Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of June 8, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Adam Lane (Lost Nation ATV Club), Al Wilder, Jim Caputo, Jason Cone
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
Mr. Benson moved the Lost Nation ATV Club presentation to the next item on the agenda.
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. Lane wanted to follow up with the presentation he gave at the February 9, 2015 Selectboard meeting. The new budget for the club includes a $40,000 allotment for police patrols with VASA to help stop illegal ATV activities on the trails. Northfield and Roxbury both allow the ATV club on Class 3 roads. Mr. Lane will speak with the residents along Eagle Peak Road and see what the general consensus is for approval and then attend a future Board meeting to begin the process of having a public meeting.
Mr. Wilder, Mr. Caputo, and Mr. Cone spoke to the Board concerning a recent letter they had received stating the Town will no longer pay for the private road signs. They feel the amount paid annually in taxes should more than cover replacing a sign and there are other places the Board can make cuts. The Board agreed to revisit the decision of not paying for private road signs.
Mr. Wilder was concerned with the cars that were parked in the Town right of way on Stone Road. The Board said they would have Ray Peck speak to the property owner about moving the vehicles.
4. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the minutes of May 25, 2015 and the special meeting on June 2, 2015 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
5. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck reported the Road Crew has 6 more roads for tree removal. They are working on the FEMA required trees and then Old Stage Road and in front of the Marvin Newton House.
The roadside mower will not be available from Tenco until August. Mr. Peck is looking into renting from another business.
Jim Rowley contacted Mr. Peck concerning the culvert at his driveway. He said the oil truck will not cross over it because it is coming out of the ground. Mr. Peck said they need to take it out of the ground and reset it about 6” lower.
Cemetery Road has been resurfaced and they will be finishing the connection from Farnsworth Road.
The Road Crew has started hauling sand from Doug Haggett’s gravel pit. They were able to haul about 1000 yards.
According to the hydraulic study for Bear Hill road, they need to install a box culvert. The Road Crew will try to maintain the current culvert until Mr. Peck applies for a “structures” grant next year.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board went into executive session at 8:25 p. m. for a personnel issue.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board came out of executive session at 8:30 p. m.
6. New Business:
The Board received a public assemblage permit request from the Old Town Hall for July 4, 2015.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board approved the permit with the conditions that arrangements are made with the Pond Village Church for parking and the request to have a burn pit is approved by the Fire Warden, Jeff Brassard. The Board would prefer the burn pit be located across from the Old Town Hall, in the parking area, away from any buildings. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board appointed Julie Benedict as an alternate representative to WRVA for the Town. Vote 3-0-0
7. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $14,263.00. This amount included a payment to Clark’s Truck Center for $3,308.20, Power Plan for $2,966.74, and the City of Barre for $1,751.25. Vote 3-0-0
8. Other Business:
The Board received the new contract from Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The new contract, in the amount of $12,000 as approved at 2015 Town Meeting, moves the coverage from a calendar year to a fiscal year and increases the number of patrol hours per month.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to accept the contract covering July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, with the condition that the previous contract that covered January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 terminates as of July 1, 2015, at the start of the new contract. Vote 3-0-0
The Board received a notice from Agency of Natural Resources concerning a permit renewal request from Agri-Mart. ANR would like the notice posted notifying the Town there is a public comment period for anyone who might like to write in a response.
The Board received a follow-up letter from the WRVA committee who attended the May 25, 2015 meeting. They included the proposal for mutual aid with other EMS for a 6 month period. They wanted to know if the Board would like to try this or continue to “split” the Town with Barre City EMS covering a portion. After some discussion, the Board decided to wait and see what the 6 month trial period with mutual aid showed.
The Board discussed the budget status for the end of the fiscal year.
9. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. until the next meeting on June 22, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder