Unapproved Minutes TOWN of STAMFORD

TOWN OF STAMFORD SELECTBOARD MEETING August 3, 2017 (UNAPPROVED)

Present: Selectboard: Nancy L. Bushika, Michael Denault, Daniel J. Potvin and Carol Fachini. Visitors: Debra Burchard, John Burchard, Robert Burchard, Laura Champagne, Deborah Darling, Joseph Fachini, Helen Fields, Stephen Greene, Bill Levine, Terry Mattimore, and Nancy Torres. Sheila Lawrence, David Saldo and Kurt Gamari, Planning Commission. David R. Tatro, as Road Commissioner and not as Selectboard member. Lori Shepard, Selectboard Secretary.

Nancy Bushika called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., opened with the pledge of allegiance, welcomed everyone and read a statement with procedural rules for the meeting.

TOWN PLAN Sheila Lawrence presented the town plan to the Selectboard. She stated that all the comments made by Nancy Bushika and Bill Levine at the public hearing have been addressed and incorporated into this final version which has been approved by the Planning Commission. The Selectboard will review and begin the next phase of the acceptance procedure. Dave Saldo and Dan Potvin spoke about the Planning Commission’s intention to pursue the energy program offered by the state under Act 174.

MINUTES MOTION by Dan Potvin to accept the regular meeting minutes of July 6, 2017, as written. SECONDED by Carol Fachini. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. MOTION by Dan Potvin to accept the regular meeting minutes of July 20, 2017, as written. SECONDED by Carol Fachini. All in favor. Motion APPROVED.

SELECTBOARD ORDERS The Selectboard reviewed and approved the following orders: WARRANT #31 $ 6,032.05 payroll WARRANT #32 $16,653.43 accounts payable

OLD COUNTY ROAD The attorney provided an opinion concerning Old County Road. The opinion states that the petitions will not force a town vote and a special town meeting should not be scheduled. Dave Tatro who felt it would be best for him to sit in the audience and speak as the Road Commissioner, sited the process in our Highway Road Policy that needs to be followed. The ordinance contains an application which is filed with the town office. The attorney stated that because the town legally and properly discontinued the road in 2010, that deeds would have to be obtained from all landowners on the road. Nancy Bushika noted that when the town accepted the upper sections of Maltese Road and Sumner Road the process took about 8- 10 years to complete. At that time our ordinance did not contain the paving requirement. Deb Burchard stated she would not agree to giving back the road. The Burchards were upset that they were not notified. Nancy Bushika stated that the board does not personally invite people to Selectboard meetings; the agendas are posted for the public. The board contacted the lawyer to see how the petitions should be handled and the board did not reach a point where abutters or interested parties needed to be notified. Mike Denault stated that the board has not taken sides and has not made any decisions concerning the road. Deb Burchard cautioned Carol Fachini since she is a Selectboard member.

ROAD CONDITIONS 1. The Tepeyac Hill driveway is washing out onto East Road and Dave Tatro asked if a letter could be sent to the property owner asking them to repair their driveway. 2. Clarksburg has asked Dave Tatro to grade West Road in the past in exchange for calcium chloride. They are offering to provide a set of grader blades annually in exchange for grading twice per year. Dave Tatro would be willing to grade it once per year but didn’t want to commit to two times. He believes the cost of the grader blades is a sufficient trade and the grading is in the best interest of the town. The board authorized Dave Tatro to negotiate with Clarksburg. 3. There has been no response from the state project engineer concerning the Klondike Road bridge bills. The bills will not be paid until the requested information is received. 4. Dave Tatro would like to attend an upcoming municipal equipment show in New York. 5. The road crew has been filling potholes, mowing and brush cutting. The new mower works great. The road crew raked Risky Ranch Road.

SEED SAVERS GROUP 1. Helen Fields does not have a proposed design for the tennis court gate. 2. The Seed Savers Group received a $1,000 grant from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund for the community garden. The Seed Savers Group would like to use water from the brook for the garden. Dan Potvin stated there is no restriction on pumping from a brook for agricultural use. The group doesn’t need the Selectboard’s permission. Nancy Bushika said the garden looks healthy and neat.

COMPOSTING COMPLIANCE WITH STATE Helen Fields noted that the town has been out of compliance for three weeks by not accepting food scraps separately. The Seed Savers would like the Selectboard to authorize up to $500.00 to purchase buckets and pay for a mailing to see who is already composting in town. Helen Fields may have found some grant money if the town can match the funds. The state wants to prohibit food scraps from going into landfills, but says burning food scraps does not fit their definition of alternative energy. Our current trash hauler does not accept food scraps. Helen Fields might be able to work with TAM to allow food scraps collected to be dropped off in Readsboro or Searsburg where TAM has a regular pickup. Although the Alliance has hired an outreach consultant, there has been no activity in Stamford. Helen Fields noted that TAM provides education and community outreach. We do not have a contract with our current hauler. The Selectboard would like to request new bids for trash, recycling and food scraps pickup as well as educational outreach. Nancy Bushika and Dave Tatro will meet with the town clerk tomorrow to prepare the bid requests. Nancy Bushika will contact the state for a definition of alternative energy. Some individuals from the Seed Savers Group will be at the recycling center on Saturday to hand out informational flyers on composting. Helen Fields also suggested a raffle to encourage composting. The Selectboard wants to wait before releasing any funds.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1. A new Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) was signed with updated contact information. 2. Bill Levine handed out an Emergency Management Ordinance, A Continuity of Operations Plan, and a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Mutual Aid for the Selectboard’s review. Bill Levine intends to work on the information and suggested they review it in sections. The town will need a Memorandum of Understanding for FEMA to pay in the event of a disaster. 3. Al McLain is almost done the wiring from the kitchen through the gym. The generator will be delivered to R.I. Baker’s next week. The contractor will be excavating and pouring the cement pad next.

BENNINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Sergeant Lloyd Dean advised that the certified copies of our traffic ordinance will help the sheriffs when writing tickets and increase revenue to the town. They will file one certified copy with the court and will keep one. There is a clause in our contract stating we will provide our ordinance. Other towns are waiving the certified fee. The Selectboard agreed to waive the $560.00 certified copy fee.

ELECTION SURVEY Disability Rights of Vermont will be surveying the election area on August 22, 2017 at 10 a.m. The Selectboard was invited to attend.

STAMFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1. The new principal Micah Hayre has asked the town clerk to hand out an informational letter at the window and utilize the email system to reach as many community members as possible. The Selectboard agreed. 2. The Selectboard noted that Dan Potvin has cut down most of the spruce trees along the school property lines. He is doing a good job.

TOWN OWNED PROPERTY The Selectboard received the appropriate fees and signed the deed transferring Lots 130, 130A and 131 to Innocenzo and Kandace Visceglia.

DELINQUENT DOGS No additional dog owners have come in to license their dogs. Luke McKay said he would contact the owners again. Fines will be imposed in the near future.

SHEDS/BUILDING PERMITS Nancy Bushika noted that sheds have been built that may not be in compliance with our by-laws. Ron Plock, Administrative Officer, will be contacted.

POULTRY Nancy Bushika is concerned that a safety issue continues to exist on the Main Road and Robillard Road. The bird owner said he would construct a fence and started to build it, but has not finished. Nancy Bushika asked that a letter be sent to the property owner.

CEMETERY COMMISSION Nancy Bushika would like the Cemetery Commission added to the next agenda to discuss the insurance coverage for someone hired to dig the cremation graves.

MOTION by Mike Denault to adjourn. SECONDED by Carol Fachini. All in favor. Motion APPROVED. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Daniel J. Potvin Clerk DJP/las

REMINDERS

The town office has new hours: Monday: closed, Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Thursday: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; and Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.