Mar
12
2018

03-12-2018 Selectboard Meeting

Town of Fairlee Town Hall Grange Room
75 Town Common Road Fairlee, VT 05045

Monday, March 12, 2018

6:19 PM

Call to Order

Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, called the meeting to order.

PRESENT
  • Selectboard Members: Cathy McGrath; Peter Berger; and Frank J. Barrett, Jr.
  • Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
  • Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
  • Visitor: Jason Bachus
NOMINATIONS

Tad Nunez called for nominations of Selectboard Chair.

Cathy McGrath nominated and Peter Berger seconded the nomination of Frank J. Barrett, Jr. as Selectboard Chair for the 2018 session.

MOTION: Tad Nunez/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to elect Frank J. Barrett, Jr. as Selectboard Chair. The vote was unanimous.

Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called for nominations for Selectboard Vice Chair.

Cathy McGrath nominated and Frank J. Barrett, Jr. seconded the nomination of Peter Berger as Vice Chair of the Selectboard for the 2018 session.

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Frank J. Barrett, Jr. moved/seconded the motion to elect Peter Berger as Selectboard Vice Chair. The vote was unanimous.

AGENDA MODIFICATIONS

None.

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Board Clerk Procedures Review

Sign-In Sheet

Joanna Bligh suggested that the Selectboard Meeting Sign-In Sheet include a Please Print column, so that handwritten visitors’ signatures came be clearly interpreted.

Minutes Review

Joanna Bligh asked if the review of Minutes could take place at the beginning of the meeting rather than at the end, so that the process is less rushed. Cathy McGrath noted that this discussion has taken place in the past and the Board decided that reviewing Minutes at the beginning of the meeting takes up public-session time and that it is best to be left for the end of the meeting.

Audiorecordings

Joanna Bligh suggested that for the audiorecordings of the Selectboard meetings to be informative for subsequent listeners, the speakers need to be identified. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested that a roll call of all present be implemented. Cathy McGrath suggested that the Board ask audience members give their names before they speak. Joanna Bligh asked whether the public should be notified that they are being audiorecorded when they speak. Cathy McGrath suggested that a sign stating that the session is audiorecorded should be posted near the Sign-In sheet.

Message From the Incoming Selectboard Chair

Frank J. Barrett, Jr., incoming Selectboard Chair, offered his appreciation and gratitude to Cathy McGrath, outgoing Selectboard Chair, for her energy and attention to detail beyond the call of duty, especially during the 2017 search for a Town Administrator.

Income Survey

Tad Nunez suggested that following the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) that the seasonal household incomes be omitted. Peter Berger suggested that all individual units be counted, which may affect the total households considering rental units. Cathy McGrath confirmed that the income per unit is needed for assessment of water use rates. Tad Nunez stated that according to 2010 ACS data, median household income was between $28K and $54K and that it would be more realistic to omit seasonal residents’ income from the survey.

VT Arts Council Grant

Tad Nunez stated that during a meeting with Lynne Fitzhugh, they considered the possibility of the Fairlee Community Arts (FCA) applying for the VT Community Arts Cultural Facilities grant. Tad Nunez noted that he received the preliminary Memorandum of Agreement from FCA.

Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant

Tad Nunez reported that the Town received notice of approval of an Aquatic Nuisance Control grant of $18,769, which requires a match of $6,256.13.

Hazardous Materials Reporting

Tad Nunez noted that hazardous material Tier Two reporting has begun for the sand and salt piles.

Paving Project

Tad Nunez stated that he has contacted the paving company for review of the Town paving projects.

Posting of Town Roads

Tad Nunez noted that the Town roads were posted on March 5, 2018.

FEMA Debris Projects—DR4330

Tad Nunez stated that he received confirmation from the VT Department of Public Safety that all documentation has been submitted regarding the FEMA debris project—DR4330.

Town Hall Renovations

Tad Nunez stated that the oil tank will be removed from the basement of the Town Hall.

Park & Ride

Tad Nunez stated that it is appropriate for the Town to establish local rules and regulations related to the Park & Ride. The State of Vermont has the following rules for Park & Rides that the State administers:

  • Free
  • Open 24/7
  • No overnight camping
  • No commercial vehicles
  • No abandoned vehicles

Frank J. Barrett, Jr. noted that this is the first year of the Town’s administration of the Fairlee Park & Ride and that if overnight parking is identified by the Police Chief, Jason Bachus, he should notify the Selectboard about this and any other infringements.

Power to Solar Field

Tad Nunez contacted Jeff Young of Green Mountain Power (GMP) and found out that lease agreements with AmeriGas and Vermont Railway are secured. Tad Nunez noted that GMP will be boring under the railroad tracks for cable placement and will be sending a lease agreement to the Town. Peter Berger wants to ensure that the Town will have access to power at the Transfer Station. Tad Nunez stated that he will follow up with Jeff Young, GMP.

NEW BUSINESS

Review of Appointed Position Vacancies

Tad Nunez and the Selectboard discussed naming appointees to the Town’s various boards and vacancies, including the Chief of Police. Cathy McGrath noted that this discussion be continued during next week’s meeting.

OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Objectives and Priorities

Frank J. Barrett, Jr. stated that 2017 has been a busy, productive year for the Town and that the 2018 priorities are now noted. He wishes to divide the tasks and suggest Selectboard liaisons, as follows:

  • Cathy McGrath to support the FCA and Town communications
  • Peter Berger to work on budgeting, finance projections, fiscal system, and land-use issues
  • Frank J. Barrett, Jr. to focus on economic development and housing

Tad Nunez stated that the Town Hall renovation completion, highways/roads projects, and the water project are high priorities. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. stated that, as Selectboard Chair, he will go onsite when necessary and get roadwork schedules from Gary Leach. Tad Nunez stated that managing the Town Administrator’s calendar, staff training, professional development, and management of Town projects and the Town offices would be under his purview.

Confirm Staff Evaluation Review Schedule

The Selectboard and Tad Nunez discussed the staff review process.

BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES

The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures. MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the appointment of Jason Bachus as Chief of Police for the Town of Fairlee. The motion passed unanimously

REVIEW OF MINUTES

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 3-5-18 with modifications. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 8:39 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 9:25 PM. No actions were taken.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM

Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk