News - Brookfield, Vermont

Selectboard Meeting November 28, 2022 DRAFT Unapproved Minutes

Nov 292022

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting

November 28, 2022

6:30 PM

Town Office

MINUTES

Present: Stuart Edson, Keith Sprague, Curtis Koren, members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant; Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Treasurer. Michael Fitts. John Benson and Betty Lord were not present.

Ms. Koren nominated Mr. Edson to run the meeting tonight since Mr. Benson was not able to attend.

A. Call To Order – Mr. Edson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:32 pm

B. Adjustments to Agenda – none

C. Public Comments – Mr. Fitts stopped in regarding the Parker Road bridge and the fact that he is unable to have propane delivered to his house due to the weight limit that is posted for the bridge. Mr. Sprague will consult with Mr. Benson and Mr. Higgins regarding a temporary fix. Mr. Sprague asked Mr. Fitts to find out what his propane dealer’s truck load requirement is and if they would be willing to deliver smaller amounts and Mr. Sprague will be back in touch soon.

D. Payroll and AP Warrants – Mr. Edson made a motion to approve the AP Warrants as presented with a total of $109,131.68 with the largest payment being made to Northfield Savings Bank in the amount of $66,516.95. Ms. Koren seconded the motion which carried unanimously 3-0-0

E. Highway Report – Mr. Sprague reported that the road crew have been plowing and sanding this week and they finished working on the trucks for winter. They also built shelving for storage in shed. The new truck has had problems and Mr. Higgins continues to work with Tenco. Mr. Higgins has been looking into a new one ton and getting prices. Mr. Sprague has a list of signs they have and signs they need to order. The road crew has been working on putting up these signs. To try and stop these signs from being taken down it was suggested cementing new signs in place but this is very time consuming. Mr. Edson will present this list to Lew Stowell from Public Safety.

F. New Business

1. TDS Telecom coverage on Howe Road and Eagle Peak – This is being tabled until the next meeting.

G. Old Business – None

H. Meeting Minutes

1. November 14, 2022 – Ms. Koren made a motion to accept the November 14, 2022 minutes as present, Mr. Sprague seconded the motion which carried unanimously 3-0-0

I. Other Proper Business

1. Bear Hill Grant Status – Tabled until next meeting

2. Fothergill Seagal & Valley letter – Tabled until next meeting

J. Status Report – none

K. Adjournment – Mr. Sprague made a motion to adjourn at 7:16 pm, Mr. Edson seconded the motion and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.

Brookfield Conservation Commission October Meeting

Conservation Commission Agenda

Nov 262022

AGENDA

Brookfield Conservation Commission Meeting

October 17, 2022

7:00 pm Regular meeting at Brookfield Town Office/Library

(participants are able to join by Zoom with the following link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77162055165?pwd=M0bMqqPG1Dw7RJO9DIngaTbpnHmMif.1

Review Agenda

Public Comment

Approval of Minutes of the June, 2022 meeting

Town Forest Management Plan

Fall field trip – options and advertising?

Adjourn – next meeting is November 21, 2022

Zoom meeting information.:

Topic: Brookfield Conservation Commission Meeting October 2022

Time: Oct 17, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77162055165?pwd=M0bMqqPG1Dw7RJO9DIngaTbpnHmMif.1

Meeting ID: 771 6205 5165

Passcode: H4m3Xv

Selectboard Meeting Agenda November 28, 2022

Selectboard Agenda

Nov 252022

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
November 28, 2022
6:30 PM
Town Office
AGENDA
A. Call To Order
B. Adjustments to Agenda
C. Public Comments
D. Payroll and AP Warrants
E. Highway Report
F. New Business
1. TDS Telecom coverage on Howe Road and Eagle Peak
G. Old Business
H. Meeting Minutes
I. Other Proper Business
1. Bear Hill Grant status
2. Fothergill Seagal & Valley letter
J. Status Report
K. Adjournment

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes November 21, 2022

Conservation Commission Minutes

Nov 242022

Minutes
Brookfield Conservation Commission Meeting
November 21, 2022
7:00 pm Regular meeting at Brookfield Town Office/Library (hybrid meeting: members able to join by Zoom with link to be shared prior to the meeting)
Attendance: Susan Shea, Starr Strong, Jon Binhammer

Review Agenda – three items added – Nature and Wildlife Photography presentations, 2024 Town budget, and purchase of a game camera
Public Comment – none
Approval of Minutes of the October, 2022 meeting – we did not have the minutes from the October meeting, so we voted to defer approval until the December meeting.
Town Forest Management Plan update – Areas for reserve and harvest were briefly discussed. BCC field visit on 11/6 was discussed. Commissioners thought that mast trees for bear should be encouraged and protected. We’ll wait to see the county foresters next draft.
Conservation Commissioner search update – one potential candidate has effectively declined, several candidates were proposed, Starr will speak with one or more of the proposed candidates to obtain more information about their interest in serving and what they would bring.
Community Values Mapping – sharing results. Commissioners agreed that a discussion of the Community Values Mapping and a thank you to all who participated should be in the Town Report under the Conservation Commission report, but all agreed that a meeting of townspeople who participated was not needed. All agreed that the results should help the BCC with prioritizing actions.
Brookfield Zoning Bylaw upgrade – BCC involvement? Sue expressed interest in working on language regarding forest conservation for the bylaw. Jon Jickling was not in attendance, but due to his recent stint on the Planning Commission, we thought his input would be valuable. Commissioners briefly spoke about the need for increased affordable housing, and agreed that while it was not the BCC’s charge, that we would evaluate proposals and strive to support an increase in housing where it did not have a negative impact on wildlife and natural resources.
Association of Vermont Conservation Commission membership dues – Starr moved to pay AVCC annual dues of $50.00, Sue seconded, all voted in favor.
Nature and Wildlife Photography presentations – We are blessed to have at least two and probably more excellent wildlife and nature photographers in town, with our own Starr Strong and Mark Council. Commissioners agreed that we should sponsor a public presentation by each of these photographers this winter, perhaps at the church. All agreed that we should look for a date in December and one in February. Jon B. will coordinate with the church and/or library.
2024 Town budget – Commissioners agreed to request a budget of $300.00 for FY 2024. Current budget is $200.
Game Camera purchase – to assist with wildlife connectivity studies across I-89. This was recommended by Jens Hilke for our work on the Northfield Road underpass. Starr said she would look into the cost for our next meeting.
Adjourn – Commissioners voted to adjourn. Next meeting is December 19, 2022

Submitted by J. Binhammer, Chair

Public Safety Committee Minutes 11/16/22

Meeting Minutes

Nov 212022

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEEBROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICEWEDNESDAY 11/16/2022 5:30 PMMEETING UNAPPROVED MINUTES

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

5:30: Call To Order. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. Review, revise or approve the October 21, 2022 meeting minutes. Reviewed and approved 4-0-0Questions or issues brought by members of the public. No members of the public attended.Review and Discussion of OCSD activities including patrol hours, bills and reports. There was discussion of the possible impacts of the Orange County Sheriff’s election to the town of Brookfield and surrounding towns. No action was taken pending the results of the recount.E-911 House Number Signs Project Status. The order has been sent in and we are awaiting receipt of the signs. The next order should be done after the Brookfield E-911 House Number System is reviewed and corrected if needed.Vehicle, Pedestrian, Horse and Bicycle Safety. There was discussion about how to reduce speeding on town highways such as Ridge Road and Stone Road and how to mitigate possible road rage. Public education was considered the best option at this time.Traffic Sign Deployment Status. S. Edson to request a status report from K. Sprague about the number of traffic signs on hand, installed this year and the number still missing or damaged.Traffic Ordinance Approval Status. The new Traffic Ordinance has been approved by the Select Board. Town Website Improvement Status. The web site is being improved and S. Edson will provide a demonstration at next month’s meeting.November Public Safety Message. The message was approved and L Stowell will put it on Front Porch Forum and S. Edson will put it on the town website.L. Stowell requesting safety video links from AOT Setting the time and date of the next meeting.The December meeting will be on the 21st at 5:30 PM at the Town Office.Inviting a guest(s) to the next meeting. Because of the holidays no guests will be invited. Final Public Comment.No members of the public attended.Entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 PM by a vote of 4-0-0.

Selectboard Meeting November 14, 2022 DRAFT Unapproved Minutes

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Nov 182022

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
November 14, 2022
6:30 PM
Town Office
MINUTES
Present: John Benson, Chair; Stuart Edson, Keith Sprague, Curtis Koren, members; Vicki Blanchard, Administrative Assistant; Amy Ingrassia, Assistant Treasurer; Mr. Jon Binhammer, Betty Lord did not attend.
A. Call To Order – Mr. Benson called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30pm.
B. Adjustments to Agenda – none
C. Public Comments – Mr. Jon Binhammer has some concerns about the new Traffic Ordinance so Mr. Benson said he should submit an Assemblage permit with his concerns. Mr. Binhammer stated he would.
D. Payroll and AP Warrants – Mr. Edson made a motion to accept the AP and Warrants as presented with a total of $61,903.01, with the highest payment being made to Viking in the amount of $9,012.68. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which carried unanimously 4-0-0
E. Highway Report
1. Road crew letter – A letter of Employment to Sean DesRoberts welcoming him as a new member of our Road Crew was discussed and was signed by Mr. Benson and will then go to Mr. DesRoberts for signature and then put in his file.
2. Mr. Higgins will be meeting with the state regarding beaver problem in town to hopefully get the situation under control. They have been working on road signs but it seems it is an ongoing problem because they continue to be stolen or knocked down. Mr. Higgins will also be looking into a new truck for next year. The leaf blowing on roads has been finished as well as stockpiling stone. They have also been working on putting tires on the trucks and getting ready for winter. A lot of work has been done on the one ton which has been used a lot and is old.
F. New Business
1. Application for Temporary School Board Member from Brookfield. The Selectboard has no authority over them so there is nothing that the Selectboard needs to do.
G. Old Business
1. Old Stage Road (TH45) – Mr. Edson said two of the letters have to be resent but should be returned soon so that project can be finalized.
2. Website Update – Mr. Edson has been working with ThorWorks regarding upgrading the site. The board will be able to see a sample of what the new site will look like by the next meeting.
3. Employee Health Insurance – Mr. Benson and Mr. Edson have gone through the MVP and Blue Cross plans and found that BCBS is less money but are very similar in coverage. Mr. Sprague made a motion to approve switching from MVP to BCBS for the road crew. Ms. Koren seconded the motion which was carried unanimously 4-0-0
4. Hippo Park – The new bench has been completed for the park which is handicapped accessible and is setup in the park already.
H. Meeting Minutes (for Selectboard meeting and Adoption of Revised Traffic Ordinance
1. October 24, 2022
2. October 24, 2022 – Ms. Koren made a motion to accept both the meeting minutes, Mr. Edson seconded the motion which carried unanimously 4-0-0
I. Other Proper Business
1. Insurance claim on Halfway Brook Road – Payment for damaged wires has been taken care of by VLCT.
2. Audit – Fothergil Seagel & Valley will not be doing a full audit this coming year due to their work load.
3. Mr. Edson stated that since Bill Bohnyak was not re-elected he recommended they talk with other towns to have a regional police force so there would be some coverage. He did say that there was going to be a recount of ballots though.
4. Mr. Benson mentioned regarding public safety for the town the repeaters at the Brookfield school should be hooked up to standby power, so in case of a power outage there would still be emergency service in town.
J. Status Report – none
K. Adjournment – Mr. Edson made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 pm., Ms. Koren seconded the motion, and there being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned.

