Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of July 13, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Jeff Kimmel, Cory Haggett
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), Jon Binhammer, Amy Borgman, Keith Sprague, Andy Courville
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 6:55 p. m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
Mr. Benson requested that Mr. Courville present his report from attending the WRVA meeting as the Brookfield representative.
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. Courville spoke to the Board, concerning the WRVA meeting he had attended, concerning utilizing mutual aid with other EMS communities to cover portions of Brookfield. He showed the Board a map with the number of calls over the last 12 months and how mutual aid would help with the response times until WRVA could arrive. The WRVA representatives would like to try using mutual aid for 6 months to see how it affects the calls. The Board gave Mr. Courville a copy of a letter they had sent to WRVA with the Board’s concerns. (Copy available in the Town vault). Mr. Courville will be attending the next WRVA meeting on July 27th.
Mr. Sprague wanted to discuss the gravel pit that he had purchased from the Wheatley Estate that the Town had been using for gravel. He would like to have it restored to useable land as soon as possible. The Board discussed with him what needed to be done and where the land grade should be above the water table. The plan is to cut into the bank some to restore the grade and then cover it with top soil from the Farnsworth Lane road building project. Mr. Peck will meet with Mr. Sprague to agree on where the markers should be for the grade.
Mr. Binhammer, Town Forester, spoke of the 100th anniversary of the Town Forest. He would like to have a sign made for $100.00-$150.00. Money reserved from the sale of the lumber in 2012/2013 would be used to cover the cost. He would also like to create a more formal parking area at the marsh site on Route 65 and at the Town Forest.
Mr. Binhammer asked the Board about rebuilding the bank along Ridge Road between the Church property and Al Wilkers’ property. During Tropical Storm Irene, it had washed out and the bank was not restored.
Mr. Binhammer was concerned with drivers spinning their wheels on the new Floating Bridge to the extent that you couldn’t see through the smoke from their tires.
Mr. Binhammer suggested the Board meet in West Brookfield, at the Community Church, once in a while.
Ms. Borgman, Library Trustee, presented to the Board a request from the Library Trustees that they would like to offer the use of the Library to groups as a place to meet. She spoke to a few other Town Libraries on a use policy to set ground rules. The Boards main concern is who has access to the Town Clerk’s office when the office is closed. Anyone using the Library has to have the restroom available so the adjoining door cannot be locked. Ms. Borgman will include in the policy that the use of the Library be during normal Town Clerk hours or that one of the trustee’s will be involved in the group using the Library.
4. Old Business:
The Board received a completion report for the tree trimming project to fill in and sign.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to approve the minutes of June 22, 2015 as amended. Vote 3-0-0
5. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck wanted to know if the uniform policy for the Road Crew included boot purchases. It is not included but can be added as an amendment to the policy.
The Road Crew will be attending training for chainsaw use.
Mr. Peck has been researching the accurate length of Old Stage Road. It should measure .27 miles. The end of the class 3 road is approximately 300 feet too short.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board went into executive session at 8:25 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board came out of executive session at 8:30 p.m.
6. New Business:
The Board received public assemblage permit requests from the Old Town Hall for August.
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board approved the 10 public assemblage permits listed below for the Brookfield Partnership. Vote 3-0-0
-July 27, 2015 Family Fun Day #3 Blueberries Brunch and Cooking Class
-August 5, 2015 Community Bingo Night
-August 12, 2015 Community Bingo Night
-August 16, 2015 Floating Bridge Food and Farms Coop Market Day
-August 19, 2015 Community Bingo Night
-August 21, 2015 No Strings Marionettes
-August 25, 2015 Extempo
-September 13, 2015 Family Fun Day #4 Pasghetti Western movie and dinner
-September 26, 2015 “Souper Supper” with Randolph Area Food Shelf
-October 2, 2015 Myra Flynn Concert
7. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $125,569.03. This amount included a payment to Nicom Coatings for $7,200.00, a payment to Brookfield Gravel for $54,600.00, a payment to Treeworks for $34,350.00, a payment to WRVA for $6,457.85, and $8,500.00 is approved for the roadside mowing after confirmation on the party to receive the payment, the owner under contract with Brookfield or the purchaser of that business.
The Board discussed a pay rate for Carla Preston for training for Admin. Assistant.
8. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. until the next meeting on July 27, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder