TOWN OF STAMFORD
SELECTBOARD MEETING
April 26, 2012
Present: Selectboard: Eunice Rice, Olaf A. Aase, Thomas Houghtaling, David Bugbee
and Christopher Dargie.
Visitors: Nancy Dargie, John Durkan, Bill Levine, David Orton, Elizabeth
Thoresen and Thomas Thoresen.
David Tatro, Road Commissioner.
David Fierro, Jr., Treasurer.
Lori Shepard, Administrative Assistant/Town Clerk.
Eunice Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
HEARING OF VISITORS
David Orton stated that there is a land ownership issue between himself and Andrew Zoito. His research indicates that the 433 acres that he owns off of Sumner Road includes a 17 acre piece which Mr. Zoito also owns. He is working with Mr. Zoito but is concerned about the impact this may have on his assessment. He was referred to the Listers for advice.
MINUTES
MOTION by Olaf A. Aase to accept the regular meeting minutes of April 12, 2012 as written. SECONDED by Christopher Dargie. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
In an effort to save paper and postage, agendas and unapproved minutes will no longer be mailed to each board member; they will be emailed instead.
ROAD COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS
1. The highway crew is finishing up the spring grading. Risky Ranch Road will be next. It's in pretty rough shape.
2. Dave Tatro reviewed the river bank behind the school. He set up a snow fence to temporarily warn of the danger but suggests that evergreen trees be planted. The board felt Arbor Day would be a good time to plant the trees.
3. In accordance with the bridge inspection reports, Dave Tatro contacted Renaud, Inc. in Vernon, Vermont for an estimate on the future work the state indicated would be necessary on The Lane bridge.
4. The recycling center began its summer hours and will be open each Wednesday afternoon through October.
COUNTY ROAD
After a review of the property on County Road, several health hazards were noted. There is a lot of debris and old tires which will collect water and breed mosquitoes. The board is seeking permission from the property owners to clean up the property.
LINCOLN ROAD PROPERTY STATUS
The board has not received a recommendation from Maura Hawkins but felt it was necessary to resolve the matter. Based upon the report by Miller Septic Service which was submitted by Patrick Gray on February 20, 2012, the Selectboard withdraws the Health Code Emergency Order dated November 9, 2011. A letter will be sent to the property owner.
DELINQUENT DOG OWNERS
The last dog owner came in to license their dog and the Bennington Sheriff was reached to cancel service of the warrant before it was made. All 2011 dog owners are now in compliance. A letter will be prepared to address the outstanding penalty, interest and fines which were assessed.
SALT SHED UPDATE
Olaf Aase has begun investigating salt sheds in other towns. He felt Dave Bugbee with his construction experience might be more suited for the task. The information will be reviewed at the next meeting.
ZOITO HEARING
Eunice Rice and Lori Shepard drove to Montpelier, VT on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 to attend the Zoito hearing. A decision should be received next week by mail.
EFFICIENCY VERMONT STREETLIGHT PROGRAM
The program to update municipal streetlights to LED lights for free has been modified. They received such a large response, they are limiting the program. Communities will be evaluated and towns with a fixture cost higher than $100 will be asked to share in the cost. We will continue to pursue the program to see if Stamford might still qualify for free updating or what the cost sharing would be and will make a determination at that point.
SIDEWALK PROJECT
Dave Saldo was confused why the board was bringing this decision back to the town when it had already been decided. A public meeting was held several years ago and the sidewalk concept was already approved. The original plans designed when he was a board member did not require any permanent easements. Although he felt an executive session was necessary to discuss the contracts with VTrans, the board did not feel it was warranted since the discussion was general and did not include specific contract terms. He suggested that the board have not only a Bennington County Regional Commission representative but the VTrans engineer available to answer questions, provide history and explain why the plans were modified. He recommended that the board review the feasibility study done at the beginning of the project.
At the recommendation of the Planning Commission, MOTION by Olaf A. Aase to nominate Ron Plock as Administrative Officer for the three year term ending in 2015. SECONDED by Thomas Houghtaling. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.
WELCOME TO STAMFORD PACKAGE
The town clerk's office has for years sent a welcome package to new residents with a map, a brief history of the town and our recycling information sheet. Eunice Rice thought it would be helpful to include additional information about dog licensing, building permit information, etc. The board was given the first draft of an information sheet and will discuss it at the next meeting.
SWIP GRANT AGREEMENT
The board approved and signed the Solid Waste Implementation Plan (SWIP) Grant Agreement which will provide $2,000.00 toward the SWIP program.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Bill Levine completed the NIMS annual survey for the town.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR LAND SALES FUND
MOTION by Thomas Houghtaling to enter Executive Session to discuss financial investments. SECONDED by Olaf A. Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. Entered Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.
MOTION by Thomas Houghtaling to exit Executive Session. SECONDED by Olaf A. Aase. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. Entered Executive Session at 8:51 p.m.
Representatives from Edward Jones Investments and Mountain One will be invited to future meetings.
BOARD OF ABATEMENT
The Board of Abatement will meet on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 6 p.m. concerning the Potvin request for abatement recently received.
OFFER TO PURCHASE TOWN OWNED PROPERTY
The board has accepted an offer to purchase Lots 280, 281, 282 and 283 in Alpenwald owned by the town. The buyer had hoped to close by the end of April but it will take a little more time.
SEMINAR
Tom Houghtaling and Dave Tatro will attend a VLCT seminar on Municipal Labor and Employment Law Training to be held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 in Montpelier, VT.
SAWHORSES FOR THE HIGHWAY DEPT.
Tom Houghtaling asked that a letter or card be sent to McCann Technical School to thank the faculty and students involved in building the sawhorses for the highway department.
TOWN OFFICE CHANGE OF HOURS
The town clerk discussed changing the office hours on Fridays. She has received some requests to offer morning hours. Beginning Friday, May 11, 2012 the town office will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. The rest of the schedule will remain the same. The town clerk also noted that Nancy Bushika continues to be a wonderful resource and asset to the town as the Assistant Town Clerk.
MOTION to adjourn by David Bugbee. SECONDED by Tom Houghtaling. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Selectboard will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the Town Office.
David Bugbee
Clerk
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