Building Committee Minutes
7:00 PM June 3, 2010
Stoddard Town Hall
Members present: Penny Betz, Dick Briere, George Davenport, Lou GrandPré, Sandy Holland, Harry Power, Amy Rokoszak, Dale Smith, and David Vaillancourt
Dick Briere called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
The first order of business was to appoint new officers. Harry Power nominated Dick Briere to continue as chairman, Amy Rokoszak as vice-chair and Sandy Holland as secretary. Amy seconded the motion. Dick asked if there were other nominations. Mr. Davenport nominated Lou for vice chair. By a vote of six to three, the previous year’s officers were reappointed.
Dick gave each member a handout that he explained referenced articles that he asked members to reacquaint themselves with. They were: Article 25, 2005, noted on page 60 in the 2006 Annual Report; Article 22, 2006, noted on page 65 in the 2007 Report; Articles 22 and 23, 2007, noted on pages 67 and 68 in the 2008 Annual Report; and Article 39, 2009, as noted on page 54 in the 2010 Report. He noted that these articles had to do with previous town building-related activities.
Dick brought the third order of business which he stated he wished to address to Mr. Davenport because of a comment he had made in regard to a letter by Harry Power that this was a “new committee, new direction”. Mr. Davenport explained that he didn’t think there had been sufficient study of options other than the Gould House, and that people feel they were lied to. He continued that the vote reflected that the “numbers didn’t add up”. If he were the chair of this committee, the first thing he would do is mail a survey to every taxpayer in the town. He also doesn’t think that Amy Rokoszak should be vice chair of the committee as she has her house on the market. Dick stated that this last comment had no reflection on the committee and was not warranted. Mr. Davenport stated that he feels it is relevant because he will get stuck with the taxes and she will not. Dick noted his appreciation of his comments.
Dick stated that Amy had some volunteer work to discuss and asked for her comments. Amy said that we have a lot of work to do and are calling for volunteers to help with spreading mulch and that about three yards of loam needs to be spread, raked in, and seeded, and that weeding needs to be done all over. She stated that people have worked hard for two years, and members of the audience have also helped on many occasions, and now we are looking for others to share the burden.
Mr. Davenport stated that he would not spend one second doing anything at the Gould House. On a call for volunteers, Mr. Smith said he would not and Lou said he would not. Mr. Davenport repeated his comments, elaborating that he would do nothing at the Gould House unless it was to supervise its demolition or putting up a “for sale” sign.
Dick explained that the mulch is intended to be spread on the embankment that surrounds the parking lot, particularly the west end. He stated that people at Town Meeting indicated that we have a town full of volunteers and we are still waiting for one to come forward.
Mr. Smith inquired why the company that did the work on the parking lot didn’t spread the mulch. Amy responded that Meridien had nothing to do with the mulch; it was bought from a different company at a different time than Meridien was working.
Mr. Davenport repeated for the third time that he would do nothing at the Gould House but stated that he would do anything, anytime on any town property. Sandy Holland stated that the Gould House is town property
Harry Power noted that last year we had a policy in place that established one member of the committee to be the spokesperson and to interface with any potential contractors. He would like to move that we re-adopt this policy. Mr. Smith said he would like to offer an amendment that if a sub-committee were to be formed that it be discussed and voted on in meeting. Sandy Holland moved that the motion, as amended, be voted on. Motion passed.
Mr. Davenport stated again that he thinks a written survey needs to go out to get the general feelings on what people want, that seasonal people should be polled. He thinks this is the single most important thing that this committee can do. He stated that it would be inexpensive, materials could be donated, volunteers could put it together, and the Town (Board of Selectmen) could be petitioned for the postage.
Dick noted that some surveys and other materials have gone out in the past. One was questioned as to who sent it, why it was sent and who paid for it, that it was suspect from the onset. This one from an interested citizen may have created suspicion because the sender did not include her name. However, we know, from our own perspective, that the return has been dismal. He suggested we take this suggestion under advisement and asked who is interested in devising a survey. Amy said she thought it was an interesting idea but she thinks it is incumbent on the committee to find the percent of return on past efforts before going forward.
Mr. Davenport questions why the committee would wait and stated that “interested citizens cause problems”. He guesses no tax bills are returned. If a survey were put on letterhead and from the Building Committee, it wouldn’t be suspect.
Penny Betz asked how funds would be raised for postage. Mr. Davenport stated that he knows materials can be achieved through donations and he would like to see the Town put up the postage.
Mr. Davenport moved and Mr. Smith seconded the motion that we move forward on developing a survey. Sandy Holland suggested we delay any survey until such time as the Board of Selectmen have been petitioned for postage and given their decision. Mr. Davenport’s motion was voted in the affirmative by himself, Mr. Smith, Lou GrandPré and David Vaillancourt. Against the motion were Dick Briere, Penny Betz, Harry Power, Amy Rokoszak and Sandy Holland.
Dick noted that one thing the Committee must consider is that for the budget year 2009 – 2010 (ending June 30, 2010), all funds were expended. Because Article 24 failed this year, eliminating the possibility for the Committee to pursue routine building repairs or any other work, we have zero funds with which to proceed. As such, the Committee has little purpose. As chair, he has the prerogative to schedule the next meeting. Unless it is determined we need a meeting next March or April, or unless directed by the Board of Selectmen, he is calling the next Committee meeting for Thursday, May 26, 2011. He has pursued the legality of this with counsel at the Local Government Center and it is perfectly legal and completely his decision.
Dick continued that we have put in many, many hours over the past two years. It is very well noted what took place in the voting and at Town Meeting. Although this Committee can only be dissolved by Town Meeting, all articles that were important to the functioning of the Committee failed. By default, the Committee does not need to exist.
Dick called for a motion to adjourn. Moved by Amy Rokoszak and seconded by Sandy Holland, motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
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Sandy Holland