12-13-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, December 13, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Lance Mills. A quorum was met.
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh (absent
Visitors: None.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Brimmer provided the Board with the Bylaw draft with new language in green font. Brimmer recommended that any changes to the Bylaw draft be made soon, so a final draft can be posted and to warn a Public Hearing by December 17 for a January 3, 2022, hearing date. Brimmer noted that copies must be distributed to adjacent towns in Vermont (Brimmer suggested Orford, NH, as well) and the regional commission, and the newspaper notice by law must have a description of the proposed amendment revisions. Brimmer discussed some of the amendment revisions, including the number of parking spaces per unit in multi-family housing. Berger noted that discussion is needed for a timeline to go forward for a January 3, 2022, Public Hearing for the Bylaw amendments. McGrath suggested this discussion be moved to Old Business. Brimmer discussed the opt-in Vermont law related to cannabis, which requires a Town-wide referendum.
Brimmer outlined the 2022 Planning Commission’s schedule, including Village Master Planning and continuing two meetings per month. Berger recommended written notice to the public about the Planning Commission’s schedule of meetings.
Brimmer communicated with the Downtown Program Manager, Gary Holloway (VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Community Planning and Revitalization), on the stormwater grant, and Holloway noted that the agency is looking for projects that have been scoped (that is, having gone through the process of identification, design, and concept). Nunez noted that the Town has a stormwater design concept plan ($136,000) from the Better Connections grant. Nunez noted that the consultants DuBois & King identified the area on the west side of Route 5 from the Railroad Station south and the east side from Wing’s north to the Fairlee Diner. Mills noted that a business south of the Village area is in need of stormwater mitigation, and Brimmer responded that funds from Holloway’s agency are designated for the Village only. Nunez and Brimmer will follow up.
Brimmer announced that the town has been awarded $12,000 by VTrans for the proposed bus shelter for the Park and Ride with the 20% match ($14,400). Brimmer will manage the project. Berger noted that the Historical Society needs to be consulted relating to design of the bus shelter.
Brimmer was complimented on his report.
[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 December 6, 2021:
Holiday Schedules
Nunez announced the following reminders:
The Town Hall will be closed the week of December 27 through December 31.
The Transfer Station will be open Sunday, December 26 and Sunday, January 2, and closed Saturday, December 25 and Saturday, January 1.
On Monday, January 3, the Public Budget Hearing is scheduled.
Better Roads Grant Request
Nunez reported that he completed and submitted the FY23 Better Roads grant of $16,251.91 with a local match of $4,062.97, which will go towards replacing two culverts on Maurice Roberts Memorial Highway.
Milfoil Grant Projects
Nunez closed out the milfoil grant project, which includes two programs: Greeter and Milfoil Management.
Nunez received the new LaRosa grant water test results around Lake Morey inlet streams from Greg Allen. Nunez reported that Glens Falls Brook and Big Brook were the lowest in total phosphorus throughout the summer, and the VT State officials are considering not testing the streams in 2022.
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Nunez reported that, in July 2021, the regional Emergency Planning Committees were replaced with one statewide Committee, and two members from each Town will serve on the Committee. Nunez announced that Peter Berger will serve as director, and one other person will be appointed by the Selectboard.
Minutes Taker Position
Nunez announced that there have been applications for the Minutes Taker position.
Wastewater Mitigation Project
Nunez conducted the RT5 wastewater mitigation project information meeting with local business/property owners, and three people attended. Nunez met in person with several business owners who could not attend the informational meeting, and all are in favor of the project concept.
Nunez met with Scott Robinson, VT agency staff (via conference call), to kick off the stormwater mitigation grant project, and discussion continues within VT legislature about adding additional funds to the stormwater mitigation projects that were originally funded.
FY22 Budget Proposal
Nunez met with Lisa Hinsley, Town Treasurer, to review the FY22 budget proposal to reduce the percentage increase and were not able to meet the goal.
Town Forest Report
Nunez announced that he has not yet received the final Town Forest Report from Marcus Bradley, Town Forester.
Public Request for Documents
Nunez reported that a member of the public requested budget and auditing documents from the Town, which were provided by the Treasurer. Berger noted that the requestor should be invited to the Selectboard meeting via certified letter to discuss his interest in the Town’s budget documents. Mills noted that public session is more appropriate for this type of discussion.
[End of Town Administrator’s report]
Selectboard FY22 Budget Review
Hinsley provided the board with the cash-available spreadsheet showing a large fund balance. Hinsley asked the Board what should be done with the fund balance – offset expenditures or hold on to it. Discussion ensued. Hinsley concluded that she will prepare a new budget with actual numbers through November 30 and specific projects for funding for the Board’s review.
FAST Squad Staff Member Request
A Town of Fairlee FAST Squad staff member requested reimbursement for a series of vaccinations and tests for enrolling in an advanced EMT course.
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the reimbursement for vaccinations and tests for the FAST Squad staff member. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Water Hook-Up Rates
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the Water Hook-Up Rates costs as written for determining individualized current water hook-up fees. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Submission of Planning Commission Memo / Bylaw Amendments
The members discussed the number of parking spaces for multi-family housing units, such as at the apartment building that is being developed at 501 Main St. The Bylaw draft provided by Brimmer was for Board approval of the revisions. Berger will follow up with Brimmer related to the warned Public Hearing.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Appleseed LLC requested a letter of support from the Selectboard for the Village development grant, which they are submitting. The Selectboard offered full support for the grant project.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 12-6-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, December 20, 2021.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 8:12 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:15 PM.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk