10-25-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, October 25, 2021
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Lance Mills
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Chief of Police: Jason Bachus
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Arlene Guest, Lynne Fitzhugh.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Police Report
Chief Bachus reported on the police activities during September, as follows:
30 calls for service of which Chief Bachus and the Vt State Police responded to 23.
Fairlee Police Department calls included two agency assists, one recovered property, and one property check.
Fairlee Police Department motor vehicle enforcement included four motor vehicle stops in which one summons was issued.
Chief Bachus worked 43 hours in September with 18 hours on patrol. The remaining hours consisted of Use of Force policy training and the annual Criminal Justice Information Systems and Terminal Agency Coordinator training and certifications.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted 45 hours of patrol with no calls for service or motor vehicle stops.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Thetford, VT, Housing
Brimmer reported on the Thetford housing efforts, which are in the process of rebranding itself as the Thetford Housing Committee. Brimmer reported that the Thetford Housing Committee is launching a public relations campaign with weekly postings in the month of November.
Brimmer reported that the Thetford Planning Commission is working on an Accessory Dwelling Unit policy.
Park & Ride Bus Shelter
Brimmer met with Tina Bohl and Derek Kenison from VTrans and Peter Berger at the Railroad Station to review the site of a bus shelter, and the rural run-in design met with approval.
Planning Commission Meeting, Thursday, October 7, 2021
Brimmer reported that the Planning Commission made progress on the line edit of the proposed Bylaw amendments, which included planned unit development, subdivision transfer rights, and exemptions that should address the concerns and interests of property owners in the forest blocks.
Brimmer reported that the Commission will next move into the public education phase with informational forums and invited roundtables.
Brimmer reported that the Bylaw work presents some opportunities, such as soil disturbance, excavation, paving, landscaping structures, and retaining walls in the lake and lake resort zones, which are now clear permit triggers.
Chapmans General
Brimmer noted that the Chapmans General project does not contain a permit trigger at this point, but if they decide to put tables on the crushed stone patio, then the use as an outdoor public space will trigger a site plan review and a public hearing.
501 Main St. Apartments Proposal
Brimmer announced that the building height issue has been addressed in the approvals Thursday with the following adopted language:
- Land Area and Structural Requirements
Class A Lots:
- Lot Area Minimum: 20,000 square feet per principal use
- Lot Frontage Minimum: 100 feet
- Building Setback Minimum: 50 feet from center of highway right-of-way.
- Side and Rear Setback Minimum: 15 feet
- Maximum height for all structures 3 full stories not more than 45 feet from street grade.
Class B Lots: None in this zone
Development Review Board (DRB) Meeting, Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Brimmer stated that the DRB will be hearing the lot line adjustment at the next meeting, so all the principals from the Chapman’s redevelopment projects will be together with the DRB and Selectboard Chair.
Permits Issued
Brimmer issued the permit for the demo and reconstruction of a seasonal property on the east side of Lake Morey Road.
Brimmer issued Certificate of Compliance on Gray’s Electric building.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez provided a report on the Town Administrator’s activities and meetings during the week beginning October 18, 2021:
Chapman Group
Nunez met with Berne Traendly and the Fairlee Water Operators to review Chapman’s anticipated Town water needs with sprinkler systems to be hooked up for Chapmans General and its apartments and 501 Main Street.
Town Forest Public Meeting, Wednesday, November 3 at 6:00 PM
Nunez announced that the Town Forest public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3 at 6:00 PM, which will be included as part of a special Selectboard meeting. Nunez announced that the discussion regarding the Town Forest will be facilitated by members of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA).
Nunez met with UVTA and community stakeholders to develop an agenda for the Selectboard meeting. Nunez reported that meeting announcements were sent out on social media and to news outlets.
Emergency Building Garage
Nunez reported that the repairs to the Emergency Building garage door will be directly reimbursed to the Town, and the window panel repair will be delayed.
Roadwork
Nunez announced that the Lake Morey east (Class 2 grant) was completed and inspected, and the next step is to have VTrans inspect the project.
Nunez announced that new guard rails were installed at the Lake Morey west bridge at Glen Falls Brook, and Town Foreman, Mike Wright, began the bridge project on Friday, October 22.
Railroad Station
Nunez announced that a new water source for the community garden at the RR station was installed by the VTrans contractor. Nunez reported that the Town supplied the materials, and the contractor installed the line.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds
Nunez attended online the VLCT ARPA information session, which addressed the associated VT State funding opportunities, especially related to water projects.
Community Septic Project
Nunez announced that the community septic project funds (Clean Water Funds) of $76,000 were fully processed internally at the Agency of Natural Resources and are currently being forwarded to the Vermont Bond Bank for underwriting. Nunez noted that the next step is for the Town to start the project.
Municipal Roads Grants-In-Aid Project
Nunez announced that the Town received funds from the Municipal Roads Grants-in-Aid Project for an equipment purchase. Nunez reported that Fairlee was awarded a $6,430 (state funds) grant to purchase a hay bale shredder with a Town match of $1,608.
FY22 Budget
Nunez worked last week on administering and scheduling the FY22 Town budget planning meetings, which will address the Town budget account line items.
Town Hall Generator
Nunez found out that the new generator will not be available for 20 weeks or more, so that the Capital funds will have to be carried over to the FY22 year to pay for the project.
FEMA Funds
Nunez reported last week that the Town may have to return FEMA funds from the 2017 extreme rain event. Nunez received notice that the State of VT has reconfigured the balance sheet of the FEMA account, and the Town will now be reimbursed $986.99.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Town Auditor Appointment
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to appoint Jane Chambers as Town auditor to work with Sandy Smith-Ordway until the next Town Meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) / Short Project List
Nunez and McGrath attended an online VLCT webinar relating to the ARPA funding and the availability of state grants.
Nunez provided a short list for Board review:
- Stormwater
- Back-up well
- Streetscape
- Cybersecurity
- Community septic
- Economic development (residential housing, commercial)
FY22 Budget Preparation
Nunez provided suggestions for Board discussion about priorities related to the FY22 Town budget, including staff 5.5% pay increase, staff retention bonuses, increasing police hours, a police office, the Railroad Station bus shelter, and the Town Hall second-floor windows. McGrath requested data related to Town Hall energy use.
Personnel Policy Revision / Sick Leave
Mills provided for Board review a template from the school district relating to the sick time policy. Discussion ensued. Mills agreed to lead this project and will include the suggested revisions in the next draft.
Town Forest Meeting Preparation, Wednesday, November 3, at 6:00 PM
Nunez noted that the November 3 meeting will be a warned special Selectboard meeting. The members discussed:
Zoom protocols and housekeeping items: speak clearly, introduce yourself, question via Chat feature.
Berger to present order of Agenda and introduce guests.
Town Forest public meeting agenda prepared by UVTA that includes unbiased survey questions and a prepared report following the meeting.
Public will be seated by tables.
Fact sheets will be available showing parcels in the Town Forest.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, November 1, 2021, at 6:00 PM and Special Selectboard Meeting, Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 6:00 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 10-18-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk