08-02-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, August 2, 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
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Miranda Clemson, Arlene Guest, Dan Ludwig, Elizabeth Wilson.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
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
Dan Ludwig, Forest Board Chair, stated that after his review of the State Forester’s Report of the Town Forest, he felt it was lacking in specifics.
Ludwig noted that a landowner has closed a cross trail to Brushwood Rd., and Ludwig is recommending the closure of the shortcut below Bald Top trail.
Ludwig presented data on the Glen Falls Brook and Bonnie Oaks Brook from D. Weaver and G. Allen.
Volunteer Activities
Library Committee
McGrath reported that the Library Committee received a proposed design from Jay Barrett.
Animated Infrastructure
McGrath announced that 13 artist-applicants submitted portfolios to the Committee. The Selection Committee will choose three finalists.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Brimmer announced that he will reschedule the tour of properties in Fairlee with Andrew Winter (Twin Pines Housing) and Erika Hoffman-Kiess (Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation) for Monday, August 9. The tour group will meet at the Town Hall. Property owners have been contacted to join the tour.
Brimmer announced that at their meeting on July 27 the Development Review Board approved the conditional use of the reconstruction of two nonconforming structures on Lake Morey Road properties.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
Fairlee Community Arts
Elizabeth Wilson asked the Board if they could plan a meeting between the FCA and the Selectboard for clarification of issues surrounding the use of the Town Hall.
Nunez noted that the Town Hall staff were uncomfortable with the keeping the Town Hall windows and doors open after the FCA concert on Tuesday night.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez provided a report on the Town Administrator’s activities and meetings during the week beginning July 26, 2021:
Water Projects
Nunez met with Mike Wright, Road Foreman, to review the Fairview water project. The town asked the contractor to overlay the driveway entrances along with correcting grade levels along a couple of ditch lines. Nunez notified neighbors.
Transfer Station Steering Committee
The 2nd Transfer Station steering committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at 4:00 PM. Nunez requested that the Committee focus on:
- spacing for future equipment (compactor)
- upgrades of electrical needs
- future special collection
- staff comfort/working space
- revenue streams
Town Beach
Nunez reported that one beach staff member is returning to college on August 3, 2021, which leaves 2 staff members to finish out the season.
Town Hall Generator
Nunez reported that Request for Proposals to purchase and install a new Town Hall generator were sent July 27, 2021, and bids are due September 10, 2021, with the final completion of the project by Friday, October 22, 2021. The proposal calls for a generator that can service the entire facility (electricity, elevator, and HVAC system).
Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT)
Nunez met with Ray Clark and Jason Berard of UVLT to review the water ponding at the entrance of Morey Mountain Conservation Area, and it was determined the Town Road Foreman will repair the area and UVLT will pay for the service repairs.
Zero-Tolerance Speeding Enforcement
Nunez sent notices announcing the zero-tolerance speeding enforcement for Lake Morey Road.
Emergency Building
Nunez announced that a Handicapped Parking sign will be installed at the Emergency Building parking lot.
Nunez announced that the overhead Emergency Building doors are now all one color. The contractor has donated his labor to the Fairlee Fire Department and Fast Squad.
Railroad Station
Nunez announced that work on the Railroad Station culvert drainage under the tracks will begin mid-August, and he will be meeting with the contractor to review the logistics of employee and equipment parking, material laydown, and office space.
COVID-19 Victims’ Remembrance
Nunez announced a ceremony to remember the victims of COVID-19 at VT Statehouse lawn on September 19, 2021, at 3:00 PM.
Town Hall Front Steps
Nunez scheduled to have the front steps of Town Hall refurbished for a cost of $2,200.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Town of Fairlee Retirement Policy
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Retirement Policy as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Berger received an email from Sarah Wraight, Two Rivers–Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC), who noted that the first 50% of the funds will be available in a few weeks. McGrath noted that they could possibly include ARPA on the agenda at the M2M meeting. The members spoke about rental evictions and childcare assistance.
Main Street to Morey (M2M) Public Event, August 28, 2021, at 6:00 PM
McGrath discussed the Steering Committee members’ attendance at the event. The Selectboard discussed publicity outlets to get the message out about the M2M event.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, August 9, 2021, at 6:00 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the Minutes from 7-26-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk