TOWN OF CHESTER BOARD OF SELECTMEN October 1, 2014 Minutes PRESENT: VISITORS: John DeBenedetti, Chairman; Derek Suursoo; Thomas Bock; William Lindsay; Arne Jonynas; David Pisha Julie Hance; Shawn Cunningham; Dan Cook; Laurie Cloud; /Rebecca Martens; Eric Martens; Kevin O Connor; Edward Huse; Eric Richardson The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. DeBenedetti. He then asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 17, 2014 Selectboard Meeting: A motion was made by Tom Bock to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2014 Selectboard meeting and Executive Session record. Seconded by Derek Suursoo. The motion passed with the following changes. Page 5 2 nd paragraph insert she will speak Page 7 New Business the should be the selectboard Page 5 Item 10 clarified, selectboard Page 7 1 st paragraph He should be David and Cil Matthews Page 7 final paragraph come Page 1 Public Hearing Should say, Claudio Veliz stated that the October 10, 2010 zoning regulations added auto sales and service to the residential/commercial district but that fuel sales were not specifically mentioned. Page 6 Eager Beaver - $200.00 was allocated, not $250.00. John DeBenedetti read the Executive Session record as the Board did not receive copies. 2. CITIZENS COMMENTS: There were no citizen s comments. 3. OLD BUSINESS: Water/Sewer Master Plan David Pisha informed the selectboard that he is waiting to receive the final plan from Dufresne Group. 1
Pleasantbrook David Pisha stated that he is waiting to hear from Coni Pell at Jim Carroll s office. He noted that Pleasant Brook did offer a partial solution however it did not include the 3 rd building. Tanker Spill David Pisha stated that the monies have been received from the insurance company for the tanker spill expenses. Derek Suursoo questioned if 100% of the invoice was received. David Pisha noted that the payment was short $2,300.00. Derek Suursoo stated that he would like to cost share the shortfall with the other towns. Discussion ensued. Arne Jonynas stated his opinion that it is fine to leave the split as is and does not see a need to cost share the shortfall. A motion was made by Derek Suursoo to prorate the Fire Department payment to the towns that responded to the tanker spill appropriately to account for the shortfall of approximately $2,300.00. Seconded by William Lindsay. The motion passed. Arne Jonynas voted in the negative. Cemetery Road survey David Pisha stated that material has been received from Deb Daniels. She informed David that she would be available to attend the next meeting to discuss her findings. The selectboard discussed that Peter Hudkins as well as adjacent lands owners should be informed of the meeting. Sidewalk easements David Pisha stated that the temporary easements for the sidewalk construction work have been mailed out to landowners. Some have been received back. US Cellular David Pisha stated that a representative from KJK Cellular will appear at the next meeting to discuss the new equipment that US Cellular will be adding to tower. Route 11/103 intersection Arne Jonynas stated that he attended the TAC meeting and asked about purchasing the house at the intersection of Route 11 and 103 which was brought up at the last meeting. Mr. Jonynas stated that he learned that the State does not purchase property unless there is already work involved in that area. He was informed that it is not likely to happen, but that AOT will look into it. Class I highway Arne Jonynas stated that he researched the White Papers that were mentioned at the last night regarding class I highways. This concerns towns that have state highways running through their town, not just class I highways. Arne Jonynas stated that the letter is meant to be used as preliminary information gathering relative to town costs associated with maintaining Class I roads. It appears that Chester would not be reclassified since we are already classified this appropriately. Mike Westine William Lindsay stated that he, David Pisha and Tom Bock had a very preliminary conversation with Michael Westine regarding his request. They are waiting for Mike Westine to come back with his proposal. Alice Suojanen land Derek Suursoo questioned if Ms. Suojanen was taken care of with regard to her request for a tree planting on the land which she donated to the town. 2
David Pisha stated that a tree was planted. However, he informed the selectboard that Ms. Suojanen is not pleased with the manner in which the property is maintained. Derek Suursoo noted that if Ms. Suojanen is unhappy, the town can give back the parcel. David Pisha stated that he will follow up. CDF investment David Pisha stated that he spoke with the wealth management division of People s Bank. They have agreed to make a presentation if needed. Paul Giuliani s advice is to adopt a policy that follows the State Statue for investment. Discussion ensued. The Selectboard stated that they would like to see a package presented. 4. AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURING: David Pisha stated that he and Dan Cook have met. They are still reviewing some issues such as coverage times, specifically the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. time frame. Mr. Pisha stated that they have looked at various outsourcing ideas and are currently working with a nearby community towards a more regionalized approach. This particular community could supply services to Chester during the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours. Dan Cook explained that this would not be mutual aid because it would be shared revenues and shared personnel. David Pisha stated that he and Dan will put together a complete package for presentation to the selectboard. David Pisha questioned if the selectboard wants to keep a Chester based ambulance operation. Tom Bock questioned if the Chester ambulance would still be used. Dan Cook stated that his main concern is this winter and finding coverage because he will be plowing snow. He stated that there are only two Chester ambulance members that are certified. There will be one in the Chester community when he is plowing. The agreement with the other community requires that Chester calls belong to Chester and their calls belong to them. Dan Cook stated that the Chester ambulance would stay here in Chester as well as the personnel. John DeBenedetti stated that he is anticipating that David Pisha will present a package to the selectboard showing all options which appear to be: Golden Cross, Golden Cross only a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. coverage, keeping the service here in Chester or sharing coverage with a nearby town. Dan Cook provided the selectboard with some statistics regarding this past year s calls. He stated that the Chester ambulance was dispatched 283 times, they responded 252 times with 31 calls that were missed. There were also 47 mutual aid calls. Dan Cook stated that ambulance personnel have stepped up to help him out. He questioned if he can use the new proposed payroll figures when completing this year s payroll in November. Dan explained that if he runs the payroll with the new figures, the total payroll would be $74,000, which is the amount that was budgeted. Derek Suursoo indicated his opinion that this is a question for the town manager and is not the 3
supervision of the selectboard. David Pisha stated that he will work with Dan Cook on his payroll numbers. David Pisha stated that the fees to Andover are also being reviewed. He stated that the fees proposed are determined on a per capita basis. The costs used in determining the billable figure are still being reviewed to ensure that all costs are included in the calculations. Laurie Cloud shared that the reason for her appearance tonight is to request that the selectboard not just look at the dollars but remember that there is must more going on behind the scenes. She stated that familiarity and patient care are critical. 5. GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL UPDATE: David Pisha stated that the General Fund shows a shortfall. Tax collections are only up 4.6% even though billed taxes went up 9%. General fund expenses are only up $10,200.00 over last year. David Pisha informed the selectboard that $77,564 was on storm related repairs in highway alone. David Pisha stated that he will run new spreadsheets for the water/sewer departments. He informed the selectboard that rates have to be increased by 15% because of delinquent payments. The selectboard reviewed the bottom line and it was determined that the $92,000.00 payment from sewer has not been included. David Pisha was asked to prepare options of how to handle this $92,000 debt. Tom Bock would like to know when the water/sewer bonds are paid off. The selectboard discussed the budget process. David Pisha stated that he will be starting the budget this week. He also stated that a water/sewer analysis will be done for the next meeting. William Lindsay requested a review of the capital budget transfers. Derek Suursoo stated that he would like David to review the Andover agreement and propose an increase in revenue. Following discussion, the selectboard noted that they would like the legal question answered as to whether a Contract with Andover is required. David Pisha stated that simply billing per capita will increase revenue by itself. This should also be reviewed for Ambulance and Fire as well. 6. NEW BUSINESS: The selectboard signed a Cemetery Deed. Following discussion, the selectboard agreed that agenda items for the next meeting would include: Financial/PreliminaryBudget Review, Deb Daniels and Cemetery Road Survey, CDF investment proposal. It was agreed to eliminate KJK Cellular from the agenda and the selectboard requested that David Pisha obtain answers regarding efforts being coordinated on the tower. 4
David Pisha stated that VLCT can come to Chester to present the Open Meeting Law forum on either October 28 or 29 th at 6:00 p.m. He stated that Barb Westine is holding space at Newsbank for the event. The selectboard agreed that Tuesday, October 28 th at 6:00 p.m. would be best. John DeBenedetti stated that there will be a selectboard seminar on November 8 at the Lake Morey Inn for those that are interested. William Lindsay discussed the Resolution for property taxes that was given to the board members. Following discussion, it was agreed that David Pisha would draft a Resolution for the selectboard to sign and present at the next meeting. Derek Suursoo stated that he would like the budget review discussions to be first on the agenda after citizen s comments. Derek Suursoo stated that he has received a copy of the draft Regional Plan and questioned if the selectboard would like to review the proposed plan as a board and provide input. Tom Bock will get copies for the selectboard and find out the time line for adoption. 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION; PERSONNEL AND CONTRACTUAL: A motion was made by Arne Jonynas to enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at 9:34 p.m. Seconded by William Lindsay. The motion passed. 8. ADJOURN: At 12:22 am, Mr. Arne Jonynas made a motion to adjourn. Mr. William Lindsay seconded. All voted in the affirmative. Julie Hance Secretary of the Select Board Arunas Jonynas Clerk of the Select Board The SAPA-TV recording of this meeting is hereby made a part of the permanent minute record of this meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Derek Suursoo to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2014 Selectboard meeting and Executive Session record. Seconded by Tom Bock. The motion passed with the following changes. Page 2, class 1 highway, remove the word this Page 2, class 1 highway, replace night with meeting Page 2, Alice Suojanen, should be changed to reflect that the question asked by John DeBenedetti was whether or not we had ever received the property she wanted to give to the town. 5