Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of October 27, 2014
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Perry Kacik, Elinor Gray, James Moorcroft
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Public Presentation:
Mr. Kacik and Mrs. Gray, from the Brookfield Community Partnership and the Brookfield Historical Society, have started putting together a planning group for a celebration of when the Floating Bridge will reopen in May 2015. The Floating Bridge Food and Farm Co-op are also involved. Mr. Kacik and Mrs. Gray wanted to invite the Selectboard to be a part of the planning group. The Brookfield Historical Society has a display of the bridge to be set up at the Old Town Hall. Mr. Benson will reach out to Jennifer Fitch from VTrans to see what they would like to do. Mr. Kacik will set up a date for a meeting to get started.
Mr. Moorcroft wanted to ask the Selectboard about when he might hear the results of his Board of Abatement hearing that was held 14 months ago. Mr. Kimmel told him they were working on different points due to the 100 pages or so of testimony presented. Also they did not receive current readings for the Unifirst contamination levels. Mr. Moorcroft wanted an estimated time of completion. Mr. Kimmel said about 3 or 4 more weeks.
3. Old Business:
Mr. Haggett followed up on the Efficiency VT street light incentive and found the contract hadn’t been signed and returned by the Selectboard. When it is signed and returned, Brookfield will be added to the list for upgraded LED street lights.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board signed the incentive agreement with Efficiency VT for the LED street light upgrade. Vote 3-0-0
Mr. Kimmel has the recommended changes for the dog ordinance and will post a notice in the Herald for a public meeting.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to accept the minutes of October 13, 2014 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
4. New Business:
The Board received materials from Blue Cross Blue Shield for new rates. Mr. Kimmel will discuss with Kasey Peterson to confirm which plans the Town pays for.
The Board received the Intermunicipal SWIP agreement with the Randolph Transfer Station. The Board had a question on how long the contract covered. The Board would like Mrs. Godfrey to contact Cindy Spaulding and confirm prior to signing.
The Board received a letter from AT&T concerning the West Street tower project. The letter was placed in the Planning Commission’s box for their approval.
5. Highway Report:
The Board discussed with Mr. Peck how the holiday pay works with the summer work hours. Mr. Benson will work on revising the wording of the policy and will bring it to the next meeting for approval.
Mr. Peck reported that TH 14 near West Street and TH 20 near the Allis State Park entrance and Route 65 are both Class 4 roads. The Board would like to change them to Trails. The Board tabled the discussion until after Town Meeting as a spring/summer project.
Mr. Peck said he will see if he can get a grant for repairing the paved area of Northfield Road and Stone Road.
The Board reviewed the Route 65 contract with the State. They were concerned that the contract was mostly blank. Each Board member took a copy home to read thoroughly and will discuss at the next meeting.
Mr. Jim Infurna sent the Selectboard an estimate to replace the lighting at the town garage.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to have Mr. Infurna replace the lighting at the town garage. Vote 3-0-0
Mr. Peck reported the plow frames and snow tires are on the trucks ready to go.
6. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $59,597.92. This amount included a payment to Lake Sunapee Bank for the next installment on the 2008 fire truck for $36,620.60, R.E. Tucker for $15,523.40 and to BC/BS for $2,803.22. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to go into executive session to discuss employment applications at 9:15 p. m.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to come out of executive session at 9:45 p. m.
7. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:50 p. m. until the next meeting on November 10, 2014 at 7:00 p. m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectively submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder