Selectboard Meeting Minutes 24 April 2017

The Town of Brookfield

Selectboard Meeting

24 April 2017 at 6:30 PM

 Town Clerk’s Office

Draft Minutes

                         Present: John Benson, Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel, Dee Montie, Richard Kidder, Kasey Peterson

1. Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

 

2. Adjustments to the Agenda –
3. E-mail from Brookfield Community Partnership added under other business
4. Update from Barre Town Ambulance under other business

 

3. Public Comment – None

 

4. New Business
5. Dee Montie began by thanking the Selectboard for appointing her to the Administrative Officer position back in 2004. She has greatly enjoyed working for Brookfield and found the work very interesting. The job was also a good way to meet the people in Town and she highly recommends the position to anyone willing to take it on. Montie provided all of her files related to Town business. Ms. Montie then tendered her resignation effective immediately. She is willing to accept an appointment as Interim Administrative Officer between now and October when she will move to Pennsylvania, but would rather not be compensated for that time. Ms. Montie has also resigned as Brookfield representative to Two-Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission.  Jon Binhammer is the alternate representative at this time and Ms. Montie highly recommended Mr. Binhammer as a replacement for her position.  Mr. Benson thanked Ms. Montie for her excellent work over the years and told her that the Selectboard is sorry to see her go. He asked if she had any recommendations for a replacement. A few names were mentioned and discussed. Mr. Benson made a motion to appoint Dee Montie as Interim Administrative Officer. Mr. Kimmel seconded 3-0-0. Mr. Benson suggested that Ms. Montie should continue to be paid for her work in the interim position.
6. Kidder was present to discuss the Thomas Young property behind the Town Garage. Mr. Kidder is purchasing the land from Mr. Young and wanted to find out what the Town had in mind regarding a potential boundary line adjustment. Mr. Benson explained that the Board was still trying to work out the details of an agreement before approaching Mr. Young with a proposal. The Board may also have to bring the matter to Town Meeting before moving forward. Discussion involved the recent survey done on the property and water rights regarding a spring near the boundary. Water rights to that spring belong to Rose Young and she must be consulted before any line adjustment is completed. Mr. Kidder explained his position and how he came about making an agreement with Mr. Young. Mr. Benson suggested that Mr. Kidder, Road Crew Foreman Ray Peck, and the Selectboard meet and walk the property to determine what works best both for Mr. Kidder and the Town. Mr. Kidder was amenable to the suggestion.  The meeting will be on 8 May at 5:30 at the Town Garage preceding the regularly scheduled Selectboard meeting.
7. Highway
8. The Town Garage office addition has been completed. A desk and chair was purchased from State government surplus in Waterbury.
9. Larry Hebert from Hebert Excavation has given Mr. Peck an excellent price on winter sand. Past contracts for sand were discussed including Brookfield Gravel and a previous agreement with Hebert Excavation. Mr. Benson made a motion to purchase winter sand, delivered, from Hebert Excavation at $11.30 per cubic yard. Mr. Kimmel seconded 2-0-1. Mr. Haggett recused himself due to his family association with Brookfield Gravel.
10. There are a few places on Eagle Peak Road that have become increasingly dangerous due to trees growing in the right-of-way. The trees in question have not been removed due to the protests of individuals on that road. The situation has changed and the road will be added to the summer project list as a matter of public safety.
11. Peterson discussed an e-mail from Cemetery Sexton Joe Mangan. Mr. Mangan is working with former Cemetery Commissioner Mike Herold to update the card file and has walked the cemeteries with him to determine boundary lines. Now that Mr. Mangan has spent some time onsite he does not feel a survey is necessary. Mr. Mangan feels that the current priority is repairing broken stones.
12. Benson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the Special Town Meeting, Mr. Kimmel seconded; 2-0-1. Mr. Haggett abstained as he was not present at that meeting.
13. On 20 April the auditors met with Mr. Haggett and Mr. Kimmel in a properly warned meeting. Also present at that meeting were Teresa Godfrey in her role as Town Treasurer, and Administrative assistant Kasey Peterson. Most of the requests the auditors made were minor adjustments to procedure to aid in general recordkeeping. The auditors did request minor changes to the payroll procedure policy in an effort to standardize pay periods as much as possible and to set down clear requirements for timesheets. Mr. Peck will be tasked with more careful oversight of diesel usage and timely submission of invoices and packing slips. Mr. Haggett made a motion to accept the meeting minutes as presented, Mr. Kimmel seconded; 2-0-1. Mr. Benson abstained as he was not present at the meeting.

 

5. Old Business
6. Haggett made a motion to approve the minutes of the 10 April Selectboard Meeting, Mr. Kimmel seconded; 3-0-0.

 

6. Payroll/AP Warrant
7. Haggett made a motion to pay the warrants in the amount of $13,182.20, Mr. Kimmel seconded; 3-0-0. Large bills include Office Furniture Supply for $2,690.84, Blue Cross/Blue Shield for $3,433.80, and Harmony Electric for $2,030.78

 

7. Other Proper Business
8. Benson has been contacted by Chris LaMonda with Barre Town Ambulance service. Mr. LaMonda met with White River Valley Ambulance to discuss the division of services to Brookfield. Both sides seem to be in agreement and there are only a few issues that still need to be clarified to ensure there are no gaps in coverage, most significantly coverage of dead-end roads and roads that are closed or partially closed in Winter. Both entities use the population in the coverage area to determine costs for services and they requested help from the Town in determining that number. It was noted that the WRVA budget is based on a calendar year and Barre Town uses a fiscal year, but adjusting the payment to WRVA should not be a problem.
9. Ariel’s Restaurant is opening this coming week. According to the letter sent to Mr. Fink in September he agreed to prepare and implement a parking plan to provide his customers with legal parking spaces and to minimize impacts on public safety. At this time no plan has been submitted to the Selectboard. The Board will send another letter to Mr. Fink seeking an update on the plan, and explaining that parking fines will be issued by the Sherriff’s Department in accordance with the law. Sherriff Bohnyak will receive a copy of the letter to ensure that all parties are aware of the situation.
10. The Brookfield Community Partnership has requested a tab on the Town of Brookfield’s website. This issue has been tabled until a clear policy on website use can be adopted.

 

8. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m., Mr. Haggett seconded; 3-0-0.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted

Kasey Peterson