Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of May 23, 2016
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Pat Mercier
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p. m.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
Mr. Benson made an adjustment to the agenda, dividing the personnel issue into 2 parts.
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. Benson gave a recap of Ms. Mercier’s concerns from the meeting on May 9, 2016. Mr. Benson said Mr. Peck was going to meet with Ms. Mercier at 7:00 a.m. last Wednesday. Mr. Peck confirmed he took several measurements of the road towards Ms. Mercier’s property and found that near her driveway, the road area gets narrow. He also found the level of the road is much lower than her driveway causing a drop when she drives out. The Board and Mr. Peck agreed that the right-of-way should be maintained 12’ from the corner of her foundation. Mr. Peck hopes to get over there to correct the road and drainage this week.
4. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of May 9, 2016 as amended. Vote 2-0-1 Mr. Haggett abstained from voting because he was not able to attend the May 9th meeting.
Mr. Benson is working on the Local Finance Highway Report.
5. Highway Report:
The Board discussed with Mr. Peck the balance available for the Highway Fund and the best way to use what is remaining. Some items that need to be purchased include truck tire chains, culverts, garage door openers, bridge decking for Witts Bridge, and a new trailer for the chloride spreader. Mr. Peck would like to invest in a pressure washer so they can clean the undercarriages of the trucks. The total for these items is roughly $87,000. Mr. Peck is going to purchase speakers for the new truck and install them.
The Board received a bid from Pike Industries for paving the balance of the Ridge Road and the underpass for Northfield Road. The Board would like Mrs. Godfrey to confirm the grant amount from the State prior to accepting a bid.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board went into executive session at 8:20 p.m. for a personnel performance review. Vote 3-0-0
The Board came out of executive session at 8:35 p.m.
6. New Business:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the public assemblage permits from the Old Town Hall for 2016 events as listed below. Vote 3-0-0
Note: All events are to be held at the Old Town Hall in Pond Village and are sponsored by the Brookfield Community Partnership. Permits are approved with conditions as described in the Public Assemblage Permit Applications.
| Date | Time | Event |
| June 11, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Community Potluck Dinner |
| June 14, 2016
to September 27,2016 |
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Yoga Class Series – Weekly |
| June 15, 2016
to August 17, 2016 |
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Community Bingo Night – Weekly Series |
| June 18, 2016 | 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Family Fun Day: Bingo Night |
| June 27, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Weather and Climate Change Discussion: Roger Hill |
| July 7, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Wine and Cheese Tasting Event |
| July 10, 2016 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Family Fun Day: Rainforest Reptiles |
| July 15, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | No Strings Marionettes |
| July 17, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Square Dance |
| July 21, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Rachel Brownstein Presentation:
“Pride and Prejudice” |
| July 28, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Poetry Slam |
| August 7, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Irish Music Trio |
| August 11, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Marjorie Ryerson Presentation:
“Water Project” |
| August 14, 2016 | 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Family Fun Day: Breakfast and Classic Cartoons |
| August 24, 2016 | 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Extempo Storytelling |
| August 31, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Brian Pfeiffer: “Naked in Norway”
Wildlife Hike Above Arctic Circle |
| September 8, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Randolph Herald Political Forum |
| September 9, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | The Loon Project |
| September 11, 2016 | 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Family Fun Day: Music Concert |
| September 24, 1016 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Chili Fest and “Usual Suspects” Music Concert |
| October 1, 2016 | 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Randolph Area Food Shelf:
“Souper Supper” |
| October 2, 2016 | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Floating Bridge Food and Farms Coop Market Day; Library Book Sale |
| October 9, 2016 | 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Family Fun Day: Storytelling with Janet Poeton |
| October 22, 2016 | 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Harvest Dinner |
| October 29, 2016 | 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Family Halloween Party |
The Board reviewed the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) Energy Implementation Report.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to approve the public assemblage permit for the Randolph Area Food Shelf Walk-A-Thon to be held on June 25, 2016. Vote 3-0-0
Mrs. Godfrey, Delinquent Tax Collector, reported to the Board that the current uncollected balance for the 2015-2016 tax year is $130,606.46 which is 4.6% of the balance billed to property owners. She expects at least half of it to be paid before June 14th, when she will apply the 8% penalty to the unpaid balances. The total uncollected principal from prior years is now $142,172.18 which is down $16,187.86 from December 31, 2015. Mrs. Godfrey also reported to the Board the available balance from the total budget.
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 $17,620.02. This amount included payments to BC/BS for $3,283.15, to WRVA for $6,457.85, and $1,045.00 to the State of Vermont for their portion of dog registration fees. Vote 3-0-0
9. Other Business:
The Board reviewed the quitclaim deed to transfer the gravel pit to J. Keith Sprague. Mr. Kimmel will have Pam Stafford, Town Attorney, draft the final copy for signatures. The Board will be setting a date for a public hearing to reclassify approximately 300’ of Old Stage Road.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board went into executive session at 9:10 p.m. to discuss personnel salaries.The Board came out of executive session at 9:20 p.m.
10. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. until the next meeting on June 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 2-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder