Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of March 9, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman)
Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
Selectboard organization: on motion of Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, John Benson was voted in as Brookfield Selectboard Chair for the 2014/2015 annual cycle.
On motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, Cory Haggett was appointed Town Service Officer for the 2014/2015 annual cycle.
Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the February 23, 2015 minutes as amended. Vote 3-0-0
New Business:
On motion of Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the March 3, 2015 Brookfield Town Meeting.
Peck reported that he wanted to address trimming or removal of some problem trees by the Marvin Newton House on the Ridge Road and on Old Stage Road. He will contact a contractor for estimates on both sets of work.
The Town of Northfield has asked to join the Tri-Town Solid Waste Management District (current members are Brookfield, Braintree, and Randolph). After a discussion of potential benefits to the district, on motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request.
Benson reported that he will be following up on an invoice regarding emergency equipment for the Fire Department, and will verify delivery of all equipment as requested.
Sullivan, Powers & Co. P.C. had sent a letter addressing status of an audit from the period January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013. The Selectboard concluded that they have no objections to the January 29, 2015 letter.
Public Assemblage Permits: the Selectboard reviewed 3 permit applications:
Perry Kacik (on behalf of the Old Town Hall and Brookfield Community Partnership committees) is planning a May 30, 2015 wedding event that would run all day until midnight. The Selectboard requested further information on parking and traffic control.
Dennis Tatro and David Pattison submitted plans for the annual Morgan Mile trotting horse races for September 5, 2015 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). About 100 people are expected, with parking available on site. Unanimously approved as presented.
The Randolph Area Food Shelf would like to hold its annual walkathon on April 25, 2015 (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). About 200 people would be expected to participate, weather permitting, with the base of operations at Brookfield Elementary School. Unanimously approved as presented.
Efficiency Vermont is offering potential funding of up to $5,000 for municipal, commercial, and residential compliance with new Vermont state energy standards. The Selectboard will take that under consideration when planning for future Town projects.
Benson will be passing along MSDS information regarding Fairpoint Communication’s Ridge Road facility to the Town Fire Department.
Payroll Policy: the Selectboard continued review and consideration of a potential payroll policy for Town employees.
On motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Selectboard voted unanimously to go into Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. – the Board came out at 8:23 p.m. The Board then discussed various approaches for a time card system, and with the agreement of Mr. Peck decided to try out one version for the next 2 or so weeks. Expecting some adjustment, the Selectboard discussed the desire to find a payroll system that is satisfactory to both the Road Crew and the Town’s administrative staff.
Highway Report: Mr. Peck discussed the following items with the Selectboard:
Kosta Makris has satisfactorily completed his probation period, and is now eligible for a $0.25 increase in his hourly rate.
On motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Selectboard voted unanimously to approve Mr. Peck’s proposal to post roads for mud season. The period will run from now until May 15 2015.
The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of invoice and warranty information for the proposed purchase of a new Freightliner dump/plow truck for the Town. Mr. Peck was authorized to place the truck order immediately after Town Meeting. A copy of the invoice and warranty papers will be retained at the Town Offices
The Board also approved Mr. Peck’s request to investigate a potential utility vehicle for the Town Garage. The candidate truck is located in Connecticut and is a 2005 Ford F350. On motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett: after checking out the vehicle and its service records, along with determining that the truck meets the Town’s needs, Mr. Peck is authorized to spend up to $15,900.00 to purchase the vehicle. Mr. Peck will travel to CT later this week.
On motion of Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Selectboard unanimously approved the appointment of Andy Courville to be Brookfield’s representative to White River Valley Ambulance.
Accounts Payable: On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $22,153.68. This amount includes a payment to Reed Truck Sales in the amount of $7,874.84, WRVA in the amount of $6,457.52, and to Sullivan, Powers & Co. in the amount of $2,955.00.
Adjournment: On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:32 p.m. until the next meeting March 23, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey Kimmel (as Recorder for this meeting)