MINUTES OF THE DUXBURY SELECTBOARD
November 9, 2009


Members present:  JoAnn Berno, Kym Andrews, Richard Charland, Craig Isvak, Todd  Liberty

Others present:  Ken Scott, Catherine Gjessing, Jeff Poitras, Steve Gladezuk, Dan MacWalters, Jill Smith,  Dexter Lefavour, Steve Noyes, Audrey Quackenbush

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Minutes and Budget:

JoAnn Berno made a motion to accept the minutes of the September and October meetings.  Dick Charland seconded the motion and all were in favor of it.

Regarding the budget, the board questioned Ken Scott regarding the fact that it looks possible that we may go over budget on the assistant clerk’s salary.

Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission:

Steve Gladczuk attended the meeting representing the Central Vermont Regional Planning  Commission.  Because of a much needed intersection improvement in Berlin, he was asking if Duxbury was satisfied with the recent highway project on Route 100 that the state did last year.  He was asking because in order to do the improvement project in Berlin, they would have to be able to remove other projects from the list.  The board felt that  all of the improvements had been done and they were satisfied with the project.  Mr. Gladczuk requested the board to write a letter to this effect so that the Duxbury project could be taken off the list.  The board agreed to do this.

Also in the program was Bridge 10 on Crossett Hill Road.  No one seemed to know why it is in the project list, including David Quenneville,.

Glen Mink, Stowe Insurance Company:

Glen gave the board a handout on this year’s insurance proposal.  He highlighted any changes for discussion.  JoAnn Berno then signed the agreement with the Stowe Insurance Company.

Town Website:

Dan MacWalters attended to discuss the town’s website.  Townspeople have noticed that there hasn’t been much activity on the website, and Dan stated that he hasn’t been getting the minutes.  He also stated that he would like to redesign the website, but it would cost about $250.  The board asked him to come up with a proposal.  JoAnn will  send out a note to the Planning Commissioon and the DRB to make sure their minutes get on the website.  Dan gave another email address for us to send him minutes which is Duxburytech@gmail.com

Paving Project:

Jeff Poitras was at the meeting as a citizen expressing his dissatisfaction with the condition of his driveway after the recent paving project on the River Road.  After some discussion which included second-hand reports about other people’s driveways, the board stated that they would be willing to take a look at the issue further and deal with it at the next meeting.

Planning Commission:

Catherine Gjessing, representing the Planning Commission, attended the meeting to give the board flood hazard updates.  She gave them an overview and called their attention to the graphs which were helpful in understandng the  information in the overview.  She said that the only change is the concept of prohibiting new structures in the flood area.  She had new FEMA flood maps with her which showed the flood zone is much broader, but this does not prohibit substantial improvements to existing structures.

It is hoped that there can be a public hearing on these changes on December 2, but first Catherine needs to receive comments back on the draft.  The public hearing will satisfy the need for public input after which the plan goes back to selectboard for approval; it then goes to citizens for approval at Town Meetng.  It’s possible that the selectboard could be able to take action on the plan at the December 14 meeting.

State Farm Project:

Dexter LeFavour of Engineering and Environmental Services and Steve Noyes were at the meeting to update the board on their plans for the State Farm Project.  The proposed plan is to change the use of most of the structures, repair buildings according to historical preservation specifications, and possible put up some small family homes down the road.  They will meet with the Development Review Board next.

Treasurer’s Report:

Ken Scott said that he has the S.T. Paving bill ready to pay, but the selectboard directed him to hold off on paying the bill until  some issues are resolved.

Ken then requested the board to go into executive session to discuss a personnel issue.  JoAnn moved that the board go into executive session to discuss a personnel issue; Kym Andrews seconded the motion. All were in favor.  The board went into executive session at 7:50.  They came out of executive session at 8:20.

Road Report:

The state approved the pavement application.

Things are pretty quiet; brush cutting and minimal grading will be done until it’s snowing.

New Business:

Lights on the garage building need to be checked out; should they be downcast lighting?

JoAnn Berno made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel and litigation issues.  Kym Andrews seconded the motion, and all were in favor of it.  The board went into executive session at  8:40 p.m.  The board came out of executive session at 8:50.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Dever