07-02-2018 Selectboard Meeting
Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Monday, July 2, 2018
Call to Order: 6:03 PM
Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair, called the meeting to order.
A quorum was met.
PRESENT
- Selectboard Members: Frank J. Barrett, Jr., Chair; Peter Berger, Vice Chair; and Cathy McGrath
- Town Administrator: Tad Nunez
- Minutes Clerk: Joanna Bligh
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
None.
STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town Administrator’s Report
Tad Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning June 25, 2018:
Warned Public Hearing—Unified Development Bylaw
Nunez reminded the Selectboard that a signed warning is required on July 9 for the Monday, July 23, public hearing. Chris Brimmer will be at the next Selectboard meeting.
Town Hall Construction Project
Nunez reported that he is spending several hours a day supervising the Town Hall project.
Fairlee Community Arts
Nunez stated that he received the FCA Certificate of Insurance, and the FCA has scheduled its first event for July 4.
Fairlee Town Beach
Nunez reported that a new A-frame sign has been placed at the Town Beach indicating “No lifeguard on duty” and “Beach passes are required.”
Water Tank Project
Nunez stated that he completed the engineering agreement with Paul Howard of Tata & Howard.
Ditching Projects
Nunez submitted the final invoices for the approved grant request to Two Rivers−Ottaquechee Regional Commission for the updated 2017 ditching projects with a local match of $977 and a State of VT match of $3911.
FEMA Projects
Nunez stated that the Town received notice that the FEMA projects for the July 1, 2017, rain event in Fairlee have reached the final approval stage.
Tour de Taste/Upper Valley Trails Alliance
Nunez reported that the UVTA requested the use of the gazebo on the Town Common for a staging area during the September 9, 2018, cycling event, the Tour de Taste.
Water Tank Project
Nunez noted that he is working with Paul Giuliani, municipal law attorney, and Paul Gillies, municipal, zoning, and land-use attorney, on the USDA administrative requirements.
Emerald Ash Borer
Nunez reported that he met with Peter Guest, Fairlee resident, and Larry Martin, Tree Warden, to initiate plans on management of the emerald ash borer threat in the Town’s right-of-ways.
Fairlee Forest Board
Nunez reported that the Forest Board is planning the installation of a plaque near the location of the Chestnut Tree Project plantings.
AOT Structures Grant
Nunez noted that the Structures Grant agreement has been completed and approved. Nunez stated that Tata & Howard is working to have the an RFP for the Lake Morey Rd East side retaining walls completed as soon as possible.
[End of Town Administrator’s Report.]
NEW BUSINESS
VT AOT Structures Grant Agreement
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the State of VT AOT grant agreement for structures, bridges, and culverts award of $135,436 (10% match). The motion passed unanimously.
Prudential Retirement Deductions/Automated Clearinghouse
Nunez presented a letter from Lisa Hinsley, Treasurer, in which she requested the use of an automatic clearinghouse for retirement fund deductions from employee paychecks. Automatic withdrawals will come from the Union Bank/Town of Fairlee checking account and go directly to the employees’ retirement accounts.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to deduct automated payments from the employees’ paychecks to go into the employees’ retirement fund accounts. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Solar Field Right-of-Way
Nunez presented the draft agreement from Bradford Atwood, attorney (Hughes, Smith, Hughes, Atwood, & Mullaly, PLLC, Lebanon NH), regarding the right-of-way to the solar field owned by Walt Gladstone. Nunez stated that the document states that a 50-foot right of way be provided for access to the solar field. Peter Berger stated that the right-of-way should equal the easement provided to Green Mountain Power, which is 30 feet.
Water Tank Project
Cathy McGrath and other Town officials attended a meeting/sales presentation by Annie Wheeler, New England Territory Manager of Aquastore, Inc., regarding the Town’s prospective new water tank. McGrath reported that the panels are constructed in Iowa and the quality control by the company is paramount. McGrath stated that about 6 feet of space outside the diameter of the tank foundation is required for construction of the new tank. This will require the full demolition of the old tank and construction of a new base. Nunez noted that the company states that 10 weeks are needed for construction of the new tank.
Water Tank Roof Removal Project
Nunez asked the Selectboard if Brian Newcity, who constructed the temporary truss roof, should be asked to continue work and deconstruct the roof, and the Selectboard agreed to continue to use the existing contractor and to have Nunez converse directly with Newcity.
Budget 2019 Preparations
Nunez will work with Lisa Hinsley to schedule meetings with Town department heads in preparation for the 2019 budget. Frank J. Barrett, Jr., stated that department heads might consider using three categories in the construction of the departments’ budget plans: a) services to public, b) asset maintenance, and c) capital improvements. It was agreed that the Budget Committee should be invited to the Selectboard meeting for a discussion after the midyear budget report is available from the Treasurer.
BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES
The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures, including the VT DEC, Watershed Management, approval of the Notice of Intent of the MRGP.
MINUTES REVIEW
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the Selectboard Meeting Minutes from 6-25-18 as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 7:34 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:00 PM.
MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk