03-18-2019 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, March 18, 2019
Call to Order: 6:03 PM
Peter Berger, Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
- Selectboard Members: Peter Berger, Chair; Cathy McGrath, Vice Chair; and Joshua Hickman
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Chaz Hinsley, Noël Walker, and Lisa Hinsley
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Tad Nunez stated that the Executive Session will address a legal matter
Cathy McGrath will present a newsletter outline under Old Business
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
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 March 11, 2019:
Fairlee Library
Library Trustee Cyrie Lange invited the Selectboard to visit the Library to view the interior paint job, which is now complete.
VLCT Workshop “Effective Property Tax Appeals”
Nunez announced a free Vermont League of Cities and Towns workshop will be held at the Lake Morey Inn on Tuesday, April 30.
VT Rail Property
Nunez contacted Mark Fitzgerald, Section Chief, to discuss the 7-acre VT Railroad property outside of their ROW and between the two Town parcels along the Connecticut River.
Town Hall Rental and Fee Schedule
Nunez stated that the rental policy for the Town Hall auditorium has been in effect for six months and now needs review.
Railroad Station Culvert
Nunez reported that the culvert near the Railroad Station is scheduled for boring testing by the VT Railroad Division.
RCAP Solutions
Nunez met with Mark Johnson of RCAP to discuss the Waste Water Committee and water metering. Nunez completed the draft outline of the Waste Water Committee activities with information from the VT Department of Housing and Community Development, Tata & Howard, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
2019 Town Appointments
Nunez sent out emails to the 2019 Town appointees.
Capital Budget Plan Meeting
Nunez reported a change in the schedule for the Capital Budget Plan meeting to March 28, and Kevin Geiger from Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) will attend.
Water Meter Survey
Nunez reported that the survey responses are coming in.
Emerald Ash Borer Workshop
Nunez announced that TRORC will be holding an EAB Workshop on April 16 in Hartland. Peter Guest has been notified.
WCAX Super Senior
Nunez reported that Robert Edmonds was filmed on March 12 as the WCAX Super Senior.
Northern Border Regional Commission
Nunez reported that he attended the Northern Border Regional Commission Grant Workshop. Future wastewater projects are eligible for grants.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
Zoning Administrator’s Report (written)
DRB Meeting
Chris Brimmer announced that a Development Review Board organizational meeting was held on February 26, and David Fracht was voted in as Chair and Nancy Anderson was voted in as Vice Chair.
Tiny Homes
Brimmer received an inquiry regarding a tiny home (400 square feet) to be located off O’Donnell Drive. Brimmer suggested addressing the topic of tiny homes in the housing section of the Town Plan.
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.
First Health Officer
Brimmer stated that a First Health Officer training online webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 20, with an on-site training session to be held on April 25 in Montpelier.
Roundtable Event
Brimmer noted that speakers/panelists are needed for a community roundtable event that the Planning Commission will hold on a future date.
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
[Lisa Hinsley entered the meeting at 6:33 PM]
NEW BUSINESS
Fairlee Cemetery Expansion
Chaz Hinsley, Cemetery Commission Chair, presented information about the donation by Herb Gray of a 100-foot parcel on the north side of the existing cemetery.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to allow the Selectboard to work with Tad Nunez and Chris Brimmer to accept the gift of property from Herb Gray, to move the cemetery boundary 100 feet to the north, and to facilitate funding for acceptance of this gift. The motion passed unanimously.
[Chaz Hinsley left the meeting at 6:36 PM]
2019 Water Rates
Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, presented a chart on the projections of the water use rate increases in 2019. Discussion among the Selectboard and Treasurer ensued.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the increase of the water rate to 5%. The motion passed unanimously.
[Lisa Hinsley and Noël Walker left the meeting at 7:00 PM]
Selectboard Members’ Focus for 2019
Nunez tabled this discussion until the next meeting.
McGrath and Berger presented charts/tables with strategic aims and asked Josh Hickman to create a Gantt-like chart of priorities and tasks for discussion at the next meeting
OLD BUSINESS
Zoning Office: Goals and Objectives
McGrath will work up a final document.
Liquor Licenses
Nunez presented liquor licenses for approval and signing by the Selectboard for the Lake Morey Country Club (Avery Inns).
Executive Session
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session (legal) at 7:55 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:14 PM.
Action items:
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion for the Chair to sign the Water Tank Agreement for Mediation. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the Water Tank Settlement Agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
Septic/Waste Water Committee Update
Nunez stated that a position statement outlining a waste water system for Fairlee will be part of the Town Plan.
Other
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to appoint Peter Berger to the Stagecoach’s OROC (Orange Regional Operating Committee). The motion passed unanimously.
Fairlee Newsletter
McGrath added topics for the upcoming Fairlee Newsletter, including the Wastewater System Committee update and the generous gift to the cemetery property from Herb Gray.
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 3-11-19 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 8:35 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk.