In attendance: John Alexander and Robert Cummings, Selectmen, Greg Gallagher, Town Clerk, Debi Rash, Dennis Desmarais, Road Foreman, Anne Alexander, Bruce Wheeler, Tony Strange, Paul Waskelwizc, Kathy Holmes, Joseph Gresser (Chronicle), Laura Carpenter (Newport Express), Randi Pickel, Lee Anderson, Bill Perkins and Gerald Saindon.

Bob moved and John seconded to add the following items, requested by Greg, to the agenda:

Motion passed.

Health: Greg provided a letter from VT Dept of Health regarding a water violation at the White Caps. Greg will post it and send a copy to Glenn Harter.

Bob moved and John seconded to approve Payroll and Select Orders # 11. Motion passed.

Dennis arrived and gave an update on Highway Dept. work.

Big Valley LN and Westside LN have been graveled and Old 5A is being graveled.

There is an issue with landscaping on Old 5A which might be intruding into the Town’s right-of-way. Dennis will review the issue with Peter Lamont of Nature By Design Wednesday at 7 AM.

John asked what the status of Mrs, Parrott’s culvert is. Dennis will replace it in a week or two. It should not be a problem for now.

John asked Dennis to get truck prices before the next special meeting.

John moved and Bob seconded to accept the Minutes of May 8, 12 and 14 with the change from Nancy Mallary to Robert Cummings on the May 14 Minutes. Motion passed.

Paul Waskelwizc pointed out that the Selectboard appointment of Linda Michnewicz was not necessary since that was the jurisdiction of the School Board which had already done so. John agreed.

Randi Pickle informed the Board that she had been to a presentation by Michael Snow at North Woods on the new Land Use laws. She said it would be good for Westmore to have him come.

Bill Perkins addressed the Board with concerns of people setting off fireworks in the summer. They scare his horses and one died several years ago.

The sale of some fireworks is legal, but setting them off requires a permit from the Fire Warden. Randi added that they also scare and kill bats.

Tony Strange had questions about the proposed Nudity Ordinance procedure.

Q1. Is another meeting planned to include summer people?

Bruce Wheeler commented that more attention would be drawn to the issue if the issue was aired further. Paul concurred.

Q2. What is the next step? John said they would set that procedure up at the next meeting when the full board would be present.

Q3. Tony was concerned and unclear on what Bill May meant by "liability exposure" in his written opinion. Not having the opinion available, John was not prepared to answer that question.

Q4. Does the Selectboard take the Town Plan into consideration when making their decision?

Q5. Have the Selectboard been to the Southwest cove to see the man made changes there? Bob said he had been in there last Sunday.

Lee Anderson agreed with Tony that there had been more and more changes.

John suggested that Tony ask Mike Frayiser of VT Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) when he gets to the meeting.

Randi added that trees had been cut in the wetland behind the North Beach. John will look at that when they take their road trip.

Municipal Building Report: Gerald reported that he had called Catamount Electric to make adjustments on the Hinton Hill generator which was running too fast. They fixed the problem.

He needs to coordinate work on the Town Garage roof and doors. The roof leaks somewhere.

He has completed interior work on the Old Office.

Probation and Parole workers worked last Friday and will be back this coming Friday to clean up the North Beach.

Mike Frayiser, FPR Commissioner, Jeff Linsey and Allen Palmer both Dept of Buildings & General Services presented an update on the sale of the Cheney House. They are in the final stage of getting a subdivision of the 4.1 acres with the house out of the Willoughby State Forest. There will be some deed restriction based on Historic Preservations and all bidders will be informed that the owner will need to comply with any Westmore regulations. The sale will be advertised in all major VT papers and some out of state city papers.

John asked if the commitment to use proceeds from the sale on upgrades and improvements to the state owned Sentential Rock property. Mr. Frayiser said that would be the first priority for the proceeds. The second priority would be for improvements to the South Beach and the third priority for building cabins on state property.

Toney asked if there were plans for a boat ramp at the South Beach. Mr. Frayiser said no.

Toney also asked the Commissioner if he was aware of the South West Cove changes-bridges, tree cutting, filling the wetland, etc. Mr. Frayiser said the Department was aware of these issues and they are working with the "users" to correct the problems. The State Lands Ecologist is looking into this issue as to how best to restore the land.

John suggested that the North Woods Stewardship might be helpful in implementing any restoration.

Randi asked Mr. Frayiser his position on nudity in State Parks. Mr. Frayiser said the Department had no position on nudity in "undeveloped" State Parks. At developed parks such as Crystal, there were rules to prevent nudity.

Kathy Holmes asked what the ball park price of the Cheney House would be. Mr. Frayiser said there has been an appraisal and the minimum bid price would be in the marketing material when released.

Robin Robinson had submitted a request for "Outside Consumption of Alcohol" for Robin’s Roost.

After some discussion, Bob moved and John seconded to deny the request based on stipulations in their Conditional Use Permit given 10/31/2007 by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Motion passed.

Gerald said that Carl Brink would be leaving town for a period in June/July leaving the North Beach gate unattended.

John moved and Gerald seconded to appoint Gerald as gate keeper in Carl’s absence. Motion passed.

Ms Ronald Holmes requested to meet in executive session with the Westmore Selectboard. Bob Cummings motioned to go into executive session at 7:30PM to discuss personnel matters second by John Alexander so voted.  

Bob Cummings motioned to accept an anonymous* four hundred ($400.00) dollar donation to the town to be added to the so called "Youth Fund". The donation was with "conditions" as follows: The four hundred ($400.00) dollar donation will be given to the Orleans Elementary School to help fund one of Randy Perkins children’s upcoming school trip. The check from the "Youth Fund" should be processed as soon as possible as the trip begins this Friday. Ms Holmes will be responsible for delivering the check to the school. Board also made a decision not to act on a letter received in executive session until the full board meets. Board also decided to contact David Stevens, Chair, to discuss scheduling a "special meeting" to discuss certain issues of importance. 

John Alexander motioned to come out of executive session at 8:03PM Bob Cummings seconded so voted.

Signed by,

__________________

Greg Gallagher

Westmore Town Clerk