#Middlebury #LPOS #FennFarm
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Plumbing issues and a sugar maple tree were on the agenda for the Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) when it met Wednesday, Dec. 6. The committee also reviewed the recently completed farm house re-siding project, unresolved horse barn issues and the status of the committee’s efforts to become a 501(c)3 corporation.
Chairman Ray Pietrorazio said he repaired a leak in the kitchen hallway at no cost to the town. He said it was a simple repair that involved cutting out a piece of pipe and installing a 1/2-inch copper tee.
Plumbing continued to be an issue when the toilet stopped operating properly. Life resident Rob Fenn, on the advice of LPOS member Malcolm Todt, called a plumber who came out and snaked the line. That seemed to improve the situation.
Members then discussed the farm’s cesspool and what would need to be done if it failed. Pietrorarzio said he wasn’t sure what caused the most recent problems with the toilet, but he would write a letter to the Board of Selectmen apprising them of the situation.
Member John Cookson said if the cesspool fails, a fully engineered septic system will need to be installed. He suggested installation now might be easier since the capital improvement plan is under way. Members also noted the cesspool may be adequate for one resident, but could prove inadequate in the future if more people were living in the farmhouse.
The horse barn presents several unresolved problems: a roof leak, cupola repairs and the need for leaf guards on the gutters. Pietrorazio said three people promised to look at the roof leak but did not show up. He said the contractor who recently re-roofed Town Hall and Shepardson Community Building submitted a bid. “It was way too much for my blood,” Pietrorazio said, joking that his wife had to resuscitate him after he looked at the bid.
Members next turned their attention to the health of the older of two sugar maple trees located between the house and the barn. Weise Choice Tree Service provided an Oct. 6 quote for applying plant growth regulator and fertilizer. Cookson said we were about to get freezing temperatures, so he thought it was too late to treat the tree.
Pietrorarzio said there are a lot of dead branches in the tree, and it needs pruning. Members questioned whether or not the treatment would improve the tree’s condition. Dick Spierto said, “If the tree is going to die in the next few years, why not take it down now?”
Pat Dwyer was for treating the tree, as were Malcolm Todt and Robert Jokubaitis. A survey of members found four felt the tree should come down while three felt it should be treated. Todt said falling branches could pose a danger and might even damage the farmhouse, which has just undergone $40,000 in improvements. Dwyer said there was just one limb over the driveway that needs to be cut. “Let’s treat it and see how it looks in the spring,” he said.
Pietrorazio said he thought the town’s responsibility to maintain the property did not extend to maintaining the trees, but Jokubaitis quoted from the sales contract. It says the buyer (the town) is responsible for maintaining large trees.
Cookson suggested the tree issue be tabled until the committee can get Dan Weise’s professional opinion on whether or not treatment will actually help the tree.
In other matters, the committee noted that the farmhouse re-siding project went over budget by only $905. The extra cost was for power washing to remove black mold discovered when the original siding was removed and to replace two or three sheets of plywood damaged by insects.
Pietrorazio reported on his efforts to find people willing to serve as officers of the proposed 501(c)3. He said former Selectman Ralph Barra has volunteered to be an officer, but he needs more volunteers. “I’ve asked about 50 people,” he said. “It’s getting harder and harder to get people.”
The committee also set its 2018 meeting schedule, agreeing to meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. as it has been doing.
Pietrorazio reminded members they will elect officers at the January meeting. He said he will refuse a nomination to serve as chairman, a position he has held for two terms. He said he felt the town bylaws clearly intend for committee officers to change. Also, he took on the chairmanship with the intention of helping Rob Fenn, who felt the town wasn’t taking good care of Fenn Farm. “I feel I’ve accomplished my goals. The farm is in good shape,” he said.
Todt pointed out the bylaws allow four terms. Pietrorazio responded, “I don’t want to continue as chairman. I want to give someone else a chance.”
Before adjourning, Todt suggested members vote on a resolution to thank Terry McAuliffe for professionally penning and accurately reporting on the committee’s activities for many years. The vote on the motion was a unanimous “yes.” McAuliffe, who has reported on activities of a variety of town committees for this newspaper, is retiring after 10 years.
The next regular P&Z meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at 6 p.m. in Room 26 at Shepardson Community Center.
