Dover Select Board Meeting Minutes Dover Town Office December 1, 2015

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1 THESE MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE DOVER SELECT BOARD Select Board Members Present: Chair Randall Terk, Vice Chair Victoria Capitani, Linda Holland, & Tom Baltrus, Joe Mahon Also Present: Recording Secretary, Jeannette Eckert Public: Linda Sherman, Randy Johnson, Jim Boyle, Jim & Judy McDevitt, Rolf Parker, Ken Black, Edie Mas, Laurie Newton, Michael Kirkland, Marco & Stefan Tallini, Matt Mann, Wendy Harrison Regular Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM by Randall Terk I. Public Comments: Randy Johnson: Rebecca Morris graduated from the Vermont Police Academy she was awarded the Eugene Giotti award for demonstrating honesty, loyalty and enthusiasm to the law enforcement profession Linda Holland: Request to authorize the Synergy contract for the propane tank at Town Hall On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Tom Baltrus, the Board unanimously agreed to allow Marco Tallini, Town Treasurer, to execute the paperwork for the Town Hall propane tank II. Listers: Linda Sherman & Jim Boyle A. Pros and Cons of Assessor & Lister Positions As discussed during budget meetings asked to come up with pros and cons of both positions Efficiency of the Listers office has not been as it should be o Issues from the fall are being addressed How to proceed from here stay as we are or go to Assessor? No real difference between Lister and Assessor according to VLCT paperwork o Main difference is that Assessors are appointed not elected What would Town gain by this change? Enhanced communication between Select board, town departments, property owners and public; transparency, confidence, consistency Due to continued growth in Dover, complexity with the real estate market; this change would not in any way eliminate the need to contract with Appraiser Jim Boyle Request to approve the dissolution of the Board of Listers and adopt a Town Assessor This change could be accomplished with a placement of an article at 2016 Town meeting-wording provided by VLCT This would require a paper ballot vote from the floor at Town Meeting In the future, I think you will see many towns making this change How would grievances be handled? the Assessor alone makes the decision with Jim sitting in; can still be appealed to BCA in the same way it does now Training needed for each position Linda is currently designated as a Vermont Property Appraiser I with the VT Lister s education program If we do this, are you interested in going forward with this new position? Yes We would be gaining consistency in that office Page 1 of 5

2 Board will review the recommendation Place on agenda for Dec 15th III. Unfinished Business: A. Clarify Health Insurance Motion from November 17 th At the November 17 th meeting, the dollar amounts of the HRA funding were not included in the motion. The following is the clarified amended motion: On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Tom Baltrus, the Board unanimously agreed to fund the employee health care for 2016 with the BC/BS Silver standard plan with HRA funding as we have in the past with no changes in the amount of $484.49/month for singles; couples at $968.98/month; parent & child(ren) at $935.07/month; family at $1,361.42/month with an HRA funding of $5,600 for singles, $11,200 for all others while leaving the out of pocket maximum at $1,250 for singles and $2,500 for all others. B. Handle Road Proposals Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Board rec d two correspondences from Edie Mas addressing the need for vehicle & pedestrian safety on Handle Rd including reducing speed limits, increased signage and reinstating the Valley Trail in that area Would suggest that Bob Holland be here for this discussion but the weather has prevented that tonight Suggest forming a committee consisting of Randy Johnson, Bob Holland, Edie Mas, Laurie Newton and others that may be interested Laurie Newton agrees with Edie s comments. In addition, some of this is an Economic Development issue as well as safety and speed; enhance the Handle Road area with a bicycle path; walking trails; too early to talk about funding but there are two pieces to the whole issue. Do you generally agree that there are two issues to explore? Edie Mas: Request to include Matt Mann from WRC on this committee he is a key contact regarding grant opportunities Additional Board could be ready to appoint a committee on Dec 15 th reach out to Matt Mann, come back with a recommended selection of members Publish public notice in the newspaper to encourage participation Not sure if there are two issues to explore; need to hear your proposal first Regarding costs--specific recommendations prior to the meeting would be welcome C. Approve Town Hall $2,600 Will be put out to bid IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Minutes of November 13 & 17, 2015 On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Linda Holland, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of November 13 and 17, 2015 Page 2 of 5

3 B. Approve Warrants of November 21, 2015 for $5,590, On a motion by Linda Holland, seconded by Victoria Capitani, the Board unanimously approved the warrant of November 21, 2015 V. New Business: A. Deerfield Valley Stump Jumpers Renewal Form On a motion by Linda Holland, seconded by Tom Baltrus, the Board unanimously agreed to renew the landowner permission agreement for the period 12/15/15 to 4/15/16. B. DRB Recommendation for Alternate Positions Letter submitted by Chair Sarah Shippee recommending Jonathan Prial and Steven Palermo to the two vacant alternate positions. The DRB will now seat a full board. On a motion by Tom Baltrus, seconded by Linda Holland, the Board unanimously approved the recommendation. C. PACE Program Property Assessed Clean Energy Town rec d a request to consider allowing homeowners in Dover to have access to PACE financing in order to help pay for energy improvements to their homes If authorized by the voters at Town Meeting, will allow low cost funding for homeowners and second homeowners PACE would administer the program through Efficiency Vermont We would appoint a contact person for the Town Only issue is if an individual borrower is in default, then the Town becomes the collection agency not sure we want to get into that Would like to hear how other towns that have this program are managing it If a homeowners wants to champion this, take the appropriate steps to get a petition signed for an article on the ballot at Town Meeting then the voters can make a decision Information is available through Mark Kelley at mkelley@veic.org or PACE@efficiencyvermont.com D. Schedule Review for Treasurer Marco Tallini Defer to the week of Dec 28th perhaps 4pm on that Monday Or will try to at least schedule it that week E. Bid Proposal for AM030 Letter rec d from James Miller with interest in purchasing 283 Blue Brook Rd, a Town owned property Mr. Miller owns abutting property This was not part of the recent tax sale however it came to light after the meeting that it was on the list of property for sale back in June No bids were rec d at that time Board suggests putting out another bid proposal for all properties currently owned by the Town Page 3 of 5

4 VI. Dover Select Board Police: Randy Johnson A. Opening Town Roads to Snowmobile Traffic On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Linda Holland, pursuant to Title 23, Section 3206(5) of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, the Dover Board of Selectmen grants permission to the Deerfield Valley Stump Jumpers snowmobile club and other snowmobile clubs with reciprocity agreements, to operate snowmobiles for access only to club and VAST trails and only at times when the trails are officially open on the 36 Town of Dover roads listed. While using the highway, all snowmobiles must stay to the right and may only cross at the trailhead. (A complete listing can be viewed at the Town Clerk s office) B. Approve Expenditure of Drug Forfeiture Monies for Body Cameras Already have one body camera; would like to purchase three more & one cable to download the information Aids in criminal investigations On a motion by Linda Holland, seconded by Victoria Capitani, the Board unanimously approved to expend from drug forfeiture monies for body cameras the sum of $1, How much history, how long is information being kept? kept on the server at Police Station for the statute stated amount of time Worn by on-duty officers, switched off when shifts change VII. Highway: Bob Holland A. Truck Bids: Three bids rec d Trucks: Delurey, International $108, with trade in of $72,500 = $35, Patriot, Western Star, $117, with trade in of $50,000 = $67, McDevitt, $119, with trade in of $50,000 = $69, Plow frame and body: Tenco $58, Fairfield $61, Viking $59, Bob recommends Patriot, Western Star with Viking plow frame and body for a total of $126, On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Linda Holland, the Board unanimously approved the purchase of Patriot, Western Star and Viking plow frame & body for a total of $126, F550 has been up for sale at Cuttingsville only $9,000 offered; believe it to be worth more Would like to put it out for bid Board agrees VIII. Economic Development: A. 2016/2017 Proposed Budget Took last 4 quarters of revenues and increased by 4% to get a benchmark Page 4 of 5

5 Quarter 4 was higher than usual due to Mt Snow s Westlake project & high seasons tickets sales Administration costs are fairly self-explanatory Additional hanging baskets Route 100 landscape project Donations program take in revenue and off-set it Marketing website upgrades/maintenance DASP cut $$ in ½ Encourage more digital marketing to reach a broader audience DO IT rebates same but could be structured differently Continue Welcome Center advertising Upped Dover film production grants seems successful but have not seen the finished projects yet Trails and Paths various trail signs Trail A bid requests have just gone out. Next week will have the sets of plans. Mid- January bids will be opened Development of Ridge Trail signage, etc.--estimate of $20,000; still waiting on final approval; have to purchase the trees from the State Schedule a review of DO IT and DASP & Events programs perhaps in January Fiber optics $$--what if we don t spend it? Intended to go into a reserve? Yes IX. FYI: A. Public Hearing for Town Plan Adoption, Dec 15 th at 6pm, Above was cancelled due to steps that were missed by the PC, process to begin again Warn PC public hearing again slated for Jan 4 th at 7pm Warn SB meeting for 15 days after PC hearing X. Liaison Reports: none XI. XII. Executive Session for Personnel Highway On a motion by Linda Holland, seconded by Tom Baltrus, the Board unanimously agreed to move into Executive Session for Personnel at 7:45pm On a motion by Victoria Capitani, seconded by Linda Holland, the Board unanimously agreed to move out of Executive Session for Personnel at 7:55pm Decision: none Adjournment at 7:55pm Respectfully submitted by Jeannette Eckert Select Board Recording Secretary Public notices of these minutes have been posted at the following locations: Dover Town Clerk s Bulletin Board, Dover Town Meeting Bulletin Board, Dover School Dover Free Library, East Dover Post Office, Town of Dover Website: Page 5 of 5