Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of August 11, 2014
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Bonnie Fallon
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Public Presentation:
Ms. Fallon wanted to discuss why Lamson Pond Road is never mowed. She hired Larry Brassard to mow along her road frontage because it is very narrow and dangerous with the weeds hanging over the road. He charged her $70 for the mowing. She would like the Town to pay for it since all of the Town should be mowed.
Mr. Benson said the way we usually pay for outside work is the Board discusses the issue and pre-approves for payment. The Town rents a mower for the roadsides and we pay for a number of hours. When the hours are used up, mowing is done. There is a system of which roads are mowed first until the 80 hours are used. This is what the Town budgets for. If the Town would like to use more hours, it would have to be voted on at Town Meeting.
After the Board discussed the out of pocket cost for Ms. Fallon and her understanding the process, the Board agreed to reimburse Ms. Fallon for half the cost.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to compensate Ms. Fallon $35. which is half the cost for mowing her road frontage along Lamson Pond Road. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to amend the 2014-2015 municipal tax rate that was set at the previous meeting to $0.4843. The State clarified the amount the Town will receive for PILOT for the fiscal year, which caused the need for an amendment. Vote 3-0-0
3. New Business:
The Board received a letter from IVI Telecom Services (on behalf of American Towers LLC) concerning the Ridge Road Cell Tower. The Board will let the Planning Commission reply for the Town.
The Board received a request for an assemblage permit for the Morgan Mile Horse Race. As required in the past, Dr. David Pattison will notified the neighboring parcel owners and controled the traffic flow for the race. The race will be on September 6, 2014. There have been no complaints concerning the race in the past.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the assemblage permit for the Morgan Mile Horse Race on September 6, 2014 with the condition the property owners will be notified and the traffic will be controlled.
Vote 3-0-0
The Board received a request for an access permit for hayfield access on Schoolhouse Road. Eleanor Miller has her field hayed by Charles Carrier and he needs a different access point. The Board discussed the purchasing of culverts by property owners. When a property owner purchases a culvert, they go through the Town so the correct grade and size are purchased. After it is installed, it becomes Town owned because it is in the ROW.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the access permit for hayfield/farm equipment use only on Ms. Miller’s property on Schoolhouse Road with the condition there are service water diversions to minimize runoff onto the Town road. Vote 3-0-0
4. Highway Report:
The Cemetery Commission removed the fencing along the Route 14 cemetery and would like to have it picked up. They would like the road crew to take it to the dump because it is pressure treated and painted so it can’t go to the stump dump or be burned. Mr. Peck will check into it and get it hauled to So. Royalton transfer station.
Mr. Peck wants to know what the Town’s policy is for private road signs. The Town purchased the signs when E-911 was put in place but who is responsible for maintaining them was not discussed. He said the State doesn’t maintain private road signs.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to replace the signs one final time; however the policy will be modified to read the property owners will be responsible for replacing the signs in the future. Vote 3-0-0
Mr. Peck discussed changing the intersection of Eagle Peak Road onto Steele Hill Road. Currently there is a “Y” in the road and Roxbury would like to make it a “T” intersection. The culvert is on the Roxbury side. He will meet with Tom Anderson and see what has to be done and notify the land owners of the change.
Mr. Peck reported the Wheatley gravel pit restoration is almost complete. All it needs is to have top soil put on. John Sprague mentioned to Mr. Peck that Kenny Preston has property on Route 14 that might be a possible location for a new gravel pit. He will check into it.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to go into executive session at 8:20 p. m. concerning a personnel matter.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to come out of executive session at 8:45 p. m.
5. Old Business:
Mr. Benson contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s office to see if they can put a speed indicator box by the Pond Village Church. The Board feels that if people see what speed they come into Town at the new speed limit signs, it might help slow some of them down.
Mr. Benson spoke to Brenda Flint about becoming a second Town auditor and she agreed to be one.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to appoint Brenda Flint as the second auditor for the Town. Vote 3-0-0
6. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $ 9,486.78. This total included a payment to WRVA in the amount of $ 6,457.56 and Southworth Milton Cat in the amount of $ 1,603.46.
Vote 3-0-0
7. Other Business:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of July 28, 2014 as presented. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to accept the Thorworxs contract for the new Town website. Vote 3-0-0
8. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:10 p. m. until the next meeting on August 25, 2014 at 7:00 p. m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder