Brookfield, Vermont

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
9 May 2022
6:30 P.M.
Town Office
Approved Minutes
Present: John Benson, Chair, Jeff Kimmel, Betty Lord, Kate Threlkeld, Dennis LaRocque (via Zoom) members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant; Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Treasurer; Jack Zebora, Alexander and Julia Assur, Amy Borgman.
A. Call To Order – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
B. Adjustments to Agenda – none
C. Public Comments
1. Library – beautification and attracting customers – Amy Borgman, Library President reported that the Library received ARPA funds and to date they were used to purchase a new printer and computer and were now in the process of contacting furniture makers so they could purchase outdoor furniture for the Town Clerk’s Office as well as for the Town Hall for the public to use. They are also working with VTC students to come up with landscape suggestions for the Town Hall.
2. Utility Easement – Alexander and Julia Assur are planning on building on a Brookfield property that they purchased, and will need help to install an ECFiber line to the house. Mr. Kimmel recommended they talk to Mr. Tim Higgins (Road Crew Foreman) as well as a contractor; once they have a plan in place ECFiber can proceed with that installation.
D. Highway Report – Grading was done this week as well as cleanup at the Town Garage. The new truck is on its way, and there will be further updates. Mr. Higgins got a quote on a rubber tire excavator, which was $250,000 for a new one that could be used for 15 years, and he is looking to get a quote on a used one also. Mr. Higgins and Ms. Seto from TRORC are working on getting a ditching grant done for Eagle Peak. Mr. Benson would like to have W.B. Rogers get started on the grant portion. Mr. LaRocque would encourage Mr. Higgins to start attending Selectboard Meetings now that winter is over.
1. Road Crew Open Position report – Ms. Threlkeld got information about the Indeed service for advertising for and potentially hiring new employees, but you need to have an account with them to work with you. Ms. Lord looked into Seven Days also, along with the Valley News. Ms. Lord will also contact The World. Mr. Benson felt WCVR would also be a good way to get the word out about the open Road Crew position. The Selectboard will proceed with ads in the Valley News, The World, and WCVR.
2. Mr. Benson talked about what the rates for Town work done on VT 65 should be, and will send the new rates that were discussed to the State for approval.
3. Brandon Stevens Mowing contract – Mr. Benson made a motion to approve the contract with the price not to exceed $11,000 and Ms. Threlkeld seconded which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
4. Pending Grants – There are four that are pending: the Bear Hill Project, the July 21, 2021 storm damage, the Halfway Brook Culvert project, and a Ditching Grant.
E. New Business – Public Safety (Town Traffic Ordinance) – Ms. Threlkeld said Lew Stowell seems to think that the 2017 Town Traffic Ordinance is the most recent approved version; Mr. Kimmel reported Town Attorney Mr. Monte is reviewing a proposed 2021 version. There is a Public Safety meeting coming up soon so this may be sorted out then.
F. Old Business
1. ARPA – Mr. Benson, Ms. Lord and Ms. Blanchard are meeting Wednesday on 5/11 to try once again to submit the quarterly report.
2. Mr. LaRocque mentioned reversing the former Ariel property fence so the finished portion faces the Hippo Park to make the park look better.
3. Mr. Benson said Mr. Kimmel asked about the budget on the Town Garage repairs, upgrades, and associated paperwork and fees. The cost so far is $3,600. There are other fees that will be coming up. There was $25,000 put aside from the Town. There are an architect fee and a permit fee that will have to be paid this week.
4. Mr. Benson asked Mr. LaRocque about a second, smaller tent for the Town Meeting coming up 5/21/22 and Mr. LaRocque is still working on that.
G. Meeting Minutes 25 April 2022 – Ms. Lord made a motion to accept the 25 April 2022 minutes as presented; Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
H. Payroll and AP Warrants – Ms. Lord made a motion to approve the AP warrants as presented with a total of $16,131.35 and with the highest payment being made to DuBois & King in the amount of $2,595. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
I. Other Proper Business
Mr. Benson thanked both Mr. Kimmel and Ms. Threlkeld for their service on the Selectboard and that they will be missed.
Mr. LaRocque made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:08 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. After the discussion, Mr. Benson made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:20 p.m., Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved: 5-0-0.
J. Adjournment – Ms. Lord made a motion to adjourn at 8:21 p.m., Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
11 April 2022
6:30 PM
Town Office
Approved Meeting Minutes
Those Present: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, Dennis LaRocque (via zoom), Betty Lord (via zoom) Kate Threlkeld (via zoom) Members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant, Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Town Clerk, Jack Zebora, Jon Jickling, Lew Stowell, Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee.
A. Call To Order – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.
B. Adjustments to Agenda – None
C. Public Comments
1. Brian Lafayette – (did not attend the SB meeting).
2. Lew Stowell – Mr. Stowell (on behalf of the PSAC) presented recommendations regarding review and updating of the Town Traffic Ordinance. The PSAC has developed draft lists of potential regulatory changes, including speed limits, stop and yield intersections, parking regulations, penalty provisions, and repeal of prior regulations. The Board will review the proposals, along with consulting with the PSAC regarding changes to the ordinance.
3. Jon Jickling – Mr. Jickling said that he was going to continue to monitor the area for Emerald Ash Borer. He will work on trying to keep the Town informed through meetings on the insect also. He is looking to manage the forest going forward also. He will be putting up traps and has most everything with the exception of a lure and wondered if the Town could help: the Board recommended he contact the Conservation Commission.
4. Jack Zebora – Annual Town Meeting Warning. Mr. Zebora brought up Article 8 of the Annual Town Meeting Warning, asking for a reason why percentages were used and not monetary amounts, and felt others would question this also. Mr. Benson explained why it was done this way and then stated that at Town Meeting day he will give a full explanation to everyone.
D. Highway Report
1. The Road Crew have been out grading, hauling, and ditching and the roads seem to be in fairly good condition. Mr. LaRocque stated the Mr. Stowell called him praising Mr. Higgins for responding quickly to a beaver dam on Twin Pond Road and that Mr. LaRocque will try and locate someone who will either trap the offending beavers or come up with a way to keep them from clogging the culvert again.
E. New Business
1. Planning Town Meeting – Ms. Blanchard will check on tables and chairs and a small tent from the Brookfield School. A larger tent from Rain or Shine will need to be rented out also. The Board will work with the OSSD school board on a backup plan in case it rains, and see if the meeting can be inside the Brookfield School if conditions warrant.
F. Old Business
G. Meeting Minutes
1. 28 March 2022 – Mr. Benson made a motion to accept the minutes, Mr. Kimmel seconded, and it passed unanimously: 5-0-0.
H. Payroll and AP Warrants – Mr. Kimmel made a motion to approve the AP warrants as presented with a total of $42,753.24, with the highest payment being made to R. E. Tucker for dense gravel in the amount of $9,150.00. Ms. Lord seconded the motion which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
I. Other Proper Business – Mr. Kimmel reported that he and Steve Hill had reviewed the conditions of TH45 – Old Stage Road. After going over some of the history paperwork and waiting for the end of mud season, Mr. Kimmel and Mr. Hill walked the length of TH45. Mr. Hill brought along a surveyor’s wheel and they took several measurements along the way. The Westerly portion of the road is, at best, Class 4. It is also somewhat obstructed around the point where the road shifts from Class 3 to Class 4 (and/or Trail status). The goal would be to classify (or re-classify) the relevant portions of TH45 to accurately reflect actual road conditions. Which will likely trigger an update of the annual road mileage certification report.
J. Adjournment – Mr. Benson made a motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m., Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
11 April 2022
6:30 PM
Town Office
Draft Meeting Minutes
Those Present: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, Dennis LaRocque (via zoom), Betty Lord (via zoom) Kate Threlkeld (via zoom) Members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant, Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Town Clerk, Jack Zebora, Jon Jickling, Lew Stowell, Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee.
A. Call To Order – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.
B. Adjustments to Agenda – None
C. Public Comments
1. Brian Lafayette – (did not attend the SB meeting).
2. Lew Stowell – Mr. Stowell (on behalf of the PSAC) presented recommendations regarding review and updating of the Town Traffic Ordinance. The PSAC has developed draft lists of potential regulatory changes, including speed limits, stop and yield intersections, parking regulations, penalty provisions, and repeal of prior regulations. The Board will review the proposals, along with consulting with the PSAC regarding changes to the ordinance.
