~ APPROVED WITH CORRECTION~

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007

• Approve Minutes of Last Meeting
• Donald Peters – Gravel
• Ancient Roads Committee
• Ancient Roads Grant to Sign
• J. Moffatt – Forestry Committee
• Weight Permits to Sign
• Mellett – Gravel Pit Update
• Structures & Class 2 Roadway Programs
• Road Foreman Report
• Clerk's Report
• Other Business:
• Atwood Bridge Update
• State Priority Highway Structure Form
• Angela Ross Update
• Jennifer Linck – Water
• Conservation Committee
• Energy Coordinator

The Selectboard met at the Craftsbury Town Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007 at 7:45 PM. Selectboard present were Bruce Urie, Jim Jones and Susan Houston. Yvette Brown (Town Clerk), Michelle Warren (Clerk of Selectboard) and Donald Peters were also present.

Mr. Jones made a motion to approve the January 9, 2007 Selectboard Minutes as printed, Ms. Houston seconded. The January 9, 2007 Selectboard Minutes were approved. Mr. Urie said he would e-mail Ms. Warren the minutes from the Selectboard Meeting Friday,

Jan. 26, 2007, in which the Selectboard finalized their budget and the Town Warning.

Mr. Peters told the Selectboard that he would like to be considered for the town's winter sand bid. He quoted $1.55 per yard. Mr. Peters said that he would like to be compared equally "weighing apples and apples" and is willing to adjust his bid, depending on what the town would like included or excluded in the bid. He would like to be called if there are questions to avoid any misunderstanding.

Mr. Urie later mentioned that the Selectboard needs to talk with Steve about the bids for sand in the next few months. Mr. Jones said that last year the town combined with Albany and received a 25-cent per yard break, but isn’t sure yet if Albany would like to continue again next year.

Ms. Houston suggested brainstorming possible name for the Ancient Roads Committee.

Mr. Jones asked what were the Selectboard’s goals for the new Ancient Roads Committee. Mr. Urie explained the Ancient Roads Committee would need to go back to the Town of Craftsbury Charter, figure out where the original roads were laid out, what is still there, what has disappeared and then determine what is the status of roads that are no longer roads. Wayne had estimated the mapping costs should be under $2,500 and the rest of the grant funds could cover copies, etc. There is an Ancient Roads coordinator available that is willing to help the new Ancient Road Committee get started and explain reviewing road records. Mr. Urie would like to see eventually all the information in one place and that the original roads could be viewed possibly as an overlay with layers added afterwards. Mr. Urie and Ms. Houston agreed that this would be a large task and committee members need to be knowledgeable about the history of Craftsbury. Suggested names for the Ancient Roads Committee: Ed Williams, David Link, Jim Moffatt, Wayne Mutrux, Robert Anderson, Lawrence Griggs, Henry Young, Ross Morgan, Morris Rowell, Fielda Calderwood, Willie Ryan and Everett Demeritt. The Selectboard agreed 10 people for this committee would be ideal. Ms. Brown suggested it would be easier for researching if the committee broke down the town into sections.

The Selectboard all signed the Ancient Roads Recognition of Grant Funds form. Ms. Brown is named the Grant Administrator. She will type in the Selectboard names and mail in the form, as requested by Mr. Urie.

Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones had recently attended the January Forestry Committee Meeting.

Mr. Jones said that Jim Moffatt asked what the Selectboard thought about doing land trust easements on the town land. Ms. Houston commented that Craftsbury is lucky to have a working town forest, since many towns don't have one. The Selectboard agreed that the Forestry Committee should look into considering land trust easements and then get back to the Selectboard with more information. The Selectboard can then present the information to the Town for voting. Mr. Jones remarked that the forest area is about 260 acres.

Mr. Jones said that the Forestry Committee also asked if the Town Crew could put in small parking (pull-in) area for 2-3 cars near the new forestry sign. Mr. Jones said that the area may need a few stumps removed and to be leveled out with a load or two of gravel. Mr. Urie will check with Mr. Marckres to see if the Town Crew could work on it in the spring.

Mr. Urie signed 2 weight permits and gave to Ms. Brown to mail out.

Karen S. from the District Environmental Commission sent a letter, based on her conversion with Mr. Urie, to both the Town and the Melletts. The letter explained that if the town keeps the gravel pit under 10 acres and has control of the land, that an Act 250 permit is not required. Mr. Urie read that the "disturbed land" definition means land that is "planned to be disturbed", must be under 10 acres, which may affect the 3 phases originally discussed with the Melletts. Mr. Urie just received this letter and will read it in more detail by the next meeting.

Ms. Brown asked if Mr. Urie completed the Structures & Class 2 Roadway Program form. Mr. Urie said it wasn't necessary to fill out the form because Craftsbury doesn't have any special limit bridges in town.

Road Foreman Report:

Mr. Marckres had reported to Mr. Urie recently that everything was working fine.

Clerk's Report:

Ms. Brown said that the office has been busy putting together the Town Report, which will go to the printers next Wednesday.

• Dale P. told Mr. Urie that the bridge structure cap has been raised from $150,000 to $175,000. Mr. Urie was still waiting to hear from Mike H. if the $100,00 was still available for the Atwood bridge. Mr. Jones just dropped off papers to Blow & Coty for an estimate.
  
• Mr. Urie reviewed an annual state form requesting a priority list of the town’s highway structures but needs to wait to fill it out until the Selectboard talks to Mr. Marckres. The list includes such items as culverts, bridges, paving and resurfacing.
  
• Ms. Brown said that she recently gave Angela Ross requested map and deed information for the 4 parcels of unclaimed properties. Ms. Ross will next research the parcels and get back to the Selectboard with options.
  
• Ms. Houston was asked by Jennifer Linck about the town procedure for accessing water across the road. Mr. Urie explained that the pipe needs to go underground 5-6 feet, the road crew needs to be notified when the road will be closed, and it needs to be repaired afterwards back to the way it was. Mr. Jones suggested at least a 3/4" pipe. Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones suggested putting in blue board if it is for the winter too. Ms. Houston will get back to her with the information.
  
• The Conservation Committee asked permission for a sign-up sheet at Town Meeting for people interested in being on the Conservation Commission. The Selectboard gave permission for the sign up sheet with the understanding that the Selectboard can choose a variety of people from the sign-up sheet and also members from the Conservation Committee to be on the possible Conservation Commission.
  
• Ms. Houston suggested the Selectboard consider electing an Energy Coordinator. Mr. Urie said that although it is too late to be put on the Town Warning, it could be brought up instead under "Other Business" at Town Meeting. An Energy Commission was a priority in the Town Plan, Ms. Houston explained. Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones thought that they first need to discuss/decide what an Energy Coordinator’s purpose/mission would be.

The Selectboard Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM. The next Selectboard meeting is tentatively scheduled 7:30 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007 or Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 at the Craftsbury Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Warren, Clerk of the Selectboard