03-29-2021 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 29, 2021
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger and Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Lister: Noël Walker
- Treasurer: Lisa Hinsley
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: None.
AGENDA APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS: None.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Miscellaneous
McGrath asked the Board if there was information on the outbuilding deconstruction at the Library. Nunez replied that the Librarian notified him last week that it was going ahead.
McGrath noted that Arlene Guest resigned from the Library Building Committee.
McGrath was asked by a resident who was not a registered voter if he/she could volunteer for the Town. Berger replied that some positions require that the volunteer be a registered voter and others do not. Interested individuals should contact Nunez.
Zoning Administrator’s Report
Brimmer attended a VLCT Legislative in-person meeting in which discussion centered on:
There will be an increase in State aid for local roads and structures.
The individual allocations from the Rescue Act funds will be disseminated.
There will be an increase in Downtown and Village façade tax credits.
Community broadband is getting increased funding, which will be funneled through the telecommunication districts.
The ARP grant monies do not have to be spent until 2024.
DRB meeting
Approved a lot annexation on Skyline Drive.
Reviewed a sketch plan of a lot line adjustment on Lake Morey Rd.
Reviewed a sketch plan of a lot subdivision on Birch Meadow Rd.
Upcoming are two subdivisions and three site plan reviews.
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 13 at 7:00 PM.
Brimmer reported that a remedial permit was issued for a lean-to addition to a garage.
Brimmer and the Board discussed the Rural Small Business Development grant.
Brimmer provided the Board with energy code standards or certificates of compliance from the Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards (30 VSA §51).
[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 March 22, 2021:
Email Correspondences
Nunez stated that he continues to receive emails about the Town Forest from Bill Weale. Nunez recommended that the Town’s attorney be consulted.
EV Charger
Nunez met with Cramer Electric and ChargePoint to examine the EV Charger unit, which may be activated by midApril and will need a fee structure for use.
Fairlee Community Arts
Nunez met with FCA members and the lighting contractors and discussed a midMay completion of the stage/auditorium lighting project.
Mallary Road
Nunez spoke with Walt Gladstone about reclaiming (not paving) a section of Mallary Road.
RR Station Flea Market
Russ Collins will open the Flea Market on May 1.
Lake Morey Road Construction / Phase 2
Nunez met with a Tata & Howard engineer and Mike Wright to review the project site on the east side of Lake Morey. The project will begin after Labor Day.
VTrans Class 2 Road Grant
Nunez recommended diverting grant funds to a guardrail project on the east side of Lake Morey Road.
Yankee Generator
Nunez is negotiating a preventative maintenance contract for the filtration system and the pump house generators.
Private Property / Hiking Trails
Nunez stated that there are many trails in Town, for example, the Palisades Trail, that cross private property with no written agreements.
Central VT Solid Waste Management District
Nunez reported that Green-Up Day is scheduled for May 1, and he submitted the $400.00 grant request.
Nunez participated in the Oversight Committee of CVSWMD. Discussion centered on the building of a household hazardous waste site in Barre Town.
Selectboard Vacancy
Nunez announced that Bernice Mills is interested in serving on the Selectboard.
Forest Board
Dan Ludwig, Forest Board Chair, asked for wording to be changed on the Town’s website about inviting the public into the forest. He wishes to wait for the ground to dry up.
Nunez talked with Danielle Fitzko, Director of Vermont Forestry, and Jessica Savage, Director of Vermont Recreation, to discuss the upcoming April 16 meeting in the Town Forest.
Lake Morey / Water Quality
Greg Allen recommended that there be a Town informational meeting about the water quality of Lake Morey. The Vermont Lakes and Ponds manager, Oliver Pierson, is willing to conduct a public outreach event.
The annual stream sampling project was approved by the VT Department of Environmental Conservation.
Camps on Lake Morey West
Nunez announced that the camps on the west side of Lake Morey are planning renovations that may include right-of-way and access permits for a temporary driveway.
Temporary Vendor Permit
Nunez reported that the Get ‘R Porked vendor is approved and permitted for space in the Fogg’s (Bethel Mills) parking lot from April 1 to December 31.
NEW BUSINESS
GMP Charger Station PILOT PROGRAM
Nunez provided the Board with information from GMP about an EV Charger package. Nunez will research more information.
OLD BUSINESS
Fairlee Newsletter
McGrath discussed the topics to insert into the spring Newsletter related to Fairlee’s natural resources, including the Town Forest plan and Lake Morey’s upcoming milfoil treatment and water quality issues.
HR 1319 America Rescue Plan
The Board discussed the projects that would be suitable for the ARP monies, including a generator for the Town Hall, Railroad Station structure, and road projects.
NEXT SELECTBOARD MEETING: Monday, March 29, 2021, at 6:00 PM
CORRESPONDENCE:
Nunez addressed the large number of emails sent from Bill Weale to the Town administration.
Berger notified the Board of his seat on the Regional Planning Commission, and the committee that is working on strategic planning.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 3-22-2021 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (personnel) at 8:06 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:20 PM.
No action taken.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Board Clerk