11-29-2021 Selectboard Meeting
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, November 29, 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
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Clyde Blake, Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Arlene Guest.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
McGrath added a discussion of Citizen and Business of the Year under Old Business.
Berger added an Executive Session (personnel).
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Blake addressed the Board noting the water backup from a beaver dam at the Terry Hill road culvert near the golf course. Nunez responded that a local resident volunteered to correct the problem, but Nunez stated he has received no report about the situation yet.
Blake asked if there would be a Christmas pot-luck dinner at the Town Hall. Wolf-Ludwig noted that the staff decided not to open to the public for a pot-luck meal this year.
NEW BUSINESS
Visit with Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas
Rep. Copeland Hanzas greeted everyone and stated that she is at the meeting to listen and ask the Board what is needed from the next legislative session.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed the Town Meeting bill allowing flexibility for towns to either postpone their town meetings, use an Australian ballot process, or go ahead with their town meetings, and Governor Scott has not weighed in on the issue.
In response to a question by Berger about body cameras for law enforcement personnel, Rep. Copeland Hanzas stated that the Criminal Justice Council has policies and trains and accredits police in Vermont. Rep. Copeland Hanzas stated that the Council has a model state-wide body cam policy.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed multiple issues including lack of housing; the need for more and affordable childcare; and the pressure on schools, especially from the lack of full staffing.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed the release of the state’s Climate Plan, which focuses on increasing public transportation and pedestrian-bicycle pathways.
The Board discussed infrastructure, including sidewalks and streetscaping. The Board brought up the problems with recycling. Rep. Copeland Hanzas stated that she will check with the Natural Resource Committee about a coordinated, state-wide program for recycling.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas noted that she will address the issue that small towns are often overlooked by the state legislature.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed redistricting and the creation of maps by the House Governmental Operations Committee. Related to redistricting, Rep. Copeland Hanzas recommended following the state statute, which states respecting governmental boundaries and keeping towns whole.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed the use of ARPA money with the Board. Mills stated that the Board is matching projects to available funds.
Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed the cannabis issue for towns stating that the retail stores are allowed the same as any other industry, but towns want to make sure that the businesses selling cannabis are good neighbors and that the current growers are brought into a legal market.
Walker brought up the topic of Town reappraisal and the increase in school funding. Rep. Copeland Hanzas discussed the Weighting Study (https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/Executive-Summary-508.pdf), which will not affect funding for 2022.
Hinsley brought up the topic of the homestead tax rate (https://tax.vermont.gov/property-owners), which is higher than the nonhomestead rate. Rep. Copeland Hanzas stated that she will follow up with that issue.
The Board thanked Rep. Copeland Hanzas for coming to the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
FY22 Budget Preparation / Capital Budget Review
Treasurer Hinsley presented to the Board the 10-Year Capital Budget Plan for discussion comprising four spreadsheets: Town Buildings and Lands Reserve, Emergency Equipment Reserve, and Town Highway Reserve, and Lake and Forest Reserve.
Citizen and Business 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.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, December 6, 2021.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to approve the minutes from 11-22-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 9:08 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:39 PM.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk