Fairfax Selectboard Minutes of Monday 12/29/08

Selectboard members Bob Horr, Bill Ormerod, Charlie Swanson, and Randy Devine were present at the meeting. Also present were Don Pigeon, Peter King, Melissa Beerworth, and Douglas Jones.

These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board at the next regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM by Vice-chairperson Bill Ormerod.

Don provided a note from his physician authorizing his return to work on 12/30. His return has two stipulations that are covered in the letter. He also noted that he completed his Physical Therapy. Donna Has received and filed a copy of this notice with the town’s insurance carrier.

Don indicated that he met with the forester to resolve a boundary line dispute in the 100 acre woods.

Dan will be pricing new guard rails to install in River road below the falls bridge, to present during budget planning (1/8/09).

Randy indicated that he did not have much to review with the board, as he was off last week. Randy was called in to monitor the water system and levels of available water during the Christmas Eve. fire at steeple Market.

Bill Superneau came to determine if the board still had an interest in acquiring a backup water source. He has performed some preliminary work on his own on his property across from the town garage. The next step would be to drill a well. He will to proceed with this on his own, and asked if the town would be interested acquiring the well as a backup source if the gallon/minute yield was significant enough. The board did indicate that it was still interested in acquiring a backup water source, and would refer to a previous study completed on the proposed site, to determine what the required minimum gallon/minute yield would be to be certified that the State of Vermont as a backup water source. The next step will be to have Mr. Superneau drop off drawings indicating the exact location of the proposed backup source well. Mr. Superneau also indicated that he has another well on property located on Rt. 104 which may be suitable for a second, isolated water source.

Bob motioned to accept the minutes from the 12/15/08 meeting. Charlie seconded. 3 board members voted in favor, and 1 abstained.

Charlie motioned to accept the minutes from the 12/2/08 meeting. Bob seconded. 3 board members voted in favor, and 1 abstained.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Bob made a motion to refund the $1000 zoning permit fee, and $1447.62 Impact fee (Total $2447.62) paid by Jaimie St. John for a home to be built at 60 LaPierre Road, revoking the building permit issued for that site; since the applicant’s request for refund was received within 2 months of the initial application and no site work had been initiated. Randy seconded. 4 board members voted in favor, none against.

Charlie made a motion to institute a $2.00 per hours vault access fee, prorated to the ½ hour, to lawyers and their staff requiring access to the Fairfax Town vault. Randy seconded. 4 board members voted in favor, none against.

The board by consensus decided to table discussion about the proposed 2009 Fairfax Community Library Budget until Judy’s return on 1/5/09.

Randy made a motion to have the Fairfax Utility Department sign and join the VT WARN, statewide municipality utility department mutual aid agreement for water and wastewater utilities. Charlie seconded. 4 board members voted in favor, none against. The agreement was signed and Randy will mail out.

Randy indicated that Paul did a great job while he was out on vacation.

Bob indicated that he was contacted by Anne Cousins from the Preservation Trust regarding Steeple Market. The Trust, along with the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, various town boards and other community organizations are working to determine what programs & assistance are available to the property owner. The Preservation Trust has recent experience in similar situations in Poultney, and Enosburg falls.

Bob is working on revising a letter addressed to North Woods Forestry on the Selectboard’s behalf.

Charlie reviewed the prints submitted by VTRANS for Bridge 10 on RT 104. He identified two issues that require clarification from VTRANS. He also indicated that the Reroute, as currently envisioned by VTRANS uses State Rt 128 to State Rt 15 to State Rt 289 to State Rt 7 to State Rt 104A back to Rt 104.

Charlie also brought to the board’s attention that State highway aid payments from the state to all local towns will be suspended in January. This represents a significant portion of the town’s income used for highway maintenance, upkeep and repair.

Randy Motioned to approve the payment plan offer dated 12/29/08, from the account holder; to bring account BT0027-B current. Charlie seconded. 4 board members voted in favor, none against.

The board reviewed the Disconnect list for delinquent water and sewer accounts. Randy will post notices this week with a shut off date of Tuesday 1/6/09.

Randy will determine if the invoice submitted by J&A Pump and Motor Service is a final invoice or a partial prior to the board authorizing payment.

PUBLIC INPUT:

Douglas Jones wanted to know who did the inspection of the addition to Steeple market. The board informed Mr. Jones that the Town does not perform those types of inspections and referred him to Chris Boyd with the VT state Department of Fire Safety.

Peter King asked if as the Town Health Officer there is anything he should do or be aware of regarding the remaining structure of Steeple Market. The board referred him to Steve Bessette to follow up.

Charlie motioned to enter Executive Session at 9:30PM to discuss a personnel issue. Bob seconded.

The board came out of Executive Session at 9:42PM. The Selectboard meeting was adjourned at 9:45PM.

Bill Ormerod, Vice-Chairperson, Fairfax Selectboard