Nov
5
2018

11-05-2018 Selectboard Meeting

Town of Fairlee Town Hall
Grange Room
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, VT  05045

Monday, November 5, 2018

Call to Order: 6:01 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

Board Clerk: Joanna Bligh

Visitor: Dashiell Rae

AGENDA MODIFICATIONS

Peter Berger added to New Business a discussion of the Better Connections grant

Cathy McGrath suggested that the Better Connections grant be a standing agenda item

Tad Nunez stated that the VLCT document be tabled

Frank J. Barrett, Jr., stated that the Railroad Station report and a Town Hall construction update be added to the Agenda

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS

Water Tank Project

Dashiell Rae addressed the Selectboard on the topic of the water tank construction that is underway adjacent to her property off of Bald Top Rd. Rae requested that the Town plant trees to screen the view of the water tank from her home. Barrett stated that the Selectboard had previously reached a consensus on that topic and decided not to approve the Town planting trees for screening on that site.    

[Dashiell Rae left the meeting at 6:25 PM]

Town Administrator’s Report

Tad Nunez presented the Town Administrator’s (TA) report highlighting his activities and meetings during the week beginning October 31, 2018:

Beach Park Build Project

Nunez reported that Mike Wright offered his construction services to the park build at no cost. As a sign of goodwill, Nunez wishes to provide Mike a family pass to the Town beach for 2019. The Selectboard concurred.

From the Zoning Administrator’s Office

Nunez reported that if the Selectboard approves, the Zoning Administrator (ZA) Chris Brimmer will provide the Selectboard with weekly reports of activities from his office. Barrett suggested that a few bullet points from the ZA added to the TA report would be adequate. 

Publication of Minutes

Nunez reported that the Journal Opinion will no longer be publishing the weekly Selectboard Meeting Minutes.

Other

Nunez reported on the following:

One culvert repair has begun, with two more to be completed by year’s end

FEMA reimbursement signatures were submitted for the Knox Rd/Hebard Rd projects

  • Jason Bachus will continue to serve as the delinquent tax collector
  • The back-porch project (HVAC equipment coverage) on the Town Hall has begun
  • Slate roof repairs on the Town Hall will begin November 7
  • The position of constable—should it continue?
  • Berger noted that the Secretary of State’s Office should be queried about how to remove an elected Town office

Nunez to follow up

  • An application was submitted for VLCT property insurance renewal
  • Should hours of the Transfer Station brush dump be extended this month for seasonal leave and brush disposal?

Discussion followed; a decision was made to retain existing hours

  • The Town Hall will be open on Veteran’s Day, November 12
  • The 2019 fireworks date was confirmed with Northstar Fireworks
  • Draining Report 1272 for the water tank was submitted  
  • The quarterly disposal, recycling, and composting report was completed and submitted
NEW BUSINESS

Access Permit Application

Berger stated that the right-of-way requirements are in the Road Ordinance document, which was updated last year. The Ordinance contains an engineering requirement for access permits, and these need to be included with the zoning regulations, subdivision section. Nunez will follow-up.

Trash/Recycling Contract Expiration 2018

Nunez reported that the price for the Transfer Station contract is the same as 2018 and there have been no complaints from users of the Transfer Station. Nunez suggested the Town extend the contract.

Road Maintenance Contract

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to accept as written the six-month extension of the “Winter and Summer Roadwork and General Road Maintenance Contract” between the Town of Fairlee and Mike Wright Excavation (expiration May 31, 2019). The motion passed unanimously.

Better Connections Grant

McGrath suggested researching other towns that won the Better Connections grants in the past to see what projects were approved. McGrath agreed that an informational meeting with Rita Seto of TRORC should be organized along with a required meeting with Jackie Cassino and Richard Amore, which should also include the Planning Commission Chair and the Zoning Administrator.

Treasurer’s Update

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the setup of automatic withdrawal payments of $4,714.45 (Town Hall construction loan) from the Union Bank/Town of Fairlee checking account on the first of each month as requested by the Treasurer. The motion passed unanimously.

Railroad Station Structural Report

Barrett reported that to bring the Railroad Station building, which is on the National Register of Historic buildings, up to code as a Visitors’ Center would mean removing the historic aspects of the building. Barrett recommended, and the Board agreed, that the building should remain as is, and, in the near future, the Board will determine future needs and funding opportunities.

OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Water Tank Project

Nunez reported that the second weekly meeting between the Town; Monash Construction; and Gary Leach, Tata & Howard, will be held Thursday, November 8. Nunez suggested the Selectboard come up with an agenda and topics to address with Bill Meub, attorney, in preparation for the upcoming mediation.

Enhanced Energy Planning

MOTION: Peter Berger/Cathy McGrath moved/seconded the motion to approve the “Enhanced Energy Planning Consultancy” (Peter Gregory, Executive Director, TRORC) dated November 5, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

Budget Workshop—November 8, 2018

Nunez reported that the first Capital Budget meeting with Town departments will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 8.

BOARD ORDERS & CORRESPONDENCES

The board orders and correspondences were presented to the Selectboard for signatures.   

MINUTES REVIEW

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to accept the minutes from the 10-29-18 meeting as written. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Cathy McGrath/Peter Berger moved/seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 8:20 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 9:20 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 9:21 PM.  

Attest: Joanna Bligh, Minutes Clerk