Town of Pittsford, Vermont

Town of Pittsford
 

Select Board Minutes June 1, 2005
DRAFT

Thomas “Hank” Pelkey opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  Select Board members present were: Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Joe Gagnon, Allen Hitchcock and Dave Markowski.  Larry Pomainville was absent.  Also present were Mike Balch, Helen McKinlay, Roy Newton, Lillian & Dan Ferrara, and Phaedra Washburn

Minutes

The minutes of May 18, 2005 were reviewed, discussed and approved.  A. Hitchcock noted the following corrections:  Page 1 change grinded to ground, Page 2 delete the word “at” on the last bullet under Town Manager, Page 4 line 14 delete the word “won’t” and add wouldn’t be used, Page 4 next to the last line delete the words “was an”, Page 5 on the 5^th line under Equipment Rental Bids change “want use and “ to read “would”, Page 5 3^rd line from the bottom add the word “he” in front of “used”, Page 6 line 4 change “at least” to “just”, Page 6 line 16 after “without more” add service from Fire Warden, Page 8 line 4 change “wonder” to wonders.

The Liquor Board minutes of May 18, 2005.were reviewed, discussed and approved.

orders

The orders of June 1, 2005 were reviewed, discussed and approved. M. Balch confirmed the culvert study was a consultant for the roads. 

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

• M. Balch informed the Board the Planning Grant Account has a balance $7,825.41 which should be able to be applied towards the work to update the Town Plan.
• M. Balch presented a budget status report through June 1, 2005.  The budget figures for the first 11 months of this fiscal year have not been audited.  The Sewer Department is anticipated to have an estimated $5,000 shortfall at year end which includes both revenue and expenses. The operations portion of the budget has been over extended due to the work done by Atty. David Cleary and Otter Creek Engineering to determine the extent of the issues at the Sewer Plant.  With the exception of the engineering and legal fees the Sewer Department is in better shape than anticipated.  The Board asked M. Balch to verify the payment of $12,500 from State for VT Police Academy to reserve sewer allocations had been received.  Outstanding bills for the year end still need to be processed.  No other budget issues are foreseen for the end of the fiscal year.  R. Newton asked if the outstanding revenue comes in if the Sewer account would balance at the end of the year.  M. Balch stated the revenue won’t offset the entire amount over expended by approximately $5,000.00.
• A. Hitchcock asked M. Balch how the audit findings of checks not cashed had been handled.  M. Balch stated the checks had been reissued. 
• M. Balch informed the Board he reconciles the Town bank statements on a regular basis.
• Sullivan and Powers are working with the office to schedule our end of year audit.  D. Wheeler will be out for approximately 2 months from approximately August 1^st and Helen will be out for 2 weeks in July. At this time it appears the audit will take place in October rather than September.    
• The Select Board Meeting scheduled for July 20^th is going to be a difficult week for the Town Office.  Based on the old Board schedule of every second Wednesday M. Balch reserved a camp in Rhode Island, Randy Adams has also reserved camp in Maine for that week, and Helen will be out for her second surgery.  M. Balch suggested perhaps we could do without a Board meeting that week if members of the Board were willing to look at the orders that need to be paid.  The Board agreed to cancel the July 20^th meeting and if necessary a Special Meeting will be scheduled. 
• Eight applications have been received for the vacant Highway Department crewman opening.  Interviews will be scheduled for next week.
• M. Balch reported Atty. David Cleary had no further information to report at this time.
• M. Balch and Fire Chief Tom Hooker have discussed the proposed ordinance to control open burning in the Town.  M. Balch is writing a first draft, based on successful ordinances in other towns.
• The Recreation Department invoice from Gilmore Home Center on the May 18, 2005 order was due to Gilmore Home Center being the sole local source for the required MDO board; and their pricing was competitive on other items being purchased and they provided free delivery.     
• R. Parker issued 198 and E. Keith issued 302 burn permits (out of balance with annual report by 3 permits).
• The draft policy for the issuance on burning permits will be completed with and complement the proposed Town outside burning ordinance. 
• Syndicate Road clean up has been completed and we are pursuing several identified possible polluters. 
• Charlie Rivers if interested in assisting the Highway Department with cleaning up roadsides as needed. 
• M. Balch stated that in researching the elevation of the curve on Plains Road at the Mary Crahan corner the specifications given in the May 17, 2005 memo were for gravel roads, which relate to slower speeds and different erosion issues.  M. Balch reported hard surfaced roads have more factors to consider, including speed and the radius of the curve.  This portion of Plains Road was rehabilitated in 1994.  Shawn met with the Select Board at that time and the issues were addressed.  Subsequent road rehabilitations undertaken by the Highway Department work crew have been reviewed by the AOT District Engineer.  M. Balch did measure the elevation of the outside of the curve, which showed the cross road grade to be 4.33% to 5.83%.  At 35 mph this grade is okay.  The grade would become an issue at 45 to 50 mph. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no public comments this evening.

The Select Board recessed as the Select Board and convened as the Sewer Board at      

 6:50 P.M.  The Select Board reconvened at 6:52 P.M.

OLD BUSINESS

Consider Appraisal and Possible Sales Price for Mechanic Street Property

M. Balch stated the Town lot located on Mechanic Street has more land than needed to be a conforming lot.  Tom Hooker the current tenant and Greg Sharrow the next door neighbor together wish to purchase the lot at the appraised value of $26,000.  The Aqueduct building is a historic building and G. Sharrow would like to refurbish the building to use as a studio. M. Balch requested the Board consider selling the property as is for the appraised value of $26,000 to G. Sharrow and T. Hooker.  The buyers of the property would then need to ask for the sub division of the existing lot.  A. Hitchcock expressed concern the appraisal may too low considering the lot has both Town water and sewer.  A. Hitchcock asked if the appraiser had actually visited the site as the description given in the report stated the lot gradually sloped toward the brook and this was not accurate.  M. Balch pointed out the appraisal listed sales of three comparable lots.  The Board discussed the fact the lot is not very developable.  A motion was made by A. Hitchcock to have a second appraisal on the Water Department lot located on Mechanic Street.  J. Gagnon seconded the motion.  The motion deadlocked with a vote of two to two.  A. Hithcock and J. Gagnon voted in favor of the motion.  Opposed were H. Pelkey and D. Markowski.  G. Sharrow was present and described to the Board how they hoped to sub divide the property.  G. Sharrow passed on information to the Board showing the history of the Aqueduct building.  The Board agreed due to the deadlock to table the issue until the next meeting. 

Pittsford Day Celebration Committee Status Report

Representatives of the Pittsford Day Celebration, Lillian and Dan Ferrara, and Phaedra Washburn gave an overview of the planned events for July 3^rd.  The Committee requested the Town appoint them as a Town Committee so the event would fall under the Town insurance.  The insurance cost if not a Town committee would be very prohibitive as a private group.  There will be no additional cost to the Town under their current insurance policy.  The committee will provide a list of names of the committee to the Board.  The group also requested the Town to provide Police services for the day of the event.  A. Hitchcock made a motion to recognize Pittsford Day Celebration Committee as a Town committee pending receipt of list with the names of those on the committee and the Town to provide police coverage the day of the event.  D. Markowski seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  M. Balch will review the July Police Department schedule in an attempt to minimize the expenditures of the Police at this event.  M. Balch pointed out the Police Department is significantly over budget on the revenue side and under budget in expenditures for the fiscal year.

Consider Acceptance of Highway Garage Roof Replacement Bid

M. Balch request the Board consider the two bids received for the Highway Garage Roof replacement.  The Board discussed the difference in the edging and new facial boards between the two bids.  D. Markowski asked for H. P. for his recommendation with only $1200 difference between bids.  H. Pelkey stated with the specifications included with the bid packages either one of these would be acceptable.  The prices do not appear to be  

out of line.  A motion was made by D. Markowski to accept the bid from Bob Ailes Roofing of St. Johnsbury in the amount of $27, 955.  A. Hitchcock seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Proposed Easement on Kingsley Property located at 311 Gorham Bridge Road

A. Hitchcock told the Board he had discussed the Kingsley proposed easement with Bob Baird.  The easement is a standard conservation easement that limits the ability to do little other than farming and it does match our Town plan requirements.  A. Hitchcock recommended to the Board this land be kept open and allow the family to do what they want with the property by enrolling in the VT Land Trust.  This property is currently in the state current use and would not receive an additional tax break.  The easement would allow the property to remain agricultural.  A. Hitchcock made a motion for M. Balch to write a letter to the VT Land Trust on behalf of the Board confirming the Kingsley property easement would conform to the Pittsford Town Plan.  The motion was seconded by D. Markowski.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Thomas Arandt Access Permit

The Access Permit for T. Arandt was reviewed and discussed.  The lot is located partly in Pittsford and partly in Chittenden.  D. Markowski made a motion to approve the permit as presented.  The motion was seconded by A. Hitchcock.  The motion passed unanimously.              

Fr. Joseph Romano Access Permit

The Access Permit for Father Joseph Romano for property on Old Hubbardton Road was reviewed and discussed.  D. Markowski made a motion to approve the permit as presented.  The motion was seconded by A. Hitchcock.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Michael Fucile Access Permit request for Amendment

The amended Access Permit for Michel Fucile was reviewed and discussed.  A. Hitchcock made a motion to approve the amended access permit.  The motion was seconded by D. Markowski.  The motion passed unanimously.  .

M. Balch stated S. Erickson’s request to try going through the winter without salt in the sand pile.  Environmentally this would be superior unless the Board has concerns. The Highway Department would put up the sand pile during a dry period to ensure it would be good and dry.   Salt would be added as it was being used when appropriate.  D. Markowski stated he has reservations with this process.  A. Hitchcock suggested splitting the sand to test both ways.  M. Balch was asked to research the salt usage and cost comparison from the previous year.  . 

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Select Board Minutes June 1, 2005                                               

Respectfully submitted:    

Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Chair

Allen Hitchcock, Vice-Chair 

Dave Markowski, Selectman

W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman

Helen McKinlay, Recording Secretary

Larry Pomainville, Selectman - ABSENT

Back to Town of Pittsford Home Page