01-04-2021 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
(All members, staff, and the public were remote using ZOOM.)
Monday, January 4, 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; Josh Hickman, Vice Chair; Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Town Clerk: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Greg Allen, Don Weaver.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:
Tad Nunez stated that the visitors are scheduled to enter the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Cathy McGrath added to Old Business a discussion of parking at Morey Mtn.
McGrath added a discussion of the Selectboard priorities for 2021. Berger noted that after the budget is approved at the end of January, Selectboard priorities for 2021 will be discussed.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Orange County Special Investigators Unit
Nunez reported that the OCSIU is requesting an appropriation of $1,500.00.
Vermont Council on Rural Development
Nunez noted that Chris Brimmer is an individual member and asked if the Town wanted to join the VCRD (vtrural.org) as an organizational member at $150.00/year. There was consensus from the Board.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Chapman’s Store Renovations
Brimmer reported that the Chapman’s Store received the State permit to begin renovations.
Planning Commission Meeting Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Brimmer announced that the Planning Commission will continue to draft the revisions to the Bylaw amendments.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Town of Fairlee Appointments and Elected Positions
Georgette Wolf-Ludwig recommended removing two elected positions from the Town Meeting ballot: two grand jurors and the Town agent/attorney. The Board approved this item by consensus.
Wolf-Ludwig recommended changing the Recreation Council terms to three years. Wolf-Ludwig noted that she will review elected positions with the Town Manager. Announcements of vacancies will be sent to newspapers and posted on the Town’s website.
OLD BUSINESS
FY21 Budget Development / Annual Budget Hearing January 11, 2021, at 6:30 PM
Lisa Hinsley presented the revised budget to the members for discussion. The members reviewed each department. Hinsley requested an increase to 10 hours/week for the Chief of Police, and there was consensus for doing so from the Board. Hinsley noted that the Water Department will have an increase in staff billing time due to metering, which is a new line item this year. Hinsley stated that the revised budget will be posted on the Town’s website by Thursday, January 7.
NEW BUSINESS, cont.
Lake Morey Commission Report
Don Weaver reported on the milfoil report from SOLitude Lake Management Co. The report stated that the ProcellaCOR treatment was not up to standard, and SOLitude recommended another treatment in 2021. The Board and Hinsley discussed the budgeting of an additional milfoil treatment for 2021.
Greg Allen discussed the cyanobacteria in Lake Morey and the input-stream chemical composition. Allen noted that cyanobacteria is seasonal on the lake. Allen stated that the stream survey plan showed no increase in phosphorous in the streams. Regarding sulfides and chloride in some streams, monitoring is taking place. Allen reported that the lake has good clarity and good water quality.
OLD BUSINESS, cont.
Town Meeting Preparations / Australian Ballot
Wolf-Ludwig listed the procedures for Town Meeting that are to be sent on a postcard to residents, which included Town Meeting information, polling hours, absentee balloting information, and deadlines for consent of candidacy. Nunez reminded the members and attendees that these Town Meeting 2021 changes will occur for this year only.
Morey Mtn. Parking
McGrath asked the Board if the Town could agree to plow the parking lot on Morey Mtn. owned by the Upper Valley Land Trust. Berger noted that it is private property. Nunez noted that he discussed plowing private parking lots and non-Town resources with the Road Foreman, and the Foreman declined.
Palisades Trail
Berger introduced the concern that part of the Palisades Trail traverses private property. Nunez will follow up.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, January 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE
Nunez discussed new information about the poor glass recycling from Chittenden Solid Waste District stating that the District paid $400,000 in penalties.
Transfer Station: Nunez reported that the winter hours for the Transfer Station are not posted. Berger recommended that the hours not be changed from the summer hours of 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 12-21-2020 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk