Brookfield, Vermont

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022, 5:30 PM

The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned.

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Mike Stoddard, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell.  Dennis LaRocque, Select Board Member and Road Commissioner, Kevin Wheatley, Fire Chief, LT Hugh O’Donnell, VSP, Sheriff William   Bohnyak, OCSD and Starr Strong, Health Officer attended as guests.

• 5:30 PM: Call to Order There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
• Review, revise or approve the April 06, 2022 meeting minutes. Approved with one correction. “L. Stowell attended the April 11, 2022 Select Board meeting.” 3-0.
• Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public- No members of the public attended.
• Hippo Park Needle Discussion: After a thorough discussion by all present, It was agreed to recommend to the Select Board that Hippo Park be observed by law enforcement officers and others to determine if the needle discoveries were an isolated incident and if not, what action(s) might be taken. L. Stowell to send needle disposal directions to S. Edson.

Survivermont Presentation: LT Hugh O’Donnell, VSP- LT O’Donnell explained that “Survivermont” is a statewide active shooter public safety training program presentation to the general public lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours.  This might be a good program to be presented at the Old Town Hall.  L. Stowell to provide LT O’Donnell contact information for the Old Town Hall Committee.

• Speed Cart and Patrol Deployments: OCSD & VSP- LT O’Donnell agreed to place the VSP Speed Cart on Route 14 for two weeks this Summer. L. Stowell to provide Clotilde Hryshko’s contact info to LT O’Donnell. The OCSD Speed Cart was deployed to the Ridge Road.

Upcoming Events Involving Brookfield: S. Edson to approach Green Mountain Gravel for more information about their October bike race to travel through a part of Brookfield.

Highway Dept Coordination and Traffic Sign Deployment Plan: Dennis Larocque, Road Com. D. LaRocque to find out if all of FY 2022 traffic sign money has been spent and if not, to do so.

• Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports and Bills- Sheriff Bohnyak explained that his Dept. was down several officers but was making every effort to provide patrols in Brookfield, particularly in the summer months.
• Vehicle, Pedestrian, Horse and Bicycle Safety- Grant Exploration-L Stowell to contact people known to ride or drive horses on town highways about ways to increase their safety.
• Town Meeting Preparation (May 21, 2021)- L. Stowell to present a brief PSAC Report.
• Traffic Ordinance Status- D. LaRocque suggested that L. Stowell send a corrected version to the Select Board for adoption. LT O’Donnell pointed out that the Judicial Bureau Waiver Penalty Schedule is revised annually and that the traffic ordinance should cite it as the “current” Waiver Penalty Schedule.  Edson to check with the Town Treasurer about traffic ticket income.
  • Parking Issues in Brookfield- L. Stowell to talk with the local VTRANS person about signs.
• May Public Safety Message- M. Stoddard to create and send a draft to L. Stowell
• Setting the Next Meeting- June 22, 2022
• Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting- CPT Scott Clouatre, OCSD to be invited.
• Final Public Comment- None

Entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. Approved at 6:59. 3-0.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022, 5:30 PM

The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned.

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Mike Stoddard, Michael Rutkovsky, Stuart Edson, Dan Mason and Lew Stowell.  CPT Scott Clouatre, OCSD attended as a guest.

• 5:30 PM: Call to Order There were no additions or deletions to the agenda
• Review, revise or approve the March 02, 2022 meeting minutes. Approved with one correction; Charlie Ballou attended as a guest, not Charlie Isham.  5-0.
• Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public- No members of the public attended.
• Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports and Bills- OCSD reports were discussed and Scott Clouatre offered that more data including incident location will be provided in future reports. Scott Clouatre also brought the committee up to date with OCSD staffing shortages and steps taken to improve the situation.
• Speed Cart and Patrol Deployments- The Speed Cart will be deployed in early May and kept mostly to main roads. Paved roads are safer for the Speed Cart but some gravel roads such as Stone Road can be made safer by the positioning of the cart.
• Upcoming Events Involving Brookfield: The Northeast Back Country Discovery Route (motorcycle tour route) June to October, the Green Mountain Gravel bicycle race in October and the re-pavement of I-89 South were all discussed. Stowell to contact Green Mountain Gravel for more information.
• Vehicle, Pedestrian, Horse and Bicycle Safety- Grant Exploration- L. Stowell will contact Chelsea Sprague and Sarah Isham to identify Brookfield roads with frequent horse traffic.
• Town Meeting Preparation (May 21, 2021)- L. Stowell will prepare a draft presentation for the May Committee meeting.
• Traffic, Road Name and Weight Limit Sign Status- With improving road conditions and weather, it is hoped that more progress can be made installing signs.
• Traffic Ordinance Status-L. Stowell will attend the May 11 Select Board meeting. There may be an ordinance version mix up.
• Parking Issues in Brookfield- It was noted that parking and trash can placement by a home owner on the West side of the Floating Bridge needs to be modified. Scott Clouatre to contact them.
• April Public Safety Message- L. Stowell to create and publish.
• Setting the Next Meeting- Wednesday May 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM at the Brookfield Congregational Church ground floor.
• Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting- Dennis Larocque, Brookfield Select Board Member and Road Commissioner will attend.
• Final Public Comment- No members of the public attended.
• Entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mason made the motion and M. Stoddard seconded.  Motion passed 5-0 at 7:11 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022, 5:30 PM

The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned.

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Mike Stoddard, Michael Rutkovsky, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell. The following members of the public attended: Sarah Isham, Charlie Isham and Clotilde Hryshko.

• 5:30 PM: Call to Order There were no additions or deletions to the agenda
• Review, revise or approve the January 19, 2021 meeting minutes. Approved as written 4-0.
• Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public followed the agenda.
• Vehicle, Pedestrian, Horse and Bicycle Safety- Grant Exploration- S. Isham suggested the following as possible grant sources: VT Horse Council, Kingdom Trails and Covid funds. L Stowell reported that TRORC will assist towns in applying for grants and he will to continue to research grant sources. Members were provided grant documents for VTRANS Bicycle/Pedestrian grants.  Isham pointed out that riding or driving horses on West Street and Crossover Road could be hazardous because of speeding vehicles.
• Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports and Bills- It was noted that only five hours of patrols were conducted in January.
• Town Meeting Preparation (May 21, 2021)- As home-work the committee will come up with matters that should be presented at the town meeting in May.
• Speed Cart Deployments-Review-C. Hryshko brought up the high speed that some cars and trucks traveled at on Route 14 South of East Brookfield. She requested either a speed cart or stationary radar or both set up near her home. Members were asked to work on drafting the 2022 Speed Cart plan. S. Edson suggested that OCSD patrols set up more stationary radar positions.  Stowell reported that the VSP Royalton Barracks has a speed cart that can be deployed to locations with speeding or traffic issues.
• Traffic, Road Name and Weight Limit Sign Status- S. Isham said there were missing signs on West Street. S. Edson said there was an incorrect Stop sign at West Street and Northfield Rd.
• Traffic Ordinance Status-L. Stowell to ask K. Threlkeld for the status of the draft Traffic Ordinance presented to the Select Board in early 2021.
• Parking Issues in Brookfield-There are issues with parking near Hippo Park and a trash can and porta potty should be placed on the West side of the floating Bridge in April.
• April Public Safety Message- L. Stowell to create the April message on pedestrian safety. The March safety message created by M. Stoddard will be posted soon.
• Setting the Next Meeting-Wednesday April 6, 2022 at 5:30 PM at the Congregational Church.
• Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting- Either Scott Clouatre or Bill Bohnyak. L. Stowell to approach Dennis Laroque about being a guest on a more favorable day of the week for May.
• Final Public Comment-S. Isham requested that horse warning signs be posted on West Street and Crossover Roads. Isham to send L. Stowell the link to the horse statue in the VSA.

Entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by M. Stoddard and seconded by M. Rutkovsky.  Passed 4-0 at 7:04 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022, 5:30 PM

The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Dan Mason, Mike Stoddard, Michael Rutkovsky, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell.

5:30 PM: Call to Order No additions or deletions to the agenda

• Review, revise or approve the December 15, 2021 meeting minutes. Approved 4-0
• Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public- None attended.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety- Grant and participation exploration- Members brought clothing and devices that they use to wear in conditions of reduced visibility to compare and discuss.  There are a number of workable solutions to being seen at night and other times of reduced visibility.  It was noted that seeing people walking at night in dark clothes and no light on town roads is common.  This is a dangerous situation.  L Stowell to pursue information about grants with TRORC and AOT.
• Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports and Bills- The info provided for December 2021 may be incorrect. Stowell to confirm hours and cost.
• Review of Public Safety 2021 Annual Report- After discussion the report was approved to be sent to the Town Clerk for inclusion in the Town Report.  It was noted that the Brookfield Town Meeting has been postponed until May 21, 2022.
• Speed Cart Deployments-Review- A new Speed Cart Plan for 2022 will be created soon.
• Traffic, Road Name and Weight Limit Sign Status-Tim Higgins report on the sign inventory currently at the Town Garage was discussed. It was hoped that significant progress can be made this year in replacing missing or damaged signs.
• Traffic Ordinance Status- The new ordinance has been tabled until next meeting by the Select Board.
• Parking Issues in Brookfield- The 2022 Ice Harvest and Mid-Winter Fest on January 29 may increase the number of vehicles needing to park on both sides of the floating bridge.  There is a missing “No Parking” sign near Hippo Park.  The fence at Hippo park has been damaged recently.  Parking may also be limited on the West end of the Floating Bridge.
• February Public Safety Message- L Stowell to provide the message. It was decided that there will be alternating tag lines between Pedestrian and Bicycle safety and other safety subjects each month to keep the safety tips message length manageable when posted on the town website and Front Porch Forum and still have some mention of pedestrian/bicycle safety in every message
• Setting the Next Meeting-March 2, 2022 at 5:30 PM at the Brookfield Congregational Church.
• Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting- A grants person from TRORC, AOT or other organizations providing grants for public safety efforts, particularly public education will be invited if available.
• Final Public Comment- No members of the public attended.

Entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting which was approved 5-0 at 6:37 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021, 5:30 PM

The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned.

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Dan Mason, Mike Stoddard, Michael Rutkovsky, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell. Katherine Threlkeld, Select Board Member and LT Hugh O’Donnell, Vermont State Police also attended

5:30 PM: Call to Order-There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

• Review, revise or approve the November 17, 2021 meeting minutes. Approved as written. 5-0
• Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. No Members of the Public attended.
• Guest Presentation: LT Hugh O’Donnell, VSP Royalton Barracks- Providing Law Enforcement Services to Rural Communities. LT O’Donnell provided a brief presentation in which he said the Vermont State Police (VSP) was more in a response mode than that of providing patrols. He urged the public to report suspicious behavior promptly. He provided a detailed report on the 109 “Calls for Service” received by his station from Brookfield from 12/01/2020 to 12/1/2021. His station has a shortage of troopers but is hopeful that the next two graduating Law Enforcement Academy classes will help bring his station up to full staffing.  VSP is not taking on new town contracts for law enforcement services at this time.  He offered to check with his sources about possible grants, particularly public education grants.  He also answered questions from the committee and pointed out that he is a native Vermonter with local ties.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety- Further Discussion. The committee is awaiting a response from the Select Board on the committee’s recent recommendations. Public education is felt to be of prime importance. The wearing of bright and reflective clothing is very important.

• Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports, Bills and Budget Recommendation. S Edson moved and M Rutkovsky seconded a motion to recommend that the Select Board continue the FY 2023 OCSD contract at 312.5 hours which will cost $16,250.00. Motion approved 5-0.
• Traffic, Road Name and Weight Limit Sign Budget Recommendation-S. Edson moved and M. Stoddard seconded a motion to recommend that the traffic Control Sign portion of the FY 2023 budget be level funded at $8500.00. Motion approved 5-0. The committee is requesting to know how many and what kind of traffic control signs are on hand at the highway department at this time.
• Traffic Ordinance Status- The committee is awaiting word from the Select Board. K Threlkeld to check.
• Parking Issues in Brookfield-It was noted that the fence at Hippo Park has been damaged.
• January Public Safety Message- L Stowell will send M. Rutkovsky suggestions for the January 2022 Safety Tips. Stowell to prepare the Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety portion.
• Setting the Next Meeting- Wednesday, 1/19/2022 at 5:30 PM.
• Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting- L. Stowell to invite a grants knowledgeable person.
• Entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Approved 5-0 at 7:09 PM.