Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of April 11, 2016
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Dan Childs (Brookfield ECFiber Representative), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Richard Fink
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
No adjustments were needed
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. Childs, ECFiber Rep. for Brookfield, requested that he and Stuart Edson be reappointed as representative and alternate respectively.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to reappoint Daniel Childs and Stuart Edson to the ECFiber Board. Vote 3-0-0
4. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of March 28, 2016 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to execute the agreement with Orange County Sheriff Department for the period of July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 for the amount of $12,000.00 Vote 3-0-0
There is no update on producing a disclaimer for the Town website.
Mr. Peck is going to submit 2 applications to the Town Highway Grant Program for FY2017. One is for a culvert replacement on Bear Hill Road and the other is for the paving on Northfield Road at the I-89 underpass.
5. New Business:
Vermont League of Cities and Towns, VLCT, recommends that any contractor performing a municipal function work under the Town’s worker’s compensation insurance. Most of the contractors, working for the Town, have their own insurance. This is to cover those sole proprietors who do not carry it. Mr. Haggett is going to confirm that as a sole proprietor, you are able to purchase your own insurance.
The Board no longer has to appoint a Town Services Officer because the 2016 Legislature repealed the law requiring that each town have one. (H.575)
6. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck drove around the Town roads to take inventory of road signs that need to be replaced. He also counted how many speed limit signs that would need to be installed after the Selectboard hires a consultant for the speed limit study. He found that 40 road name signs, at an average of $45.00 per sign, would cost around $1,800.00. If all roads are posted by law, he would need 60 speed limit signs, at $30.00 each, it would be an additional $1,800.00. The new signs require “break-away” posts and the total cost would be $2,960.00. The grand total needed to bring the road signage up to State requirements would be $6,560.00.
The Road Crew is working on completing the build-up of the Wheatley gravel pit so it can be turned over to the new owner. There is a small culvert under VT RT 14 that they are diverting the water to as they continue to fill in the “pond” to help drain the field. They should be done on Tuesday.
Mr. Peck confirmed that the Board is planning on replacing the grader during the 2017-2018 fiscal year. He wanted them to consider keeping the current one in addition to purchasing a new one. The trade-in will be less than $37,000 and they know the grader. The Board said they will consider it.
Mr. Peck would like to begin trimming back some of the large trees along some of the roads. Several are in the way when they “wing” back the snow banks. He is concerned that some of the land owners will not want the trees taken down.
The Board and Mr. Peck are considering purchasing ½ acre of land that is contiguous with the garage property to expand the gravel storage area. Mr. Peck is going to try to connect with the property owner to see if he is interested in selling.
Mr. Peck reported that the Town needs a radio repeater for the Road Crew radios to work more efficiently. The estimated cost is between $5,000 and $10,000. They need to find a good location for it to have the best reception.
Mr. Benson received a call from VTrans concerning the reconstruction of VT RT 65. VTrans is considering using a gravel/shingle mix on the gravel sections of the road. This mix is supposed to make a more binding surface with the gravel.
The Board would like to know where it has been done before to see how it works and how it affects grading the road. Mr. Benson will email them to get answers to their concerns.
Mrs. Godfrey informed the Board that she updated the VT Local Roads information for the Town.
The Board received an email stating the paving is complete for Brookfield-Berlin IM RUTF (14).
The Board signed the master agreement with VTrans and Brookfield for the reconstruction of VT RT 65.
7. Policy and Ordinance Review:
The Board tabled reviewing the Drug and Alcohol Policy and Jobs for Bid policy until a future meeting.
8. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $4,660.38. This amount included a payment to McCullough Crushing for $2,878.75, to Foley Services for $329.25, and to Gillespie Fuels & Propane for $332.00 Vote 3-0-0
9. Other Business:
The Board briefly discussed the minutes from the hearing held on April 5, 2016 concerning the intersection of West Street and VT RT 65. Mr. Kimmel will have the minutes available to sign after making some amendments.
Mr. Fink presented the Board with the liquor license application for Ariel’s Restaurant for 2016 to be approved and sent to the Vermont Department of Liquor Control. The Board approved the application and signed it.
10. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. until the next meeting on April 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder