Sept. 15, 2015 Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes

PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

DATE:                     September 15, 2015

PRESENT:               Matt Corron, Wendy Reese, Patty Haskins, Robert Salmeri, Jay Strand, Christopher Mattrick, Dave
Larkin, Bill Leimgruber, Brian Merrill, Suana Rubin

AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: Public Present - 2. Robert Salmeri, 3. Suana Rubin; Old Business - 5. Equipment Grant, 6.Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 7. Act 250 Hearing Riverside Farm, 8. VLCT Loss Prevention Survey, 9. Speed Ordinance


Minutes Approval:  Regular Select Board Meeting 9/1/2015

Public Present:

1. Jay Strand, GMNF - Proposed Robinson Integrated Resource Project
2. Robert Salmeri – Property documents for insurance
3. Suana Rubin – Electric car charging stations

Correspondence:

1. VLCT VERB Annual Meeting Announcement
2. PACIF Annual Meeting Announcement
3. TRORC Public Hearing Notice
4. VCIL Thank You Letter
5. American Red Cross Thank You Letter

Old Business:

1. Tax Sale Road parcel – follow up with Scofield
2. Traffic/Speed Downtown Pittsfield - Update
3. Town Hall Insulating Project - Update
4. Proposed Park Questions
5. Equipment Grant re: liquid calcium
6. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan approval
7. Act 250 Hearing re: Riverside Farm
8. VLCT Loss Prevention Survey update
9. Town speed ordinance

New Business:

1. State of Vermont Grant Agreement Documentation
2. Proposed Robinson Integrated Resources Project
3. Pittsfield Planning Commission Resignation and Appointment
4. Town Health Officer Appointment
5. Town Service Officer Appointment
6. Clerk/Treasurer Report

Next Meeting Date:  October 6, 2015
Adjournment
 
Minutes
Matt motioned to open the meeting; Wendy seconded; the meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Agenda modifications announced. Matt motioned to approve the September 1, 2015 Regular Select Board meeting minutes; Wendy seconded. Minutes approved.

Public Present:
1.       Jay Strand and Christopher Mattrick of the US Forest Service, Rochester Ranger District, were present to share information on the proposed Robinson Integrated Resource Project (IRP). Planning efforts will take several years with anticipated project implementation to begin in 2018. Management activities considered include projects designed to improve wildlife and fish habitat, enhance forest health, provide timber products, control non-native invasive plants, restore soil and water conditions, increase recreation and scenery viewing opportunities, improve the trail and road network, and protect or enhance heritage sites throughout the area. The IRP strategy includes public collaboration that builds trust and creates partnerships in order to achieve common resource management objectives across ownership boundaries. The entire process can take 7-10 years. Maps of the area and possible activities are in the town office for public viewing. Public hearings will start in 2016. White River Partnership leading the Quintown Collaborative for flood resiliency and VT State Fish & Wildlife “Staying Connected” program for protecting and maintaining wildlife corridors are in communication with the Forest Service to determine common projects/goals. No action needed at this time.

2.       Robert Salmeri needs several documents from the town. FEMA and his insurance company state he is not in compliance therefore his insurance rate is going up significantly. He needs three documents:

a.        A copy of building and demolition permits. The town does not require.

b.       Certificate of Occupancy or letter stating the house is in compliance with the town’s flood hazard area regulations. It is elevated 8 feet.

c.        A letter stating the cost of repairs to the damaged home from the flood exceeded 50% of the market value.

Patty spoke to Sarah Gray about this today and Sarah did supply letters as requested to address issues as they came up. The insurance company is saying the town stated in a letter that Sal was not in compliance. The town did not supply such a letter and the insurance company cannot produce the letter either. The Select Board will work with Sarah Gray to draft letter and documents for Sal to provide to FEMA and his insurance carrier.

3.       Suana Rubin reviewed the grant information for electric car charging stations and thinks it is a terrific idea for the town to pursue. It requires two specially marked parking spaces; the charging stations can be metered; grant has a 25% match that can be in kind. Will need to determine if the town’s Park and Ride area requires a specific number of spaces to be available. Suana and Wendy think the stations add value to the town, another reason for travelers to stop, good for marketing the town. Dave doesn’t believe it benefits the town and it will cost the town money. Wendy suggests Dave check out information about this on the Green Mountain Power website. Topic tabled for next meeting.

Correspondence

1. VLCT VERB Annual Meeting Announcement – VT Employment Benefit Trust meeting will be held October 8, 2015 at VLCT’s Town Fair. No action required.
2. PACIF Annual Meeting Announcement – PACIF’s meeting will be held October 8, 2015 at VLCT’s Town Fair. No action required.
3. TRORC Public Hearing Notice – Will be held Sept. 23, 2015 at 6:30 pm at the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock. Matt plans to attend.
4. VCIL Thank You Letter – VT Center for Independent Living donation thank you. No action required.

