Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of November 24, 2014
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder)
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of November 10, 2014 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the holiday leave pay for the employees with the following revision:
In weeks when the crew is working four ten hour days, the employee is to work three ten hour days and will receive the fourth day (the Holiday) as ten hours of straight time. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the revision of section 6 of the Dog Ordinance Policy to read:
Section 6: REDEMPTION. An owner may reclaim their impounded dog, ferret, or wolf hybrid upon payment to the pound keeper of the following fees:
FEES: Fine of $15.00 for a registered or unregistered animal, not wearing dog tag, first offense; $50.00 for second offense; $100.00 for third and each subsequent offense, all within a 6 month period, to be paid to the Town. Any additional fees associated with the impoundment (including maintenance and care) of a vagrant animal will be the responsibility of the owner, to be paid to the impoundment facility operator. Vote 3-0-0
Mrs. Godfrey told the Board the CD from Northfield Savings Bank is up for renewal and asked if they would like to have it renewed for 6 months so at Town Meeting it could be discussed how to use the money in it. It is worth roughly $103,000. After some discussion, they would like to continue having it renew annually until the grader needs replacing in about 5 years. A new grader is about $250,000-$300,000 and the CD would help offset that cost, as would the trade-in value of the old grader.
Mrs. Godfrey asked the Board to designate the bulletin boards at the Town Office and the Post Office as the official posting locations for town agendas and information to fulfill one of the requirements of the new open meeting law. The Board agreed to have them as official posting locations so everyone would know where to look for any upcoming events.
3. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck was not able to attend the meeting. Mr. Haggett said the new employee for the road crew should be able to start by December 1, 2014 with a 3 month probationary period. He said they were waiting for the background check to be returned.
The Town was approved for the Municipal Planning Grant to update the town plan as discussed at the September 22, 2014 Selectboard meeting.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to approve the access permit for Mr. and Mrs. Patroni for their property on Old Post Road. Vote 3-0-0
Mr. Benson spoke to Mike McPhetres, Road Commissioner and Mr. McPhetres said he is stepping down and will send in an official resignation letter to the office.
4. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the warrants in the amount of $22,989.86. This total included the payment to Jim Infurna for $4,166.00 for installing new LED lights at the town garage. The payment to Caterpillar for $13,677.98 for the loader payment was also included. Vote 3-0-0
5. Other Business:
Mr. Benson spoke to Vtrans about the Route 65 contract and was told they used a standard contract format and will look for a more appropriate contract for the Selectboard to sign.
6. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:20 p. m. until the next meeting on December 8, 2014 at 7:00 p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder