June 11th Select Board Meeting

Updated streetlight placement policy... licenses granted to drain layers... water and waste budgets discussed... dog warrant passed... discussion begins on medical marijuana dispensary... committee to revue town ordinances... locking in a fuel oil price.
http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/discussion-begins-medical-marijuana-dispensary-springfield

Discussion Begins On Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Springfield Submitted by VT Journal on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 8:45am SPRINGFIELD, VT -The Springfield Select Board passed a motion unanimously Monday to approve the updated streetlight placement policy. After consulting with Town attorney Stephen Ankuda, the town manager and the streetlight committee deemed a policy more suitable than an ordinance, as a policy is easier to change. The streetlight policy’s purpose “is to provide consistent criteria when determining the location of current and future street lights. The policy will consider the level of safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic with concerns for the protection of public and private property, the amount and cost of energy used, and the impact of lights on the built and natural environment.” General criteria used within the policy for placement of streetlights were at intersections, dead end roads, bad curves, long-span straight roads, bridges and public facilities, and individual needs.” The Board was granted licenses to 18 drain layers after town clerk/treasurer Meredith Dexter Kelley confirmed that all applicants had produced proof of insurance. The Town water and waste water budgets were passed after a public hearing at which it was proposed to include those budgets with the regular town budget when it is considered again in December/January. A deficit was found in last years water budget, which came to 38% less than what was billed. Selectman Michael Knoras wanted to know whether water used to fight fires could be accounted for to determine if the loss was due to leaky pipes. The water budget was passed at $1,077,444 and the wastewater budget was passed at $1,511,168 for a 2012/2013 total of $2,586,612. The rates were passed at $3.47/100 cubic ft. for water and $5.51 /100 cubic ft. for wastewater. Since the new rate would go into effect in June, or half way between the March and September meter readings, the old rate and the new would be added together and divided by two to reach an average rate charged to residents for the period. The yearly dog warrant was passed in accordance with state law, which authorizes the Town Constable to detain and destroy any unregistered dog in a humane way. A list of unregistered dogs has been compiled by the town clerk and will be given to the constable. Ms. Dexter-Kelly said that in the four years she has been with the Town, the question she gets over and over from residents is, has the Town disposed of any dogs? No they have not, she said. Since the Governor of Vermont signed the Marijuana Dispensary Bill, the Town Manager reintroduced to the Board the subject of enacting a town ordinance that prohibits the dispensing of medical marijuana in Springfield, which Selectman Michael Knoras made as motion. The Marijuana Dispensary Law is an 18-page document, which specifically allows for towns to prohibit marijuana distribution. Board member MacGillivary called the DEA to check on the statutes regarding marijuana possession and found that it is still illegal under federal law. MacGillivary, as a former pharmacist, recommended that any such marijuana distribution be regulated by pharmacies like any other medications, however law restrictions make that prohibitive. Board member Stephanie Gibson spoke about people she knew who received medical marijuana for chronic conditions such as cancer, AIDS, MS and who relied on it as an effective treatment, and as a means of avoiding more additive medications. These are people who want to insure a safe supply that they cannot provide themselves, she explained. 34 people in Windsor County are currently authorized to use medical marijuana according to the latest census, said Ms. Gibson. Although she agreed with Mr. MacGillivary that optimally marijuana should be dispensed in a pharmacy, she did not wish to deny those who currently depend on it. As the issue was listed on the agenda as a discussion only, Chairman Kristi Morris decided to move on to other business and suggested revisiting it at another time. A committee of two select board members, Stephanie Gibson and Michael Knoras, was formed to work with the town clerk to revue town ordinances and their enforcement. Many antiquated ordinances are still on the books and many current ordinances go un-enforced. The committee will look at both issues. The Select Board authorized Board Chairman Kristi Morris and Town Manager Bob Forguites to investigate locking-in a fuel oil price for the Town for the coming year. They will also explore the idea of joining the Town with other local, large fuel purchasers such as the school system and the hospital to negotiate a better price.