PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DATE: December 3, 2019
PRESENT: Charles Piso , Matt Corron, Ann Kuendig, Trish Fryer, Marylou Scofield,
Martha Beyersdorf, Sarah and Gordon Gray, Ray Colton, Christie Colton, Caleb Hawley, Greg Martin
AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: Correspondence #5 – CV Oil Act 250, #6 – National Forest Project Comment Notification, #7 – Preservation Trust; Old Business #6 – Benefits Review, #7 – Liquor License Clear River Inn; New Business # 4 – Upper Michigan Bid Document, #5 – Auditors Printing Bids
Minutes Approval: Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2019
Public Present: PVFR Members, Sarah Gray
Correspondence:
1.Project Happy Holidays
2.VLCT Cannabis Resolution Relating to §54
3.95 Hawk Path
4.Green Mountain Conservation Camps
5.CV Oil Act 250
6.National Forest Project Comment Notification
7.Preservation Trust
Old Business:
1.Open Space Sign Kiosk
2.Upper Michigan Road
3.Bids for Liberty Hill Road
4.Zeemont Trash Update
5.Abrams Buyout Update
6.Benefits Review
7.Liquor License Clear River Inn
New Business:
1.PVFR 2020 Budget
2.Sarah Gray – Select Board Letter Regarding Colton Enterprises
3.Treasurer Report
4.Upper Michigan Bid Document
5.Auditors Printing Bids
Adjournment:
Meeting Opened, Minutes Approval & Agenda Modifications
Charlie motioned to open the meeting at 6:05 p.m., Ann seconded, meeting opened. All are in favor of the agenda modifications: Correspondence #5 – CV Oil Act 250, #6 – National Forest Project Comment Notification, #7 – Preservation Trust; Old Business #6 – Benefits Review, #7 – Liquor License Clear River Inn; New Business # 4 – Upper Michigan Bid Document, #5 – Auditors Printing Bids. Charlie motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 5, 2019; Ann seconded; minutes approved.
Correspondence:
1.Project Happy Holidays – Request for donations. Trish will post.
2.VLCT Cannabis Resolution Relating to §54 – The resolution is asking towns, cities and villages to consider supporting the resolution for municipal authority in a commercial cannabis system by contacting state representatives and senators before the 2020 session.
3.95 Hawk Path – Realtor for the owners, Eugene and Sarah Etzel, asking about zoning as prospective buyer wants to build a garage. Forward inquiry to George to respond in regards to road setbacks.
4.Green Mountain Conservation Camps – Notification of work weekends in May 2020. Trish will post.
5.CV Oil Act 250 – Permit #3W0541-3, Commission decision to not alter conditions 15, 20 and related findings as requested.
6.National Forest Project Comment Notification – White Pine/Oak/Hickory Timber Stand Improvement Project will be open for comments November 22 through December 13, 2019. Trish will post.
7.Preservation Trust – Requesting contributions to help with their work.
Old Business:
1.Open Space Sign Kiosk – Reviewed and tabled. Matt would like to do more research on materials being used for the sign and will report back to the board.
2.Upper Michigan Road – FEMA estimates the replacement box culvert project will cost $234,000. Mosher will provide a local cost estimate for the project. It was a 4-foot culvert and will be increased to an 8-foot culvert. It is located at Dagg Road and Dave Manning’s property
3.Bids for Liberty Hill Road – Bids for this project closed November 19, 2019. Harvey’s was the only bidder at $12,714 which was lower than the town’s estimate. This is for culverts at the top of the road. Charlie motioned to go with George’s recommendation to accept Harvey’s bid; Ann seconded; motion carried.
4.Zeemont Trash Update – David Zeemont responded 11/14/19 stating he believes the issue has been addressed by the contractor and if any issues to contact him.
5.Abrams Buyout Update – The closing is scheduled for January 31, 2020.
6.Benefits Review – The Assistant Clerk/Treasurer position has been split between two people with one working 3 hours a week and the other person working 15 hours. Ann presented that the benefits associated with this position when it was one person at 18 hours per week should be revised. Trish clarified that the position could change in the future and the benefits may need to be reviewed at that time. This was confirmed by the board. Ann motioned to set a threshold of a minimum of 18 hours for the Assistant Clerk/Treasurer position to qualify for paid holiday and sick/personal time benefits; Charlie seconded; Matt was not in favor; motion carried.
7.Liquor License Clear River Inn – The liquor license to sell beer and wine in the lobby of the Clear River Inn had to be re-submitted as it was not filled out properly. New request signed by the board.
New Business:
1.PVFR 2020 Budget – There is a slight increase in their operating budget request due to ECFiber costs. They would like to be notified if there are any changes to their budget requests before Town Meeting. Capital budgeting items include warnings for $8,000 for SCBA equipment; $15,000 for extrication equipment; and $5,000 for the truck fund. Trish met with Caleb and Greg separately to review how the budgeting process works.
2.Sarah Gray – Select Board Letter Regarding Colton Enterprises: Sarah received a copy of the Select Board letter from the District 3 Commission and she describes it as a “gut punch”. She questions the timing of the letter and feels the board does not fully understand all the issues. Gordon concurs, believes the business is de-valuing their property and operations at the plant are not following allowed time frames. Charlie responded the board’s letter was in support of
the business as it helps the town economically such as providing jobs for local residents and supporting other local businesses (employees patronize other local establishments). The letter was not intended to voice an opinion one way or another for the Commission. It was to state that Colton Enterprises is an important business to the town and residents. Christie shared some facts from their perspective and change in circumstances in business required them to file with Act 250.
3.Treasurer Report – Trish reviewed all fund reports with the board.
4.Upper Michigan Bid Document – Kricket from TR Fellows submitted a draft bid document for the work at the bottom of the road. George reviewed the document and it is fine with him. It will go to 8 companies at the end of this week with a due date of December 20, 2019. Bids are to be directed to Kricket. Charlie motioned to approve the bid document with a due date of 12/20/19 to TR Fellows and adjust wording appropriately; Matt seconded; motion carried.
5.Auditors Printing Bids – The auditors would like to go with Spaulding Press for printing the spiral bound Town Report as they have produced the report in the past, they are local and came in with the lowest bid. Charlie motioned to accept the recommendation of the auditors to use Spaulding Press; Matt seconded; motion carried.
Next Meeting Dates: December 17, 2019 Regular Meeting
Adjournment: Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.; Ann seconded; meeting adjourned.
Approved Date: December 17, 2019 Recorded by: s/Tyna Gallagher
s/Charles Piso
s/Matt Corron
s/Ann Kuendig
DATE: December 3, 2019
PRESENT: Charles Piso , Matt Corron, Ann Kuendig, Trish Fryer, Marylou Scofield,
Martha Beyersdorf, Sarah and Gordon Gray, Ray Colton, Christie Colton, Caleb Hawley, Greg Martin
AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: Correspondence #5 – CV Oil Act 250, #6 – National Forest Project Comment Notification, #7 – Preservation Trust; Old Business #6 – Benefits Review, #7 – Liquor License Clear River Inn; New Business # 4 – Upper Michigan Bid Document, #5 – Auditors Printing Bids
Minutes Approval: Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2019
Public Present: PVFR Members, Sarah Gray
Correspondence:
1.Project Happy Holidays
2.VLCT Cannabis Resolution Relating to §54
3.95 Hawk Path
4.Green Mountain Conservation Camps
5.CV Oil Act 250
6.National Forest Project Comment Notification
7.Preservation Trust
Old Business:
1.Open Space Sign Kiosk
2.Upper Michigan Road
3.Bids for Liberty Hill Road
4.Zeemont Trash Update
5.Abrams Buyout Update
6.Benefits Review
7.Liquor License Clear River Inn
New Business:
1.PVFR 2020 Budget
2.Sarah Gray – Select Board Letter Regarding Colton Enterprises
3.Treasurer Report
4.Upper Michigan Bid Document
5.Auditors Printing Bids
Adjournment:
Meeting Opened, Minutes Approval & Agenda Modifications
Charlie motioned to open the meeting at 6:05 p.m., Ann seconded, meeting opened. All are in favor of the agenda modifications: Correspondence #5 – CV Oil Act 250, #6 – National Forest Project Comment Notification, #7 – Preservation Trust; Old Business #6 – Benefits Review, #7 – Liquor License Clear River Inn; New Business # 4 – Upper Michigan Bid Document, #5 – Auditors Printing Bids. Charlie motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held November 5, 2019; Ann seconded; minutes approved.
Correspondence:
1.Project Happy Holidays – Request for donations. Trish will post.
2.VLCT Cannabis Resolution Relating to §54 – The resolution is asking towns, cities and villages to consider supporting the resolution for municipal authority in a commercial cannabis system by contacting state representatives and senators before the 2020 session.
