Royalton Selectboard Knight s Opera House June 8, 2010, 2010 Public Present: Stuart Levasseur, EC Fiber Network representatives Jon Ranney, and Leslie Nulty, Royalton Fire Chief David Whitney, Royalton Rescue Squad member Bob Quillia; Loraine Attwood, Brad Attwood, White River Ambulance Service Representatives Neal Fox, Herb Campbell, and Pat Edwards; Demi Boles, Road Foreman Roger McCrillis, and Administrative Assistant Nathan Cleveland Selectboard Present: Larry Trottier, Ernie Amsden, Peggy Ainsworth, Joan Goldstein, Phil Gates Chairman L. Trottier called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. EC Fiber Network Leslie Nulty, Project Coordinator for the EC Fiber network discussed the EC Fiber project. She began by showing a video giving an overview of the internet project. The project is seeking to install a fiber optic network that will serve central Vermont towns. IF the project moves forward internet, phone, and television services will be provided. The estimated cost of the project is $50,000,000.00 (fifty million dollars). Oppenhiemer and Company is hoping to a public offering can be made in August (seeking investors for the project). The EC Fiber Network has looked at property owned by Lucky Trailers on Waterman Rd. This location will serve as the central hub for the network and will house administrative offices. The project will provide 50 high paying jobs in the near future if the project is funded. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a source of funding that EC Fiber Network is considering submitting an application to. Under this grant program a municipality must apply for the funds, and then would loan the money to the EC Fiber Network to continue moving forward on their project. Discussion ensued on the proposed project. J. Goldstein explained that in order to apply for CDBG funds, a public hearing must be held to discuss the potential grant application. She also noted that the half the money that is loaned to the EC fiber network would remain in the town s possession as it is paid back by the EC Fiber network and would be available for additional loans to businesses through the town s Revolving Loan Fund. Additional information concerning the EC Fiber Network project is available at www.ecfiber.net Old Home Days David Whitney was present to ask that the Selectboard grant permission to the Volunteer Fire Department to hold Old Home Days on July 15, 16, and 17 th on the South Royalton Village Green. He asked that the Selectboard lift the alcohol ban for this event, and grant permission to rebuild the fire pit located on the South Royalton Village Green on June 18, and 19 th. A motion was made by P. Ainsworth and seconded by J. Goldstein to approve use of the South Royalton Green on July 15, 16, and 17, 2010 for Old Home Days, lifting the alcohol ban on these days (July 15, 16, and 17, 2010) and approving the rebuilding of the fire pit on June 18 and 19, 2010. The motion passed unanimously. Neal Fox Ambulance Service Mr. Fox, White River Ambulance Service Chairman, was present to discuss the challenges of operating an ambulance service in the state of Vermont. These challenges include a limited
population that is served, and increasing operating costs. The White River Ambulance Service is part of district 8 for licensed EMT services. He noted that as the Royalton Rescue Squad just began billing insurance companies a year and a half ago it is not very clear what the actual operating cost is. Discussion ensued on the possibility of consolidating ambulance service in an effort to make the service more efficient and sustainable. J. Goldstein asked if the White River Ambulance Service could propose a plan that they would like towns to adopt. Mr. Fox noted that at this point the White River Ambulance Service is not prepared to present such a plan, and that he would like to see the current ambulance service providers work together and not compete. Discussion continued on how ambulance services are currently provided. No action was taken. Selectboard Minutes (May 25, 2010 and June 3, 2010) The Selectboard reviewed the meeting minutes of May 25, 2010 and June 3, 2010. P. Ainsworth made minor edits to the minutes of May 25, 2010. A motion was made by P. Ainsworth and seconded by P. Gates to accept the minutes of May 25, 2010 as amended, and June 3, 2010. The Motion passed unanimously. Noise Ordinance Chairman Trottier reported Administrative Assistant Cleveland has been advised by the Vermont League of Cities and Town s that the board must warn a meeting within 60 days from the date that a petition requesting a vote is received. The petition was received by the Town Clerk on May 21, 2010. He noted that the public hearing could be scheduled on August 17, 2010, and the vote on the ordinance could take place on August 24, 2010 which is the date of primary elections. P. Gates made a motion that was seconded by P. Ainsworth to schedule a public hearing on August 17, 2010 to discuss the adopted Noise Ordinance, and the vote to disapprove the adopted noise ordinance will be held on August 24, 2010. The motion passed unanimously. (Clerk to confirm before formal warning is posted) Vermont Law School (VLS) - Scholarship The Selectboard discussed the letter that board member J. Goldstein had drafted. The letter requests that officials from VLS review the current Community Betterment Fund agreement between VLS, the Royalton Selectboard and the Royalton School Board. Currently the agreement allows for one graduate from the South Royalton High School who meets admission requirements at VLS to apply for a full tuition scholarship. This scholarship is only available to one person at a time. The Selectboard is proposing that one South Royalton High School graduate per year be eligible for the full tuition scholarship. J. Goldstein noted that this scholarship is not utilized every year, as there have been many years that no one has applied for the scholarship. A motion was made by P. Ainsworth and seconded by J. Goldstein to send letter to VLS concerning offering multiple scholarships to qualified applicants contingent upon the approval by the Royalton School Board. P. Ainsworth and J. Goldstein voted in favor of the motion, E. Amsden was opposed, and P. Gates abstained. The motion passed 2-1. Request to use South Royalton Village Green and Close Portion of Railroad Street Emily Ferro, Wellspring Parent and Co-Manager of the South Royalton House requested using the South Royalton Village green on September 11, 2010. They also requested closing a portion of Railroad Street from the South Royalton House to Safford Street.
A motion was made by P. Gates and seconded by E. Amsden to grant use of the green to Emily Ferro who is organizing an event called Art in the Park. Discussion ensued on the music that will be played at the event. The motion passed unanimously. Delinquent Tax Report Chairman Trottier reported that at this point no tax sale is scheduled and the Delinquent Tax Collector is requesting authorization to hold a tax sale on properties that are delinquent on town property taxes. J. Goldstein made a motion that was seconded by E. Amsden to authorize the town Delinquent Tax Collector to hold a tax sale on properties with delinquent property taxes. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued on setting a policy so that the Tax Collector could follow a procedure on properties that are delinquent. Request By Dustin Rikert to use Town Police Uniforms A motion was made by P. Ainsworth and seconded by E. Amsden to allow Dustin Rikert to use Royalton Police Department equipment and uniforms in his upcoming movie Dug Up that is being filmed in Royalton. The motion passed with P. Gates opposed. Request to use the South Royalton Village green Request to use the South Royalton Green (Journey Church and Red Door Church) A motion was made by E. Amsden and seconded by P. Gates to approve the request to use village green on August 1, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Highway Department The Selectboard reviewed price quotes on new backhoes from JCB, John Deere, Case, Cat, and Volvo. Road Foreman R. McCrillis explained that the Town of Tunbridge has offered $18,000.00 for the Case Backhoe that the town currently owns. D. Boles reported that his first choice on the backhoes that were tested would be the John Deere, second would be Cat, and then Case. Discussion ensued on the quotes that were received. A motion was made by E. Amsden and seconded by P. Gates to purchase a John Deere backhoe from Nortrax for a cost of $86,750.00 and accept the offer from the Town of Tunbridge to purchase the Case backhoe from the town of Royalton for a cost of $18,000.00. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued on the equipment fund balance and it was noted that with the purchase of the new backhoe there would be roughly $28,000.00 that would be carried over to the next fiscal year. Carpenter Gravel Pit Road Foreman McCrillis reported that the unused portions of the Carpenter gravel pit have been reclaimed, and the next step to comply with the permit is to build a sediment retention basin. Engineer Rob Townsend has been hired to review the site and will draft a report to be submitted to the state of Vermont by June 30, 2010. Chairman Trottier reported that the reclamation and reporting requirements will have to be repeated until the pit reaches the end of its useful life. Discussion continued on the gravel pit requirements. Excess Weight Permit Application
