Minutes of Meeting

                                                       Board of Selectmen

 

Meeting held upstairs in Town Hall                                    Monday – February 2, 2009

 

Attending: Town Manager Edward Samson

                   Selectmen Leo Enos, Sr., David Stickney and Allan Carr

 

Others attending: Alan Savage, Murray Vashaw and Barbara Rossell

 

            The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Chairman Leo Enos followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPOINTMENTS:  None

 

OLD BUSINESS:

            To review and approve the minutes of the January 20, 2009 regular meeting and the minutes of the January 20, 2009 non-public session.

            A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to accept both sets of minutes as written.  A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

Department Head Up-dates:  None

 

Signing of various paperwork:

            Intent to cut:

                        Robert Every – Rt. 3  Map R01  Lot 039

                        1 acre to be cut from a 1.64 acre lot.

                        Cut to be done by Mike McHosa of Bethlehem

 

                        James Burgess = Community Camp Road

                        Cut 50 cord of wood

                        Cut to be done by Robert Crane

 

                        Cathleen Gaynor, Nancy Gaynor, Sally Gaynor Knecht

                        Page Hill Road  Map R3  Lot 1

                        25 acres to be cut out of 102.9 acre lot

                        Cut to be done by Stan Knecht – cut is for firewood.

 

                        Abatement to MGA  Dept 1103 – Movie Gallery

                        Abate $131.60 on sewer for second billing of 2007 and

                        to wave interest of $18.82.  – This to be written off as they

                        went through bankruptcy and the court will not pay.

 

                        Also – Abate $133.10 on water for second billing of 2007 for same and

                        to wave interest of $19.04 – This to be written off as bankruptcy

                        court will not pay.

 

                        Edward Samson said that there was no means to collect as these figures are to do with the owners of 2007.

 

                        A Current Use Application from Robert and Patricia Quimby.

                        Map R15 Lot 115 off of Walker Drive

                        It was recommended that it be approved as it does meet the criteria.

 

                        A request from Passumpsic Bank to keep their mailing address as 117 Main St.  It was also recommended by Jason Call that it be kept the same.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to allow the Passumpsic Bank to keep their mailing address as 117 Main St.  A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            Edward Samson said that he had given the lawyer for the Gorham Employment Issue the dates that had been decided on at the last meeting and had not heard back from him as of yet, he will inform the Board as soon as he does.

 

            A Letter was read from the Center for New Beginnings asking to have a Warrant Article for $500.00 at Town Meeting.  Edward Samson said that it had been filed in time.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to put the request in as a Warrant Article for Town Meeting.  A vote was called for and the motion carried.

 

            Edward Samson brought up the Discretionary Preservation Easement – Prospect Farm – Lancaster LLC.  Edward Samson said that Mr. Davidge had discussed the issue with Tom Southworth and Mr. Southworth said he thought that the barn had been built sometime between 1850-1870.  In the past it had been used for animals and other storage.

            Allan Carr said that the barn is not used and it does not compare to the Leonard Savage barn on Stebbins Hill.

            David Stickney asked if the exemption was only for the barn and nothing else and the answer was yes.

            Edward Samson said at the present time the barn is appraised for $19.270.00

                        With  25%  exemption --$14,450.00

                        With  50%  exemption --$  9,635.00

                        With  75%  exemption --$  4,820.00

It was noted that the Savage Barn was at 75%.  After some discussion a motion was made.

A motion was made by Allan Carr and seconded by David Stickney to give a 25% exemption to the Davidge Barn.  A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

            Edward Samson brought up about the Conservation Easement – McGee Property on North Road.  He said that the Conservation Commission is to have a meeting with the McGee’s to further discuss it.  The easement language is very restrictive and they want the McGee’s to understand them before all of the paperwork is finalized.

 

INFORMATION:

            Also in the packet:

                        Tax Collector’s Report for December.

                        Building permit:  Allen Bouthillier – Northern Community Investment Corp.  35 Hodge Road.  For installation of  92.5’ monopole with telecommunication equipment to deliver wireless broadband to the residents of Lancaster.  This has special conditions also.(listed on application)

                        Building permit:  Mount Orne Enterprises LLC/Verizon Wireless on 246 Stebbins Hill Road.  Remvoe and replace 12 antennas on the existing tower and install a 12’ x 30’ equipment shelter on the ground.  Verizon is taking over the Unicel space.

 

            It was asked if there was anything further to come before the meeting.

            David Stickney said that there seemed to be some concerns about the snow mobiliers on Buffalo Road.  They are going down the road to get to an alternate route. Barbara Rossell who lives on Wegomlegging Lane said that they are cutting across part of their land but next summer they plan to remove some of the stumps along the side of the road so that it would be safer to ride down the side instead of in the road.  David Stickney suggested that the town allow the snowmobiles to ride down Buffalo Road to get to the other trails.  Edward Samson said that once the Select board authorizes travel on the right-of-way, the Town assumes liability.  He stated that Buffalo Road is very steep and winding.  He suggested that they consider using Stebbins Hill Road from George Carter’s property to the Allan Savage property.

A motion was made to open the Class 5 Road Stebbins Hill Road,  from the George and Sally Carter property to the Alan Savage property to snowmobile’s – BUT IT IS FOR THIS YEAR ONLY. A vote was taken and the motion carried.

 

            Allan Carr asked if there was something that could be done to uncover the fire hydrants that have been buried due to the snow storms.  Edward Samson said that he would speak to the Town crew and relay the Boards concerns.

 

            It was noted that the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday February 17th, 2009 due to the President’s Day holiday.

 

            Noting that there was no further business to come before the meeting a vote was called for to adjourn.

A motion was made by David Stickney and seconded by Allan Carr to adjourn. A vote was taken and the meeting adjourned at 6:05 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted:                                                       Approved:

 

Sandra E. Doolan – Clerk                                                    Leo Enos., Sr.

 

                                                                                                David Stickney

 

 

                                                                                                Allan Carr

 

 

                                                                                                Board of Selectmen