Brookfield Selectboard Meeting of September 28, 2015
Town Clerk’s Office on Ralph Road
Selectboard: John Benson (Chair), Cory Haggett, Jeff Kimmel
Public Attendees: Teresa Godfrey (Recorder), Ray Peck (Highway Foreman), A. Murray Evans, Darline Hache, Roger Hache
- Call to Order:
Mr. Benson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
There were no adjustments needed.
3. Public Presentation:
Mr. Benson addressed Mr. and Mrs. Hache about the ongoing issue concerning the actual length of Old Stage Road. He stated that we do not have any results yet from Pam Stafford, Town Attorney, and as soon as we have answers, we will be emailing all parties involved to invite them to a Selectboard meeting for further discussion. Mrs. Hache said she wanted to be sure Ms. Stafford received a copy of a survey from the Town vault for Linda Parks’ property because there is information in the center of the survey concerning the road length. Mrs. Godfrey will be sure a copy was included in the paperwork given to Ms. Stafford.
Mr. Evans is concerned about trees along the Town roads, mainly along Kibbee Road and Lavender Roads. There is a willow tree that the main stem is long dead and a portion of the tree has already fallen. This seems to be symptomatic on road side trees.
The Board reviewed the Trees & Roads Handbook. Mr. Peck will look at the tree to see what the Road Crew can do.
4. Old Business:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board approved the September 14, 2015 minutes as amended. Vote 3-0-0
5. New Business:
The Board received a Vermont League of Cities and Towns, VLCT, renewal application for insurance on the Town owned buildings and equipment.
On motion by Mr. Benson, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board voted to renew the insurance with the option to review and amend the valuation of buildings and equipment subsequent to the meeting to ensure the Town is adequately insured. Vote 3-0-0
Mrs. Godfrey discussed with the Board possibly replacing the copier as part of the 2016-2017 budget. The current copier has had some problems and when a recent repair was done, the technician suggested looking into purchasing a new one. He called it a dinosaur as copiers go. Mrs. Godfrey would like one that has scanning capabilities so the Land Records and Vital Records could be scanned and stored digitally for preservation. Mrs. Godfrey would like to purchase the software from NEMRC for digital recording and off site back-up. The scanning could be done during “slow” times in the office so there would be no additional cost versus having a company come in and remove the books for preservation purposes. Mr. Benson suggested looking into leasing a copier. The current copier is over 10 years old.
6. Highway Report:
Mr. Peck reported the Wheatley gravel pit restoration is complete. Mr. Kimmel will confirm, in the Land Records, who the current land owner is so the Town can relinquish the property to the current owner.
The Farnsworth Lane road construction will be completed Tuesday. There is an underground powerline that will need to be avoided.
The culvert for Old Cross Road should be delivered the week of October 19th.
The new truck went into the Tenco shop today and should be done by the end of October.
Mr. Peck asked Arnold Chase, Town grader operator, about when to replace the grader. It currently has 10,000 hours on it. Purchasing a new grader from CAT or John Deere is about $200,000.
Mr. Peck is going to price tire chains through McLeods for the trucks.
7. Other Business:
The Board signed a Quit Claim for a cemetery plot purchased by Ronald and Linnea LaPerle.
The Board updated the Brookfield Personnel and Payroll policies.
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board updated the personnel policy to reflect changes in compensation for being called in and for employee uniform compensation for work shoes. Vote 3-0-0
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Haggett, the Board approved various amendments to the payroll policy as presented. Vote 3-0-0
8. Accounts Payable:
On motion by Mr. Haggett, seconded by Mr. Kimmel, the Board voted to pay the warrants in the amount of $22,755.45. This amount included a payment to WRVA for $6,457.85, to EJP, Inc. for $7,830.00 and to The Gorman Group for $4,140.00. Vote 3-0-0
9. Adjournment:
On motion by Mr. Kimmel, seconded by Mr. Benson, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. until the next meeting on October 12, 2015 at 7:00 p. m. Vote 3-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa Godfrey, Recorder