03-08-2021 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, March 8, 2021
Call to Order: 6:07 PM
Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Josh Hickman, Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Chair, Forest Board: Dan Ludwig
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Lynne Fitzhugh, Miranda Clemson, Barrett Brown, Travis Noyes, Bern Clark-Traendly, Denis Lambert, Bill Weale, Laura Tucker.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
Nomination for CHAIR of the Selectboard
Cathy McGrath nominated, and Josh Hickman seconded the nomination of Peter Berger as Chair of the Selectboard.
Vote: Cathy McGrath (Aye), Josh Hickman (Aye), Peter Berger (Aye). The motion passed.
Nomination for VICE CHAIR of the Selectboard
Peter Berger nominated, and Josh Hickman seconded the nomination of Cathy McGrath as Vice Chair of the Selectboard.
Vote: Josh Hickman (Aye), Peter Berger (Aye), Cathy McGrath (Aye). The motion passed.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Decorations for St. Patrick’s Day
Miranda Clemson requested permission from the Board to decorate the Bandstand and the exterior of the Town Hall for St. Patrick’s Day. The Board approved.
Police Report
Jason Bachus requested that he change his monthly reporting date to the Board to the second Monday because at that time more data are available from the previous month. Bachus has received both Covid vaccinations, and he is cleared for travel.
- February activity at 34 hours
- 8 hours training on the new dispatch system ValcourTM
- 3 hours on felony assault case
- 4 administrative
- 19 on patrol, including 4 calls for service and 10 motor vehicle stops
- Vt State Police 7 calls (alarms)
- Fish and Game 4 calls
- Orange County Sheriff’s Department 60 hours and 8 calls for service
Bachus noted that upcoming is a State-wide policy for body cameras at a cost of $400 to $600/year.
Bachus conversed with Sheriff Bohnyak notifying him of the failed vote in Fairlee for additional County Sheriff Department hours.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District. Brimmer received answers to the questions from Berger about the TIF scheme summarized, as follows:
TIF does not require more administrative time.
NEMRC system will meet reporting requirements.
The Planning Commission discussed the first section of the M2M Report and reviewed wording for private helipads in Fairlee, that is “§4.17 …. are strictly prohibited.”
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Chapman’s Renovation and Development Project
The Chapman cousins Barrett Brown, Travis Noyes, and Berne Clark-Traendly presented a slide presentation to the Selectboard outlining their plans for the renovation and redevelopment of the Chapman block. The plans include second and third floor apartments and commercial space on the ground floor. The group is purchasing the Gryphon Antiques property.
The group identified two issues in the deed, which they seek to clear with the Selectboard’s approval. One is a Right to Reverter clause with the Town from 1958, and the other is a lot line adjustment for additional parking.
Animated Infrastructure Grant Review
Cathy McGrath provided for the Board members a draft of Fairlee Community Art’s Animating Infrastructure Grant proposal for review.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to obtain a letter of support from the Selectboard for the 2021 Animated Infrastructure Grant submission. The motion passed unanimously.
Materials Management Infrastructure Grant
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the 2021 Materials Management Infrastructure Grant proposal. The motion passed unanimously.
Appointments
Chief of Police
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the 1 -year appointment of Jason Bachus as Chief of Police. The motion passed unanimously.
Appointments List
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the 2021 List of Boards and Commissions. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Forest / Recreation Trails Grant Submission
Berger stated that the Forest Board submitted a letter opposing the grant as written. Discussion followed. Berger complimented everyone on their good work, but the Board expressed consensus to put the submission of the Recreation Trails Grant on hold.
Main Street to Morey Project Update
McGrath noted that the Town residents need to read the report, and a copy is available at the Library. Chris Sargent (Dubois & King) will follow up with a community presentation later in the year.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, March 15, 2021, at 6:00 PM
CORRESPONDENCE / LIQUOR LICENSE
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the liquor license for Leda’s Pizza. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 3-1-2021 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
Goodbye to Selectboard Vice Chair
Josh Hickman announced that he is resigning from the Selectboard to pursue a job position out of state. The Board and staff wished him well and thanked him for his service.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk