11-15-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, November 15, 2021
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Lance Mills
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Lister: Nöel Walker
- Chief of Police: Jason Bachus
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Arlene and Peter Guest, Miranda Clemson, Bernice Mills, Dan Ludwig, William Fitzhugh, William Bohnyak (Orange County Sheriff), Scott Clouatre (Orange County Deputy Sheriff).
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
McGrath suggested an Executive Session for naming a Cohase Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year.
Nunez suggested switching the order on the Agenda with the Orange County Sheriffs Department staff, Chief Bachus, and Lisa Hinsley in attendance.
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Berger asked for public comments and there were none.
Police Report
Chief Jason Bachus reported on his activities for the month of October 2021:
22 calls for service.
Fairlee Police Department (FPD) calls included 1 agency assist (VSP), 2 thefts, 1 background check, 1 property check.
FPD motor vehicle enforcement included 12 stops and 1 summons issued.
FPD hours worked included 25 patrol hours and the remainder of hours included budget preparation and meetings, administrative reports and paperwork, and Criminal Justice Information Systems training and recertification.
The Vermont State Police (VSP) responded to 17 calls of service of which 1 was on I-91 and other calls included 3 agency assists, 2 thefts, and 4 welfare checks.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) conducted 7 patrol hours in October with 1 motor vehicle stop.
As of October 31, 2021, the Town of Fairlee had 251 nontraffic-related calls for service by various agencies. The total motor vehicle violations addressed by the FPD and OCSD resulted in 138 interactions.
Delinquent Taxes
Chief Bachus was reappointed as the Delinquent Tax Collector and reported that 5 properties in Fairlee are more than 1 year delinquent.
Chief Bachus requested from the Selectboard per 32 VSA 5258 permission to retain Jeff Taylor, Attorney, for assistance and guidance regarding a Tax Sale of the multiple year delinquent properties, which results in no cost to the Town.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to retain Jeff Taylor, Attorney, to help with delinquent tax property sales. The motion passed unanimously.
Chief Bachus requested approval from the Selectboard per 32 VSA 5252 to initiate the delinquent sales of properties on or about March 15, 2022.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the on or about March 15, 2022, delinquent tax property sales. The motion passed unanimously.
Chief Bachus noted that a property owned by David Vaida (parcel ID# 0050002.000) abuts the Fairlee Town Forest, and Chief Bachus asked the Board about any resolution to the delinquency of this property. Chief Bachus noted that an agreement can be executed before the tax sale of this property.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Chris Brimmer reported that the Development Review Board (DRB) voted in favor 21-CU/S-04 and signed the Notice of Decision, which grants conditional use and site plan approvals with conditions. Brimmer reported that one condition requires action from the Planning Commission and Selectboard regarding the legal adoption of interim bylaw provisions before the Zoning Administrator can issue a permit to the applicant.
Brimmer provided a memo to the Selectboard relating to his public comments made by the DRB Chair.
The Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, November 18, and will complete the line edit of the bylaw and will have a product for the Selectboard to warn for a public hearing by the end of November.
[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 November 8, 2021:
Tree Law Roles and Responsibilities Webinar
Nunez attended the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) Tree Law Roles and Responsibilities webinar during which presenters discussed that Towns are required to have a shade tree plan. Towns’ Tree Wardens control shade trees, and VT Law outlines required shade tree work.
Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
Nunez attended the monthly TRORC Transportation Advisory Committee meeting during which the role of Town Road Foreman and retention strategies were discussed.
Federal System for Award Management (SAM)
Nunez completed the registration for the Federal government’s SAM, which is an annual registration allowing the Town to be eligible for Federal grant funding.
Paving Projects
Nunez reported that the paving projects, including the water main valve cuts, Maurice Roberts Memorial Highway culvert cuts, and Glenn Brook bridge have been completed and that line striping was completed on Lake Morey Road.
Fairlee Christmas Event on the Town Common
Nunez announced that the Fairlee Christmas event on the Town Common will be at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, December 3. Santa will be coming to the Common on a fire truck around 4:30 PM. Nunez announced that there will be no sitting on Santa’s lap, but Santa will be mingling and handing out candy. Nunez announced that there will be a reindeer-petting area.
Water Main Lines / Work to Be Completed
Nunez met with contractor Alliance to review the concerns about the work completed on the water main lines on Fairview and Lake Morey Roads. Nunez stated that the concern on Fairview was addressed and solved, and the section of Lake Morey Road will be addressed in the spring of 2022 under warrantee.
Nunez sent notices to the Fairview residents whose driveway aprons will not be paved until next spring 2022.
Listers’ Office Report
Lister Nöel Walker reported that the private road Dena Takoda Lane (2010) will be removed from the list of private roads in Fairlee as the private road was never installed. Walker reported that the parcel was sold to the Gladstone Brothers LLC, is still in agricultural use, and is accessed through the existing agricultural right-of-way off RT 5S.
Correspondence
Nunez reported that Bill Weale was sent a correspondence stating that he is welcome to be on a Selectboard agenda to discuss his concerns relating to the Town Forest management. Weale declined the offer.
Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA)
Nunez reported that the Town received the UVTA invoice for the special meeting facilitation and supplies in the amount of $1,047.
Tri-Town Dam Meeting
Nunez participated in the Tri-Town Dam meeting during which draft language was developed to create a capital budget and downsize the committee roster.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Private Drive Name Request / Newmont Farm
Walker reported on the e911 request for a new name (Newmont Dr.) and described the road and sheds at Newmont Farm, as follows: first right after the RR tracks off Mallary Rd (south), paralleling the RR tracks, past the lagoon, then turning left (east) in front of the heifer barn, then turning right (south) between the heifer and transition barns. Walker stated that Newmont Dr. will follow the traveled access way to the existing barns.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve Newmont Drive as described by Walker. The motion passed unanimously.
Reappointment of Health Officer
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the reappointment of Chris Brimmer as Health Officer for 1 year. The motion passed unanimously.
Selectboard Minutes Taker / Job Description
Nunez reported that the new position will cost an additional $800 to $1500 for a Town computer and $630/year for Office 365 software. McGrath added “listening” skills to the job description. Berger stated to move forward.
Tri-Town Dam Update
Berger stated that at the meeting the members discussed formalizing the budget, creating a capital plan, reducing member numbers, and formalizing language. Berger noted the next meeting will be held in January 2022. Nunez stated that their budget included Town Administrator’s and Town Treasurer’s work at $500/each.
UVTA Special Selectboard’s Meeting REPORT
The members discuss the Special Meeting report (available at https://www.fairleevt.org/2021/11/fairlee-town-forest-meeting-report/), and there was consensus that it was a helpful meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
ARPA Funding
McGrath provided a spreadsheet of grants available to leverage the ARPA funds, and the members discussed the line-by-line items, including municipal planning grants, bylaw modernization grants, downtown transportation grants, electric vehicle charging grants, and Northern Border Regional Commission grants.
FY22 Budget Preparation
Lisa Hinsley provided the members a schedule for the Wednesday, November 17, for budget discussions with department heads.
Hinsley reminded the Board of Wednesday, December 8, at 3:00 PM for the Capital Budget Workshop.
Personnel Policy Revision / Sick Leave
Mills presented the draft of the Sick/Personal/Emergency/Bereavement Leave document. Revisions were discussed by the Board and Town Hall staff. Hinsley, Town Treasurer, reviewed the policy and reported to the Board.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, November 22, 2021.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 11-8-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 8:18 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:03 PM.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk