06-11-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, June 11, 2018
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Zoning Administrator: Chris Brimmer
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Mark Bishop, Elizabeth Wilson, Josh Hickman, Melissa Gahagan, Kevin Geiger (Two Rivers–Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission; TRORPC), Dan Ludwig, Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Lisa Hinsley, Noël Walker, Clyde Blake, and Lance Colby
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: 6:01 PM
CAPITAL BUDGET STEERING COMMITTEE Session
Chris Brimmer introduced the members and Kevin Geiger from TRORPC. Berger presented an overview of the goals of the Steering Committee, including the creation of a capital improvement/budget plan for Fairlee.
[Elizabeth Wilson entered the meeting at 6:07 PM]
After detailed discussion from the members and Kevin Geiger, Barrett suggested the Committee create a meeting schedule and that a public hearing be scheduled later in the year by the Selectboard to inform the public of the Steering Committee’s work. Brimmer noted that the first meeting could be planned for the middle to end of July, and Barrett noted that all Steering Committee communication be shared with the Chair of the Planning Commission and the Town Administrator.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion resume the Selectboard meeting at 7:04 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
[Chris Brimmer, Mark Bishop, Josh Hickman, Melissa Gahagan, Clyde Blake, and Kevin Geiger left the meeting at 7:05 PM]
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Cathy McGrath requested that an update from Fairlee Community Arts and an announcement of a Music Series be added to the Agenda
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to amend the Agenda as stated. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Water Tank Project Position Statement
Tad Nunez presented a position statement summarizing the June 4, 2018, engineering report presented to the Selectboard by Gary Leach of Tata & Howard. McGrath stated that the next Fairlee Newsletter will include water tank project updates.
Town Administrator’s Report
Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning June 4, 2018:
Knox Rd Project
Nunez stated that he received a stream alteration permit from the VT ANR for the Knox Rd. project. FEMA is now requiring that the Town submit a US Army Corps of Engineers application with the following requirements: a) a plan view and cross section showing the previous and existing culvert and b) the square-foot area of impact that occurred below the ordinary high water mark of the stream.
Water Filtration System/Water Tank Project
Nunez reported that BlueLeaf arrived at the pump station to test the water for establishing a new filtration system, and that Gary Leach, Tata & Howard, is working with VT ANR to assure all tests are completed appropriately.
Lance Colby stated that metal tanks can be used for municipal water systems and that only one company makes glass-lined tanks (1 year warranty). Colby noted that BlueLeaf’s testing protocol must be reviewed and approved beforehand by the State of VT. Berger emphasized the importance of timely communications. Nunez stated that he will monitor with a weekly check-in regarding the accelerated Water Tank Project schedule.
[Lance Colby left the meeting at 7:16 PM]
Town Hall Construction Project
Nunez reported that he is continuing to secure subcontractors for the completion of the Town Hall project and is monitoring day-to-day project activities.
The Town will be entering an agreement with Housewright Construction to secure one carpenter and one laborer for 2 weeks beginning June 18.
System for Award Management
Nunez reported that the Town received the SAM.gov letter, which allows the Town to do business with the U.S. government.
Solid Waste Management District Meeting
Nunez attended a district meeting and was assigned to the Finance Committee. Nunez noted that the Town received a $4,000 grant to assist with the Town’s scrap-waste and transfer-station greeter program.
Better Roads Grant
Nunez stated that he received acknowledgement of submittal of the RPC/DEC agreement.
Town Received a Complimentary Note
“Just wanted to send a great big thank you to Jason Bachus. We found the Lynne Whitcomb party on Saturday, June 2….” —Lynne Kirsch
Highway Spring/Summer Timeline
Nunez reported that he and Mike Wright have completed the timeline for the spring/summer highway projects, as follows:
- Culvert repairs
- Lk Morey Rd W (header)—June 20181
- Lk Morey Rd W (culverts)—September 20181
- Hebbard Rd (culvert)—August 20182
- Ditching
- Maurice Roberts Rd—June 20182
- Hebbard Rd—August/September 20182
- Bragg Hill—August/September 20181
- Terry Hill Rd—early July 20181
- 1General fund.
- 2Grant funding.
- Sidewalk Repairs
Nunez reported that the sidewalk repair near the bank will be finished during the week of June 11.
EV Charger/Park & Ride
Nunez reported that the EV charger will not be installed at the Park & Ride because of cost overruns.
Weed Harvester Sale
Dan Ludwig stated that for 18 years he has managed the weed harvester operations for the Town, and this year he had made a commitment to cut a pond in Sharon VT. Nunez reported that the Town is moving forward with the sale of the weed harvester.
NEW BUSINESS
Grand List 2016, 2017
Noël Walker presented an appeal to sign off on the 2016, 2017 Grand List.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the 2016, 2017 Grand List. The motion passed unanimously.
Walker stated that the Board of Listers allowed an additional 30-day extension for the approval of the 2018 Grand List with a deadline of August 15, 2018.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve a 30-day extension to the 2018 Grand List. The motion passed unanimously.
Review of Current “Town Budget Committee Description”
Nunez presented a document for review titled “Fairlee Town Budget Committee Description,” which was approved during an Annual Budget Hearing on January 6, 2014.
Elizabeth Wilson noted that she would like to do research on how other towns are handling financial oversight. Georgette Wolf-Ludwig stated that the Budget Committee “charter” was a protection for voters and allowed for Public Hearings and recommendations to be made at Town Meetings.
Fairlee Community Arts
McGrath stated that the FCA’s summer music series will commence on July 3rd.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Town Hall Facility Use Policy
Nunez presented the revised Facility Use Policy to the Selectboard. After a detailed discussion, the Selectboard revised the document.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the Town Hall Facility Use Policy as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
Town Hall Project Update
Nunez stated that he met with the Building Committee and subcontractors to discuss the completion of the Town Hall project.
OTHER BUSINESS
Emerald Ash Borer
Berger asked if the Forest Board is acting on the threat of the emerald ash borer. Nunez noted that he will consult with the community forester.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
Correspondences included a letter from Leet Ware Construction, and Barrett suggested that the Selectboard review the letter outside the meeting.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 6-4-18 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk