Brookfield, Vermont

Meeting Minutes of the
Brookfield Conservation Commission 1-18-21
Present: Jon Binhammer, Sue Shea, Jon Jickling, Kathy Kinter  Absent: Starr Strong
Zoom Meeting to order at 7:07 PM
Public Comment:  none.
Motion to approve November minutes as presented was made by Jon J, seconded by Sue.  No comments, all approved.
Two topics were added to the agenda: EAB and Sunset Brook bridge update
I-89 Wildlife crossings: Sue has been out once to check the underpass by Lamson Pond. No tracks.  Starr had reported in an earlier email that she had seen numerous tracks at Cross Over Rd. but was not here for an update.  Tracks will continue to be monitored. The overpass up from the floating bridge should be checked as well.
Schoolyard Habitat:  Jon B met with David Roller, the principal of the school. David said VTC has about $3000 it is making available to the school as part of a mitigation settlement and David would like to have an outdoor structure built behind the windbreak to serve as an outdoor classroom.  There was no detailed discussion of our proposal.  Commission members discussed proposing other options for the expenditure of the funds and concluded that the structure is a fine option.  In April we will visit the site to ascertain the appropriateness of creating a wet area in the swale as part of a multi-year, phased project.
Winter Programming:  Options discussed included zoom programming as well as a self guided trail. Given covid restrictions, it was decided to forgo programming this winter.  Jon B mentioned the beaver blind North Branch Nature Center built and suggested that we might do something similar at some point.
Brookfield Solar Project: Jon B brought us up to date on details, having attended both the select board and planning commission meetings where the issue was discussed at length. Commission members concluded that given the likelihood of more solar proposals in the future, it is important that both the town plan and by-laws address appropriate siting. Jon J will bring this to the attention of the planning commission.
Other Business:
Emerald Ash Borer: Jon J will attend the safety committee meeting this week and report back to us about what they are intending. Townspeople need to be educated about the pest, the traps and what to do if insects are found so as not to react out of fear.  Working with Kate Forrer, we will create a handout for town meeting. There was no decision regarding the role the commission will play concerning the hanging of traps.
Sunset Natural Area Bridge:  No update at this time.
Next meeting will be on zoom 2/15/21 at 7:00 PM
Adjourned meeting at 8:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Kinter

NOTICE AND AGENDA FOR REMOTE MEETING
 
The Public Safety Advisory Committee for the Town of Brookfield, VT will meet remotely by electronic means on November 18, 2020 at 5:35 PM
 
Information on how to access the remote meeting:
 
By telephone: Dial [(701) 802-5217
[When prompted enter the meeting Access Code]. 3053801
 
Please review our “Informational Handout for Remote Public Meetings” to understand how these electronic meetings will be managed. If you wish to make a public comment but do not have the ability to comment remotely during the meeting, please email your comment(s) to Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee at publicsafety@brookfieldvt.org
 
To ensure smooth access, we recommend that you test your remote meeting software in advance of the meeting. If you have difficultly accessing the meeting, please email publicsafety@brookfieldvt.org
 
BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2020, 5:35 PM
All times will depend upon the amount of public participation and committee discussion.
REMOTE MEETING AGENDA
 

5:35 PM: Call to Order
5:36 PM: Additions or deletions to the agenda

Public comment

5:40 PM: Review and approve previous of October 28, 2020 meeting minutes

: Open public comment

5:45 PM Review of OCSD Activities, Reports and Bills.

Patrol Hours and Budget-Discussion

Public comment

2021 Contract Discussion with Sheriff Bohnyak

Public comment

6:15 PM: Town Over Weight and Over Sized System Project Progress

Public comment

6:25PM: 6:35 PM: E-911 Sign and Traffic Sign Status

Public comment

6:30 PM: Traffic Ordinance Review

Public comment

6:50 PM: Emerald Ash Borer Progress

Public comment

6:55 PM:] Public Safety Advisory Committee Website Use

Public comment

7:00 PM: December Public Safety Message

Public comment

7:05PM: Setting the Next Meeting
7:10 PM Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting

Final Public Comment

7:15: Entertain motion to adjourn meeting

 
 
INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT FOR REMOTE MEETINGS
Remote Public Meetings
All public body meetings for the [insert name of municipality] will be conducted remotely via electronic means for the duration of Governor Scott’s State of Emergency declaration. Whenever feasible, the public will also be able to access and participate in the remote meetings by dialing in through telephone.
Accessing a Meeting
Please refer to each public body’s notice and agenda for information on how to access a remote meeting. Please note that whether you join by telephone, computer, or device, you may be put on hold or in a waiting “room” until granted access to the meeting. You also may be muted or restricted from using any chat function until the public comment portion of the meeting.
Participation
All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the respective “Rules of Procedure” of each public body, to the extent practicable. The public body will follow its agenda and allow public attendees to participate through voice (audio) means where feasible or alternatively using any chat function during the designated public comment periods on the agenda and at other applicable times as needed.
Initially, the meeting’s host/organizer will mute all participants that are not members of the public body. This is necessary to control background noise. The host/organizer will then unmute participants or allow participants to unmute themselves when invited to speak by the Chair of the public body.
Please review the following guidelines:

The Chair will invite comment:

during the time designated on the agenda for public comment;
after the public body discusses each agenda item;
before the public body takes action;
during any open public comment period, if applicable; and
other times as determined by the public body.

When a participant/attendee is unmuted, they must state their name before commenting.

If the public body successfully moves to enter an executive session, the meeting’s host/organizer will then place everyone that is not part of the executive session on hold or a virtual waiting “room.” This will prevent attendees from hearing or participating in the meeting during the duration of the executive session. When the public body exits executive session, the host/organizer will then grant access back to the remote meeting.
When the public body adjourns the meeting, the host/organizer will end the electronic meeting by turning off/closing the remote meeting software. Attendees will be automatically disconnected.
Minutes and other public records that were part of the meeting will be made available in accordance with VT’s Open Meeting and Public Records Laws.
 
To learn more about Remote Public Meetings and the Open Meeting Law, please visit the Secretary of State’s Municipal Assistance webpage at https://sos.vermont.gov/municipal-division/laws-resources/covid-19-response/.