January 13, 2023

Dear Goshen Citizens:

This letter is intended to inform you and solicit your input on the garbage collection options in Goshen available for the 2023-2024 fiscal year which begins July 1, 2023.

The opportunity for your voice to be heard and your vote to be cast will be on March 6, 2023, at 7 PM at the Annual Goshen Town Meeting. You have to be present to speak and to vote.

There are three options:

Option one: Once a week, the town would provide, through a contracted service, curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and food compost from households. The cost of which is not included in the town budget. This option is similar to the current practice, is the most convenient, and the most expensive.

Option Two: Once a week the town would rely on the citizens to deliver garbage, recycling, and possibly food compost to the town garage during an announced time period. Day and length of time are not yet determined. This is less expensive than Option one. The cost of which is not included in the town budget.

Option Three: No services. The Town is not required by any state or county laws or ordinances to offer garbage, recycling, or compost collection services therefore we are offering this as an option. For the individual, this is the least expensive but is the most burdensome and inconvenient. The cost is shifted back to the citizen who must arrange their own situation.

Voting on an issue with three alternatives is unusual so the method provided by the League of Cities and Towns will be employed. After the discussion period is over, a paper ballot may be called by seven citizens or by the moderator. The Board of Civil Authority shall count the votes. If one of the three alternatives gains 51% or more of the votes, then that option will be declared the winner. If no alternative gains a majority of votes, then the alternative with the least proportion of votes will be eliminated and a new ballot will be held pitting the two top vote getters. This process will be repeated until a plan gains the majority. The option with a majority of those present will prevail.

The proposed budget for 2023-2024 fiscal year includes an allocation for a tipping fee to the Addison County Solid Waste Management District. This amount reflects our waste costs/weight each week and is budgeted at $6,500. If option three is voted, then this amount will be subtracted from the town budget. If option one or two are voted on, then the accepted bid amount will be reduced by $6500 before we add it to the budget.

Bid requests have been sent out and are due February 22, 2023. The board will present the bid numbers for each option prior to the town vote.

Why are we voting on this?
For many years Goshen has provided curbside garbage collection paid by your taxes. This is a rare service not offered by most other towns in Vermont. Providing a town owned vehicle for this collection has been a financial burden. Repairs, maintenance, wear and tear has led to unreliability and civic dissatisfaction. Purchasing a suitable replacement truck has been cost prohibitive in the current economic climate. These costs are more than the board is willing to invest—considering the history of the repairs on the former truck and potential for such when purchasing a used vehicle.

In soliciting bids, we require the bidder to provide their own vehicle(s) and have alternatives available in case of breakdowns. Town-employed drivers in town-owned vehicles has proven to be an undesirable option. From an aesthetic point of view, we intend to remove the collection of unused vehicles on the lawn.

The temporary drop-off situation that occurred over the summer of 2022 should have produced a significant savings, however, we still paid two employees to man the drop-off, and then transport the waste ACSWMD, often in two inefficient trips using the two large town plow trucks. Therefore, the need to collect contracted drop-off bid request options, which are similar services offered by most of our surrounding communities.

We look forward to a solid community turnout at town meeting. It is our intent that providing options the majority will speak to the best solution for the community.

Selectboard members are available to answer any questions or hear feedback at any time prior to town meeting. Please feel free to contact any of us individually or you may email the entire board, selectboard@goshenvt.org.

Respectfully in service,
The Goshen Selectboard

William Mathis, Chair                     Tammy Walsh                            Thomasina Magoon
wmathis@goshenvt.org                 twalsh@goshenvt.org           tmagoon@goshenvt.org
(802) 247-6720                              (802) 353-5507                             (802) 345-9399

SEALED BIDS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22^nd

The Town of Goshen is seeking bids for the repair of a leak in the Town Hall roof. Additionally, there may be flashing issues contributing to the leak around the chimney.

Please include itemized bid numbers for:

1. Materials
2. Labor
3. Scope of Work
4. Any Other Costs

If you would like to schedule a time to meet for an assessment at the Town Hall, please call (802) 345-9399 or email, selectboard@goshenvt.org.

All bids must include a copy of their contractor liability insurance.

SEALED BIDS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22^nd

Mail or Deliver to:
ATTN: GOSHEN SELECTBOARD
Goshen Town Office
50 Carlisle Hill Road, Goshen, VT 05733
MARK ENVELOPE: SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR BIDS
SALE OF 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 4X4 Dump Truck
SEALED BIDS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22^nd

The Town of Goshen is seeking the highest bidder on the sale of
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Dump Body Truck.

Bids begin at $2,500

2007 Chevy Silverado

• Automatic Transmission (only goes in reverse)
• 8 cylinders
• 4-wheel drive – shift into
• 2 – Axles
• Aluminum dump bed
• Registerd weight of 7,517
• Fuel type: Gas
• 63,772 original miles

It was used to haul garbage and a recycling trailer as well as heavy loads for road material. The transmission is broken, will only go in reverse, not forward.
The transmission is not the original to the truck, it was replaced before.
The Town purchased the truck as used in 2014.

If you would like to schedule a time to meet to look at the truck, please call
(802) 345-9399 or email, selectboard@goshenvt.org. It is parked at the Town Office.

SEALED BIDS DUE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22^nd
The selecboard has the authorization to reject any or all bids.

Mail or Deliver to:
ATTN: GOSHEN SELECTBOARD
Goshen Town Office
50 Carlisle Hill Road, Goshen, VT 05733

MARK ENVELOPE: SEALED BID – TRUCK