Selectboard Meeting Minutes 24 June 2019

Town of Brookfield
Selectboard Meeting
June 24, 2019 at 6:30 P.M.
Town Clerk’s Office
Draft Minutes

Present: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel, Theresa Godfrey (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Dawn Conant, Ray Peck (Road Crew Foreman), Ron Caron

1. Call to Order – 6:33 p.m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda – None
3. Public Comment: Mr. Caron inquired about the permit status for a proposed garage on his Chelsea Road property. Mr. Kimmel (as Interim Administrative Officer) will do a site visit, and then follow up with the permit ruling.
4. New Business:
   A. Ms. Godfrey – Property on Route 14: the owner of a property located towards the south end of the Williamstown Gulf reported that, since the parcel is entirely swamp/wetlands, he no longer wishes to retain it and incur property taxes. The owner would like to offer it to the Town or perhaps to the State for inclusion in Ainsworth State Park. The parcel is appraised by the Town Listers at $7,500. Ms. Godfrey will be meeting with the Town lawyer on Wednesday to review the situation. At this point, the State has indicated that it has no funds available for a potential purchase. Selectboard members noted that the Town has generally declined to acquire private party.

B. Highway

1. Two Rivers – Ottauquechee Regional Commission – Grants in Aid FY20: Mr. Peck that the Highway Department would be interested in applying for the grant funding for additional equipment. Mr Haggett made a motion to the sign the TRORC Grant request for funding, Mr. Kimmel second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.
2. Other Highway
   • Mr. Peck has been working with the state Better Back Roads program on culvert and road drainage improvements.
   • Anticipated FEMA project reimbursements will eventually be used to offset related highway expenses in the budget.
   • Roadside mowing to start any day now.
   • Once the revisions to the personnel policy are completed, Administrative Assistant Kasey Peterson will meet with the Road Crew to review the changes. The Road Crew should be provided annual reviews/updates on relevant Town policies.
   • The crew is progressing on various ditching projects, and plans to stockpile decent residual material to use for other projects.

C. Historic Preservation – Initial Grant: the Town is eligible for a $250 matching grant to have the Town Office building inspected and obtain an estimate for repair work. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to pay the $250 match for the Historic Preservation match, Mr. Haggett second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.

1. Old Business:
   A. Approve Minutes of June 10, 2019 meeting: deferred to the next meeting.
   B. LEMP Adoption Form: the emergency planning data form has been completed and submitted.
   C. Changes in the Personnel Policy: the Board continued discussion, including covering mandatory terms that are dictated by State and Federal insurance requirements.
2. Payroll/AP Warrants: Mr. Haggett made a motion to pay the warrants totaling $70,308.07 with large bills that include Hebert Excavation (sand): $41,040.00; Kirk Yard Services (stone repairs): $9,786.00; BCBSVT, (health insurance): $3,394.30. Mr. Kimmel second; Mr. Benson asked for discussion (none): 3-0-0.
3. Other Proper Business: the Board will send a copy of the proposed Stone Road survey RFP to the Town’s lawyer. The potential surveyor will be invited to the next Board meeting to complete the contract process.
4. Mr. Kimmel made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 p.m., Mr. Haggett second: 3-0-0.