Apr
8
2019

04-08-2019 Selectboard Meeting

Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT  05045
Monday, April 8, 2019

Call to Order: 6:03 PM 
  • Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was met.
  • Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair, and Joshua Hickman
  • Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
  • Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
  • Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
  • Visitors: Mike Wright, Smith Reed, Don Weaver (by conference call)
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS

Tad Nunez asked that the Executive Session (personnel) be tabled

MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Tad Nunez reported that an Incident Command Workshop sponsored by Two Rivers Ottaquechee Regional Commission and focused on the responsibilities of executive officers in towns will be held on Wednesday, April 17, in their Woodstock office from 5 PM to 8PM. 

[Mike Wright entered the meeting at 6:18 PM]

Cemetery Commission Request

Nunez reported that the Cemetery Commission requested a waiver of the Town Zoning fee for the property lot line adjustment subsequent to the donation by Herbert Gray.

MOTION: Josh Hickman/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the waiver of the Zoning fee for the cemetery lot line adjustment. The motion passed unanimously.

Conference Call with Don Weaver: Milfoil Treatment

[Conference call began at 6:30 PM]

Weaver, Chair of the Lake Morey Commission, reported on how the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is processing 2 chemical permits for Lake Morey milfoil treatment for 2019. Weaver noted that the treatment permits are unapproved at this point with the lake treatment date 9 weeks away. Weaver recommended contacting Jane Kitchel, state senator, and Sarah Copeland Hanzas, state representative, for help in getting the milfoil treatment permitting through the Agency of Natural Resources. [Conference call ended at 6:42 PM]

[Smith Reed entered the meeting at 6:38 PM]

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Town Administrator’s Report

Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s (TA) report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning April 1, 2019:

Town Hall Auditorium Sound System

Nunez announced that the sound system for the auditorium is schedule to be installed April 10 through April 12.

Gas Tax Pilot Program

Nunez reported that Jane Kitchel responded back to him about the program to restructure the tax base for transportation infrastructure. She stated that a trial pilot program is being planned.

Better Connections Grant

Upper Valley Trails Association and Chamber of Commerce representatives stated that they are eager to be consultants for project planning for the Better Connections grant.  

Code Red Water Users’ Roster

Nunez reported that the Code Red administrators now have a format to allow the towns to submit a roster of water user contacts.

Tree Removal Near Samuel Morey School

Nunez reported that two large trees near the school will be removed during spring break.

Annual Financial Plan for Town Road Maintenance

Nunez announced that he and Mike Wright have completed for Selectboard review the financials and schedule for Town road maintenance.

Lake Morey Reconstruction Project

Nunez sent out notices to homeowners that the Lake Morey Rd project is scheduled to begin on May 6 and completed by June 28.

Nunez announced that the Lake Morey Rd preconstruction meetings are scheduled for April 22 and April 29 at 8:30 AM at the Town Hall.

CPR/First Aid Course for Town Hall Staff

Nunez announced that in midJune, a CPR course will be available to Town Hall staff.

Road Sweeping

Nunez announced that road sweeping is schedule for midJuly.

[End of Town Administrator’s Report]

NEW BUSINESS, cont.

Annual Financial Plan for Town Roads

Nunez, Wright, and the Selectboard discussed the funding and scheduling of Town roads projects for the spring/summer, including structure/culvert repair or replacement, paving, and roadside mowing.

[Mike Wright left the meeting at 7:15 PM]

Zoning Administrator’s Report

Town Officers’ Education Conference

Brimmer attended the conference and focused on the workshops related to:

  • Agenda building
  • Meeting management
  • Community engagement
  • Affordable housing

Planning Commission

Brimmer stated that the Planning Commission at their meeting last week prepared a forum format for the next community event and named a possible moderator. Kevin Geiger and Paige Greenfield attended the Planning Commission meeting to discuss the Energy section of the Town Plan.   
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]

[Chris Brimmer and Smith Reed left the meeting at 7:45 PM]

NEW BUSINESS, cont.

2019 Appointments

Nunez presented a draft list of appointed positions in the Town. He will present a final list at the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Green Up Day and Fall Clean Up

Peter Berger noted that as chairperson for Green Up Day, he is seeking a cochair and suggested that a notice of Green Up Day be placed in the Town newsletter. Nunez announced that on Saturday, May 4, and Saturday, May 11, the brush dump will be opened from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for spring yard cleanup.    

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 4-1-19 meeting as written. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Josh Hickman/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.  

Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk.