Approved as written: 07-05-2017
Approved as corrected: ______
VERNON SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017
REGULAR MEETING
6:30pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT:
Josh Unruh, Chair Michelle Pong, Town Administrator
Sandra Harris, Vice Chair Michelle Millerick, Secretary
Stephen Skibniowsky, Clerk Cindy Turnley, Treasurer
Jeff Dunklee Kevin Turnley, Building/Grounds
Jean Carr David Walker, Road Commissioner
Kristina Walker
Rita Mudd
Stanley Sage
Sandy Morrison
Jessica Freeman Earp
Janet Rasmussen
Gordon Christianson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETINIG:
Josh Unruh, Chair called the regular meeting to order at 6:30pm, welcomed those present and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Josh Unruh, Chair requested to add Fireworks Contract to the Agenda under New Business.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ADD FIREWORKS CONTRACT TO THE AGENDA UNDER NEW BUSINESS. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
CHAIRS REMARKS:
Due to some spectacular fund raising done by Shane Shippee and his family and Michelle Pong, Town Administrator, enough money was raised to have our own fireworks this Saturday which will start at dark. A list of local business donors was read aloud. Appreciation was expressed for all the work everyone did to pull this together. Also thanks to the Fire Department for coming together at the last minute to provide parking assistance and fire safety for the event.
Every week Recycling starts July 1, 2017.
Former Town Attorney Chuck Cummings has passed away. The Selectboard extends condolences to his family.
GUESTS:
None
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS (non-Agenda items):
None
DEPARTMENT/COMMITTEE REPORT:
1) Treasurer – Cindy Turnley –
a) Clear Choice Medical Services - A Switch from AEIOU– Cindy Turnley and Michelle Pong met with Clear Choice on Putney Rd. in Brattleboro, Vt. to explore the possibility of sending employees there for work related injuries. AEIOU only takes appointments now. Clear Choice also does DOT physicals (David Walker requires DOT physicals) the state of Vermont doesn’t make DOT physicals mandatory andCindy requested a policy that would make it mandatory.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE TREASURER TO SWITCH FROM AEIOU TO CLEAR CHOICE MEDICAL SERVICES. JEAN CARR SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
b) CDL Requirements for Town Drivers – Discussion7 employees have their CDL; Cindy Turnley would like a policy that enforces what we already have, the Town Administrator will start working on this new policy.
c) Investment of Town Funds – Suggestions and RecommendationsGordon Christiansen and Cindy Turnley gave their recommendations on what to do with the Towns Funds.
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION THAT WE DIVERSIFY THE MUTUAL FUNDS IN THE CEMETERY FUNDS. SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO MOVE $100,000.00 FROM THE TOWN OF VERNON ASSOCIATION INTO A BOND. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
2) Highway Department – Dave Walker – Road ClosuresDavid Walker, Road Commissioner will be closing Huckle Hill, not sure of the date at this time.
3) Planning Commission – Janet Rasmussen –
1) Appointment of Jessica Freeman Earp.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF JESSICA FREEMAN EARP TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
2) BDCC Collaboration – Janet Rasmussen would like to pursue the proposal from BDCC to the Town of Vernon to seek grant funding to support hiring legal and consulting services and administrative services as needed.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ALONG WITH THE TOWN ADMINISTRATORS SUPPORT TO GO WITH THE BDCC PROPOSAL. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MEETING MINUTES FROM JUNE 6, 2017, WITH CORRECTIONS ON PAGE 4 UNDER TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT, CHANGE TREASURER TO LISTERS. JEAN CARR SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Bills and Warrants
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE PAYMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING BILLS AND WARRANTS FOR TUESDAY JUNE 6, 2017.
24 –TAccounts Payable - $45,676.18
23SPayroll - $8,430.86
24SPayroll - $9,435.85
SANDRA HARRIS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
1) Cemetery Deeds
a) Richard and Karen Kren
b) Jeffrey and Terry Rawson
c)Marilyn and Wayne Snetsinger
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CEMETERY DEEDS FOR THE FIRST DEED RICHARD AND KAREN KREN, SECOND DEED JEFFREY AND TERRY RAWSON AND THIRD DEED MARILYN AND WAYNE SNETSINGER. JEAN CARR SECONDED. MOTION CAARRIED 5-0.
2) Server Purchase – Our computer person recommends replacement of the server soon. The Town has full funds in the Capitol Plan for the purchase as of July 1. Estimated cost about $10,000.00. The Selectboard requests a formal proposal and to move forward with this.
3) Windham County Humane Society Contract – Animal Holding Agreement – WHCS will not provide a rabies hold.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO SIGN AND APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH WCHS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HOLDING FOR RABIES IS NOT IN THE CONTRACT. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
. 4)Municipal Roads Grants-In-Aid Pilot – Board approval for Town participation–This is a Pilot Program being run by the WRC, this is new to everyone, the money would help with water erosion issues and water control and quality, David Walker has been working on this. To be involved or considered for the grant we need to say yes we are interested by July 1, 2017.
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD TO SECURE THE MUNICIPAL ROADS GRANTS-IN-AID PILOT. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5) VLCT Board Nominations – Michelle Pong asked if anyone was interested in serving on the Board of VLCT. No Board members were interested at this time.
6) Comments to NRC re: NorthStar license transfer due June 23, 2017 – Discussion – Statement as a Board or individual.
STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY MADE A MOTION TO INSTRUCT THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR TO PREPARE A LETTER TO THE NRC REGARDING OUR SUPPORT OF THE NORTHSTAR LICENSE TRANSFER SIMILAR TO THE PSB SUPPORT LETTER. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
.
7) Firework Contract -
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ATLAS CONTRACT FOR FIREWORKS THIS SATURDAY. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Old Business:
1)RFP for Town Attorney–Selectboard reviewed the RFP for the Town Attorney; change the date to come back from July 3, to July 17.
2) Contract for Law Enforcement Services –
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE AMENDED WINDHAM COUNTY SHERIFFS CONTRACT. STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3) Right to Farm Signs – There is only enough money for one sign; the signs are $250.00 each. Stephen Skibniowsky and Jeff Dunklee offered to split the cost of the second sign for $125.00 each
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $250.00 FOR ONE SIGN AND GRATEFULLY ACCEPT THE DONATION FROM STEPHEN SKIBNIOWSKY AND JEFF DUNKLEE FOR THE SECOND SIGN. JEAN CARR SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0..
4) Dog Ordinance – A Draft of the new Dog Ordinance was discussed with some changes and it will be brought back to the next meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY):
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
Media – None
Notice of appearance in front of the Public Service Board.
Agency of Natural Resources provided updated maps for the Black Gum Swamp; State will be coming back in the next 2 months asking for reclassification again.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
Sign the Snow Removal Contract.
UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE:
NDCAP – Governor Hunt House – Thursday, June 22, 2017
Regular Meeting – Wednesday, July 5, 2017 – 6:30pm
Planning Commission Public Hearing on Town Plan Amendments – Monday, June 26, 2017 – 6:30pm
Selectboard Public Hearing on Town Plan Amendments – Tuesday, August 01, 2017 – 6:00pm
Open Meeting Law Training – Brattleboro Location TBA – Wednesday, July 26, 2017 – 6:00pm
ADJOURNMENT:
SANDRA HARRIS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:18PM. JEFF DUNKLEE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted by
Michelle Millerick
Michelle Millerick, Secretary
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Vernon Selectboard Regular Meeting 06-20-2017