~ approved ~

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

• Approve Minutes of Last Meeting
• Robert Blow
• Mellett – Gravel Pit Update
• Fence on Calderwood Hill Road
• Donald Peters – Sand & Gravel Screening Prices
• Black Top Prices
• Kent Young
• Road Foreman Report
• Clerk's Report
• Atwood Bridge Update
• Other Business:
• Conservation Commission
• Registration Renewal
• Cigna Insurance Update
• Cemetery Road Guardrails

The Selectboard met at the Craftsbury Town Hall on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:30 PM. Selectboard present were Bruce Urie and Jim Jones. Yvette Brown (Town Clerk), Michelle Warren (Clerk of Selectboard), Steve Marckres (Road Forman) and Kent Young were also present.

Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones approved the April 17, 2007 Selectboard Minutes with corrections. Sonya Dunbar was accidentally written as Sonya Darling. Ms. Warren will correct the minutes.

Mr. Blow sent a letter to the Selectboard stating he felt the town is responsible to pay his attorney fees of $1069.50 so that he can get a clean title on the property he bought at a town tax sale. The Selectboard discussed the request. Mr. Urie said to hold off any action until the town speaks to Angela Ross.

Mr. Urie spoke to the engineer who needs to have a survey of the gravel pit area with 2 foot contours before they submit their proposal. Right now they can get down to 10 foot contours but the state needs 2 foot contours on any plan that is submitted. The engineer suggested a person in Montpelier but he probably would offer more information than needed and be more expensive. Mr. Urie had left a message with Wayne Mutrux but hasn’t heard back yet. Mr. Urie thought Mr. Mutrux might be too busy to work on it right now. Ms. Brown gave Mr. Urie a business card of person in East Hardwick that does similar work. A licensed surveyor would be needed to do the job quickly. Mr. Jones will check with a man from Sterling College that may be able to do the surveying. Once the proposal is in, it Mr. Urie said it should go through quickly.

Mr. Jones had spoken earlier to Carol Hodgdon about Calderwood Hill Road. The Selectboard discussed ideas for better visibility and to make the traffic go straighter. Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones will set up a time to talk with Mrs. Hodgdon to discuss it.

Donald Peters price was $1.55 without reloading. Last year Mr. Peters quote had an additional $.75 cents for reloading. The Town plan to go with Biatte again, since his price was only $1.65 with reloading. Mr. Marckres was pleased with Biatte’s speed and work last year.

Mr. Marckres said that Albany is using Smith’s for sand this year.

Mr. Marckres hasn’t checked on the blacktop prices yet. Mr. Marckres plans on paving from Merrill’s turn to the Maskell’s, 1-7/10 miles.

Mr. Young wondered if the Selectboard had any replacement plan for their equipment. Mr. Marckres said the town trucks are on a 10-year rotation and the loader/grader have a 10-15 year rotation. Mr. Urie will talk to the Fire Department about starting a rotation schedule. Mr. Young explained that a rotation schedule includes when equipment is due and how much it will cost. It also helps level out fluctuations with equipment costs. Mr. Marckres said that Greensboro listed their rotation schedule this year in their Town Report and the Craftsbury Selectboard agreed that it would be a good idea.

Ms. Brown said that the Town has voted down a capital fund for the past 3 years. She felt that if the Town allotted annually a few cents on the tax rate instead of larger 5-cent tax jump when large equipment was needed, it wouldn’t be so hard for the townspeople especially ones on a fixed income.

Mr. Young suggested leasing with option to buy or even buying a good backhoe instead of hiring out for ditching work. Chances are the town can make payments less than the $11,000 budgeted and within 4-5 years could then own it and not have that yearly expense for a few years. Mr. Urie and/or Mr. Marckres will look into lease/buy options regarding used municipal equipment.

Mr. Urie said that they would put in a page with the equipment rotation in the Town Report so taxpayers can review it.

Steve Marckres said they are looking into why his truck hasn’t been running well since February.

The roads are drying up, and they have been over all the road now twice. Right now they are working on sweeping the bridges. Planks are still needed for the Town Garage Bridge. They plan to work on the Salt Shed late summer/early fall.

Mr. Marckres has been using additives for the low sulfur fuel as directed.

Mr. Marckres heard that the road near Tanners is going to get opened up/built up and then the Town will take it over. Mr. Marckres said he has no problems with the Town taking over the road, as long as it was built up properly.

Ms. Brown presented the 2007 profit and loss statement and also a list of bills to be paid. The Selectboard discussed it.

Ms. Brown is still reviewing copiers.

No news yet on the Atwood Bridge.

Ms. Brown said that Randi Calderwood declined the Conservation Commission position. Since there was still 13 members, the Selectboard decided not to replace Mr. Calderwood’s position. As requested by Mr. Urie, Ms. Brown will check with the Conservation Committee to see if they can come to the next meeting.

Mr. Urie signed registration renewals for the 2 town trailers.

Ms. Brown gave Mr. Marckres a copy of the Cigna insurance plan update information.

When Mr. Marckres asked about getting the recently damaged guardrails fixed on the Cemetery Road, Mr. Jones thought it would be a good idea to fix them for safety reasons.

The Selectboard Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM. Next meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 15, 2007.

Respectfully submitted,