New Selectboard gets organized
March 9 meeting
Following on the heels of this year’s Town Meeting, the Selectboard held its organizational meeting. Frank Tenney was welcomed as he took the seat vacated by Jacob Spell. The first agenda items returned Lane Morrison to the chair and Matthew Krasnow to the vice-chairmanship. Regular meetings will continue to be scheduled on the second and fourth Mondays.
As required by the new town charter, the Selectboard approved and signed the warning for an April 11 Australian ballot on the budget and budget-related articles approved at Town Meeting. In addition, the board approved a warning for an informational meeting on April 6 to discuss the budget and budget-related articles that will be voted on April 11.
Town staff will be drafting a cover letter for the Town Meeting advisory resolution “to authorize and direct the (U.S.) House (of Representatives) Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump for the violations of the Foreign and the Domestic Emoluments Clauses of the United States Constitution.” The motion calls for a signature from the chair of the Selectboard.
The meeting ended with a long list of assignments and administrative issues to be covered by Selectboard members and town committees.
March 13 meeting
The meeting began with a long session in which the position of recreation director was finalized. Following the evaluation of the position using the Palmer Method, the board set the salary at $21.27/hour, and the job will be offered to the incumbent, Nicole Conley.
A draft for cemetery mowing bids was discussed, and the final draft was sent back to the Cemetery Commission. The commission was asked to review and, if necessary, modify the specifications with all applicants before bids would be solicited.
Janet Schwarz’s seat was renewed on the Recreation Commission for the term ending April 2020. Similarly, Jonathon Fisher’s seat on the Zoning Board of Adjustment was renewed for the term ending in April 2020.
A few road issues were agreed on. First, the road commissioner’s request for approval of paving bids was approved. This year bidding will be advanced to require paving before July 1. This will ensure more timely completion of paving operations. A second issue was the signing of an agreement with the state to finance and maintain a single information sign on Town Line Road. The sign is necessary to meet the requirements for a gate where the Vermont Railway maintains a level crossing. Finally, the board supported a Better Roads Grant to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. The grant will be used to perform an erosion inventory of town roads.
Under other administrative actions, Thompson’s Point 20-year leases were approved for lots 25, 26 and 145. The last action of the evening was approval by the board, serving as the Liquor Control Board, for the renewal of a second-class license for Spears Corner Store to sell malt and vinous beverages, and tobacco.
The next regular Selectboard meeting will be held on March 27.