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Selectboard Meeting Minutes 26 August 2019

Town of Brookfield
Selectboard Meeting
August 26, 2019 at 6:30 P.M.
Town Clerk’s Office
Amended Minutes

Present: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel, Dawn Conant, Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman), James Godfrey, Teresa Godfrey, Robert Godfrey, Richard Pecor, Gene Parent, Van Parent, Erik Nielson, Mike Lefebvre, Carl Bushey Jr., Steve Schaeffer, Ron Lovejoy

1.   Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

2.   Adjustments to Agenda – None

3.   Public Comment: a group of residents along Northfield Road raised a series of concerns about various types of vehicle traffic, speed limits, weight limits, and other issues:

  • The Public Safety Advisory Committee recommended posting the road for 35 mph. While the state general speed limit for roads is 50 mph, the Town will need to review steps to revise the current Road Ordinance to change the speed limit, including posting meeting and warning notices to do so.
  • In addition, the Town will need to assess how many signs should be installed along the road.
  • The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (along with Vermont State Police , the VT Agency of Transportation, and other state agencies) will also need to be contacted regarding proper steps ensure appropriate posting and enforcement of speed limits. The Town should also coordinate with OCSD to have a speed cart placed at various sites to notify drivers about their travel speeds.
  • The Town has to order additional signs, as we do not just have them on hand.
  • Weight limits for the roads also need to be reviewed, along with measures to ensure compliance. While the Town currently applies the 24,000 lbs. state standard, with the common permit application process for overweight vehicles, the process and standards for Brookfield roads need to be reassessed. This issue arises with both agricultural and commercial vehicles.
  • One particular concern was the transport activities deriving from the Ridge Road quarry operation and the effect on Brookfield roads commonly used as routes. Northfield Road appears to be one of the major routes. The Town will need to consider additional restrictions on commercial vehicle activities, including stricter weight limits and enforcement of permit conditions.
  • Landowners along Northfield Road cited instances and continuing concerns with damage to the road and Right-of-Way, linked to commercial and agricultural activities. They also reported problems with sight-lines along the road; the Town will need to consider clearing obstructive trees within the RoW.
  • Logging trucks and oversized/overwidth vehicles also pose a problem, particularly when they lack precautions such as warning signs, flags, or lights.
  • The Board will need to follow up on all these issues, along with contacting relevant local and State agencies about appropriate measures and the required process to institute an effective traffic control system.

4. New Business

A. Highway

  1. Fence on Horner Road: it is a damaged State Highway fence. This is the second time it is down, so it needs to be fixed/secured. Mr. Haggett will contact the State to see what the Town can do or if repair is the State’s responsibility.
  2. Mr. Peck will proceed with work on a list of culverts that need repair/replacement in various locations.
  3. Taylor Hill Road: the Board toured the area prior to the meeting, observing areas where ditching and materials work needs to be done to improve travel conditions. Mr. Peck will also review and repair potential drainage issues along the road.
  4. The Board will try to set up a meeting with a landowner in West Brookfield regarding agricultural vehicle activities and potential issues with road conditions.

A. Letter from Ruth Goodale: Mr. Haggett will talk to the Garden Club to see what they are looking for. If they are requesting money, this item will need to be warned for the next Town Meeting.

B. Computer Server: Mr. Benson made a motion to authorize the expenditure of $600 towards the repair of the Town’s computer server system, Mr. Haggett second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.

C. Personnel Policy Changes: deferred until next meeting.

6. Payroll/AP Warrants: Mr. Haggett made a motion to pay the warrants totaling $40,355.20 with large bills that include: Global Montello Group Corp (diesel): $15,345.00; Gorman Group, LLC. (chloride): $4,140.00; BCBSVT (healthcare): $3,934.30; White River Valley Ambulance (August Ambulance): $3,596.25; Mr. Kimmel second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0. 

7. Other Proper Business: Mr. Benson reported that he would likely be absent from the next Selectboard Meeting on September 9, 2019; Mr. Haggett and Mr. Kimmel plan to hold the meeting as scheduled.

8. Mr. Haggett made a motion to adjourn at 7:43 p.m., Mr. Kimmel second: 3-0-0.        

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