Minutes of the
Meeting of
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD SELECTBOARD
Virtual by Zoom
April 12, 2021
THOSE PRESENT: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel and Dennis LaRocque, Board Members;
Tim Higgins, Road Crew Foreman; Kasey Peterson, Administrator; Betty Lord, Secretary.
A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair John Benson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. HIGHWAYS: Mr. Higgins reported the roads are drying out and the Road Crew has been busy grading. He said he had received a lot of compliments on the condition of the roads. He also reported they will soon begin to clean out culverts in getting ready for summer.
Mr. Jeff Baker has requested an access permit for property on Twin Pond Road. It was stated that an agreement had already been made for the permit and it spells out the steps Mr. Baker must perform for construction and maintenance of said access; however, if the request for a permit is for accessing a different location, the permit Mr. Baker now has would have to be modified.
VTrans has asked if the Board wishes to renew its $80,000 contract of which $26,065 has been paid out for work being done on Route 65. The Board asked Mrs. Peterson to: 1) figure the pay rate for the road crew doing the work, 2) modify the contract as necessary, and 3) prepare the contract for renewal for another year.
Mr. LaRocque asked if there was a policy for long-term parking on Town property. While there is no policy in place at the present time, Mr. Higgins was asked to order a sign stating “No Long-Term Parking” to be placed on the public parking lot at the Town Clerk’s Office.
Mr. Higgins asked about the dirt on the aprons of the roads where pavement meets dirt roads. The Board asked Mr. Higgins to compare the price of buying a sweeper versus renting one. He was also asked to contact Mr. Stan Wheatley to see if he has a sweeper and what his rate would be.
Mr. Higgins also asked when the road crew should go back to summer hours of 10 hours a day. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to begin the extended summer hours of 10 hours a day beginning April 26. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which was unanimously approved (3-0-0).
Mr. Higgins was also asked to verify the final numbers for the purchase of a new Town truck, making certain the price will remain within the limits described in the Town Meeting 2021 warning.
E. OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Benson made a motion to accept the proposal of Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission for updating Brookfield’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion carried unanimously (3-0-0). Mrs. Peterson will contact TRORC and let them know the proposal has been signed.
Mr. Kimmel reported the Town Meeting 2021 warning is ready to be posted, which is within the requisite 30 to 40 days prior to Town Meeting day. Mr. Benson made a motion to approve the warning contingent upon Mr. Higgins verifying that the cost of the new Town truck does not exceed $198,000 including financing costs. Mr. Kimmel seconded this motion which was unanimously approved (3-0-0).
A request was made to ask Mrs. Godfrey, Town Clerk, to include in any announcement that everyone attending Town Meeting should wear a mask and bring their own chair.
Mr. LaRocque made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 22 Selectboard meeting as presented. Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion unanimously carried (3-0-0).
Mr. Kimmel made a motion to accept the accounts payable in the total amount of $21,592.79 with the highest payment being made to R. E. Tucker Gravel in the amount of $8,694. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which carried unanimously (3-0-0).
F. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Dan Mason (Town Constable) reported a dog bite incident. Mr. Kimmel will contact Mr. Mason regarding response steps, including asking the Town Health Officer to review the situation.
Mrs. Peterson will contact VLCT again to ask about coverage for the cost of the damage done at the Ridge Road Cemetery during a December 2020 incident.
Mr. Kimmel will follow up on all license agreements and have copies provided to Mrs. Peterson.
Mr. Benson and Mr. Higgins will meet to discuss options for the public parking lot at the Town Clerk’s Office.
Mr. Benson reported that he had drafted a proposal to request federal funds for Public Works Facility repairs and upgrades in Brookfield, specifically addressing the Town Garage and the Fire Department structures. Mrs. Peterson will review the draft letter, and signed copies will be sent to Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, Representative Welch, and Governor Scott.
Mr. Benson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters at 7:55 p.m. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously (3-0-0).
During this session it was decided to review the budget numbers and discuss the matter of Mr. Higgins’ wages with him before making any changes.
At 8:17 p.m. Mr. Benson made a motion to leave executive session. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which carried unanimously (3-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Lord, Secretary