Canaan Town Board Meeting Monday, September 11, 2006  
Present: Carrie Bither, Ginny Nightingale, Gary Flaherty, David Patzwahl, Steve August and Charlotte Cowan   About 36 residents in attendance   Notices of interest in correspondence:  

• Open Government presentation: September 20, 7 pm at Chatham High School
• Canaan’s Equalization Rate is now at 94.19%
• Craig Surprise has cardiac problems and may need bypass surgery
• Salt Shed Committee is meeting in two weeks to decide on an option to move forward. Next Tuesday at 6 pm at the firehouse

  Board of Ethics

• Financial Disclosure Form discussed
• Previous members voted on: Paul Naimon, Pam Baisley and Jack Leal
• At this meeting the following members were voted on:

Al Vinck- yes John Kowalski Yes (David and Gary voted no) Susan Pemerick- No second to her nomination The group will choose their own chair   Highway Department Report

• Bridge Work being done
• Wind damage on Sunday
• $80,000 coming in FEMA money
• Resident asked, “Who makes decision on paving roads?â€? Bernie answered that he decides when to repave a paved road. (There are 10 miles of paved roads.) Residents complained of bad condition on Upper Queechy Road. Suggestion was made to put oil and stone on road. Bernie will cost out project and bring report to board.
• Weight limit signs- too many. Bernie would like a county engineer to give a recommendation as to which road and bridges need weight limit signs and which don’t and then take sign off places not really needed.

  Lots of discussion about the noise and disturbance from Poppy’s

• Canaan’s noise ordinance is not specific enough and therefore unenforceable.
• Do we need a new ordinance? The following were all suggested: Quiet hours, motorcycle laws, licensing law for serving liquor, no loitering laws, motorcycles laws, contact state liquor authority- hold bar accountable.
• Pat Pulver called State liquor authority- first time they said they would investigate. Steve would like to know to whom Pat spoke.
• Christopher Walker sent petition to Attorney General and EPA
• Troopers say they can’t do anything. Sheriff has been called but has never been seen.
• One resident said that troopers say that Canaan judges won’t give tickets for DWI and therefore they won’t give tickets
• Just arrest bikers for drunk driving, improper equipment
• 80 decibels is unhealthy

  “There will be no discussion on any litigation/assessment issues.â€? Resident asked, “Is this legal?â€? Gary said that the board is not required to allow any public comment at all. Resident presented figures spent on litigation in the $300,000 range. Numbers disputed.   Board went into executive session.