11-22-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, November 22, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Lance Mills. A quorum was met.
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh (absent
- Visitor: Sandra Marsh (Quinttown Container Service).
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
McGrath added a discussion of Citizen of the Year.
Nunez added the contractual discussion with Sandra Marsh at 6:30 PM under New Business.
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Brimmer reported that the Planning Commission has completed the line edits of the Bylaw except for Flood Hazard Regulations. Brimmer stated that the Flood Hazard model language should be complete at the December 1 meeting of the Planning Commission. Brimmer recommended that the Selectboard warn a hearing in December for adoption of the remaining interim amendments.
Brimmer stated he will attend the November 29 Selectboard meeting.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (contractual) at 6:12 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 7:00 PM.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS, cont.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez provided a report on the Town Administrator’s activities and meetings during the week beginning November 15, 2021:
Opioid Settlement
Nunez completed the necessary steps to register Fairlee with the state opioid settlement. Nunez reported that the initial contact information was sent to the VT Attorney General’s office, and this week Nunez received the instructions for registering.
Friends of Fairlee Forest
The Friends of Fairlee Forest (FFF) have posted a pie chart on their Facebook page and website showing the response data from the Town Forest meeting report. Nunez also showed the bar chart of Town Forest Uses displayed on the FFF Facebook page and website.
VT Representative (District, Orange-2) to Visit
Nunez reported that Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas would like to meet with the Board at their November 29 meeting.
Water Systems Internet Service
Nunez reported that progress has been made on the required installation of two internet lines by Topsham Telephone to monitor the water reservoir and filtration system.
Route 5 Stormwater Project
Nunez announced that he will be inviting the business owners to an informational Stormwater Project in-person meeting on Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 PM. Nunez stated that if a business owner cannot attend this meeting, he will schedule a visit to their business.
Water Connection Fee Schedule
Nunez announced that he will have a proposed water connection fee schedule for the Board’s review at the November 29 Board meeting. Nunez stated that the fee structure comprises all associated expenses to the Town, including meters and associated parts, backflow preventer, pressure reducer, Water and Highway Departments’ hours, and outside contractors’ hours. Nunez met with Lance Colby to review all expenses relevant to the water connect process.
Nunez discussed an unwritten policy, but followed by the Town, as follows: When connections require a new line to be bored under a road, the Town will pay for half of the expense. Nunez asked the Board if this unwritten practice should continue at a cost to the Town of $1,500 or more.
Quinttown Container Service
Nunez met with Sandra Marsh of Quinttown Container Service to review the current Transfer Station hauling agreement.
Town Forest Maintenance
Nunez received Todd Dunham’s (Northern Landscape Services) estimate of Forester Marcus Bradley’s specifications to make the necessary repairs in the Town Forest trails, including:
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- 2 days with excavator and operator.
- 2 days with UTV and operator.
- Laborer for 2 days.
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Nunez reported that the total for the work is $2950, and the Forest Board approved the estimate. Nunez announced that work will begin the week of November 29. Nunez asked Forest Board Chair Dan Ludwig to work with Dunham and oversee the project.
Development Review Board
Nunez reported that he spent time navigating the issues pertaining to the Development Review Board governance.
Minutes Taker Position
Nunez announced that he placed the Minutes Taker advertisement in the help wanted ads in the Journal Opinion, the Bridge Weekly, and the ListServe. Berger suggested putting an ad in the Valley News.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Businesses’ and Property Owners’ Wastewater Study Questionnaire
Nunez provided the Board with a questionnaire for their review. Nunez suggested sending the questionnaire to the water users in the Village District and noted that this study and project are not eligible for ARPA funding. Berger recommended sending the questionnaire to all users the east side of the Interstate.
Citizen of the Year
McGrath provided the Board with the brochure listing the eligibility requirements for Citizen and Business of the Year from the Cohase Chamber of Commerce.
OLD BUSINESS
ARPA Funding / Short-List Review
After discussion with Sarah Wraight from TRORC, McGrath provided the Board with state and federal grant and loan programs.
McGrath discussed the need for a community meeting to report on the ARPA short list.
Mills suggested that levels of importance be given to the short-listed projects, especially when presenting to the community.
Berger concluded by recommending that the Seelctboard address its current short list at another meeting.
FY22 Budget Preparation / Review of Draft Budget
Nunez reminded the Board that Wednesday, December 8 at 3:00 PM is the Capital Budget Workshop, but Nunez announced that Treasurer Hinsley will not be available on that date. Nunez suggested the Capital Budget Workshop be scheduled for Monday, November 29, during the regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting, and, on Wednesday, December 1, to close the budget.
McGrath and Mills suggested obtaining projections for the final quarter of 2021 from previous years.
Discussion with Representative Hanzas
Mills suggested emailing Rep. Hanzas with questions the Board may have. Nunez will follow up. McGrath noted that she would like Bradford and Fairlee Recreation committees to plan joint activities during the winter months.
Personnel Policy Revision
Mills presented the draft of the Sick/Personal/Emergency/Bereavement Leave document and identified the current revisions. The Board complimented Mills’ work on this policy document.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the Sick/Personal/Emergency/Bereavement Leave policy as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, November 29, 2021.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Berger stated that correspondence was sent to the Board relating to the dissatisfaction of the functioning of the DRB.
Berger stated that the Board received a letter from the Upper Valley Trails Alliance thanking the Town for their donation.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 11-15-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 8:23 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:00 PM.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk