07-22-2019 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, July 22, 2019
Call to Order: 6:02 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Josh Hickman
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
Visitors: George and Hazel Pratt, David Leclerc and Renée Martin, Cameron Stevens and Tye Deines, Bob and Paula Stewart, Dan Ludwig, Walter Gladstone, Noël Walker, Chris Sargent
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Cathy McGrath added New Business to the top of the Agenda
MOTION: Josh Hickman/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Request to Accept Alan Ln and Sawyer Mtn Dr as Town Roads
Landowners from Alan Ln/Sawyer Mtn Dr in Fairlee attended the Selectboard meeting to request the re-designation of their roads from Private to Class 3 highways. Bob Stewart provided an overview of their request stating that currently 12 families live on the roads and each landowner must pay their Town taxes, as well as the road maintenance costs. Therefore, if Alan Ln (50% asphalt) and Sawyer Mtn Dr (100% gravel) were Town roads, the residents would not have the responsibility of the cost of road maintenance. Josh Hickman asked why the landowners are asking for this change now. Stewart and Walter Gladstone responded that there are currently so many homes and taxpayers on these two roads that now seemed the right time.
[Noël Walker entered the meeting at 6:14 PM]
Berger noted that the State has statutes and standards for roads, which these roads would have to meet to be designated a public road. Tad Nunez stated that according to the municipal road statues, the Town is required to do an inventory of the roads, surveying, and an engineering review. Nunez recommended that the group read the State road statutes, which the Town will provide, and write a group letter to the Town.
[George and Hazel Pratt, David Leclerc and Renée Martin, Cameron Stevens and Tye Deines, Bob and Paula Stewart, and Walter Gladstone left the meeting at 6:34 PM]
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Zoning Administrator’s Report
[Chris Sargent entered the meeting at 6:43 PM]
Tenant Issues
As Health Officer, Brimmer reported that he attended a tenant dispute.
Planning Commission: Town Plan
Brimmer and Smith Reed discussed engaging the community in the preparation of the Town Plan.
Vermont Community Leadership Summit
Brimmer registered for the Vermont Community Leadership Summit: Vision, Strategy, and Skills for the Future hosted by the Vermont Council on Rural Development on August 12 at Vermont Technical College, Randolph VT.
Town Plan: Land Use Map
Brimmer communicated with Paige Greenfield, TRORC, about the use of her budgeted time and with Kevin Geiger about the land use zones and overlays.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
[Chris Brimmer left the meeting at 6:57 PM]
OLD BUSINESS
Better Connections Grant/Rt 5 Corridor Project: Interview of Prospective Consultant
Chris Sargent, program manager at Dubois and King, Randolph VT, presented the answers to interview questions provided by Tad Nunez on defining steering committee roles and outlining a corridor action plan, as well as preparing a cost estimate for the consulting work for the Better Connections grant.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the awarding of the Rt 5 Corridor Project/Better Connections Grant to Dubois & King, Chris Sargent, program manager. The motion passed unanimously.
[Chris Sargent left the meeting at 8:02 PM]
Town Administrator’s Report
Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning July 15, 2019:
Water Testing on Lake Morey
Nunez reported that water testing was done on Lake Morey this week and results show a level of 7 for E. coli, which is well below the VT State Healthy Recreational Water level of acceptance at 235.
Water Project Update: Filtration System
Nunez confirmed that all Town permits have been submitted and the Development Review Board will review the project at a hearing on August 13, 2019. The final specifications and documents will be sent to the State of Vermont for review the week of July 22.
Department of Environmental Conservation Grant
Nunez reported that for fiscal year 2020, eligible projects include grass and stone-lined drainage ditches, lowering the height of road shoulders, replacing culverts, gully erosion projects on Class 4 roads, and more.
Asset Management Workshops
Nunez announced that the Asset Management workshops begin on Thursday, July 31, followed by additional workshops scheduled for September 5 and October 5.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
Setting the Tax Rate
Noël Walker noted that the Grand List will be set soon, and there needs to be a meeting between the Selectboard and the Treasurer to set the tax rate. The Selectboard meeting on Monday, August 12, will have the tax rate on the Agenda.
OLD BUSINESS, cont.
Review of Solar Net Metering Credit Agreement
Nunez presented the Solar Net Metering Agreement for signing.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the Solar Net Metering Agreement with system owner Norwich Community UU LLC. The motion passed unanimously.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Josh Hickman/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Minutes from the 7-15-19 Selectboard meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk.