Town of Panton Selectboard Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2006
Panton Town Offices
Minutes
Selectboard
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Administration
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Guests/Visitors
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R. Atkins
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S. Torrey
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S. Hofmann
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J. Moulton
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R. Cloutier
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Jeff Stone
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| A. Sullivan
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Call to Order: Chair R. Atkins called the meeting to order
at 7:04 p.m.
Minutes: Motion by J. Moulton,
seconded by A. Sullivan, to approve the minutes of December 12, 2005 as written. So voted.
Public Communication: S. Hofmann informed the Selectboard that
contrary to the rumor that he totaled his vehicle due to the Panton roads being
slippery, the accident occurred on his property in Addison and not on Panton
roads. He further added that he does not appreciate his name being used in this
context and that he hopes the Selectboard takes legal action if they find out
who started the rumor.
Road Foreman Report: R. Cloutier presented the Board with the
estimate from RCI Electric to bring the wiring in the salt shed (bare wires)
and garage up to code. This repair is necessary as the State of Vermont Labor
& Industry issued a notice of violation issued last year which the
Selectboard only became aware of recently. Motion by A. Sullivan,
seconded by J. Moulton to accept the bid from RCI Electric of $1,180.00 to
bring the wiring up to code. So voted.
Jeff Stone and the Board discussed his rate of pay for assisting
our Road Foreman with plowing. Motion by J. Moulton, seconded by A.
Sullivan to set the rate at $16.00 per hour. It was discussed that this will be
straight pay as this is part time and no overtime would be required.
R. Cloutier submitted the pricing on replacing the small
truck; for a tandem $86.4k and for a straight truck $62k. Various methods for
financing were discussed and S. Torrey commented that there is $42k in the
capital equipment fund. It was discussed that to utilize the trucks for plowing
to the best advantage, the plow from the big truck should be installed on the
new truck [we purchase] and purchase a straight plow for the big truck for
plowing corners, etc. J. Moulton mentioned that a tandem would enable double
the loads with less trips not only saving on labor but wear on the vehicle. It
was noted that 80 loads of sand were drawn between June and July of 2005. Pricing
from other truck suppliers is forthcoming.
A. Sullivan stated that she would like the phone removed
from the garage as the road foreman should not have to field complaint calls
from Panton residents nor should he have to listen to obscene phone calls left
on the answering machine. R. Atkins said that the Town of Addison
does not have their garage phone listed which we could consider. A. Sullivan
said that she had received compliments on the condition of the roads.
J. Moulton advised that the garage is still having water
issues; around the sills and down the small doorway. A. Sullivan went back to
older minutes where the furnace size and humidity was discussed. She added that
she wonders if the building Houston’s
put up like ours is having similar problems. J. Moulton said that Susan Davis
was supposed to stop in and look at the garage and put in a moisture meter but
to her knowledge she has not stopped in.
Various methods of dealing with the moisture were discussed; dehumidifiers,
fans, increasing the heat, air exchanger. R. Cloutier said that the humidity
level in the garage runs between 85 to 95 percent. Discussion ensued on finding
someone who could install air handling equipment for the garage and office, in
the meantime R. Cloutier will turn the heat up in the garage when he leaves for
the day.
New Business: It was discussed that the “sniffer”
purchased for the garage was never installed and R. Cloutier said that he
didn’t believe it was needed for the small amount of welding done in the
garage. S. Torrey will notify the vendor to obtain a return authorization and
the $895.00 will be refunded to the garage fund account.
The water run off by Bingham’s was discussed. R. Atkins
mentioned that it almost looks like water coming from the house when a sump pump
is used.
Ditches were discussed and it was mentioned that the ditches
in Panton are deeper than the standards allow and should be filled in somewhat
and seeded.
Town mapping was discussed and A. Sullivan said that
according to the minutes ACRPC did this for us in 1999. This must be done
before we can apply for grants for culvert replacement.
A. Sullivan mentioned that L. Giovanella contacted her and
questioned if the town was going to meet with Vergennes regarding the impact to
Panton of the proposed subdivision off Hopkins Road.
She added that Vergennes is not interested in our concerns. The condition of Hopkins
Road was discussed as was the possibility of
paving it at some point in time.
J. Moulton submitted her resignation from typing the Planning/DRB
minutes. Motion by A. Sullivan, seconded by R. Atkins to accept her
resignation. So voted.
Old Business:
The qualities of air handlers/air exchangers and air conditioning for
use in the town offices were discussed. S. Torrey suggested contacting someone
who currently has a system such as a library, etc. A. Sullivan will contact UVM
and report back at the next meeting.
Action Items: Correspondence was reviewed and S.
Torrey noted that the Town has a credit of $270.00 with Vergennes
Animal Hospital
for animal boarding. The new contract with Vergennes
Animal Hospital
was signed. The liquor license for Andre Megroz was approved. Checks were
signed as follows; Payroll $6,522.08, A/P $204,273.03 (includes a school
payment of $188,939.00).
Chair Atkins recessed the meeting at 10:45 p.m. to be reconvened Monday, January 23, 2006 at 7:00
p.m. to review budget items and prepare for Town Meeting.