Select Board Continues Work on Transfer Station Finances

by Gazette Staff

WOLCOTT – At its April 5 meeting, the select board reviewed a long list of projects, including preparations for Green Up Day and the ongoing financial challenges at the transfer station.

The first topic for discussion was a status report of several topics on the project manager report. The board discussed the next steps in Phase II of website improvements. It is anticipated that Phase II will be completed by the end of August.

To date, two bids have been received for the North Wolcott Road paving. One more bid is expected. The board also discussed priorities for replacement of guardrails based on the bid that was received last month.

The out-of-state owner of the property at 74 School Street had applied to the State of Vermont for assistance in paying his property taxes. The application was ultimately denied, as was the appeal. The town’s tax sale attorney will now draw up a deed for the individual who had purchased the property at tax sale.

To date, one bid has been received for mowing of town property.

Board members Kurt Klein and Linda Martin have discussed grant funds available through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. Focus could be on an energy assessment of the town garage.

Work continues on securing a Phase II brownfield study of the parcel on Vermont Route 15 owned by Champlain Oil.

Klein will meet with representatives of the Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC) to discuss Grants in Aid. Klein and Martin will also meet with LCPC to discuss the feasibility of creating a parking area on land between the gazebo and the rail trail.

Part of the metal gate leading to the transfer station was damaged. Following discussion, the board opted not to replace the gate due to lack of funds.

Green Up Day will be on Saturday, May 6. Bags have been received. The Litter Committee will discuss plans for the day at their next meeting. The committee will also order additional “Love Where You Live, Don’t Trash Wolcott” signs.

Research continues on how the town can best address green burials on private property, and on what options may be available to address vacant and dangerous buildings.

The board then voted to appoint Luke Hardt to fill the vacancy on the Forest Committee as a voting member, and reappointed Andrew Ross as Wolcott’s representative on the Lamoille FiberNet Communications Union District (CUD).

Next, Town Clerk and Treasurer Belinda Clegg reviewed the profit and loss report for the transfer station with the board. The report indicated that the transfer station is not quite breaking even. Clegg also reviewed the unpaid bills detail for the transfer station, which showed that it was about $2,800 behind in March. The board voted to loan $3,000 to the transfer station, to be paid back within six months.

The board continued its discussion on how to keep the transfer station operating in the black. As a cost-saving measure, the station will no longer supply a special container for cardboard. All cardboard must be broken down and placed in the recycle bin. The board will conduct public outreach on Front Porch Forum and provide a flyer requesting customer cooperation. Costs can be cut if residents accurately report and pay for what they are bringing to the site. The town is charged for any plastic or other containers placed in the composting bins.

The transfer station attendant is unavailable to work on Sunday, April 9. In order to keep the site open that day, Clegg volunteered to serve as the attendant, with the assistance of Deb Klein.

The next regularly scheduled select board meeting will be held on April 19.