Town Of Fairfax Selectboard Minutes
July 20, 2009

Selectboard Members Present: Bob Horr, Bill Ormerod, Charlie Swanson, John Mitchell, and Randy DeVine

Staff Present: Skip Taylor

Public Present: Catherine Dimitruk, Gail Henderson-King, Aimee Pope, Will Skerrett, Jen Skerrett

1. Call to Order

Bob Horr, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

2. Items on the Agenda

A. Catherine Dimitruk, NRPC: Catherine explained the Town did not miss out on any opportunities for stimulus money. The Town of Fairfax is not “economically distressed” enough to qualify for many of the funds available. A few upcoming possibilities were reviewed:

EECBG: The State of Vermont received almost 10M in grant monies. They are required to sub grant 60% of the funds to municipalities for energy efficiency and conservation programs. There are 14 eligible activities. She believes there is a 10% local match and the State has up to three (3) years to spend the money. NRPC is pushing the DPS to fund smaller projects with these funds.

USDA Rural Development: Fairfax would not qualify for the grant program, but would qualify for the low interest loan program.

Municipal Planning Grant: The Selectboard intends to apply for this grant for use in writing the capital budget. There is no local match requirement and we can apply for up to $15,000. The application is due September 30th.

Transportation Enhancement Grant: The Town has been ranked number one on the list for the sidewalks project twice; however, we have not received any funding in past years. Catherine believes we may have a better chance at it this year. A letter of interest is due August 10th and the final application is due October 13th. This program requires a 20% match.

B. Gail Henderson-King, Lamoureux-Dickinson – Safe Routes to Schools: Gail reviewed the pedestrian path draft report and plans. She will be meeting with the District Transportation Authority on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. The report should be finalized by the end of next month and she will be forwarding finished copies to the Board.

C. Steve Cota: Steve presented his estimate for adding gutters to the Town Office building which the Board will take under consideration. There was discussion about what to do with regard to the building’s main entrance. Repairs will not be made until next year.

3. Minutes

A. Bill motioned to accept the July 6th meeting minutes as written, Randy seconded the motion but then noted some minor changes. John then motioned to accept the minutes as amended, Charlie seconded the motion. Four voted in favor, one abstained.

4. General Business

A. The NSF Policy was reviewed. John motioned to adopt the policy as written, Bill seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to adopt and sign the policy.

B. A letter from Eric and Marie Benoit was reviewed. Bill motioned to refund their $100 deposit as requested, Charlie seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to refund the money to the Benoits.

C. Bill distributed copies of the State Police report. He also had a request from the Recreation Department to have Don Pigeon assist with stump removal and handicap parking spots and the Board was okay with the request. Do we want to have Don install underground drainage outside the building to the storm drain at the street? Bill reminded Suzanne to have Amy contact NEMRC to make the billing adjustment for Handy as per the recent settlement.

D. Charlie sent his review comments to the State regarding Bridge 10 replacement. He reported the bid package will probably be available next week, but does not expect the work to be done until next year.

E. Bob reported that Don Pigeon had asked if he could get estimates to pave part of Huntville Road and Carroll Hill Road. Charlie responded that we would be better off to wait until spring because it would be almost impossible to obtain the necessary materials at this point.

5. Executive Session

Bill motioned to enter executive session to discuss a legal issue at 9:12 PM, John seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Charlie motioned to exit executive session at 9:29 PM, John seconded. All voted in favor.

Charlie motioned to re-enter executive session without Randy and Suzanne to discuss a personnel issue at 9:30 PM, Bill seconded the motion. Four voted in favor, one abstained. Charlie motioned to exit executive session at 10:04 PM, John seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

6. Adjournment

Charlie motioned to adjourn, John seconded, all voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Suzanne Lavallee,

Selectboard Administrative Assistant

Robert A. Horr, Selectboard Chair