SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
120 FIRST
STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
MINUTES
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
Monday, May 14, 2012
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Ronald Kilburn, Village President; Chris Leach,
Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau,
Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village
Clerk; Leonard Stell, Chief of Police; and Channel 16.
Ronald Kilburn, Village
President, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and called the
meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Unless otherwise noted, all
motions carried unanimously.
1. Approve and Accept the
Minutes from Monday, April 23, 2012 Meeting:
Adam Paxman made the motion
to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, April 23, 2012 as presented.
Eugene LaBombard seconded. Reg Beliveau stated that in Item #6 there was a
mistake. He said it stated that “FERC” was working on the Lower Dam issue and
it should state Attorney Paul Nolan. Village Clerk made the correction. Chris
Leach asked about the Smoking Ordinance issue, and stated they would discuss it
at the JLB on May 23, 2012. He also asked about the lien issue and asked if
landlords were now getting a copy of their tenants disconnect notice if all
forms were signed? He was advised that yes they were attached to their accounts
and would get notices if required. The correction was made, motion carried.
2. Approve and Accept the
following Warrants: Warrant #418 for $139,600.13; Warrant #419 for $349,517.74;
Warrant #420 for $499.47; Warrant #421 for $54,277.64; Warrant #422 for
$440.54; Warrant #423 for $178,897.56; Warrant #424 for $152,577.31; and
Warrant #425 for $334.96:
Chris Leach asked what Gabree
& Sons Tree Trimming was used for. Reg explained for tree trimming in the
Electric Department. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept
Warrants #418 through #425 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
3. 1st Quarter
SQRP Report:
Chris Leach stated Swanton
Village Electric is doing an excellent job in preventing outages, treating the
customers with respect and handling the bills and work orders to satisfaction.
He said the numbers are excellent and thanked everyone involved. Lynn Paradis
explained the report and stated Swanton Village could have financial
consequences if we didn’t have a satisfactory report and that we had to provide
it to the Board of Trustees each quarter. Chris Leach stated they are in
receipt of the report and it is in good standing.
4. 2011 Bridge Inspection
Summary Report:
Chris Leach stated he read
the report and overall the bridge is in good condition but the appraisal side
of the report is not good. On the appraisal side of the report it states that
the bridge does not meet the current standard for the bridge railings and
guardrails. Reg Beliveau stated he hasn’t had time to make a few phone calls to
find out the required standards but would do so. He stated the inspection
summary states the entire guard rail system should be upgraded to meet current
standards, the beam ends and bearings at the abutments should be extensively
cleaned, painted and greased and that the overall condition of the bridge is
satisfactory due to slow ongoing rust scaling along the exterior steel beam of
the downstream side. Ron Kilburn asked if the Village could do those repairs
and Reg stated no they would have to hire that done like the Interstate
Overpass Bridge job. He stated he wanted to do some homework on the rating and
would report back to the Board. Chris Leach advised they would wait and sign
the report after Reg has looked into it further and requested they table this
item until then. The Board agreed to table item #4.
5. Village Park
Improvement Discussion:
Chris Leach asked Reg if he
has talked with Russ Walters or Dave Hamlen yet regarding the trees in the
Village Green? Reg stated not as of yet but did find their tree planting plan
from 2001 and presented it to the Board. Eugene LaBombard stated there are
several trees that need to come down. Chris Leach asked if Gabree & Sons
would take down the dead trees in the Park and asked Reg to talk with Al
Kinzinger in the Electric Department about this. Chris stated he would like to
see these improvements done this summer and said they need new benches, some
sidewalks added, their Veterans plaque created and maybe a kiosk in the Park at
the end of First Street. Reg stated he wanted to purchase a few benches from
Costco and said they flip over into a table top as well. He said he’d like to
try those out in the park and see if they hold up. Chris also asked about the
trees in Flat Iron Park. Reg said that Warren Fournier from the VFW stopped in
and had a quote to get the Veteran’s plaque cleaned and asked if the Village
and Town would split the cost with them to do so. Ron Kilburn advised that item
was on the JLB agenda and they could discuss it then but the Board showed
interest in doing so. Reg stated that Mr. Fournier has already purchased some
new trees for that Park as well. Chris asked if they could install new lights in
Flat Iron Park to match the Village Green. Reg stated he would mention that to
Mr. Fournier but stated this is the Veteran’s park so it would be up to them.
The Board agreed to get
together to do a walk through of the Park. They said the plans for this summer
would be to remove the dead trees, plant some new trees, have new sidewalks
installed as well as some new benches. He asked Reg to ask Mr. Fournier where
they had their plaque made so they could contact that company for a quote on
the Veterans plaque they want installed in the Village Green. They also want a
Memorial Tree planted near the plaque.
6. Any Other Necessary
Business:
Chris Leach gave another
reminder about the Hazardous Waste Day to be held on Saturday, May 19th
from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Town Garage on Fourth Street.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he’s seen some of the Police
Department’s website and said they have been busy the last six months. He said
he commends all their hard work. Adam also stated the Swans would be in the
Village Green for Memorial Day weekend and thanked the Public Works crew for
all they’ve done in the pond.
Any Other Business: Chief Stell handed out their monthly stat report to
the Board for their review. This report showed all Village calls and all Town
calls in the last 30 days. There were 94 calls in the Village and 39 calls in
the Town. He stated they have been extremely busy and he wanted to show the
Board the types of calls they have been getting.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated they have set aside funds in their budget to have
work done on the exterior of the Village Complex. He said he received estimates
for new vinyl siding and bids to remove the old siding and install the new
siding. He showed the Board the samples of the new siding that would be
installed, barn red on the bottom of the building and tan siding on the top in
a cedar shake style for the top of the building. He said they are under budget
so far and would like to install new lighting and have a new sign made as well.
Eugene LaBombard asked if there was any indication of damage under the existing
siding. Reg stated that when there is a driving rain or snow it comes in the
office so that damage would also need to be repaired. Reg stated Swanton Lumber
gave them a great price on the vinyl siding and said he appreciates their
business. Chris Leach made the motion to have Reg Beliveau, Village Manager,
proceed with the siding of the Municipal Building as proposed. Eugene LaBombard
seconded. Motion carried.
7. Executive Session to
Discuss Personnel:
Eugene LaBombard made the
motion to enter into Executive Session to Discuss Personnel at 8:00 p.m. Adam
Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
Chris Leach made the motion
to exit Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN: The Board of Trustees authorized the hiring of one
part time employee and one full time employee.
ADJOURN: Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the
Regular Board of Trustees meeting at 9:06 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being
no further business at hand Ronald Kilburn, Village President; adjourned the
Regular Board of Trustees meeting at 9:06 p.m.
_____________________________________ _______________________________________
Ronald Kilburn, Village
President Date
_____________________________________ _______________________________________
Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date