Opinion on Dubie & Burn Ordinance

Dubie Declines Debate
A week and a half ago 400 municipal officials attended the Town Fair sponsored by the Vermont League of Cities of Town (VLCT). The biggest workshop on the schedule was a forum with the gubernatorial candidates. Guess what? Only one of the big two was in attendance. Shumlin was there, and although I didn't attend the session I heard he was very receptive and responsive to the issues and the questions of the crowd. So where was Dubie? Rumor has it that he declined the invitation to attend because his conditions for the forum weren't met--he wanted to be presented in a separate room and wouldn't participate in an unscripted debate. Hmmmm....why would a candidate for governor pass up the opportunity to campaign to such an influential and connected crowd?

Please, don't forget to vote on or before Nov. 2nd.

(GLENN RUSSELL, Burlington Free Press) Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie, and Democratic candidate Peter Shumlin. Read about it: "Dubie Snaps at Shumlin" or watch the video of the debate.

Part 2: Burn Policy Ordinance
We've finally arrived on a draft for the new burn policy. You can read the entire text here.

This is the summary of the proposed ordinance:

What can I burn?

• “Natural Wood” = branches and brush less than 4” in diameter.
• “Non-woody vegetation” = leaves, grass, yard trimmings and other organic materials

What type of burning requires a permit?

• Burning natural wood or non-woody vegetation when there is no snow on the ground surrounding the area where the burn will take place.
• A bonfire greater than thirty (30) inches in diameter when there is no snow on the ground surrounding the bonfire area.
• Burning construction or demolition materials and commercial wastes only if approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

What does not require a permit?

• Barbeque pits less than thirty (30) inches in diameter.
• Campfires or bonfires less than thirty (30) inches in diameter.
• Recreational burning of natural wood within a chiminea or similar open container.
• Burning natural wood or non-woody vegetation when there is snow on the ground surrounding the area where the burn will take place.

What are the rules for burning?

• All permitted and exempt fires shall be extinguished when not attended to.
• All individuals conducting a permitted or exempt fire shall have means available to keep the fire under control or to extinguish it immediately.
• A permitted or exempt fire is never allowed to smolder.
• No structure can be intentionally burned.
• An authorized individual may order any fire to be extinguished.
• An authorized individual may inspect material to be burned and deny issuance of a permit as a result of the inspection.
• No burning within 200’ of a woodland or forestland or field containing dry grass when there is no snow on the ground.

So if you have an opposition, or an opinion, on this ordinance, please let me know before the next Selectboard meeting, or attend the meeting in person, on Thursday 10/21/10.

Thanks, Kim

Issues addressed at June meetings: Saw Mill Property, CSWD franchising, and more

Sorry for the lapse in communication! It's easy to start a blog....not so easy to keep up with it! This has been a hectic few weeks: lots of work stress, kids ending school (and dealing with what to do with them now), 10 chicks in our garage growing faster than weeds (gotta get that coop finished, argh!), a severely injured shoulder causing pain with every movement, birthdays, father's day, etc. So those are my excuses, you'll just have to take my word for it: life in the Mercer household has been a true circus so far in the month of June.

But finally (and in the knick of time, for tomorrow marks the onset of JULY!) here are the highlights from the last two meetings:

Dickenson Street/Saw Mill property
So much could be said about this issue, and I've got to be honest, I don't understand all the nuances and scenarios that are being bounced around. A short overview: David Villeneuve, owner of the "Saw Mill Property" in Underhill Flats, has been trying to get something built on this triangle for a very long time. I can't speak to the historical snafus, but this latest problem has to do with the horrific traffic problem at the corner of Steam Mill Road (just south of the middle school), which the VT Agency of Transportation rated a level "F". I'm told this is what triggered the Act 250 Commission to consider preventing the development of a "Rehab Gym" on the Saw Mill Property.

David Villeneuve has developed a plan for traffic easement which the Act 250 Commission apparently agrees could work. It involves a redesign for Dickenson Street to open it up for 2 way traffic, thereby cutting the cars at the other intersection in half. Theoretically, the Selectboard is open to this solution but the problem is how to fund it. So there is a proposal on the table to create a new tax district ("Special Tax District") on the commercial property there, and to borrow the funds for the road improvement based on the future tax revenue from Villeneuve's property. Stay tuned for more on this - or call Todd Odit (Town Administrator) and ask him for the scoop.

Conflict of Interest Policy
A recent incident at a Planning Commission meeting prompted the evaluation of the town's Conflict of Interest Policy and how it might be enforcable if a situation occurs. We decided to send a copy of the policy to all members of town committees with a cover letter from the SB explaining that we take the issue seriously. Also, we stated that if ANY question of conflict comes up at a meeting, the chair of that committee should postpone the discussion and report the question of conflict to the Selectboard for possible investigation. The SB has the authority to remove any member of a SB-appointed committee if we believe there is a true conflict of interest.

New Truck for Road Crew
Kenny Barkyoumb, our road crew foreman, presented a compelling argument in favor of trading in the town's 5-year old truck for a new one. He explained that upcoming maintenance needs will only increase, and that the town has the funds budgeted for the purchase.

CSWD Franchise discussion
This issue involves the Chittenden Solid Waste District's exploration and research into the feasibility and benefits associated with the creation of a franchised pick-up service throughout it's partner municipalities. This idea inevitably would increase efficiency and reduce fuel expense and related pollutions, but it may also cause distress on local haulers. A concerned citizen sent an email to the SB and this is the CSWD's response (unformatted text from an email).

Skunk Hollow Road - condition complaint
A resident of Skunk Hollow explained that he had suffered property damage and witnessed 7 accidents in the same spot in front of his house on the gravel portion of Skunk Hollow. He was very convincing and said that he loves living on a dirt road but he believes there is a serious hazard in not paving this road that has become a "cut-through" for commuters to get the interstate. I have to admit, I use this road daily to drive to work in Burlington. Just yesterday on my drive home, I spied the evidence of an obvious wipe-out in exactly the same spot that the resident described. The road had been grated that day, making it slick and unpredictable. I wanted to take a picture, but alas my camera battery was dead.

We discussed the temporary, relatively inexpensive solution of a guard rail, which would possibly deter accidents, but would definitely create a way to record them. The SB plans to discuss the paving of this road in the next go-around (of course, public input and much more discussion will occur before a decision is made.)

Submit photos for town website
Kudos to the town staff, especially Paula Carrier, for a fresh face on the town website! You'll see the generic photos on the homepage if you visit the site....WE WOULD LOVE TO USE REAL JERICHO PHOTOS!!! Submit yours to me at kimnormanmercer@gmail.com or Paula or pcarrier@jerichovt.gov.

And finally, the agenda for Thursday, July 1st
The most interesting item is the discussion of the Jericho's burn policy. More info soon...

Not yet sworn in

When Louise Miglionico told me that Bob Penniman requested two "Write-in Kim Mercer" lawn signs, I was more than a little surprised. I hadn't thought he was a real fan of David Villeneuve necessarily, but I wouldn't have thought that he'd endorse me outright for his seat. I began to think we had a very good shot at winning.

From the VLCT Selectboard Handbook, Chapter 3 - "Conflicts of Interest and Incompatible Offices":

The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made in proper channels of government structure; that public office not be used for personal gain and the public have confidence in the integrity of its government.

So there's that, of course.

During my time as the Assistant to the Town Administrator (2006-2008) I took the minutes for dozens of SB and DRB meetings and I watched quietly from the corner as David Villeneuve worked to get what he wanted out of Town Hall. When I saw on the ballot that he was running unopposed for the board, I was worried about our other two selectpersons: that they might be hassled and aggravated; that they would be required to expend endless energy to maintain the board's integrity; that the board would struggle constantly to prevent discussions and decisions that might contain conflicts of interest.

I tried to convince a number of other people in town--people who are competent and honest--to run as a write-in, but the effort was futile.

I was thinking that I might become one of the town's watchdogs, monitoring meetings and diligently studying the minutes of each meeting. If I was going to be appearing at Town Hall every 1st and 3rd Thursday nights to keep a vigil, I might as well throw my line into the river and see if there would be a nibble.