Tuesday, June 5, 2007

• Conservation Commission
• Ancient Roads Committee
• Approve Minutes of Last Meeting

• Mellett – Gravel Pit Update
• James Maxfield – Maintaining More of His Road
• Peggy Sapphire/Bob Feinberg – Noise Ordinance
• Contract for Black Top Grant
• Road Foreman Report
• Clerk's Report
• Atwood Bridge & Young Bridge Update
• Other Business:

• Weight Permits
• Health Officer Appointment Notice
• Copy of Act 250 Smith Pit
• Unlicensed Dog List

• Lamoille Solid Waste District Implementation Plan
• Donated Safe from Dave Stember
• Noise Ordinance Discussion

The Selectboard met at the Craftsbury Town Hall on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 7 PM. Selectboard present were Bruce Urie, Jim Jones and Susan Houston. Yvette Brown (Town Clerk), Michelle Warren (Clerk of Selectboard), Steve Marckres (Road Foreman), June Cook (Hardwick Gazette), Ed Williams, David Linck, Jim Moffatt, Robert Anderson, Henry Young, Ross Morgan, Fielda Calderwood, Willie Ryan, Everett Demeritt, Joe Young, Bob Alexander, Jay Wright, Diane Morgan, Farley Brown, Jim Carrien, Peggy Sapphire, Bob Feinberg, James Maxfield and daughter were also present.

The Selectboard met with the newly appointed Conservation Commission. After reviewing the Conservation Commission guidelines, they discussed setting up staggered 4-year terms and also choosing a chairman, treasurer and clerk. Mr. Jones said that there were 11 people elected which gave a broad aspect of areas, age groups, opinions, etc.; 1 person had declined.

Mr. Urie gave a brief overview of what the Selectboard would like to see the direction of the Craftsbury Conservation Commission go. He asked the Commission to contact Ms. Brown ahead of time so she can warn meetings and to give the Selectboard a copy of the their meetings to keep on file.

Ms. Houston said she would like to be the Commission’s liaison. She said that the Commission is fortunate to have many members involved in the field and also already involved on the Conservation Committee previously. She said it was important for this group to meet Chapter 118 criteria. The new Town Plan has a very large natural resource area on it and this would be a good place for the Conservation Commission to take a look at and prioritize some of those goals and objections. It would also be useful to take an inventory of our natural resources. It is important that this Commission be seen in a "good eye" to the general public. She emphasized that there are community members who have grave concerns that this is a regulatory commission, which it definitely is not.

Mr. Urie mentioned that he doesn’t want the Conservation Commission to overstep the Forestry Committee because they are an active, established group that has worked very hard on their projects. There are certain sections under the Conservation Commission responsibilities that certainly would fall under the Forestry Committee versus the Conservation Commission.

Date for next Conservation Commission meeting is 7 PM on Monday, June 25, 2007 at Craftsbury Town Hall.

Mr. Urie explained that Vermont now has Act 178 for Ancient Roads. What the State is trying to do is figure out now through 2009 the roads, with evidence on the ground, that towns want to have on their highway map. The Selectboard wants this newly appointed Ancient Roads Committee to help with coming up with all the roads in the town over the years. Mr. Urie envisions that at the end of this process this group will produce a list all the roads that have ever been in town, how they were laid out, where they were laid out, etc. There are numerous resources available to this group such as Wayne Mutrux (who has already done much research with his surveys), David Linck (with historical information), Doug Morton (from NVDA) and also the Internet. The Selectboard tried to choose people on this Committee that have much knowledge about these past roads. There is a set of 6 maps at the Town Hall that show roads, from the early 1800’s through the present, that overlap to help get an idea where the old roads were. It’s a matter of trying to find out when they were established, which Mr. Mutrux has much information on, and also find out which ones were thrown up. There is a highway book in the safe that has much information about roads that have been thrown up or discontinued, some were classified as trails and some were completely thrown up. The Town has received a $4500 grant with can go toward researching, mapping, etc. A member suggested that the town should try for the $5000 grant again this year in case the town needs extra funds. Mr. Mutrux has made maps of the town already and is hoping to get some of the old roads plotted, showing an overlay of where the old roads were.

Mr. Jones said that bottom line is they want to know which roads (class 1, 2, 3, 4 & public right of ways) the town wants to put on the map. Afterwards, each road that the town wants to keep has to be brought to the town to vote on. 2015 is the final date, no changes are allowed after that. Mr. Linck mentioned there is a folder in the safe with old maps and surveys that could useful.

Mr. Morgan was concerned about the terminology. He thought that their assignment was representing the people of Craftsbury as an advisory committee to the Selectboard and maintaining public access if possible, the Selectboard agreed. The Committee will be sent a packet of information before their next meeting to explain further. Mr. Alexander also had some useful definitions to be shared with the group.

