A meeting of the Hardwick Select Board was held on Wednesday, February 05, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. in the 3^rd floor meeting room of the Hardwick Memorial Building.

Members Present Also Present

Brad Ferland Rob Lewis

Marcus Brown Rosie Gillen

William Richardson Ralph Persons

Richard Brochu Mike Demers

M. Tod Delaricheliere - Absent

6:03 P.M. Meeting called to order at 6:03 By Chair Brad Ferland.

6:05P.M. Minutes

- Motion made by Richard Brochu to accept the minutes from January 22, 2009 & January 29, 2009 as written.

- Motion was 2^nd by Marcus Brown

- Motion passed.

6:10P.M. Set/Adjust Agenda

- Motion was made by Marcus Brown to accept the agenda as written with the following adjustment to add an executive session for Personnel to include TM.

- Motion was 2^nd by Bill Richardson

- Motion passed

6:12P.M. Communication from Audience

None

6:15P.M. Town Managers Report

TM informed the board that he believes that Chief LaPorte has filled a part/time position on the PD at this time. The possible applicant has been unable to pass the physical exam at the academy, so he will be brought on as a part time employee.

TM also informed the board that the 2003 Crown Victoria has been sold to Gates Salvage at this time they are in the process of removing all relevant items out of the car before it goes. The 2005 Crown Victoria is also parked at the Highway Garage.

Please see the attached Town Manager report that was given to the board.

6:20P.M. Item # 1 Title # 20 Matter of Ralph Persons – Dead Fowl

Ralph Persons who is located at 389 Mackville Road in Hardwick has come before the board tonight to discuss an incident that happened on his property on October 24, 2008. Please see attached reports from the TM explaining the incident and the follow up.

Mike Demers was also present at the board meeting to inform the board of his testimony concerning October 24, 2008. Mr. Demers drove by Mr. Person’s residence on October 24, 2008 to witness what he believes were two domestic dogs coming down Mr. Persons driveways with what he called dead ducks in their mouths. Mr. Demers was very clear that these dogs appeared to be domestic dogs and not wild dogs.

The board had an open discussion and took testimony from Mr. Demers and Mr. Persons. The board felt that according to the Vermont State Statute Title 20, that the Towns course of action should be to reimburse Mr. Person in the amount of $588.75 for the incident but will continue to investigate hopefully to a better conclusion.

The board authorized the Town Manager to pay Mr. Parson for his losses following the State’s Statute Title 20.

6:45P.M Old Business

Brad asked the TM to find out why the water bottom line as of June 30, 2008 was

under spent by $33,155 and why the sewer’s bottom line was over spent by $ 31,342?

Also Brad wanted to know why the highway salaries were over spent by $27,000. The

TM informed the board he would look into the matter and have an answer for them at

The next meeting.

The board also asked the TM to invite Chad Hewett from Sullivan, Powers and Company to attend the next board meeting to give the board a presentation on the audit just completed for year ending June 30, 2008. Chad is a partner at Sullivan, Powers and Company and was the Towns lead auditor for the Towns audit.

TM informed the board that there has been no change in status at this time with the health insurance issue.

7:00P.M. Executive Session

- Motion was made by Richard Brochu to go into Executive Session for personnel reasons to include Town Manager.

- Motion was 2^nd by Marcus Brown

- Motion Passed

7:45P.M. - Motion by Marcus Brown to come out of executive session

- Motion 2^nd by Richard Brochu

- Motion passed out of Executive session at 7:45P.M.

7:46P.M. Adjourn

- Motion made by Marcus to adjourn at 11:46P.M. and 2^nd

By Richard Brochu and passed unanimously to adjourn at 11:46P.M.

- Motion passed Unanimously

Minutes approved by: Brad Ferland, Chairman

Minutes taken by: Rosie Gillen