Budget discussions underway
ROCKINGHAM — ROCKINGHAM - The fiscal 2016 budget was discussed by the board at its Oct. 6 meeting, specifically noting a large zoning wage payout of vacation time to departed zoning administrator Ellen Howard.
Municipal Manager Willis D. Stearns II told the board that $60,000 slated as matching funds for a grant that did not come through would be reallocated to road repair on several roads in Rockingham.
Fire truck replacements needed
ROCKINGHAM - Municipal Manager Willis D. Stearns II asked the Selectboard at its Oct. 6 meeting to take over the maintenance of fire trucks that the town had previously purchased for Saxtons River, Bellows Falls, and Rockingham, saying the town mechanic could also take care of maintaining the fire vehicles.
He also noted that both Saxtons River and Rockingham are in serious need of replacing two tankers and a pumper. The Saxtons River Fire Department needs a 1980 pumper and a 1987 tanker replaced, while Rockingham has a 26-year-old tanker that is badly in need of replacement, he said.
Stearns suggested that the Selectboard consider taking out a 10-year bond to pay for the replacement of these three vehicles.
The highway department is also having problems with its fleet. Stearns told the board that the highway department has a two trucks that would not pass inspection and would be taken off the streets. He told the board that a 2002 Dodge truck was having mechanical problems.
He asked the board to consider “borrowing” to purchase three new pickup trucks for the town highway department.
The board agreed to purchase three three-quarter-ton pickups, “total cost not to exceed $120,000,” and the vote will be ratified at the next scheduled meeting.
Mediator appointed in Dari-Joy case
ROCKINGHAM - Selectboard member Josh Hearne, was appointed at the board's Oct. 6 meeting to mediate the “DeMuzio case,” in which Richard “Richie” DeMuzio, owner of the Dari-Joy ice cream stand on Rockingham Street, is asking town officials to ante up the other half of the costs to replace its sign that was damaged by a town snowplow last winter and had to be removed.
The town's insurer, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, offered to pay half the estimated $13,524.46 to replace the sign, citing its age and “depreciation” over the years.
However, the town has refused to match the other half, prompting DeMuzio to take town officials to task for not being fully accountable for the destruction of his sign.