Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
August
14, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peg Trombly, Peggy Ainsworth,
John Dumville and Ernie Amsden
Public
Attendance: Sue Jones, Bruce Jones, Laura Timian, David
Timian, Rob Townsend, Marc Simons, Eric Jacobs, Gidget Lyman,
Randy Caron, Laurie Hudson, Pat Reed, Tom Trottier, Bruce
Burbine, Melissa Burbine, Bradley Burbine, Dave Shellong,
Cody Shellong, Connor Shellong, Brenda Caron, Daniel Caron,
Todd Bauder, Stacey Britch, Joshua Britch, Ethan Britch,
Tim Parker, Krista Rogers, David Lyman, Steve Teel, Jim
Martino, Nelson Lyford, Adam Lyman, Tim Lyman, Todd Bayer,
Mike Billdeau, Jo Jo Levasseur, Fred Glanzberg, and Jackie
Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Eric Jacobs – Explained progress on South Windsor
Street project at Poultry Plant. Jacobs is ready to have
well drilled but needs the earmarked allocation for sewage
before he spends necessary funds for well drilling. Motion
to earmark 1680 gallons per day for sewer allotment for
South Windsor Street project for a six month period. (Trombly/Dumville,
unanimous).
Windsor County Feeds building project status is at a standstill
as Jacobs cannot get water allocation from Prudential Board.
The Prudential Board is in the process of studying the water
system. The hydrant across the street from the Windsor County
Feeds building has failed. Jacobs has offered to have a
new line installed from the reservoir to this hydrant so
he, can hook into the water system. At this point the Prudential
Board has said no to Jacobs offer and there is currently
a self imposed moratorium on water by the Prudential Board.
There are currently three hydrants in town that have failed.
Jacobs stated that there is a cardinal control of public
assets and it is time to move forward. Trombly stated that
the Prudential Board has two new members and are moving
forward with the Fire District.
Marc Simon – Simon Operations reviewed
the average daily flows which have been way down for the
past two months. Nat Fredericks the plant operator is working
with the Fire District checking meters for accuracy. Simon
agreed to report on logistics and expenses to install baffling
in lagoons. Simon stated that they will be doing TV inspections
of the lines and checking for infiltration of water into
the sewer system. Fredericks is crimping the aeration lines
in the lagoons. Plant is running fine.
Laura and David Timian – Expressed their
concern with the noise and dust at the Lyman Dirt Bike Track.
The noise is so loud the Timian family can not be outside
on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The Laura and David Timian
do not want to shut down the track but would like to see
the noise reduced.
Several families use the track and would be willing to help
reduce the noise with possible fence or tree plantings and
if the riders of the four stroke bikes could change out
their mufflers so the noise is reduced that would help.
Fred Glanzberg – Ancient Roads Committee
received a $5000.00 grant from the state. The committee
is requesting permission to purchase a GPS for use with
the road research. The cost of the GPS is $364.05. Motion
to approve purchase of GPS for $364.05 (Trombly/Amsden,
unanimous)
Nelson
Lyford – Concerns with the draft Flood Plain Regulations.
If changes aren't made he won't be able to follow through
with the plans he has for his property on Moses Lane .
Regular
Business
Minutes – Motion to approve 8/7/07 Selectboard
minutes with adding of names of people present at the executive
session. (Dumville/Ainsworth, Yes-Dumville, Ainsworth, Amsden,
Trottier, Abstained-Trombly as not present at meeting)
Meeting Schedule – reviewed
Highway
Business
Sewall Brook Road – Todd Bayer can't understand
why the Highway Department can't continue to plow and turn
around in his driveway. He will do what ever is necessary
to make it easier for them to plow up and turn around at
his property.
Lyons Road – Howe will continue to back down Lyons
Road when plowing as it gives him a safer visibility when
crossing the railroad tracks.
Upper Lea Road – Amsden and McCrillis will
meet with De'Laire on August 20 th to discuss plowing of
the road.
Crushing Gravel – Motion to hire Pickett
to crush gravel in the Carpenter Pit at $4.25 per yard up
to three thousand yards. (Dumville/Amsden, unanimous)
New
Business
Flood Plain Regulations – Members spent
a considerable amount of time reviewing the bylaws as presented
by the Planning Commission and agreed to the following charges.
Motion to remove cumatively from “substantial improvements”
(page 19), remove 3B from (page 2), remove “but outside
the floodway” B (page 3), move B1 to A5 (page 3) change
B2 and B3 to B1 and B2, remove C3 section (page 12) and
add to watercourse “1 st Branch, 2 nd Branch and Main Branch
of the White River and Broad Brook” (page 19) (Amsden/Ainsworth,
unanimous)
Tax Rate – Motion to set the Royalton 2007
Tax Rate for Homestead at $2.6642 and the Royalton 2007
Tax Rate for Non-Residential to $3.0671 (Ainsworth/Dumville,
unanimous).
Personnel Policy Changes – Motion to approve
changes to Hospitalization, Medical Insurance and Retirement
(Trombly/Dumville, unanimous)
Pay Scale – tabled discussion to a later
Selectboard Meeting.
Bloss/Ballou Road – Trottier updated the
Selectboard on his day in court.
Meeting
adjourned 11:55 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Royalton
Planning Commission
Hearing
on Proposed Flood Plain By-laws & Regular Planning Meeting
FINAL
– Minutes
Monday,
July 30, 2007
I.
Hearing on Proposed Flood Plain By-laws
Town
Planning Commission Members Attending:
Barcelow,
Beguin, Brandau, Hobart, Judge, Leighton, Levasseur,
Ranney, Turner
Town
Select Board Members Attending:
Peggy
Ainsworth, Ernie Amsden, Larry Trottier
Guests
Attending:
David
Ainsworth, Paul Anderson, Walter English, Kevin Geiger (TRORC),
Bruce & Sue Jones, Nelson Lyford, Melissa Mooza (notetaker),
Hearing
Convened at 7:05 .
A.
Introduction
Levasseur
welcomed guests to the hearing and stated its purpose.
She offered a brief summary of the changes proposed to Royalton's
current Flood Hazard By-law, which dates back to 1991.
A document listing and explaining these changes was made
available to all individuals attending the hearing. Levasseur
explained that the primary reason for the revisions is that
the 1991 by-law references a map that will cease to exist
on 9/28/07 . If the by-law is not revised before
then, it will become invalid and no one in the town will
be able to carry flood insurance.
Levasseur
also noted two additional minor modifications to the proposed
by-law that were not included in the hearing draft.
These changes, both characterized as being editorial in
nature, were:
1. On
Page 2, Sub-Section B, First Paragraph, Fifth Line: “one
channel width” should be stricken to read “one and one half
channel widths”. Levasseur noted that the RPC voted
to enact this change during its 6/25/07 meeting, as is evidenced
in the minutes for that meeting.
2. On
Page 8, Section VI, Sub-section C: This sub-section
refers to undesignated “A zones”. Without the A zones,
it appears that it is intended to apply to all of the rest
of the town.
B.
Question, Answer, and Comment
During
the question, answer, and comment portion of the hearing,
the following topics were discussed:
1.
Proposed Permit for Minor Improvements and Cumulative
Substantial Improvement
Q:
Ainsworth questioned how the 50% cumulative substantial
improvement would be calculated.
A:
Several people commented on how this calculation
should be made. The idea that seemed to have the
most resonance among hearing participants was that proposed
and illustrated by Turner. Turner explained that
the calculation should be made not in terms of dollars,
but in terms of a percent increasing over time. In
this regard, the market value of reference should no
t be the market value of the structure at the time the
ordinance is passed. Rather, it should be the market
value (i.e. most recent town assessment thereof) at the
time of the start of each successive renovation or construction
project. The percent ratio would be tallied over
time until the owner breaks the cumulative 50% mark.
Q:
Ainsworth asked how this provision would be implemented
and enforced. She expressed her opinion that if there
is no way to implement it, it should be removed.
A:
Brandau conceded that it would be difficult
to track over decades' time. Judge, who mentioned that he
had many years' experience working to enforce floodplain
violations, observed that there is no mechanism in place
to enforce the “cumulative” aspect. He remarked that
such a provision is designed for a municipality that has
building permits, which Royalton currently does not. He
said the only way to track this would be if neighbors complain
or construction is obvious. Judge recommended
removing the “cumulative” language. Beguin also supported
this idea. Ranney noted that most enforcement of this by-law
will likely be prompted by citizen complaints. Levasseur
remarked that the term “cumulative” could hypothetically
be removed, leaving the federal regulation, “substantial
improvement”, but she noted that variant would also leave
the issue of tracking and enforcement unaddressed.
Q:
Amsden questioned the purpose of the “cumulative”
provision and suggested that it was just an excuse to “levy
some bureaucracy.”
A:
Levasseur responded that the RPC proposed
adding the term “cumulative” in an effort to clarify the
current federally required language, which references only
“a substantial improvement.”
Geiger
illustrated the functional significance of “cumulative”
by explaining that as the ordinance is currently
written (without “cumulative”) a person could increase the
value of his house by 49% every year and still not come
under the federal requirement to flood proof or elevate.
Levasseur
explained that the overall purpose of the provision is to
help keep flood damage to a minimum. Turner articulated
an interest in preserving value and not burdening the system.
He said that we don't want to see projects go forward
where we know that they will be subject to flooding.
Hobart expressed two concerns: 1) prohibiting the constructions
of mansions that will be flooded and 2) eliminating uses
in the flood area that might send debris downstream.
Ranney commented that the intent is to minimize the footprint
standard.
Q:
Amsden asked how “current” (with reference
to the start date of renovation/construction)
a structural appraisal must be. He added that leaving
the proposed language as it is would be like leaving “a
can of worms” in the ordinance. Ainsworth added
that the Select Board could not pass the ordinance with
a “can of worms.” She suggested keeping only what is federally
required and taking everything else out.
A:
Geiger noted that the current ordinance does not
clarify this point; it, too, says only “before.”
The only change to the proposed ordinance is the addition
of “cumulative”. Turner suggested clarifying by requiring
the most recent town appraisal.
2.
Procedure for Making Changes to the Proposed By-law
Comment:
Geiger offered a brief overview of the mechanisms
by which the RPC can, based on points raised at today's
hearing, make changes to the current draft of the proposed
by-law. The RPC can try to vote changes in tonight,
the evening of the hearing. It can send the ordinance
over to the Select Board as is and let them deal with it.
It can also send it over as is and they can make
the desired changes before the Select Board hearing gets
warned.
3.
Proposed Addition of Lateral Erosion Hazards
(Page
2, Sub-Section B, First Paragraph)
Comment:
Amsden remarked that the lateral erosion hazard
(1.5 channel widths on either side from the centerline of
the channel) is “unnecessary, ridiculous, and should be
removed.” He expressed concern that it would
bring a lot of properties into the flood hazard zone that
are not currently there. He also expressed his opinion that
many of the houses that are in that zone are not actually
at risk of either flooding or erosion. He also
requested that a statement be added to the effect that currently
existing structures won't be affected by the addition of
this provision. Finally, he suggested taking the
lateral erosion hazard provision out altogether.
Response:
Geiger explained that although this not a federal
requirement, there is good reason for it. He cited two publicly
available documents, which he could provide to people, that
support the inclusion of this provision. He said
that science says that in a floodplain environment, a river
needs 4 channel widths to meander, while it would need 6
channel widths in an unstable environment. He also
remarked that a town would be one hundred times more likely
to be sued for permitting construction in the wrong place
(even if that site is acceptable by federal standards) than
it would by prohibiting construction somewhere. He also
commented that waivers can be granted to lessen the required
lateral distance under certain conditions, such as if there
is a ledge or armored channel.
Turner
admitted that the 1.5 channel width provision is arbitrary,
but noted that the RPC could have, consistent with the science,
chosen a larger distance of 4 channel widths (i.e., two
channel widths on each side of the center).
Comment:
Lyford expressed his concern that the 1.5
channel width requirement seems extreme. He questioned
the necessity of “putting a blanket on the entire river”
without first studying the river piece by piece.
When Geiger mentioned the waiver process, Lyford remarked
that it would be very involved. After some discussion,
he suggested that “this late in the game, maybe we should
just do what's needed to get the insurance in place and
then do a little more later on to get all the details in
place.”
Response
: Geiger again said that there is a waiver
process. He also explained that the 1.5 channel width
is being used as a default because there is no fluvial erosion
hazard map. Geiger said that as soon as a new map
is created, the 1.5 channel width will no longer be in place.
He also emphasized that the map on the table, which people
were consulting, is not a new flood map, but rather old
data that's been digitized.
Q:
Lyford asked what will happen to existing
developments that are located within 1.5 widths of the center
of a channel.
A:
Geiger replied that they would be grandfathered
in.
Q:
Lyford asked if developments within 1.5 channel
widths that are currently permitted but not constructed
would also be grandfathered in.
A:
Hobart said that if a person has a permit
but hasn't spent a significant amount of money or otherwise
demonstrated reliance, then s/he will probably not be grandfathered
in. Hobart said that there is not a lot of case law
in Vermont on vesting.
Q:
Lyford wanted to clarify that the proposed 1.5
channel requirement is above and beyond what is required
for flood insurance (i.e., the 100-year-flood line).
A:
Geiger confirmed that, yes, which is correct.
He said that “this language takes a cautious approach in
the absence of good information.” Geiger added that
there is a big difference between preventing harm and allowing
development. He said that the RPC fiddled with this,
and that's why they incorporated the waiver.
Q:
Lyford asked how often the flood maps can
be changed.
A:
Geiger said every ten years. He said
that it is quite a process to change them. You can
get topographical data from FEMA and they make a note.
4.
Extent to Which the Proposed By-law Exceeds Minimum
Requirements for Federal Flood Insurance, Generally
Q:
Amsden asked how much further beyond what is necessary
for federal flood insurance the proposed by-law goes.
A:
Geiger explained that the proposed by-law goes
beyond the minimum federal requirements in 4 ways, by:
1) adding lateral erosion hazards; 2) adding sediment transport;
3) permitting small structures as long as they meet certain
conditions; and 4) regulating “substantial improvements”
cumulatively.
5.
Proposed Addition of Sediment Transport as a Concern
(Page
12, Point 10)
Q:
Ainsworth suggested that the term “watercourse”
be defined. She also requested an explanation for
how a watercourse might “be maintained.”
A:
Geiger explained that the term “watercourse” refers
to whatever watercourse is in the area subject to the regulation.
i.e. the White River , First Branch, Second Branch, and
Broad Brook (not the tributaries). He added that
you would probably see someone triggering this regulation
on Broad Brook. Turner proposed omitting the term
“watercourse” and simply naming the specific bodies of water
affected.
Concerning
the maintenance process, Geiger explained that this would
entail building a large enough pipe or bridge to ensure
that the water and the sediment will be able to pass through.
6.
Waivers Granted to Lessen the Area to Which the Regulations
Apply
Q:
Lyford asked what the waiver process entails.
A:
Geiger explained that it's up to the select board
to determine. Every permit that goes through needs to go
to the state for comment, and they can theoretically go
to FEMA. Levasseur added that the waiver process is definitely
subjective.
Comment:
Turner remarked that the text of the proposed
by-law concerning the waiver process is “too strict and
doesn't give enough latitude for consideration of individual
sites. He suggested that the Select Board change the text
to “unlikely to move” and that is add “due to ledge, preexisting
structures, soil, topography.” Levasseur said
that the RPC will discuss Turner's suggestion after the
hearing.
7.
Reference to Recreational Vehicles
(Page
3, Sub-section A, Point 3; Page 3, Sub-section B, Point
3; & Page 11, Point 6)
Q:
Ainsworth asked whether the RVs located at the
Henderson 's Hideaway campground would be grandfathered
in.
A:
Levasseur explained that the mobile homes
would be exempt from regulation if they are mobile (i.e.
licensed and highway ready). Turner noted that mobile RVs
may be placed on sites within the special flood hazard area
for up to 180 consecutive days. Geiger added that
if the vehicles are not mobile and are on slab, then they
would be subject to the regulations as structures in the
flood plain. In that case, he said, they probably
would be grandfathered in.
Hearing
adjourned : 8:57 .
II.
Regular Planning Meeting
Town
Planning Commission Members Attending:
Barcelow,
Beguin, Brandau, Hobart, Judge, Leighton, Levasseur,
Ranney, Turner
Guests
Attending:
David
Ainsworth, Paul Anderson, Kevin Geiger (TRORC), Bruce &
Sue Jones, Nelson Lyford, Melissa Mooza (notetaker),
Meeting
came to order at 8:58 .
A.
Discussion of Possible Motions Related to the Hearing
RPC
members discussed moving on the following four issues:
1.
Omit the term “cumulative” from the definition of
“substantial improvement”:
Motions:
Judge moved to omit the term “cumulative” from the
definition of “substantial improvement”. Beguin seconded
the motion.
Discussion:
Judge
said that, in general, enforcement should work because there
are trigger mechanisms in place. In this case, however,
he noted that there is no process to alert people to problems.
Potential violations would be discovered only by
the floodplain administrator just driving around.
Judge also remarked that it is bad PR to have an unenforceable
regulation. Turner, who is for keeping the term in but wanted
to play devil's advocate, said that “cumulative” shouldn't
be put in until enforcement mechanisms are in place. Beguin
expressed her opinion that enforcement of the “cumulative”
component is “not realistic.”
Both
Turner and Levasseur retorted that enforcement is realistic.
Hobart said that once people start seeing substantial
changes, they will start complaining to the administrative
officer. Brandau remarked that even if you were to take
out “cumulative”, you'd still be left with an unenforceable
provision (i.e. “substantial” = > 50%)
Vote:
Three
(Judge, Beguin, Ranney) in favor of omitting the term “cumulative”.
Five opposed to removing the term “cumulative.” Motion
did not carry. The term “cumulative” remains in.
2.
Add a definition for the term “watercourse.”
Motion:
Hobart moved to add the definition and authorize
Kevin to prepare and submit it to the Select Board.
Judge seconded the motion.
Vote:
All in favor. Motion carries.
3.
Modify the definition of “substantial improvement” to add
“as determined by the most recent town assessment.”
Motion
1: Brandau moved to change the definition of
“substantial improvement” such as to read: “…exceeds 50
percent of the most recent town-assessed market value of
the structure.” Hobart seconded.
Discussion
2: Geiger said that “you can't move ‘market value'
around.”
Motion
2: Brandau moved to amend his motion to reflect
Geiger's comment. All but Leighton in favor of amending
Motion 2. Motion carries.
Vote
: All in favor of passing Motion 2. Motion
2 carries.
4.
Modify the language about waivers at the bottom of page
2
Motion:
Turner moved to modify the language about waivers
at the bottom of page 2 to read: “…site conditions are such
that the channel is unlikely to move into this area due
to ledge, preexisting structures, distance, soils, or topography.
Hobart seconded.
Vote
: All in favor. Motion carries.
Following
discussion of these issues, Hobart moved to accept the changes
made tonight and submit the by-law to the Select Board.
All in favor. None opposed. Motion
carried unanimously.
*Prior
to the vote, Judge again expressed his concerns about the
1.5 channel width lateral erosion hazard zone along the
White River . He wanted to go on record with his
opinion that this particular provision “is Draconian, particularly
where the channel is 600 feet wide.”
B.
Minutes:
July
9, 2007 :
?Barcelow
moved to accept minutes as written. Beguin seconded. All
in favor, with Ranney and Turner abstaining. Motion to accept
minutes as written carries.
C.
Appointments and Scheduling for RPC Re-organizational Meeting
Levasseur
reported that the Select Board made its selection to fill
Hobart 's slot. The new RPC member will be: Joan
Goldstein. The re-organizational meeting will be
held on August 13. The RPC will discuss possible changes
to the Commission's by-laws, including decreasing the number
of planning committee members.
D.
Next Meeting
The
next RPC meeting will be held August 13, 2007 .
MOTION:
Barcelow moved to adjourn. Judge seconded.
All in favor.
Meeting
adjourned: 9:27 .
Respectfully
Submitted,
Melissa
R. Mooza
mmooza@hotmail.com
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
August
7, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, John Dumville
and Ernie Amsden
Public
Attendance: Wayne Manning, Terry Manning, Betty Benson,
Ronald Benson, Barry Benson, Edith Benson, Carol Hodgdon,
Perry Hodgdon, Steve Stitzel, Gordon Tutthill, and Jackie
Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Motion to enter Executive session for personnel issues at
the Manning residence 7: 05 p.m. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous).
Present: Terry Manning, Wayne Manning, Jackie Higgins, Larry
Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, Ernie Amsden and John Dumville.
Motion to exit executive session 7:25 p.m. (Dumville/Ainsworth,
unanimous) Motion to have Manning be on call employee with
the Town of Royalton paying his two person health insurance
until May of 2008. (Dumville/Amsden, unanimous)
Motion
to enter Executive session to discuss legal issues with
Bloss/Ballou Road , Town Office Building 7:30 p.m. (Amsden/Ainsworth,
unanimous). Present: Edith Benson, Barry Benson, Ronald
Benson, Betty Benson, Perry Hodgdon, Carol Hodgdon, Gordon
Tutthill, Steve Stitzel and Jackie Higgins.
Motion to exit Executive session 10: 05 p.m. (Amsden/Ainsworth,
unanimous)
No action taken.
Regular
Business
Minutes – Motion to approve 7/24/07 Selectboard
minutes (Dumville/Amsden, unanimous) Motion to approve 7/30/07
Selectboard minutes (Amsden/Ainsworth, Yes Amsden, Ainsworth
and Trottier (Dumville abstained not in attendance at 7/30/07
meeting)
Meeting Schedule – reviewed.
Payroll – signed and approved.
Highway
Business
Churchill Access Update – Motion to approve access
permit for Ed and Corrine Churchill (permit under Arthur
Churchill name) (Amsden/Ainsworth, unanimous).
Sewall Brook Road – Higgins contacted Dory
Bayer on turn around site. No response as of yet.
Lyons Road – McCrillis to meet with Judge on plowing
and turn around.
New
Business
Sewer Bill Rate – Motion to set sewer bill rate
at 801/2 cents per gallon for December 2006 to June 2007
sewer billing (Amsden/Dumville, unanimous)
Motion
to adjourn 10:35 p.m. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Royalton
Selectboard Meeting
July
30, 2007
Royalton
Academy Building
9:00
p.m.
Meeting
called to order
Present:
Larry Trottier, Ernie Amsden & Peggy Ainsworth
Motion
to restore cash payments of retirement to employees effective
immediately
(Amsden/Ainsworth,
unanimous)
Meeting
adjourned 9:05 p.m.
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
July
24, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peg Trombly, Peggy Ainsworth,
John Dumville and Ernie Amsden
Public
Attendance: Sue Jones, Bruce Jones, Bill Benoit, Roger McCrillis,
Nil d'Aulaire, Geo Honigford, Frank Berk, Bob Hull,
and Jackie Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Nils Delaure – Mr. d'Aulaire stated that there
hadn't been any problems with the Upper Lea Road being plowed
until about 3 to 4 years ago. There was a change to the
types of plows used on the town trucks and now the road
is plowed like a super highway. The plowing is tearing up
his lawn and causing a lot of repair yard work in the spring.
Roger McCrillis will meet with Mr. d'Aulaire and work on
a solution to the plowing problems.
Geo Honigford and Frank Berk, Royalton School Board
Members – reviewed the proposed school gymnasium
addition that is scheduled for town vote on September 11,
2007 . Discussed the low enrollment and the need to maintain
the 400 students currently enrolled in the school system
to keep all programs intact. Honigford explained the change
of driveway and bus drop off at the school. Bruce Jones
expressed his concerns as a bus driver in the reformatting
of driveway and the amount of parents dropping and picking
up children as a safety issue.
Regular
Business
Minutes – Motion to approve 7/10/07 Selectboard
minutes with amendments (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Meeting Schedule – reviewed.
Payroll – signed and approved.
Highway
Business
Churchill Access Update – Tabled until 8/14/07
Selectboard Meeting. Higgins will speak with Mr. & Mrs.
Churchill in regards to erosion control on bank above Ducker
Road .
Sewall Brook Road – Todd Bayer is willing
to work with the town to build a turn around for the plow
trucks. McCrillis will meet with Mr. Bayer to discuss options.
Lyons Road – John Dumville received word from Steven
Judge that the plow truck is not plowing beyond his property
as it used to. This again is an issue with town trucks not
having enough space to turn around trucks when plowing.
Roger will work with Mr. Judge and neighbors to remedy the
problem.
Mill Road Electric/Telephone Pole – Randy
Chapman from Verizon is requesting a change to pole on the
corner of Mill Road and Vermont Route 110. The current pole
can not withstand the stress of both electric and telephone
wires. Motion to allow pole change on corner of Mill Road
and Vermont Route 110 (Amsden/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Plowing behind business block – the Traffic
Study Committee will review town snow plowing behind the
business block along with pedestrian and vehicular traffic
issues. Committee will consist of John Dumville, Bob Hull,
Wendy Judge, Don Faulkner and Randy Leavitt. Hull to schedule
first meeting of the Traffic Study Committee on Monday the
30 th of July at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Office Building .
New
Business
Planning Commission Vacancy Committee – Interviews
were held, unfortunately the Planning Commission's representatives
did not make the meeting. Melissa Kalinen and Joan Goldstein
were interviewed. Motion to appoint Joan Goldstein as new
member to the Planning Commission, to fill Gary Hobart's
seat vacancy. (Amsden/Trombly, unanimous) Motion to reappoint
Jo Levasseur and Rebecca Beguin to the Planning Commission.
(Trombly/Dumville, unanimous) Higgins to send Gary Hobart
a letter of thanks for his years of service to the Planning
Commission.
Drown Property Issues – Higgins explained
to the Selectboard about the site work and building that
is going on at the Drown property off North Windsor Street
. Mr. Drown does not have a septic permit filed with the
town. Several concerned citizens have contacted the Selectboard
and Town Clerk's Office in regards to the construction.
Higgins contacted the Environmental Office in Springfield
, VT several weeks ago and was referred to the Waterbury
, VT Environmental Office. Higgins has left several messages
with Roger Thompson at the Waterbury Office and has not
had any response at this time. Jerry Swasey as the town
sewer officer made a site visit to the Drown property on
Monday and was told by Mr. Drown that he was not going to
apply for a permit. Mr. Drown later in the day had Higgins
served with a no trespass order for all town officials to
stay off his property. Higgins will continue to contact
Roger Thompson in Waterbury .
At this
time the Selectboard entered executive session at 10:06
p.m.
Round
two minutes submitted by John Dumville.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Royalton
Selectboard Meeting
July 24, 2007
Motion made at 10:06 PM by Peg Trombly and seconded by Peggy
Ainsworth
to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.
All members
of Selectboard present. Motion made at 11:01 PM by
Trombly and seconded
by Ainsworth to come out of Executive Session.
Upon coming out of executive session, Ainsworth offered
a motion to ask
Administrative Assistant Jackie Higgins for input/assistance
in helping
the Selectboard to increase the efficiency and proficiency
of town
operations. Trombly seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Trombly offered a motion to appoint member Ernie Amsden
as their liaison
to the highway department and to report monthly to the Selectboard,
sharing information and concerns. Ainsworth seconded the
motion which
passed unanimously.
Just before the close of the meeting Larry Trottier mentioned
he had
brought a copy of his deposition on the Bloss-Ballou road
and would be
reviewing it before signing it. In his testimony he
relied on deeds
where the road was mentioned. Trottier also noted
that he'd recently
attended the Sharon Historical Society meeting Monday evening
where
Gordon Tuthill discussed the road and how surveys were important
in
determining the exact location of an "ancient" road.
The meeting adjourned at 11:06 PM.
Respectfully Submitted:
John P. Dumville, Clerk
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
July
10, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peg Trombly, Peggy Ainsworth,
and Ernie Amsden
Public
Attendance: Sue Jones, Bruce, Jones, Demi Boles, David Lambert,
Brad Howe, Jo Levasseur, Mark Thompson and Jackie Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Jo Levasseur, Planning Commission Chair. – discussed
Planning Commission's legal bill for Times and Seasons appeal.
Motion to pay bill using the balance remaining of $1654.69
in Planning Commission budget and remainder of bill coming
from General Fund legal budget. (Trombly/Amsden, unanimous).
Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on July 30
to discuss draft of Flood Plain Regulations.
Regular
Business
Minutes – Motion to approve 6/26/07 Selectboard
minutes with amendments (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Meeting Schedule – reviewed.
Payroll – signed and approved.
Highway
Business
Churchill Access Update – Tabled until 7/24/07
Selectboard Meeting.
Sewall Brook Road – more information on
landowner's needed before a turn around can be installed.
Fox Stand Bridge Bids – Daniels Construction decking
bid $209,292.00 and abutment repairs $27,704.00.
Vermont Protective – painting bid below decking $237,500.00
and painting above decking $130,000.00.
Catamount – painting bid below decking $180,000.00 and above
decking $167,000.00.
Motion to accept Daniels Construction bid for abutment repairs
and decking replacement for a total of $236,996.00. (Ainsworth/Amsden,
unanimous)
Selectboard tabled the painting bids until financial assistance
possibilities researched.
Higgins to put a notice of closure in the newspaper for
schedule of repairs to Fox Stand Bridge .
Road Crew – Boles stated that the money
now called retirement benefit was never a retirement benefit
but compensation for the difference when the town switched
health insurance plans (from JY plan to HMO plan). Higgins
will research Selectboard meeting minutes for information
regarding this benefit.
New
Business
Planning Commission Vacancy Committee – Steven
Judge and Jerry Barcelow will represent the Planning Commission
(Jon Ranney will be a substitute) and Ernie Amsden, Peg
Trombly and John Dumville will represent the Selectboard
on the interview committee. Higgins will contact
Melissa Kalinen, Joan Goldstein, and David Lewis schedule
interviews.
Sidewalks - Motion to approve an additional
$2800.00 for sidewalk repairs to Alex Boles to extend project
up North Windsor by the old Freck's Building. (Trombly/Amsden,
unanimous).
Extra Policing – Motion to hire the Bethel
Constable to assist with policing during Saturday of Old
Homes Day at $11.50 per hour. (Trombly/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Meeting
adjourned 11:06 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie Higgins
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
June
19, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, Ernie Amsden,
and John Dumville
Public
Attendance: Jackie Higgins and Aaron Perez
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
Pollution
Abatement Facility
Trottier explained to the Selectboard that he and
Higgins had interviewed Aaron Perez on Friday, June15 for
the Pollution Abatement Facility employment. Perez is qualified
to run the plant is very knowledgeable of how the plant
should be run. Perez has worked at the Randolph sewer facility
for six years, the first two years as an operator, his third
year he became assistant manager and for the last three
years has been the chief manager of the plant. He is looking
at salary of $40,000.00 with benefits. Higgins will ask
Perez to come to the next Selectboard meeting on June 26,
2007 to discuss the position further. Higgins will also
contact Tim Mills, Mike Whipple and Nolan LaFrances to see
if they would be interested in filling in from time to time
if the Selectboard decided to hire their own employee.
Approved
and signed orders.
Meeting
adjourned 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
June
19, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth, Ernie Amsden,
and John Dumville
Public
Attendance: Jackie Higgins and Aaron Perez
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
Pollution
Abatement Facility
Trottier explained to the Selectboard that he and
Higgins had interviewed Aaron Perez on Friday, June15 for
the Pollution Abatement Facility employment. Perez is qualified
to run the plant is very knowledgeable of how the plant
should be run. Perez has worked at the Randolph sewer facility
for six years, the first two years as an operator, his third
year he became assistant manager and for the last three
years has been the chief manager of the plant. He is looking
at salary of $40,000.00 with benefits. Higgins will ask
Perez to come to the next Selectboard meeting on June 26,
2007 to discuss the position further. Higgins will also
contact Tim Mills, Mike Whipple and Nolan LaFrances to see
if they would be interested in filling in from time to time
if the Selectboard decided to hire their own employee.
Approved
and signed orders.
Meeting
adjourned 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
June
12, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Larry Trottier, Peg Trombly, Peggy Ainsworth,
Ernie Amsden, and John Dumville
Public
Attendance: Jo Levasseur, Jim Martino, Fred Glanzberg, Sue
Jones, Terry and Wayne Manning, and Jackie Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Fred Glanzberg & Jim Martino – Ancient Roads
Committee – Walter Hastings will do a trial run on plotting
out Busy Hill Road section to see how long it takes to put
together a cost estimate. The Ancient Roads Committee has
reapplied for grant. The Committee is requesting signature
from Selectboard Chair and Higgins as administrator of the
grant. Motion to have Trottier and Higgins sign grant application
(Ainsworth/Trombly, unanimous)
Jo Levasseur, Planning Commission Chair. – Levasseur
will confirm schedule with Kevin Geiger of Two Rivers on
Flood Plain Ordinance hearings, she will also check old
flood plain bylaws for comparisons.
Sue Jones, West Trottier Road Resident – asking
that Selectboard have road widened so Bruce Jones can get
the school bus he drives up to his house. Selectboard will
conduct a site visit.
Terry and Wayne Manning – Terry and Wayne
gave an update of Wayne 's progress with recovery from surgery.
Wayne would like to come back to work part time starting
July 1 st . His duties will be limited until he gets his
voice device installed. Wayne could run the grader or roadside
mower for brief periods of time while he is still on a feeding
bag.
Regular
Business
Minutes – Motion to approve 5/22/07 and 5/29/07
Selectboard minutes with amendments (Trombly/Dumville, unanimous)
Meeting Schedule – reviewed.
Payroll – signed and approved.
Highway
Business
Churchill Access Update – Churchill's will need
to extend the culvert at least 10 feet and stabilize the
bank. Higgins to send letter to the Churchills.
Steve and Kelly Churchill Access Permit – Motion
to approve access permit. (Dumville/Amsden, unanimous)
Paving Grant – Town did not receive paving
grant this year.
Police
Department
Incident Report – reviewed
New
Business
VLS – PAF Allocation Extension – Motion to approve
extension of allocation of 130 gallons per day for a 6 months
period ( 12/12/07 ) for the VLS Campus expansion. (Dumville/Ainsworth,
Yes – Trottier, Dumville, Amsden and Ainsworth – Trombly
abstained)
Use of Green by Red Door Church – Motion
to approve use of green for August 15 th by the Red Door
Church with the condition that the site be cleaned up and
reseeded from the bone fire. (Dumville/Amsden, unanimous)
PAF Upgrade – discussion of options and
assistance from Simon's Operations on what should be done.
Selectboard will meet with Marc Simon on June 26 at 6:00
p.m. at the sewer plant.
Delivery Trucks on Chelsea Street – Hull
to enforce use of back street behind the business block
for deliveries.
Town Service Officer Appointment – Motion
to appoint Sandy Conrad for Town Service Officer for an
one year period. (Dumville/Ainsworth, unanimous)
Budget Pay Scale – Higgins to pull together
information on other town salary and benefits for next Selectboard
meeting.
Budget Update – reviewed budget through
end of May figures.
Meeting
adjourned 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
May
29, 2007
Minutes
Town
Office Building
Member
Attendance: Peg Trombly, Peggy Ainsworth, Ernie Amsden,
and John Dumville
Public
Attendance: Tommy Trottier, Roni Johnson, Jo Levasseur,
David Grayck, John Lefgren, and Jackie Higgins
Vice-Chairman
Peggy Ainsworth called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
Lefgren
Access Permit – Motion to approve submitted access
permit amending 98-04A and 00-08 to add addition of sugarhouse
access off of Sugar Hill Lane and add access to Trottier
“Camp” Lot . (Dumville/Trombly, unanimous)
Much
discussion – Lefgren stated that he would “flip” the sugarhouse
access once he received approval of the Act 250 Amendment
regardless of the outcome of the Supreme Court decision
on the Times and Season Act 250 permit.
Banking
Sick Time – Higgins to gathered information for
drafting a Banking Sick Time Policy.
Meeting
adjourned 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted
Jackie
Higgins
Town
of Royalton
Selectboard
Meeting
May
22, 2007
Minutes
Academy
Building
Member
Attendance: Peg Trombly, Larry Trottier, Peggy Ainsworth,
Ernie Amsden, and John Dumville
Public
Attendance: Tommy Trottier, Roni Johnson, Phil Gates, Del
Cloud, Bill Richards, Neal Fox, Rick Benson, and Jackie
Higgins
Chairman
Larry Trottier called the public meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. and conducted the following business.
PUBLIC
CONCERNS/APPOINTMENTS
Roni Johnson – requesting that Mr. Lefgren's access
permit be approved. Motion to have a special Selectboard
meeting on May 29 th to review prior access permits and
Act 250 permit (Amsden/Dumville, unanimous) Higgins to contact
