Town of Halifax, Vermont

MINUTES

February 17, 2009

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM.  Board members in attendance were Mitchell Green, Lewis Sumner, and. John LaFlamme.  Others in attendance were Margo Avakian, Timothy Putnam, Greg Marguet, Brad Rafus, and Board Secretary Phyllis Evanuk.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Sumner moved to accept the minutes of the February 3, 2009 meeting as written.

Mr. LaFlamme seconded the motion.

The motion carried 3-0, and the minutes were approved.

Hearing of Visitors

1. Mr. Marguet advised he had seen that the WSWMD was on the agenda and was here to listen.

Old Business

None

New Business

1. WSWMD

Mr. Green advised that he and Cliff Inman had attended a meeting with the municipal representatives of the other towns in the district.  The topic of discussion was the legality of the budgeting and levying of a surcharge on trash haulers.  They discussed the fairness of the surcharge versus a municipal assessment.  He advised that they will meet again on Thursday to vote on the surcharge, and if it is approved they will need to adopt an ordinance to allow the district to assess the haulers and/or other s besides municipalities.

2. Mr. Rafus presented the financing figures for the replacement excavator.

a) TD Banknorth – 4.75% interest for 5 years (will not do 7 years) 

b) Cal Bank – 4.95% interest (but may not do 7 years)

c) Caterpillar Financial – 5.75% interest for 7 years

The Board discussed the differences in annual payment amounts, and with the economy at the present time thought that a lower annual payment (7 year) would be the better course at this time.  The difference in a 5 year and a 7 year lease is more than $10,000 per year.  

Mr. Green moved to finance through Caterpillar Financial with $30,000 down and a 7 year lease.

Mr. LaFlamme seconded the motion.

The motion carried, 3-0.

3. Info Meeting Prep – The Board reviewed the budget items and articles on the Town Warning.  They briefly discussed those areas they thought might raise questions or warrant explanation at the informational meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, February 24, 2009. 

Other Business

None

Communications/Mail

The mail was reviewed and appropriately filed.

Selectmen’s Order to Town Treasurer for bill payment

The order for payment of bills was completed and signed.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Phyllis H. Evanuk

Secretary