The Selectboard reviewed an excess weight permit application from Veilleux and Son Trucking Inc. A motion was made by J. Goldstein and seconded by P. Gates to approve the excess weight permit application received from Veilleux and Son Trucking Inc. The motion passed unanimously. Dairy Hill Rd. Utility pole and line replacement A motion was made by P. Gates and seconded by J. Goldstein to authorize Fairpoint Communication to replace utility poles and associated lines on Dairy Hill Rd. The motion passed unanimously. Sewer Department Chairman Trottier reported that the loan application has been approved by the state of Vermont and the board will have to execute the documents. Discussion ensued on the repayment schedule and it was noted that the payments would not start until five years from the date of the executed loan. It was also noted by Administrative Assistant Cleveland that the loan can be rolled into another loan/grant that would cover the cost of engineering and construction. J. Goldstein made a motion that was seconded by P. Gates to sign the resolution, certificate, the note, the certificate of registration, arbitrage and use of proceeds certificate, loan agreement, and IRS form 8038-GC approving the Clean Water State Revolving Loan in the amount of $9,775.00. The motion passed unanimously. Discussion ensued on the study and P. Gates noted that the walk through of the Waste Water Treatment Facility with Joe Duncan of Forcier, Aldrich and Associates identified the need to move control valves out of confined space as well as replacing these control valves. The engineers will be presenting cost estimates for various options when the study is completed. Jim Proctor E. Amsden asked if the Selectboard felt that recognition of Mr. Jim Proctor s time in Royalton should be made. The board agreed that Mr. Proctor s work in Royalton be recognized. Discussion ensued on how to express the town s appreciation. A motion was made by J. Goldstein and seconded by E. Amsden to purchase three (3) vases with the Town of Royalton logo etched on them from Simon Pearce. The motion passed unanimously. Resolution E. Amsden presented a resolution to recognize Mr. Jim Proctor s work in Royalton. Whereas: The Town of Royalton is a municipality chartered under the Laws of the State of Vermont: and, Whereas: The Selectboard is the governing authority for the Town; and, Whereas: Reverend James Proctor has been a member of the Royalton community for approximately 23 years; and, Whereas: During his tenure in the community, Reverend Proctor has served as Pastor of the United Church of South Royalton, Federated; and, Whereas: While serving as Pastor of the United Church, Reverend Proctor has been a cornerstone of the community at large, and has served all members of the community without favor; and, Whereas: Reverend Proctor has been called to serve another community effective at the end of June 2010;
Be it therefore resolved that the Selectboard of Royalton expresses profound gratitude to Reverend James Proctor for his many years of selfless and devoted service to the citizens of the Town and the surrounding area. Be it further resolved that the Selectboard expresses deep sadness that Reverend Proctor and his family will be departing our community. Be it further resolved that the Selectboard extends heartfelt best wishes and safe travels to Reverend Proctor and his family. Resolved this eight day of June, 2010 A.D. at Royalton, Vermont A motion was made by E. Amsden and seconded by J. Goldstein to adopt the resolution in recognition of Pastor Jim Proctor. The motion passed unanimously. Accounts Payable and Payroll The Selectboard reviewed and signed accounts payable and payroll. Highway Department - Employee Evaluations A motion was made by J. Goldstein and seconded by P. Gates to enter into executive session inviting the Road Foreman R. McCrillis and Administrative Assistant N. Cleveland to join the Selectboard for the purpose of evaluation of public employees. The motion passed unanimously. Executive session entered at 9:56 p.m. Exited executive session at 11:00 p.m. with no action taken. P. Gates made a motion that was seconded by J. Goldstein to set Corey Rogers, and Tom Pratt s wages at $15.00 per hour, and increase Brad Howe, Roger McCrillis and Demi Boles wages by $.25 per hour. The motion passed unanimously. The Selectboard asked Administrative Assistant Cleveland to gather information on the policing contract with the town of Sharon, and current police officer salaries so that the Selectboard could discuss raises for the police officers at the next meeting. Meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Nathan P. Cleveland