Selectboard Meeting Minutes 22 Aug 2017

The Town of Brookfield

Selectboard Meeting

22 August 2017 at 6:30 PM

Town Clerk’s Office

Draft Minutes

Present: John Benson, Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett,  Teresa Godfrey (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Ray Peck (Road Foreman), Kasey Peterson (Administrative Assistant)

1. Call to Order – 6:33 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda – none
3. Public Comment – none
4. New Business
5. Mrs. Godfrey presented the supporting documents and information that she and Mr. Kimmel used to calculate the tax rate for fiscal year 2017-2018. There was brief discussion on the subject of delinquent taxes: Mrs. Godfrey has diligently and successfully recovered those funds over the past several years. Ironically, this results in a decrease in revenues returned to taxpayers in the current fiscal year. Mr. Benson made a motion to adopt a tax rate of 1.8343 for residents and 1.9563 non-residents. Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0
6. Highway
7. Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Peck had time to review the gravel bills for July and designate which bills were for road repairs due to the 1 July 2017 storm and which bills were routine. Only one bill remains in contention, but Mrs. Peterson is working with the vendor to verify the amount. No action needed.
8. Mr. Benson asked Mrs. Peterson to send a letter to Thomas Young (adjoining landowner) regarding the boundary line adjustment at the Town Garage property.
9. During the storm on 1 July 2017 the culvert at the Northfield Road/I89 overpass was plugged with debris. Mr. Peck reported the cost of replacing that culvert and described the complications arising from the natural features of the site. The federal government has declared that storm eligible for FEMA funds. After an upcoming briefing on 25 August regarding FEMA reimbursement, Mr. Peck will have a clearer picture of how the disaster response costs will be handled. If for some reason culvert replacement costs are ineligible, Mr. Peck will contact the Hartigan Company to clear debris blocking the culvert as a short-term measure.
10. Mr. Peck reported that it will take two days, at a cost of $3,600 per day, to crack-seal Ridge Road. This is considered a necessary cost to prolong the life of the pavement. Mr. Benson made a motion to approve the project: Mr. Haggett seconded. 3-0-0.
11. Mr. Peck accompanied VTrans on a review of conditions along VT Route 65. VTrans has agreed that the resurfacing of VT 65 performed by the state in Summer 2016 has not held up as expected. VTrans agreed to repair and resurface the road again this year. The Board discussed the role of the Brookfield Highway Department in potentially helping remedy the problem, including the Town doing some of the grading while VTrans provides the material. Some areas of Rte. 65 are so badly washed out that it will take considerable material to repair. The Board concluded that if VTrans gives Brookfield the opportunity, our Road Crew will assist in recommending and completing repairs to the road.
12. Recently the Highway Department’s Ford pickup truck has had issues. Formula Ford has held the truck for awhile, but has been unable to replicate the problem. Formula provided a lengthy itemized estimate of $6,000+ worth of repairs that are needed. Mr. Peck is willing to do some of the work ‘in-house’ to try to bring the cost down. He feels the truck will last a few more years if the operation problem can be fixed.
13. Ted Hines, who owns property at the end of Macredey Road, is willing to donate some of his land to move the road 50 feet or so to fix the intersection of Halfway Brook Road and Macredey Road. Mr. Peck explained that the intersection has drainage issues and is a hazard for anyone turning from Macredey to Halfway Brook. The turn is currently angled so that a vehicle has to cross the centerline to make the turn. Before work could be done to change the road, a site visit would have to be conducted, then a public hearing. Wastewater, setback, and zoning regulations would have to be consulted. A quitclaim deed will need to be prepared and part of the existing road would have to be ‘thrown up’. However, the Board is willing to entertain the proposal if Mr. Hines is willing to work with the Town on the issue.
14. The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps has recently done some work on Taylor Hill Road intended to alleviate erosion. Mr. Peck had concerns with the methods used to fill in the washed out places with large flat stones. Mrs. Peterson is tasked with contacting Daniel Schmidt (YCC rep) to discuss future efforts and coordinating with Mr. Peck.
15. Mr. Haggett made a motion to approve the Public Assemblage Permit for the Brookfield Community Partnership. Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0.
16. Credit Card Policy – tabled
17. There have been concerns about unregistered vehicles at 144 Stone Road. The prospective buyer has indicated that the situation is temporary. The Selectboard noted that junkyards are now the jurisdiction of the state Agency of Natural Resources.
18. Old Business
19. Mr. Benson made a motion to approve the minutes of the 24 July Meeting. Mr. Kimmel seconded. 2-0-1
20. Personnel Policy (amendment regarding domestic partners) – tabled.
21. Brookfield ambulance services – tabled
22.         Mr. Kimmel made a motion to pay the warrants in the amount of $47,778.80. Large bills include Brandon Stevens (mowing): $8,500.00; RE Tucker: $7,280.00; White River Valley Ambulance: $6,460.00. Mr. Benson seconded. 3-0-0
23. Other Proper Business – none
24. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.; Mr. Haggett seconded. 3-0-0