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Attending:  Selectboard Members Brian Goodro and Acting Chair Barb Rainville (by speakerphone); Admin. Asst. Ann Kensek; Guests Elwin Isham, Will Clark and Khenmo Drolma

Brian called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

Brian reviewed the Harding notes from the August 3^rd meeting and wanted to clarify some things for the record, as follows:

-     If you have an issue with the roads, do NOT call the road crew.  Call the Selectboard.  The road crew works for the Selectboard, and they determine policy. Calling the road crew only interferes with their work, slows them down and increases costs for all of us. Call the road crew to report immediate issues- tree across road, wash out,etc. DO NOT call the road crew to whine about your taxes, tell them how to plow or grade, or debate major road construction policy. Call the Selectboard to discuss policy issues, call the road crew to report immediate concerns.

-     PLEASE NOTE: Les and the other TAXPAYERS on our road crew are a dedicated working crew and are EXPECTED to be out working, not sitting in the  office.  As such please be prepared to leave a message at the town shed. The answering machine is checked throughout the day.

-     Most true urgent emergency road situations in Lincoln are caused by weather and will result in damage all over town, not just in one location.

-     Gravel roads need to be replenished.  We NEED to purchase large amounts of gravel as this has been neglected for many years.  The damage is done. We are doing our best to regrade and maintain what we have.  Snowplowing did not cause this.   There is no Federal stimulus money or grants for gravel currently available. He also noted that Mary Lu has good intentions and that he didn't want to take anything away from that.

Les Tracy

-     New truck came in and he brought it to Tenco. They're putting in the plow package and dump body. He also got a tool box for the chainsaw, chains, etc.; they're not supposed to carry things in the cab for safety reasons.  This gives the crew another truck to work with. Les wants steel sideboards but they weren't in the quote price is $565, painted and installed. Brian asked the benefits of using steel. The wood sideboards need to be replaced every six months or so at $60$70. If the Town wanted to get the steel and do it themselves it would cost $600. just for the steel then they still have to paint and install. The steel sideboards are more cost effective over time.

-     Barb made a motion to have Les go ahead and equip the new truck with steel sideboards using the quoted price at $575.  Brian seconded, no further discussion, motion carried.

-     Ed Cleary suggested the Town get the extended warranty for the new truck because of the electronics and emissions equipment. Anything in the motor that causes the filter to fail is covered. Brian will call to examine the warranty further. There is a couple of month's leeway. Les gave Brian the contact and warranty information so he can follow up.

-     Culvert compaction Verified as part of the bid for culvert work, culverts were  tested by the state and passed state standards. The machine actually broke because the compaction was so good. Included in the bid @ $100. /day for $400. total, verified and tested.  The Town owns a small compactor.

-     Les calculated the additional salt the Town will need for the winter. Discussion on group buy prices should be coming out within two weeks. The figures will be reviewed when Barb returns.

-      Complaint from a resident on County Road. During the recent heavy rain water washed up even though the ditch was just done, and it hasn't done that before. A large cut of trees just above the resident has affected the flow and amount of water running down the road, esp. in heavy rain. Les put in a cross culvert just up the road from the resident. Heavy rain the same night caused the New Haven River to come very close to jumping its banks around 1am. The State Police called Les. There was such a high volume of water the culverts just couldn't handle it. Discussion on the difference between   issues of cutting and/or improper ditching and unpredictable, fast and heavy events no action the Selectboard can take.

-     Brian read Sally's note about the concerns of several residents for the safety of the road crew when they are working in the road. Les brought the Flagging book they use to verify how he flags when they are working in or near the road.  Discussion on the chaos on the roads when Pike first started paving on the Gap Road. Les called the State Police and Chris LaBerge from VLCT because people were weaving in and out of the paving equipment and ignoring the flaggers. Les pointed out that ticket are double in construction zones. The Town can get the Sheriff to sit or collect plate #'s to give to the State Police. The paving is done, but the shoulders still need to be done on River Road and the Gap. Pike did all the Federal signage.

Will Clark, 1^st Constable-

-     Said the State Police didn't come for the paving because they said they had other, more important things to do.

-     Discussion on Will using his blue light. Discussion on the duties and responsibilities of the constables, State Police and Sheriff's Dept. Brian will talk to Lt. Genova of the State Police to find out if the Town will need to go in and testify in court if a speeding ticket is issued based on someone calling in a plate number of a speeder and if any citizen can call in a plate number if they are willing to go testify in court.

-     Discussion on when Sheriff and State Police can and cannot be present in Town. Will and Les said they see the same people speeding every day. Les asked if he could take plate numbers and Brian said he'd be willing to call people that the crew sees speeding. When Barb comes back the Board will possibly schedule a working meeting with the Sheriff. Discussion on the upcoming Cemetery Bridge construction and people speeding through the construction site. Brian will verify for Les what info he needs to get number plates- good to know the protocol.

-     Discussion on line-striping on Downingsville- the State will do it. Les will call Dick Hosking and tell him the paving is done.

-     Barb got a price quote from Middlebury Fence on installing the signs- $1,100.

-     Les said the Town is purchasing the signs and the signs are being paid for by the State. Barb read from an email- Middlebury Fence will get signs. They are running two-three weeks behind.

-     Downingsville paving/ditching- There was not time to ditch Downingsville Road before paving because of the change in Pike's schedule that moved the paving up to immediately follow the paving on River Road.

-     Paving on Gap Road- There was a problem on the Gap Road because water was coming through. The Paving Engineer said there was nothing they could do. If the Town has to add more paving to that section, they will.

-     Barb will call Town Treasurer Larry Masterson to talk about what to do in terms of paying for paving work/grants, etc.

-     Howell Culvert- Les will use culverts from the shop and bill out for that culvert through Larry. Discussion on the cost to replace a culvert.

-     Discussion on phone line on Parker Hill. It was only buried an inch or so under the dirt because of ledge there. WCVT is going to put it overhead.

-     Heavy rain made a mess of the roads. The Town needs gravel- no stimulus money for gravel. Les will hit the worse spots before winter. Discussion on the gravel budget.

-     Discussion on the good job Pike did paving.

-     Cell phone for Les?  Discussion on using the pager and radio for communication. Les will use the pager for now.

-     Will Clark talked about the problem of tires being dumped beside the road, where the road crew has to pick them up. Discussion on prices. The Town has a contract to sign with KNS, possible change in prices. Further discussion when Barb comes back.

-     Break-ins- Will is keeping an eye on houses. He advised people to make sure they lock up, close windows and garage doors, etc. the rash of break-ins has backed off a bit and theft has gone down. He reiterated that it is important to lock up, and to be careful where you post that you are leaving for vacation, etc.

-     Animal Control Officer- The person who expressed an interest has not returned Brian's calls. The job will be reposted. There are lots of animal calls. Discussion on animals.

-     Will said that if Les gets plate numbers of speeders he'll go talk to them.

Khenmo Drolma-

Vajra Dakini Nunnery and Sunray are having a big event the weekend of September 9-11. The will be moving a statue by parade from the Nunnery to Sunray, about a 20 minute walk, between 2 and 3 pm on September 11.  They will be hiring two flaggers. The board was thankful that Khenmo let them know about the upcoming event, no motion necessary.

Other Business

-     KNS contract tabled until the next meeting, when Barb is back.

-     State of Vermont Taxes letter was signed.

-     Bond Bank Refunding Agreement ‚Äì Brian signed it and Barb will sign it either tomorrow night or Thursday morning.

-     Amendment of the Transfer Station rule about parking-

-     Brian moved to amend the Parking /Social Motion at the Town Transfer Station to state that parking for any purpose except loading and unloading will be on the opposite side of the metal dumpster from the unloading zone. Barb seconded, motion passed.|

-     Health Officer follow-up was tabled until the next meeting when Barb is back.

-     Brief discussion on reappointments to the Planning Commission and the ZBA. Barb motioned to reappoint Melita Bass and Victor Atkins to the Planning Commission for terms beginning September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2012. Brain seconded, no discussion, motion passed. Brian motioned to reappoint Barb Rainville, Steve Alexander and Tommie Thompson to three year terms to the ZBA beginning on September 1, 2010 and ending on August 31, 2013. Barb seconded, motion passed.

-     Discussion on wedding on Riverside Drive in September.

-     Gove Hill Grant follow-up- next meeting.

-     Lou Lertola's letter regarding raising the property tax exemption for disabled vets was tabled until the next meeting when Barb is back. Mr. Lertola is a guest at that meeting.

-     The Selectboard said it is okay for Mary Lu Harding to send a message to the Town list asking people to contact her if they want her notes of the Town Financial Forum meetings.

-     Les asked if a bill has come yet from Camp Precast for the culvert they made. No record of it in the orders yet.

-     Discussion on recent accident with passenger vehicle and Town vehicle.

-     Les is still fighting with Charlebois about getting the truck repainted. Charlebois doesn't call him back. The dump body never was primed and the paint is peeling. It was never undercoated.

-     Discussion on the Town Garage and rerouting pipes to change the heat on the floors. Keeping the garage cool is better for the trucks and the building. Possibly get a couple of Modines and several fans. Brian wants to investigate Modines/fans and getting the heat out of the floors. Discussion on the slant of the floor. The zones are in; furnace and circulator are in place. Maybe get an estimate from Champlain Plumbing and Heating to do the work. Discussion on placement of Modines/fans. The garage has 12 foot ceilings.

-     Discussion on  the school and renovations, maintenance, etc.

-     Discussion on tucks, plowing and how the Town previously privatized plowing- it didn't work very well.

Brian adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.

Minutes taken by Ann Kensek

 

Minutes taken by Ann Kensek