Monday, April 6, 2015

Select Board Discusses Golf Course Upgrades, Littering And Dog Waste


Vermont Standard
April 2, 2015
By Curt Peterson


Standard Correspondent


KILLINGTON — The clubhouse at the town-owned golf course will be getting a new heat pump and air conditioning system this season. Town Manager Seth Webb explained that the new system will be the primary source of heat for the large room in the clubhouse, and the current boiler will heat the administration area and act as a backup system otherwise. The system will be obtained on a lease basis costing $128 per month for 10 years.


The existing air conditioning units haven’t been operational for years, Webb said.


Besides the new heating and cooling system, Webb said, the building is getting some serious sprucing up, including refurbished restrooms, new window treatments and new wall covering.


“We think it will make the course a more inviting place to come and play,” Webb said.


Following up on their recent budget discussions, two warrants were approved, one to authorize the town manager to pursue collection of delinquent sewer assessments for the Alpine Drive and Route 4 lines, and the other to authorize collection of delinquent general fund taxes. Webb reported that $63,000 in sewer fees is delinquent on Route 4, the greatest portion of which is owed by two users. One is a condominium complex, and a second user is in bankruptcy court and collection can’t be pursued until that is settled.


The board authorized Webb to sign a contract with National Center for Electronic Recycling, who will be taking such devices as TVs, PCs, monitors, DVD players, and appliances to help towns satisfy Act 148 requirements. The town will have the option to charge a fee to accept items that are on the “banned” list for landfill disposal, such as mobile phones. Select board member Chris Bianchi pointed out that when you charge residents to turn in specific items, people are tempted to throw them over a bank on the side of the road so they don’t have to pay the fee.


This brought up the problem of littering, in which everyone seemed to have an active interest, and dog waste was a popular topic. One resident reported that people who walk their dogs in the National Forest land near Kent Pond pick up after their dogs, but then leave a pile of bags of waste at the end of the trail for someone else to clean up. He pointed out that it would be preferable if they just let the dog go, then walk away – the weather will wash it away eventually, but not if it’s in a plastic bag.


The state has authorized a fine of up to $500 for littering, and a convicted litterbug may also be assigned up to 80 hours of community service to be spent specifically picking up litter. Bianchi suggested that signs announcing the fine be placed around town, and Killington Police Officer Whit Montgomery agreed to look into getting the signs.


Resident Peter Vito supported the expenditure, “We live in a beautiful place, and people come here because it’s a beautiful place. I think we have to do whatever we have to in order to keep it beautiful.”

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