Unified Towns & Gores Meeting Minutes
2008
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1UNIFIED TOWNS & GORES
Meeting Notes 2007 - DRAFT
UTG Annual Town Meeting
The voters and landowners were duly warned of and attended the Unified Towns and Gores Annual Town Meeting on August 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Brunswick, Vermont. There were 20 registered voters of the UTG who attended including the sitting Board of Governors: Howard Walker, Doug Jenks, and Dave Lafoe. Dave Snedeker attended as did Jennifer Hanlon, Supervisor. The room was filled to capacity, about 60 or more total people attending.
The meeting began at about 10:10 a.m. Irene Annis nominated Barbara Walker for Moderator, seconded by George Carr. There were 20 votes in the affirmative, Walker elected as Moderator.
Walker opened the floor to nominations for Board of Governor position as Jenks term was up. Pat Wiggett, seconded by George Ackerson, nominated Barb Nolan. Darrell Annis, seconded by Irene Annis, nominated Doug Jenks for re-election. There were 11 votes for Nolan and 9 votes for Jenks. Nolan elected to a 3 year term on Board of Governors.
The budget was explained, and Dave Snedeker reviewed non-education tax / operating expenses changes resulting from personnel changes. Sally Lafoe motioned for the budget and tax rates to pass and be accepted as presented, seconded by Barb Nolan. The motion passed, affirmative votes 18, 2 negative, by a count of hands.
In other non-binding business, Dave Snedeker spoke about the proposed Great Auk Wireless project grant and letters of support. There were many questions from those present regarding implementation of the grant and location of the proposed computer access points. There was great interest and support overall for the project. Howard Walker said the Board of Governors may consider asking for the project to be combined with any proposed permanent municipal structures. There was a comment from the audience that future maintenance costs will be incurred and they should also be considered in any building proposals. It was reiterated by Dave Snedeker and Jennifer that there are still many unknowns regarding this grant project as information was just received last week.
The Quimby Land purchase was summarized by Dave Snedeker, proposed 5.68 acres for $10,900 which is the new assessed value. Some discussion on proposed uses possibly to include garbage dumpster site and computer station mentioned in the wireless project. It was suggested a pole barn be constructed to house recycling bins, and that there be no lights left on all night at any facility if one was built. A majority of hands indicated the crowd favored a bigger dumpster at the store and also future consideration by the board to implement mandatory waste recycling.
Jennifer Hanlon summarized the fire department issues and explained that Averill residents had coverage from Beecher Falls for $1500 per year, which included first responder service for medical emergencies. She said she had sent a written letter to the State Fire Marshall requesting assistance, per statute, in mediating an agreement with Brighton Fire Department. Scott Wiggett said he was concerned that the UTG should not pay the fee requested by Brighton because they may again increase the fee in upcoming years with no warning or cause, and he was also concerned that Brighton board views UTG as “cash cow”. Hanlon said she was asking for two issues to be resolved. The first issue is exactly who will deny service to the UTG - is the chief authorized per statute or do they have to have a selectboard meeting to answer a request for help from an adjoining town? The second issue would be the billing and appropriation request from the Brighton Selectboard and what is a fair fee. The UTG Board of Governors last offer was for $2000 yearly stipend and $400 per incident.
Rick Jean said he was upset that he had to pay taxes when he could not vote in UTG. Jennifer said he was just like rest of the citizens of United States, that they could only be registered to vote in one location, and Mr. Jean said he was registered in Essex Junction. He was introduced to John Westinghouse, from the Tax Department, sitting next to him. Westinghouse said there are more requirements of the town regarding the grand list and that listers now had full times jobs with Act 60 and 68. When school budgets were voted down, that sent a message to representatives in the legislature. This year no school budgets were voted down, therefore no changes made to tax laws.
Dave Lafoe spoke at length regarding the current tax problems among the towns in the UTG and the upcoming, and yet to be scheduled, Valuation Appeals Board hearing. He also said he was looking forward to resigning on January first. He said he had no hope for changes in the way the UTG is taxed by the state of Vermont. Dave Lafoe also spoke about the “Revolt and Repeal” movement that the board has signed onto. The UTG Board indicated that something would be sent out. Jennifer gave the crowd information about the movement’s website location and said she didn’t think it was possible to send a mailer to residents as the group is a political action group and per statute not legal to send post card reminder with town funds. Dave Lafoe also told the group that the Board of Governors resolved to delay sending in the signed grand list form 411's at their last meeting, in protest until a hearing date is set for the PVR appeal. Some in the crowd suggested not paying taxes to the state and putting the tax money into an escrow account.
Holly Gaboriault, USFWS Wildlife Biologist and Interim Refuge Manager, was on hand to answer questions and spoke about the revenue sharing payments paid to the towns. She said that the Refuge revenue sharing payments have never been fully funded according to the formula in place, and Congress authorized no additional appropriations. She suggested contacting government representatives to effect changes. She said the lease camps appraisals are conducted by private appraisal firms contracted by the USFWS.
Del Green spoke about Vermont Traditions Coalition and said there was strength in numbers when dealing with the state. He said the group would be sending informational mailers to everyone on the grand list and that Steve Mcleod was the contact person.
Pat Wiggett said she and others would miss Dave Lafoe’s valuable insights and involvement as a Board of Governor if he resigned and asked him to reconsider before officially leaving office in January.
Jennifer spoke about the change in office personnel, that Dave Snedeker had resigned as administrator and returned to NVDA as Regional Planning Director. She said she had been given his duties in addition to her duties as supervisor, and that she hoped to accommodate anyone seeking information during regular office hours. She told the crowd that the office would be open most mornings, and that if necessary people could call her at home for any reason.
Jennifer introduced Sheriff Steve Gadapee who was standing at the back of the room if anyone had any questions for him. There being no other business, Pat Wiggett motioned to adjourn at 11:55 a.m. Dave Lafoe seconded the motion and the meeting was ended.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Hanlon
UTG Town Supervisor 8/16/07
Approved by Dave Lafoe 8/16/07