Town of Whitingham

Selectboard Meeting January 21, 2015 OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD DRAFT FOR Town of Whitingham February 4th APPROVAL P.O. Box 560 Jacksonville, Vermont 05342 A Meeting of the Whitingham Selectboard was held on Wednesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM, at the Selectboard Office, Municipal Center in Jacksonville, Vermont. The following Selectboard members were present: Chair, Keith Bronson; Selectboard Members: Mr. Greg Brown; Mr. Robin Kingsley; Mr. Karl Twitchell and Administrator, Ms. Bonnie Jo Radasch. Guests included: Mr. John Doty, School Board; Mr. Seth Boyd, School Director; Mr. Stephen Bettencourt, Citizen; Mr. Stanley Janovsky, Fire Chief / Road Commissioner; Ms. Almira Aekus, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Treasurer.

7:30 The meeting was called to order by Chair, Keith Bronson, Selectboard Chair. Mr. Bronson invited Mr. Stephen Bettencourt to the table.

Mr. Bettencourt indicated to the Selectboard that he had lived in Jacksonville for a little over three plus and wished them to know he was feeling harrassed. He said that he had concerns about his Mother and that a neighbor had entered his house and taken documents, as my Mother’s status was being blamed on my care. Subsequently he indicated the neighbor had made phone calls and had his Mother removed.

Mr. Bettencourt indicated his belief that he would get justice when the Meritocratic System and Brinks Alliance “come on line”, indicating to the Selectboard that he expected that would be very soon. Mr. Bettencourt shared his belief that will bring a new financial system and another Golden Age.

Mr. Bettencourt told the Selectboard that he appreciated being listened to and did not want to take up any more of their time.

Mr. Bronson thanked Mr. Bettencourt for sharing his concerns; Mr. Bettencourt departed the meeting.

7:38 A motion was made by Mr. Karl Twitchell for Selectboard to approve the Payables Warrant dated January 22, 2015; Mr. Robin Kingsley seconded. All in favor, with Chair, Keith Bronson casting his vote.

7:40 A motion was made by Mr. Karl Twitchell for Selectboard to approve the Payroll Warrant dated January 22, 2015; Mr. Robin Kingsley seconded. All in favor, with Chair, Keith Bronson casting his vote.

7:42 Chair, Keith Bronson, invited Mr. Seth Boyd to the table, indicating their interest in the status of the old high school. Mr. Boyd indicated that a committee had been formed to assist with the re-purposing of the building and the committee had obtained a 501C3 Status (not-for-profit), noting the committee members included Mr. Steve Goldfarb, Ms. Cammie Swanson, Ms. Jennifer Betit-Engel, Ms. Meg Streeter, Ms. Diane Chapman, Ms. Cindy Hayford, and Ms. Janet Boyd, noting it is being referred to as the “Old School Enrichment Center”. Mr. Boyd indicated there had been an open house for potential tenants about 1 ½ months ago and that the list of potential tenants was “long”. He observed there had been communications with the hospital relative to the need for a new health center and a desire to replicate what had been built in Pownal. He indicated converations taking place around tearing down the 1800’s portion of the building and replacing it with new construction. He noted the rest of the building appears to be emerging with community service type organizations… some health, some human services space and the supervisory union.

Mr. Karl Twitchell inquired, “How does that affect the school budget?”

Mr. Boyd responded that as soon as it can be, it will be taken off.

Mr. Robin Kingsley asked if they might be looking at a time-line 6 months out.

7:45 Mr. Greg Brown joined the meeting, asking if the State had come up with some idea of what they feel they are owed since 1980.

Mr. John Doty responded, “That is only a concern if we sell.”

Mr. Seth Boyd added that the figure would be 30% of what they gave toward the school originally or 30% of the sale price, whichever is less, noting the plan is to get someone to take it over.

Mr. Keith Bronson commented, “then the 501-C3 is a walk-away….”

Mr. Greg Brown inquired if it would be in the budget this year.

Mr. Boyd indicated, “we’re hoping it will go away before expending the 60K”.

Mr. Greg Brown observed that the operating expenses were to drop significantly, affecting the $100Kplus contributed by the town.

Mr. Boyd commented, “The intent is to get rid it as quickly as we can.”

Mr. Greg Brown continued, “It doesn’t have to happen right away. But if you can reduce and we can reduce it is a win/win all the way around. I’d much rather help fund other things in small increments, reduce the tax rate and bolster other things on the school side and then everybody wins.”

Mr. Boyd commented: “The State is allowed user fees. Wilmington had it pretty well spelled out what theirs were used for. The argument there is more town use of the Wilmington building now; it justifies for them. We’ve set up user fees in this town under same structure.”

Mr. Greg Brown quiried, “Am I out of line thinking we can reduce school budget because we get rid of a building, and that maybe we can both win?”

Mr. Boyd observed, “We’re down in our budget following consolidation; we continue to have conversations and see when the timing will work.” Mr. Greg Brown commented, “If a building goes away it would seem like the time to begin; even bringing it up at Town Meeting as to when we can look at taking these steps… making it work so the taxpayer doesn’t feel like it lands on their shoulders.”

Mr. Brown continued, “I think it will be a better scenario – you guys have been reducing and now we have a point where we can show a reduction. If State keeps sticking it to us – well that is something we can’t control.”

Mr. Seth Boyd, “there is some conversation with the State.”

Discussion turned toward two appropriation requests, one for $1795 for Wings and another for $4700 for youth programs, with notation that the Town already builds $10K into the budget for Wings programs at the school.

Mr. John Doty observed that the $1795 being requested under Wings’ umbrella is for the summer program. He noted that there is a difference in cost for a child from Wilmington to attend, vs. a child from Whitingham. “If you live in Whitingham, it costs more. With this appropriation, from the family side, all families, no matter what town will pay the same rate for their child to attend the program.”

Discussion of the $4700 youth program separate from school came forward next, Mr. Brown indicating he understood the reason for that one. Administrator, Bonnie Jo Radasch indicated a budget request had been made to the individuals filing the appropriation request, in order that the request could be made more transparent to the taxpayers in the Town Report.

Mr. Greg Brown added, “Money, we as a Town put toward that doesn’t have to run through school books and get scrutinzed by State. If we could save $80K and support other projects; we have still saved $80K and are providing other assistance.”

8:15 Chair, Keith Bronson indicated there had been rumors in regard to problems with the gymnasium floor.

Mr. Seth Boyd commented that the floating floor that was placed has settled in with bigger gaps than anticipated, noting engineers have been in to look. “We’ve opened a warranty ticket on it and asked for engineer submittals. We’re looking into it. The company who put it down said the room is just too dry. That was their input.”

Additional conversation about the floor showed that work boots at the school on those floors, should be banned as they cause issues.

Chair, Keith Bronson inquired as to the Town’s traditional use of the school for Old Home Week, noting one is coming up in 2016.

Mr. Boyd didn’t see issues arising. Mr. Greg Brown noted, “I don’t want to get into a contest between the School and the Town… budgets vs. common sense… we should be able to balance that.”

Mr. Seth Boyd observed, “The School budget up 3 ½ percent overlast year… it is over the formula.”

Mr. Greg Brown indicated a concern over the potential of a carbon tax in the State of Vermont… “Since price of fuel has dropped… talk of generating a potential of $1.35/gallon and here we are in Vermont - one of the best atmospheres in the United States and looking for the biggest increase of a tax in the country.”

Mr. Karl Twitchell, “And they are going to fight windmills.”

Mr. Greg Brown, “If this carbon tax occurs, it will affect us all and it will be devastating.”

(It was noted that the carbon tax, for the current legislative session, appear to be a non- issue.)

9:00 Mr. John Doty, Mr. Seth Boyd, Mr. Stanley Janovsky and Ms. Almira Aekus departed the meeting.

Varied, miscellaneous discussion.

9:05 Brief budget review and conversation about potential increases to employee wages for 2015-16, noting recent spare years in light of increased insurance costs. With those costs contained for the upcoming budget, at

9:24 A motion was made by Mr. Greg Brown for Selectboard to approve a 3% across- the-board increase for employees; Mr. Karl Twitchell seconded the motion. All in favor.

9:26 It was noted a 5:00 PM budget work session would be scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th, to finalize budgets.

9:27 A motion was made by Mr. Karl Twitchell for Selectboard to adjourn their meeting; Mr. Allan Twitchell seconded. All in favor, as

9:28 Chair, Keith Bronson declared the meeting adjourned.

These minutes have not been approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Jo Radasch, Administrator, Town of Whitingham