Selectboard Meeting Minutes 29 December 2016

BROOKFIELD SELECT BOARD

Town Clerk’s Office

Ralph Road

Brookfield, Vermont

 

Approved MINUTES

Meeting of Thursday, 29 December 2016

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M.

 

Members present: John Benson, Chair; Jeff Kimmel, and Cory Haggett

 

Others present: Jon Binhammer.

 

2. Adjustments to Agenda – none

 

3. Old Business:

 

1. The minutes of the November 28, 2016 Selectboard meeting were approved unanimously: Mr. Hagget motioned, Mr. Kimmel seconded.
2. The minutes of the December 12, 2016 Selectboard meeting were approved unanimously; Mr. Hagget motioned, Mr. Kimmel seconded.

 

4. New Business:

 

2016. Highway Report: the VT Agency of Transportation sent a hydraulic study for the proposed replacement of a culvert on Bear Hill Road. Ray Peck (Town Road Crew Foreman) reported (by telephone) that the study is in support of a grant application that was submitted in October 2016. Mr. Peck will next contact contractors for bids on the project.
2017. Binhammer asked the Selectboard to sign off on a Public Assemblage Permit for the upcoming annual Ice Harvest Festival in Pond Village, scheduled for January 28, 2017. The Board approved the permit unanimously, as proposed; Mr. Kimmel motioned, Mr. Haggett seconded. Mr. Binhammer asked if the Road Crew could please plow the area around Hippo Park and the turnout across from the Old Town Hall to help with parking; Mr. Haggett will pass along the request to Mr. Peck.
2018. Budget: the Board continued discussion of several areas of the FY 2017-2018 budget to be presented at Town Meeting 2017. Topics covered included:

 

• Weekly hours for the Administrative Assistant and the Alternate Administrative Assistant, with potentially 17 hours for the AA and 2 hours for the AAA.
• Potential wage adjustments for the Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, and administrative personnel.
• The Board and Highway Department have been considering hiring an intern to help out the Road Crew during Summer 2017; potential hours and pay scenarios were reviewed and will be reflected in the budget.
• The Board discussed a 10% increase in health care coverage, based on likely inflation and the potential for industry uncertainty in the coming year.
• Cemetery funding will remain stable at $28,000. In addition, the Board will be adding an article to the Warning for Town Meeting 2017 proposing a shift from a Cemetery Committee to a Cemetery Warden (or Sexton)-based system of administration for the Town’s cemeteries.
• So far, the proposal for the Town’s General Fund for FY 2017-2018 is substantially less than the GF amount for FY 2016-2017.

 

1. White River Valley Ambulance: the Board will contact Barre Town to see if they are still interested in extending ambulance services coverage to a portion of Brookfield.
2. The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission sent notice that on December 14, 2016, they unanimously approved the revisions to the Brookfield Town Plan. In addition, TRORC confirmed the Town’s planning process, which allows Brookfield to remain eligible for municipal planning grants.
3. Amendment to the Personnel Policy – Section 17 Health Benefits: tabled.

 

5. Payroll and AP Warrants:

 

The Board approved payment of warrants in the amount of $64,040.52; including leading items of $6,717.95 (BCBS), $6,457.85 (WRVA), $37,084.00 (VLCT PACIF) (Mr. Haggett motioned, Mr. Kimmel second, passed 3-0-0).

 

6. Other Proper Business:

 

Mr. Benson reported that Dennis Larocque had contacted him regarding parking issues on the Stone Road. The Board will follow up with Mr. Hill.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. (Mr. Haggett motioned, Mr. Kimmel second, passed 3-0-0).