TOWN OF PUTNEY
PO BOX 233
PUTNEY, VT 05346
802-387-5862
Selectboard Minutes
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
1.
The Putney Selectboard convened the meeting at 10:10 a.m. at Town Hall.
Members Present: Regina A. Rockefeller, Lyssa Papazian; John K. Nopper
Others Present: Tom Guerino, Dennis Wilson, Mark Youngstrom, John Muise, Anita
Coomes, Mary Jones, Barbara Taylor.
2.
Minutes of previous meetings.
Lyssa Papazian presented draft minutes for meetings of 12/13/04, 12/15/04, 12/27/04, &
12/29/04 and noted that minutes of 12/13/04 were missing a name of someone present at
Landmark portion of meeting.
John Nopper moved and Lyssa Papazian seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
12/13/04 with the addition of the correct name and of 12/15/04, 12/27/04 and 12/29/04 as
presented. All were in favor.
3.
Highway Department uniforms
Dennis Wilson discussed the idea of having uniforms for highway personnel to address the
problem of clothing being ruined by the job. This was an alternative to providing a clothing
allowance which was not favored. Dennis had researched and had numbers from one
company, Alltex, that seemed reasonable based on his research into what other towns with
uniforms pay. Alltex gave an annual price of $2893 based on a three year contract, and
providing 11 shirts, 11 pants and 2 coats for each of seven employees. Roughly
$7.50/week/employee. The Selectboard was supportive of the idea up to $3500 a year. Dennis
will research other options. He said that highway employees were appreciative of this effort to
help with their job-related clothing expenses.
4.
Budget
Specific discussion of the proposed sidewalk tractor in the capital replacement plan. Dennis
Wilson reported that he had gone to see a used machine in Maine that was very reasonably
priced but like - all used equipment – a risk with no warranty possible from this dealer. He
reported that the current sidewalk tractor was hazardous to run because it did not have
functional brakes. He will look into other possibilities including new Bobcat and other small
skid-steer machines and get back to the Selectboard with a recommendation. It was not
possible to say whether there was money left in the 2004/05 budget to be able to purchase a
used machine. Tom Guerino will try to find out from Anita.
5.
Water System
With John Muise of US Rural Development and Mark Youngstrom of Otter Creek
Engineering, there was a general discussion of problems with completion of the water system.
The town had received no response from the contractor, SCI Group, to letter proposing
compromise on liquidated damages and change orders. Therefore, the Town is in liquidated
damages now per the contract of $800/day since we are past the promised date of 12/22/04.
Jan. 5, 2005
Page 2 of 3
There are still problems with the electrical contractor who is not finished yet and with testing
and training that have to wait for the electrical completion. There was some question as to
whether the USRDA grant would cover the total cost of the contract and $800/day would be
realized by the town or not. John Muise will check on this. At any rate, some of the $800 will
cover the cost of having Otter Creek continuing to clerk the project for the town.
The scheduled opening of the library is in jeopardy with no water. Mark Youngstrom made a
suggestion that sanitary facilities could use the water only with signs indicating “No Potable
Water” as the new building wais in fact hooked up earlier by SCI. However, Tom Guerino
and Selectboard felt that no water should be used anywhere for any reason until Town owns
the system.
Tom Guerino was going to research with Environmental regulators whether opening could in
fact happen without water. Tom Guerino will keep the library board informed about this
situation.
Selectboard asked Tom Guerino to work with Mark Youngstrom and Town attorneys
on a
strongly worded letter to SCI expressing the urgency of completing the project
and that
Town would use any means they had to bring it to conclusion.
6.
Sheriff –
Selectboard decided to reduce to $15,000 the next 6-month contract with sheriff and provide
some guidelines about coverage priorities/
7.
Upcoming Events
Regina Rockefeller cannot make the Monday 1/10 meeting and so meeting was re-scheduled
to Tuesday 1/11 for 6pm at Town Hall. Forum is still on for Wednesday 1/12 at 7pm at
school.
Selectboard meeting of Monday 1/24 set for 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
School board was hosting an open budget discussion on Wednesday 1/5 at 6:30 at School.
Fire Station bids are due in at 10 a.m. on Thursday 1/6; Hi-Lo biddy Bridge bids are due in
later this month.
8.
Other Business
-EOC Plan
Discussion of need to set up another meeting with Tom Goddard to discuss the Proposed
Emergency Operations Plan. Possibly a short meeting to approve the general document and
can go over non-substantive details at a later date. Tom Guerino will invite Tom Goddard to
come to the 1/14 Selectboard meeting at 6 p.m.
Library Budget
Lyssa Papazian reported that she had met with Stephen Coronella to discuss questions on
proposed library budget. He indicated that the technology number included all the annual
contracts for software and copiers and that the maintenance budget was an estimate assuming
same services as at present library. Both appeared to be generous estimates. He also indicated
that the staffing line items did NOT include more hours or double staffing to address
supervision of children’s room although these were things he was hoping for. (There was
confusion on this per his presentation to the Selectboard) He did say that both he and Deb
Stetson were entering years of their contracts with additional vacation benefits and that the
increase would cover extra coverage for those times. Since the Selectboard felt this was
different than what was presented, Tom Guerino will ask Stephen to come to next meeting to
discuss the budget further.
Jan. 5, 2005
Page 3 of 3
John Nopper left meeting at 12:15 p.m.
9.
General Budget Discussion
The new request from Rescue Inc. of $7.50 per capita was discussed as well as the Edwald
fund and whether there would be enough to give some to the Putney Conservation
Commission or not. Need more details from Anita and audit on this. Need to work further on
the sewer budget. Regina Rockefeller hopes to work with Anita on this before the next
meeting. Need to find a better number to put in for the Town Hall roof in capital plan. Lyssa
Papazian will work with Pip Bannister and Doug Porter of the Preservation Trust of Vermont
10. Town Hall Staff discussion
Selectboard had asked town hall staff to identify problem areas and make recommendations
for improvements in function and efficiency of Town Hall. Mary Jones, Barbara Taylor and
Anita Coomes joined board for discussion. Barbara Taylor distributed a list of her duties and
tasks she does now. Mary Jones shared a list of ideas and all discussed the distribution of
work in the office and what was needed and how it related to the way it is distributed in the
budget. Technological problems identified included the phone system which needs replacing
with a more workable system, and the need for some more computers including one for
public access eventually. Space needs were discussed as well as the need for better
organization and more hours to accomplish the needed work. Presently, Mary Jones works
about 30 hours for Town Manager and Town Clerk and then has lister duties on top of
that. Barbara Taylor works about 18-24 hours a week on average for both Town Manager and
Town Clerk with a main focus on deed recording. The hours of the Town Clerk and town
Manager were discussed as well as the possibility of physically separating the functions better
so the Clerk can keep her hours and be separate from general town service. The need for
reception was mentioned as well as the possibility of a dedicated assistant to Town Manager.
Meeting was recessed at 1:45 p.m.
Meeting was re-convened at 2:00 p.m. at Landmark College.
Members present: Regina Rockefeller and John Nopper.
Members absent: Lyssa Papazian
Others Present: Brent Betit
11. Executive Session
John Nopper moved and Regina Rockefeller seconded that Selectboard enter executive
session to discuss a contractual matter. Board entered executive session at 2:05 p.m. and
invited Brent Betit to join them. Board came out of executive session at 3:00 p.m. with
no decisions.
Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.