MINUTES OF GRAFTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN, GRAFTON VT

DATE: April 7, 2014

SELECTMEN PRESENT: Sam Battaglino, Noralee Hall, Skip Lisle,

SELECTMEN ABSENT: Peter Jeziorski

CONVENED: 5:51PM ADJOURNED: 6:52 PM

Motions underlined, Votes CAPS

Appoint Minutes Taker: To appoint Christine Dyke as secretary. (S. Battaglino) PASSED Question regarding process to appoint minutes taker: (S. Battaglino, S. Lisle, Alan Sands) S. Battaglino reported posted opening on bulletin board at Town Hall, one response S. Lisle reported checking with VLTC for approval of process and emailing Peter Jeziorski.

Question regarding public process of selectboard decisions (A. Sands) Question regarding reading emails into public record (Eric Stevens) Wendy Martin stated all Select Board emails are public record if they contain significant town business (E. Stevens) S.Lisle reported responding to email from P. Jeziorski

Public Comment: S. Lisle reported that Bill Kearns resigned from the Select Board today, effective immediately, and has resigned from all positions in town. He will be missed, as he is an “energetic and talented guy.” Kim Record requested that his letter be read and she provided a copy. Letter of resignation from William Kearns read into record (see attached)

S. Batteglino reported attending drug meeting in Townshend, and he can be contacted regarding drug prevention information.

A. Sands reminded Select Board that they are now the emergency management contact for the town as a result of Bill Kearns resignation.

Discussion regarding person who knows the contents of the postions Bill held (Ginger Ludeman, S. Battaglino)

Discussion regarding filling vacancy on Select Board K. Record described process in Select Board handbook. Board has 10 days to act on vacancy. Must be posted, town resident can petition for election. Agenda: Motion to adopt agenda as circulated (N. Hall) PASSED Minutes: March 17 – no corrections moved to adopt (S. Lisle) PASSED

March 3 minutes not yet transcribed – assisgned to C Dyke Special Meeting April 4 not yet completed March 10 being completed by N. Hall

Question regarding warning, posting and purpose of Thursday, April 4 meeting from Nancy S. Battaglino responded purposewas to review resumes for Town Administrator position. Meeting was warned and posted.

Vote to adopt Town Plan and send to WRC: Motion to approve Town Plan and send to WRC (S. Lisle) PASSED

Warrants: Payroll: Completed Accounts Payable: Complete

Road Department Report: Danny Taylor, Road Foreman

Gravel Pit – draft letter of agreement was approved under previous Board. Letter needs to be sent to P&L with terms of agreement (see file for hard copy) Terms include: P&L purchases signs, town installs signs per town policy Site on Eastman Raod P & L can begin working in the pit on May 1

1-ton update – continues to have problem with plug in Question regarding cost of current repairs and value of truck (S. Batteglino) D. Taylor reported $9500 in repairs; if fixed, $17,000 value; if not fixed, $5,000, Still pursuing issue with Ford regarding work done that wasn’t done

No issues with last weeks rain (N. Hall, D. Taylor)

Question regarding replacement of 1-ton truck (S. Battaglino) D. Taylor: Scheduled to replace in 2016; no money in line item for repair or replace; Warrenty expired with Ford

D. Taylor requested staus of letter Aldman’s regarding town repairing stone wall from Plow damage. Stone wall was repaired today (4/7) Letter not yet sent by Board, will send letter (S. Lisle)

Planning Commission Appointment:

Select Board received recommendations from Planning Commission for 7th person: 1st choice: Alan Sands, 2nd: Rex James, 3rd:David Acker

Motion to appoint Rex James 7 th member of Town Planning Commission PASSED

Discussion regarding choosing 2nd choice over 1st choice from Planning Commission S. Lisle responded R. James experience in alternative energy and tourism. Discussion regarding R. James familiarity with community, recent residency. (D. Rogers, A. Sands, J. Gregory, C. Hooker, Russell Record, Rodney Record)

John Gregory verbally resigned from Planning Commission. Asked to put resignation into writing (S. Batteglino)

Question regarding when Selectboard made decision on candidate. (Melissa ______, S. Lisle) Unclear whether meeting or email. (S. Batteglino, S. Lisle)

Capital Budget Committee: Keith Herminez letter of resignation received motion to appoint Don Dugall as member and chair PASSED Don Dugall already member

K. Record requested copy of Keith Hermanz letter of resignation

No one else has stepped forward to take open position on Capital Budget Committee. Unclear regarding posting of vacancy. (N. Hall, S. Lisle)

Set time and place of regular meeting: Starting May 5, 6pm regular Select Board Meeting will be held at handicap accessible room at the Grafton/Athens Elementary school for a term of one year. Thank you to John Turner, Principal (S. Batteglino)

Drug Abuse Forum: S. Batteglino reported attending Townshend Drug Forum and suggesting similar for Grafton. Discussion regarding date, time, presenters, need. Suggestion to include police from other larger towns, resources from Brattleboro Retreat, include John Turner from Elementary School in time/date discussions. Weeknight best. Grafton Cares suggested as co-sponsor. (D. Dugall, S. Batteglino, J. Lake, W. Martin, N. Hall)

Windham Foundation: S. Lisle and S. Battaglio met with Bob Allen, CEO. The Foundations impact on community has been $100 million since inception of Foundation. $1 mill/year in salaries

New Projects: Walking bridge over Saxtons River, pavilion for weddings that will be ice skating rink in winter, trail systems from village (west) Money left after bridge project will be directed to another community project. Community input will again be sought. (S. Battaglino) Hockey games (Nate) successful– expanding next year

Discussion on status of bridge. Foundation has met with Renault Bros, waiting for prices and design. Will be arch, year-round for both cars and pedestrians. (N Hall, Russell Record)

Question regarding discussion with Bob Allen regarding wind power (Melissa

S. Lisle responded that they spole to Bob about wind power being bad for town, bad for Windham Foundation, how towers will look and bad for tourism.

Discussion regarding representing all positions regarding wind (Melissa, S. Lisle) Representing everyone in town,

Question regarding Bob’s reaction to wind power. (Joan Lake) S. Battaglino reported Bob did not take a position, that is a Foundation Board decision.

Town Administrator: S. Lisle announced Town Administrator interviews will be Wednesday, April 9 at 6pm. There are four candidates. Questions regarding committee composition for interviews, no other staff on interview committee. (K. Record) Select Board members discussed problem with too many people in interview (possible eight) (S. Lisle, S. Battaglino) Question regarding circumstances of discussion, three members becomes a public meeting. (D. Dugall) S. Lisle replied he did not discuss it with three members at a time.

Continuing discussion regarding composition of interview group (N. Hall, K. Record, C. Gibbs) Use of K. Record’s interview questions list (D. Taylor) Wenesday April 4 meeting included town residents (S. Battaglino) Discussion regarding work of other town staff that is Select Board work (K. Record, D. Taylor, David Rogers) Discussion regarding size of interview committee (D. Dugall, S. Battaglino) S. Lisle reported checking with VLTC, Select Baord can be interview committee. David Rogers: Danny works a lot with grants – have to think more town, missing a lot.

Question regarding probationary period for new hires (W. Martin) S. Batteglino said 6 months, D. Taylor reported 90 days in personnel handbook, last updated 2009.

A. Sands recommended asking same interview questions to each candidate, procedure with State.

Other Business: K. Record reported additional responsibilities for Board with Bill’s resignation: -Ancient Roads project needs to be completed by 2015, Robin Sterns to complete. -911 address for Annie Hawkins -designate Eastman Road as other address is a discontinued road. -Agendas needed before Sunday night to give time for agenda input and adequate posting time.

Discussion regarding compensation: Question regarding Prorating the $1000 with Bill Kearns gone Should member be paid the same as others when missing 20-25% of meetings? Could teleconference for Peter. (D. Dugle, E. Stevens)

Next Meeting Date : April 21 6pm Town Hall

Adjourn: Moved (N. Hall) PASSED