A meeting of the Hardwick Select Board was held on Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. in the 3^rd floor meeting room of the Hardwick Memorial Building.

Members Present Also Present

M. Tod Delaricheliere Roger LeCours

Marcus Brown John Speery-Hazen Athletic Dept

Richard Brochu Joe LaPorte – Police Chief

Shari Cornish Robert Perreault- Resident

Kathleen Hemmens Tom Gardner – Hardwick Gazette

Rob Lewis – Town Manager

Rosie Gillen – Executive Assistant

Wilfred Salls- Resident

Dusty Tucker - Resident

Kenny LaCasse – 7:15

Tom Fadden – Road Forman

6:02 P.M. Meeting called to order at 6:02P.M. By Select Board Chair Marcus Brown.

6:03P.M. Minutes for March 19, 2009

- Motion was made by Tod to approve the minutes for March 19, 2009 with the following changes.

1. Page two of minutes under Road Forman Report should state that Kathleen asked about the stop signs in East Hardwick and not Marcus.

2. On page four regarding Emily Lanxner the board did not make a motion they just approved the usage of the Memorial Building for a community dance. The motion stated was for the approval of the DSWRF Loan for the water project on Church Street.

3. Motion needs to be added after 1^st Executive session for personnel. Action taken.

Motion by Marcus to offer Andrew Flagg the current open position as zoning administrator motion was 2^nd by Richard Brochu and motion passed.

4. Typo on page 3 third paragraph from the bottom the last word in the paragraph should be fee and not feel.

5. Typo on page 4 title changed from Finding of Facts to Finding of Fact.

- Motion was 2^nd by Shari and motion passed with amendments.

6:10P.M. Set/Adjust Agenda

- Motion was made by Tod Delaricheliere to accept the agenda as written with the following additions/adjustments:

- To add an additional item # 9 Personnel Zoning Administrator

- To add an executive session for Contracts if time permits. To include the TM.

- Instead of Police report being after TM report it will follow Item # 2 on the agenda

- Motion was 2^nd by Kathleen

- Motion passed

6:14P.M. Communication from Audience

None

6:16P.M. Town Manager Report

Please see attached.

6:20P.M. Item # 1 Water Line Extension Perreault’s & Salls

Mr. Perreault attended the board meeting tonight asking the board to extend the main

water line to his house as well as Mr. Salls. Mr. Perreaults major concerns are lack of

water pressure as well as failing old pipes.

The board asked Tom what the procedure has been in the past with a situation like this

one? Tom informed the board that the trailer park and the residences behind the old

Double Nichol Hut has made similar agreements with the Town to install new water lines to their premises. This was done at the residents own expense and the new lines were installed according to the Town’s specification. After the installations of the lines they were examined by the Town crew then the Town took over maintenance of these lines.

There are two major issues with Mr. Perreault. They are one there are wetlands around their property. Then two, the Town is unsure if the State of Vermont will even give us maintenance easements to the property.

- Motion was made by Tod that if Mr. Perreault & Mr. Salls upgrade their current water lines at their own expense and to Town specifications that the Town would take on responsibility for long term maintenance of the lines. In addition the Town would offer to purchase all needed materials at the Towns cost to be reimbursed by the Perrault’s and the Sall’s.

- Motion was 2^nd by Richard and Motion passed.

6:50P.M. Summer Paving Schedule – Tom Fadden

Tom is seeking quotes from the following paving companies, Pike Industries, Whitcomb and Blacktop out of New Hampshire. The paving for this summer will consist of Cedar Street, Main Street and Pleasant Street all in East Hardwick. The amount budgeted for paving in East Hardwick in the Capital Improvement Fund in FYE 2010 is $29,900. These streets consist of about a mile of paving. Tom is concerned with his summer schedule as well as the price of asphalt going up in the very near future. Tom would like to start paving in early May rather than waiting until after July 1, 2009 FY 2010. By doing the paving earlier rather than later it should be a cost saver.

TM advised the SB on the following matters:

1. Moving up the paving would cause a deficit in the CIF for FYE2009.

2. Since this would be easily explained to taxpayer and that the intent was too ultimately save the taxpayer’s money it would be worth the risks.

3. TM said he had talked to the towns CPA’s about this matter and that they agreed with moving the expenditure up. They also pointed out that as a result the deficit would be a surplus in the next budget year.

- Motion was made by Tod to allow Tom to proceed with paving in East Hardwick to be done in FYE 2009 by doing this the Capital Improvement Fund will be over budget in FYE 2009 but in 2010 we will be under budget.

- Motion was 2^nd by Kathleen and Motion passed.

7:00P.M. Police Report – Joe LaPorte

Joe informed the board and the television audience that there will be a public meeting

held at Hazen Union at the library on April 13, 2009 at 6:00P.M. Joe has offered to meet with residence and to take a closer look at the parking ordinance and parking for the village.

The PD has hired two new part time officers which will be funded under the special officer budget. The first new p/t person is Lester Cleary from St. Johnsbury who currently has p/t experience. The other new p/t person is Misty Lewis who just completed the Part-time academy last week. Misty will start out with Sergeant Fields on the FTO Program.

Tod asked Joe if he would please cycle through the new officers at the next select board meeting.

Lamoille County dispatch has given us a tentative switch over date of April 8, 2009 at 4P.M. Apparently they have had some issues with Fair Point.

The police department also just received the award letter for the Mobil Data Terminals in the amount of $12,550 through Homeland Security.

Joe is in the process of applying for Hardwick PD’s portion of the Recovery Act funding through the Berhn Jag Grant also known as the Cops Grant. Hardwick PD is entitled to $29651.00 through this grant the deadline for this application is May 18, 2009.

The PD’s wish is the following:

- New Desktop computers for the officers

- Earmark some funds for training for officers

- New wireless Mobil Vision Camera mounted in the vehicle

- Cell Phone and or beeper for night times

- A few officers expressed possible taser purchase

- DVD Player for interview room to replace old VHS

- Also possible purchase of better camera’s for inside and outside of building

- Police Athletic League- Pd to work in partnership with John Sperry/Hazen Union to purchase new uniforms/equipment. For 5^th, 6^th and 7^th & 8^th grade levels. Sports programs.

- $10,000 set aside for future project – Repeater on West Hill. The repeater would enhance the current radio system.

COPS Grant

The Town of Hardwick has participated in the COPS grants in the past. This COPS grant would pay for the salary and benefits for two officers that Joe would like to hire if we are awarded the grant.

There was much discussion between the board and Joe on whether to apply for one new position or two. The grant would cover the salary and benefits for the new hire/hires for three years and then the Town would be responsible after the third year to pay all benefits and salary and we also would be required to do so for at least a year.

- Motion was made by Tod to move forward with the application process for the COPS grant and apply for two new positions. If and when we get awarded those two position the board with then make a final determination if we want to hire one or two new positions.

- Motion was 2^nd by Richard and passed.

8:00P.M. Water & Sewer Budgets FYE 2010

The board suggested that the Town move $15,000 out of the Sewer connections fee on

the Capital improvement three year plan and move those fund to future slip lining. This would enable Kenny to slip line a section of Main Street from the red light to Tracy’s Clip Joint.

Marcus questioned the previously set aside amount of $123,500 for plant upgrades. He

would like to see a break down or a more detailed plan on what and when this money will be used. Kenny let Marcus know that we do have a 20 year plan in place but, things have been running smoothly at this point so things have yet to be replaced.

No other major issues with Water of Sewer budgets at this time the board will continue at the next meeting on the water & Sewer budgets.

8:35P.M. Item # 6 Financials

Postponed until next meeting April 16, 2009.

8:40P.M. Tucker Brook Rd. and resident request

The SB was asked by Mr. Edebohls to address a culvert issue off Tucker Brook Road.

Mr. Edebohls was not present for the meeting.

The TM gave the Select Board an overview of his understanding of the issues and his attempts to resolve matters with Mr. Edebohls. The Select Board asked Tom what options were available. Some discussion ensued about an elbow and sleeve added to the culvert to redirect the water. Discussion about this ended with the board asking the TM and Road Foreman to look at possible long term options. Chairman Brown commented that if Mr. Edebohols has a request of them then he should be at the meeting.

Tod also asked to see the Act 250 and zoning permits that were issued before the current parking lot was installed.

9:20P.M. Item # 9 Zoning Administrators

At the previous meeting the board authorized the TM to offer the open zoning administrator position to Andrew Flagg. After Andrew was offered the position he wanted to change the title of the position as well as the compensation that he was offered. Andrew in turned declined the position. TM suggested to the Board that they offer the open position to their 2^nd choice Karen Vogan.

- Motion was made by Tod to offer the current open Zoning Administrator position to the boards 2^nd choice Karen Vogan.

- Motion was 2^nd by Kathleen and motion passed.

9:25P.M Select Board Report

Richard informed the board that he has received some negative feedback from local residents regard the board authorizing the use of the Memorial building for a community dance. Richard feels that we should revisit our policy on use for the Memorial Building. Richard also stated that these residents were very concerned with the board’s decision. Richard personally still has some concerns with the safety issue.

Kathleen expressed she had received all positive feedback and that people felt it was a great use of the Memorial Building.

Tod has heard some negative feedback as well but, Tod feels this is a community building and that it promotes a local event. Tod also reminded the board that when they authorized the use of the Memorial building for the community dance that is was a test, and if things do not go well the board will revisit the issue.

Marcus and Tod both suggested that at the next agenda on April 19, 2009 the Board look at and discuss the Memorial Building Use Policy. The board also requested specific information from the fire marshal regarding the capacity usage as well.

9:35P.M. Old Business

Marcus inquired to TM regarding the current status of the health insurance. TM informed the board that not much has changed at this time but is still moving forward.

Executive Sessions

9:40P.M. - Motion by Richard Brochu to go into Executive Session to include the TM for

Town Contracts.

- Motion by 2^nd by Tod

- Motion passed

10:00P.M. - Motion by Marcus Brown to come out of Executive Session at 10:00P.M.

- Richard Brochu 2^nd

- Motion passed

10:01P.M. Adjourn

- Motion made by Marcus to adjourn at 10:01P.M. and 2^nd

By Richard Brochu and passed unanimously to adjourn at 8:21P.M.

- Motion passed Unanimously

Minutes approved by: Marcus Brown, Chairman

Minutes taken by: Rosie Gillen