04-01-2019 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, April 1, 2019
Call to Order: 5:58 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
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Noël Walker, Russ Collins
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Tad Nunez asked to add a discussion of the opening bid for the Like Morey Rd project
Nunez asked to move up in the Agenda the discussion of the Reappraisal Contract currently under New Business
MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Reappraisal Contract
Noël Walker presented information about renewing the contract with Vermont Appraisal Company (Plainfield, VT) for the 2020 to 2021 Town-wide appraisal. Russ Collins noted that the VAC is familiar with Fairlee’s taxable properties, which simplifies appraisal.
MOTION: Josh Hickman/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the Contract for Reappraisal dated April 1, 2019, for Town-wide reappraisal from May 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, with Vermont Appraisal Company. The motion passed unanimously.
[Russ Collins left the meeting at 6:18 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 March 25, 2019:
Lake Morey Rd Project
Nunez announced that Northwood Excavating bid for the Lake Morey Rd project and presented a Notice of Award bid agreement for the Selectboard to sign. Mike Wright will oversee as clerk of works for the project on behalf of the Town.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to approve the Notice of Award with Northwood Excavating for the Lake Morey Rd project. The motion passed unanimously.
Budget Priorities for 2019
Nunez listed the Town budget priorities for summer though fall, including the Transfer Station shed project, highway rebuilding and paving, Class 4 culvert repairs, Emergency Building projects, and the Town Hall floor sanding.
New Phone Service for Town Offices
Nunez reported that he negotiated an updated phone system with Consolidated Communications to include 11 lines for the Town Offices, Water Commission, Library, and Fire Department. Note: The Upper Valley Ambulance has opted out of using the Town’s phone service.
Capital Budget Plan Meeting
Nunez reported that the meeting attended by him and Planning Commission Board members, the Town Treasurer, and a Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Regional Commission representative discussed Capital Budget goals, including an inventory of Town equipment and a public forum.
Town’s Well Site
Nunez reported that he visited the well site to oversee the company that is performing the 10-year cleaning of the Town wells.
Auditing of Town Records
Nunez reported that auditors will be coming to review the Town records on May 14 and 15, 2019.
Beach Front Employment
Nunez announced that with the help of Matt Jung, Recreation Council, advertisements were posted seeking beach front help for the summer.
Code Red
Nunez reported that the Code Red service is not automatically on. Nunez will follow up.
Emergency Preparedness Conference, September 6, 7
Nunez announced this conference will be held at the Lake Morey Resort and attendees from the Town will include Tad and Lance who is the Town’s Emergency Plan Coordinator.
Charitable Donations
Nunez reported that Safeline, domestic violence prevention in Orange and Windsor Counties, and the Vermont Center for Independent Living were given donations from the Town.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
Zoning Administrator’s Report (written)
Economic Development Forum
Brimmer attended the Forum at Burke Mountain on Wednesday, March 27.
Takeaways included the following:
The State is doing cell phone and Internet connectivity audits for the Public Service Department, and Brimmer recommends that Fairlee be included in the audit
Local leadership development issues were discussed
Development of a local business roundtable advisory committee was recommended
Planning Commission
Planning Commission will be setting a firm date on when to hold the next community forum. Kevin Geiger and others will attend the Planning Commission meeting on April 4 to discuss the Energy section of the Town Plan
[End of Zoning Administrator’s Report]
[Noël Walker left the meeting at 6:53 PM]
OLD BUSINESS
Selectboard Members’ Focus for 2019
The Selectboard opened this discussion. Nunez will add this topic to future meetings.
Josh Hickman presented Excel and Gantt charts for review that document the strategic goals set by the Selectboard.
Spring 2019 Selectboard Institute, Rutland VT
Hickman stated that he attended the workshop sponsored by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns on Saturday, March 30.
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 3-25-19 meeting as written. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Josh Hickman moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 PM
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk.