Selectboard Meeting Minutes 23 July 2018

Town of Brookfield

Selectboard Meeting

June 23, 2018 at 6:30 P.M.

Town Clerk’s Office

Draft Minutes

 

Present: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel, Dawn Conant

 

1. Call to Order – 6:30 p.m.

 

2. Adjustments to Agenda – None

 

3. Public Comment – None

 

4. New Business:

 

1. Highway: Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman) is unavailable; Mr. Haggett spoke with him and will provide an update.

 

1. Letter from Pike Industries re: rate increases: no action required. As there are no current paving projects planned for FY 2018/2019, the pricing doesn’t affect the Town this year.

 

2. Report (Mr. Haggett)

 

• Working on Blodgett Road tomorrow (Tuesday) to get the dam and drainage repaired.
• Davis Acres Road: Mr. Peck met with the Wakefields and about repair work, which should be about $3,500 worth of culverts. The Wakefields will install the culverts if the Town provides them. Dean Salls to do the work. Mr. Benson mentioned that this would use about ½ the culverts budget for this fiscal year.
• The Board approved moving forward with the proposal. In addition, the Town should verify the classification of the road, as had been discussed previously.

 

3. Haggett made a motion at 6:37 p.m. to go into Executive Session regarding a personnel issue, Mr. Kimmel seconded: 3-0-0. At 6:40 p.m. Mr. Haggett made a motion to leave Executive Session, Mr. Kimmel seconded. 3-0-0.

 

4. Other Highway Business

 

• All staff are getting along well. Mr. Benson mentioned that the roads will likely need to be regraded after the impending storm system comes through, which will keep the crew busy. The Road Crew may also end up grading Route 65, which Mr. Benson said would be reimbursed by the State for potential time, equipment, and materials costs.

 

 

 

1. Annual Audit

 

• The Town budgeted $5,700 to have a partial version done. Fothergill Segale & Valley provided estimates for a “Review” version (up to $9,000) and a “Compilation” version (up to $7,500). The proposals were significantly higher than the figures discussed with a FSV representative last year.
• Kimmel will consult with Administrative Assistant Kasey Peterson about the proposals, and follow up with FSV regarding the differences in services, potential impact on the full audit expected for next year, and recommendations on how to proceed.
• Haggett asked if we should go out to bid for Audit services. Mr. Kimmel will ask Mrs. Peterson about other firms that might be available, including VLCT recommendations. The Board will follow up on the issue.

 

1. Town Attorney

 

• Benson talked with Town Clerk Teresa Godfrey about looking into engaging another Town Attorney. The Board discussed timing, along with consulting with VLCT and other Towns about attorney availability. Mr. Benson will also contact current attorney Pam Stafford about her plans and recommendations.

 

5. Old Business:

 

1. Approve Minutes of July 9, 2018 Selectboard meeting: Mr. Haggett made a motion to approve the July 9 minutes as amended (regarding dust/sand removal on Northfield/Stone Roads), Mr. Kimmel seconded: 3-0-0.

 

1. Foreman Job Description: Mr. Haggett suggested that we table this item until Mr. Peck is available to review the issue with the Board.

 

6. Payroll/AP Warrants: Mr. Kimmel made a motion to pay the warrants totaling $65,246l.02 with large bills that include: Town of Barre (ambulance 1-year): $27,551.07; Brandon Stevens Mowing (roadside mowing): $8,500.00; Milton Cat (loader): $7,555.23. Mr. Haggett seconded: 3-0-0.

 

7. Other Proper Business:

 

• Kimmel will work on arranging a mutually agreeable meeting date for the Board to meet with Mrs. Peterson to talk about the Road Foreman duties and preparing a Drug Policy for the Town; a Saturday Special Meeting in August is likely, and will be arranged and warned accordingly.
• Kimmel to contact Mrs. Godfrey to collect documents for establishing the Town Tax Rate for FY 2018/2019. Mr. Benson will also collect the relevant budget information, including estimates as to funds remaining from last year that could be reimbursed to taxpayers.
• Kimmel reviewed the Election Training that Mrs. Godfrey and he attended. The training covered a new computer/tablet system to improve access to voting, particularly for people with disabilities or special needs. He noted that the system is not connected in any way to the Internet, which should help ensure appropriate security.
• Benson asked if there was any other business. Mr. Haggett observed that the Ridge Road trash issue has arisen again and he has left messages with Dan Mason about the Town’s next response. Mr. Benson asked Mr. Kimmel about sending letters to the property owner, which Mrs. Peterson did previously by certified mail. Mr. Benson will also contact Town Health Officer Starr Strong about potential follow-up.

 

8.       Mr. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m., Mr. Haggett seconded: 3-0-0.