The Selectboard: Archived Minutes
July - December 2006
Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting December 26, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt and Son, Scott Walton, Chris Mazzola, Frank Berk, Marc Nemeth, Brent Adkins, and Roni Johnson Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Chris Mazzola – Mazzola has started the process of installing his driveway access off McIntosh Pond Road as permitted by the Town of Royalton . This will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Higgins will investigate the timeline for reclassification of town highway and have schedule for January 9 th , 2007 Selectboard meeting. Higgins will also contact Peter Gutschow on his deeding a ROW to the McCarthy's for access to their property. Roni Johnson – representing John Lefgren on Sugar Hill Lane reclassifying as a Class 4 Town Road from a privately owned road. Manning, Trottier, Higgins and Johnson inspected the road on Wednesday December 20 th . Manning stated that there are several improvements required before the Selectboard considers taking on Sugar Hill Lane as a Class 4 Town Highway. The makeshift culvert (tank) going across the brook needs to be replaced with a 6 foot by 40 foot culvert with cement header on the upper side. Elbow in the road just across the brook needs to be altered and straightened quite a bit. Ban-rail needs to be installed on the upper sharp curve on the development portion of the road. Several humps in the road (ledge) needs to be removed, another culvert needs to be installed on upper portion of the development portion to eliminate heavy water flow down slope. The Cul-De-Sac needs to be improved at the upper portion of the development quite a bit. Trombly asked question of how many lots are actually going to be in place at this development and what is the type of lot use. Roni Johnson stated that there were 4 lots (2 lots already have septic permits pending with the Town of Royalton ). All of the lots are for residential use only. One of the four lots could be spilt into 2 lots down the road but not at this time. So long range there could be 5 residential lots at this site. Sugar Hill Lane would have nine (9) curb cuts once all lots were divided (5 residential, 1 curb cut for Trottier's R.O.W., 1 for the B&B, 1 for the gift shop and 1 for the sugarhouse. The Selectboard will wait to hear from Steve Stitzel's opinion on taking over the private road as a town road. Marc Nemeth – Nemeth will be leaving for Australia 1/3/07 and will return mid February 2007. He will return to Australia in April if he is accepted at the police academy there. If all plans fall into place Nemeth will resign as First Constable to the Town of Royalton in April 2007. Nemeth submitted a letter of recommendation to the Australian Policy Academy for approval by the Selectboard. Motion made to have Larry Trottier sign letter (with a date change) on behalf of the Royalton Selectboard. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 12/12/06 minutes as written. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed and updated Academy Board Appointment – Motion to appoint Mary Benoit to the Academy Board as the Recreation Commission representative. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Recreation Commission Appointment – Motion to appoint Mike Ballou to the Recreation Commission. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Budget – Motion to approve Highway and General Budgets for fiscal year 2007/2008. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) (See Attached) Town Office Issues – Higgins waiting on second estimate for asbestos/lead removal. Planning Grant Contract - Motion to sign grant contract agreement with Two Rivers Regional Planning Commission. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
Meeting adjourned 9:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jackie Higgins
Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting December 12, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, Denis Ives, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Jo Levasseur, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Merchant, Randy Leavitt, Ted Kenyon, Chuck Wise, and Roni Johnson Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Robert Merchant and Chuck Wise – reviewed highway infrastructure, the town roads overall are in good shape. Chuck Wise will put scheduled highway (bridge/road/culvert) projects onto a large map for public review. Roni Johnson – representing John Lefgren again discussed the offer of Sugar Hill Lane to the town as a Class 4 road. If the town took possession of Sugar Hill Lane then this would alleviate the Act 250 issue with the sub-development and also Trottier's access to his camp. Trombly would like additional information, a survey, the Road Foreman's opinion of the proposed road and possible legal advice prior to making a decision. Higgins to speak with attorney on town taking over Sugar Hill Lane and also Trottier's conflict with this issue. Jo Jo Levasseur – reviewed amendments to the town plan made by the Planning Commission.
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 11/30/06 minutes as amended. (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed and updated Orders/Payroll – reviewed and approved. Budget – will finalize at the 12/26/06 meeting Sarnoff Property Culvert – Higgins to have road crew remove the head-walls from the culvert at the Sarnoff Property. Town Office Issues – the closet under the stairs has asbestos/lead paint chipping off the wall and contaminating the Town Offices. The estimate received was $7500.00 to $10,000.00. Higgins to get another bid before a decision is made on cleanup.
Police Department Cat Policy – Motion to have policy of not picking up stray cats. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Car Washing – Hull to consult with Manning on washing police cruiser at the town garage. Administrative Procedures – motion to approve with amendments. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
Meeting adjourned 10:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jackie Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting November 30, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building Member Attendance: Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Jo Levasseur, Gordon Tutthill, Dave Lyman, Anthony Gover, Peter Gutschow, Frank Berk, Chris Mazzola, Sidney Godfrey, Scott Walton, and Delbert Thurston Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Dave Lyman – Ridge Climbers Snow-machine Club – Ridge Climbers Snow-machine club may need to change the Waterman Road are route. Tim Parker says bridge/ culvert across to George Spaulding's has been shut down by Jeff Howe. Snow-machines may need to go a ¼ of a mile on Waterman Road to re-route. Trottier suggested going along side of 3 rod road in field along town right of way. Motion made for club to use old trails and to allow club to use ¼ mile along town R.O.W. on Waterman Road by Jeff Howes and George Spaulding's by Frank and Maryellen Bensons. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Delbert Thurston – Condition of Royalton Roads continue to go down hill. Keep expanding width, but no improvements to road condition. Thurston was Road Commissioner in the past and had road crew get out of trucks to clean the ditches. This is no longer done. Roads will wash out because ditches have filled in and shoulders not graded down. Thurston believes road grader's blade is not set properly. Grading has been bad all summer. Manning has just recently been grading. Manning needs to remove carbine scarier from grader blades. The best grader is on the sides of the road. Trombly suggests a class on grading offered by VT Local Roads be taken for training. Thurston suggested class in Newport , NH because that is the only class that is any good. Question was raised why Manning and not Boles and McCrillis is running the grader. They took classes. Trottier felt that the road crew was doing a fine job. Manning needs to be told that he is not to run the grader. Peter Gutschow – commented that when Tunbridge does Button Hill Road grading it is perfect and when Royalton does Jigger Hill Road it is a disaster, same goes for Pepperell Road . There are no ditches and high shoulders are blocking access to ditches. Trottier stated that the road crew needs to do ditch work. Town has hire sub-contractors to assist with ditching and will continue to do so. Sidney also believes roads are not properly graded; there are berms on the side of the roads. Scott Walton – stated that for two years a culvert on Royalton Common Road is exposed and split with holes big enough for a child's foot to get caught in. He reported it to Manning a number of times. Chris Mazzola – feels he and Mr. Gutschow have worked out a solution to resolving the 1979 road issues. Peter Gutschow – says Pepperell Road goes no where and it also goes through a bog. Only used by jeeps in mud season. Both he and Mazzola would like to reclassify Pepperell Road as a trail. Trottier said the town has organized an ancient road committee. Gordon Tutthill has discovered a road that goes through Chris Mazola's house that was surveyed around 1815 but never constructed but was called the “ Coy Road ”. Gordon Tutthill suggests Marjorie Stender gives the town land for “1979 Road” and Mazzola do the same. The Selectboard would then take suggestion of reclassify Pepperell Road to a trail into consideration. Mazzola and Gutschow would like to see Pepperell Road when reclassified posted to specify no vehicles allowed. Gutschow will contact McCarthy in Ohio (property owner on Pepperell Road ) and the other effected landowners to see if they are willing to have Pepperell Road reclassified. Selectboard will have more information for the 12/26/06 Selectboard meeting.
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 11/14/06 minutes as amended. (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed and updated Orders/Payroll – reviewed Selectboard has questions on a couple of invoices will check with Jackie before signing the orders. Sugar Hill Lane – Selectboard discussed taking over Lefgren's driveway as a town road. Trottier feels should wait and discuss with full Selectboard present. Trombly questioned Trottier's possible conflict on road take over because of his access from proposed road and asked Selectboard members to consider the possibility at their next meeting. Town Plan – Motion to have Selectboard's Town Plan hearings on 1/2/07 and 1/23/07 (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous) Town Report – Levasseur asked if Karen Kerin was doing town report. Jackie, Theresa, Peg, and Karen to meet to discuss town report. Deputy State Auditor and Deputy Secretary of State do not see a conflict with Theresa and Jackie overseeing production of the town report. Tuthill Billing – Gordon asked about billing town for his work on Pepperell Pent Road . He has about 20 hours into research. Members agreed Mr. Tuthill should submit an invoice separate from the tax mapping work. Minutes – Ask Jackie to send Selectboard minutes to The Herald. Access Permits – Selectboard needs to sign off on driveway access permits after construction is complete. Fox Stand Bridge – Needs to be hosed off. Manning needs to clean all bridges. Medical Leave – recommended that Manning take a medical leave for two weeks possibly more. Peg and Larry will speak with him and the road crew. Warning – Reviewed - Numbering needs to be changed. Questions for Jackie: Is George Aiken Research still in business? Green-up included in town budget and should be taken out of appropriation for service organizations. Have Jackie check to see if the town can fund a Capital Reserve the same year it is established. Has new truck been delivered? Academy's daily rental fee is what? What is balance of each reserve fund? Budget – Listers budget – is the subcontractor amount listed in the FY 08 budget correct? Hope property loan payment to Revolving Loan Fund of $5000.00. Executive Session – Motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues 10:50 p.m. (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous) Motion to exit 11:13 p.m. (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous) no action taken. Trottier will ask Higgins to look into purchase of time clock at Magee at a cost not to exceed $200.00 Meeting adjourned 11:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted John Dumville as transcribed by Jackie Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting November 14, 2006 Minutes Academy Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Jo Levasseur, John Olmstead, Geo Honigford, Donna Benoit, Joe Eno, Wayne Manning, Steve Timian, Randy Leavitt, David Ainsworth, Frank Berk, Charlie Leighton, Roni Johnson, John Lefgren, Daphne Moritz, Gary Hobart, Bob Hull, & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS School Board The School Board will be holding a public hearing on 11/16/06 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the future of the South Royalton School . Topics will be declining enrollment, facility needs, and new gymnasium. The new gymnasium will cost roughly 1.3 million to build after state aide cost to town will be $932,000.00. This is 13 cents on the tax rate and would be after bond is retired next year. The Clarks would like to build a regulation ¼ mile track in memory of their son Carl Clark. They are currently looking for a location suitable for a track. Discussion of population projection for the school over the next 10 years is on the decline from 510 to 390 is the projection. The school is need of major renovations and repairs to meet the quality of school needs. Trombly asked about childcare needs overall in town. Moritz stated that 44% of childcare needs are not met in Windsor County . Joe Eno thanked the Selectboard and the Road Crew for their overall support to the school. David Ainsworth – stated that he would do his best for the town in Montpelier . If there are any question or concerns please call him or email and he will do what he can. John Lefgren and Roni Johnson – Lefgren asking the town to take over Sugar Hill Lane as a town road in 5 years. Lefgren would maintain for the next 5 years and bring up to the Class 3 road standards. Sugar Hill Lane is 1500 feet in length. He has invested to date $140,000.00 in this driveway. This road will serve 8 different properties, from residential to business. Dumville commented that he did not feel comfortable taking over a dead end road as a town road. He feels that the any road taken over should be a “connector road”. The Selectboard stated that they would take the offer of the road under consideration.
Highway Business Sand - 2/3 of the sand stock pile has been put up. Mr. Lovejoy commented that Broad Brook Road is in good condition and he thanks the Road Crew for their work. Chelsea Street curbing – Manning will work with Morrill on replacement of curbing so new sidewalk can be poured. Churchill Access – Manning to go and inspect access installment progress. New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 10/26/06 minutes as amended. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed and updated Orders/Payroll – reviewed and signed.
Chelsea Street Sewer Project – Motion to approve change order of $5800.00 to the Chelsea Street Sewer Project (Ives/Dumville, unanimous) Budget – Next meeting scheduled for 11/15/06 . Revolving Loan Fund – Motion to accept the Revolving Loan Committee recommendation of loaning the Pollution Abatement Facility $78,500.00 for a period of 5 years at 4% interest. Also motion to authorize Larry Trottier as signer for note. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous). Fox Stand Grant Extension – Motion to approve extension of Fox Stand Bridge Grant. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous). Pepperell/Pent Road – Higgins to contact Mazzola and ask that he attend the next Selectboard Meeting 11/30/06 . Discussion will be next course of action to put this issue to bed. The Ancient Road Committee is working on where this road comes out on the Stender property. Town Report – Motion to contact Karen Kerin and let her know that the Selectboard has made the decision to put the town report together with the help of Higgins and Harrington. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous)
Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 10:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting October 26, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Jo Levasseur, Karen Kerin, Theresa Harrington, Chuck Wise, Fred Glanzberg, Bob Hull, & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Karen Kerin – Auditor (Town Report Issues) would like to see a reduction of mailing of Town Report, condensing of appropriation organization reports. Higgins will condense the organization reports for Kerin. Chuck Wise – reviewed the Highway Capital Infrastructure Project Report. Jo Levasseur and Fred Glanzberg – Ancient Road Committee members presented the Ancient Road Grant Application for approval. Motion to approve and support the grant application (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Levasseur also reviewed Town Plan Amendment process with Selectboard. Higgins will call Two Rivers on whether Selectboard's second public hearing can be held at Pre-town meeting. Police Department Reviewed incident report for Police Department. Radios need to be updated; this is paid for through funding from Home Land Security Grant. Higgins to contact Nemeth on getting two radios he has. Hull discussed issues with escaping animal from Ron Rogers' residence. The fence viewers will be contacted to go and inspect the fence at Rogers and report back to the town. Hull will investigate cost and different varieties of Portable Cameras. Police Pay – Motion to raise Chief Hull's pay by $1.00 per hour effective immediately. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 10/10/06 minutes as amended. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed and updated Orders/Payroll – reviewed and signed. Access Permit – Motion to approve Obuchowski's access permit for Lot #13 (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Letter of Support – Motion to approve letter of support for U.S. EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Parking Ticket Appeal – Motion to waive parking tickets (Ives/Dumville, unanimous) Recreation Commission Appointment – Motion to appoint Daniell Taylor to the Recreation Commission (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Chelsea Street Sewer Project – Motion to approve change order of $3500.00 to the Chelsea Street Sewer Project (Ives/Dumville, unanimous) Budget – Next meeting scheduled for 11/15/06 . Revolving Loan Fund – Higgins to ask Revolving Loan Committee to meet and discuss the Pollution Abatement Facility borrowing money for the Chelsea Street Sewer Project.
Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 10:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting October 10, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Wayne Manning, Jeff McDonald, & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Jeff McDonald – Stantec Consulting, Inc. – Town received one bid on the Chelsea Street Sewer from Morrill Construction of $75,000.00. Motion to accept the bid of $75,000.00 for Chelsea Street Sewer Project from Morrill Construction. The Selectboard recognizes the emergency of the project and will proceed with urgency. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous). Jeff McDonald will contact Morrill Construction to proceed with project. Higgins will make request to Revolving Loan Fund Committee on borrowing the money needed for this project. Highway Business Pleasant Street Project – pipe has been installed and the sidewalk has been laid out for concrete. No. Windsor Street Guardrails – installation of guardrails completed. Fox Stand Bridge – prioritized repairs as follows. Road Crew to clean the deck and triangle v sections of trusses cut and repair two sections of concrete in the decking. Pam Thurber from Vermont Department of Transportation Structures Division will send down list of bridge painters and abutment repair contractors. Obuchowski Access Permit – Motion to approve the Lot #10 access permit with Road Foreman recommendations. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Lot #13 access permit needs to be reviewed with Mr. Obuchowski. CVPS/Verizon Pole – Motion to approve CVPS/Verizon Poles for Ducker Road . (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Royalton Town Garage Loan Renewal – Motion to approve renewal loan papers for the Town Garage. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Mutual Aid Agreement – Motion to approve Highway Mutual Aid Agreement papers. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Police Department Reviewed incident report for Police Department.
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 9/26/06 , 10/2/06 & 10/9/06 minutes as written. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed Orders/Payroll – reviewed and signed. Fitz Vogt Catering Permit for VLS Rugby Game – Motion to approve catering permit. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Transfer Station Renewal Bond Note and Resolution – Motion to approve and sign renewal note for Bethel/Royalton Transfer Station. (Ives/Ainsworth, unanimous) Auditor Resignation – Motion to accept Allison Gravel's resignation as Town Auditor with thanks for all the work done as Auditor. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Laurel Beeman-Nesserella Letter – Motion to allow Laurel Beeman-Nesserella to get insurance through the town with the understanding that she pays for it herself. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) General Budget – See attached worksheet.
Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 10:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting October 3, 2006 Minutes Fox Stand Bridge Site
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, and Peggy Ainsworth Public Attendance: Pam Thurber, David Lathrop, Trevor Starr & Jackie Higgins Meeting called to order 10:00 a.m. Fox Stand Bridge priority list 1. Clean and Paint from railing down 2. Replace decking 3. Abutment repairs Higgins will send a letter to David Lathrop requesting an extension on the Fox Stand Bridge Grant. Pam Thurber will send Higgins names of contractors for painting and abutment repairs. Meeting adjourned 10:45 a.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins
Attached are notes that Peggy Ainsworth sent in after a walk through the Fox Stand Bridge after the meeting.
Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting September 26, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Charlie Leighton, Peter Chap, Julie Rosen, Bob Hull, Joe Griffo & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Joe Griffo – President of the VLS Student Body inviting all Selectboard members to a debate between Tarrant and Sanders at 6:30 p.m. on October 17 th at the Chase Center . Higgins will put this information on the Website. Pepperell/Pent Road – Motion to have Frank Berk send letter with changes to Mazzola. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Highway Business Pleasant Street line will be installed the first week in October. Old sidewalk will be removed and Alec Boles will assist in the installation of a new sidewalk. Manning to ask Alec Boles for a price on repairs to business block sidewalks. Guardrail has not been installed yet on Back River Road . Equipment Replacement Schedule – reviewed. Bio-fuel – Manning to investigate using this form of fuel for highway equipment. Police Department Police Policies and Procedures discussed. Trombly and Hull to put together a list of additions to policies and procedures. Motion to charge $25.00 per hour and 50 cents per mile for subcontracted work. (Ives/Trombly, unanimous) Hull needs to do more PR for department. Higgins will check into fuel exemption for police department.
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 9/19/06 minutes as written. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – reviewed Orders – reviewed and signed. Conservation Commission – Motion to support the Town Forest Educational Trail Grant (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Christian Hill Reclassification – Motion to support the reclassification of Christian Hill Road to a Class 2 from Class 3. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Bethel/Royalton Transfer Station – Motion to approve the 3 year contact with Casella for waste removal. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Service Officer – signed paperwork for State of Vermont Appointment Chelsea Street Sewer Project – Motion to accept Stantec's price not to exceed $13,200.00 for bid/construction services. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous)
Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 11:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins
Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting September 19, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt, Charlie Leighton, Jo Jo Levasseur, Ted Kenyon, Ed Churchill, Corinne Churchill, Tim Churchill, Ron Cavanaugh, Idell Preston, Warren Preston, Julie Rosen, Bob Hull, Marc Nemeth, Linc Farrington & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Warren & Idell Preston – Preston 's own 40 acres on Russ Hill that boarders the Benson and Hodgdon properties. Asking what the status of the road through Hodgdon's property is. Mrs. Preston's grandfather built the barn in the roadway in 1901. Preston 's to contact Bensons and send a deposition to the Judge in regards to the information they have on the road. Randy Leavitt – Reminder of soup on the green 9/21/06 . Pepperell/Pent Road – Motion to have Frank Berk send letter with changes to Mazzola. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Planning Commission Churchill Access – Motion to approve Churchill Access with Wayne Manning's Condition. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Municipal Planning Grant – Motion to support the Planning Grant of $8635.00 to rewrite the Town Plan. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Times and Seasons – Planning Commission wants to continue to support their position in Supreme Court. Planning Commission is seeking the funding support from the Selectboard to continue the process. The amount is estimated at $5000.00 to $10,000.00. Motion to use the “Friends of the Planning Commission” private funds first and the $2000.00 of the Planning Commission consulting budget and then $1000.00 from the town legal budget if needed. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Ancient Roads Committee – Meeting scheduled for 9/20/06 . Higgins will make multiple copies of all information on hand for the committee to review. Flood Plain Ordinance - will not be ready for vote at November Election.
New Business Minutes – Motion to approve 8/22/06 , 8/24/06 a.m. and 8/24/06 p.m. minutes as written. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – Joint School Board/Selectboard Meeting 10/24/06 , Joint Planning Commission/Selectboard Meeting 10/9/06 , Fox Stand Bridge Meeting 10/03/06 , 10:00 a.m. , Selectboard Meetings 9/26/06 , Planning Commission Public Hearing and Building Committee Public Meeting 9/25/06 . Eric Jacobs Extension on PAF Earmarked Allocations – Motion to extend earmarked allocation for a 6 month period. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Constable Appointment – Motion to appoint Robert Hull to Second Constable until March 2007 election. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Only one applicant applied for the position. Chelsea Street Sewer Project – draft plans have been received and will be sent out to bidders by end of the week. Police Department - Chief Hull reviewed incident report for two week period. Hull will draft up a report for the Herald. Constable Nemeth expressed various concerns. Motion to amend the 11/8/05 Selectboard Meeting minutes to reflect that Nemeth was not “demoted” from Captain to Sargent but that change in rank was purely for administrative purposes. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Policies and Procedures will be reviewed at the 9/26/06 Selectboard meeting. Executive Session – Motion to enter Executive Session to discuss legal issues 10:30 p.m. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Motion to exit Executive Session 11:00 p.m. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 11:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins
Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting August 24, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt, Charlie Leighton, Bob Hull, Marc Nemeth, Linc Farrington & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and conducted the following business. Police Department – Motion to accept Robert Hull's letter of resignation for the Royalton Police Department and as Royalton Second Constable with regret. (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Higgins will send letter thanking Bob Hull for his services.
Higgins will send policies and procedures to Frank Berk for his review. Motion made to disband the Royalton Police Department that was established on 9/25/06 effective immediately. (Ives/Dumville, unanimous) Motion to establish a one person Royalton Police Department that is independent from the Royalton Constables and is under the Royalton Selectboard's supervision and control and appoint Robert Hull as the Police Chief of this newly established Police Department effective immediately. (Ives/Trombly, unanimous) The reason for this change is that the Selectboard didn't have control of the Police Department it grew to fast. The Selectboard didn't carry the ball and needs to step back and assess the needs of the Town. The decision made tonight gives the Selectboard the time to reevaluate and develop a well thought out police department.
As a tax payer Linc Farrington would be concerned with how the choice was made. Trombly stated that the Police Department established in September of last year was started too fast and the Selectboard wants to take things slow and think things through and make slow thoughtful decisions with law enforcement issues. Nemeth must return all police department equipment, clothing and materials to the Selectboard's office immediately.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting August 24, 2006 Minutes Royalton Police Barracks
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Jackie Higgins, Ray Keefe and Bob Hull Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and conducted the following business. Motion to enter executive session at 9:00 a.m. to discuss employee evaluation. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous) Motion to exit executive session at 12:21 p.m. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) No Action Taken. Meeting adjourned 12:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins
Town
of Royalton August 22, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt, Charlie Leighton, Wayne Manning, Jo Jo Levasseur, Kathy Hassey, Ronnie Johnson, Rhona Tutthill, Trish Tutthill, Marjorie Stender, Baxter Doty, Peter J. Hammel, Dick Adams, Janet Stender, Ron Stender, Chad Couture, Laurie Couture, Marcia Mills, Norman Mills, Bob Hull, Marc Nemeth, Linc Farrington & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Marcia and Norman Mills – discussion of Litchfield Lane Classification of road and maintenance of roads. Randy Leavitt - Asking permission to build a fire on the green to cook a bid kettle of corn chowder to give away and have music. Motion to grant permission to use green and build fire on same location as the bean hole beans are cooked, date to be sometime in October. (Dumville/Ives, unanimous) Pepperell/Pent Road – Marjorie Stender trying to resolve the issue with the new and old road with her neighbor. Unfortunately he is not cooperating. Mazzola is not using the Town permitted access to his property, Higgins to have attorney send him a letter in regards to this issue. Attorney also to look into what the Town's next step should be with this matter. Highways Churchill Access – no permit on file yet, Road Foreman has reviewed and permit has been passed on to the Planning Commission for their review. Letter to be sent to Arthur Churchill (owner of land) stating that they are in violation of the septic and access ordinances and that a five hundred dollar fine has been occurred and that all construction must cease immediately. Ditching - Kenyon still ditching, he will assist with the replacement of a culvert on Roberts Road . Chelsea Street Septic Line Project – Manning to confirm with Kenyon that he is not going to do the project. Higgins to check with VLCT on whether design needs to go out to bid for project or can the town hire Stantec (formerly Dufresne-Henry) to do the project as they have been actively involved with town septic system in the past. Fork Lift – parts ordered. Flags – Highway crew to take down after Labor Day weekend.
New Business Minutes – Motion to accept minutes of 8/8/06 with amendments. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Motion to accept minutes of 8/15/06 as written (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – Building Committee Meeting 8/29/06 , and next Selectboard Meetings 9/19/06/06, Planning Commission Public Hearing 9/25/06 . Fitz Vogt Catering Permit – approved PAF Rate – Motion to table rate increase until budget meeting. (Ainsworth/Trombly, unanimous) Policy for handing out information to the public – get VLCT's recommendation. Tax Rate amendment – Motion to amend tax rate to use $39,867.00 of surplus to reduce the tax rate by 3 cents. (Ainsworth/Trombly, unanimous) Auditor Position – Motion to appoint Rose Hemmond to the Town Auditor position. (Ainsworth/Trombly, unanimous) Police Department Issues – Marc Nemeth resigned and then retracted his resignation. Dumville stated that the Selectboard had accepted Nemeth's resignation and should maintain this decision. If Nemeth wants the job he should reapply. Ainsworth also commented that Nemeth had given a verbal resignation and it should stand if he wants to come back on board he must reapply. The police department and the Selectboard need to get policies in place. Ainsworth supports having a police department. Ives would like to see the police department continue as it has. Trombly remarked that Nemeth had put his heart and soul into this job. She is bothered by the conflict between the two members of the police department. Selectboard needs to share responsibility for the problems. Selectboard needs to review the policies and procedures. Selectboard needs to sit down with the police department and work out some sort of plan. After much public comment in regards to Marc Nemeth and Bob Hull's qualifications the following motion was made. Motion to retract the resignation of Marc Nemeth and review policies and any personnel issues come up they will be dealt with immediately. (Ives/Dumville) Motion retracted by Ives. Motion to ask Nemeth to reapply to the Police Department putting Nemeth and Hull on probation for 30 days, an emergency meeting will be held Thursday, August 24 th , 2006 at 7:30 p.m. to review policies and procedures for the Police Department. (Ives/Dumville, unanimous)
Old Business Reviewed on going projects. Meeting adjourned 11:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting August 15, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Theresa Harrington & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and conducted the following business. New Business Budget – Reviewed end of year budget figures with Town Treasurer. Tax Rate – Motion to set tax rate at .4040 for general budget and .4140 for highway budget, using $39,000.00 from general surplus to reduce tax rate by .03 (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous)
Meeting adjourned 7:35 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Selectboard Meeting August 8, 2006 Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt, Charlie Leighton, Wayne Manning, Jo Jo Levasseur, John Dutton, Robert Collett, Vince Gross, Bob Hull, Marc Nemeth, & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Vince Gross – asking if Roadside Mower is going to finish on Harlow Road , Manning stated that the mower is down again. All main roads have been mowed there are a few little side roads that have not been done yet. Manning will speak with Digby on roadside mowing in front of her property on Harlow Road . Highways North Road – Paving completed. Ducker Road – branches need to be trimmed back along sides of road, Royalton Fire Department truck being hit by branches. Manning will have road crew cut brush. Fork Lift – DCI Sawmill may have forks to donate to the town. Collett will check on availability. New Truck – Motion to order the Ford F550 truck from Gateway for $32,500.00 to be paid for out of the Equipment Account. When equipment is ready will figure out how to pay for them at that time. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Equipment Replacement – Higgins to project out 10 to 15 years a list for equipment replacement. Manning will fill in the equipment hours on the spreadsheet. 1997 Truck – when advertised it will be a sealed bid with a minimum. Guardrails – Motion to place 400 feet of guardrail on Back River Road . (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Backhoe – Trottier to order grill, doors and hood. Broad Brook Road – road is greasy, Manning stated that the material from McCullough's Pit has too much clay in it. Manning will put up signage to warning slippery when wet. Higgins to send letter to McCullough Crushing stating not happy with quality of material purchased. Higgins also to respond to Mr. Lovejoy's letter in regards to Broad Brook Road . Churchill Access Permit – The access permit applied for in 2004 was denied. Churchill will need to apply for a new access permit and also a septic permit for Ducker Road . Higgins to send letter to cease and desist all activity until permits are in place.
New Business Minutes – Motion to accept minutes of 7/25/06 with clerical changes. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – Building Committee Meeting 8/15/06 , and next Selectboard Meetings 8/22/06 , Planning Commission Public Hearing 8/14/06 . Ancient Roads – Committee to be formed to study ancient roads. Higgins to put notice in the paper looking for volunteers for committee. John Dutton will assist the committee on this project. Chase Race – Motion to approve use of the green on September16th, 2006 for the VLS Chase Race. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Budget – reviewed. Town Treasurer asked to come to next meeting to answer Selectboard questions. Police Department – Motion to go into executive session at 10:30 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. (Ainsworth/Dumville, no vote taken) At this point Sargent Marc Nemeth stated that the Selectboard could not go into executive session for discussion under state statutes requirements for executive session. The Selectboard has received complaints in regards to telephone calls to the police department not getting returned. The Selectboard asked Higgins to have Chief Hull come to the Selectboard Meeting to discuss these complaints. After much heated discussion from Chief Hull and Sargent Nemeth of qualifications, inappropriate appearances and behavior it was agreed that a Police Department Personnel Policy be drafted. Nemeth stated that he was in the process of drafting a policy. Chief Hull commented that he had gathered several area police department policies to review and that a policy should be drafted by himself as Chief of the Royalton PD and the Selectboard. At this point Nemeth stated that he felt that he could no longer work with Chief Hull and felt that he had lost the trust of the Selectboard and he gave his verbal resignation and left the meeting. Motion made to accept Marc Nemeth's resignation from as Police Department/Constable and thank him for his efforts and service to the Town of Royalton . (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
Old Business Meeting adjourned 11:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins Town of Royalton Minutes Town Office Building
Member Attendance: Denis Ives, Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, and John Dumville Public Attendance: Randy Leavitt, Charlie Leighton, Wayne Manning, Jo Levasseur, Larry Drown, Dexter Lefavour, Jon Ranney, Walter English, Bruce English, Ted Kenyon, & Jackie Higgins Chairman Larry Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and conducted the following business. PUBLIC CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS Academy Building – Reviewed sample replacement window. Motion to approve installation of three new inside grid style windows at the Academy Building . (Ainsworth/Ives, Yes-Trombly, Ainsworth, Ives and Trottier, NO-Dumville) Highways North Road – Paving starts 7/26/06 Pleasant Street – cost of manhole and pipe is $4000.00. Manning to contact Tibbetts and Staudinger on drainage project for Pleasant Street . Motion to have Highway Dept. proceed with Pleasant Street Project and notify landowners (Tibbetts and Staudinger) and see that the project is completed by fall. (Trombly/Ives, unanimous) Laser Level – Motion to approve purchase of laser level not to exceed $1000.00 from Carroll Concrete (Ives/Ainsworth, unanimous) Line-striper – Motion to approve the purchase of a line-striper not to exceed $1800.00 (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Fork Lift – Trottier to check on prices and report back at the next Selectboard Meeting. New Truck – Ford F550 Cost is $67,500.00 to purchase. Tabled until next Selectboard Meeting. Backhoe – Motion to approve purchase of grill, doors with glass and hood for a total of $4000.00 (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) South Windsor Street – large holes need to be patched. Roadside Mower – pump cracked where suction hose attaches. Will be repaired on 7/26/06 New Business Minutes – Motion to accept minutes of 6/27/06 with amendment. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Meeting Schedule – Building Committee Meeting 8/1/06 , and next Selectboard Meetings 8/8/06 and 8/22/06 , Planning Commission Public Hearing 8/14/06 . Larry Drown – Motion to earmark 2400 gallons per day for 4 lots across railroad tracks for 6 months ( 1/25/07 expiration) (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Higgins to send Drown letter. Planning Commission Appointments – per the recommendation of the interview committee motion to appoint Rebecca Beguin to the one year term and Steven Judge to the 3 year term. (Dumville/Trombly, Yes – Dumville, Trottier, Trombly, Ainsworth, Abstain – Ives) Broadband Update – Cover letter and survey will be sent out in the next week. Website for information is Royaltonbroadband.org. Ancient Roads – John Dutton will attend the August 8 th Selectboard meeting. Planning Commission would like to be involved in the project and will also attend that meeting. Auditor Appointment – Motion to appoint Rose Hewes as Auditor (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Town Reappraisal – Motion to purchase Proval Software for $4200.00 with an additional $1720.00 per year in support services. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Motion to hire Carolyn Lockyear to do the town wide reappraisal. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Hastings will schedule a meeting with Gordon Tutthill and two of the Selectboard members to discuss tax mapping issues. LEPC – Ainsworth attended the meeting. Discussion was what would the towns do to continue to operate under pandemic emergency. Two Rivers is assisting with the organization plan. Marjorie Stender – Motion to give Stender another 60 day extension and for Higgins to speak with Town Attorney on legal options. (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous) Police Department – Chief Hull to attend the next Selectboard meeting (August 8 th ) to discuss personnel issues. VLS Orientation – August 22 nd . Trottier to speak on Town issues (parking and dogs on the green) Trombly will email Trottier her speech from last year.
Old Business Meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Jacqueline M. Higgins |