Minutes of the Meeting of
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD SELECTBOARD
Held: June 14, 2021
THOSE PRESENT: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel and Dennis LaRocque, Board members; Tim Higgins, Road Crew Foreman; Kasey Peterson, Administrative Assistant; and Betty Lord, Secretary
A. CALL TO ORDER: The Chair, Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: None
C: PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. HIGHWAY REPORT:
Mr. Higgins reported the road crew had been busy grading, ditching, changing culverts, and put-ting up new signs and replacing old ones. There has been some beaver activity on Twin Pond Road and Mr. Bill Sprague is taking charge of that.
VTrans is taking two borings at the Bear Hill site and if they do not hit ledge, a design will be drawn up and put out to bid. It is possible the work could start this year. New culverts are in place for Horner, Churchill, and Halfway Brook Roads. Twin Pond Road is scheduled for a new culvert after the 4th of July.
Roadside mowing will begin next week and should be completed by July 4th. Mr. Benson asked Mrs. Peterson to contact Mr. Stephens of Brandon Stevens Mowing LLC to make sure that all paper work is in place before they start mowing.
Mr.Higgins was asked to prepare a capital plan of equipment and length of time of ownership for replacing equipment.
Mrs. Peterson noted that Two Rivers-Ottaquechee Regional Commission needs a Letter of Intent from the Board by the deadline of June 25, 2021 for the funding of erosion control measures. The survey will be done by TRORC and all work must be completed on the project by September 30, 2022.
Mr. Benson asked Mr. Higgins to provide a copy of a purchase and sales agreement for the new truck so Northfield Savings Bank can set the interest rate for the loan.
1. License Agreement for Utilities Under Highways – Mr. Benson asked Mr. Higgins to prepare a sketch of the Taplin electrical repair site on West Street to show where the wiring crosses under the road and to install posts with signs to mark the underground utility.
2. Long-Term Highway Strategy – Mr. LaRocque discussed the need for a long term plan for roads. Mr. LaRocque, Mr. Kimmel, and Mr. Higgins will meet to identify five top issues for road work.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Barre Town Ambulance Service – Mr. Benson made a motion to execute the contract with Barre Town Ambulance Service to provide emergency medical service for the Town of Brookfield. Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion which passed unanimously. 3-0-0
2. Orange County Sheriff Contract – Mr. Benson made a motion to execute the contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement services for the Town of Brookfield. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 3-0-0
3. Budget Items – Mrs. Peterson had some questions about proper placement of budget items all of which were clarified including a question regarding the $1,500 which was added to the budget at Town Meeting for hiring someone to prepare the Town Report which will be a budget item un-der “salaries.”
4. Town Office Roof – Mr. LaRocque noted that while he was shoveling the roof on the Town Clerk’s Office this winter, he noticed that some of the shingles were loose. Mr. LaRocque was asked to call Mr. Bob Conniff to inspect the roof and provide an estimate for repairs.
5. Transportation Advisory Committee – Mr. Benson volunteered to serve on the Transportation Advisory Committee in the short term until two new members are elected to the Board. He will notify Two Rivers of his commitment.
6. Covid Workplace Guidelines and Public Meeting Formats- Discussion ensued regarding Governor Scott’s rescinding of the COVID-19 mandates for vaccinated individuals. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to sunset the current policy set by the Brookfield Selectboard at midnight, June 15, 2021; however, it does not remove VOSHA employees from complying with COVID require-ments. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 3-0-0
7. Road spur across from Koren property – Mr. Kimmel spoke with Mr. Koren regarding said property and Mr. Kimmel will do a further search of the town records.
F. OLD BUSINESS
1. Joe’s Custom Memorial Bill – Mr. Kimmel sent the material regarding the repairs at the Ridge Road Cemetery to the Town’s attorney. The attorney will contact the driver who caused the de-struction of the cemetery memorials in order to get the name of his insurance company. Mr. Ben-son made a motion to pay Joe’s Custom Memorial’s invoice in the amount of $11,034.00 out of this year’s budget. Mr. LaRocque seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 3-0-0
2. Cemetery Policy – The Board made a decision to hold a separate meeting to work on the doc-ument stating the cemetery policy.
G. Approval of the Minutes 24 May 2021 Meeting – Mr. Kimmel made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 24, 2021 as presented. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. 3-0-0
H. PAYROLL AND AP WARRANTS – Mr. LaRocque moved to accept the accounts payable re-port for a total of $20, 472.21 with the largest expense being paid to Gorman Group for $4,013.90. Mr. Benson seconded and the motion was unanimously approved. 3-0-0
I. Other Proper Business – The Selectboard Meeting of Monday, June 28, 2021 will be held in person at the Town Clerk’s Office.
J. ADJOURNMENT – There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. LaRocque made a motion to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion and the meeting was unanimously adjourned. 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Lord, Secretary