DUE TO COVID 19, SELECTBOARD MEETINGS ARE BEING CONDUCTED REMOTELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Present: Larry Hart, Thomas Otterman, James Bulger, Bradford Calhoun. and Carl Hildebrant (Select Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer).
Absent: Peter Arnold (Road Foreman)
Visitors: Jim & Nancy Clark. Peter & Pearl Keene. Dawn Neddo, Tina Forrend (Vermont Municipal Employees’Retirement System) and Patricia Plaisted joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams.
Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve minutes from meeting April 12, 2021. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Tina Forrend of VMERS explained the State Retirement Program and answered questions. She noted that if the Town votes to become a member all new full time employees are required to participate. The Town can always decide to go to a higher plan but cannot go to a lower plan once they have chosen a higher group plan.
Jim & Nancy Clark and Peter Keene stated they would participate in discussion of specific agenda items they are concerned about as they are brought up.
CORONA VIRUS
Nothing new to report.
HIGHWAY
Road Report-- Brad Calhoun reported that Peter Arnold is retiring in 2 weeks and that Guy Welch is interested in the Road Foreman position.
Tom Otterman spoke to Mickey Appleton concerning the large dead tree in the Town’s ROW on Watson Hill. Brad Calhoun will contact Longto Tree Service about taking it down.
Pike Hill Bridge—Brad Calhoun reported that Bid Invitations have been sent out by Ruggles Engineering Service. Jim Bulger stated that he has contacted VTRANS and spoke to Judith Urlich, the Historic Preservation Officer. The Keene’s and Clark’s also stated their concern for keeping the picturesque look of the existing bridge. Brad stated that having guardrails is required for safety. Tom Otterman and Larry Hart said they felt that the Town could encase the guardrails with wood so as to keep the picturesque look.
Garage Site—Brad Calhoun met with Engineer/Surveyor Rob Townsend and Nick Vance at the site. Tom Otterman noted that Mr. Townsend’s work for Nick Vance needs to be totally separate from the Towns.
Overweight Permits—Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrant to approve permits for Chief Logging & Chipping Service, Inc. and Chief Crushing & Excavation, Inc. Passed Unanimously.
GENERAL
ATV Update—Jim Clark is very concerned about having two sections of VT. RTE 25 opened up to ATV’s. He said he spoke to the State of Vermont and they said that the Select Board had approved the portion from Limlaw’s to Honey Corners Road. The Board stated that they had not approved it, that they had only approved having the ATV Club look into it with the State. Larry will contact Chris Putney concerning this.
Central Vermont ATV Club has requested permission to continue to use Batten Road as part of their trail system. Motion made by Tom Otterman to grant permission to the Central Vermont ATV Club to continue using Batten Road, seconded by Carl Hildebrant. Passed Unanimously.
Retirement Plan—The Board discussed the different options offered by VMERS. Motion made by Tom Otterman to participate in the Group A Vermont Municipal Employeees’ Retirement System. Passed Unanimously.
Memorial Day/Town Picnic—Decision was made to not have them this year due to COVID 19.
CORRESPONDENCE
WEC Annual Meeting Vote—No Action
Downing Road Complaint Letter—NO Action
Message concerning animals on Powder Spring Road—Jim Bulger will look into it.
Dog Issue—Dogs have been licensed.
Steve Otterman, Chair of the Planning Commission notified the Select Board he would like to schedule a meeting for May 10th at 6:00 pm. providing that works for the Board. So approved.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2108 in the amount of $12,148.56 for accounts payable and $5,426.08 for payroll.
OTHER
Larry Hart stated he would like to write a Thank-You note to the local Boy Scouts on behalf of the Board for all their work in the community. Jim Bulger noted that they gave a $1500.00 donation to the Grange. Approved.
Executive Session—Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Cindy Flannigan was asked to join the meeting. Meeting adjourned to Executive Session from 8:36pm to 8:46pm. Motion made by Tom Otterman to hire Guy Welch as the new Road Foreman for a probation period of 90 days at $20.00 per hour, seconded by Jim Bulger. Passed Unanimously. The Board directed the Clerk, Cindy Flannigan and Janice Emerson to advertise for a new highway worker.
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