05-17-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
(The Selectboard and the Town Administrator were in person, and
most staff and all public attendees were remote using ZOOM.)
Monday, May 17, 2021
Call to Order: 6:07 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: None.
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
Town of Fairlee Honored by the State of Vermont
Berger announced an award was received by the Town from the Vermont Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Vermont Planners Association, the American Institute of Architects Vermont, and the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program. The 2021 Public Places Merit Award honored the Fairlee Village Center Action Plan that was the outcome of the Better Connections and Main Street to Morey initiatives.
Zoning Administrator’s Report: Not available
Berger addressed the interim Bylaw noting that a public meeting date was warned two weeks in advance, and after the meeting the Selectboard will finalize the Bylaw document.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez provided a report on the Town Administrator’s activities and meetings during the week beginning May 10, 2021:
Speed Bumps
Nunez researched the installation of speed bumps on Class II roads, such as Lake Morey Rd., and there is no ruling except possibly as an ordinance in suburban neighborhoods.
Vt Tree Warden Laws
The new, enacted Vt Tree Warden Laws gave a clear understanding of the interpretation of a shade tree, how trees can be moved, and the management of trees on public and private properties. Nunez has contacted Larry Martin, Fairlee Tree Warden, to share information on the new laws.
Town Liability Coverage
Nunez reported that the Town has sufficient liability coverage to allow public use the Town Forest trails. Nunez stated that the Town’s liability contribution is calculated from the budget of expenditures, and the current charge is $101 as a Parks & Recreation line item. The Town does have sovereign immunity [i.e., government cannot be sued without its consent], but must make all efforts to safely maintain the Town Forest trail system.
Intermunicipal Regional Energy (IRE)
Nunez announced that Geoff Martin, IRE Coordinator, provided a Green Procurement Policy, which is attached to the Board’s materials.
Chapman’s Place / Update
Nunez stated that the Chapman’s Place project will possibly have up to four food trucks, which are subject to Fairlee Vendors, Peddler, and Food permitting.
Nunez reported that the Chapman’s owners made a request to VTrans to give consideration to reinstalling the crosswalk linking Chapman’s store to Chapman’s Place (Colby Block).
Library
Nunez announced that the Library Trustees have made a final selection for a new Librarian pending a background check and employee agreement. Nunez will be reviewing the employee agreement with Lisa Hinsley, Town Treasurer.
Nunez met with the Library Building Committee to review the demolition bids, and the Committee will provide further status of the start of the project by May 19. Nunez has notified the bidders that the Committee will be making a decision on that date.
Paving Projects
Nunez reported on the three budgeted (grants, highway, capital) paving projects scheduled for this season:
Batchelder and Terry Hill $72,267
Lake Morey east $104,414
Lake Morey west (box culvert) $13,750
Dirt Daze Motorcycle Event
Nunez communicated with the 2021 Dirt Daze motorcycle event organizers, and the route the motorcyclists will take will be along Millpond Rd., Rowell Brook Rd., Brushwood Rd., around Lake Morey, and back to Bradford.
Archaeological Dig Report
Nunez announced that William Fitzhugh is near completion of his archaeologic dig report, and he is working with the Fairlee Historical Society to house the artifacts and schedule a public talk.
NEW BUSINESS
Selectboard Goals and Objectives
Nunez provided the Board with a list of strategic priorities. Berger recommended that discussion be put on hold until later in the meeting.
Community Septic
Nunez introduced information on the Asset Management Loan Forgiveness Program in relation to developing a community septic system. The Board discussed possible sites. Nunez recommended a stakeholders’ meeting, and the Board was in agreement.
OLD BUSINESS
Animating Infrastructure GRANT
The Board and Nunez discussed the management of and the responsibility for the artwork once it is in place. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
Water Meter Rate and Policy
Nunez presented to the Board the Tata & Howard quote for rate and policy establishment for the water meters. Berger recommended obtaining alternate cost estimates.
EV Charger
The Board discussed the IRE plan for area towns, which is ending in June 2021 for Fairlee.
Selectboard Goals and Objectives, cont.
McGrath discussed the strategic priorities for the Town as listed in a Punch List and Excel chart provided to the Board. McGrath listed the priorities to include economic development, commerce, transportation, and recreation/conservation. A discussion of the strategies and tasks related to each category continued.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, May 24, 2021, at 6:00 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
NOTES:
Berger reported that in reference to 32 V.S.A. §4342, Taxation and Finance, Extensions, the Listers requested an extension to the 2021 Grand List Abstract.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the extension to the Grand List Abstract. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the Minutes from 5-10-21 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