Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. Selectboard members Lewis Sumner, Mitchell Green, and Bradley Rafus were present, as were Stephan Chait and Robbin Gabriel. The meeting’s opening was slightly delayed due to projector set-up and while awaiting Green’s arrival.

Changes and/or Additions to Agenda

None.

New Business

FY20 Budget Preparation
During this first meeting to prepare the proposed FY20 budget, the Selectboard line items were reviewed. FY20 begins on July 1, 2019. No changes were made to wages and salaries. The majority of other line items were level-funded. $2,400 was added to the phone/Internet category to fund the new high-speed Internet service for the Town Office. Planning Commission expenses were reduced from $3,000 to $1,000, as costs of updating the Town Plan and creating an enhanced energy element are not anticipated to exceed the amount of awarded grant monies. The Selectboard discussed the possibility of renovating the large windows in the Town Office, and using existing emergency management funds to purchase radios that would allow communication between highway and fire departments and the EMD and Selectboard during emergency situations. Stephan Chait suggested researching potential assistance from Efficiency Vermont in upgrading windows. The Town no longer has a contract with Vermont State Police, but the Board chose to leave law enforcement funding in the proposed budget until they had an opportunity to consider contracting with the Windham County Sheriff’s Department. Ballot clerk funding was reduced from $1,750 to $500; there is no national election in 2019. WSWMD membership cost was reduced from $6,335 to $5,003. Decisions on some items in the Selectboard budget, including VLCT insurance figures, will remain open until the Board receives new numbers from various service providers.

The Selectboard will meet again at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018 to continue working on the budget.

Executive Session
None held.

Hearing of Visitors

None.

Old Business

None.

Other Business

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary