past Saturday. Several residents attended. One resident donated a considerable amount of mercury and Shaftsbury advised that it will be very expensive to dispose of it. Our contract rate with Shaftsbury should not be affected.
2. Two bulletin boards have been installed at the recycling center.
3. Nancy Bushika recommended that we contact Shaftsbury early for the fall date so that fliers can be sent out early.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Nancy Bushika researched the position of Animal Control Officer compared to Dog Officer. Jim Barlow at VLCT said that Animal Control Officer and Dog Officer are titles. The duties for this position, whatever title it’s given, are delegated by the Selectboard through the Dog Ordinance. The Dog Ordinance uses the title Animal Warden which is confusing because the only authority given in the ordinance pertains to dogs. Jim Barlow stressed the fact that the Selectboard has absolutely no authority to destroy or give the order to destroy any wild animal. Only a police officer or game warden has that authority. The Selectboard can destroy a wounded deer or beavers if they are destroying a town road. The Selectboard decided to do nothing at this time. An Animal Control Workshop is scheduled for June 13, 2013 which Nancy Bushika plans to attend and the board will review the matter after that time.
DOG BILL UPDATE
The veterinary bills have been forwarded to the actual dog owner for payment. Both veterinary offices were also given the owner’s name.
SEASONAL PART-TIME HIGHWAY LABORER POSITION
The highway department will be seeking a part-time laborer for the summer for 20 hours/week at $10.00/hour. The job will be posted at the town office, Bilmonts, the recycling center, the library and the town website.
TAX SALE
Olaf Aase attended the tax sale on April 25, 2013 on behalf of the town. Out of the 11 original delinquent properties, six were paid in full and removed from the tax sale list. Four properties were offered at the tax sale. A bid was received for the lot on Schenk Road but the owner has paid and redeemed the property. Lots 332, 383, 127 and 389 in Alpenwald were taken by the town. After the one year redemption period expires, the lots will be added to the list of town property for sale. This list of property for sale is available at the town clerk’s office and can be viewed on the town website.
The board reviewed the law concerning the town’s sale of property acquired through tax sale. A warrant article requesting town approval to sell the lots acquired at tax sale may be included next year.
SNOW SEASON STATUS
There were no problems with the highway department handling winter storms.
MOTION by Dave Bugbee to allow the Snow Season Status four days compensation for David Tatro and Michael Brothers for outstanding winter road service. SECONDED by Olaf Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
SIDEWALK BILL
MOTION by Nancy Bushika to approve the bill from Fitts, Olson & Giddings for services relating to the sidewalk project totaling $262.00. SECONDED by Olaf Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
When the radios were changed to the narrowband frequency, a license was obtained for the Fire Department radios, but not for the radios held by the town.
MOTION by Dave Bugbee to authorize Lori Shepard to complete the paperwork and spend the $145.00 necessary to bring the town into compliance with FCC regulations.
A workshop on Methamphetamine Awareness will be held on May 30, 2013 in Bennington. Several fireman are considering attending.
KLONDIKE BRIDGE PROJECT
Olaf Aase noticed that some documentation indicates the town is responsible for 15% of the cost. He has an email from James Lacroix at the Agency of Transportation stating that the town’s obligation is 5%. As of December 2013 there was $42,474 set aside for this project which could be over, or substantially under, depending on the town’s actual obligation. Lori Shepard will research the matter.
SALT SHED
Olaf Aase asked for an update. Dave Bugbee is having the revised plans priced out. As soon as he has some new figures, he will inform the board. Olaf Aase appreciates him taking responsibility for this project and stressed the importance of keeping this project moving forward.
ROUTE 100 SCENIC BYWAY
Nancy Bushika saw an article in the Deerfield Valley News indicating that the byway program was approved by the Agency of Transportation. The byway program plans to provide highway signs for towns that have joined the program.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING TOWN ROADS OR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
All complaints, suggestions and/or comments that concern the highway department or town roads should be directed to a Selectboard member, either by phone or in writing. The board does not want any complaints, comments, etc. to be given directly to Dave Tatro or Mike Brothers personally, whether at home or during work.
LETTERS FOR SIGN BOARD
The Town Clerk has received requests to utilize the telephone box in front of the school to publicize town events and deadlines year round. The school supplies the letters and the town coordinates with the school to use the board. The school does not use the board during cold weather because the letters become brittle and snap. After discussion, the Selectboard acknowledged the town is following the law in posting all necessary public notices and year round use of the telephone message board is not required. Winter access to the board would be difficult with the snow banks. Reminders of upcoming events are usually posted at the end of the Selectboard minutes and on the town website.
SCHOOL PROPERTY DAMAGE
Dave Tatro and his family fixed the ruts in the back yard of the school on Sunday morning. Dave Bugbee and the board thanked him and his family for a job well done.
MOTION to adjourn by Dave Bugbee. SECONDED by Nancy Bushika. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
The next meeting of the Selectboard will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the town office.
David Bugbee
Clerk
DB/las
REMINDERS
1. All dogs must be registered by April 1, 2013. Dog licenses are available at the town office.
2. The Electronic Waste Collection Day to benefit the Stamford Volunteer Fire Department will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue in North Adams.
3. The Recycling Center summer hours have begun. The recycling center will be open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through October.
TOWN OF STAMFORD, VERMONT
Chartered 1753
986 Main Road Stamford, VT 05352 Tel: 802-694-1361
SELECTBOARD MEETING
STAMFORD TOWN OFFICE
Thursday, May 16, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Welcome to a meeting of the Stamford Selectboard. If you have a matter to discuss that is not included on the Agenda, you may do so by addressing the Chairperson and stating your name and address.
CALL TO ORDER
HEARING OF VISITORS (time allowance: 5 minutes per visitor; 15 minutes per topic)
READING AND APPROVAL OF RECORDS AND ORDERS
Minutes of May 2, 2013
Selectboard’s Orders
ROAD CONDITIONS
RECYCLING
DISCUSSION
Scenic Route 100 Byway
Red Cross Shelter – Training Session, Delivery of Items
Klondike Road Bridge
Treatment/Bills for injured dog
ACTION
Hire part-time summer laborer position
CORRESPONDENCE
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Selectboard will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Stamford Highway Garage.