The board questioned why other properties in town were not eligible for grants. The board requested that Burnell contact Adams for further information. Town administrator Bonnie Jo Radasch said there was a letter to be signed by the board indicating that they were sponsoring the application but not responsible for the money. Radasch said that she had asked town attorney Bob Fisher to review the letter. The board voted to sign contingent on Fisher’s approval.
Burnell requested that a selectboard member accompany her on a home inspection in Jacksonville. A letter will be sent to the property owner involved. Burnell informed the board that there is some anxiety in town over flooded basements and the ensuing related problems as well as acquiring the necessary funding for repairs. Burnell offered to contact the property owners affected by flooding to assess their status. Burnell said there were more funding options for business owners than homeowners. Burnell stated homeowners and business owners should file with FEMA, which will assess the funding request. If FEMA denies the request there is money available at very low interest from the Small Business Administration. Burnell said there are also funds available through the Deerfield Valley Human Web fund for residents in dire financial straits. Burnell said the contact for the Deerfield Valley Human Web fund is Julie Lineberger in Wilmington.
The deadline for filing with FEMA and SBA is November 15.
Road commissioner Stanley Janovsky reported that the bridge rebuild in Jacksonville was on schedule and work should be done in December. Janovsky said that FEMA would fund the deck replacement on the North River bridge going to the winery. He also reported that the town crew is stockpiling gravel removed from local river beds and the town should realize a savings on the cost of gravel in the spring. Janovsky said the first snowstorm of the season had presented no problems. Janovsky also told the board that paperwork for FEMA reimbursement was completed through September 15 and money should start coming into the town from FEMA.
Town clerk, tax collector, and town treasurer Almira Aekus came to the board with a document from Merchant’s Bank to be signed in order to facilitate direct deposits, which the board approved. Aekus informed the board that taxes had come in very well. She also said that the cost to the town for damage caused by Irene did not seem to be as great as originally estimated.
Radasch presented the board with documents authorizing the board chair and town treasurer to request credit cards for the town on the advice of the town’s financial adviser. Protocol would still be followed in regard to the use of the cards. The board approved the authorization.
The board discussed the creation of a development review board, which would combine the work of the planning commission and zoning board, with some work still done by the planning commission. Shirley Kasanoff, assistant to the board, presented paperwork from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns on the establishment of a development review board. Kasanoff said that the town would also have to approve the change.
The board reviewed bids for the municipal center roof. Radasch requested that the board make a decision as to when they wanted the work to be done. One bidder said that they would do the work in the winter, while the other bidder would not do the work until spring. The two bids proposed using different materials on the roofing project. The board approved the bid from Adams Roofing, with the work to be done in the spring.
The board discussed purchasing lights for the holiday season and approved spending up to $200 from the Eames Fund for the lights.
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