Mar
19
2018

03-19-2018 Selectboard Meeting

Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT  05045
Monday, March 19, 2018

6:00 PM 

Call to Order

Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Selectboard Chair, called the meeting to order.

PRESENT
  • Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and Cathy McGrath
  • Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
  • Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
  • Visitors: Lisa Hinsley, Jason Bachus, Lance Colby, Barry Larson
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS

The Agenda is accepted as written.

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Solar Metering Credits

Tad Nunez stated that he received an e-mail about obtaining solar metering credits from an unknown company, which he will research. Cathy McGrath noted that she is in favor of metering credits within the State of Vermont. 

9-1-1 Service in Vermont

Tad Nunez reported that the company that handles the 9-1-1 mobile service is going out of business. He noted that he will monitor the situation.

Town Administrator’s Report

Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, reported on activities he participated in during the week of March 12, 2018:

Road Grant

Tad Nunez offered dates for a meeting with Shauna Clifford from VTRANS District 7. Peter Berger confirmed a meeting on April 6, 2018, at 8:30 AM for a conversation prior to the grant deadline. 

Town of Fairlee Website

Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested that Miranda Clemson be invited to the Selectboard meeting for a discussion of the Town’s website.

Selectboard Signatories

Tad Nunez asked who on the Selectboard is a signatory of the business of the Town of Fairlee. Cathy McGrath noted that both she and Peter Berger are currently signatories.

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to select Frank J. Barrett, Jr., as an additional signatory for the Town of Fairlee. The motion passed unanimously.

Winter Roads Report

Tad Nunez reported that 54% to 58% of the Town budget has been expended for the plowing/salting/sanding of Fairlee roads as of the end of February 2018. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested looking into the cost per hour for snow plowing. Lisa Hinsley stated she will capture the per-hour rate from the submitted bills. 

[Lance Colby and Barry Larson entered the meeting at 6:14 PM]

Weed Harvester Update

Tad Nunez stated that he contacted Joe Maglio from Josie Mae, Inc., in Florida (usedaquaticweedharvestingequipment.com/) about the sale of the used weed harvester. The agent quoted a sale price between $5K and $10K.  Peter Berger suggested Tad contact the Town of Sharon because they showed some interest in making an offer. Tad Nunez stated he will seek a firm price from Sharon.

Income Survey Update

Tad Nunez reported that he has an upcoming conference call with Mark Johnson regarding the Income Survey.

Town Hall Project

Tad Nunez stated that extending the short-term loan until July 1, 2018, based on information provided by Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, will cost the Town between $1K and $1.5K.

Recreation Council

Tad Nunez met with the Recreation Council. Their members would like to be put on the Selectboard Agenda for March 26, 2018, for a discussion of beach management.

Power to Solar Field—Update

Tad Nunez contacted Jeff Young of Green Mountain Power who stated that the Town will be able to connect to power for future build-out of the Transfer Station. 

Urban and Community Forestry Program, U. S. Forest Service, USDA

Tad Nunez stated that he will submit a Tree Stewardship nomination on behalf of the Town of Fairlee Forest Board for their work on the community chestnut tree project.

USDA-RD

Tad Nunez stated that there is an April 1, 2018, deadline to secure USDA funding and that an obligation letter will be submitted as soon as possible to the Selectboard for signatures.

Tata & Howard (T & H; St Johnsbury, VT)

Water tank project

T & H will provide

  • Daily oversite of construction per USDA
  • On-site survey (as-built drawings)
  • Engineering design specifications and an RFP within 2 months beginning March 26, 2018
  • Engineering plans to be sent to USDA for approval
  • Confirmation of scope of work, including coating of lower portion of tank and testing of filtration system

Town of Fairlee will plow/sand the road during the construction project.

Lake Morey East Project

T & H will

  • Send an amended agreement to the Town for structural work
  • Determine project site, i.e., Barbieri location
  • Provide engineering scope of work, including specifications and an RFP for structure and class-2 projects

Town Administrator, Tad Nunez, will obtain language for grant applications.

NEW BUSINESS

Setting of Water-User Rates

Lisa Hinsley reported on the revenues and expenditures based on various water rate increases. Cathy McGrath stated that a 2% increase is far behind other towns. After detailed discussion by the Selectboard, Town Administrator, and Treasurer, Lisa Hinsley summarized stating that 7% (resident) and 50% (metered users) rate increases and maintaining a 5% prepayment discount will raise $10K for the Town.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to increase water rates, as follows: 7% (annual and seasonal users) and 50% (metered users) and to maintain the 5% prepayment discount for the current fiscal year. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to continue water users’ billing procedures in the traditional manner—for nonpayment, initiate the shut-off process. The motion passed unanimously.

Loan Extension

Tad Nunez noted that the loan extension for short-term financing of the Town Hall project will terminate July 1, 2018. Lisa Hinsley suggested that a meeting occur to discuss project costs. Tad Nunez stated that he will provide Town Hall project costs in preparation for a meeting with contractors.

OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Approval of Appointed Positions

Tad Nunez noted that the Forest Fire Warden’s 5-year position is open in 2018, and the individual selected has to be approved by the state commissioner.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to name appointees to the Town’s various boards and vacancies according to the list provided by Tad Nunez. The motion passed unanimously.

[Lance Colby and Barry Larson left the meeting at 7:07 PM]

Jason Bachus, Chief of Police, asked if the delinquent tax collection process remained under his duties. Cathy McGrath stated that the delinquent tax collection duties are defaulted to Jason Bachus.

[Jason Bachus left the meeting at 7:08 PM]

BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES

The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures, including the renewal of the liquor license for Samurai Soul restaurant.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve and sign the liquor license for Samurai Soul. The motion passed unanimously.

[Lisa Hinsley left the meeting at 7:11 PM]

Selectboard Priorities—Continued Discussion

Water Tank Project—Roof Reuse

Tad Nunez asked who was keeping track of water tank litigation. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. stated that the Town Administrator and the Selectboard Chair should be copied on all e-mails, and that the Town Administrator should direct any new information about the water tank to the Selectboard. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested that the roof could be reused as a pole barn. Tad Nunez stated that Mike Wright considered using it as a garage for highway equipment. Tad Nunez suggested that the Board get an estimate and sketch for a pole barn from Tim Schall, structural engineer.

Land Use

Peter Berger noted that the Planning Commission is an elected board and a broad discussion to examine land use as part of economic/housing development for the Town of Fairlee would be desirable and the Boards could work in concert on this issue. Tad Nunez stated that from his meetings with the Forest Board, discussions focused on land-use policy, including recreational goals and multiple use of forest trails.  

REVIEW OF MINUTES

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 3-12-18 with modifications. 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 8:12 PM
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk