Town of Brookfield
Selectboard Meeting
July 13, 2020 at 6:30 P.M.
Town Clerk’s Office
Draft Minutes
Attending: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Dennis LaRocque, Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman), Caleb Connor (Pike Industries)
A. Call to Order – 6:39 p.m.
B. Adjustments to Agenda: Mr. Connor called in to participate in the meeting. He will be included in Public Comment (below).
C. Public Comment:
Mr. Connor reported on Pike’s response to prior concerns raised by the Town of Brookfield and the VT Agency of Transportation regarding degrading pavement conditions on the Ridge Road. Mr. Peck had previously marked a series of problem areas on the road. Mr. Connor acknowledged there are issues with the work that was performed in Fall 2019, and wanted to work with the Town on a mutual resolution. By late Fall and early Winter, the weather conditions were poor for addressing the problem, and further delays occurred with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early Spring 2020.
Mr. Benson noted that the Town still owes money to Pike, and that the current discussion about potential repairs and follow-up by the Town and Pike would help with determining appropriate financial measures. The Board and Mr. Connor agreed that it would be best if Mr. Peck, Board members, and Pike representatives re-walked the affected Ridge Road portions and address each of the problem areas. The tentative dates for the review would be July 21 or July 22, weather permitting.
D. Highway:
1) Highway Report – Bear Hill Road Resurfacing: Mr. Peck said that the Town would need at least 2 more trucks to take on the resurfacing with gravel from the R.E. Tucker pit. Stan Wheatley had helped with trucking material in the past, but has recently retired.
2) Ridge Road: (see above)
3) Kibbee Road Power Line Relocation: Mr. Peck will work with Green Mountain Power on pole(s) location and potential issues within the Town’s right-of-way. Any plans and/or agreement on the line and pole locations should also include stipulations on GMP’s need to provide notice and get Town approval for ROW activities.
4) Vehicle Maintenance Report: the Board and Mr. Peck reviewed the report on costs associated with various repairs and maintenance activities with Town vehicles. The Board will consult with Administrative Assistant Kasey Peterson regarding questions and/or clarifications on the numbers.
5) Town Garage – Time Clock: Mr. Peck and Ms. Peterson had discussed use of a time clock to keep track of Road Crew employees’ hours and job times. Other aspects for consideration include how to account for employees’ check-in times and subsequent time for on-site arrival. Time accounting issues would also occur responding to heavy snow conditions during the middle of the night, or emergencies such as trees blocking road access. The Board and Crew would need to figure out a fair and equitable way to address these situations. Mr. Peck also suggested that he (and possibly other Crew members) could be paid a salary rather than hourly wages.
6) Other Highway Business:
• Bear Hill Culvert – Mr. Peck will confer with Chris Bump (AoT) on plans and funding for the proposed repair/replacement of the culvert.
• Sprague Sand Pit Proposal – Mr. Peck checked with the State River Management Office, which indicated that there was no issue or conflict with the initial pit proposal and a river nearby. Mr. Benson suggested that Mr. Peck follow up with the State and get written confirmation. Mr. Benson also submitted a draft agreement between the Town and DuBois & King for the company to prepare a Base Map of the site for a cost not to exceed $1,000. On motion of Mr. Kimmel, Mr. LaRocque second, the Board voted 2-0-1 to approve the proposal.
• Baker Access Permit: Jeff Baker submitted an application for an Access Permit to upgrade a 700 feet portion of TH14 (starting at the junction with Twin Pond Road) along with creating a driveway off of TH14 into a parcel that Mr. Baker intends to develop. The Board indicated that it would prepare a written agreement memorandum that would detail the specifications of the proposal along with Mr. Baker’s responsibilities and the Town’s conditions for the project. The proposed agreement was presented at this meeting: on motion of Mr. Benson, Mr. LaRocque second, the Board authorized Mr. Kimmel to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board (2-0-1). Mr. Kimmel will mail the proposal to Mr. Baker for his signature (and return of the document to the Town Clerk’s Office).
E. New Business – Budget FY2020
a. Audit: after some delay, the outside accounting firm is ready to begin the review process.
b. Garage Fund Question: Ms. Peterson inquired about where to post funding requests by the Town Garage Committee in the budget: the Board suggested that the Highway Building and Grounds account would be appropriate.
c. Lister Update on Reappraisal: deferred.
F. Old Business – Personnel Policy: Ms. Peterson will circulate an annotated recent version of the proposed policy for review and comment by Board members.
G. Approve Selectboard Meeting Minutes: Mr. Benson made a motion to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2020; Mr. LaRocque second. Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.
H. Payroll/AP Warrants: Mr. LaRocque made motions to pay the FY2020 and FY2021 warrants totaling $40,356.39 with large bills that include: R.E Tucker (Gravel): $29,997.00; Simply Ford Auto & Tire (Vehicle Equipment): $2,711.80; and R.E. Tucker (Road Reconstruction): $2,320.50; Mr. Kimmel second. Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.
I. Other Proper Business: none
J. Mr. LaRocque made a motion to adjourn at 8:26 p.m., Mr. Kimmel second: 3-0-0.