The June 9 Select Board meeting minutes were recently released for publication. Representative Potter, Senator Mullin, Representative Baker, and Town Attorney, Alan George: All were present to discuss the matter of the proposed Master License Agreement with the Selectboard. Alan George provided the Selectboard and legislators with a memorandum detailing his legal analysis of the proposed Master License Agreement and discussed his analysis and findings with the group. The legislators provided their input on the State-required document and asked what the Selectboard wanted them to do on behalf of the Town. After discussing various options, the Selectboard generally agreed on the following: 1) that all existing facilities (in place prior to 1964), governed as they are by prior arrangements should be excluded from the Master License Agreement; and 2) the Town would like the opportunity to negotiate an agreement for the Park Station Expansion Project in good faith. Michael O’Malley made the motion to authorize Alan George to prepare a letter to the Agency of Transportation regarding the Town’s position on the proposed Master License Agreement. The motion was approved.

Tom Valach representing the Fire Department, informed the Selectboard that the department has located a used tanker to replace the one currently in inventory. The vehicle is NFPA compliant and priced at $73,000. Members of the department are traveling to Pennsylvania to inspect the vehicle and if found to be acceptable, would like to purchase it at that time. The Fire Department equipment sinking fund currently has approximately $61,000. Valach requested a short-term loan for approximately $12,000 to purchase the vehicle. The loan will be repaid at the end of the 2008 fiscal year (June 30, 2008) when the department receives their annual sinking fund allocation. The motion to approve a short-term loan necessary to purchase the tanker at a cost not to exceed $73,000 and unanimously approved.

Zoning Administrator Coons was present to discuss two zoning permit applications with the Selectboard – 1) Reed at 47 Taylor Hill and 2) Warner at 9 Newton Street. Reed has proposed to construct an attached garage. The corner of the building would be approximately five (5) feet from a municipal water main. The Selectboard discussed an acceptable separation distance from the main and the above ground structure, but no final decisions were made. George Finch made the motion to advise the Zoning Administrator to deny the permit on the grounds that the garage as proposed is too close to the municipal water main. The motion was seconded by Michael O’Malley and approved by a majority. Warner has proposed to construct a detached garage/shed. Access to the building is not currently available from the existing driveway. Coons recommended that an approved zoning permit include a condition that the property owner obtains a new curb cut permit for the temporary access that they have been using to access this section of their property. The Selectboard agreed with this recommendation.

Road Commissioner Brian Sanderson was up next to inform the Selectboard of project updates. The Highway Department has rebuilt two storm water catch basins on Main Street and the marble box culvert at the intersection of Reynolds Street and Route 3. he gave a status of plans for the new salt shed and mentioned a request to the Vermont Agency of Transportation to repair the sidewalks on both bridges over the railroad tracks in town.

The Wastewater Department also had some updates. The Park Pump Station Expansion Project was approved to be paid to Belden Company for $31,896.29. Peter Jalbert made the motion to not execute the Master License Agreement as proposed. The motion was approved. Clerk of the Works, Bruce Baccei, informed the Board that everything on the east side, except for one fitting in the manhole and paving in the Library parking lot, is complete. The paving is expected to be done on June 11. The wet well is scheduled for installation on June 10. The installation of the force main from the pump station to the intersection with the railroad crossing will likely start the week of June 16.

The Board reviewed the field report of the sewage backup at 1 Primary Street, which occurred on May 24. Because the assistant operator was unable to definitively determine if the backup was due to an obstruction in the private service connection or the main, the Board agreed to refer the claim to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to determine liability. Michael O’Malley made the motion to refer the claim to the Town’s insurance company, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, to determine liability. The motion was approved.