5.       American Red Cross Thank You Letter – Donation thank you. No action required.

Old Business

1. Tax Sale Road parcel – Marylou Scofield’s update states the town could go after the owners (heirs) in small claims court. Is there any way to divide the parcel among the home owner’s? Patty will respond to Marylou. The Watkins and Tiffany properties could be pursued through Superior Court and may take a year. The Board would like to hold off for now.
2. Traffic/Speed Downtown Pittsfield – Rita at TRORC is working on permit to get speed counters to conduct a speed study and do an analysis. She will contact Robert Faley at VTrans District 3 Office. The small speed monitors located on the Killington Road and in Rochester resulted from speed studies.
3. Town Hall Insulating Project – Brian Merrill of R-Factor reviewed the Energy Audit Report and checked out the building. Attic is major area to be addressed. Suggests removing the old insulation and replace with open cell insulation to reduce weight. Believes putting more foam over existing insulation will add too much weight and will not resolve cold air drafting up through the building. An electrician would be needed to remove some items for spray foam to seal completely. Basement does not have much between ceiling and upper floor. Recommends blocking off with an air barrier that may need to be fire retardant, would have to check code. Windows between ceiling and floor should be covered up/sealed off from the inside. Brian advised group to stay away from soy-based foam as mice like it. Wendy presented quotes from Shaping Energies LLC and McKernon Group, both using closed cell spray versus open cell spray as recommended by R-Factor. She will ask both to provide quotes using same open cell spray foam as R-Factor. Dave is meeting Dayco on Tuesday Sept. 22nd to inspect building and provide a quote as well. Efficiency Vermont rebates need to be considered as well to save the town money.
4. Proposed Park Questions – Patty spoke with VLCT regarding the petition.  It is more of a political matter than a case law matter.  There is no state law that allows a petition to contest this and require a town vote.  The properties are now town properties and the town cannot restrict access to them.  Ultimately the petition did achieve its objective – it brought additional attention to the proposed park and got more public involved in the process.  That being said the Select Board does want to continue to take input from the public.  The town will have DuBois and King continue to move forward with the planning process which includes public hearings and gathering more public input.  The Select Board would also like to educate the public on the need for some mitigation to take place on the site to help protect the town and surrounding properties from future flooding.  The Select Board will decide how best to move forward based on public input.  There is discussion on a possible vote taking place at town meeting.
5. Equipment Grant re: liquid calcium – The town was awarded a 50 % grant towards the purchase of a $7,000.00 liquid chloride spreader.
6. Local Hazard Mitigation Plan approval – FEMA has approved the town’s plan and is valid for five years. The plan is updated continually in order to meet the 5-year requirement.
7. Act 250 Amendment Hearing re: Riverside Farm fireworks – A site visit and meeting will be held Monday, September 21, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.  Representative(s) from the Planning Commission plan to attend.
8. VLCT Loss Prevention Survey update – George is pursuing the required electrical work and ceiling fan replacement identified in the survey.
9. Town speed ordinance – Two officers from the Sheriff’s department stopped in the office to review the town’s speed ordinance dated 1972. It states the town controls speed of town roads except Route 100. They suggest contacting Sheriff Bernard for examples of other ordinances. This may help the town revise the ordinance in order to receive more fees from traffic violations. Wendy will stop by the Sheriff’s Office on 9/16/15 to follow-up.

 
New Business

1. State of Vermont Grant Agreement Documentation – Various payments from the State, such as the “Payment in lieu of taxes” were automatically sent to the town. Now the payments will be considered grants and the state is requiring towns to apply for the grants on-line. Wendy motioned to allow Patty and Soo to request and sign for the grants; Matt seconded; motion carried.
2. Proposed Robinson Integrated Resources Project – See Public Present #1
3. Pittsfield Planning Commission Resignation and Appointment – Shawn Jarecki has tendered his resignation from the Planning Commission as he has moved out of the area. The Planning Commission suggests the Select Board appoint Bruce Shaw to the vacancy. Matt motioned to appoint Bruce Shaw to fulfill Shawn’s term on the Planning Commission; Dave seconded; motion carried. An appointment letter will be sent to Bruce.
4. Town Health Officer Appointment – Wendy motioned to recommend Sue Wuerthele to the State as the town’s Health Officer; Matt seconded; motion carried and Patty will submit to the State.
5. Town Service Officer Appointment – Matt motioned to appoint Clairetta Corron to fulfill the Town Service Officer position; Wendy seconded; motion carried. An appointment letter will be sent to Clairetta.
6. Clerk/Treasurer Report – Patty does not have anything to report.

Next Meeting Date:  October 6, 2015 – Wendy will join the meeting via Skype

Adjournment
Matt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.; Dave seconded; meeting adjourned.

 
Approved:        10/6/2015                                                               Recorded by:      Tyna Gallagher


Matt Corron

David Larkin

Wendy Reese