Town of Danville

Selectboard Minutes

September 3rd, 2009

Michael K Walsh called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm. Selectboard present were, Michael K Walsh, Doug Pastula, Steve Larrabee, and Denise Briggs. Also present were Kevin Gadapee, Merton Leonard, and visitors Ken Linsley and Craig Vance. Denise Briggs moved to accept the minutes of the Aug 20th meeting as written; Doug Pastula seconded the motion. After some discussion, Mary Prior's comments were revised to read "She would like to see every historic sight listed" and "she wishes the Historical Society to have a seat on the Planning Commission".

Marvin Withers arrived at the meeting and assumed the Chair position. Craig Vance representing NEK Wheelers ATV Club, was present to answer the letter of concern the Selectboard had sent him after last meeting. The concern was with ATV traffic particularly on the Wheelock and McDowell Roads. Mr Vance stated that the club, with assistance from the VASA the state ATV association, funded nine hours of sheriff patrol to determine the type of traffic that may be using the roads and to determine if any are not following the rules. He also informed the board that the club has built a connector trail from Webster Hill to Marty's.

Kevin reported that the grading continues along with culvert replacement and ditching; they are repairing the body work on truck 4 that is mostly complete; the safety audit project is complete except for the road markings that is scheduled; the water project continues on Hill Street and Highland Avenue; the Wightman Road project is complete except for guard rails and paving, VTrans has approved the construction work, FEMA will inspect the total project when completed; work on final FEMA sight on Pope Brook will be completed in the next two weeks; and planning on Lower Brainerd St is complete and construction will start there in a couple weeks.

Kevin inquired if the Board wanted him to proceed as usual with the construction on Brainerd St. The town workers and equipment usually do the largest share of the work and he hires the heavy construction equipment as needed. The general consensus of the Board was to proceed as usual and hire equipment as needed. Kevin also inquired if the guard rails on the Wightman Road project should be extended beyond replacement position of the old ones. Without the trees in position the bank is more exposed. The Board responded if it meets the road standards, and the state and FEMA approves it, the guardrails should be installed as designed.

In a letter presented by Mary Prior as president of the Historical Society, requested four items of consideration from the Board. The first item was assistance to helping preserve the development radius around the Old North Church. After some discussion the board concluded that they had no simple solution to this request. Some land has been donated to the Historical Society, but the remaining land has a value to the owners. There are no town funds available at the present time, that have been set aside for the purchase of property or development rights. Any other funds, if appropriated, would have to be approved at a Town Meeting. They encouraged Mary to work with the Conservation Commission, to try to find any funds or solutions that may be available from outside agencies, for land preservation. Second the Board did not have support for requiring all historic sites to bear markers stating such and requiring them to meet special requirements for alterations and use. They have no objections for anyone voluntarily subscribing to such an agreement, but they feel that should be up to the individual property owners. Third they were in agreement that the balance of the book account of approximately $2456 could be used to reprint additional copies of the town history book.

Fourth the tree fund specifies use only for plantings on town property. The Mason's building is not town property and was not considered for any plantings. The final item requested a Board member to become an ex-officio member of the Historical Society and the North Danville School Association. The Board felt that each organization is independent, and does not require a member of the Selectboard to attend their board meetings as a member. They would appreciate a copy of any minutes generated.

Merton reported that the listers are requesting to replace their 6 year old PC as they were delayed at tax printing time with operating problems. The PC repairman recommended replacing this one as soon as possible, at a cost of approximately $1500. As this tax season has been completed by the listers they would like to get their new PC online so they will be ready for next tax year. Michael K Walsh moved to approve spending approximately $1500 for a new PC for the listers charged to their reappraisal fund. Denise Briggs seconded the motion that was approved. The Planning Commission had inquired if the Board is ready to hold a hearing on the Zoning Bylaw changes. After some discussion, the Board requested a member of the Planning Commission to attend the next Board meeting.

The Board sent invitations to various VTrans and Arts Council representatives to attend activities on the Green. The following were able to attend at various times; Ken Robie, Gary Santee, Stuart Menard, Michele Bailey, Alex Aldrich, and Tom Brady. All visitations were met by Merton and various Selectboard members, assisted by Ken Linsley.

The following changes were proposed for the Green Area.

1. Remove white spruce trees from the front of green. While these trees were added for lowering noise, the concern is they will block vision and take up space.

2. Remove the sidewalk from the East side of Peacham Road and add slopped curbs around the Green wherever there is not sidewalk, for better access to the Green.

3. Remove cross walk from Diamond Hill to Peacham Road Sidewalk . The crosswalk as designed would be in right turn on red lane of the traffic light.

4. Make crosswalk at Town Hall, the main Route #2 cross walk to Park St. The sidewalk will go all around outside of green and across the front. This crosswalk is now generally used as the main crosswalk for Green functions.

5. Add two wheelchair access points to Park Street along with Handicap parking, to provide better handicap access to Green.

6. Add bushes or plantings where danger may be present with stone structures. Possibly stones 18inches above ground, verses being level with ground. Michele was going tp follow up with the details on the stone structure.

7. Bandstand to be continued as a replacement of the existing bandstand, except the Board would require the removal of the wrap around seating changed to access steps in front and a place to mount the veterans plaque. Bandstand to be rededicated to the veterans after reconstruction.

8. Final placement of granite post and other artist's enhancements to be adjusted to the best location at final placement after observing other completed constructions.

The visitors all agreed that throughout the LRC process, that the Green design was to allow for the continuation of the existing activities on the Green. This is confirmed in the Web Pages of the Danville Project as written by the Arts Council. The Board discussed the eight articles as listed above and agreed to request these changes from VTrans.

With no other business, the Board adjourned the meeting at 8:25 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.