Select Board Minutes
Groton Community Building
November 2, 2006
Present:
Select Board: Leonard Doscinski & Debra Tinkham
Treasurer: Roberta Dana
Highway Commissioner: Brent Smith
Guest:
Herman
& Barbra Powell
Donald
Bliss, Annalie Babson (NVDA) & Ben Copans (Vt. Water Quality Res.)
Page 1 of 3
Leonard called the meeting to order at
7:04 PM.
Correspondence and Selectboard minutes
were reviewed. Debra accepted the October 19, 2006 minutes.
Powell Request
Herman and Barbra Powell requested from
the Selectboard a variance so they could have a well drilled as their spring
has failed and there isn’t area enough to have a well drilled on their land.
The Selectboard responded by telling
them that they will need to check into this. Leonard explained the town doesn’t
want to give them an easement to drill the well and find it would only make
more problems for them.
The Powell’s said, Gould Well Drillers
said this would be the only place they could drill a well for them.
The Selectboard will check into things
and get back to them.
NVDA &
Water Quality Resources
Annalie Babson and Ben Copans explained
about their research and study of culverts and bridges. They explained how the
flow of water from rivers and streams affects the bridges and culverts alone
with the travel of fish.
Ben and Annalie will assist the town
with obtaining grant money once the town pin points areas they could use help
with culverts or bridges.
Debra filled Leonard in on the
discussion of hiring Donald Bliss to do the snow blowing and possibly mowing
the lawns along with doing other things that need doing. The pay rate of $10.00
an hour was suggested. The remainder of the sidewalk budget is $835.00 for this
year.
Leonard made the motion to hire Donald
Bliss at $10.00 an hour to snow blow sidewalks up to $800.00 this year. Debra
seconded the motion.
Brent: Will the Highway Department be
able to use Donald Bliss’s services if needed?
Yes and the Donald’s pay will come out
of the highway budget.
Milton Cat contract is for the use of
the parts catalog on the internet.
Phillip will be on vacation starting
November 10th or 11th for deer season.
Brent: we haven’t done any paving yet.
It’s getting too cold. Might be able to get some crushing done this year.
Brent: haven’t talked to her yet to see
if something can be done ahead of time.
Brent: There is a leak in the boiler
valve.
Cartographic contract was read
concerning map updating. Will have the Listers read the contract over and take
their response from there.
A letter from the LaBrie’s concerning
the cleaning of culverts and drainage ditches was read.
Brent: the town did not install the
culverts. Debra: we need to go out and
look at the property.
Leonard: Linda will you write a letter
to LaBrie’s letting them know that the Selectboard and the Road Commissioner
will meet them on Thursday November 9th at 4 pm to look at this
matter.
Leonard: Roberta or Linda, please send
a copy of the letter from LaBrie to our insurance company.
Page
2 of 3, November 2, 2006
The meeting for town road # 20 spur is
set for November 14 at 7:00 pm and the inspection for 2:00 pm.
Letter and affidavit from Otterman and
Allen concerning the court hearing and traffic ticket given by Jim Downing was
reviewed.
Town Grant
Funds
Leonard made the motion to put the
grant fund money into the Town Hall Reserve fund if the town’s people agree.
Debra seconded the motion.
Lapham Letter
The letter from Frank Lapham was
reviewed and a copy will be sent to the health officer for him to investigate
the situation.
Linda explained she had given Frank
Lapham some telephone number so he could call and find out what he could do by
himself without the town’s involvement.
File the information concerning USDA
grants.
Sidewalk Plans
& Welch Block Parking
The parking at the Welch Block was
discussed. The Selectboard would like to meet with Andy Broderick and Vtrans
and are waiting for them to set up a time.
The Attorney for the Town of Groton was
contacted enquiring if there is any recourse on the reappraisal that Martin
Cherry did for the town? The Attorney replied the town will need an expert
witness on what should have taken place during the reappraisal and what wasn’t
done. The town will need to let our
attorney know if we have someone that will testify.
Linda reported Laurine Grant and
herself spoke with John Westinghouse about being a witness.
Linda reported that John Westinghouse
mentioned that possibly Ed Cloughfelter might be able to be hired to do a land school.
Radar system
Ryegate hasn’t gotten back to Groton concerning
the purchase of the radar system from the Town of Ryegate.
Todd Power from Blue Mountain Union
School brought in a check for $600.00 for this years use of the Groton Gym.
The Town also received a copy for their
insurance coverage.
Fire
Department Grant Funds
Fire Department received the
containment unit purchased with grant money for a price of $4,597.45.
The Fire Department will purchase $10,000.00
of radio equipment with grant money.
Treasurers
Report
Roberta: explained about the Seminar
she attended November 2 on budgeting and financing.
Roberta spoke on auditing and what
triggers the town to be audited.
Roberta said that Gilman Housing Trust
and Vermont Housing Finance had verbal agreed to pay for an audit if needed.
The town is due for an audit.
Leonard: Are you saying the town should
have an audit?
Roberta: IF we are not over the
$500,000.00 then the town needs to budget for an audit.
Roberta: it would be part of the
administration budget.
Leonard: if we want to put a larger
amount of money into the reserve fund can we do that.
Roberta: yes you can put whatever
amount into the reserve fund now that it’s established.
Page
3 of 3, November 2, 2006
Orders were signed in the amount of $73,362.72
Leonard made the motion to adjourn; Debra
seconded the motion.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Groton
Selectboard
______________________________
Leonard
Doscinski
_____________________________
Debra
Tinkham
Respectfully submitted by Linda Nunn
Not
Valid Until Signed By The Selectboard