Town of Panton Selectboard Meeting
Monday April 11, 2005
Panton Town Offices
Minutes
Selectboard
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Guests/Visitors
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R. Atkins
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S. Hofmann
| R. Hoskings
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J. Moulton
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J. Kuhn
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| A. Sullivan
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Call to Order: Chair R. Atkins called the meeting to
order at 7:09 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Motion
by A. Sullivan, seconded by J. Moulton to approve the minutes with the
following revision: March 21, 2005 minutes, first sentence under Public
Communication, add number of signatures received by petition. So voted.
R. Hoskings of the Vermont Department of Transportation advised the
Selectboard that their grant request for highway funding was not
approved for 2005. He explained that there were over three million
dollars of grant requests and only $678,000.00 available funds and that
at least we did receive funding last year. If we apply next year
hopefully we will receive funding and our application will remain on
file should something change this year. Mr. Hoskings spoke about
network inventory (culvert and road location and condition) which will
enable the state to look at towns as whole to determine condition. P.
Bodington advised that the town was currently networked for culverts by
GPS. Mr. Hoskins said that once the network inventory is complete, the
funding match for culverts would go from 70% to 80% and road
resurfacing from 80% to 90%. Mr. Hoskings provided the Selectboard with
a handbook on the Vermont Agency of Transportation Culvert & Ditch
Procedures. This handbook was created to address problems of culvert
deterioration and plugged ditches on Vermont’s highways and to ensure
that the existing highway infrastructure is properly designed and
maintained to provide adequate drainage while respecting the natural
environs that abut the roadways.
Road Foreman Report: P. Bodington advised the Board that
Howard Fairfield gave him a quote of $1,236.93 for two (2) swing arms
with knuckles. Sanded and painted the plow wings and culvert thawer.
Will be taking vacation April 16 through the 24.
Public Communication: J. Kuhn expressed concern
regarding the Selectboard’s decision in not reappointing D. Raphael to
the Planning/ZBA Commission. Mr. Kuhn, the Selectboard and the Clerk
also discussed the financial reporting in the Town Reports. S. Hofmann
and the Selectboard discussed the number of copies to be printed of the
final Town Plan. It was decided that one hundred copies should be
adequate. Mr. Hofmann suggested a specific format be used by all
charities requesting money from town funds. A. Sullivan reiterated the
Secretary of State’s response that all requests must be honored but she
will check again. Mr. Hofmann also suggested having the effect of the
contributions to the taxpayer print on property tax bill. The erection
of an additional bulletin board was discussed to meet the requirements
of State statute. The Town Garage, B.J.’s Farm Supply, and the park
across from the Panton store were mentioned as location possibilities.
A. Sullivan mentioned that there was concern expressed at the last
Selectboard regarding the deep ditches on the Panton roadsides. She
added that after traveling in surrounding towns our ditches do not
appear any deeper and that it prevents our roads from being undermined
by water. One alternative would be to obtain property easements and
re-ditch 10-20 feet farther out which is not an option the Board is
interested in pursuing.
New Business:
Posted speed limits: S. Torrey informed the Board that she spoke with
Vergennes Police Chief Mike Lowe about patrolling in Panton. He
explained that there is a federally funded program which allows them to
patrol outlying areas and he will have someone patrol Panton Road in
the evenings. S. Hofmann wondered if a speed monitor would help, which
indicates the current speed a car is being operated. It was discussed
that perhaps the town wouldn’t need to contract with the sheriff after
all.
Executive Session – Motion by A. Sullivan, seconded by J. Moulton to go
into Executive Session to discuss P. Bodington’s performance review at
8:47 p.m. So voted.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. with the following
action: P. Bodington will receive his review at the May 9, 2005
Selectboard meeting.
Old Business:
Vorsteveld Violation – in process and Zoning Administrator E. Hanson
will be discussing with the Selectboard hopefully at the next scheduled
Selectboard meeting in May.
Town Hall Renovation – Jeremiah Parker’s contract for the town hall renovation was reviewed and signed.
Recycling Contract – no response yet from Vergennes City Manager Renny Perry.
Action Items:
The proposal from Walter McClellan for mowing of Hawley Cemetery was
reviewed. Motion by A. Sullivan, seconded by J. Moulton to accept the
proposal. So voted.
Correspondence was reviewed and check warrants for a total of $19,838.57 were signed.
Chair Atkins adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.