10-01-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, October 1, 2018
Call to Order: 6:04 PM
Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
- Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and
Cathy McGrath - Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: David Matthews, Dennis Farmer
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Peter Berger added a discussion of the energy plan under Old Business
Cathy McGrath added discussion of Gantt and PERT charts
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning September 24, 2018:
Columbus Day
Nunez reported that the Town Hall, including the Town Clerk’s Office, will be closed on Monday, October 8, for the Columbus Day holiday.
FEMA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Nunez reported that the FEMA Local Hazard Mitigation Plan expires in 2020, and a plan needs to be in place to secure future FEMA aid and mitigation funds.
Lake Morey East Culvert Projects
Nunez reported that he is seeking funds for the Lake Morey East Culvert project through the VTRANS Better Roads Category D grant, which has a due date of October 26, 2018, according to Rita Seto, Transportation Planner, Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Regional Commission.
Nunez noted that the Lake Morey East culvert project will include insertion of an 18-inch culvert.
Town of Fairlee Health Officer
Nunez announced that Tiffany Reed, Health Officer, has submitted her resignation.
Lake Morey Chemical Treatment—Milfoil
Nunez reported that with the assistance of SOLitude Lake Management, he submitted the second permit for procellaCOR, aquatic herbicide, for the chemical treatment of Lake Morey. The permit application goes to VT Department of Health (Nov/Dec) and to the VT Agency of Natural Resources (Jan/Feb).
Bald Top Rd Property
Nunez reported that owners of a parcel of land near the Town Forest are seeking to sell their property.
Emergency Services Building
Nunez reported that the priority for maintenance/repairs for the Emergency Services building is repairing the damaged ceiling and exhaust system in the equipment bays.
Booth at Transfer Station
Nunez reported that he submitted the Municipal Services Program grant for the partial funding of a small booth at the Transfer Station.
Tree Removal
Nunez reported that he met with Longo Tree Service to discuss tree removal, which is to be done in early December.
Water Storage Tank Mediation
Nunez reported that the mediation for the Water Storage Tank litigation will be postponed until December to allow more time for depositions.
Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Nunez stated that he met with a VLCT Loss Prevention staff member who requested an Emergency Action Plan from the Town.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Forest Board
David Matthews, Forest Board Chair, stated that Peter Lange will resign as a member of the Forest Board, and Matthews has a suggested replacement. Matthews noted that he wishes to renew his term on the Forest Board until 2023. After considerable discussion about Board priorities and potential future projects including recreational activities within the Town Forest, motions were made.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve Reggie Cramer as the replacement for Peter Lange on the Forest Board with his term to end in 2020. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve David Matthews as the Chair of the Forest Board with his term ending in 2023. The motion passed unanimously.
Ackerman’s Forest Property
Nunez presented a letter from the Ackermans who are offering to sell to the Town their 148 acres of property adjacent to the Town Forest. Frank J. Barrett, Jr., asked Nunez to add this discussion to the next meeting’s agenda and invite the Ackermans to the meeting.
[David Matthews and Dennis Farmer left the meeting at 7:15 PM]
Fairlee, W. Fairlee, and Thetford Selectboards Joint Meeting
Berger suggested that with the many similarities among the Towns including the Tri-Town agreement, the Selectboards should come together to explore avenues of cooperation, including police, EMS, fire departments, and housing.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Town Roads─Culvert Repair Update
Nunez reported that on Lake Morey West, 3 culvert projects will be completed soon.
Water Tank Project Update
Nunez reported that a first progress meeting is scheduled for Thursday October 11 at 9:00 AM.
Purchasing Card Policy
Nunez presented the revised policy document for Selectboard review.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Purchasing Card Policy as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
Vendor Ordinance Revisions
Nunez reported that the changes had been incorporated into the Vendor Ordinance document.
Another Public Hearing will be warned.
Candidates’ Night Forum—Update
McGrath stated that the Candidates’ Forum is scheduled for Monday, October 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and is being held in the second-floor auditorium at the Town Hall. McGrath stated that the candidates will receive questions in advance. Barrett suggested that discussion continue at the next meeting.
Vermont Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference: “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future,” October 10, 11, 2018, at the Lake Morey Inn
Nunez reported that a speaker is scheduled for 5:00 PM and that the fundraising is over goal for the refurbishing the Lake Morey Park.
PERT and Gantt Charts
McGrath suggested that Gantt charts are a useful way to track progress and keep the Selectboard and others informed. Berger added the importance of using Sharepoint or OneDrive to allow easy access and editing from multiple sources.
Energy Plan
Nunez noted that Chris Brimmer is seeking Selectboard approval for the Planning Commission to work on the enhanced Energy Project for the Town Plan.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve that the Planning Commission work on the 3-year Enhanced Energy Project. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to sign the contract with Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Planning Commission under the Municipal Planning grant to assist with 2019 Town Plan. The motion passed unanimously.
Other
The next Selectboard Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 15.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept the minutes from the 9-24-18 Selectboard meeting as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk