MEMBERS PRESENT:       Robert Roesler, Acting Chair; Jane McKnight; Bill Smith

ADMINISTRATION:           Paul Bohne, Town Manager; Peter Frankenburg, Finance Director

 

Mr. Roesler called the meeting to order at 8:12 a.m.

None

None.

 

4.         ESTABLISH THE MUNICIPAL AND EDUCATION PROPERTY TAX

Mr. Frankenburg presented a worksheet showing calculations for tax rates.

 

MOTION by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. McKnight, to approve the total tax rates of $2.00 for Homestead and $2.002 for Non-Residential, for fiscal year 2007-2008.  VOTE:  unanimous (3 in favor, 0 opposed).  The motion CARRIED.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Paul W. Bohne III

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Jim Talley, Chairperson; Robert Roesler, Jane McKnight, Bill Smith. (Absent: Chris Boyd.)

ADMINISTRATION:           Paul Bohne, Town Manager; Peter Frankenburg, Financial Officer.

OTHERS PRESENT:            Richard Reid, Ellin Landon, Judy Peterson, Margery Sharp (Shelburne News).

 

Mr. Talley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

None.

Richard Reid, Harbor Crossing, read a statement regarding the 6/25/07 Order of the Public Service Board pertaining to potential re-routing of the VELCO transmission line (between poles #294 and 298) from the Meach Cover Trust property into the McCabe’s Brook wetland area. Mr. Reid asked that the statement be included in the minutes of the meeting verbatim. Mr. Reid said that the best solution would be to put the north end of the (Meach Cove section) route underground as the Town of Shelburne had requested. Mr. Reid asked the Selectboard to give the matter serious consideration and give the public the opportunity to know what the Town is considering/deciding before a final decision is reached.

 

Mr. Bohne provided copies of the revised Ordinance to Establish a Charge on New Users of Sewer Capacity. Revisions include clarifying language in the ordinance. Mr. Talley explained the proposed ordinance changes will outline the way the Town charges for sewer allocation so some or all of the sewer fees are received up front. The fee schedule is not changed. The change is to the timing of collection of the fees. Selectboard suggestions included the following change:

 

Mr. Bohne reported that the Stop signs have been installed. The road names need to be added to the ordinance to make the signs enforceable.

 

Mr. Bohne briefly reviewed that the Church Street sidewalk project has been re-bid. Four bids were received with Walker Construction the low bidder at $55,900. Staff is requesting the Selectboard to consider awarding the contract to Walker Construction. There is $40,000 budgeted for the project. The additional $16,000 could come from next year’s Highway budget.

 

Ms. McKnight noted continuing problems with email messages/responses. Staff will investigate the matter.

 

Ms. McKnight reported on the June 2007 CCTA meeting. CCTA released year to date bus ridership numbers on the Shelburne Road route.

Ms. McKnight commented that Mr. Reid raised interesting points regarding the VELCO route (Meach Cove Trust property/McCabe’s Brook wetlands) and suggested that the Board discuss the issue in Executive Session.

 

The regular meeting was adjourned and Executive Session convened at 7:45 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Jim Talley, Chairperson; Robert Roesler, Jane McKnight, Bill Smith, Chris Boyd.

ADMINISTRATION:           Paul Bohne, Town Manager; Peter Frankenburg, Financial Officer; Jim Warden, Police Chief, Al Fortin, Police Sergeant; Jim Mack, Dispatcher.

OTHERS PRESENT:            Tim Loucks, Steven Antinozzi, Chris Preston (Shelburne News).

 

 

Mr. Talley, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

 

None.

Steven Antinozzi, Falls Road, asked about enforcement of the town’s sign ordinance, questioning the legality of the “Going Out of Business” displayed by The Furniture Place on Shelburne Road for quite some time. Mr. Bohne stated signs are difficult to monitor, especially real estate “For Sale” signs posted on street corners, for example. Mr. Antinozzi suggested raising the fines for illegal signs. Bill Smith suggested the police confiscate illegal signs. Mr. Talley noted the zoning regulations will be updated next December which is the opportunity to strengthen enforcement. The Selectboard sets fines through the ordinance.

 

Mr. Bohne briefly reviewed language changes to clarify Section 4 of the proposed amendments to the town ordinance: Establish a Charge on New Users of Sewer Capacity.

 

The Selectboard signed the document(s).

Shelburne Police Chief Jim Warden introduced Sergeant Al Fortin and Dispatcher Jim Mack. Chief Warden provided the Board with copies of the Police Department work rotation schedule (28 day segments of 160 hours), dispatch work sheet, weekly work sheet, daily work sheet, weekly computer sign-in log, time-off request sheet, extra duty sheet, work-related mileage sheet, overtime/extra detail sheets for police and dispatch, and a Click It Or Ticket It program tracking sheet. Chief Warden explained that an audit of the work sheets is done every six months. There was lengthy discussion of the use of part-time officers as fill-in for extra detail and overtime dictated by the union contract. Chief Warden explained that if none of the full-time officers agree to extra detail then the department can use part-time officers at a cost savings. There was also discussion of the extra projects/extra work sheet list (funded through outside sources). Chief Warden stated most of the programs, such as finger printing service, generate extra revenue. Part-time officers cover vacant shifts. Chief Warden pointed out he and others (Sergeant Fortin, Mr. Mack, for example) also cover gaps in service as necessary. Officer training requirements include EMT, fire arms, and tazer. The police provide community services on a 24-hour 7-day a week basis. Equipment, such as the speed cart, is purchased or acquired through federal and state grants. Equipment acquired through grants means the items can be deleted from the capital budget for a savings to the town. There was mention of the several officers leaving the police department. Ms. McKnight asked if there are guaranteed hours for part-time officers. Chief Warden stated the department is authorized to hire 11 full-time officers. The department is losing three officers which is a hardship. Applicants are being sought. Part-time hires are not guaranteed a set number of hours. An officer working 24 hours receives partial benefits. In response to a question, Sergeant Fortin explained there is no way to predict scheduling issues with regard to comp time requests.  

 

Mr. Talley asked what the Selectboard can do to make the Police Department operation easier. Chief Warden replied continued communication between the department and the town is key. Ms. McKnight asked if overtime hours would be reduced with more full-time officers. Chief Warden stated the department is advertising out of state and in state for officers. The lack of candidates is a state-wide problem. The cadet youth program has been very successful in the past, and it may be good to explore the program again. Ms. McKnight suggested getting a forecast from the Police Department in the fall for budget discussions.

 

Mr. Bohne explained the proposed Safe Routes to School enhancement grant application for $300,000 to provide funding for a sidewalk project from the one-way portion of Webster Road to the Boulder Hill Development. Application for additional grants will be made to cover cost of construction of the pathway. Impact Fees will be applied to the project and in-kind services from town staff as well. Voter support to cover any short fall may be sought if necessary.  Mr. Talley mentioned doing the project in phases to coincide with increment funding as funds are received. Mr. Bohne explained the engineering, design work and permit process.

 

 

The Selectboard signed the letter of support for the grant application.

 

Mr. Bohne reviewed the letter from Jan Leja, dated 07/10/2007, regarding late payment of property taxes. Mr. Leja made payment on the August tax bill, but the amount was applied to delinquent taxes from a previous unpaid installment/penalty. There is an outstanding penalty for the August tax payment installment that needs to be paid.

 

Mr. Bohne explained the Selectboard annually must approve use of Marshall-Swift cost tables software.

 

Mr. Bohne reported the State of Vermont amended the state rules for sewer allocation. The state will not be issuing sewer allocation permits starting October 1^st. The Town will record flows and track what has been permitted.

 

Ms. McKnight mentioned a solution to the email problems with town correspondence has not yet been found.  Ms. McKnight reported on the CCTA Strategy Committee meeting. CCTA staff will do a multi-year campaign to change the funding mechanism from the property tax to a penny on the tax rate. Ms. McKnight said she received a citizen complaint about the closed VELCO site visit. Mr. Bohne confirmed the town/VELCO meeting regarding the Meach Cove/McCabe’s Brook route of the transmission line included a field walk/site visit. A public meeting is scheduled for the 8/28/07 Selectboard meeting.

 

Mr. Boyd asked for a status report on the past request by Verizon to co-locate on the town water tower. Mr. Bohne stated Verizon has not contacted the town recently. Verizon was concerned about the temporary nature of locating on the tower relative to the investment to be made to do so. Verizon was exploring several sites. The town formally indicated (in writing) that a long term lease on the water tower is a possibility.

 

Mr. Boyd stated the road side and sidewalk along Webster Road to the Route 7 traffic light is in need of mowing and maintenance. Mr. Bohne explained the Route 7 contractor holds a one-year maintenance contract. The Town has been in contact with VTrans District 5. On a different matter, Mr. Boyd noted he is not included on the town’s email list and asked that the matter be addressed. 

 

MOTION by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Roesler, to adjourn the regular meeting. VOTE: unanimous (5-0); motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.