Minutes of the
Meeting of
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD
SELECTBOARD
by Zoom and Telephone Conferencing
February 22, 2021
THOSE PRESENT: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, and Dennis LaRocque, Selectmen; Tim Higgins, Road Crew Foreman; Kasey Peterson, Administrative Assistant; Betty Lord, Secretary; and Christina Harlow and Richard Doolan.
A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair John Benson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA: Mrs. Christina Harlow was present at the meeting to of-fer her services as a candidate for an open position on the Town Planning Commission. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to appoint Mrs. Harlow to the Commission. Mr. Benson seconded the mo-tion and asked Mrs. Harlow to tell the Board something about herself. She stated that she had lived in Brookfield for 6.5 years, had two young children (one in the Brookfield Elementary School and another soon to follow) and that she had a desire to be involved in Town activities. Mr. Ben-son called for a vote on the motion on the floor and it was passed unanimously: 3-0-0.
Mr. Richard Doolan, Director of Emergency Management for Brookfield, came to discuss the sta-tus of the Town Hazard Mitigation Plan and the related Local Emergency Management Plan. It was agreed the topic would be put on the agenda for the next Selectboard meeting of March 8, 2021. Mr. Kimmel will represent the Board in discussion with Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission while working on plans. Other personnel that should be included in developing the plan are an officer from the Fire Department, the Road Crew Foreman, and Mrs. Peterson will contact the Planning Commission to ask which of their board members would like to be involved. Mr. Doolan reported a generator had been installed at the Brookfield Elementary School and, alt-hough plans have not been completed due to the pandemic, the school could be opened up as needed on a storm-by-storm basis.
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
D. HIGHWAYS: Mr. Benson reported that information regarding the price of sand, loading, and hauling had been received and a meeting will now be set up with Mr. Keith Sprague regarding the proposed Sprague Sand Pit and the feasibility of a contract with the Town for the purchase of sand.
Mr. Benson talked with Northfield Savings Bank to discuss a loan for the financing of a new truck for the Town. He is waiting for the figures for financing for two years at the commercial rate.
Mr Larocque will contact Mr. Gilman at W. B. Rogers to ask how many years remain for providing sand from his pit.
Mr. Benson pointed out the new truck cannot be ordered until after Town Meeting of May 22, 2021.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Ira Day Historic Sign: the Board was asked by the State and petitioner Joshua Blouin to ap-prove the wording on a historical sign honoring Major Ira Day to be placed on Route 14 in the Brookfield/Williamstown section; and to provide notice of approval by providing a copy of the relevant Brookfield Selectboard meeting minutes to the State and petitioner. Mr. Kimmel read the proposed wording to the Board, a copy of which is attached and made a part of these minutes. Mr. LaRocque made a motion to approve the proposed wording for the Major Ira Day historical marker as of February 22, 2021, and that a copy of the minutes be sent (as indicated above); Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion passed unanimously: 3-0-0.
2. Cemetery RFP – Mr. Benson made a motion to extend the maintenance contract for Town cemeteries for another year to Mr. Joseph Mangan of Kirkland Services, LLC.; Mr. LaRocque se-conded the motion which was unanimously passed: 3-0-0.
Mr. Benson made a motion to extend the yearly contract to Mr. Mangan as Town Cemetery Sex-ton for another year; Mr. Kimmel seconded and the motion was unanimously passed: 3-0-0.
3. Roadside Mowing – Mr. Higgins was asked by the Board to contact Mr. Brandon Stephens of Total Lawn Care to ascertain costs and scheduling for roadside moving for the coming summer.
4. Planning Commission Appointment – Christina Harlow (see above).
5. Public WiFi Equipment Grant – The Board agreed that ECFiber was doing a good job of providing WiFi coverage in Brookfield and there appeared to be little interest in additional public WiFi at this time. Currently the Town Library in Pond Village provides public access.
6. Lister Certificates – Members of the Board signed the Lister Certificates. Mr. LaRocque made a motion to accept the Lister Certificates for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020; Mr. Kimmel se-conded and the motion was unanimously approved: 3-0-0.
7. NEMRC Contracts – Mr. Benson made a motion to renew the annual financial software con-tract with NEMRC. Mr. LaRocque seconded the motion which was unanimously approved: 3-0-0. Mr Benson signed the contract on behalf of the Selectboard.
8. Certificate of Deposit Renewal – Mr. LaRocque made a motion to allow the certificate of deposit with Northfield Savings Bank coming due on February 25, 2021 to roll over for automatic renewal for an additional year; Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved: 3-0-0.
F. OLD BUSINESS
Cemetery Repairs – Mrs. Peterson reported that Kirkyard Services and Custom Manufacturing of Quality Memorials are ready to start repair/replacement work on the memorial stones that were damaged in the Ridge Road Cemetery when a car went off the road. Mr. LaRocque made a mo-tion to authorize the two companies to begin work with the proviso that VLCT Insurance verifies that there are no risks in beginning the work and that VLCT (and/or the vehicle driver’s insurer) are willing to reimburse once the work is completed; Mr. Benson seconded the motion which was carried unanimously: 3-0-0.
G. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of February 8, 2021 MEETING – Mr. Kimmel moved that the minutes of the meeting of February 8, 2021 be approved as presented; Mr. LaRocque seconded, and the minutes were unanimously approved: 3-0-0.
H. PAYROLL AND WARRANTS – Mr. LaRocque moved to accept the warrants in the total amount of $31,181.70 with the highest payment being $15, 378.35 payable to Evans Group for diesel oil. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which was unanimously approved: 3-0-0.
I OTHER PROPER BUSINESS:
1. Variances – Mr. LaRocque reported that all three outstanding requests for variances before the Board of Adjustment had been settled in favor of the applicants.
2. Car Parked in Town Office Parking Lot – Mrs. Peterson was asked to draft a letter to Mr. Ed Koren asking that he find another place to park his son’s car as it was disrupting the plowing of the Town Office’s parking lot; and to send a copy of the letter to the Selectboard for review.
3. License Agreements – Mr. Kimmel reported that all the license agreements for utility crossings on Old Cross Road, East Street, and Bear Hill Road had been signed, with the exception of the Taplin work on West Street. Mr. Benson asked Mr. Higgins to check on a source for stakes or other appropriate markings to warn of utility crossings.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. LaRocque made a motion to ad-journ. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.: 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Lord, Secretary