Minutes of the
Meeting of
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD SELECTBOARD
Virtual Meeting
March 22, 2021
THOSE PRESENT: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, and Dennis LaRocque, Board Members; Tim Higgins, Road Crew Foreman; Kasey Peterson, Assistant Town Clerk; Betty Lord, Secretary; Lewis Stowell, Public Safety Advisory Committee Chair; Joe Mangan of Kirkland Services, Cem-etery Sexton; and Dan Childs.
A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair John Benson called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
B. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA:
E. NEW BUSINESS:
1. ECFiber Appointments – Mr. Benson made a motion to appoint Mr. Dan Childs as the Brookfield representative of the Town, and Mr. Dan O’Brien as the alternate representative, to ECFiber. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved: 3-0-0. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Stuart Edson for his many years of service representing the Town with ECFi-ber.
2. LEMP 2021 – Mr. Benson made a motion, which was seconded by Mr. Kimmel, to ac-cept the updated Local Emergency Management Plan for 2021 prepared by Mr. Richard Doolen, Director of Emergency Management for the Town of Brookfield. The motion was unanimously ap-proved: 3-0-0.
3. LHMP 2021 – Mr. Kimmel will coordinate with Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission to obtain funding and set up a workgroup to update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Stowell and Mr. Higgins will also be consulted as to suggested changes or amend-ments for the 2021 version of the LHMP.
F. OLD BUSINESS: Ridge Road Cemetery – Mrs. Peterson reported that VLCT insurance wants to know whether the Town or individual site purchasers own the graves sites and memorial mark-ers, before VLCT would reimburse potential site repairs. It was the consensus of the Board that repair expenses should be covered by the insurance of the person who caused the damage. The Board also concurred that the cemetery bylaws should be adjusted to clarify who has ownership of the memorials and grave sites.
Mr. Stowell, PSAC Chair, asked about the placement of traffic signs within the Town. Mr. Higgins reported that approximately 50 signs had been ordered, as well as the equipment needed to in-stall them, in an amount totaling approximately $6,000.
Mr. Stowell also asked about the status of the Town Office parking lot in Pond Village. Mr. Ben-son said he would be meeting with Mr. Higgins and the parking lot would be put on the list of pro-jects for this coming Summer.
It was also noted that $15,000 was in the 2021-2022 budget for the Orange County Sheriff’s De-partment as recommended by the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Mr. Stowell was told the status of the traffic ordinance was still pending.
Mr. Benson noted the weight limit signs are up but in order to be legal they must be listed on the state Agency of Transportation website. Mrs. Peterson will begin submitting each road in Town and its weight limit. Mr. LaRocque offered to help with some of the listing.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
D. HIGHWAY:
1. Debit or Credit Card for Fuel – Mr. LaRocque made a motion that a credit card with a limit of $5,000 be obtained for Mr. Higgins, Road Crew Foreman, to be used for the Highway Department purchase of fuel and unforeseen emergencies. Mr. Benson seconded the motion which carried unanimously: (3-0-0). Once the credit card is received, the three debit cards currently used for fuel purchases will be canceled.
2. Grants – There is a VTrans grant being used at the present time for work on Bear Hill Road. The Board will pursue a grant with VTrans for the installment of a culvert or a small bridge on Halfway Brook Road; and with Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. TRORC will also be asked about potential funding for an erosion hazards grant. There may also be a construction grant available from the Federal Government in 2022.
Mr. Higgins reported he was is looking for another source for sand. Mr. Benson said he and Mr. Higgins had met with Mr. Keith Sprague about using the Sprague sand pit, but after considera-tion, Mr. Sprague withdrew from negotiations as he concluded that he will need the resource for his farm in the future.
E. NEW BUSINESS – See Above
F. OLD BUSINESS – See Above
G. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 8, 2021: Mr. LaRocque moved to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Kimmel seconded the motion which was passed unanimously: 3-0-0.
H. PAYROLL AND AP WARRANTS: Mr. LaRocque made a motion to approve the warrants in the total amount of $13,544.34 with the highest amount being paid to NEMRC in the amount of $4,637.72. Mr Kimmel seconded the motion which carried unanimously: 3-0-0.
I. OTHER PROPER BUSINESS – None
J. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. LaRocque made a motion to adjourn at 7:53 p.m.; Mr. Benson seconded and the motion was carried unani-mously: 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Lord, Secretary