04-23-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, April 23, 2018
Call to Order: 6:07 PM
Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called the meeting to order.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and Cathy McGrath (by conference call)
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: E. Smith Reed, Denis Lambert, Noël Walker, Mike Wright
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Cathy McGrath, Peter Berger, and Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested no changes to the Agenda.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town Administrator’s Report
Frank J. Barrett, Jr. entered into the record the Town Administrator’s report for the week of April 16, 2018:
Town Beach Property Management
Tad Nunez met with Matt Jung of the Recreation Council who reported that beach property clean-up is scheduled for May 5, 2018. Tad Nunez noted that Brandi Bissonnette’s weekly Aqua Aerobics courses are scheduled at Fairlee Town Beach this year and that he will send the instructor an MOA stating that no fees can be charged to the class participants.
Department of Environmental Conservation/Central Floodplain Region
Tad Nunez was in communication with Ned Swanberg, CFM, Manager, Central Vermont Floodplain, who stated that Fairlee is in jeopardy of losing its floodplain insurance from National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Tad Nunez will be meeting with Chris Brimmer and Ned Swanberg to discuss re-permitting.
Preservation Trust of Vermont
Tad Nunez and Chris Brimmer will be meeting with a representative from the Preservation Trust of Vermont (http://ptvermont.org/) to discuss the grant for the Railroad Station, which was not approved.
Park & Ride
Tad Nunez asked Chris Brimmer to contact Cramer Electric, Fairlee VT, for an update on the installation of the EV charging station.
Water Tank Project Litigation
Tan Nunez reported that Attorney Bill Meub (Meub, Gallivan, and Larson, Ltd.; Rutland VT) will attend the April 30, 2018, Selectboard meeting to discuss the water tank litigation.
FEMA
Tad Nunez stated that he attended a meeting with FEMA representatives and Town Officers, Peter Berger and Chris Brimmer, to discuss storm mitigation projects.
Peter Berger stated that regarding the Lake Morey Rd box culvert project, the FEMA reports have been tabled in order to update numbers.
Two Rivers–Ottauquechee Regional Commission (Woodstock, VT)
Tad Nunez conversed with Kevin Geiger of TRORC who stated that there are new mitigation grants available.
Solar Project Right-of-Way
Tad Nunez reported that Green Mountain Power is finishing the easements needed for access across the Transfer Station property, and the agreement should be available for Selectboard signatures at the April 30, 2018, meeting.
Water Tank Project
Tad Nunez reported that he was working closely with Gary Leach (principal engineer of Tata & Howard) and the USDA to be assured that all requirements are met before going out to bid.
Paving Contracts
Tad Nunez reported that paving contracts have been secured and that the contracts can be altered to allow for additional Terry Hill Rd paving.
Fairlee Community Arts (FCA)
Tad Nunez reported that the Memorandum of Agreement for FCA has been completed.
NEW BUSINESS
USDA Loan Resolution
Peter Berger stated that the loan resolution document, which has been signed by Eric Law (USDA Rural Development), was presented to the Selectboard for adoption and signatures.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept and sign the USDA loan (RVS Bulletin 1780-27) of $2,310,000. The motion passed unanimously.
[Denis Lambert entered the meeting at 6:19 PM]
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Road Paving Updates
Peter Berger and Mike Wright, Town Highway Contractor, discussed the ditching and paving needs of the Town roads. After detailed discussion, Peter Berger stated that Tad Nunez has the cost analyses, including matching grant amounts, of the projects.
[Mike Wright left the meeting at 6:26 PM]
Fairlee Community Arts
Tad Nunez prepared a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the FCA and the Selectboard to review. After detailed discussion, Peter Berger suggested that the FCA bring back comments and work with Tad Nunez on any revisions to the MOA.
[E. Smith Reed left the meeting at 6:48 PM]
FEMA Project Updates
Peter Berger stated that Seth Hill, FEMA representative, is reassessing the grant for the Lake Morey box culvert project.
Town Hall Construction Updates
Frank J. Barrett, Jr. stated that he had a conversation with Leet Ware, Leet Ware Construction, regarding the change orders for the Town Hall construction project. Noël Walker stated that she had also spoken to Leet Ware and he suggested working with Brian Newcity, Site Manager. Noël Walker noted that she will have an upcoming meeting with Brian Newcity, Tad Nunez, and Leet Ware (by phone) for clarification of change orders.
[Denis Lambert and Cathy McGrath left the meeting at 7:11 PM]
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Frank J. Barrett, Jr. moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk