03-11-2019 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, March 11, 2019
Call to Order: 6:04 PM
Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Cathy McGrath, and Joshua Hickman.
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Clyde Blake, Bruce Lyndes, David Gagner, Jason Bachus, Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Noël Walker, and Lisa Hinsley
NOMINATIONS
Chair
Nunez opened nominations for the position of Selectboard Chair for 2019. Cathy McGrath nominated Peter Berger for the position of Chair. Nunez closed the nominations and called for a vote. McGrath and Josh Hickman voted in favor of Peter Berger as Chair of the Selectboard.
Vice Chair
Berger opened nominations for the position of Selectboard Vice Chair for 2019. Berger nominated Cathy McGrath for the position of Vice Chair. Berger closed the nominations and called for a vote. Berger and Hickman voted in favor of Cathy McGrath as Vice Chair of the Selectboard.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Berger requested that the appointment of the Chief of Police be moved up in the Agenda
Berger noted that the Executive Session will address a legal matter
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve Jason Bachus as Fairlee’s Chief of Police. The motion passed unanimously.
The Certificate of Appointment was signed by the Selectboard; Jason Bachus; and Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Town Clerk.
Nunez indicate that the Town has funding to compensate its elected Constable.
[Jason Bachus, Clyde Blake left the meeting at 6:10 PM]
RIVENDELL SCHOOL BOARD (Fairlee Representatives)
Bruce Lyndes presented an overview of the Rivendell School budget stating that the per pupil spending in 2019 will be $19K, which is high compared to other districts. David Gagner stated that the average daily membership (i.e., attendance) at the school and the common level of appraisal from the states drives property tax levels.
Berger suggested the Rivendell students participate in community service in Fairlee. The School Board representatives agreed stating that each student completes a community service project in order to graduate.
[David Gagner and Bruce Lyndes left the meeting at 6:47 PM]
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Liquor Licenses
Georgette Wolf-Ludwig presented liquor licenses for approval and signing by the Selectboard for the Lake Morey Resort (outside consumption) and Dollar General.
[Georgette Wolf-Ludwig left the meeting at 6:51]
FEMA: Community Emergency Response Team Drills and Exercises
Nunez reported that an emergency drill will be held on August 5 in association with the New Hampshire National Guard.
Town Administrator’s Report
Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s (TA) report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning March 4, 2019:
CVSWMD
Nunez reported that he attended the monthly meeting of the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District.
Water Meters
Nunez announced that the water meter questionnaire was mailed, which asked the recipients if they have a back-flow prevention device.
Structures Grant Bids Out
Nunez stated that the Lake Morey retaining wall project is going out for bids this week with the pre-bid meeting scheduled for March 21 and all bids due by March 28.
Tree Service
Nunez met with the tree service contractor this week to discuss road-side tree limb hazards, tree removal, and stump grinding.
Posting of Roads
Nunez announced that roads will be posted with load limits as of March 18.
Super Senior from WCAX 31 Radio
Nunez announced that Robert Edmands will be recognized by the radio station as a Super Senior.
Water Well Pump System
Nunez reported that the pump system will be inspected in April by Weston & Sampson (Reading, MA).
Town Beach Staff
Nunez announced that notices of beach staff job openings will be sent out this week.
Vermont Rural Water Association
Nunez reported attending a meeting of the VT Rural Water Association on “Metering.”
Common Level of Appraisal (CLA)
Noël Walker explained about an appeal with the State about its assessment of Fairlee’s CLA. The State agree to modify the energy figure, which slightly raised the CLA to 99.04.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
Zoning Administrator’s Report (written)
DRB Meeting
Brimmer announced that a Development Review Board meeting was held on February 26 regarding Susanne Pacilio’s plat approval for a minor subdivision, which resulted in a Deliberative Session to be continued during the Tuesday, March 12, DRB organizational meeting.
Town Hall Window Grant (Sincerbeaux Fund Grant)
Brimmer reported that the windows will be evaluated on March 19 at 10:00 AM and, by the end of March, Sally Fishburn will have a report regarding the window replacements for the Town Hall.
Capital Budget Plan Steering Committee
Brimmer reported that on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 PM Kevin Geiger of Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Regional Commission will review the project deliverables.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
Cybersecurity Workshop
Walker announced a 1 to 2 hours IT workshop, required by the State of Vermont, that will include discussion on interfacing with servers and confidentiality.
[Noël Walker left the meeting at 7:35 PM]
NEW BUSINESS
Selectboard Orientation Meeting
Nunez and Berger presented orientation topics for Josh Hickman, the new Selectboard member.
Zoning Office: Goals and Objectives
Berger moved the discussion to Executive Session.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to accept the Minutes from the 3-4-19 meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (legal)
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session at 8:07 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 9:07 PM.
Action taken:
McGrath to edit Zoning Office goals and objectives
Nunez to contact Paul Gillies
Georgette Wolf-Ludwig to receive three days bereavement leave
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk.