08-06-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, August 6, 2018
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
- Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Visitor: Don Weaver
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Peter Berger inserted under Old Business discussion of planning/corridor grants
Cathy McGrath added miscellaneous items under New Business, i.e., Avery Rd signage and Thank You cards for the Town Hall construction project carpenters and Building Committee
Tad Nunez added an Executive Session after New Business
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town Hall Architectural Drawings
Barrett announced the possession of first drafts of old architectural drawings of the Town Hall, which he wishes to archive in the Town Hall vault.
UVM Capstone Projects
Nunez announced the availability of civil engineering students from the University of Vermont to work with towns in Vermont to complete Capstone projects.
Vermont Council on Rural Development/Leadership Summit
“Making It Happen: Local Leadership for the Future of Vermont Communities” Castleton University, Castleton, VT (https://www.vtrural.org/Summit18)
Nunez suggested the Selectboard encourage Town officers to attend.
Water Commissioners’ Notices
Nunez reported that water bills were sent out July 17 and unpaid second notices are now due.
Lake Morey Foundation Report/Don Weaver
Don Weaver presented the current milfoil management report relating to Lake Morey. Weaver announced that divers are actively working on three-quarters of the lake with the remainder scheduled for chemical treatment next year.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning July 30, 2018:
Avery Rd Sign Missing/Trailhead
Berger noted that the sign relates to parking at the Avery Rd trail entrance. McGrath stated that the sign, which is missing, says “Please Park Here.”
Town Hall Construction—Project to Complete
Nunez reported that on the exterior wall of the Town Hall building there is mechanical equipment that requires protection from falling ice. A lean-to of 5 feet or greater is needed to protect it from ice damage.
Ambulance Building Interior Repair
Nunez reported that the shower door at the Ambulance facility bathroom has been replaced.
Donor Board
Nunez reported that the Donor Board is scheduled to be shipped on August 14.
Sound System for Town Hall Auditorium
Nunez reported that the theatrical sound system for the Town Hall auditorium, including speakers, a mixing board, and lights, will cost $27,000 and the Town’s matching portion is $13,500.
Structures Grant
Nunez reported that he spoke with Bruce Barbieri in regard to the Structures Grant project, which will have work being done adjacent to his property.
Trees in Town Right-of-Way
Nunez reported that he visited Fairview Sq and confirmed that a row of trees are at least 25 feet inside the Town’s right-of-way and that he has a request-for-proposal out to trim or remove the trees.
Tri-Town Commission
Nunez reported that the Town received a correspondence from the Tri-Town Commission regarding the Lake Fairlee dam. Berger suggested he follow-up with Doug Stone, Selectboard Member, Thetford, VT.
Town Hall Internet Policy
Nunez reported that the staff discussed the Internet policy for the Town Hall. Berger noted that the Town’s Internet should be used for staff and presenters/guests only and that the password should be changed regularly.
Copier Lease Program
Nunez reported that the lease on the Town’s copier is coming due, and he would like to look into getting more services for a better price.
Recreation Council/Swim Lessons Event
Nunez reported that the Recreation Council held an event in the Town Hall auditorium with the children from the swim lessons. Swim lessons at the Town Beach end on August 22.
Housing Forum Follow-Up
Nunez stated that he had a conference call with Bob Haynes, Green Mt Economic Development Corporation, regarding housing and commercial development in Fairlee. McGrath noted that the marketing study (Ryan, J. [2108] “Housing Needs Assessment: Thetford and Fairlee Vermont”) could be rewritten as a sales document.
Knox Rd Culvert Repair
Nunez reported that the Knox Rd culvert project needs “Bump” signs posted. Berger suggested Nunez speak with Rita Seto, VTRANS Regional Planner.
Town Hall Ventilation System
Nunez reported that the Alliance company visited and reprogramed the ventilation system in the Town Hall, which was considered their first preventative maintenance visit.
Water Tank Project
Nunez notified the Selectboard that now the time to put out the bids for the water tank project. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for August 13 at the Town Hall.
Historic Preservation Application
Nunez reported that up to $20,000 of money is available for historic building refurbishment, including windows and roofs, with 50% of the costs covered by the Town.
Vermont League of Cities and Towns Budgeting Workshop (https://www.vlct.org/event/municipal-budgeting-workshop)
Nunez reported that the VLCT has a Budgeting Workshop scheduled for September 11 in Montpelier.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report]
NEW BUSINESS
Town Hall Events/Alcohol Policy
Nunez reported that there is a Town policy that addresses the availability of alcohol during Town events on Town property, namely that the caterer will have the alcohol licensing permit. Discussion ensued and the Selectboard recommended that Nunez do more research on the topic.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Miscellaneous Topics
With the Town Hall construction project now complete, McGrath recommended that the Town send letters of thanks to the Building Committee and carpenters. Barrett suggested that he and Nunez craft a letter of appreciation.
[Don Weaver left the meeting at 7:25 PM]
McGrath asked to have the Vendor Ordinance topic included in next week’s agenda.
Municipal Septic System Planning
Nunez noted that the contact person at VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development is Nathan Cleveland, Program Coordinator, who will be contacted. Discussion ensued, and Nunez will add this to the next week’s agenda for further discussion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 8:00 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:12 PM.
Action item:
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to have Brian Newcity LLC and Tad Nunez, Town Administrator, prepare a contract for the Water Tank Roof Removal project. The motion passed unanimously.
FAIRLEE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT BYLAW
Berger suggested that the Bylaw be posted on the Town’s website. Barrett noted that Brimmer presented changes at the Public Hearing on July 23, 2018, at 6:00 PM. McGrath suggested a post card mailing with bullet points of key items in the Bylaw and an additional posting on ListServe.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Meeting Minutes from July 30, 2018, as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 PM
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk