Select Board Minutes

Groton Community Building

September 7, 2006

 

Present:

Select Board: Leonard Doscinski, Debra Tinkham and David Spencer

Treasurer: Roberta Dana

Fire/FAST Personnel: Matthew Johnson

Auditors: Mary Grant, Martha Crown & Debra Johnson

2nd Constable: Jim Downing

CDT: Patricia Bouley

Community Building Committee: Warren Tripp, Arnie Aho, Aaron Smith, Deane Page,

Guests:

Terry Dana, Clifton & Christie Hersey, Bradley Greenough,

Kevin Smith (SVE Associates) & Jay Daicel (Black River Design)

                                                                                                Linda & Ernest LaBrie

 

Page 1 of 3

 

Leonard called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 

Correspondence and Selectboard minutes were reviewed. Debra made the motion to accept the August 17, 2006 minutes with one correction that THE Selectboard would have something to tell Mr. & Mrs. Hersey in a couple of weeks not two weeks. Dave seconded the motion.

 

The Selectboard reviewed the letter from Jeff Simone concerning the Fire Department underground fuel tank. Linda was instructed to file the papers.

Debra will attend VLCT Board of Director Meeting October 5.

Selectboard reviewed Constable log, NCMC letter building signs, letter from Vermont State Liquor concerning a tobacco violation, letter from State of Vermont concerning Seyon Ranch, report for Matthew Puffer’s gravel pit.

Dave gave report on Seyon Ranch letter from ZBA.

 

Rescue Vehicle

Leonard reported that he had spoken to Matthew, Jonathan and Nate about not having a large Rescue Vehicle, Maybe purchasing a smaller vehicle such as a van or small pickup.

Roberta asked about the location of the defibrillator the town had purchased a couple of years ago?

Roberta: do you see the Town getting into transporting people?  Answer was NO!

 

Community Building Use

Gene Jolley would like to use the Community building for financial meetings.

Roberta brought up the concern about people using the Community Building and having insurance coverage because the Town insurance only covers Town sponsored events.

Dave will draft a letter to BMU suggesting a payment of $250.00 for the use of the gym and request plus a certificate of insurance from them.

 

Bids for fuel tank replacement

 

Bids were received from Calkins Oil & Excavating and Powers Plumbing and Heating.

The bid was awarded to Powers Plumbing and Heating for the bid of $ 1,233.00.

 

Winter Road Maintenance Operations Plan

Leonard presented the Winter Road Maintance Operations Plan from Brent. Debra made the motion to accept the plan.  Dave seconded the motion.

 

FAST Squad Fund Checking Account

Debra Johnson explained about the FAST Squad checking account needing to be audited.

Roberta: this is their own checking account (with their own Fed ID number for their fund raising and none of the Town funds go into it.  Do not believe the Select Board or Auditors really have any control over it.

 

 

 

 

Page 2 of 3, September 7, 2006

 

Freezer Removal

Brent and Phillip will be asked if they will remove the old upright freezer from the kitchen and take it to recycling.

 

Town Treasurer

Roberta went over the budget reports.

Roberta: will be paying off the line of credit next week.

Roberta checked into Library insurance for coverage on contents.

Roberta: still needs an inventory on the contents of the Community Bldg so VLCT can be contacted with proper amount for insurance coverage.

 

Engineer Study Report

Warren Tripp introduced Kevin Smith from SVE Associates and Jay from Black River Design.

Kevin and Jay explained what they had found with their study of the Groton Community Building and the Emergency Service Building.

Mary Grant: don’t touch her kitchen.

 

Auditors

Mary Grant requested that the Selectboard pass a policy stating that no one can open any bank accounts with the town’s ID number.

Dave questioned: Who does this affect?

Mary: everyone that tries to open an account under the town’s ID number.

Roberta and Pat Bouley explained that it would not allow either of them to open Town accounts for regular funds or escrowed delinquent tax money if worded as is.  Dave would like to change the wording so that it reads that no one can open any bank accounts with the town’s ID number without the permission of the Selectboard.

Debra made the motion to adopt the policy. Leonard seconded the motion. Dave agreed.

 

Auditors have requested a second time for people to get their Policy and Procedures manuals handed in to the Auditors. Still need them from Fire Department, Fast Squad, Treasurer, Current Tax Collector, Town Clerk and Rec. Committee.

Auditors are auditing quarterly. Still need inventory list.

 

Seyon Pond Road

Ernest LaBrie spoke to the Selectboard about cleaning the ditches on the Seyon Pond Road and along a section of their property where the water runs through a couple of culverts.

The Selectboard will speak with Brent and get back to them; an easement deed might be needed.

Dave will follow up with Brent and be in contact with the LaBries.

 

Collector of Delinquent Taxes

Mary: Patricia Bouley would like to work with the Auditors to show them the process of Collecting Delinquent Taxes.  Someone has to do so they will know the process and by state law the collector is not allowed to have an assistant.

Patricia will need to consider what the cost will be and if it works into the CDT or auditors budget.

Patricia will need to purchase a fireproof file cabinet for her delinquent tax paperwork when she starts bringing it over to the town office. I will also need a desk, paper shedder, copier and miscellaneous office supplies.

Select Board: Put these things into your budget and present it to the Selectboard at budget time.

 

Fast Squad Vehicle

Dave: do we still have a Fast Squad vehicle?

Leonard it’s still running right now.

Dave would like to know what the Fast Squad’s opinions are and would like them to put a proposal together as to what their recommendations and plans are.

 

Debra: confirming the 10 K race is a function as part of the town. Yes!

Debra: confirming that the candidate forum for September 17, at 6:00 PM in the Community Building Hall is a town function. Yes!

 

 

 

Page 3 of 3, September 7, 2006

 

Debra: Steve Hart is concerned the money he has raised for playground equipment at the village park might be spent on other Recreation expenses and not go for playground equipment. How can he be sure?  Roberta explained that those monies have been earmarked for playground equipment.  Also if the

 

Select Board would appoint a specific person from the recreation committee to be allowed to fill out purchase orders for recreation equipment than no one else could spend any of the money.

Roberta: Steve Hart could be the only one authorized to request purchase orders to have things paid out of the Recreation fund.

 

Brian Johns

Debra: did not give Brian Johns the OK to purchase anything without getting an approved purchase order first.

 

Housing Vermont-Welch Block

Housing Vermont had drawing of parking for the Welch Block. Not sure if they are new drawings or the old plans.

 

Fast/Fire Dept Reporting

Dave suggested a couple of ways that might be applied if an activities report isn’t handed in to the Selectboard by the Fire / FAST Departments.

 

Dave made the motion to adjourn; Leonard seconded the motion.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.   

 

Orders were signed in the amount of $ 32,496.97

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

 

Groton Selectboard

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

 

_____________________________

                                                                                    Leonard Doscinski, Chair

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

 

______________________________

                                                                                    Debra Tinkham

 

                                                                                   

 

_____________________________

                                                                                    David Spencer

 

 

 

 

 Respectfully submitted by Linda Nunn

                                   

 

 

 

 

Not Valid Until Signed By The Selectboard