SELECT BOARD
                            MINUTES
                        January 5, 2008
Present:  Sharyn Brush, Jason Morrissey, Chris Oldham, Matt Maroney, John Zink, Jim Gulley, and Lodie Colvin
Also present: Stuart Hurd, Town Manager
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 am.
The first order of business was to accept the minutes of the December 17, 2007 meeting. The Manager explained that he wanted to act on these quickly so that the Rural Fire District may have them prior to its Annual Meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved.
The warrants were circulated for signatures. The Board discussed animal boarding costs which are running higher than the budget once again. The Manager explained that these costs are driven by dogs impounded in an animal cruelty case. The Board would like to see this explored with folks from the community and the Police Chief. The Board asked the Manager to secure the hourly rate for private truckers hired to remove snow.
A Verizon pole permit was circulated for signatures. This is part of Plasan's expansion to the former UST building on Bowen Road.
A proposal for a VCDP Planning Grant by Chris Denio and his partner was discussed. This would allow for a study to understand if it is feasible to improve the septic systems for the Chapel Road Mobile Home Park. The Board, by consensus, agreed to allow this to move to the public hearing stage. There is to be no expansion of the Park.
The Manager then presented a proposal prepared by the CDC and the County Forester to develop a Forest Management Plan for the Y Woods. This plan would provide for payment to the Town and for the total educational experience for the students at the CDC. The Plan, when prepared, must be approved by the County Forester and the Town. All adjoining property owners will be notified. The Board supported the idea and agreed to allow the Manager to move forward.
Other business included a brief discussion of the police radio problems and the concern that management staff can not access every office and closet at the Fire Facility. The Board wants this corrected as soon as possible. M. Maroney asked if the Putnam Hose Company could paint its space a different color if it purchased the paint. The Manager would mention this to Larry McLeod.
The Board then began its review of the FY 2009 budget. The process chosen this year is to review the budget by section, moving from the Select Board's budget through to the Fire Department budget.
The Board discussed to revenue projections. The Manager explained that several past revenue sources would not be available this year, although it was too early to be accurate. The Manager proposed that the Board consider committing approximately $280,000 out of a projected $460,000 uncommitted reserve toward the revenue side of the budget when it came time to set the tax rate. Over the years, this positive balance has accrued and the Manager and the Finance Director believe it appropriate to return these funds to the voters in this manner. The Board felt that an amount should be used which will reduce the tax rate $0.03. This will be reviewed at the appropriate time in June or July 2008.
In the Select Board budget, the monies in the Contingency(3000.790) earmarked for the Museum's next show came under discussion. Several Board members felt that $10,000 was too much, and that the Museum appeared to be expecting this support now that the Board has agreed two years in a row. Others felt the amount appropriate and argued that such events benefitted the entire community. After the discussion ceased, S. Brush made a motion to leave the amount in the budget as presented. The second was by J. Zink. The motion passed 4-3 with M. Maroney, J. Gulley and J. Morrissey opposed. The Board then discussed the Consultant Fees (3000.562). Here again, some were concerned that the amount was too high and some adjustment needed. On a motion by J. Gulley, seconded by J. Zink, the Board voted to reduce this line to $12,000. The motion passed 5-2 with L. Colvin and S. Brush opposed.
A question arose regarding the pension cost. Is it appropriate to freeze this expense rather than see it increase annually? The Manager explained that this was a Contract issue with the union and may, in fact, be controlled by the VMERS agreement as well.
The Town Manager, Elections, Accounting, Listing, Collections, and Town Clerk budgets were reviewed with few questions. It was noted that the Board of Listers is still short one Lister.
In the Permit and Planning Department, the Board questioned the cost of health care. It has increased dramatically. The Manager explained that an employee formally not covered by the Town had moved on to the Town's Plan. The Board asked that it be shown how this cost grew and asked to explore the number of anniversary date change opportunities. The Plan offers two; the Board suggested one. The Fire Warden's pay and equipment were discussed. The Manager agreed to find inexpensive equipment to outfit the warden. A $5.00 fee for burn permits was established. These funds will be used to cover the costs associated with this request. Finally, on a motion by M. Maroney, seconded by J. Gulley, the Board voted unanimously to reduce the Professional Services line (3620.600) to $8,000. Spending to date was down, perhaps due to the diligence of the enforcing officers.
At this point, Tim Corcoran, Town Clerk, stopped in to encourage the Board to place $240,000 as a ballot item for highway and sidewalk work. This would amount to $0.03 on the Highway Fund tax rate, but give the voters an opportunity to approve more funds for this work. He hears from many visitors to his office that this is where the Town should focus additional funds. The Board agreed to consider later.
The Economic Development budget required no action. In the Administrative Services budget, the Manager explained several line descriptions regarding insurance deductibles. L. Colvin asked if the Annual Report printing and distribution cost could be reduced. The Manager will check that.
In the Buildings and Grounds budget, the Board discussed the proposed truck purchase without taking any action. It also questioned overtime expenses. In the end, the Board asked the Manager to check the cost of, and the need for, a new carpet cleaning machine, budgeted at $900 (3710.230).
In the Police budget, the Board sought information on the salaries and overtime budgets. Attempts to reduce overtime had been somewhat successful this year even though the Town had not yet filled the new officer position created last year. The Manager will secure a breakdown of overtime use to illustrate how it is used. The Board decided to use Capital Facilities Reserve funds ($50,000) to fix the front stairs of the Police facility, an historic structure. The Board then focused on the proposed lease/purchase of Tahoe's versus purchasing two cruisers. A number of questions regarding mileage rate, fuel use, personnel protection, equipment transfer costs and alternative SUV police packages will need to be researched by the Manager with the Chief before the Board accepts this idea.
The Solid Waste and CERCLA budgets were reviewed. The Board accepted the Manager's suggestion to reduce Contracted Services (5435.560) to $12,000. The original cost projections now appear too high.
The Board discussed the Animal Control budget, but focused more on how to reduce the impound cost for abused animals previously mentioned. 
In the Recreation budget, J. Gulley expressed his continuing opposition to the second maintenance position. J. Morrissey questioned if the $3,000 for two PC's (7100.230) was too high. The Manager will check that. J. Gulley wanted to reduce the double time overtime. The Manager will explore options with the Director and report. M. Maroney asked to see a complete breakdown of salaries for this budget. It was now noon so the Board stopped work for the day.
 The next meeting is scheduled for 9 am on Saturday January 12th.
The meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart A. Hurd