3.95 Hawk Path – Realtor for the owners, Eugene and Sarah Etzel, asking about zoning as prospective buyer wants to build a garage. Forward inquiry to George to respond in regards to road setbacks.
4.Green Mountain Conservation Camps – Notification of work weekends in May 2020. Trish will post.
5.CV Oil Act 250 – Permit #3W0541-3, Commission decision to not alter conditions 15, 20 and related findings as requested.
6.National Forest Project Comment Notification – White Pine/Oak/Hickory Timber Stand Improvement Project will be open for comments November 22 through December 13, 2019. Trish will post.
7.Preservation Trust – Requesting contributions to help with their work.
Old Business:
1.Open Space Sign Kiosk – Reviewed and tabled. Matt would like to do more research on materials being used for the sign and will report back to the board.
2.Upper Michigan Road – FEMA estimates the replacement box culvert project will cost $234,000. Mosher will provide a local cost estimate for the project. It was a 4-foot culvert and will be increased to an 8-foot culvert. It is located at Dagg Road and Dave Manning’s property
3.Bids for Liberty Hill Road – Bids for this project closed November 19, 2019. Harvey’s was the only bidder at $12,714 which was lower than the town’s estimate. This is for culverts at the top of the road. Charlie motioned to go with George’s recommendation to accept Harvey’s bid; Ann seconded; motion carried.
4.Zeemont Trash Update – David Zeemont responded 11/14/19 stating he believes the issue has been addressed by the contractor and if any issues to contact him.
5.Abrams Buyout Update – The closing is scheduled for January 31, 2020.
6.Benefits Review – The Assistant Clerk/Treasurer position has been split between two people with one working 3 hours a week and the other person working 15 hours. Ann presented that the benefits associated with this position when it was one person at 18 hours per week should be revised. Trish clarified that the position could change in the future and the benefits may need to be reviewed at that time. This was confirmed by the board. Ann motioned to set a threshold of a minimum of 18 hours for the Assistant Clerk/Treasurer position to qualify for paid holiday and sick/personal time benefits; Charlie seconded; Matt was not in favor; motion carried.
7.Liquor License Clear River Inn – The liquor license to sell beer and wine in the lobby of the Clear River Inn had to be re-submitted as it was not filled out properly. New request signed by the board.
New Business:
1.PVFR 2020 Budget – There is a slight increase in their operating budget request due to ECFiber costs. They would like to be notified if there are any changes to their budget requests before Town Meeting. Capital budgeting items include warnings for $8,000 for SCBA equipment; $15,000 for extrication equipment; and $5,000 for the truck fund. Trish met with Caleb and Greg separately to review how the budgeting process works.
2.Sarah Gray – Select Board Letter Regarding Colton Enterprises: Sarah received a copy of the Select Board letter from the District 3 Commission and she describes it as a “gut punch”. She questions the timing of the letter and feels the board does not fully understand all the issues. Gordon concurs, believes the business is de-valuing their property and operations at the plant are not following allowed time frames. Charlie responded the board’s letter was in support of
the business as it helps the town economically such as providing jobs for local residents and supporting other local businesses (employees patronize other local establishments). The letter was not intended to voice an opinion one way or another for the Commission. It was to state that Colton Enterprises is an important business to the town and residents. Christie shared some facts from their perspective and change in circumstances in business required them to file with Act 250.
3.Treasurer Report – Trish reviewed all fund reports with the board.
4.Upper Michigan Bid Document – Kricket from TR Fellows submitted a draft bid document for the work at the bottom of the road. George reviewed the document and it is fine with him. It will go to 8 companies at the end of this week with a due date of December 20, 2019. Bids are to be directed to Kricket. Charlie motioned to approve the bid document with a due date of 12/20/19 to TR Fellows and adjust wording appropriately; Matt seconded; motion carried.
5.Auditors Printing Bids – The auditors would like to go with Spaulding Press for printing the spiral bound Town Report as they have produced the report in the past, they are local and came in with the lowest bid. Charlie motioned to accept the recommendation of the auditors to use Spaulding Press; Matt seconded; motion carried.
Next Meeting Dates: December 17, 2019 Regular Meeting
Adjournment: Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.; Ann seconded; meeting adjourned.
Approved Date: December 17, 2019 Recorded by: s/Tyna Gallagher
s/Charles Piso
s/Matt Corron
s/Ann Kuendig
RSS Feed