Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of December 14, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Brenda Flint (Auditor), Ginny Brees (Auditor), Mary Waldo (Auditor), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Stuart Edson, Laura Perez (Stage Coach Representative)
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
There are no adjustments to the agenda.
3. Public Presentation:
Mrs. Brees asked if an outside audit was planned for the 2014-2015 tax year because it was included in the budget. She acknowledged that the records were better but not rising to meet the standards. She understands it is hard to build in the controls with the limited number of office personnel. After some discussion, the Selectboard would like Mrs. Godfrey, Treasurer, to contact Sullivan & Powers and Fothergill Segale & Valley to see if they would put in a bid to have the books audited. The audit would have to be complete before June 30, 2016 in case there are any corrections that have to be made.
Ms. Perez, Public Relations Manager for Stage Coach, wanted to speak to the Selectboard about the changes that have been made while she has been involved with Stage Coach for the last year and half. They have closed the books in the black for the first time in a decade because they followed some of the recommendations from audits. 80% of the funding comes from Vtrans and 20% is raised by Stage Coach. In order to receive the 80%, they have to meet the 20% and they are working with business partners to try to raise some of the money. There are 29 towns using the service. They provide dial-a-ride with volunteer drivers. They have the bus service and commuter service. Ms. Perez plans on attending Brookfield’s Town Meeting in March to answer questions about Stage Coach. There is a potential increase request for funding from Brookfield under consideration.
4. Other Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of November 23, 2015 Selectboard meeting as amended. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the errors and omissions from the Listers. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the Bequest from Pamela Schweppe for a cemetery plot. Vote 3-0-0
The Board received the proposed budget from Orange County Courts. Vickie Weiss, a side judge, contacted Mr. Benson to invite the Board to their upcoming budget meeting. The amount budgeted for Brookfield last year was $30,099.11 and the new amount is $36,851.56.
The Board received a request for membership to Green Mountain Economic Development in the amount of $648.50. This is a new request and would have to be warned as a separate item for Town Meeting. Mr. Benson will contact them for clarification of their request.
The Board received a request from VT Rural Protection Task Force for a $100.00 donation. They were formerly known as Resource C&D Council.
5. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck reported that the ledge on Old Stage Road has been removed to make it easier to plow and wing back the snow.
Mud season is in full force and they have used 300 yards of material and need to put more down on several roads. The road crew will need to get more material for spring and will work on trucking it in from Williamstown.
The Selectboard discussed with Mr. Peck about moving the shed at the garage and about the need to expand the garage in the future. With the 3 trucks and bucket loader, there isn’t enough room to have the plows on the trucks or work on anything comfortably.
Mr. Peck is concerned about some large boulders on Crossover Road on the north side near I 89. He wants them looked at to be sure they aren’t going to end up falling on the road.
Mrs. Flint wanted to ask about the changes being made to the public assemblage ordinance. She wanted to confirm what the response time would be for a permit request. The Selectboard deals with the request at the next meeting after it is received at the Town Office. There is no cost for the permit.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adopt the amended ordinance for public assemblages. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to go into executive session at 9:15 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board came out of executive session at 9:27 p.m.
6. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $20,705.13. This includes a payment to Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission for $3,776.42, to Cargill, Inc. for $3,531.94, and to Radio North for $1,726.00. Vote 3-0-0
7. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 10:20 p. m. until the next meeting on December 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder