Category: Select Board Meetings

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on March 8, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

Present: R. Miller Chair
R. Guyer
L.Labor

Guest: Ken Mason

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

Guest: Ken Mason came to the board to express his intent to run for VEC
director for this district. Ken expressed his views on energy use, the future
of energy sources such as wind, hydro, solar etc. The board endorsed Ken’s
candidacy and signed his petitions, for which he needs 25 signatures.

Communications and notices:

2 requests were received from Diane Moore to attend seminars; 1 for Annual
Town Officers Education Conference and a Grand list Seminar. Total
registration fees of $160.00. were approved by the board.

NEKWMD board of Supervisors meeting to be held March 9th. Reviewed and filed.

NE Business Equipment sent a copier contract for review. The board approved
and signed for another year.

A notice was received from the State of Vt. Dept. of Economic, Housing and
Community Development regarding the availability of Municipal Planning Grants.
These grants are to be used for updating municipal bylaws, municipal planning
concerns, growth center planning etc.

This was reviewed and filed.

A letter was received from Fairpoint Communications regarding the presence of
toxic or hazardous waste materials (batteries etc.) at the switching station.
This was reviewed and filed.

The 2010 Boundary Validation Program was forwarded to Diane then to Richard
Miller for his signature. This was reviewed and signed.

A notice was received from VLCT of an Interactive television seminar on land
use and planning and development coordination was received. This was reviewed
and filed.

A letter from Dale Perron from the Operations Division District 9 was
forwarded to Shawn Austin.

Pike Industries submitted a weight permit application. This was reviewed and
signed.

There was a review of select board appointed positions:

A; Charles Wood’s name was added to the planning commission committee.

B; Greg Smith’s name was removed from the fence viewers committee, there were
3 remaining persons, so there was not a replacement for Greg’s position.

C; Roland Besaw resigned from both the emergency management and civil defense
positions. Sean Selby accepted the positions.

D; All other positions stay as listed in the Town Report.

A notice was received that the Town of Morgan and the Town of Charleston are
to be the recipients of a Revocable Trust left by a Mr. John E. Bly. 75% of
this trust is to be divided equally between the towns for use by their school
districts.

The trust is currently valued at $107,000.00. The towns will receive the trust
earnings (interest/dividends) annually.

Orders 19A and 19 were reviewed and approved for payment.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on February 22, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

Present: R. Miller chair
R. Guyer
L.Labor

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

Communications and notices:

2 weight permits were reviewed and approval granted for Joseph Demick and
Carroll Concrete.

A notice was received from the State of Vermont Operations Traffic Shop re;
centerline painting on all paved Class 1 and 2 town highways. One-half of
which is to be done in 2010.

This notice was forwarded to Shawn Austin, road commissioner.

A fax was received from Harris HarMac submitting quotes on safety type
materials, road cones etc.

This was also forwarded to Shawn Austin.

Actions:

Orders 18 and 18A were reviewed and signed for payment.

Other business:

A brief discussion was held on the town meeting agenda and the need for
personnel replacement re: fence viewer (Greg Smith) volunteer.

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on February 8, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

Present: R. Miller chair
R. Guyer
L. Labor

Guests: Roland Besaw
Bev May
Sean Selby

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

1.
Bev presented a proposal to purchase and move the town shed from its present
location on McWain land to land behind the church owned by the historical
society. The present landowner is in agreement. The proposal is meant to
preserve a building that has historical value to the town and the process is
dependant on acquiring the additional land needed to the rear of the present
historical society property from the present owner. Discussions are in
process.

The select board agreed to sell the property if and when the society gets the
ok to purchase the needed land.

2. Roland Besaw resigned as the town’s emergency management coordinator.
Sean Selby was asked and graciously agreed to carry on the position.
Thank you Roland for your years of service.

Brian Hanson was to discuss the basic emergency operation plan. did not come
to the meeting as planned. He will be contacted re; any new developments etc.

Communications and notices:

The liquor and tobacco license application was received from Ali’s Market.

Action: reviewed and signed.

Information was received from the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank regarding
recovery zone economic development bonds. The VMBB may issue up to 90 Million
dollars in bonds. These bonds may be used for public infrastructure and
facilities and for capital expenditures for real and personal property. They
are not tax-free bonds, but do have a very low interest rate. (3.34%)

This was reviewed and filed.

A copy of waste age magazine read and filed.

NEKWMD sent a notice of an amendment for the purpose of admitting Cabot to the
district. Read and filed

Copies of the revenue and expenditures report were read and reviewed.

Orders # 17 wee reviewed and signed for payment.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on January 25, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

Please visit our website @www.townofmorgan.com

Present: R. Miller chair
L. Labor
R. Guyer

Guest: Shawn Austin (road commissioner)

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

Shawn presented two road budgets for the upcoming year. The two proposals
differ in that one is the traditional where the employees are paid for by the
town based on time worked for the town and he pays a portion of the FICA and
taxes etc. The town incurs the liability for any workman’s comp issues if
there are injuries etc. and the town incurs the OSHA and VOSHA compliance
liabilities. We are not insured for the latter, and the former is expensive.
The employees also do not accrue benefits when working on town time.

After lengthy discussion of the merits of the two budgets, it was decided to
go with the 2nd proposal, it is more expensive in the short term, but as the
workman’s comp risk decline so does the premium, unfortunately it is always a
year behind. Shawn’s business will be responsible for the DOT testing, for
the insurance premiums increase, and for compliance with the OSHA and VOSHA
regulations.

The total cost for the town to go from a employer based to a contracted basis
for road services will be about $8,000.00 more than the traditional method,
but will cut back significantly on the town’s liability exposure.

As the State increases it inspection frequency more and more towns are
experiencing significant fines for non-compliance with the regulations. Just
one fine will offset any of the savings by going the traditional way.

The new budget to be placed in the Town meeting budget will therefore be
$198,200.00. vs. $184,500.00.

Communications and notices:

1. A letter from the Drift Dusters snowmobile club requesting the town to open
the Morgan-Charleston road to snowmobiles during the regular season was
received. The request comes on behalf of several Morgan residents who do not
live near a VAST trail and must trailer their machines until the lake has
safely frozen. This would be treated just like the Mead Hill Road that is
opened for a 3-mile stretch from the North part of town.

After discussion the board voted to open the road.

2. The 2010 Highway Mileage Certificate was filled out and signed.

3. A letter was received from Frankie Holdings defining the parcels of land in
the Round top Development that he is interested in obtaining. Discussion
followed. Diane Moore (lister) has completed her research of the parcels and
the Board has approved including the request to sell in the articles of
warning for the Town meeting in March.

4. The balance of the meeting was devoted to finishing up the budget.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on Januray 11, 2010 @ 7:00 PM

Please visit our website @www.townofmorgan.com

Present: R. Miller chair
L. Labor
R. Guyer absent

1. Previous minutes reviewed and approved as read.

2. Communications and notices:

A; A letter was received from NEKWMD notifying the town that a former employee
of NEKWMD has filed a lawsuit against NEKWMD. The insurance provider, VLCT
has engaged a law firm and feels that there was no wrongdoing on the part of
NEKWMD and the suit should be resolved quickly.

B; A thank you note was received from the Orleans County Citizen Advocacy for
the receipt of a $300.00 appropriation as approved at the March Town Meeting
2009.

C; A letter from VLCT was received describing a new PACIF Grant Funding
Program. It will help members pay for new safety and/or risk management
equipment. This letter along with the program guidelines will be forwarded to
Shawn Austin.

D; A letter from VLCT explaining the 2010 dues structure was received. The new
rate is .95/capita. Morgan’s assessment is for $1407.00 this represents a
$.09/capita increase. Rate table and per town assessment table enclosed for
filing

E; A letter from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department was received. It
contained a request for $10,138.30 assessment to be included in the town’s
budget for 2010. This represents a 3% increase over the previous year. This
will be a part of the warning.

F; An invoice was received from the Derby Line Ambulance Service for the sum
of $6,324.00 for the 2010 appropriation.

G; The auditors have completed there audit for July 2008 through June 2009.
They were pleased with improvements in record keeping and suggested areas of
improvement. They also are recommending that a CPA perform a professional
audit, as one has not been done since 2001-02. We thank them for their efforts
and hard work.

H; A notice was read and reviewed from the Vermont Conservation Commission.

I; A letter from Dubois and King was received offering engineering services.
Forwarded to Shawn Austin.

J; The 2010 Highway Mileage Certificate form was received, it will be filled
out and returned at the Jan. 25th meeting.

K; A letter was received from Franke Holdings re: land transfer request,
further discussion needs to occur amongst the select board before a decision
can be rendered.

L; Copies of expenditure and revenue reports were reviewed.

Old Business:

1. A letter was received from Paul Tomasi executive director of NEKWMD. This
explained the present fees that the town is paying for our waste removal at
the tipping station. Since this was just received, more consideration and
study by the board needs to occur

The recommendation is to put our waste services out to bid

2. Orders 14A and 15 were reviewed and approved for payment.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on December 28, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Please visit our website @www.townofmorgan.com

Present: R. Miller chair, R. Guyer, and L. Labor

Guest: Frederick Satink
Shawn Austin
Tammy Lee Morin, Town Clerk

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

Mr. Satink introduced himself and stated what his purpose was in coming to the
meeting. Fred presented a comparison of liabilities that the town incurs when
they are the employer (W2) vs. contracted services. This was presented as how
the VLCT sees liabilities from a loss prevention view. After lengthy
discussion Fred agreed to send to the town a list of VOSHA and OSHA standards
that other towns have been found deficient in. As the fines are considerable,
it is best to address these issues before an inspection occurs.

Communications and notices:

1. A letter from the Department of taxes on our certified equalized education
property value effective 1/1/2010 was received and is on file.

2. A memorandum from VLCT on 2010 legislative priorities was read and filed.

3. A letter from NVDA on emergency shelter grant application was read and
filed.

4. A letter from the State of Vermont Agency of Transportation of Motor
Vehicles on Special Weight limits was read and passed on to Shawn

5. An appropriation request from NVDA for $380.00 was received and approved.

6. A request from the Orleans Citizens Advocacy for a $25.00 donation was
received, this was read and filed.

7. A notice of the new IRS mileage allowance was received. It was noted that
there is a reduction from .55 to .50 per mile.

8. Notice was received of the Annual Recycling Conference and Expo sponsored
by NRRA. This was read and filed.

9. An appropriation request of $350.00 for the Orleans County Historical
Society. This was read and filed.

10. Warrants were reviewed and signed for payment.

New Business:

Budget preparation for the next fiscal year was started. Several more meetings
may be needed in order to get this to Tammy in time for printing.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on December 14, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Please visit our website@www.townofmorgan.com

Present: R. Miller chair, R. Guyer, and L.Labor

Guest: Paul Tomasi

Previous minutes: reviewed and accepted as read.

Paul Tomasi presented the new NEKWMD budget and Morgan’s cost for waste and
recycling. The surcharge on tonnage is going up by $3.30/ton. The charge for
recycling fees is being dropped. In summary, this is going to represent a
$950.00 savings overall per year. Discussion was held on definition and line
item budgeting for the town report. Paul will send additional information to
the town on tipping fee and hauling rates.

There is going to be a NEKWMD budget meeting January 12th, at the Lyndon
Public Safety Building. At 7:00 PM. Robby Guyer is planning on attending this
meeting. Paul is encouraging as many towns as possible to attend. There are
44 towns in the district and the budget requires a quorum in attendance.

Communications and notices:

1. A copy of a letter was received from Robert Chimileski. Letter was sent to
Todd Koss. Back taxes and monthly payment schedule was included.

2.A request for appropriation from the Northern Vermont Resource read and
reviewed. It was not approved for payment.

2. A letter from the Vt. Association of Chief’s of Police was read and
reviewed and filed.

3. A letter was received from Comcast describing cable upgrades scheduled for
the Morgan area.

4. A copy of the Warning of a meeting for January 12, 2010 from the Superior
Court of Vermont was reviewed and filed.

5. A letter was received from Peter Comeau of Frankie Holding suggesting a
change in ownership of one the town lots above the Jordan farm.

A letter was sent back to Mr. Comeau requesting more information as to which
lot and requesting map references etc.

6. The original deed copy from the Town to Sue Botros was received from the
attorney, this will be signed and returned for their signature and recording.

7. A copy of the VLCT newsletter was received and filed.

Actions:

Orders #14 were reviewed and signed.
Copies of the Expenditure and Revenue report were reviewed.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on November 23 @ 7:00 PM

Please visit our website@www.townofmorgan.com

Present: R. Miller chair, R. Guyer, and L.Labor

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

1. Previous meeting minutes reviewed and approved as read.

2.Communications and Notices:

A: Paul Tomasi from NEKWMD will be at the 12/14 meeting to discuss the
waste/recycling budget and offer suggestions on how to budget for the coming
year.

B: A fax communication was received from Orleans County Superior Court
regarding a public hearing regarding the County budget this was reviewed and
Richard will try to make the meeting as it includes budgets for the Sheriff’s
department and Side Judges etc.

C: An appropriations request was received from the “Vermont Coalition of
Municipalities” this organization is working on replacing the statewide
education property tax with an alternative method of financing education and
to reduce the burden of the property tax. The dues are $100.00 and were
approved by the board.

D: A draft of the proposed warranty deed and Property tax return from the
Town to Botros was read and reviewed. It will be returned to the attorney for
a small spelling change, the rest of the document was in order.

E: A letter was received from Linda Broadwater with an enclosed check for the
sum of $7000.00 . This was monies received from the “Better Backroads Grant”
portion of the Wayeeses Shore Road project. The Wayeeses Road Association
matching portion is $1330.57 and the Syemour Lake Association’s portion is
around $266.00 Shawn Austin completed this project this summer. 2

F: The VLCT Board has set the FY11 Dues. The dues are based on the 2008 U.S.
Census population estimates figures $.95/capita. That puts Morgan at $1407.00
for next years budget.

G: A notice was received from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding a regional
workshop.

This was noted and filed.

H: Orders # 12 were reviewed and signed for payment.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:45 PM

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on November 9, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Present: R. Miller chair, R. Guyer, L.Labor

Guests: Diane Moore and James Judd listers

Meeting called to order at 7 PM.

Our guests presented a real estate tax grievance that was initiated in 2008.
The town has been notified that it will proceed to Superior Court for
resolution After discussion, the select board decided to let the court settle
the dispute rather than negotiate a settlement.

Also a request has been received from the employees at the waste-recycling
center to have Shawn Austin, or his employees come to the site and burn the
brush waste pile that has accumulated at the town dump.

1. Previous minutes reviewed and approved as read.

2. It was noted that there was no meeting held on the 26th of October, a
quorum was not present.

Communications and notices:

A: A copy of a letter from Mr. Paine with enclosed check for payment of this
years real estate taxes was read and filed.

B: A check in the amount of $9548.00 was received from the State for Current
Use reimbursement

C: A request to increase the Veteran’s real estate tax exemption from the
current $20,000.00 to $40,000.00, the maximum allowable was read and will be
included in the town warning for the March town meeting.

D: A copy of the Solid Waste Transfer Station report was read and filed.

E: A request from the NVDA for information was read and filed.

F: A copy of the December 2009 payment to the FY2010 Education Fund was
reviewed and filed.

G: A registration form was received for the Annual Meeting of Vermont
Conservation Commissions, this was read and filed.

H: A notice of a cancelled meeting and of an Amendment to the NEKWMD Solid
waste management plan, was received; a request to have a representative come
to the next meeting and explain the details will be sent to NEKWMD.

I: A letter was received from Sue Botros requesting information on any
progress made by the town in changing the deeds for town highway 18. The
materials and maps have been sent to our attorney to have this completed for
her.

ACTIONS TAKEN

A: A request to attend a Seminar on taxes etc. was approved. The town
clerk and tax collector will attend on December 3rd in Milton, Vt.

B: A bill was approved for payment to May and Davies for legal work
performed in preparation of the Superior court case for the pending tax
appeal.

C: The application for insurance to cover workman’s comp. and insure town
properties was reviewed, changes noted and signed for payment.

D: Documents and maps related to the Sue Botros land/road deed adjustment
was delivered to attorney Jen Jarvis, as discussed in the October 12th
meeting.

E: The expenditure and revenue report was reviewed and compared against
last years report for the same time period.

F: Orders #11 approved and signed.

NOTICE

The town clerks office will be closed on the following dates:

Monday, November 16th
Wednesday, November 25th
Thursday, November 25t
Tuesday, December 1st (seminar)
Wednesday, December 23rd
Thursday, December 24th
Wednesday, December 30th
Thursday, December 31st

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM

Submitted by L.Labor

MINUTES
Morgan Select Board Meeting
Held on October 12, 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Present: R. Miller chair,
R. Guyer
L. Labor

Guest: Sue Botros

Meeting called to order at 7 PM.

1. Previous minutes reviewed and approved as read.

Sue Botros presented the select members with maps and supportive
documentation, which will assist the lawyer in preparing a deed for the
transfer of the land from Botros to the town, and for the Town to Botros
concerning the road that crosses their land. The town will contact an attorney
to make up the deed to the land.

Communications and notices:

1.An email was received from Mr. Glen Hankinson requesting money from the
school budget be forwarded as the district is experiencing a cash shortfall.
After discussion it was felt that more information was needed before we could
forward any monies. A request was made for more info.

2. Shawn Austin submitted a bill for the “Better Back Roads Project.

3. Notice was received from the St. of Vt. that Mr. Kevin Paine has filed an
appeal to the State requesting a hearing on his property tax grievance.

4. The Fall Issue of the Vermont Land Trust was read and reviewed and filed.

5. A request was received from “Green Up” for the town to select a town
coordinator and for an appropriation to help offset expenses. It was noted
that $100.00 was approved in previous budgets and Tammy Lacourse is the
coordinator for the town.

6. VTRANS sent a copy of the 2009 Town Map of Road changes. The following
changes were approved and placed on the road inventory:

A: Town highway 13 is now 0.69 mi. this is a class III road
b. The ROW to the Sinertia property is now town highway 35 and is 0.16 mi.
and this is a class IV road.

7. A letter was received from Tri State Basement requesting information on
permitting.

This was forwarded to Steve Matson.

8. A letter was received from Vermont Trails and Greenways Council soliciting
the town to subscribe as a member this was reviewed and filed.

New Business:

A. An email was received from Lyman McWain outlining the milfoil program
calculations of expenditures. It breaks down as follows:

Total expense $21,600.00
The State Grant 6899.00
Town Share 7350.00
Seymour lake Association 7350.00

This is slightly more than was budgeted; the select board agreed to pay the
town’s share.

B. Communication was received from A. Wooley regarding mailbox placement.
Short discussion ensued, determined this is not a town issue.

C: Orders # 9 were reviewed and approved for payment.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:06PM

Submitted by L.Labor