3. Jon Jickling – Mr. Jickling that he was going to continue to monitor the area for Emerald Ash Borer. He will work on trying to keep the Town informed through meetings on the insect also. He is looking to manage the forest going forward also. He will be putting up traps and has most everything with the exception of a lure and wondered if the Town could help: the Board recommended he contact the Conservation Commission.
4. Jack Zebora – Annual Town Meeting Warning. Mr. Zebora brought up Article 8 of the Annual Town Meeting Warning, asking for a reason why percentages were used and not monetary amounts, and felt others would question this also. Mr. Benson explained why it was done this way and then stated that at Town Meeting day he will give a full explanation to everyone.
D. Highway Report
1. The Road Crew have been out grading, hauling, and ditching and the roads seem to be in fairly good condition. Mr. LaRocque stated the Mr. Stowell called him praising Mr. Higgins for responding quickly to a beaver dam on Eagle Peak Road and that Mr. LaRocque will try and locate someone who will either trap the offending beavers or come up with a way to keep them from clogging the culvert again.
E. New Business
1. Planning Town Meeting – Ms. Blanchard will check on tables and chairs and a small tent from the Brookfield School. A larger tent from Rain or Shine will need to be rented out also. The Board will work with the OSSD school board on a backup plan in case it rains, and see if the meeting can be inside the Brookfield School if conditions warrant.
F. Old Business
G. Meeting Minutes
1. 28 March 2022 – Mr. Benson made a motion to accept the minutes, Mr. Kimmel seconded, and it passed unanimously: 5-0-0.
H. Payroll and AP Warrants – Mr. Kimmel made a motion to approve the AP warrants as presented with a total of $42,753.24, with the highest payment being made to R. E. Tucker for dense gravel in the amount of $9,150.00. Ms. Lord seconded the motion which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
I. Other Proper Business – Mr. Kimmel reported that he and Steve Hill had reviewed the conditions of TH45 – Old Stage Road. After going over some of the history paperwork and waiting for the end of mud season, Mr. Kimmel and Mr. Hill walked the length of TH45. Mr. Hill brought along a surveyor’s wheel and they took several measurements along the way. The Westerly portion of the road is, at best, Class 4. It is also somewhat obstructed around the point where the road shifts from Class 3 to Class 4 (and/or Trail status). The goal would be to classify (or re-classify) the relevant portions of TH45 to accurately reflect actual road conditions. Which will likely trigger an update of the annual road mileage certification report.
J. Adjournment – Mr. Benson made a motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m., Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.

MINUTES of the Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
14 March 2022
6:30 P.M.
Town Office
Present: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, Betty Lord, Kate Threlkeld (via zoom), Dennis LaRocque (via zoom): members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant; Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Town Clerk
A. CALL TO ORDER – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:29 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA – none
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS – none
D. HIGHWAY REPORT – This past week the Road Crew got caught up on some equipment maintenance and repairs. The number 4 truck is back and ready to go again. They also did go out and try to smooth up some of the roads around town, but with the storm we got and warmer weather roads are about the same. They plan to go out and fill in ruts and smooth out what they can. They also posted road conditions warning signs to keep some unnecessary vehicles from making roads worse. Ms. Blanchard will be updating these postings on the state’s website.
1. Road Crew posting – A full-time ad for the Road Crew position has been sent out to two newspapers, and is being posted on Front Porch Forum and Brookfield’s website. Mr. LaRocque is checking in with the VTC Diesel program in Randolph to see if anyone might be interested in also applying.
E. NEW BUSINESS – none
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Budget Discussions – Mr. Benson asked the Selectboard to make final approval on the budget so it can be given to Teresa the Town Clerk and then be sent to the printer so the Town Report could be finalized.
2. Hippo Park discussion – Ms. Lord reported that the Hippo Park Committee looked over the repairs that need to be made and the cost was $3,000 to repair the Hippo. They agreed that the fence needs to be replaced and that a handicap-accessible picnic bench would be a better addition to the park. Mr. Benson made a motion to provide the Selectboard’s approval for the Hippo Park Committee to seek a 1:2 fundraising grant from the Better Places project and to give the Selectboard’s approval for the committee to upgrade the Town-owned park with work including, but not limited to, repairing the crack in the Hippo sculpture, replacing the bench presently on the property, repairing the fence, and installing a handicap-accessible picnic table. Ms. Threlkeld seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
G. MEETING MINUTES: 28 February 2022 – Ms Lord made a motion to make a correction under Old Business on the ARPA Funds discussion: Ms. Lord and Ms. Blanchard attended a webinar presented by the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (not Vermont League of Cities and Towns). The draft minutes will be corrected and re-posted on the Brookfield web page and then approved at the next Selectboard meeting on 28 March 2022. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
H. PAYROLL AND AP WARRANTS – Ms. Lord made motion to approve the AP warrants as presented with a total $19,543.42 with the highest payment being made to Fothergill Segale & Valley in the amount of $7,200.00. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which carried unanimously: 5-0-0.
I. OTHER PROPER BUSINESS – Ms. Threlkeld brought up a question regarding the Halfway Brook road sign and Mr. Benson asked Mr. LaRocque to have Mr. Higgins check into whether this situation was resolved.
J. ADJOURNMENT – Ms. Lord made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m., Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.

MINUTES of the Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
February 28, 2022
Held at the Town Clerk’s Office
Present: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, Betty Lord, Dennis LaRocque, Kate Threlkeld (who called in by phone) Members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant. Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Town Clerk; Jon Binhammer, Dan Mason.
A. CALL. TO ORDER – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA – none
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Mr. Mason reported an animal incident in town which ended with one animal deceased. There were no vet fees. Mr. Benson made a motion that payment will go directly to the owner of the deceased animal and Mr. Mason will relay this message. The owner of the deceased animal mentioned ticketing the owner of the loose animal and if that happens a Civil action could be brought to the Selectboard by the owner of the deceased animal.
2. Mr. Binhammer wanted to make a suggestion for ARPA funding regarding the stormwater runoff issue at the Town Clerk’s Office parking lot. Mr. Benson said there is a plan in place but the town crew were having trouble finding time to do the job.
D. HIGHWAY REPORT – The Town is currently down one Road Crew employee and there were a number of problems with both trucks, but they are fixed and working again. The grader had a problem also but that is fixed also. The road crew worked on ruts, sanding and plowing. The Selectboard also discussed re-advertising for the open position, and/or contacting one of the previous applicants. Mr. Benson and Mr. LaRocque will contact a previous applicant.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Roadside swale and bridge repair Request for Proposals – Mr. Benson put together a RFPs for vote and Ms. Lord made a motion to put both proposals out to bid and Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 5-0-0
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Budget Discussions – Discussions continued on steps to finalize the budget.
2. Audit needs to be signed – Mr. Benson made a motion to approve signing the Audit for the Town of Brookfield, which was prepared by Fothergill Seagal & Valley Certified Public Accounts on 6/30/2021. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 5-0-0
3. ARPA Funds discussion – Ms. Lord reported that she along with Ms. Blanchard attended a webinar that was presented by Vermont League of Cities and Town. The next step will be to get registered on the ARPA Portal.
4. Hippo Park discussion – Ms. Lord said a committee has been formed and they want to get estimates together so they know what is needed and then get the Town’s approval to complete the work. There is grant money available for park projects, and there may also be Town money available, as discussed at the February 14, 2022 Board Meeting.
G. MEETING MINUTES
1. 14 February 2022 – Mr. Kimmel made a motion to accept the 14 February 2022 Selectboard meeting minutes, Ms. Threlkeld seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. 5-0-0.
H. PAYROLL and AP WARRANTS – Ms. Lord made a motion to approve the AP warrants as presented with a total of $73,985.03 with the highest payment being made to Orange County Treasurer in the amount of $39,310.37. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 5-0-0.
J. OTHER PROPER BUSINESS – none
K. ADJOURNMENT
1. Mr. Benson made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Ms. Lord seconded the motion and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.