LeBoeuf Property, Budget Cuts Tackled
by Ellie Russell,
May 6, 2010, page 1.....

At its four and a half hour long meeting on May 3, the Selectboard focused on three main subjects: the LeBoeuf property purchase, the management plan for the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge and the need to reduce the town budget.
As a result of the town vote opposing the purchase of the LeBoeuf property at Town Meeting, the Selectboard is left with an unapproved sales-agreement contract with Richard LeBoeuf that expires in 2012. LeBoeuf does not wish to tie up his property for that length of time and has asked the Selectboard to agree to terminate the contract. The Selectboard had toyed with the idea of seeking a private investor who might join the town in a public/private venture that could enable the town to acquire some of the land it deemed valuable to the town for future use. Because of this interest the board had felt it would be useful to get a professional appraisal. The town recently proposed to Leboeuf that the end date of the contract be moved to September 2010 and that Leboeuf share the cost of the appraisal. Leboeuf agreed to share one-half of the appraisal cost if the town moved the date to August 2010. At Monday’s meeting the Selectboard acknowledged that the town voters are not very interested in the town purchasing this land and seemed disposed to an early end to the contract. No decision was reached in regard to the appraisal. The contract and appraisal questions will be taken up again at the next meeting on May 10.
The Charlotte Park Oversight Committee is updating the park management plan in order to clarify the responsibilities of the committee and Selectboard in the management of the park, and to update procedures to reflect current practice. The new plan proposes that, “Day-to-day management of the forest, woodland, shrubland, hedgerows, trails and other facilities, and monitoring of the agricultural lands shall be conducted by the Park Oversight Committee. Polices for managing and leasing of the agricultural fields shall be undertaken by the Charlotte Selectboard with advice from the Oversight Committee.” The Selectboard agreed that this section should be expanded to include clarification of responsibilities for enforcement of park rules. One of the main issues yet to be discussed is the management and use of the agricultural land in the park. All agreed that it is important to maintain the agricultural viability of the land. Current practice is to lease the agricultural land to a local farmer. There will be continued review of the plan at the May 24 meeting.
Jenny Cole mentioned the great participation of volunteers at the park on Green-Up Day. Trash was picked up, invasives were cut, bushes and trees were planted and wood chips were spread on the paths. She underscored that it is this kind of volunteerism that keeps the park maintained as well as it is.
The Selectboard is struggling with the need, mandated at Town Meeting, to reduce the town budget by $71,661. Reductions totaling $43,023 have been submitted by the various town committees and commissions. The Selectboard reviewed discretionary spending in each cost center and found additional reductions to meet the $71,000 goal. Staff will tally the numbers and the Selectboard will revisit the budget at its May 10 meeting. Drafts of the new budget should be available in the Town Office and on the town website prior to May 10.
In other business, the Selectboard announced the resignation of Frank Thornton, effective immediately. The Selectboard will appoint someone to fill the position until the next election. The vacancy will be posted, and interested persons should contact Dean Bloch in the Town Office. Gerald Bouchard and Doug Webster were interviewed for an opening on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Doug Webster was selected to fill the vacancy. The Selectboard voted to extend the Shale Pit contract for three years. The Little Garden Market was approved for a second-class liquor license. Richard St. George was appointed as Fire Warden for a 5-year term. The Selectboard also discussed the possibility of saving secretarial expenses by having abbreviated minutes. The Selectboard wondered how many townspeople read the board minutes and find them useful. Input from citizens would be welcomed.
Suzy Hodgson, chair of the Energy Committee, announced that Requests for Proposals will be going out in May for the energy efficiency improvements to the Town Hall made possible by a $20,000 grant from the state. The work will include weatherization, air barrier installation in the ceiling, some additional insulation, sealing of windows and some selective lighting upgrades, all problems that were identified by an energy audit.
Suzy also introduced a state program that will permit towns to create Clean Energy Districts. Homeowners in the district would able to borrow money available through municipal bonds to be paid back over a 20-year period through their individual property tax payments. Property owners who opt into the bond would be the only ones with the added cost to their property tax payments. The program would require a town vote, and more information will be coming.