Oct

2021

10-04-2021 Selectboard Meeting

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

Monday, October 4, 2021

Call to Order: 6:02 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
Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh

Visitors In Person:

Peter Guest
Charlotte Williams
Dan Ludwig
Lynne Fitzhugh
Bill Fitzhugh

AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:

McGrath added discussion of the Town Fair.

Nunez added minutes’ approval from two meeting ago.

McGrath added the Use of Auditorium policy under Old Business.

Nunez added a potential renter for the Auditorium space.

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

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Town Forest

Arlene Guest suggested to the Selectboard that the trails and roads that Rick Dwyer identified in the Town Forest that need work before winter be addressed before the Public Meeting. Berger noted that that discussion will be upcoming under New Business, and the Town is moving forward with plans, but contractors to do the work are unavailable. McGrath asked if a team of volunteers could do the work if the areas were identified. Dan Ludwig discussed the wetland trail near Brushwood Road and the water bars on Knox Road. Ludwig believes that the phosphorus in Lake Morey is from the interstate cut on I-91. Bernice Mills noted that the septic testing of the properties around Lake Morey is the next step.

Peter Guest spoke about how unprofitable logging is at this time and suggested carbon sequestration is a better use of the forest. P. Guest spoke of the grant that was not submitted and could have been used to contain erosion in the Town Forest trails and roads. P. Guest asked the Selectboard to set a date for the Town Forest Public Meeting. When applying for grants, Berger noted that the Selectboard makes the decisions. McGrath stated that the discussion will continue under New Business.

NEW BUSINESS

Library Building Project

As a member of the Library Building Committee, Charlotte Williams reported:

The Committee has created a Wish List of expansions and improvements to the library.

Jay Barrett, architect, will work with the Committee pro bono.

On October 6, the Building Committee will do a walk-through at the library to identify improvements and will meet to plan fund-raising and grant-writing possibilities.

On November 3, Barrett will attend for discussion.

On November 10, the Library Trustees will meet and after that an updated report will be forwarded to the Selectboard.

Williams stated that the Building Committee proposes:

A modest expansion to the building’s interior.
A general renovation to the existing structure.
Improvements in accessibility and efficiency.

Planning for the Town Forest Public Hearing

Nunez stated that Mike Wright corrected issues identified on the Howdy Trail. Lynne Fitzhugh stated that during rain events mud is eroding down the road into streams that feed into the lake, and that the fixes could be done by hand. Berger noted that Marcus Bradley, Town Forester, will be submitting a report in 2 weeks, which will guide the Town’s actions.

The Selectboard and attendees discussed the date of the upcoming Public Meeting and who should moderate the meeting. Berger targeted the first week in November for the Public Meeting.

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS, cont.

Zoning Administrator’s Report:

Brimmer reported that the next steps with the implementation of the Interim Unified Development Bylaw amendments, include a declaration of paperwork for signing, inclusion of new language into a proof copy of the current bylaw for inspection during the 30-day petition period, and paperwork sent to both ACCD and TRORC.

Brimmer noted that the Moratorium vote must be followed by the Selectboard setting up a program to implement the purposes of the legislation, as follows:

Funding sources need to be identified to pay for the work.

A clear definition of what data are required and how and by whom the Town should obtain it.

Brimmer recommended that a written program statement be developed and well publicized.

Brimmer announced that the Development Review Board heard the last conditional-use application for the lake area, which was approved with conditions.

Brimmer reported that Jonah Richard (501 Main Street project) presented a new parapet design for his building proposal, and the concern over the previous proposal has been addressed by the new design.

Brimmer reported that Berne Traendly presented a sketch plan, and if the application is submitted by October 7, the lot line adjustment can be scheduled for an October 26 hearing date.

Brimmer met with Traendly on Wednesday about his plans for the Chapmans Place area currently under renovation, which includes channelized traffic.

Brimmer wrote administrative permits for a change-in-use from workshop to single family dwelling on Hebbard Road, barn structure on Bald Top; the second mini-storage building on US Rt 5; and a carport installation on The Lane.

[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 September 27, 2021:

Well and Pump System

Nunez reported that the annual town well and pump system inspection was completed. Nunez stated that the well performance has improved from previous testing, and the pump performance was below the design curve, but not of concern.

Auditorium Rental

Nunez met with Ana Alden of Rivendell Academy to work out the Town Hall use for their theater performance in March 2022.

Town Forest

Nunez met with Lynne Fitzhugh to discuss the Friends of Fairlee Forest concerns about the progress toward the anticipated Town Forest meeting.

Nunez participated and took notes at the Forest Board meeting on September 29, 2021.

Crosswalks on US Rt. 5

Nunez met with Jon Kaplan, manager of the Bike and Pedestrian Program at VTrans, to discuss the need for a crosswalk near the Town Common area and worked through a conceptual plan.

Grants and Revolving Loan

Nunez submitted the Environmental Mitigation grant to fund the stormwater-green infrastructure project along US Rt 5 as presented by Dubois & King (M2M report). Nunez noted that the total project estimate is $176,080 with a local match of $35,216, which may come from ARPA funds.

Nunez submitted the Clean Water Loan (State Revolving Loan [Forgiveness] Program) application for a loan amount of $70,000.

Community Septic

Nunez reported that the engineer from Dufresne Group hired to complete the preliminary engineering report for the Community Septic Study amended the initial contract to include a complete survey and base map for use for alternative analyses. Nunez stated that this work will correct the current base maps on file.

Highways

Nunez reported that the Lake Morey east project is approximately 60% completed, and it is anticipated that the Lake Morey west bridge project will begin at end of October.

Solar Field Lines

Nunez reported that Green Mountain Power will begin work along US Rt 5 North between the pump station and Gray’s Auction yard, which will consist of rebuilding lines that run between US Rt 5 and I-91. Nunez stated that the project is for a solar field installation behind the Fairlee Drive-In.

Fairview Street Driveway Apron

Nunez reported that after further investigation, Alliance, the contractor, and the Town have decided to pave one additional driveway apron on Fairview St. with an additional expense to the Town of $506.

Emergency Service Building Exhaust System

Nunez reported that the final piece of the Emergency Service Building exhaust system has been completed, and the system is now operating as designed.

Transfer Station

Nunez stated that Dexter Lefavour of Tata & Howard is preparing a final report on the Transfer Station Committee findings.

[End of Town Administrator’s Report]

NEW BUSINESS, cont.

Proposed US Rt 5 Crosswalk Concept Plan

Nunez presented a concept plan for the Chapmans Place to the Town Green crosswalk and gravel sidewalks as discussed with Jon Kaplan, VTrans. Nunez stated that the crosswalk of interest was identified in M2M and crossed US Rt 5 at the north end of the Green.

Community Septic Study Engineering Contract

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to accept the Dufresne Group Septic Engineering Project contract. The motion passed unanimously.

Lake Morey East Project

Nunez and the Selectboard discussed the project and agreed to maintain the Class II road project.

FY22 Budget Schedule

Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, presented a calendar outlining the office workflow for department heads to meet with the Treasurer, Town Manager, and Selectboard to develop their 2022 budgets. Everyone agreed to a 7-hour budget meeting on November 17, from 12 PM to 7 PM.

OLD BUSINESS

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) / Short Project List

McGrath suggested the Board table this discussion.

Hinsley stated that dates have changed, and she has heard that municipalities should not be too quick to spend the ARPA funds. Hinsley noted that reports for the ARPA funds need to be maintained for 5 years, and with that, the Town may have to hire a fund’s manager.

NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, October 11, 2021, at 6:00 PM.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Berger reported on a letter from the State of Vermont related to the National Opioid Lawsuit Settlement stating that if there was any treatment involving a local resident, the municipality can help obtain a settlement for the resident.

MINUTES REVIEW

Berger tabled the 9-20-21 Minutes review until the next meeting.

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 9-27-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to enter Executive Session (legal) at 8:51 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 9:10 PM.

No action taken.

ADJOURN

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk