Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of July 27, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Darline & Roger Hache, Kevin Joyal (Constable)
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
There were no adjustments to the Agenda.
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. & Mrs. Hache, property owners on Old Stage Road, commented that they had seen the Selectboard minutes from the July 13th meeting concerning the accurate length of Old Stage Road. They saw a tree marked with paint indicating the end of the road and wanted to confirm the marking. The mark is approximately 100 feet from their land boundary. Mr. Haggett contacted Mr. Peck via speaker phone and Mr. Peck confirmed the mark is the .27 miles for the class 3 road. If the road had been discontinued from that point, or thrown up, then their parcel and an adjacent one are “land locked” without town road access. Mr. Benson suggested having Pam Stafford, Town Attorney, research the issue.
4. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the minutes of July 13, 2015 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
5. New Business:
The Selectboard signed the Financial Management Questionnaire submitted to them by Teresa Godfrey, Treasurer.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to adopt the Municipal Alliance with Randolph, Braintree, and Northfield, replacing the Tri-Town Alliance. Vote 3-0-0
Mr. Joyal, Town Constable, spoke to the Selectboard concerning a ticketing process for dog complaints and lack of licenses. At this point there is no recourse to collect money from any tickets written. Mr. Benson suggested Mr. Joyal speak to Sheriff Bohnyak about how to follow through with the ticketing. Mr. Joyal will also talk to Paula Russell, Chelsea dog catcher, on how the process can be started.
Mr. Benson asked Mr. Joyal as Town Constable, to start setting up a committee, as agreed to at the 2015 Town Meeting, to see what the Town would like to see done concerning the increase in coverage from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
6. Highway Report:
Mr. Haggett reported the Wheatley Pit is too muddy to continue restoration of the field at this time. Arnold Chase is almost done grading the roads. Richard Hamblin will be training with Mr. Chase on how to grade the roads. The Road Crew worked on cleaning out culverts on East Hill.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board went into executive session at 8:10 p.m. for a personnel issue.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board came out of executive session at 8:15 p.m.
The Board discussed taking over Route 65 as a town road. Research needs to be done before any decision can be made.
The Board agreed to amend the Highway Department policy to include paying $100.00 towards the Road Crew’s boots as part of the uniform.
7. New Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board approved the public assemblage permit request from the Old Town Hall for August 17, 2015 for the Central Vermont Road Runners meeting. Vote 3-0-0
The Board received notice that Verizon Wireless would like to put a 10 foot extension on the Cell Tower at 2382 Ridge Road.
8. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $17,639.39. This amount included a payment to the Gorman Group for $4,103.20, to the Berlin Cemetery Association for $8,736.00 for stone repair, and to BC/BS for $3,626.49. Vote 3-0-0
9. Other Business:
Mrs. Godfrey, Delinquent Tax Collector, reported she met with Pam Stafford and presented her with 9 parcels to begin tax sales on.
10. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. until the next meeting on August 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder