03-01-2021 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 1, 2021
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Josh Hickman, Vice Chair; Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Chair, Forest Board: Dan Ludwig
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Bruce Durgin, Lynne Fitzhugh, Smith Reed.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: None.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town Meeting
Georgette Wolf-Ludwig reported that 235 ballots have been received from early voting and that the polling is ready to go.
Animated Infrastructure Grant
Cathy McGrath stated that the mural grant review will be on the Selectboard’s agenda next week.
TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District
Berger is seeking more information about this financing process from Chris Brimmer, Zoning Administrator.
The members agreed to rearrange the Agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Fairlee Community Arts
Smith Reed reported on the $35,000 grant project for auditorium lighting in the Town Hall. The FCA put out an RFP and received bids from DarkStar Production and Atomic Productions. The lighting specifications include, ceiling track lights, spotlights under stage and on vertical poles, wash lights, an engineering console, and training. Atomic was recommended as the contractor by the FCA.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to accept the FCA lighting project proposal as presented by Smith Reed. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Town Forest / Recreation Trails Grant Submission
Dan Ludwig, Forest Board Chair, stated that the Forest Board reviewed the grant and suggested revisions. His concern was that the Town could be taking responsibility for the maintenance of the trails and that the taxpayers are liable with no public meeting input. Ludwig stated that the Forest Board is withdrawing support for the trails grant. Lynne Fitzhugh, Friends of Fairlee Forest member, stated that the mitigation of erosion is a state mandate. The permitting has been resolved and the grant deadline is April 8.
Berger stated that the Selectboard will review the grant.
Town Forest / Road Closures
Ludwig recommended that during mud season certain roads in the Town Forest be posted and gated.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS, cont.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Chris Brimmer reported that he continues to review the revolving loan fund process within the Rural Development Business Grant application and seeks Selectboard review.
Brimmer stated that the AARP has announced its Community Challenge Grant for 2021, and he needs similar direction. He is considering going back to the bus shelter project, and this time adding artwork.
TRORC will work with the Planning Commission and Brimmer to develop and map the areas covered by the conservation subdivision provisions, and once a final draft is completed, the Planning Commission will schedule a public hearing.
TRORC will work with the Planning Commission to develop language to modify the Unified Development Bylaw and create standards to review conservation subdivisions in the Town’s districts.
Brimmer reported on HB347, which will require towns to define and treat tiny home parks identically as mobile home parks.
Brimmer noted that he is gathering information about the TIF funding process related to town projects.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Tad Nunez reported on the Town Administrator’s activities and meetings during the week beginning February 22, 2021:
Chapman’s Property
Nunez notified the Selectboard that Chapmans will be requesting a quick-claim deed with the right to revert Chapman’s property.
COVER Home Repair Project
Nunez reported that the COVER workers will complete a Food Pantry upgrade in the Town Hall kitchen.
Energy Audits
Nunez reported that the facility energy audits for the Town Hall, the Library, and the EMS building are slated for March 11.
Fairlee Small Business Association Proposal
Nunez reported that Jonah Richards will be addressing the Selectboard at a future meeting about developing a Small Business Association in Fairlee.
Water Project Updates
The Water Treatment Facility is being monitored by the Water Department staff and the engineers and contractors to review and correct the emergency notifications.
Transfer Station
Nunez sent out a hire letter to Frank Godfrey for a start date of March 8 and developed the job descriptions for two positions: Town Hall Maintenance Laborer and Transfer Station Attendant.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, March 8, 2021, at 6:00 PM
CORRESPONDENCE / LIQUOR LICENSE
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the liquor license for the Dollar Store. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 2-22-2021 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk