~ approved with corrections ~

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

• Approve Minutes of Last Meeting
• Mellett – Gravel Pit Update
• Atwood Bridge Update
• Sonya Dunbar – Presentation
• Weight Permits to Sign
• Road Foreman Report
• Clerk's Report
• Other Business:
• August Dustan Estate
• Fire Department Grant
• Unem Provident Group Life Insurance Policy
• Antiques & Uniques Contract
• Update Website Committee
• Update Recreation Committee
• Status No Parking Signs on Common

The Selectboard met at the Craftsbury Town Hall on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 7:30 PM. Selectboard present were Bruce Urie and Jim Jones. Yvette Brown (Town Clerk), Michelle Warren (Clerk of Selectboard) and Sonya Dunbar were also present.

Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones approved the April 3, 2007 Selectboard Minutes as printed.

Mr. Urie gathered information to start writing up the initial draft of the Mellet Gravel Pit contract. He will first talk with Steve Marckres this week and then draw up a contract with Angela Ross.

Before Stantac goes further, they want to understand why the embuckment has been shifting for the past 4-5 years. Stantac suggested to close the road for 2-3 days, excavate both sides and bore 2 holes underneath the embuckment to find out what’s causing the shifting. The cost includes not only excavating work but also $5000 for each bored hole. Mr. Urie left a message with Dale Perron yesterday but hasn’t heard back yet. Mr. Urie will talk with Scott Keiser about adding a $12,000-$14,000 extension for these added costs.

Sonya Dunbar explained that there are 10 different versions of the statues that date back to when Vermont was established. If a road was discontinued in 1950, procedures need to be known in 1950. Procedures were generally the same in all towns, especially of one county. 1-2 people could do this type of research and the cost shared among 4-5 different towns. Some of the establishing and discontinuing of roads were done by a popular, acceptable procedure called "dedication and acceptance". This type of procedure wasn’t necessarily found in town records. They often went to the old county road commissioner in Newport and now found in vaults in the Court House or storage in Middlesex. The statue is written such that even if the state or county established a road, it would be the responsibility of the towns to figure out the status of the road. An 1859 map of Lamoille, Orleans, and Essex county is available now on CD. There also is a large 1820’s map available at the Historical Society in Montpelier. Some towns have decided that if there were any questions on a procedure because they were unsure if done correctly, they are just going to redo and follow with the notices, warnings, petitions, etc. She also noted that various towns are taking this opportunity to convert some public roads into recreational trails.

Mr. Urie said the Ancient Roads Committee is a new town committee that has just been appointed. He would first like the Committee to meet with Doug Morton from NVDA to help the group get started. He will give the Committee Ms. Dunbar as a reference to contact.

Right now Ms. Dunbar is trying to get a feel for the towns to see who was interested in consolidating some of the costs regarding statue procedures for the county. Ms. Dunbar will contact Craftsbury later when she finds out what towns have signed up for the consolidation.

There were no weight permits to sign.

Steve Marckres was absent, no report given.

Yvette Brown noted that some voters mentioned to her that they would prefer a special town warning be held on Saturday morning instead. The Selectboard discussed it.

Ms. Brown wanted to have someone on the Common responsible for the Common calendar (include weddings, concerts, etc.). Ms. Brown will call Joan Simmons to see if she would take on this responsibility.

• The Town received notification of what was filed for the Augusta Dustan estate. Ms. Brown explained that this was for informational purposes only.

• Mr. Urie said that the Fire Department is writing a FEMA grant. If they receive the grant, the Fire Department wants to use part of the grant money for an alarm system. They are trying to get a quote from Bill Smith in Newport. Mr. Urie would like to get a quote from Mr. Smith for an alarm system in the Town Garage and also an air vac quote to take out the truck exhaust as well. If Mr. Smith has time, hopefully he can also stop by the Town Hall for a quote too. Mr. Urie noted that this was for planning later down the road. Ms. Brown and Mr. Urie said that the wiring for an alarm system was already in place at the Town Hall.

• The Selectboard reviewed the changes of the Unem Provident Group Life Insurance Policy.

• Ms. Brown will send Antiques & Uniques a copy of their contract. Ms. Brown said that they had sent $100 payment for use of the Common.

• Michelle Warren gave Mr. Urie a copy of the unapproved minutes from the Craftsbury Website Committee. Mr. Urie said that the Website Committee nominal expenditures such as the requested $80 software could be put in next year’s Town budget. Committee meetings still need to be put on the Town Website Ms. Brown noted.

• Michelle Warren gave Mr. Urie some notes with events planned for the Town Recreation Committee. Once finalized, Ms. Warren will add the events to the Craftsbury Website calendar.
  
• Mr. Urie will check with Steve Marckres on the status of the no parking signs for the Common.

The Selectboard Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,