Brookfield, Vermont

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2019, 5:30 PM
BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,
40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT
UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Mike Stoddard, Stuart Edson, Michael Rutkovsky and Lew Stowell with Kate Forrer, Town Forester.

1. Review and Approve Minutes of April 24, 2019. Approved

2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. None Attended.

3. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. As of April 30, OCSD has 138 patrol hours (53%) remaining in the contract. L Stowell spoke with LT Clouatre on 5/20/19 whether there was a new policy about charging for meeting attendance. LT Clouatre is to check with Sherriff Bohnyak and get back to L Stowell. L Stowell to attend the next Select Board meeting to request that any unspent OCSD contract monies be used to purchase additional traffic signs and discuss other issues.

4. Continuing Review of Parking and Speed Enforcement on Brookfield Roads.
There were two written traffic citations and two written Warnings issued in April 2019. R Peck completed a reconnaissance of the Town Office parking lot. It can be nearly doubled in size. More planning to include possible parking lot layouts is needed.

5. Review of Radar Speed Cart Deployments in 2019. LT Clouatre stated on 5/20/19 that the Speed Cart data from 2018 had been lost in downloading. He said that the schedule is achievable. He will deploy the cart as soon as he gets a trailer hitch on his cruiser. He will be in charge of the cart this year. There will be no charge for moving the speed cart.

6. Developing and implementing the Draft Emerald Ash Borer Threat Plan. L Stowell reported that R Peck, Town Tree Warden is willing to assist with Ash tree removal efforts but would prefer to not be involved in meetings and decision-making efforts. K Forrer recommended having Russ Barrett be a guest at the next committee meeting. Russ, a retired County Forrester, has been in charge of Northfield’s ROW tree removal. It was decided to complete inventories of roads with likely high numbers of Ash trees in June. S Shaffer and P Mercier will be asked to assist. Other committee members may also assist.

7. E-911 Sign Status. Only a few signs remain to be picked up. M Rutkovsky to call to remind the property owners who ordered signs to pick them up. L Stowell to contact R Peck and K Wheatley about putting the signs on the Town Garage and the Town Fire Station respectively.

8. Traffic Sign Status. R Peck will inventory and install the remaining traffic signs as soon as the East Hill Project is completed.

9. Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use. S Edson reported that Google Analytics will be installed on the Town Website soon to improve the data about usage of the site.

10. June Public Safety Message. Reviewed and approved as revised.

11. Setting the Next Meeting. June 19, 2019.

12. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting. Russ Barrett, Washington County Forester, Retired.

13. Adjournment. At 7:00 PM

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY APRIL 24, 2019, 5:30 PM

BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,

40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

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

1. Review and Approve Minutes of March 20, 2019. Approved
2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. Dan Mason as a member of the public represented himself and his neighbors on the East end of Taylor Hill Road. He stated that the road was unpassable despite efforts by the town road crew.  Fire trucks and ambulances would not be able to get to the houses on that end of the road because of the lack of needed ditches and culverts.  This is a safety hazard.  There is concern that their taxes have not gone down but the road condition has deteriorated.  There are several families living in that area with multiple children.  The committee will pass this on to the Select Board but recommended that Dan and /or his neighbors attend the next Select Board meeting.
3. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. There was a discussion of billing and the fact that only 38.91 % of the patrol hours have been conducted for the FY 2019 year so far.  L Stowell will discuss this and other matters with LT Scott Clouatre, OCSD.  There have been a number of traffic citations issued on Ridge Road in recent months.
4. Continuing Review of Parking and Speed Enforcement on Brookfield Roads.  A draft list of roads in Brookfield to receive special interest for traffic enforcement was revised and approved.  This list will be sent to LT Clouatre, OCSD.
5. Review of radar speed cart locations and schedule in 2019. The Speed Cart Plan was reviewed and approved. It will be sent to LT Clouatre, OCSD.
6. E-911 Sign Order Results. L Stowell to place a notice on Front Porch Forum that the signs in the second order are in.  Persons ordering should stop by the Town Office to pick them up.
7. Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use. S. Edson provided a report on the activity for the last 12 months on the Public Safety Advisory Committee page on the town web site. Among other data there were 1571 page views.  S Edson to find out if more data can be obtained and if Google Analytics would be helpful.
8. Developing and implementing the Draft Emerald Ash Borer Threat Plan. There was a discussion about organization and having a meeting with possible vendors to get input.
9. May Public Safety Message. The draft message was reviewed, revised and approved.
10. Setting the Next Meeting. May 22, 2019
11. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting. Dan Mason will invite a Motor Vehicle Inspector and advise L Stowell.
12. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2019 5:30 PM
BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,
40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

The following members attended: Mike Stoddard, Stuart Edson, Michael Rutkovsky and Lew Stowell.
Kate Forrer attended as a guest, Steve Schaefer and Dennis Laroque attended as members of the public.

1. Review and Approve Minutes of February 27, 2019. Approved unanimously

2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public.
Steve Schaefer asked why TH 56 Church Street has traffic signs. He also suggested that the ash trees that are cut because of the EAB Plan be turned into lumber to be used in town construction projects such as the Town Garage addition. Both items were discussed and will be considered in the future.

3. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. The OCSD Patrol Reports were discussed along with the monthly spread sheet showing hours and costs to date. It was noted that there is $7,791 remaining to be spent in the FY 2019 OCSD contract in the next 4 months. It was also noted that there were 7 traffic stops made on Ridge Rd for speeding.

4. Continuing Review of Parking and Speed Enforcement on Stone Road. There was discussion of the traffic hazard at 2141 Stone Rd and the June 26, 1990 Brookfield Board of Adjustment Minutes. It was agreed to recommend to the Select Board that an attorney, perhaps the new Town Attorney, determine the enforceable legal strategy to guide any survey conducted to determine the Town ROW and other significant aspects of the issue.

5. Discussion of radar speed cart locations and schedule in 2019. The Draft Speed Cart Plan was discussed and approved. It was hoped that the cart would be deployed beginning in April.

6. New E-911 Sign Order. It was agreed that the signs will be advertised on Front Porch Forum by L. Stowell and the order submitted before the end of March.

7. Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use. S. Edson to do more research on analytics.

8. Developing and implementing the Draft Emerald Ash Borer Threat Plan. The draft Task List was discussed. Kate Forrer made suggestions which were approved. Kate Forrer to ask members of the Conservation Commission whether they wanted to have a member participate on the EAB Task Force. Steve Schaefer’s suggestion on Ash to be included for consideration. M. Rutkovsky and M. Stoddard willing to assist with inventories.

9. April Public Safety Message. April Safety Tips message to be placed on the Public Safety page of the Town Website by S. Edson and on Front Porch Forum by L. Stowell.

10. Setting the Next Meeting. April 24, 2019 at 5:30 PM

11. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting. No special guests to be invited but it was hoped that LT Scott Clouatre, OCSD might be able to attend.

12. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2019 5:30 PM
BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,
40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

UNAPPROVED MINUTES

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

1. Review and Approve Minutes of January 23, 2019. Reviewed and approved unanimously.

2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. None attended.

3. Joy Kacik’s resignation received and accepted. The committee appreciated the work she has done and acknowledged her busy work schedule out of state.

4. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. The Committee requested that all of Stone Road be included in patrols. OCSD is planning to provide the Speed Cart for more times but shorter periods in 2019 with quicker turn around for data. The PSAC will provide a list of likely sites for the Speed Cart to LT Clouatre. Lt Clouatre’s cruiser parked at his new house on the edge of Pond Village may also be a deterrent to speeding in the village. Patrols will be more focused on drive times when possible. Patrol reports are to be more readable. The committee requested that bills and reports be sent out earlier in the month.

5. Continuing Review of Parking and Speed Enforcement on Stone Road- Deep snow has made a bad situation worse.

6. Discussion of movable radar speed display signs and the data that they produce. – Speed Cart data from 2018 still not available. There may be some second hand permanently mounted radar signs available soon.

7. New E-911 Sign Order- L Stowell to contact Vermont Correctional Industries (VCI) for pricing and shipping information for a new purchase opportunity to be offered at Town Meeting.

8. Public Safety Advisory Committee Participation in the Town Meeting- All of the committee members present will attend Town Meeting. A request will be made for additional members.

9. Public Safety Advisory Committee Email Group Use. S. Edson to add D. Mason and M. Rutkovsky to the list.

10. Continuing discussion of the of the Emerald Ash Borer threat and Draft Plan. Kate Forrer to make a short presentation and handouts will be on the chairs at Town Meeting.

11. March Public Safety Message. The draft message to be finalized by L. Stowell with assistance from LT Clouatre.

12. Setting the Next Meeting. March 20, 2019 at 5:30 PM at the Town Office.

13. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting. None to be invited.

14. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

UNAPPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2019 5:30 PM
BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,
40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

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

1. Review and Approve Minutes of December 19, 2018. Approved unanimously

2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. No members of the public attended.

3. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. The OCSD bill for December has not been received yet.

4. Continuing Review of Parking Enforcement on Stone Road- Further action is up to the Select Board. The committee will be prepared to answer questions at the March Town Meeting.

5. Annual Report to the Select Board- Discussed and approved.

6. Public Safety Advisory Committee Report for the Town Annual Report- after discussion it was approved to submit the “Annual Report to the Select Board” in its entirety to Jeff Kimmel who is the editor of the town report.

7. Continuing Discussion of the of the Emerald Ash Borer threat. The draft EAB Plan was reviewed. It was agreed that it needed further work and would be handed out at the town meeting as a “draft”. The windshield inventory conducted by the RTCC Environmental Resource Management class and Kate Forrer on 1/23/2019 was discussed and it was hoped that the class might conduct further inventories. It was mentioned that if there is widespread assault of Ash trees by the Emerald Ash Borer in Brookfield as forecast, heavy equipment will be needed to cut and remove trees. If the cut trees could be chipped as biofuel, the cost to Brookfield taxpayers could be reduced substantially. There will need to be a presentation at the town meeting and it was hoped that Kate Forrer would be able to do at least the forestry portion. A request for additional volunteers to help on this project will be made at the meeting.

8. Discussion of movable radar speed display signs and the data that they produce. Captain Kyle Kapitanski, OCSD has been unable to get into the Speed Cart because the locks are frozen but will send the data as soon as he can gain entry.

9. February Public Safety Message. The February message will be about Winter safety around the home.

10. Setting the Next Meeting. Wednesday February 27, 2019 at 5:30 PM.

11. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting. OCSD was unable to attend this meeting but plans to attend on February 27, 2019.

12. Adjournment. Adjourned at 6:36 PM.