03-15-2021 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
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 15, 2021
Call to Order: 6:03 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger and Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Jonah Richards, Arlene Guest, Miranda Clemson, Dashielle Rae, Greg Allen, Don Weaver.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS
Nunez added to the Agenda the 2021 Appointment list.
Nunez added the USDA loan payment.
Nunez added the Proclamation for Josh Hickman.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Recreation Trails Grant
Arlene Guest stated that she was perplexed that the grant submission was withdrawn because the grant presented the best solution for the Town Forest. Guest stated that the opposition should have been brought forward sooner after so much time was spent developing the grant by many individuals. Berger responded that the Forest Board had concerns about the grant and submitted a nonapproval letter.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
The Development Review Board met on March 9; however, the applicant did not show up, so the meeting was recessed until March 23. Jonah Richards presented his proposal for redevelopment of the building adjacent to the Chapman’s buildings. The renovations include maintaining the current footprint but raising the building up another story and a half and including a gabled roofline.
The permit for Red Clover Bikes becomes effective on March 25.
The mini-storage project south of the Village is in the process of Act 250 permitting.
The new Planning Commission Chair, Rob Chapin, discussed the Planning Board meeting process with Brimmer and wants to include a Mission Statement, sequenced projects, and a timeline for the Commission’s work.
Rural Development Grant vs. the revolving loan fund needs a decision from the Selectboard.
[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 March 8, 2021:
Management Infrastructure Grant
Nunez submitted the Management Infrastructure Grant this week.
Water Systems Meeting
Nunez met with the staff, engineers, and the electrical contractor to discuss upgrades to the communications system between the mechanical operations and the operator.
Transportation Advisory Council Meeting
Nunez participated in the TRORC Transportation meeting during which a new evaluation of the ranking system by TRORC of VTrans highway projects was presented.
Rivendell Student Request
Nunez reported that Rivendell students have requested the use of the Town Hall auditorium for filming students in preparation for a spring theater production.
Posting of Town Roads
Nunez announced that the weight limits for the Town’s roads have been posted.
Recreation Council
Nunez attended a meeting of the Recreation Council, which is meeting every second Wednesday of each month, and they are interested in planning an Easter event.
TRORC Energy Audit
Nunez reported that an energy audit was done on three Town buildings – the Town Hall, the Fire Station, and the Library. A report is forthcoming.
2021 Appointment List
The Appointment List for 2021 was updated and requires signatures.
Staff Wage Increase List
A list of Staff Wage increases will need signatures of the Board.
Wellness Center
Nunez reported on a Wellness Center opening on Blood Brook Rd. in West Fairlee, and the owner asked to have a link to their office on the Town’s website. The Board replied that the Town does not offer that service to businesses.
NEW BUSINESS
Small Business Association in Fairlee / Concept
Jonah Richards offered a proposal to the Selectboard for the development of a Small Business Association in Fairlee. Richards has been researching area towns and their business organizations. Discussion with the Board included obtaining a list of businesses; pitching a proof-of-concept proposal to those businesses; and working with Main Street Alliance and TRORC.
Lake Morey / Water Quality
Nunez reported on a State of VT lake quality report stating that Lake Morey water quality is “impaired.” Greg Allen from Lake Morey Commission stated that the Department of Environmental Conservation cited the increase in total phosphorus in the report. Allen continued that they have found no phosphorus input from streams or septic, and he believes that it is a natural internal recycling of sediments in the lake.
Don Weaver notified the Board that there will be another treatment program to counteract milfoil growth in the northern bed in Lake Morey this year.
PROCLAMATION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Proclamation and letter of appreciation for Joshua Hickman who recently resigned from the Selectboard. The motion passed unanimously.
Board and Commissions Solicitations Needed
Nunez noted that the Town’s committees are in need of members. Berger and McGrath recommended advertising in the newspaper, in MailChimp, and on the Town’s website.
OLD BUSINESS
Half-Marathon Event Around Lake Morey
Nunez noted that the date requested for the half-marathon event is Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The Board tabled the discussion because the organizer was not in attendance.
Road Closures / Forest Roads
Nunez requested the closure of appropriate Town roads during mud season.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the closure of all appropriate roads during mud season and include signs posted on these roads. The motion passed unanimously.
USDA Loan Payment
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the USDA loan payment amount being automatically withheld from the Town of Fairlee’s Union Bank general checking account biannually, as agreed upon in the USDA loan paperwork, and to begin March 22, 2021. The motion passed unanimously.
Wage Increases / Retroactive Payments
The legal voters in the Town of Fairlee have voted and approved the 2021 Budget by Australian vote held on March 2, 2021. Therefore, the Selectboard hereby are asked to approve the Wage Increases.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the Town Staff Wage Increases as approved by the voters in the 2021 budget vote on March 2, 2021. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, March 22, 2021, at 6:00 PM
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 3-8-2021 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 7:55 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:30 PM.
Action items:
Selectboard is to draft a written evaluation for the TA position.
TA shared his self-evaluation with the Board.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk