Avon, Phillips move towards agreement

PHILLIPS –- Town Manager Jim Collins announced that there’s an upcoming special selectman’s meeting set for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. to discuss the ongoing issue between Phillips and Avon regarding the transfer station and fire protection service interlocal agreement.

Avon, which uses the Phillips transfer station and fire protection services, and Phillips which invoices Avon for those services, encountered a disagreement based on a third quarter invoice.

Phillips invoiced for a specific amount and Avon paid a lesser amount, which triggered several emails and failed meetings. Putting the past behind them, the end result is that both town boards want to work through the conflict and develop a better, clearer and fair agreement.

At a past Phillips selectmen’s meeting, it was agreed to have selectman John Stinchfield and Avon Selectman Bob Ellis meet and try to work through a new formula and understanding of their interlocal agreement.

The two board members did meet and an agreement is now before the Phillips Selectmen for consideration.

Last Tuesday the Phillips board met and saw firsthand what’s on the table, but decided to not take action until the financials were fully examined, Collins said. Phillips selectman Steve Charles requested that they table the issue until they had enough time to review the financials, according to Collins.

“I do believe we are making forward progress. We did not vote because we wanted to take a good look at the numbers,” said Phillips board chairman John Wilbur after the meeting. “Mr. Charles asked for that time and out of respect, it was granted.”

Depending on the outcome and review of the numbers, Wilbur suspected that they would vote on the issue –-one way or the other.

Wilbur expressed his frustration with the issue and how things have transpired over time. “This has gone on far too long. It’s taking up valuable time in which we could be working on other valuable projects… This needs to be put behind us. For not only us, but for Avon,” Wilbur explained.

“What we have here is two dedicated boards on each side which I fully respect. Each board is just interested in protecting their taxpayers in a particular difficult time and what it boils down to is the dollar for these two small towns.”

Wilbur said he thinks the proposed billing is fair and the general lay-out is fine, but as of last Friday’s conversation, additional research was needed on the numbers which was currently being done.

It is expected that Charles will open the discussion on Friday with his evaluation of the financials.