Town highway budget to be level-funded next year

DUMMERSTON — A Selectboard meeting of less than an hour on Nov. 25 took up cemetery mowing bids, the highway budget, and a town dump truck being out of commission in advance of the recent snowstorm, but one thing it didn't hear were public comments.

There weren't any.

According to draft minutes of the meeting, held at the Town Office, Board Chair Zeke Goodband noted that no visitors were present and mentioned that the public is always welcome at Selectboard meetings and those of other public bodies in town. In fact, he said, time is expressly set aside for public comments.

Also present were members Joe Cook, Steve Glabach, Gurudharm Khalsa, and Lewis White, Selectboard Assistant Laurie Frechette, and Road Foreman Lee Chamberlin.

The proceedings were taped by Brattleboro Community Television.

According to Chamberlin, the new highway crew employee is working out well, and the 2008 dump truck was out of service and was to be so through the pending snowstorm, the minutes show.

The board and Chamberlin also reviewed the proposed highway budget for FY 2016. “It is basically level-funded before considering any potential wage increases,” the minutes read.

The board reviewed cemetery mowing bids received at the Nov. 12 meeting: Castine Property Services came in at $4,615, Howe's Lawn Care sought $4,095, and McGowan Property Management proposed $7,370.

Cook moved to award the bid to Howe's Lawn Care, and Glabach seconded, but the motion fell 4-1. Glabach then moved to award the bid to Castine Property Services, Cook seconded, and Castine got the job at a vote of 5-0.

Windham County Budget Meeting Dec. 9 in Newfane

Also noted at the Selectboard meeting: the Windham County Budget Meeting on Dec. 9, at 3:30 p.m., at the County Courthouse in Newfane. The assistant judges of Windham County will hold a preliminary proposed budget meeting, pursuant to Tile 24, Section 133(b) of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, for the 2015-2016 Windham County budget.

On Nov. 19, the Selectboard undertook a preliminary review and discussion of the FY 2016 budget, with no decisions being made. ”It was agreed upon to begin future budget work sessions at 5 p.m.,” the draft minutes of that meeting read.

'Gunfire amendment' shot down

An item to catch up on more of the Selectboard's work Nov. 12: Khalsa offered a friendly amendment to the Oct. 29 meeting minutes, adding this text: “There was general consensus that there needs to be mutual consideration between neighbors, those who enjoy firing their guns and those who hear and tolerate the gunfire near a residential section of town.”

That said, “this friendly amendment was not accepted,” read the minutes.

Welcome, Sgt. LaBombard

Also Nov. 12, the Selectboard recognized Lt. Paul Favreau from the Vermont State Police, who discussed police coverage options here. He stated that Sgt. Frank LaBombard has been assigned as Dummerston's trooper.

Old road dispute in Brattleboro's court

Greg Moschetti began a discussion on the old road connecting Sunset Lake Road to Wickopee Hill/Pleasant Valley Road. The part of this road that's in Dummerston is Kelly Road. The road on the Brattleboro side has been blocked by a property owner.

“A lengthy discussion ensued, with Ann Knapp, Robert Wood, Phoebe Chamberlin and Mr. Moschetti stating their belief that this road has not been 'thrown up' and should be considered a public right-of-way,” read the minutes.

As the issue lies in the town of Brattleboro, Glabach moved authorize Goodband to contact that town's Selectboard chair and encourage him to place this topic on their agenda. White seconded the motion; it passed 5-0.

Bid for social services spending boost

Also Nov. 12, the board invited Social Services Advisory Committee members Cindy Jerome, Gail Sorenson, and John Sommer to join them at the table. Jerome presented their recommendation to increase the total Social Services budget by 10 percent to 11 percent to place Dummerston more in-line with area towns.

White is on record “vehemently disagreeing” with this suggestion, arguing that it would increase the burden on taxpayers who may be in need of taking advantage of these very services. He asked for more information, which Sorenson agreed to provide.

“After much discussion, [Goodband] agreed to take their request under consideration at the upcoming budget work sessions, keeping in mind that it may be reduced,” the record shows.

School nurse gets appropriation; Nature Conservancy gets help

The Board reviewed a request from school nurse Mary Ann Runge for an $80 appropriation from the Miller Fund for medical expenses. On a motion from White and second by Glabach, the board voted 5-0 to approve her request.

The Board also reviewed a request from the Nature Conservancy for a letter of support for the Black Mountain Natural Area; a template was provided. Khalsa moved to approve their request, omitting a sentence about the West River Trail. Glabach seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.

A moment for the constable

Also on Nov. 12 the board discussed the town constable's duties. It was agreed that the constable has no law enforcement responsibilities in town. All law enforcement calls should be directed to the state police or Windham County Sheriff's Department.

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