06-18-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, June 18, 2018
Call to Order: 5:30 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
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Don Weaver, Peter Lange, and Lisa Hinsley (Building Committee)
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to recess the meeting and move into Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: 5:45 PM
The Selectboard moved out of Executive Session at 5:50 PM.
Action item: The Selectboard approved drafting and sending a letter to Leet Ware.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion reconvene the Selectboard meeting at 6:00 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Building Committee Session
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to instruct the Treasurer to borrow $835,055 for the Town Hall construction project. The motion passed unanimously.
[Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Don Weaver, Peter Lange, and Lisa Hinsley left the meeting at 6:10 PM]
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 June 11, 2018:
Air Conditioners
Nunez stated that the air conditioners previously used at the Town Hall are now in storage, and they are available to be given away.
Emerald Ash Borer
Nunez stated that he attended a meeting of David Matthews; Peter Berger; and David Paganelli, Orange County Forester, to discuss the Emerald Ash Borer.
Water Bills
Nunez reported that the Treasurer sent out 10 water shut-off notices.
Nunez stated that the owners of Leda’s Pizza questioned why the water bills from one quarter to another were different. The Treasurer responded to the query on June 5, 2018.
Weed Harvester Sale
Nunez reported that the final documents to complete the sale of the weed harvester were sent to the purchaser.
Blueleaf, Inc.
Nunez met with Patrick Smart, Gary Leach, Lance Colby, and Barry Larson to review the water testing project conducted by Blueleaf (Charlton, MA).
Blaktop, Inc.
Nunez reported that he met with Blaktop (W. Lebanon, NH) and Mike Wright to review the Town Hall and Town Common paving project, including a small area of the parking area that is now dirt in front of the granite pillars.
Roadside Mowing
Nunez noted that roadside mowing started June 18.
Mowing Regulations
Nunez noted that the Dollar Store has complied with the Town order to mow its lawn.
Municipal Planning Grant (MPG)/Better Connections Grant
Nunez reported that Richard Amore from the VT Department of Housing and Community Development confirmed that both grants come from the same funding pool and are mutually exclusive.
The Town Plan needs an 8-year update requiring an MPG of $10,000, and revision of the White Plan is a priority as part of corridor planning (which can be facilitated through a Better Connections Grant).
Amore recommended completing the Town Plan first and then addressing the Better Connections grant in 2020.
Enhanced Energy Planning/Two Rivers–Ottaquechee Regional Commission (TRORC)
Nunez stated that the Town is eligible for help from TRORC for Enhanced Energy Planning, which would create the energy section of the Town Plan update. TRORC assistance requires approval from the Planning Commission and the Selectboard. Enhanced Energy Planning will make the Town compliant with Act 174 (http://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/act-174-recommendations-and-determination-standards).
Transfer Station Right of Way
Nunez stated that Walt Gladstone agreed to pay the attorney fees for creating a Transfer Station right-of-way document, which the Selectboard will be able to review.
NEW BUSINESS
Emerald Ash Borer
Nunez stated that the county forester noted that the ash trees should be harvested sooner rather than later. The Town does not have an inventory of street-side or private-residence trees, some of which may be ash trees. Peter Berger noted that the Town has acres of unassayed trees and needs a tree inventory.
Nunez suggested that the Town set up a team to look for ash trees, and Frank J. Barrett, Jr., asked that Nunez contact Tree Warden Larry Martin and move forward administratively with plans.
Fairlee Newsletter
Cathy McGrath presented a draft of the June issue of the Fairlee Newsletter for the Selectboard to review. McGrath suggested adding wording in the newsletter, such as “Seeking help identifying roadside ash trees.”
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water Tank Preliminary Engineering Report Review
Nunez stated that the document was reviewed by Patrick Smart of the Vermont Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Recommendations Contained in the June 2018 Preliminary Engineering Report for the Demolition and Replacement of the 275,000 Gallon Water Storage Tank (June 18, 2018), written as follows:
The Town of Fairlee Selectboard do the following:
Accept the recommendations contained in the June 2018 Preliminary Engineering Report prepared by Tata & Howard, Inc.;
Agree that the most reasonable and appropriate solution to the failing 275,000-gallon water storage tank is the demolition of the entire water tank and installation of a new replacement tank at the current location (hereinafter, the Project);
Proceed forthwith with the design and construction process so that the Project can be completed in 2018; and
Agree that these recommendations are consistent with the intent of the Fairlee Water System Bond vote dated February 28, 2018, and that the Town of Fairlee shall proceed forthwith to complete the Project and finance it, as has been proposed and approved.
The motion passed unanimously.
Town Hall Project Update
Nunez stated that the Housewright group was not hired because another crew was immediately available and less expensive. The elevator inspection will occur next Friday, the sprinkler system is completed, and painting has begun on the exterior.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 6-11-18 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 7:57 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:20 PM.
Action taken: Cathy McGrath will inform applicant that editing work is not required at this time.
Action taken: Tad Nunez will facilitate a timetable for Town staff performance evaluations.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk