Amended Thetford Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Amended Thetford Selectboard Meeting Minutes

July 31, 2000 meeting came to order at 6:35pm. Paul Raymond, Mark McMahon, Mary Spata, David Fisk, and Judy Bowden in attendance, Road Commissioner; Chad Whitcomb also attending.

Chad reported he had rented a loader to use in Sayers Pit and that the crushing of gravel was finished.

According to the Tree and Class IV Road Policies the Selectboard will send letters to abutters when a landowner has received permission to make improvements or cut trees within the town right of way on Class IV Roads.

Chad asked where the Class IV portion of Pero Hill Road ended. Mark and Chad will research town records.

Chad brought in a letter from Fire Chief Tim Moore concerning the alarm system monitoring bill which is coming due. The monitoring system used now is Stowe Electric costing $180 each for the Town Office, Town Garage and the Fire Station, a total of $540 per year. Hanover Dispatch will monitor all of them for $400 per year. It was recommended that the town Switch back to the Hanover dispatch and save $140 per year.

Paul reported that an illegal logging operation is in progress on Houghton Hill and work has been done to the road. Paul drafted a letter stating the logging must stop, the logger will be asked to meet with the Selectboard at the August 7th meeting. Chad will look at the road and Chief Krakowiecki will be asked to inquire about whom the logger is and too deliver the Selectboard's letter.

Robert L. Merchant joined the meeting he was part of the group that did the traffic study on Academy Road for Chief Krakowiecki. He is now a consultant helping communities with State Aid Transportation forms and problems generally focusing on roads and bridges. Robert and Chad will take a ride around the Town of Thetford to document problems. Robert will send a brief report to the Selectboard outlining areas grant money is available for. Robert Merchant left the meeting.

Continued business: A letter from James Morel on behalf of Rivendell school board has contacted Thetford Selectboard requesting the placement of guard rails along Route 244 along the lake. Thetford Selectboard will ask for a traffic study to reduce the speed limit. Paul will call Tom Urell about getting a traffic study done during the time the camps are open. Landowners, West Fairlee Selectboard, West Fairlee School Board, Rivendell District School Board, CampBillings, and Aloha Foundation will be asked for their input and will also be invited to join the August 21st meeting at 7pm; Mark will sign the invitation.

Paul reported the Town of Thetford has taken possession of another recycling container. The delivery charge was $100, rental will be $125 per month. The container has 3 compartments and will be used for mixed paper only, saving the recycling center approximately $400 per month. There was a lengthy discussion to find a solution to the plastic and cardboard problems; a possible solution is to add another recycling container for each. It was mentioned the red trash tags have gone up to $2.15. Judy reported the Recycling Center Committee will meet tomorrow evening to review the evaluation process for the sites.

The Selectboard discussed the RecyclingCenter's substitute workers pay. It was decided substitutes will receive the same pay/rate as the employee they work for.

Pam Campbell contacted her landlord approximately 3 weeks ago about not having any water. She has spoken with Al Stone and Paul Raymond about the problem; the Selectboard will speak with the landlord about solving the water problem.

The Municipal Solid Waste District Contract with Lebanon has been finalized. A motion was made that the Chairman sign the contract with the Solid Waste District between the town and Lebanon. The motion was seconded and accepted.

The Selectboard received a letter stating the Union Village Dam operates a public water system and testing of the water is being done, and the bill submitted to the town. Mark will check to find out why the bill is being submitted to the town.

Paul made a trip to North Thetford resulting from a dog complaint. The owner was warned, and a copy of the dog ordinance will be sent to the owner.

Mark purchased a good sized Have-A-Hart trap for the Town of Thetford to be used to catch a stray cat. He also checked with neighboring towns concerning animal control and found in most instances police do it. Mark will speak with Chief Krakowiecki about this duty.

Mark will contact Drew Haven regarding traffic control at the Fire Department's Annual Labor Day Barbecue and Parade in Post Mills.

A copy of a letter to Andrea Cohen, Solid Waste Division Agency at Natural Resources and to Erick Titrud, Environmental Law Division at the Attorney General's Office, was received from Representative Jim Masland. The letter stated the 1999 executive session with Thetford Selectboard outlined a tentative agreement with the parties of the landfill litigation. This was expected to happen long ago. The letter states that a summary sheet to inform the public of the situation would be most helpful.

Two letters were received from the Thetford Listers Office both dated July 26, 2000. One stating that the Thetford Historical Society, and the other stating that the Parish Players Inc., both meet the criteria for tax exemption.

The criteria for exemptions are:

(1) The property must be dedicated unconditionally to public use.

(2) The primary use must directly benefit an indefinite class of persons who are part of the public and must also confer a benefit on society as a result of the benefit conferred on the persons directly served.

(3) The property must be owned and operated on a not-for-profit basis.

This means both properties have been removed from the Grand List and will be tax exempt unless the use of such buildings change, or they fail to meet any or all the above criteria listed in 3802(4).

The Selectboard received a certificate of service on behalf of Dean and Allisyn Marthers owners of lot #4 informing the Selectboard and the Planning Board of their position in opposing the construction and use of the roadway over their property to lot #5, because it violates Act 250.

In reviewing the Town of Thetford's Private Alarm Ordinance the Selectboard discussed possible changes, and are looking over the State Police policy regarding private alarms systems.

There was some discussion about Personnel Policy of part time employees and holiday pay.

A motion was made to accept the amended minutes of July 24, 2000. The motion was seconded and accepted.

A motion was made to accept and sign check warrant #31.1. The motion was seconded and accepted.

A motion was made to accept and sign check warrant #31.2. The motion was seconded and accepted.

The Selectboard received a letter from Peter Fischel concerning excessive speed on Sawnee Bean Road. The letter shall be given to Chief Krakowiecki.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting, the motion was seconded and passed.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm.