04-16-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, April 16, 2018 Call to Order: 6:00 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
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
- Visitors: E. Smith Reed, Denis Lambert, Tim Danen
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Frank J. Barrett, Jr. would like to add a discussion of downtown redevelopment.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept the Agenda as modified. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Helicopter Pads in Municipal Areas
Tad Nunez received a form letter from the Vermont Transportation Board notifying municipalities that helicopter landing pads should be addressed in zoning regulations. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested this information be passed along to the Planning Board.
Water Users’ Policy
Tad Nunez reported that he was copied on a memo from Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, to the Water Commissioners regarding nonpayment of water bills.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved and seconded the motion to proceed with delinquent notices for nonpayment of water bills. The motion passed unanimously.
Vermont Rural Water Association Conference
Tad Nunez reported that Lance Colby will be attending the conference and that the Town of Fairlee has been in good standing with the Association for 35 years. Tad Nunez added that the Town of Fairlee has the oldest water system in Vermont.
Risk Management Workshop for Highway Supervisors
Tad Nunez reported that this training is being offered by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns at no cost. Cathy McGrath noted that Mike Wright, Town highway contractor, might be interested in attending.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, reported on activities he participated in during the week of April 9, 2018:
Water Tank and Pilot Filtration System Testing
Tad Nunez stated that he attended a 3-hour meeting with Lance Colby and Gary Leach (principal engineer of Tata & Howard) to review the contract and scope of work for the water tank and filtration system project. Tad Nunez summarized the meeting, as follows:
Two structures will be designed: 1) the water tank and 2) a filtration station
The project schedule was reviewed
The information to be sent to the USDA was identified
Amendments to the contract may be included as the project proceeds
Incident Command System Workshop
Tad Nunez stated that he attended the Incident Command System Workshop for Town officials. Tad Nunez noted that the date for the Town’s emergency management plan meeting is to be determined.
Solar Project Right-of-Way
Tad Nunez stated that the access road has been constructed and that the transmission poles are scheduled to be installed.
Water Tank Project Litigation
Tan Nunez reported that Attorney Bill Meub’s (Meub, Gallivan, and Larson, Ltd.; Rutland VT) office will send out invoices to defendants to reimburse the Town for the $11,250 in fees paid out for testing the water tank.
Tad Nunez noted that Attorney Meub will attend the April 30, 2018, Selectboard meeting to review the case.
FEMA
Tad Nunez stated that on April 17, 2018, he will attend a meeting with FEMA representatives and Town Officers Peter Berger and Chris Brimmer to discuss storm mitigation projects. Tad Nunez also noted that the hydraulic studies were completed by Vermont Agency of Transportation and passed along to FEMA.
Green-Up Day
Tad Nunez stated that the Green-Up Day application was sent to the VT Solid Waste Management District.
Water Testing Agreement
Tad Nunez stated that a new water testing agreement was executed with the owner of Fairlee Diner.
FY2019 Municipal Highway Grant
Tad Nunez stated that the grants were completed, submitted, and accepted by the VT AOT, District 7.
Tad Nunez stated that the signed financial plan for town highways and the Town of Fairlee contact sheet were accepted by the VT AOT.
Library Parking Lot
Tad Nunez stated that Mike Wright will continue to grade and hard pack the parking lot area at the Town library.
Tri-Town Commission for Lake Fairlee Dam
Tad Nunez stated that Lisa Hinsley asked if a new treasurer could be sought to monitor the financial statement for the Lake Fairlee dam Tri-Town Commission.
Sink Hole Event—Bridge Street
Tad Nunez stated that the VT AOT intervened following the development of a sink hole on Bridge Street and that he sent a picture of the sink hole to Shauna Clifford from VT AOT District 7.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fairlee Community Arts (FCA)
Tad Nunez stated that a discussion the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the FCA is in order. After detailed discussion, Cathy McGrath suggested that Tad Nunez draft two documents: a policy and procedures document for the use of the Town Hall and an MOU describing the relationship between the Town and the FCA. Peter Berger noted that a framework is needed to determine the responsibilities of involved parties.
[E. Smith Reed entered the meeting at 6:58 PM]
After further discussion, Frank J. Barrett, Jr. stated that as soon as possible Tad Nunez and Cathy McGrath will prepare two documents as noted—a policy and procedures document and an MOU.
NEW BUSINESS
Transportation Advisory Committee of Two Rivers–Ottauquechee Regional Commission
Tad Nunez recommended that E. Smith Reed remain on the Transportation Advisory Committee. E. Smith Reed stated that meetings are bimonthly with a presentation at each meeting and that there are 20 communities that have members attending from Bethel to Newbury in Vermont. E. Smith Reed noted that he will provide reports to the Selectboard from the meetings.
NOMINATION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the nomination to approve E. Smith Reed as the member of the Transportation Advisory Committee from the Town of Fairlee. The nomination passed unanimously.
Housing
Frank J. Barrett, Jr. continued discussion of information from the last meeting about Kevin Lacasse from New England Family Housing Management (https://www.neren.com/profile/392816; New Hampton, NH) who may be interested in housing redevelopment for the Town of Fairlee. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested that he; Chris Brimmer, Zoning Administrator; and Kevin Lacasse meet informally to walk the village area—the meeting is planned for May 7, 2018.
Paving Projects
Tad Nunez presented at report of the financials relating to the Town paving schedule for 2018. Cathy McGrath stated that the roads need reinspection before a final inventory of costs. Tad Nunez will ask Mike Wright to meet with him and Peter Berger for a verification of Town paving needs.
[E. Smith Reed left the meeting at 7:37 PM]
Town Hall Donors’ Plaques
Cathy McGrath presented a revised print-out of the wording on the Recognition Plaques that will be mounted in the Town Hall.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to approve the wording for the Town Hall recognition plaques, as follows: Granddaddy’s Porch for the new south-side entryway, Lake Morey Foundation for the vending area, Byrne Foundation for the balcony, and the Weaver and Wark Family for the stage. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS, cont.
Tata & Howard Agreement—Water Tank Project
Tad Nunez stated that the work on the water tank will be staged and include design, bidding, and filtration testing.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the agreement from Tata & Howard for professional services relating to the water tank and filtration system projects. The motion passed unanimously.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
Tad Nunez submitted the Certification of Compliance for Town Roads and Bridges Standards and Network Inventory for approval and signing.
[Denis Lambert left the meeting at 7:58 PM]
REVIEW OF MINUTES
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 4-9-18 with modifications. The motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to go into Executive Session at 8:14 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:30 PM.
No action taken.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk