Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of September 14, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), John Kessler, Dennis Hill, Tim Hill, Darline Hache, Roger Hache, Brian Guay
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p. m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
There were no adjustments needed.
3. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to approve the minutes of August 24, 2015 as written. Vote 3-0-0
4. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to approve the warrants in the amount of $30,537.22. This amount included a payment to WRVA for $6,457.85, to R. E. Tucker for $11,666.80, and the Barre City Treasurer for $1,795.00. Vote 3-0-0
5. New Business:
The Board reviewed the State grants signed by Teresa Godfrey, Town Treasurer, for the following: FY16 Hold Harmless-$78,026.00, FY16 Equalization-$891.00, FY16 Reappraisal-$7,573.50, FY16 PILOT-Buildings-$1,112.00, and FY16 Lister Ed-$391.91. Copies of these grant agreements are located at the Town Office.
The Board reviewed the policy for when a public assemblage permit is required. The Board tabled for further review.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve permit request from John Kessler for the use of Hippo Park on September 27, 2015 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. as written. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve permit requests from Brookfield Community Partnership for extending the dates for the Yoga Series to include September 8, 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 2015 and for Community Bingo Nights to include August 27, September 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2015. Vote 3-0-0
The Board received a request from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation for collecting an urban soil sample from Town property. The Board signed the request.
6. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck reported the 2015 truck did not come with snow tires and Tenco will trade the tires for snow tires at an extra cost of $1,200.00 or Mr. Peck can purchase recapped snow tires, similar to the ones on the other two trucks for an additional $1,992.00 which would give him 2 sets of tires. The Board agreed to have Mr. Peck purchase the recapped tires.
Mr. Peck received a quote from Randy Gillman of W. B. Rogers, inc. for $150.00/hour to remove ledge from Old Stage Road to improve the road for plowing.
The Board discussed the contract with the State for maintenance on Route 65. The contract was approved at the August 24th Selectboard meeting but it did not include replacement of sand/salt/chloride costs.
Mr. Peck stated that the intersection of East Hill Road and Farnsworth Lane had a bad field of vision if you were heading east on East Hill Road for any traffic that might be turning left onto Farnsworth Lane. The bank needs to be pushed back to improve the field of vision and needs to be addressed before Farnsworth Lane is completed.
The Board agreed with Mr. Peck that the Road Crew winter hours will begin after Columbus Day.
Mr. Benson said the State is planning on paving Route 65 next year and they are contemplating paving from the Floating Bridge to the Ridge Road and paving the hill on the east side of the bridge. They would like the Board’s input on this. The Board tabled the discussion.
The Board initialed the FEMA grant paperwork for the culvert installation on Old Cross Road.
Mrs. Godfrey, Town Clerk had received a phone call from Pat Mercier concerning logging trucks cutting into her lawn when driving by. Mr. Peck investigated the area and found the trucks would have to “jump” up the edge of the bank to go on the lawn and there is a Hydrangea bush hanging out in the right of way that is getting brushed from the trucks.
Mr. Benson addressed the public concerning the extension of Old Stage Road and the “missing” section of road connecting the 2 parcels at the end near I-89. Mr. Benson stated that the Hache’s would like to build on their property and need to have access. Mr. Peck recently measured the Class 3 section at .27 miles and found the road was currently short approximately 300 feet. Mr. Peck began upgrading the approx. 300 feet to follow what the State Highway map has for Class 3. Pam Stafford, Town Attorney, is reviewing the paperwork Mrs. Godfrey sent to her concerning what the balance of the “missing” section of road should be. The Town would not have thrown up a section of road causing 2 land locked parcels. It appears the road length change happened when the Interstate was constructed and was not formally designated at that time. The concern is whether the Town still maintains access to the 2 parcels and would it be designated as a trail, Class 4 or ROW. A trail or ROW would not have to be maintained and a Class 4 requires minimal maintenance. Mr. Kimmel said the State Highway map, displayed in the Town Office, is available on line. We are assuming that when I-89 went through that the road changed but we have not received any documentation from VTrans showing what happened.
Mr. Tim Hill said that he and Mr. Guay paid to upgrade the section of Old Stage Road to Class 3 around 2001-2003 up to Mr. Hill’s driveway and wondered why the Town is now completing the balance of road at the taxpayers’ cost when they had to pay for the upgrade in the past. Mr. Benson said the Town policy is that if you would like the Town to change the class of your road, you are responsible for bringing the road up to the State standard and then the Town will maintain it accordingly. He also stated that they have received the benefit of road maintenance since 2003 and because the State Highway map shows the .27 as Class 3, we need to make a decision on whether to upgrade the road or downgrade the class of road and correct the map accordingly. The Board agreed to table the decision until they hear from Ms. Stafford on the results of her research.
Mr. Benson spoke to Mr. Peck to see what repairs need to be done at the garage. Mr. Peck said the roof leaks and the shed is in need of support.
7. Other Business:
Mrs. Godfrey, Delinquent Tax Collector, let the Board know there will be tax sales on October 23, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the Town Office unless Ms. Stafford receives payment for the properties prior to the tax sale date.
8. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. until the next meeting on September 28, 2015 at 7:00 p. m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder