Danville Vermont             

~DRAFT~

                                    Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

                           April 15th, 2010

Michael K Walsh  called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard present were, Douglas Pastula, Michael K Walsh, Marvin Withers, Steven Larrabee, and Denise Briggs. Also present were Wendy Somers, Ken Linsley, Merton Leonard, visitors Ian Blackmore, David Towle, Jill Kelleher, Rita Foley, Barb and Gary Fontaine, and reporter Sally Cook.

 Marvin Withers moved to accept the minutes of the April 1st meeting, Douglas Pastula seconded the motion. The Board discussed the construction aspect of the Hill Street project. Doug was concerned that needed work on other roads not be neglected, while the road crew is working on Hill Street. From prior discussions, Michael, Marvin and Merton are sure that Kevin intends to have only part of the crew on Hill Street at the same time. He intends to have the grader, and at times the backhoe, continuing to operate on the dirt roads along with other crew members tending to the road work as necessary. The minutes were approved as written.

Ian Blackmore was present to explain his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. He is requesting of the Selectboard, permission to build an Adirondack Camping Shelter in The Pudding Hill 100 Acre Forest for the benefit and use by hikers and campers, as well as the Boy Scouts. Ian presented a very detailed, multi paged proposal describing not only the proposed shelter with materials list and blueprints, but the use of the shelter by hikers, and the general public. Photos of the area showed the general location and surroundings. The Board was very impressed with his project and presentation. Steven Larrabee moved to approve Ian Blackmore's request to build an Adirondack camping shelter in the Pumpkin Hill Town Forrest, for use by the Boy Scouts as well as the general public as presented. Douglas Pastula seconded the motion which was approved. He was requested to get a building permit from the zoning administrator and present his project to the Conservation Commission for their approval.

Ken Linsley was present representing the Village Improvement Society (VIS). He requested $500.00 from the Sevigny Bequest to be used for flowers, mulch, etc for planting on the Green as they usually do each spring. There was some discussion of the role of the VIS usually their usual duties and how it would be done in the future. There was also a question of how much money the Sevigny funds were going to yield in interest this year, Wendy estimated it would be around $20,000, when totally vested. Marvin Withers moved to continue with the VIS as in the past, and to approve the VIS request for the $500.00 for flowers and planting materials, for use only on the Green. Douglas Pastula, seconded the motion that was approved. The Board also agreed to put the mowing of the Green out for bid.

David Towle was present representing the Rural Community Transportation. He wanted to inform the Board that they are joining with the Green Mountain Transit Agency to run a public transit commuter service between St Johnsbury and Montpelier, with available connections to other routes across the state. They requested to locate a bus stop in Danville Village, but when the discussion included the probability of park and ride space as well, there is no suitable location existing. There will be a bus stop at the park and ride in West Danville, which the Danville patrons can utilize until a suitable stop can be found closer to the Village.

 Jill Kelleher and Rita Foley of the West Danville Community Club (WDCC) were  present to show the Board their plans for the new shelter at Joe's Pond Beach. Architect Jules Chatot and builder Larry Rossi got together to design a shelter that would fit on the existing bath house slab, and would be affordable with a fair amount of volunteer work for the WDCC. The Board reviewed the drawings and agreed that it looks like it would work and the design was acceptable. Steven Larrabee moved to approve the shelter design as presented to fit on the existing slab of the old bath house at the Joes Pond Beach, Douglas Pastula seconded the motion which was approved.

Barb Fontaine was present to discuss the legal advice she received from the State Director of Elections. Wendy was present to discuss the Australian ballot and the legal advice she had received from the town attorney. The advise was basically the same; you cannot vote a question to adopt Australian Ballot by using Australian Ballot. Information Barb received also had procedures how to establish Australian Ballot voting by adopting a Charter.  On another subject, Barb questioned if the water line completion meeting with Munson would include the town. The answer was it would include the town but the Fire District and Munson are responsible for all modifications required.

Wendy had quotes from the area banks on proposals for the Town's line of credit. The Passumpsic Savings Bank offered 1.59% interest, The Community Bank was 1.88%, and the Union Bank was at 1.90%. Marvin Withers moved to accept the bid of the Passumpsic Savings Bank of 1.59% for the Town's Line of Credit. Doug Pastula seconded the motion, which was approved, Steven Larrabee abstained. Wendy also advised the Board that the VLCT Cigna Insurance sponsored an Olympic Pedometer Challenge that included nine employees on the insurance and two of the listers. The pedometers count each step the wearer takes and were tallied every week. Total steps over the 8 week challenge were totaled at 2,102.5. Jeremy withers was the leader with the most steps and 15 lbs lost.

 Kevin's written report stated that the road crew is fully into spring cleanup now, with the grader running daily trying to keep ahead of the potholes. They add gravel where necessary to fill potholes or mud holes, and to work some shape into the roads. The backhoe also runs most days opening up culverts and cleaning up any debris along the road sides. Some of the crew will be starting on the drainage of the Hill Street project next week, while others will work with the grader and backhoe on other projects. A second hole has developed in the #7 North Danville Bridge deck. The first hole developed and was repaired last year, per state instructions. Kevin and Mert have been working on a grant for re-decking this bridge, which seems a little more assured with the development of this new hole. The bridge will have one lane closed until repairs are made. Kevin was attending a "Narrow-Banding" meeting, to get details of upcoming FCC requirements for the truck radios.  There were three applications for Curbcuts that Kevin had inspected and approved: Arron and Patricia Laura on Calkins Camp Road, Lauran and Spencer Morse on Jamison Road, and Samuel Shippe on Penny Lane. The Board voted to approve the three Curbcuts with conditions as noted by Kevin, on a motion by Marvin Withers that was seconded by Denise Briggs.

 Merton reported that Sexton Donald Lamont replaced seventy of the broken fence posts and reattached the fence to the post at the Pope Cemetery, and will be onto the Massey Cemetery next. The structural engineers that are inspecting the old town garage, stopped by the Town Hall to look at the porch problem. They will offer a quote for engineering assistance for repairs to the porch, as they have experience with this type of structure with roof and pillar construction. Merton brought up recent requests to use the Bandstand for weddings. After some discussion the Board wishes to continue a no charge policy for weddings only on the Green. Merton has discussed the house at 116 Hill Street with the Town Attorney. Although they are not involved with any legal proceedings at that property, he confirmed that there is not much a mortgagee can do with a house until the court acts favorably on their foreclosure action.  Merton also discussed the Danville Canadian ceremony time with Paul Chouinard, Paul believes that most people would be in favor of the earlier time.

 Michael had reviewed the AT&T request to change their cell towers on Nick's cell tower on Swett Road. The request is now handled by the Public Service Board rather than individual zoning boards throughout the state. The PSB does allow for community input to the change by sending a form to the Selectboard. Everyone agreed upgrading the cell tower technology would be a worthwhile project. Douglas Pastula moved to approve Michael signing the PSB notice for the Board, Marvin Withers second the motion which was approved.

             The Board reviewed the budgets and the expenditures and signed the orders. The Board also reviewed the Highway Financial Plan, a report that the state does on town road budgets every year. Steven Larrabee made a motion to accept the Financial Plan. Marvin Withers seconded the motion which was approved.

             With no further business, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:20.

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Merton Leonard

Clerk of the Selectboard

Send mail to Mert.Leonard@DanvilleVt.com with questions or comments about this web site.