Next Ancient Roads Committee meeting is scheduled 7 PM on Monday, June 18, 2007 at Craftsbury Town Hall.

Mr. Urie has been working with the Dept. of Environmental Conservation Water Control for the general multi-sector permit. He will drop off at the Town Clerk’s Office a Notice of Intent tomorrow. The engineers are almost done with their work designing the run-off. After receiving the topographic surveys from Wayne Mutrux, there are two possibilities for storm water run-off at the gravel pit site. The 1^st choice is a basin with an impermeable lining but the discharge is located off site. The 2^nd choice is a fully contained gravel pit site with an infiltration basin that discharges to the ground water. The engineers recommend that the town pursue the 2^nd alternative, which is a catch basin. Mr. Urie explained that fully contained means that it will be graded so the storm water run-off will remain on the site and filtrates into the soil. The 1^st alternative may require another permit.

The Selectboard reviewed and made some small revisions on the Mellett Gravel Pit contract. Mr. Urie will take the revised contract over to the Melletts and talk to them about it. He said he is waiting to get a copy of the topographic map to show the Melletts.

Mr. Marckres said that earlier Mr. Maxfield told him that he was building a house down below at the end of Town Hill Road and wanted to know if the town would take over the plowing. Mr. Maxfield arrived a little later and said it would be 420 feet and right now he would just like the Town to plow it. Mr. Marckres said it would first need a little work to level it out. Mr. Marckres will call him after talking it over with the Selectboard.

Ms. Sapphire researched noise ordinances and Vermont statues and although there is no noise ordinance in Wolcott, there is one in Hyde Park. Ms. Sapphire wanted to be clear about the language, as misunderstandings can happen very easily. She explained that the ordinance they are talking about absolutely does not refer to agricultural practices, logging, emergency or safety vehicles, school/athletics or lawful sport shooting in any way. The ordinance would only be reference to unnecessary noise that is physically harmful beyond tolerance. The State guidelines only reference hours, not after 10 PM or before 6 AM.

Ms. Sapphire & Mr. Feinberg discussed the possibility and steps of a noise ordinance with the Selectboard. Mr. Urie explained that if the Selectboard decide to pursue an ordinance, the Planning Commission handle the work of discussions, research, hearings, legal guidance, models, and then they present their information in a legal form to the Selectboard who then can revise, accept, etc. Mr. Urie explained that it wasn’t a fast process, the telecommunication ordinance took several years. Ms. Sapphire said that she understands that. Ms. Sapphire said they have tried everything and showed the Selectboard a copy of the letter they sent to their neighbor regarding the noise.

Mr. Urie asked if they had gotten enough names on their petition and Ms. Sapphire said that she had pulled it. Mr. Urie said as Selectboard, they realize their dilemma but that the Selectboard have to look at it as representation of the town people. From what he’s heard, there isn’t favorable reception to another ordinance in town.

The Selectboard said they will discuss it and get back to them.

Mr. Urie signed the contract for the $80,000 grant.

The Road Crew has done all the sand, 6000 yards. They are currently stripping the shoulders on Town Line Road. Guardrails are scheduled to come in the summertime.

Ms. Brown is planning to order the new copier soon. The Lister’s computer is still having trouble starting up.

Mr. Urie said there was no news yet on the Atwood Bridge or Young Bridge.

• Mr. Urie and Mr. Jones signed weight permits from Walker Construction, Denton Digging & Dozing, Dale Sweeney and SDL.

• The Selectboard signed the annual Health Officer Appointment Notice for Annette Jones as the town’s health officer. Ms. Brown said that Ms. Jones can stop by at her convenience to get sworn in.

• The Town received a copy of the Act 250 permit for Smith’s Sand Pit.
  
• Ms. Brown will give the Lamoille Solid Waste District Implementation Plan information to Adrien Owens.

• Ms. Houston made a motion and the Selectboard moved for Ms. Brown to forward the list of unlicensed dogs in Craftsbury to Paul Martin, Craftsbury’s Dog Warden.

• Mr. Urie said that Dave Stember has offered to donate the store’s older, mid-sized safe to the Town. The Town Crew and/or Fire Department will move the safe over to the Town Hall. Ms. Warren will send out a thank you letter for their considerate donation.

• The Selectboard decided that they would like Ms. Sapphire and Mr. Feinberg to get the 5% of the checklist names on their petition in favor of a noise ordinance first to test public support before deciding on starting ordinance procedures.

The Selectboard Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM. Next meeting is scheduled Wednesday,

June 20, 2007. The Selectboard will decide on the Town’s tax rate at the June 20^th meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Warren, Clerk of the Selectboard