Miscellaneous Archives - Page 2 of 16

Selctboard Meeting Minutes 12 August 2019

Aug 272019

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting August 12, 2019 at 6:30 P.M. Town Clerk’s Office Minutes Present: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel, Theresa Godfrey (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman), Scott Wakefield

Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.Adjustments to Agenda – None.Public Comment  Mr. Wakefield inquired about a right-of-way issue that had arisen regarding paths for their farm equipment, along with a related question about excess weight vehicles on the Town roads.  Mr. Benson asked if there was damage: as of now only grass was trampled down.  Mr. Benson mentioned that if damage is done to the right-of-way by loggers, etc., they must pay for it to be fixed, hence the need for the weight certificate.  Mr. Peck will review whether the road has been posted and what weight restrictions apply.New Business: A. Highway

1. Certificate of highway
mileage: Mr. Kimmel reported that the documentation was submitted to AOT
several weeks ago; he will contact the agency to confirm the status.

2. Excess Weight Permits: the
Town has been issuing the permits once applications are submitted along with
the proper fee. Administrative Assistant Kasey Peterson provided of the written
description of the process along with permit samples from other towns. The Town
should check with VLCT to see what they recommend for permit protocol. Mr. Peck
can also check with Chris Bump (AOT) to verify the posted limit for Northfield Road.
There is also a question as to who would administer and enforce the weight
limit policy. The Board will review the material and continue discussion at a
subsequent meeting.

3.
Other Highway


Mr. Peck received a call from a concerned citizen asking that the Road Crew
clear and open up a Class 4 road. The cost (preliminary estimate to make it up
to standards) could be upwards of $100,000. Mr. Peck will begin reviewing the
Town’s Class 4 roads and inventory which need to be cleared and possibly opened
and the potential costs for doing so.


The sand pile will be done before long. The Crew plans to tackle ditch work
next.

 The Board would like to meet
with Mr. Grady on East Hill to review and discuss culverts and ditch lines at
the eastern end of Taylor Hill Road. Mr. Peck will contact

Town of Brookfield Selectboard
Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 August 12, 2019

Mr. Grady about arranging a meeting on August 26, prior to
the regular Board meeting.

 Mr. Benson and Mr. Peck will also meet regarding the Town
Office parking lot and potential improvements, which will also be discussed at
the next Selectboard meeting.

 Mr. Benson asked if the Town had advertised the 1-ton truck for sale yet. Mr. Peck will work with Ms. Peterson to get the process going. Mr. Benson mentioned that the Town needs to sell the old truck before we can purchase a “new/used” truck for the Town.

B. Records
Management and Retention Policy: Ms. Godfrey reported that the Town needs to
have a policy in place in order to shred/recycle paperwork. Ms. Godfrey
submitted copies of a potential records retention policy provided by the VT
Secretary of State’s office for the Board to review and discuss at the next
meeting.

C. Set the Tax Rate: Ms. Godfrey Theresa presented a proposed listing and calculation of municipal and total rates for Fiscal Year 2019/2020. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to approve the tax rates for FY 2019-2020, Mr. Haggett second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0. The Municipal rate is $0.5040. Education rates are: Homestead rate: $1.4649; Non-Homestead rate: $1.4862. D. Town Office Building Repair: the Town received an invoice for $2,250, which was approved in the warrants.

D. Town Office Building Repair: the Town received an invoice for $2,250, which was approved in the warrants.

5. Old Business:

A. Approve
Minutes of July 22, 2019 meeting: Mr. Haggett made a motion to approve the
Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2019 as amended, Mr. Kimmel second; Mr. Benson
asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.

B. Personnel Policy Changes: Mr. Kimmel will review with Ms. Peterson.

6. Payroll/AP Warrants: Mr. Kimmel made a motion to pay the warrants totaling $20,030.21, with large bills that include R E Tucker (road reconstruction): $9251.20; Pike Industries Inc. (paving): $2,264.27; Arcadia Restoration LLC, (building maintenance): $2,250.00; Mr. Haggett second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.

7. Other Proper Business:

 Trash issue at Ridge Road property: trash is now filling
the shed and dumpster. Letter from the Town attorney was sent.

 Mr. Benson
requested comments from Mr. Kimmel and Mr. Haggett regarding the RFP for the
Town Garage project. Would like to get it posted by this Friday or the timing
will get pushed back and not allow enough time for the Selectboard to warn the
project for Town Meeting 2020. The Board decided to allocate up to $15,000 for
this RFP Design/Build Phase.

8. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 p.m., Mr. Haggett second: 3-0-0

Brookfield Conservation Commission Draft Minutes 19 Aug 2019

Conservation Commission, Conservation Commission Minutes, Miscellaneous

Aug 202019

DRAFT Meeting Minutes of the Brookfield
Conservation Commission August 19, 2019

Present: Jon Binhammer, Jon Jickling, Susan Shea, Kathy Kinter Absent: Starr Strong

Jon B reviewed minutes from the June meeting for approval.

They were unanimously approved after discussion about our commission’s role regarding EAB.

Sue will read Safety Committee’s minutes
to keep abreast of their plans.

There was no meeting in July.

Bylaws: Jon B. will email out a draft to members, highlighting areas of import, to be discussed at the September meeting. At that time we will vote to adopt the bylaws.

Programs:

The Rood Pond Paddle was rescheduled and revamped due to scheduling conflicts. We will do a natural history interp paddle on Bakers Pond Sept. 22 from 3-5. Sue will be away. Kathy will do publicity. Jon B will announce at OTH program on the 19th.

OTH 9/19 Jon B will do a slide show of Brookfield’s Hidden Gems, discuss the commission and ask for input for program ideas. Jon will contact Ted to let him know this.

Brookfield Town Forest Hike Oct 6
3-5 Remind folks to wear bright
colors.

Open meeting law: At next meeting Kathy
will a present brief outline.

Briefly
discussed our role regarding Hippo Park.
Will revisit at next meeting.

Meetings: Will be held when possible the 3rd
Monday of each month in the library from 7-8:30 PM. Next meeting is September 16. Sue will be away.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Kinter

Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda

Miscellaneous

Aug 182019

BROOKFIELD
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 21, 2019, 5:30 PM

BROOKFIELD
TOWN OFFICE

40
RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

AGENDA

Review and Approve Minutes of July 24,
2019. [07/24/19 Minutes]Questions or Issues Brought by Members of
the Public. GUEST: VSP LT Barbara Kessler, Station
Commander, Royalton Barracks.Review of Radar Speed Cart Deployments.Continuing Review of OCSD Activities,
Reports and Bills. [OCSD Patrol Hours]Continuing Review of Parking & Law Enforcement
on Brookfield Roads.E-911 Sign and Traffic Sign Status.Emerald Ash Borer Progress.Public Safety Advisory Committee Website
Use.September Public Safety Message. [Draft
Message]Setting the Next Meeting.Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting.Adjournment.

Planning Commission Minutes-August 6, 2019

Miscellaneous, Planning Commission, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Aug 072019

Minutes
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday August 6, 2019
Present: Jickling, Zakov, Judy, White
Absent: Girard
White called the meeting to order at 7:01PM.
Judy moved, Jickling seconded to approve minutes. Approved on unanimous vote.
Discussed the Brookfield RPC appointment process. Zakov will look to see if she was officially appointed to as the RPC representative at the last Selectboard meeting.
Discussed the open seats on the Planning Commission. The board has two open seats. Tim Gershon expressed interest to join. White moved, Zakov seconding appointing Tim Gershon to the PC and letting the Selectboard know so they can make the appointment. Approved by unanimous vote. White will post about the second opening on the board to Front Porch Forum.
White moved, Jickling seconding appointing Zakov as Planning Commission Chair. Approved by unanimous vote.
General discussion moved to general Zoning Bylaws. Discussed flood, shoreland and telecom regulations. Board thinks moving back to the current Zoning Bylaws and editing them directly in the current regulations would be appropriate.
White moved to adjourn, Jickling seconded to adjourn. Approved unanimously.
Adjourned at 8:03PM.

Public Safety Committee Agenda

Miscellaneous

Jul 222019

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY JULY
24, 2019, 5:30 PM

BROOKFIELD
TOWN OFFICE,

40 RALPH
ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT

The
sequence may be varied to accommodate members of the public and guests.

AGENDA

Review and Approve Minutes of June 19, 2019. [06/19/19 Minutes]Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public. [Parent Email]GUEST: Orange County Sheriff William Bohnyak on OCSD plans for FY 2020 in Brookfield.Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. [OCSD Patrol Hours] Continuing Review of Parking & Law Enforcement on Brookfield Roads. [Traffic Ordinance]Review of Radar Speed Cart Deployments in 2019. [Speed Cart Plan 2019]Public Safety Developments:Emerald Ash Borer Progress.E-911 Sign and Traffic Sign Status.Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use.August Public Safety Message. [Draft Message]Setting the Next Meeting.Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting.Adjournment.

Brookfield Conservation Commission May 20, 2019 Meeting Minutes

Conservation Commission, Conservation Commission Minutes, Miscellaneous

Jun 252019

Meeting Minutes of the Brookfield Conservation Commission   May 20, 2019
Present: Jon Binhammer, Jon Jickling, Starr Strong, Susan Shea, Kathy Kinter
Jon Binhammer reviewed terms of office for newly appointed commission as approved by the Select Board at their April 8 meeting:
Jon Jickling: 3 yrs.   Sue Shea: 2 yrs.   Starr Strong: 1 yr.   Jon Binhammer: 4 yrs.   Kathy Kinter: 1 yr.
Open meeting law was discussed concerning the agenda, public attendance and minutes.
State statutes were briefly reviewed regarding jurisdiction of the commission. The Statute language:
“administer the lands, properties and other rights which have been acquired by the municipality for the purposes of this chapter” appears to imply that the Sunset Brook Natural Area on Rt. 65 and the town forest fall under our purview. Any financial commitment or receipt of land interest needs to be approved by the Selectboard.   Members are encouraged to familiarize ourselves with the statute – Title 24, Chapter 118.
Finances: Jon B will ask Select Board for the account balance of the town Conservation and Recreation Fund.
Officers are as follows:
Jon B Chair
Sue S Vice Chair
Jon J Treasurer
Kathy K Secretary
Bylaws: Sue, Starr and Jon J. will review bylaws from other towns of similar size and email samples and recommendations for us to consider at the next meeting. All agreed to not reinvent the wheel. Key is understanding principal functions.
Assessment: It was agreed that we assess the information already compiled by the town that would be relevant to our charge, then identify what information is still needed. A natural resource inventory was suggested, along with use of Bio Finder and VT Conservation Design sites.
Meetings: Will be held when possible the 3rd Monday of each month in the library from 7-8:30 PM. Three are needed for a quorum. Next meeting is June 17th.
Projects: Jon B is waiting for confirmation from the school regarding tree planting on June 4 with 34 3rd-6th graders. Hardwood volunteers will be dug in advance to be planted by teams of 2 kids. It was suggested that the kids be given information about the conservation commission to take home and or ask that something run in the school newsletter, if there is one.
Randolph and Braintree commissions have been in touch with Sue and asked if we want to join them in a poison parsnip removal project in the coming weeks. She will be in touch with them and report back.
The Commission will be presenting at the Old Town Hall in September. Content to be decided.
Several ideas were shared, as was the importance of educating the community, not only about our existence as a commission, but the importance of the mission. Building an inclusive constituency early is important. It was agreed that we would try to do an activity each season, along with projects. It was suggested that we get clear on our purpose and vision for the organization as a means of guiding future decisions.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Kinter

Brookfield Conservation Commission June 17, 2019 Meeting minutes draft

Conservation Commission, Conservation Commission Minutes, Miscellaneous

Jun 252019

Brookfield Conservation Commission
June 17, 2019
Meeting Minutes draft
Susan Shea, Starr Strong and Jon Binhammer in attendance

Review Agenda – Sue Shea wanted to talk about a possible potential project for the Commission
Approval of Minutes of the May 20 meeting – minutes approved
Review of by-laws of Conservation Commission: Commissioners reviewed bylaws from Randolph Conservation Commission, Hartland Conservation Commission, and Montgomery Conservation Commission. All agreed that the Montgomery Conservation Commission bylaws were the best model to follow with changes. Suggested changes were made, and Jon said he would put together a final draft for approval at the next meeting.
Plan for schedule of events, how to advertise, etc.: Commissioners decided to schedule a guided paddle on Rood Pond on August 25th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and a guided walk on the Brookfield Town Forest on October 6, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. It was decided to advertise these events on the town calendar, on Front Porch Forum, and in the Herald.
Other business:

Sue suggested that we might want to sponsor a program about gardening for wildlife, and a program about gardening for pollinators. Jon suggested that rain gardens for water quality could also be a topic.
Starr suggested that the Conservation Commission could work with Bonnie Fallon to help with Green-Up Day; if a tech-savvy volunteer could be found, the town roads could be divided into sections that people could sign up to clean up on the day,
It was discussed that sometimes large items like couches are sometimes dumped into streams and over banks where they are difficult or impossible to retrieve. Jon said that towns in the NEK and some towns in the Adirondacks have a “bulky day” in the spring, during which residents can put out bulky items that are picked up by the town to go to the transfer station, paid by taxpayers. Selectboard approval would be necessary for such an idea. No action taken.
Emerald Ash borer was discussed, esp. the proposals from the Public Safety Committee and Town Meeting. Commissioners agreed that EAB is of concern but not a crisis, and suggested that while there may be some need for proactive work to remove dangerous ash from rights of way, trees of other species die all the time (and sometimes fall into roads and are removed when that happens), and we have been through a similar experience with American elm and Dutch Elm disease, and there may be lessons to be learned from that experience. Also, all ash trees will be unlikely to die all at one time, so while there may be a continuing need for some tax revenues to take down ash trees in the ROWs, it could be that this activity could be spread out over time, and warned that a wholesale clearing of ROWs in town would probably not be met favorably by residents, would compromise the scenic nature of our town roads, and would likely grow early successional species that would more likely fall into roads. Jon said he would attend the Public Safety meeting, but then found that he had a previous commitment, so could not attend.

Submitted by Jon Binhammer, Chair

Notice of Lister’s Grievance Hearings

Miscellaneous

May 282019

Agreeably to the provisions of Title 32 VSA, Sec. 4111, notice is hereby given that the undersigned Listers within and for the Town of Brookfield have completed the abstract of individual lists of persons, co-partnerships, associations or corporations owning taxable property in said town on April 1st 2019, and that they have lodged the same in the office of the clerk of said town for the inspection of taxpayers.
The undersigned Listers will meet from 4:45pm to 6:45pm on Tuesday, June 11th and Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 at the town office to hear grievances of persons, co-partnerships, associations or corporations aggrieved by any of their appraisals or by any of their acts as such Listers. Any person who feels aggrieved by the actions of the Listers and desires to be heard by them, shall on or before noon June 11th, file with them his/her objections in writing as prescribed by statutes.
Please call the Lister’s office at 802-276-3352 to arrange an appointment time for your grievance hearing.
Dated May 28th, 2019
Listers: Stuart Edson, Teresa Godfrey, Phyllis Humez

Notice of Construction on East Hill Road

Miscellaneous

May 282019

Beginning on 3 June and ending no later than 20 June, the Brookfield Highway Dept will be replacing culverts and doing ditch work on East Hill Road in Brookfield. The crew will do their best to keep traffic moving but please be advised, that this road maintenance will inevitably lead to delays and temporary road closures during the Road Crew’s regular summer hours: Monday – Thursday between 6AM – 4 PM.

Public Safety Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda 5/22/19

Miscellaneous

May 202019

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2019, 5:30 PM
BROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICE,
40 RALPH ROAD, BROOKFIELD, VT
AGENDA
1. Review and Approve Minutes of April 24, 2019. [04/24/19 Minutes]
2. Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public or Guests.
3. Continuing Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills. [OCSD Patrol Hours]
4. Continuing Review of Parking and Law Enforcement on Brookfield Roads.
5. Review of Radar Speed Cart Deployments in 2019. [Speed Cart Plan 2019]
6. Developing and implementing the Draft Emerald Ash Borer Threat Plan.
7. E-911 Sign Status.
8. Traffic Sign Status.
9. Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use.
10. June Public Safety Message. [Draft Message]
11. Setting the Next Meeting.
12. Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting.
13. Adjournment.

Older Entries Newer Entries