06-14-2021 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, June 14, 2021
Call to Order: 6:03 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Lance Mills
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Miranda Clemson, Noël Walker, Arlene and Peter Guest, Meagan Cummings, Joshua Lochhead, Elizabeth Emmons.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS:
Nunez added an announcement of scholarship winners to Staff and Public Comments.
Nunez noted that the Police Report is written this week.
Nunez announced that Elizabeth Emmons will be signing in at 6:30 PM.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Fairlee Scholarship Committee
Berger announced the recipients of the $1,000 scholarships offered by the Town of Fairlee Scholarship Committee for first-year college students:
- Emma Gagner, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
- Taiyo Galli, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY
- Caleb Haehnel, Utah State University, Logan, UT
- Jonathan Max Haehnel, Utah State University, Logan, UT
- Jacob Kamel, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
- Sean Maddock, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
- Isaac Martel, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
- Noah Martel, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
- Mikayla Stever, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
- Bailey Welch, Norwich University, Northfield, VT
Police Report
Nunez read Chief Bachus’ report on law enforcement activities for the month of May 2021:
Hours – 40 hours worked, including 17 hours training on VALCOUR, records and dispatch system; 2 hours assisting the Vermont State Poice in Bradford;
3 administrative hours; and 18 hours patrolling.
The VALCOUR go-live date is 8-1-2021.
Patrol hours – 3 calls for service (VIN verification, agency assist, and motor vehicle complaint); 6 MV stops resulting in 6 warnings.
Vermont State Police – VSP responded to 19 calls for service, including alarms, welfare check, crash damage, and citizen disputes.
VT Fish & Game responded to 2 calls for service.
Orange Couty Sheriff’s Department did not report.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Regarding blue-green algae in Lake Morey, Brimmer has been working with Greg Allen and Oliver Pierson on test kits and will be contacting Bridget O’Brian, VT Dept. of Health, for discussion.
Brimmer notified the corporate property manager Jay Tanner at Dollar General about trucks idling overnight in the lot, which is a violation of state law and a direct violation of stipulated conditions of the permit.
Brimmer stated that the commercial site plan review for the Newton’s has been in recess awaiting Act 250 approval. Brimmer is awaiting applications from the Apple Seed group and for the new burger place’s outdoor dining patio.
Brimmer announced that the Planning Commission will meet on the June 17 with Kevin Geiger.
Brimmer reported on two permits that were issued for residential accessory structures.
[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 weeks beginning June 7, 2021:
Water Projects
Nunez reported that:
Three new water valves were replaced.
A temporary water system will be installed the week of June 14 on Fairview Street.
A short water turn-off will occur during the transition from Town service water to the temporary service on Tuesday and notifications have been sent out.
The Town purchased a new Hydrant Relief Valve ($1,500), the cost of which may be shared with the Bradford, VT Water Department.
Town Beach
Nunez interviewed a candidate for a Beach position and Noa Chambers was hired as a Jr. Lifeguard.
Road Signs
Nunez reported that the vandalized 30-mph road signs and other miscellaneous signs were ordered.
Road Grants
Nunez reported that the Town was denied the Structures and Better Roads Grants this season. Nunez reported that both administrators of the respective grants said our applications were solid, but there were not enough funds to go around, and a priority was given to towns that have never received a grant.
Nunez reported that the town has sufficient funds to complete the box culvert on Lake Morey westside.
Library – Out Building Demolition
Nunez reported that a preconstruction meeting will be scheduled week of June 14.
Town Hall
Nunez reported that the large front window in the Clerk’s office was replaced.
Glen Falls Trail Incident
Nunez announced that he is scheduled to meet with members of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance and Lynne Fitzhugh on June 17 for an on-site meeting at the Glen Falls location and is hoping to invite a member of the Cross Rivendell Trail Association.
Bandstand
Nunez reported that he hired Tim Danen to install an overlay floor in the bandstand and is hoping to have the overlay complete by July 6.
Town Hall Auditorium
Nunez reported that he received a request to host Tai-Chi classes at the Town Hall, and class participants would contribute a donation.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Asset Management Project Update
Joshua Lochhead, Capacity Development Program Specialist, VT Department of Environmental Conservation, attended the Selectboard meeting to check in on Fairlee’s asset management program. Nunez noted that the Town’s Water Operators have to attend Asset Management Course. Nunez presented a short update of the ongoing water system projects. Elizabeth Emmons, Dubois & King consultant, noted that with the water main project, the asset management inventory and mapping are on hold. Emmons also stated that the meters are not part of the asset management inventory.
Rivendell School Board Report
Berger reported that the Rivendell Superintendent Barrett Williams is examining whether local legal access to auditors has impacted past records related to average daily student population.
Review of Town Hall Rental Fee Structure
Nunez received requests to reduce the Town Hall rental fees for those classes or events that are sequential. Berger recommended that the Board has a three-month trial and then revisit the fee structure. Nunez suggested a 70%/30% fee structure.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to amend the Town Hall rental policy to include the following:
Create a new fee schedule for renters who wish to have repeating rentals, such as instructional classes, to be a 70%/30% split. The instructor will submit 30% of gross revenue to the Town, and they must show daily attendance and daily cash receipts.
The motion passed unanimously.
Use of Town Property / Research and Overnight Camping
Nunez reported on two individuals who were seeking use of Town property:
Connor Noyes, Science Research student, requested installing a wildlife camera in the Town Forest for his research project: Biodiversity in Vermont Forests.
An Upper Valley Ambulance intern is seeking overnight accommodations on the Fire Station site.
There was consensus among the Board to approve both requests.
OLD BUSINESS
Main Street to Morey
Nunez suggested scheduling the wrap-up meeting with Chris Sargent in August. Nunez also noted that the final report would be due at that meeting. The Board selected Thursday, August 12, for the wrap-up meeting and suggested including residents and all the stakeholders.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, June 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE:
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Lance Mills/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Minutes from 6-7-21 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Lance Mills moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk