The Select Board meeting Tuesday, June 14, was uneventful. Peter had not transcribed the minutes from the previous meeting. The meeting had to be continued without the reading of the minutes. Stephanie Vidmosko was out of town and could not take the minutes of the meeting. Rita said she would take the minutes while Peter manned the tape recorder. The work log from the Road Superintendent was read and accepted. Ray LaBonte was present and thanked the board for their raise. He said “it’s going in the right direction but not quite there”. The Select Board, Town Counsel, Union Representative and Town Crew are to meet to discuss a ‘union’. To make sure the highway department has wage stability, a union is needed to make sure they get wage increases.

Peter said there were large holes on New State Road. Ray replied he had graded and put gravel in the holes. From normal road usage, he didn’t expect the gravel to stay.

There is no funding for roadside trash clean up. To repair Black Brook Road, funds are needed for the work. An extension has been granted for the STRAP grant until June 2006. In response to a question about the status of the Culvert ‘A’, Ray said, “have to be out of the river by September 28.” He is trying to get things moving forward. A bridge is not feasible to place over the culvert. Because of environmental considerations, a bridge is limited in width. If the culvert were to collapse, it would take everything with it. Repair of Culvert ‘B’ or ‘C’ will be considered if Culvert ‘A’ approvals do not come through.

There was money left over from the Engine 1 Repair Account. The money from the Engine 1 Repair Account and ‘free cash’ will be used to support the article for the 1983 Mack truck. Articles will be presented at the Special Town Meeting to be held June 30.

A resignation letter was read from Sandy Brazee. She stated she could no longer volunteer 15 hours a week to the position. There was a discussion among the Select Board members and the consensus is, “Sandy has left the town in dire straits”. The Select Board has to find out if there is any town official qualified to sign checks until a replacement can be found. No Select Board member can sign checks since they write the warrants.

A letter was read from Jane Phinney, Town Clerk, informing the Select Board she is writing a job description for the position of Assistant Town Clerk. Jane noted in her letter the individual must have computer knowledge; be available January – May, will not handle money. The assistant Town Clerk cannot serve at the Town Meeting as a Town Official. Due to the sensitive type of work handled, the individual must also abide by confidentiality rules.

Peter brought up the matter of Keith not calling when trash needs to be emptied. Peter said he has told Keith to call him and he will immediately call the trash companies to come up. If there is no call, there is a trash overflow. This creates a problem if it occurs for the Saturday opening of the dump.

The residents asked informative questions at the Annual Town Meeting. It was difficult for me to follow the responses since I was trying to take notes. This was neither the time nor place for follow up questions I had. I asked Emile if the Select Board would be willing to have question and answer sessions with me for “Savoy Town Management 101”. Emile responded favorably. I look forward to having a clearer understanding of the problems facing the town and impact on the townspeople. by Brenda Smith