Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

October 1st, 2009

Marvin Withers called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard present were, Michael K Walsh, Doug Pastula, Steve Larrabee, Denise Briggs, and Marvin Withers. Also present were Wendy Somers, Kevin Gadapee, Merton Leonard, Tim Ide, Dave Houston, Tom Forster, Evangelyn Morse, Jeremy Withers, Jason Crocker, Marc Joncas, and visitors Barb and Gary Fontaine. Michael K Walsh moved to accept the minutes of the September 17th meeting as written; Denise Briggs seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as written on a 4 to 1 vote.

Lister Tim Ide was present to request the Board to authorize a change to the Grand List. A survey had been filed with the town clerk that reduced the acreage of the parcel which resulted in reducing the value of the property by $14,400. This reduction was not reflected on the tax bill or on the grand list. Michael K Walsh moved to reduce the grand list by $144 to reflect the change of value of parcel VB02-014.000 caused by the filed survey, Steve Larrabee seconded the motion which was approved.

Tim Ide representing the Danville Fire District informed the Board that the water line project was going to be expanded to include Crystal Avenue, the last old water line north of Route #2. While the Board was pleased they would be able to include this line, they were concerned that they would have to close the street to traffic during construction time. The Board again expressed concern over the condition of all the streets affected will be over the winter.

Dave, Tom, and Evangeline representing the Conservation Commission, were present to inform the Board of their activities and study surrounding the two town forests. From surveys returned, they found that in general, residents were not very familiar with the town forest, but would like to see increased non damaging use. Uses included hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, with increased trails. Most would like more information about usage, increase promotion of events, addition of informational signs, and control of invasive species, while leaving the forests as natural as possible. Ecologist Brett Engstrom, hired with funds provided by a grant from "Trees for Local Communities", is doing a study of what the forests would likely become if left alone. Dave brought in samples of signs he has been working on, to post at each forest, to state that they are town forests and their names. Michael K Walsh moved to cover the cost of the signs of approximately $350 from the town building maintenance fund, Denise Briggs seconded the motion which was approved.

Marc Joncas was present to discuss the Hill St skating rink he operates. He was given a fitness grant from NVRH to use to improve the rink. He proposed to add lights and level up the ground under the rink. The lights would enable the rink to be used in the evenings and a level base to the rink would make a better surface for the ice. After some discussion Denise Briggs moved to approve the use of the grant money to level an area of the park and to add permanent lights that would operate on a timer. Steve Larrabee seconded the motion which was approved. Merton will contact CVPS about the power.

Fire Wardens Jason Crocker and Jeremy Withers were present to discuss their findings regarding the burning complaints on Roy Road. To date they have found no violations of the burning ordinance when they have investigated a complaint. Often it has been a small fire in a pit that does not require a permit.

Wendy was present to discuss the Leader Light Health Program sponsored by the Cigna Health Care. She brought samples of four policies that we are recommended to adopt or upgrade. She also is trying to get an in-house health committee together, and requested two volunteers from the Board. Kevin requested some changes to the smoking and tobacco policy based on his road crews input.

Kevin reported that the reconstruction work on Lower Brainerd Street has been going very well and is already to the paving stage. As per recent procedure, the asphalt was removed and hauled to the quarry for recycling by mixing with ledge and re-crushed for use on class 3 roads. The better quality road material was saved for use on class 4 roads. The road was rebuilt with road fabric covered with a stone base and 3/4in plant mix, and will be paved. The grader continues to work on the roads, the backhoe is working on culverts, the road side mower is working on brushy areas, and the trucks are hauling winter sand. It is planned to include heavier brush cutting as well. Kevin notes he is nearing the end of his two year Maintenance Academy, and has written a Drug and Alcohol Policy as his term paper, which he hopes to have adopted as a town policy.

Merton noted he attended the ,VLCT annual meeting earlier in the day. The league is hopping to encourage the legislature to change the school funding law as more general fund items keep getting shifted to the education fund.

The Board reviewed and signed the orders. In other business, the Board approved the use of the Green by the Methodist Church for a pie sale for Oct 11th, on a motion by Denise Briggs that was seconded by Michael K Walsh. They approved a special event spirits tasting license for Duncan Spirits for Autumn on the Green and authorized Wendy to sign their license, on a motion by Denise Briggs, that was seconded by Steve Larrabee.

Wendy requested an executive session for a personnel matter. The Board approved an executive session for a personnel matter on a motion by Michael K Walsh that was seconded by Steve Larrabee. The Board returned from executive session at 8:50 with no action taken.

With no other business, the Board adjourned the meeting at 9:08 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Merton Leonard

Clerk of the Selectboard

Town of Danville

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