Draft Minutes of the Meeting of
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD SELECTBOARD
October 25, 2021
Held at the Office of the Town Clerk
THOSE PRESENT: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, Dennis LaRocque, and Kate Threlkeld,
Selectmen; Tim Higgins, Road Crew Foreman; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant to the Board; Tory Littlefield (Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission), Gwynn Zakov (Planning Commission), and Betty Lord, Secretary.
A. CALL TO ORDER: The Chair, John Benson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:Tory Littlefield (TRORC) appeared before the Board to give an update on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Gwynn Zakov, Jeff Kimmel, Kevin Wheatley and Rich Doolen are on the LHMP review committee. Ms. Littlefield explained various hazards that could affect the Town of Brookfield and their potential impact.
Gwynn Zakov, Chair of the Brookfield Planning Commission, came before the Board to request
approval for a Municipal Planning Grant application. The Town plan must be renewed every eight years and will be due again in 2024. This application is due November 1, and will be sent to TRORC to be listed. Ms. Zakov also reported there are two vacancies on the Planning Commission Board and she will have recommendations to present to the Selectboard for approval at its November 8 meeting.
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. OLD BUSINESS
1. Administrative Assistant – Ms. Vicki Blanchard attended the meeting to state that she was pleased to accept the job as Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Benson outlined the duties of the job for Ms. Blanchard.
2. Personnel – Employee Annual Review: See below.
3. Brookfield Cemeteries – Sexton Duties: Tabled until the next meeting on November 8.
E. HIGHWAYS
The Board received a proposal from Benoit Electrical for $2,125 to work on the shed at the Town
Garage. There could be extra costs in having the electrical panel renewed or replaced as well as fees from Green Mountain Power. Mr. LaRocque made a motion to accept the Benoit proposal in an amount not to exceed $3,000. Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 4-0-0.
Mr. Higgins gave an update on the grader. A review is being done to determine if the wear on the
brakes is consistent with the hours clocked on the grader. Mr. Higgins also stated the Twin Pond grant project is completed and Ms. Seto at TRORC has the paperwork to close out the grant.
Mr. Josh Brown on the upper end of Witts Bridge Road has asked that a sign be put at each end of the road as cars and delivery trucks using their GPS find themselves on the road and unable to get out. Mr. Higgins will prepare a sign warning people that it is not a Class 4 road and it is not maintained.
Mr. Higgins has sent off samples from the property of Doug Haggett to determine if it can be used for sand or gravel. He also reported that the road crew has been ditching and flushing out culverts.
On Wednesday an inspection crew will be inspecting the five bridges in town that are too small to
qualify for a VTrans inspection. After the inspection, a concentrated effort will be given to those that have specific needs. In order for the Fire Department to go forward with their application, it is required that the hydrant by Sunset Lake must have a filter curtain around the works area in the water. Mr. Higgins and the road crew will take care of placing said filter curtain.
Personnel Employee Annual Review – Mr. Benson made a motion for the Board to go into Executive Session at 7:58 pm. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which carried unanimously: 4-0-0. At 8:32 p.m.
Mr. Benson made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which carried unanimously: 4-0-0.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Open Selectboard Member Position – Mr. Benson moved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss the replacement of the of the seat vacated by the passing of Ms. Brenda Flint. Mr. Kimmel seconded and Board unanimously agreed to go into Executive Session at 8:37 p.m. At 8:56 p.m. Mr. LaRocque made a motion to come out of Executive Session, Ms. Threlkeld seconded the motion and the Board voted unanimously to come out of Executive Session: 4-0-0.
Once out of Executive Session Mr. Benson made a motion to nominate Ms. Betty Lord to fill the open position on the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Threlkeld seconded the nomination and the Board voted unanimously to have Ms. Lord fill the position: 4-0-0.
2. TRORC – Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: See above.
3. Town Planning Commission – Municipal Grants: See above.
4. VLCT Property & Casualty – Brookfield Cemetery Damages: The Town received a check from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns in the amount of $10,250 to cover the costs of damage done to headstones in the Ridge Road Cemetery.
5. Cargill Contract – Deicing Salt: Cargill presented a contact for deicing salt at $73.94 per ton
delivered, for 230 tons ($17,006.20.) Mr. Benson made a motion to accept the agreement with Cargill for deicing salt. Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion was carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
6. Assistant Town Treasurer – Account and Pay Rate: The budget account number for the Assistant Town Treasurer is 10-5-16-00 and the budgeted amount is $500.00
7. Vt. Legislative Reapportionment – Brookfield, Braintree, Roxbury, and part of Randolph. The Board discussed the best way to notify the general public about the proposed reapportionment. Ms. Lord will notify the public of the proposal by Front Porch Forum.
F. PAYROLL AND AP WARRANTS
The accounts payable were tabled until Wednesday when Mr. Kimmel will meet with Ms. Ingrassia to review the records. Mr. Benson made a motion to give Mr. Kimmel the authority to approve the accounts payable so they can be paid and mailed after review. Ms. Threlkeld seconded the motion which passed unanimously: 5-0-0.
G. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2021
It was brought to the attention of the Board that Mr. Dennis Boggs was named in the minutes as
having appeared before the Board. The person actually attending the meeting was Mr. Steve
Schaeffer. Mr. Benson made a motion to accept the minutes as amended (with apologies to Mr.
Boggs). Ms. Threlkeld seconded the motion which was carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
H. OTHER PROPER BUSINESS
Mr. Benson made a motion to incorporate the obituary of Ms. Brenda Churchill Flint into these
minutes. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which was unanimously carried: 5-0-0.
BRENDA CHURCHILL FLINT
JULY 1, 1977 – OCTOBER 15, 2021
Brookfield, VT
Brenda Flint, 44 of Brookfield, VT was taken much too young on Friday, October 15th in Brookfield, doing what she loved, walking.
Brenda was born to Ray and Lora Churchill of Brookfield, VT on July 1, 1977. She married Paul Flint in 2000.Their daughter Samantha was born in 2005.
Brenda was a member of the national honor society for four years at both RUHS and RAVC. Upon graduating she attended Vermont Technical College on a full tuition scholarship where she earned herAssociate of Applied Science in Business Administration. She later received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Johnson State College.
Brenda had an unmatchable work ethic. She had just begun a new position as Controller for VTC and CCV.
Prior, she was Director of Business Services and Associate Controller at Vermont State Colleges,
office of the Chancellor for 5 years and a Staff Accountant for 8 years at VTC. Her career began at
Dubois and King working as a Staff Accountant for 11 years.
In her spare time she helped run Sky View Farm Dairy and Maple Sugaring. Formally a Brookfield town auditor for 6 years, she began her 2 yr term as a Selectboard Member of financial controls for the town of Brookfield this past July.
She was a blood donor for the Red Cross for 25 years; upon her passing she donated her organs.
Brenda loved mini things, M&M’s and numbers. Spreadsheets were the answer to all things requiring organization.
She was an avid college basketball fan, Duke was her team. A Patriots fan. A Tom Brady fan. Even after leaving the Pats her loyalty never swayed for Tom. She enjoyed traveling, concerts, Disney, running, walking, biking, medaled competitions, hosting parties, being with her family and friends, country music, and baking.
She was truly happy; shining in the prime of her life. A loving wife, mother, daughter and sister; adoredby her colleagues and was a good friend to many.
Brenda is survived by her wonderful husband Paul and daughter Samantha, who were simply her
world. Her parents, Ray and Lora Churchill. Her older sister, Amy Ferris and younger sister Tina
Churchill. Brother in-laws Michael Ferris and Bruce Wilson and her nieces and nephews Joshua,
Amanda and Joseph Ferris and Quentin Wilson. Her Grandfather and his wife, Kermit and Sandra LaBounty and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends.
She is predeceased by her maternal Grandmother, Lois LaBounty and her paternal grandparents,
Robert and- Margaret Churchill.
A funeral service and reception will be held at The Chandler Center for the Arts, 71 N. Main Street in Randolph on Thursday, October 21st at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers and food, donations may be made to:
The Brenda Churchill Flint Memorial Scholarship,
Vermont Tech
Attn: Development & Alumni Relations Office
PO Box 500
Randolph Ctr, VT 05061
or The Red Cross
I. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Threlkeld called for adjournment at 10:15 p.m. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion and the meeting was unanimously adjourned.