Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of January 11, 2016
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Brenda Flint (Auditor), Jon Binhammer, Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Jeff Girard (Planning Commission)
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 6:50 p. m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
There are no adjustments to the agenda.
3. Other Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 28, 2015 Selectboard meeting as amended. Vote 3-0-0
4. Public Presentation:
Mrs. Flint, Town Auditor, wanted to present to the Selectboard the Auditors’ position on who they would like to have do the 2014-2015 audit from the 2 bids received. She said that they are leaning towards Fothergill, Segale & Valley to perform the audit. After some discussion, the Board was in agreement.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to accept the lower bid from Fothergill, Segale & Valley to perform the 2014-2015 audit. Vote 3-0-0
Mrs. Flint discussed with the Board how the Town Auditors could help put together the Town Report for Town Meeting.
Mr. Binhammer had received a call from a trapper, forwarded by Mrs. Godfrey, requesting permission to trap in the wetlands owned by the Town on Route 65. Mr. Binhammer wanted the trapper’s name and number from Mrs. Godfrey. Mrs. Godfrey stated that the trapper had called back and he had spoken with the Game Warden about it. The Game Warden said he only needed to let the Town Office know he was trapping there.
Mr. Binhammer presented the Board with an assemblage permit for the Ice Harvest being held at the Floating Bridge for January 30th this year.
The Board received a request from the Vermont Veterans Home to post a link to their website from the town website. After some discussion, the Board decided not to allow the link because they can’t link for one group but not others.
5. Old Business:
The Board worked on the budget for 2016-2017 to be presented to the Town in the Town Report for Town Meeting.
6. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck voiced his concerns about private snow plow operators depositing snow on the public roads. The Board will have Kasey Peterson, Admin. Asst., put a warning in the Herald concerning this issue. The property owners will receive a warning from the Constable for their first offense and a ticket will be issued for a second offense.
Another issue that the Road Crew has had to deal with concerning plowing is having fences and other obstructions in the right-of-way. The Road Crew will be keeping track of the addresses and letting the Constable know so he can take action.
The Board would like Mr. Peck to estimate the cost to upgrade the last 300 feet of Old Stage Road. The Board will be deciding in the future whether to maintain it as a Class 3 or lower the 300 feet to a Class 4 road.
Mr. Peck let the Board know that the 2007 International needs a transmission and clutch overhaul.
7. Other Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the assemblage permit for the Ice Harvest on January 30, 2016 with the stipulation that parking is monitored to avoid “clogging” up the road with parked cars. Vote 3-0-0
8. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $43,170.87. This included payments to VLCT for $32,353.00 and to WRVA for $6,457.85. Vote 3-0-0
9. New Business:
The Board reviewed and discussed with Mr. Girard the Town Plan draft. A copy is available at the Town Office for public review and comments.
10. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:30 p. m. until the next meeting on January 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder