Selectboard Meeting Minute 28 August 2017

The Town of Brookfield

Selectboard Meeting

28 August 2a017 at 6:30 PM

 Town Clerk’s Office

Draft Minutes

                    Present: John Benson, Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett, Ray Peck, Clotilde Hryshko, Kevin Joyal, Kasey Peterson

1. Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

 

2. Adjustments to the Agenda – None

 

3. Public Comment –
4. Clotilde Hryshko was present to discuss the vegetation, mostly burdock, on McKeage and Post Roads. Some minor maintenance was done on Post Road last year and has increased the traffic. However, mowing is not part of the limited maintenance on Class 4 roads and visibility is an issue. The Selectboard will assess Class 4 roads to determine how much they are being used and decide whether or not mowing should be added to the limited maintenance next summer. Ms. Hryshko also had concerns regarding the water table at the Wheatley gravel pit. That site has been turned back over to the owner and subsequently sold and is no longer the responsibility of the Town.

 

1. Constable Kevin Joyal was present to discuss unregistered dogs in Brookfield. A copy of the dog ordinance and a letter will be sent to the owners of unregistered dogs advising them of the fines involved. This will serve as a first documented violation. After three violations a dog may be seized in the interest of public safety.

 

4. New Business
5. Highway
6. Peterson briefly explained how the FEMA process has changed and what the Town can expect in dealing with the damages to Northfield Road. Discussion was related to the differences between small and large projects, how FEMA reimburses the Town, tracking expenses, and accounting for labor. Mrs. Peterson is now waiting for the FEMA program manager to contact her before starting the next step.
7. Two Rivers Ottauqueechee Regional Commission has awarded Brookfield with a grant of $12,000 to address erosion. Mrs. Peterson explain the program and what sites might be eligible. Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Peck will meet with a representative from Two Rivers sometime in the next two weeks to choose sites.
8. Neither Mr. Benson nor Mr. Peck have heard anything about state plans to remedy conditions on VT Route 65 since the 22 August meeting.
9. At least one individual is visiting the garage during off hours and filling a trailer with gravel. The use of materials stored in the stockpiles at the garage is for Town use only. The only exception to this policy is the use of limited amount of sand in the winter by residents for their driveways. That policy states: residents are allowed to collect up to 15 gallons of sand (the equivalent of 3 x 5-gallon buckets) per trip to the Highway Department garage. This policy was adopted by the Selectboard on December 26, 2005. A sign will be placed at the entrance to the garage stating that materials in the yard are for Highway Department use only. Mrs. Peterson is tasked with posting the policy on the website and in the newspaper along with guidelines regarding depositing snow in the travel way of public roads.  
10. There was an extensive conversation about the winter plowing contract for the three places in Town that cannot be plowed by the dump trucks. This job has always been contracted out. However, with the new laws regarding workman’s compensation and the state Department of Labor’s confusion over what constitutes a small business, the Board decided to place a job ad for a temporary, part-time highway crew member. This person would be on-call for storms and other emergencies, be available at the garage to screen and load sand, and be able to plow a regular route in the event one of the full-time employees was unable to work.
11. There was a brief discussion about the Credit Card Policy to allow employees to have access to a credit card in the Town’s name. Mr. Haggett made a motion to adopt the proposed policy as written, Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0

 

5. Old Business
6. Haggett made a motion to accept the minutes of the 22 August meeting, Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0
7. Benson made a motion to add an amendment to the personnel policy regarding health care for domestic partners and their children, Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0
8. White River Valley Ambulance and Barre Town EMS are still verifying mapping for division of services in Brookfield.

 

6. Payroll/AP Warrant
7. Kimmel made a motion to accept the warrants in the amount of $3,102.56. The largest bill was for Freightliner of New Hampshire for $1,546.54. Mr. Haggett seconded. 3-0-0

 

7. Other Proper Business
8. The Public Safety Committee has submitted their findings on Town speed limits and appropriate signage. The initial focus seems to be on properly posting the roads with the correct speed limits, and longer-term procedures for verifying appropriate speeds for Town roads. The Highway Department will provide an estimate for the cost of the signs.
9. The current mowing contract for the cemeteries expires in October. The mowing contract will run seasonally and be kept separate for the sexton position.  
10. Stuart Edson is ready and willing to be appointed Administrative Officer. Mrs. Peterson will check with the Planning Commission to be sure there have been no other applicants.

 

8. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 p.m., Mr. Haggett seconded. 3-0-0