February 15

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING

FEBRUARY 15, 2006 Approved

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m. en route to Montpelier to attend Local Government Day in the Legislature sponsored by VLCT. Attending were: John Alexander, David Stevens and Nancy Mallary.

The selectboard’s purpose in attending this conference was to discuss with our legislative representatives that we are strongly opposed to the Act 60/68 Education Fund bills. In particular, we oppose any change in use, other than payments to school districts and supervisory unions. We oppose reduction of transportation purchase and use tax to the Education Fund. And we wanted them to know our education property taxes should be lowered when considering any other tax changes and that the current CLA and reappraisal system is too cumbersome, counter-productive and costly to work as an appropriate tool for funding education.

At the Statehouse we met with Robert Starr and Vince Illuzzi and discussed the above legislative issues. We sat in on a Senate/House Transportation Hearing and testified at the panel’s request. We asked how much of the Purchase and Use Tax was being cut from education and they answered 30 million. They converted that to $.05/ gallon of gas tax. Again we spoke on Westmore’s behalf.

We also made a presence at a hearing as the selectboard of Grafton appealed to the House Committee on Education regarding the unsuitable outcome for small towns when calculating student population over a 3-year period.

Another reason that the board wanted to attend was to talk to a VLCT attorney regarding town issues while we were at the conference. In the afternoon, we met with Jim Barlow and discussed the state transitional housing and municipal highway bills, as well as specific questions regarding zoning, classifying highways, personnel policy and the Willoughby Project Committee. He suggested that the committee act as a citizen’s group, not under the umbrella of local government. He advised acting fairly and judiciously.

On the return trip home the selectboard stopped at the Government Surplus Warehouse and discussed purchasing a replacement vehicle for the transfer station. David made a motion and Nancy seconded it to purchase a 1997 Ford F-150 for $2,000.00. The motion passed.

Nancy made a motion and David seconded to adjourn at 5:15 pm. Motion passed.

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

John Alexander, Chairman David Stevens Nancy Mallary