Brookfield Planning Commission Draft Minutes Nov. 8, 2022

Miscellaneous, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Nov 162022

Minutes DRAFT Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: November 8, 2022
Present: Gwynn Zakov (Chair), Martha Judy, Keven Ring, Will White, Timothy Gershon
No public was present.
Will White and Martha Judy moved to approve minutes from the September meeting. The minutes passed unanimously.
The Commission continued to review Article 2 of the Bylaws. Discussion of how to encourage clustered development and affordable housing occupied much of the meeting. The next meeting will consider Section 2.1 on Conservation Districts.
New and old business discussion focused on a possible new planning commission members. Chair Zakov submitted a grant proposal to encourage affordable housing.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Zakov adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Martha Judy

Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda 11/16/22

Agenda

Nov 132022

BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEEBROOKFIELD TOWN OFFICEWEDNESDAY 11/16/2022 5:30 PM MEETING AGENDA

5:30 Call To OrderAdditions or deletions to the agendaReview, revise or approve the October 21, 2022 meeting minutesQuestions or issues brought by members of the publicReview and Discussion of OCSD activities including patrol hours, bills and reportsE-911 House Number Signs Project StatusVehicle, Pedestrian, Horse and Bicycle SafetyTraffic Sign Deployment StatusTraffic Ordinance Approval StatusTown Website Improvement StatusNovember Public Safety MessageSetting the time and date of the next meetingInviting a guest(s) to the next meetingFinal Public CommentEntertain a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Selectboard Meeting Agenda November 14, 2022

Selectboard Agenda

Nov 112022

Town of Brookfield Selectboard Meeting
November 14, 2022
6:30 PM
Town Office
AGENDA
A. Call To Order
B. Adjustments to Agenda
C. Public Comments
D. Payroll and AP Warrants
E. Highway Report
1. Road crew letter
F. New Business
1. Application for Temporary School Board Member from Brookfield
G. Old Business
1. Old Stage Road (TH45)
2. Website Update
3. Employee Health Insurance
4. Hippo Park
H. Meeting Minutes (for Selectboard meeting and Adoption of Revised Traffic Ordinance
1. October 24, 2022
2. October 24, 2022
I. Other Proper Business
1. Insurance claim on Halfway Brook Road
2. Audit
J. Status Report
K. Adjournment

Brookfield Planning Commission 11/8/22 agenda

Agenda, Miscellaneous, Planning Commission

Nov 022022

TOWN OF BROOKFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA – November 8th, 2022
Location: Virtual ZOOM Meeting and in-person at the Town Offices at 40 Ralph Road (link below)
MEETING: Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
TOPICS:

Public to be heard
Approve minutes of 9/13/2022 meeting
Review zoning bylaws – Continue review of Article 2: Development Districts and “Permitted Uses” in Village Districts.
Any other new/old business.
Adjourn

Topic: Brookfield Planning Commission
Nov 8, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZwrf-2gqT4rHNBdH8bCv0yAgeeEe6XJ7pjy/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGgqDMuEtOQsR-DRpw-BIqgLPzwtiVcgo1_mDe9AQNFMhrXMedHF7cpKPKH
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88684875164?pwd=V0p4K2lyakNpQWtIS1krTHBYcTc0Zz09
Meeting ID: 886 8487 5164
Passcode: 589135
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,88684875164#,,,,*589135# US
+13126266799,,88684875164#,,,,*589135# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
Meeting ID: 886 8487 5164
Passcode: 589135
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbr4CfcWHb

Older Entries