Jun
21
2021

06-21-2021 Selectboard Meeting

Town of Fairlee Town Hall
75 Town Common Road  
Fairlee, VT 05045

Monday, June 21, 2021   

Call to Order: 6:06 PM 

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
  • Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
  • Lister: Noël Walker
  • Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh 

Visitors: Laura Tucker, Clint Bissell, Peggie Bissell, Bruce Durgin, Ward Naughton, Carol and Bob Wertheimer, Nanci Carstens, Marie Scott, M. Scott, Lee Oberle, Donna Richardson, Denise Drouin, Christopher Moran.       

AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS: 

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously. 

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Zoning Administrator’s Report: 

  • Brimmer reported that the Planning Commission held a remote meeting on Thursday, but will integrate back into in-person meetings going forward.
  • The Development Review Board will meet in person Tuesday night. Both boards will include a Zoom option going forward to facilitate remote members and public participation.
  • Brimmer conversed with Bridget O’Brien, toxicological analyst

from the cyanobacteria program at the Vt Department of Health. Brimmer reported that there are test products that do not require reading equipment, and O’Brien will be sending product information. Brimmer stated that he will have a draft policy and procedures document for Selectboard review on June 28.

  • Brimmer reported that the commercial site plan review for Don Newton’s storage facility has been in recess awaiting Act 250 approval. Approval has been received, and the DRB review will go forward at the June 22 meeting at 7 PM. 
  • Brimmer reported that there are a few takeaways from the Selectboard strategy session on Thursday afternoon. The funding discussed lays the groundwork for some projects, as follows:

    There may be an opportunity to set up a cooperative daycare. 

    It may be time to establish a public works department, especially considering the interest in trails, sidewalks, community septic, stormwater mitigation, and bike lanes.

  • Brimmer reported that the Planning Commission discussed with TRORC’s Kevin Geiger the Rural Resource/Rural Uplands development rights. Brimmer requested a prime ag soils map layer so that the suitability of areas can be established. 

[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 June 14, 2021: 

David Ceppetelli from Tata & Howard

Nunez announced that Ceppetelli is leaving Tata & Howard, and he was a project manager for many projects in Fairlee. 

Wicked Awesome BBQ

Nunez reported that WABBQ obtained a catering license to serve alcohol, and the vendor has also obtained the Town vendor permit. 

Water Projects 

  • Nunez reported that to date the Town received $1,392,195.50 from the USDA with a total due of $1,644,000.00. 
  • The Town will absorb $30,231.84 of the expenses with funds taken from the general and water reserve budgets.

Beach

  • Nunez reported that there continues to be issues with boaters docking at the beach front.
  • The gate to the Beach parking lot is being closed after hours by local neighbors.

Library – Out Building Demolition

  • Nunez reported that the project will start on Monday, June 21, and be completed by Friday, June 25. 

Glen Falls Trail Incident

  • Nunez met with Cross Rivendell Trail, Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), and Fairlee Forest Friends representatives on Thursday, June 17.    
  • The group strongly recommended that there be only one access point to the falls and would consider closing off the trail access point from the bridge site.
  • The UVTA will send a report of their findings of the site visit.

 

Lake Morey Milfoil Treatment

  • The Lake Morey milfoil treatment was completed on June 16 without any problems, and the vendor will complete hand-pulling sessions later in the summer.

Municipal Roads Grant-in-Aid

  • Nunez will submit a letter-of-intent for the annual municipal roads grant-in-aid funds. The Town may receive $6,100, which equates to a total project budget of $7,625. The Town’s match is $1,525. 

Emergency Orders Lifted

  • Nunez reported that the lifting of the VT pandemic emergency results in all Open Meeting Laws now being in place.

 

Upper Valley Land Trust Driveway

  • Nunez contacted Ray Clark about the water issue at the Upper Valley Land Trust access on Lake Morey east, and Clark indicated that work will be done to correct the run-off problem.

 

Crosswalk at Chapman’s Place

  • Nunez reported that VTrans will not meet on site to discuss the crosswalk in front of Chapman’s until the Town signals that they are asking for a sidewalk.

The Selectboard unanimously agreed to move ahead and APPROVE the implementation of a crosswalk in front of Chapman’s Place.  

[End of Town Administrator’s Report]

NEW BUSINESS

Lake Morey Road Concerns

Many residents who live on Lake Morey Road attended the Selectboard meeting to discuss with the Board members the dangerous speeding of vehicles that occurs on Lake Morey Road. 

  • Bruce Durgin summarized the situation stating that the group has two concerns – safety of the public and enforcement of the speed limits. Durgin explained that with the increase in population in the summer, there are more people on the road walking, running, bicycling, and cross training.  
  • Durgin suggested the following for mitigation: 

o    More signs

o    Class II road restrictions

o    Road calming measures

o    Feedback speed signs

o    Speed bumps

  • Christopher Moran spoke on behalf of all residents on Lake Morey Road stating that it may be helpful to have a traffic study. 

Berger stated that the feedback signs capture data and are placed on the Town roads by the Chief of Police. The specific concerns of residents were delivery and logging truck traffic, school busses, motocross bikes, and no shoulder on the road for the safety of walkers and runners. The group discussed the use of speed bumps. 

The Selectboard thanked the residents for sharing their concerns. 

Street and Landscape Tree Maintenance

Nunez reported on the removal of trees from Fairview Road, and Nunez suggested that the Town hire a landscape company to work on a rotating basis to clean up trees at the Railroad Station, the Beach, and the Common. 

Water Hook-Up Application DRAFT

Nunez provided a draft document to the Board for their review. Nunez noted that the fee structure was adopted in 2012. Edits were incorporated, and the document will be revised and brought back for approval at the next meeting.  

OLD BUSINESS

Requesting ARPA Funding

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to appoint Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, as agent to receive funds from the ARPA, and to approve accepting funding from the ARPA. The motion passed unanimously.

Hinsley has some notes related to the use of the funds: 

  • The funds can be used for gross loss of revenue.
  • There is a formula to check for qualification. 
  • Hinsley suggested holding a Town-wide workshop. 
  • There is more information to come. 
  • And, the Town has 30 days to approve the receipt of funds. 

Review of Selectboard Goals and Objectives 

McGrath presented a proposal for managing strategic objectives. Discussion ensued. The Board agreed to rereview the proposal at the next two Selectboard meetings. 

Fire Station Doors – Paint Color

The Board agreed to the dark brown color for the repainting of the Fire Station doors. 

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, June 28, 2021, at 6:00 PM. 

CORRESPONDENCE: None. 

MINUTES REVIEW 

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the Minutes from 6-14-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk