Alexandria Board of Selectmen
March 4, 2009
Members Present: Cindy Williams and Tom McGowan
The meeting came to order at 6:00 p.m. with two members present.
Helen LoPresti was in to talk about the transfer station. She gave the selectmen a drawing showing what her preferred layout for the station would be. She also asked the selectmen for their support. Helen said that she had not blockaded the container as was told to a selectman and the office. She explained that she is only doing the job the selectmen gave her; she is not making up rules as she goes along. Excerpts from previous year’s newsletters show that the same issues are being faced at the transfer station today as were in 2005. The Planet Aid boxes still have not been picked up. Helen needs more copies of the fee structure. She is working with Adam on containers and vendors. The selectmen asked her to get rid of the aluminum cans as quickly as possible. There have been comments from some users of the transfer station that fees should be done away with and the necessary money for disposal just be a part of the tax rate. A survey will be taken at town meeting. Helen asked for authorization to have containers from Got Books placed at the station. The selectmen agreed. Helen will work with Jeff to have the area cleaned out beside the paper container. She would like to move one of the extra containers to that position for recycling efforts.
Martha Richards, a Grafton County Commissioner, was in to give the selectmen an update on the county jail project as well as other areas of concern. The jail has been reduced in size, but is still a needed item. She thanked the Alexandria selectmen for their support on this issue. Ms. Richards is looking for ways to make the county farm a more productive entity. One way is to have the inmates at the county jail cook and eat the produce grown at the farm. This is not practical right now due to the fact that the jail’s meals are cooked in the nursing home kitchen. Ms. Richards wrote a successful grant application to study geo-thermal energy as an alternative way to power the county facilities.
Jeff gave a quick update on his department and said that he understands that times are tough, but feels that he needs to let the people know what work should be done on the roads. It is up to the voters to tell him whether or not to complete the work. Jeff also asked the selectmen if the minimum standards for a bridge, as submitted by Dubois and King relative to the Welton Falls Bridge, are acceptable to the town. The selectmen voted that these specifications are the minimum that they will accept. They reserve the right to require higher standards depending upon the size of any developments that may be applied for in that area. A letter will be addressed to the planning board regarding this vote.
Christie reported that the total receivables on the town’s books are $573,845. Some 92% of the 2008 taxes have been collected. Christie has done cash flow projections and does not feel that the town will need to borrow money prior to the first issue taxes being issued and collected.
Items Requiring Signature:
A settlement agreement was signed for Steve and Linda Leary. Their rebate check will be signed next week.
Current use applications for Michael Flanders and Thomas Goltz were signed for their respective properties.
An abatement and new gravel warrant were signed for Joseph Morrison
Intents to Excavate were signed for Joseph Morrison and Boake Morrison.
New Business:
Conservation Commission: The selectmen voted to appoint Steve Whitman to a vacant position on the conservation commission.
Lights at sand shed: The selectmen voted to accept a bid by Peter Wyrwicz for motion lights to be installed in the sand shed.
Eagle Project: Noah Gagnon is working on his Eagle Project; he has to perform a certain number of hours of community service. He has offered to paint the bathrooms at the old town hall. Paint and brushes will be provided for him by the preservation committee. The selectmen gave their permission for this to happen.
Cemetery Equipment: Currently the equipment is being kept on the Paterson property on Cass Mill Road. Prior to next fall, arrangements should be made for it to be stored on town property, under cover.
Maggie LaBerge asked the selectmen questions from a survey that was provided by Lakes Region Planning Commission. She also gave an update on the LRPC meetings that she has been attending.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christie Phelps,
Town Administrator