MINUTES
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
TOWN OF BARNET, VERMONT
MARCH 7, 2006
Meeting called to order at 11:00 A.M.. by Moderator Dennis McLam. The articles were then discussed and acted upon as follows:
ARTICLE 1. To elect a Moderator.
One year term-term of Dennis McLam expiring.
Dennis McLam nominated by Lura Bruno. Motion made by Gilmore Somers
that nominations cease. Seconded. Passed by voice vote. Dennis McLam
elected by voice vote.
ARTICLE 2. To elect all other Town Officers required by law.
Town Clerk-three year term of William Hoar expiring.
Nominations-William Hoar nominated by Ted Faris. Motion made
and seconded that nominations cease. Passed by voice vote.
William Hoar elected by voice vote.
Treasurer-three year term of William Hoar expiring.
Nominations-William Hoar nominated by Ted Faris. Motion made by
Mona Marceau that nominations cease. Seconded and passed by
voice vote. William Hoar elected by voice vote.
Selectman-three year term of Stanley Robinson expiring.
Nominations-Stanley Robinson nominated by Craig Marcotte.
Motion made by Gilmore Somers that nominations cease. Seconded.
Moderator instructed Town Clerk to cast 1 ballot for Stanley Robinson.
Lister-three year term of George Pierce expiring.
Nominations-David Warden nominated by Dennis Kauppila
Sherry Tolle nominated by Marvin Bailey
George Pierce nominated by Mona Marceau
David Warden and Sherry Tolle each spoke briefly.
Results of vote by paper ballot were: Warden – 59
Tolle - 71
Pierce- 21
Blanks- 3
Total votes cast=154 needed to elect=78. Will require a second vote.
Results of second paper ballot were: Warden- 67
Tolle- 83
Pierce- 4
Blank- 3
Total votes cast=157,needed to elect=79. Tolle declared elected.
While the ballots were being counted for Lister, Zoning Administrative
Officer Shirley Warden spoke about the Planning Commission and their
work on revising both the Town Plan and the Zoning Ordinance and that
they would like to hear any comments the public would like to make.
Shirley also mentioned that two long time members of the Planning Comm.
retired last year. They were Nat Tripp and Henry Ingraham. A round of
Applause was given.
Representative Leigh Larocque then spoke about legislative activities.
Auditor-three year term of Sherry Tolle expiring.
Nominations-David Warden nominated by William Graves.
Motion made by Merle Fitzgerald that nominations cease. Seconded
Passed by voice vote. Moderator instructed Town Clerk to cast one
vote for David Warden.
Tax Collector-one year term of Donald Nelson expiring.
Donald Nelson nominated by Bob Zita. Motion made and seconded
that nominations cease. Passed by voice vote. Donald Nelson
elected by voice vote.
Grand Juror-one year term of David Willis expiring.
David Willis nominated by Mona Marceau.
Kevin Bruno nominated by Sherry Tolle but Mr. Bruno declined.
Motion by Ted Faris that nominations cease. Seconded. Passed by
voice vote. David Willis elected by voice vote.
Town Agent-one year term of David Willis expiring.
David Willis nominated by Mona Marceau. Motion made by Bob Zita
that nominations cease. Seconded and passed by voice vote.
David Willis elected by voice vote.
Trustee of Public Funds-three year term of Joseph Roy expiring.
Joseph Roy nominated by David Warden. Motion made and seconded
that nominations cease. Passed by voice vote. Joseph Roy elected by
voice vote.
Trustee of Public Funds-2 years remaining on term of Greg Clayton (resigned)
Merle Fitzgerald nominated by Mona Marceau. Motion made and
seconded that nominations cease. Passed by voice vote. Merle
Fitzgerald elected by voice vote.
Library Trustee-five year term of Sydney Frechette expiring.
Sydney Frechette nominated by Sherry Tolle. Motion made by Mona
Marceau that nominations cease. Passed by voice vote. Sydney Frechette
elected by voice vote.
ARTICLE 3. To consider and act upon the report of the Town Auditors.
Motion made by Mona Marceau to accept the report of the Town
Auditors. Seconded and passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 4. Shall the Town of Barnet vote to appropriate the sum of Two
Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2300.00) to Caledonia
Home Health Care and Hospice to be used in providing health
care services.
Motion made by Rose Kinerson to so move the article. Seconded.
Passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of One Thousand
Seven Hundred Seventy Four Dollars ($1774.00) to Northeast
Kingdom Human Service, Inc., to assist in maintaining services in
Mental retardation, family counseling, services to children and the
Elderly, substance treatment, and 24 hour emergency services.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded. Passed by
voice vote.
ARTICLE 6. Shall the Town vote to appropriate the sum of One Thousand
Dollars ($1000.00) toward the expense of operating the Northeast
Kingdom Youth Services.
Motion made by Rose Kinerson to so move the article. Seconded.
Passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Two Thousand
Dollars ($2000.00) to the Independent Senior Meal Site at
West Barnet.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded. Passed by
voice vote.
ARTICLE 8. Shall the Town appropriate the sum of Seven Thousand Five
Hundred Thirty One Dollars ($7531.00) towards the support of
the CALEX Ambulance Service.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded.
Motion to move the question. Passed by voice vote.
Main motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 9. Shall the town vote to appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred
Dollars ($700.00) to assist the Northeastern Vermont Area Agency on
Aging in providing services to Senior citizens in the ensuing year.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded.
Amendment to motion offered by Fred Himes to increase the
the appropriation to$1,000.00. Motion seconded. Fred spoke
about the services offered by the agency. David Warden also
spoke on the agency’s behalf. The vote on the amendment only
was for approval by voice vote. Vote on main motion to appropriate
the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) was passed by
voice vote.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Eighty
Dollars ($280.00) to help support the work of the Vermont Center for
Independent Living in assisting Vermonters live as fully, productively
and independently as possible.
Motion made by Rose Kinerson to so move the article. Seconded.
Patrick McWilliams said he feels that the amount should be more.
Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of money, not to exceed
Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) to the Northeast Kingdom Adult
Education and Literacy Program for the support of basic education.
Motion made by Mona Marceau to so move the article.
Seconded. Motion approved by voice vote.
ARTICLE 12. Shall the Town vote to appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred Ten
Dollars ($810.00) for the operation of the Fairbanks Museum and
Planetarium during the ensuing year, in exchange for free unlimited
general admission to the Museum for all Barnet residents.
Motion made by Rose Kinerson to move the article.
Seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 13. Shall the Town vote to appropriate Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00)
to Umbrella Inc. to serve victims of domestic and sexual violence and
their children, families seeking childcare and child care providers?
Motion made by Rose Kinerson to move the article.
Seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 14. Shall the Town vote to appropriate Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00)
to Catamount Arts to be used to enhance Catamount’s arts
education programs and programs for young people.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded.
Motion passed by voice vote.
Recessed for lunch at 12 Noon.
Meeting reconved at 1 PM.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($250.00) to the American Red Cross to assist them in their
delivery of services to the local communities.
Motion by Mona Marceau to so move the article. Seconded.
Question raised will this appropriation be used locally? The
general feeling was that there is no guarantee that it will be
used locally but will go to the Red Cross to be used with other
funds for all locations. Many people spoke about the good
experiences that they have had with the Red Cross. Motion
Passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 16. Shall the town vote to appropriate Six Hundred Dollars
($600.00) to Rural Community Transportation to assist in
providing transportation to the elderly, handicapped and disabled.
Motion by Rose Kinerson to so moved the article. Seconded.
Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 17. Shall the Town , pursuant to 23 V.S.A. Section 2804 establish a
Reserve fund under the control of the Selectmen for the maintenance,
repair and replacement of municipal buildings and facilities and if so
how much shall be appropriated to said fund.
Motion made by Marvin Bailey that we put $50,000 into Reserve
Fund. Seconded. Question asked about how do taxpayers know that
this money will be used as intended. Selectman Ted Faris explained
that this is the third year the Selectmen have asked for funds under
this article and their top priority for use is the construction of a new
garage. This past year, the Board established a facilities committee
to review all town buildings and to make a listing of priorities and
related suggestions. Their top priority is also the garage. With this
appropriation we would have $150,000 + in the account. This year
the facilities committee is being asked to investigate sites for a new
garage. Treasurer William Hoar was asked about where these funds
are invested and what the return is on them. He replied that they are
handled locally by an investment company and a local bank. Rates
have increased since last year to a current average of around 4%.
Mona Marceau asked if there is any timeline on a new garage-not
yet per Ted Faris. Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to borrow money in
anticipation of taxes or current expenses during the ensuing year.
Motion made to so move the article. Seconded. Question asked by
Gail Warnaar as to why doesn’t the Town borrow money from its
own reserve fund rather than going with banks? Town Treasurer
William Hoar explained that the Town does make some money by
borrowing with banks as we pay about 1% less to borrow than we
receive from reinvesting the funds. This does help us come close
to breaking even for the year in our interest expense as compared
to interest income. To use the Reserve Fund to borrow from would
require some time to study the exact benefit, if any. It is very
difficult to make a judgment on that at this meeting. Motion passed
by voice vote.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will elect two members of the Budget Committee
for three years, and if so to provide for their election.
Two members terms (3 years) expiring are Celina Wright and
Maurice Roberts. Members cannot succeed themselves.
Motion made by Mona Marceau to elect two members to the Budget
Committee. Seconded and passed by voice vote.
Nominations:
Eugene Redfield – not on voter checklist
Melville Pierce-declined nomination
Henry Ingraham
William Graves-declined nomination
Jay Abramson
Motion made by Merle Fitzgerald that nomination cease. Seconded.
Motion passed by voice vote. Henry Ingraham and Jay Abramson
elected by voice vote.
ARTICLE 20. To see what arrangements the Town and Town School District will
vote for the collection of its taxes and by what lawful official for the
ensuing year.
Motion made by Donald Nelson as follows:
Move that taxes be due and payable to the town treasurer
during business hours on or before October 14, 2006 with
said taxes to be actually received by the said treasurer on
or before the due date without regard to post mark; and
thereafter said taxes shall be payable to the town tax
collector with interest at the rate of 1% per month, or
fraction thereof, for the first three months, and thereafter
at the rate of 1 ½% per month, or fraction thereof, plus
collector’s fees as provided by law.
Motion seconded. Town Attorney David Willis explained that this
motion is a change from the past in that postmarks will not be used
to indicate timely receipt of payment. Motion passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 21. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise to defray the
expenses and liabilities of the Town for the current year.
Motion made by Ted Faris that we raise $848,500 in taxes for
the current year. Seconded. David Warden made the comment
that we was concerned about conditions of the roads and made
a motion to amend to add $5,000 to the road budget. Motion
died due to lack of a second. At this point, Merle Fitzgerald
spoke about the facilities recommendation that the $3,000 we
have budgeted for fireworks in the past, be deleted and added
to the beach committee budget for needed improvements at the
beach. Ted Faris said this will be addressed by the Selectmen.
Mona Marceau asked how do we know $3,000 would actually go
to the beach. Merle Fitzgerald made the motion that the budget
be amended by $3,000 for the maintenance of the beach. Seconded.
Motion made and seconded to move the question. Passed by
voice vote. Vote on amendment only (to add $3,000) defeated by
voice vote. Motion made to call the question and seconded. Passed
by voice vote. Vote on main motion passed by voice vote.
Meaning to appropriate the following amounts:
Selectmens budget $489,050 (added $300 for increase in Art.#9)
Highway budget $359,450
Total $848,500
ARTICLE 22. Shall the Town of Barnet vote to approve the resolution to formally
recognize the service of the men and women of the Vermont Air
and Army National Guard. We thank them and their families for
the selfless dedication to both the State of Vermont and the United
States of America.
Motion made to so move and seconded. Passed by voice vote.
ARTICLE 23. To transact any other business that may legally come before the
meeting.
Motion made to appropriate $3,000 for the Harvey’s Lake fireworks.
At this point, it was mentioned that binding action cannot be taken
under this article. We can make our views known to the Board of
Selectmen. Selectmen Ted Faris then stated the he personally would
be happy to donate money for the fireworks but he doesn’t feel that
town funds should be used for this purpose. Mona Marceau asked
for a show of hands on how people feel about it. Approximately
twice as many hands were counted against using town funds as those
in favor of it.
Steve Adler requested that next year, the Town present summary
sheets (such as the school did) showing what categories in the budget
had substantial increases.
Motion made by Merle Fitzgerald to adjourn the meeting. Seconded
and passed by voice vote.
Meeting ended at 2 P.M..