Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 7, 2019

PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
 
DATE:                    May 7, 2019
 
PRESENT:             Charles Piso, Ann Kuendig, Trish Fryer, Martha Beyersdorf, Wilbur & Max Abrams, Dave Larkin, Paul Grindel, Steve Turner, Diana & Peter Krass, Trish & Ken Jarecki, Peter Fellows (TRORC)
 
AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: New Business #6 – Jarecki towing issue; #7 – Original General Store Liquor License; #8 – Adopt NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) program
 
Minutes Approval: Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2019
 
Public Present:  Peter Fellows of TRORC, Wilbur Abrams, Martha Beyersdorf, Trish Jarecki, Janice Stumpf, Peter Borden
 
Correspondence:

1. Green Letter
2. Abrams Letter
3. Krass Letter
4. Wilcox Letter
5. TRORC Transportation Advisory Committee
6. 2019 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program

Old Business:

1. NEMRC Proposal (Martha)
2. LEMP Adoption
3. Sand Shed Discussion
4. Fire Truck Payment – Update (Treasurer)
5. Personnel Policy-conflict of Interest
6. Appointment Updates
7. Upper Michigan Road-Update

New Business:

1. Contractor Paperwork- Bryon Fryer Lawn Care & Landscaping LLC
2. River Corridor Adoption (Project)
3. Road Repairs –Update
4. Delinquent Tax Properties (Janice)
5. Line of Credit
6. Jarecki towing issue
7. Original General Store Liquor License
8. Adopt NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) program

 
Next Meeting Date:       May 21, 2019
Adjournment
Meeting Opened, Minutes Approval & Agenda Modifications
Charlie motioned to open the meeting at 6:01 p.m., Ann seconded, meeting opened. All in favor of the agenda modifications: New Business #6 – Jarecki towing issue; #7 – Original General Store Liquor License; #8 – Adopt NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) program. Charlie motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 15, 2019; Ann seconded; minutes approved.

Correspondence:

1. Green Letter – See New Business #3 – Road Repairs
2. Abrams Letter – See New Business #3 – Road Repairs
3. Krass Letter – See New Business #3 – Road Repairs
4. Wilcox Letter – See New Business #3 – Road Repairs
5. TRORC Transportation Advisory Committee – Tabled to future meeting.
6. 2019 VTrans Bicycle and Pedestrian Program – Trish will forward to the Planning Commission.

Old Business:

1. NEMRC Proposal (Martha) – The Listers received three bids within the budget range for the mapping segment of the re-appraisal project. The Listers recommend using NEMRC as the mapping company for a fee of $3,210. Charlie motioned to accept the Listers recommendation to contract with NEMRC for mapping; Ann seconded; motion carried.
2. LEMP Adoption – Local Emergency Management Plan updates have been made. Charlie signed the cover letter so the plan can be submitted to TRORC for review and any changes can be finalized.
3. Sand Shed Discussion – Ann shared information on how the bidding was handled. Working with TRORC they determined two options: Negotiate a contract with one of the bidders and select items to eliminate; or re-bid the project by excluding unwanted items (new RFP). The project would not start until next year (2020) and Peter Fellows of TRORC said construction could get pushed back from spring to late summer if the town elects to re-bid. Peter had a third option by doing a Request of qualifications however this would delay the project further. Charlie motioned to re-bid the project; Ann seconded; motion carried.
4. Fire Truck Payment – Update (Treasurer) – Trish made payment of $11,000 on the new fire truck.
5. Personnel Policy-conflict of Interest – Tabled until Matt can be present for discussion.
6. Appointment Updates – No additional appointments at this time.
7. Upper Michigan Road-Update – Kricket McCusker of T.R. Fellows Engineering has contacted Richard Lunna to provide an estimate for road elevation surveys.

New Business:

1. Contractor Paperwork- Bryon Fryer Lawn Care & Landscaping LLC – Charlie motioned to accept Bryon’s application; Ann seconded; motion carried.
2. River Corridor Adoption (Project) – Tabled until after the meeting with the River Corridor group.
3. Road Repairs –Update: The board is waiting for estimates from the Road Commissioner and contractors to submit to FEMA. The roads are passable and the town used $40,000 from the Contingency fund to cover these costs. A line of credit is needed and the board needs estimates to complete the application. The FEMA pre-inspection team has been through the county and thresholds have been met for FEMA to make a declaration.  The board has 60 days from the date of the disaster to submit funding request. The board expected a list of priorities for the next two weeks for road repairs to be delivered before tonight’s meeting but they did not receive it. The Abrams need the FEMA declaration to move forward with their claim. The Krass’s cannot drive up their driveway and would like written response to their letter. Their driveway does not have an existing culvert. Peter Fellows from TRORC is present to share information about available aid and processes for dealing with this disaster. Peter believes the town will receive the Declaration within two weeks. The USDA has assistance for stream bank repair (rip rap) of 75% when the property has specific threats (potential loss of septic, well, etc.)The EWP can also help with stream bank issues. A buy-out by the state and federal government is another option that is complicated and can take a few years. Usually property owner gets 75% of pre-flood value and the balance of 25% is up to the homeowner or finding another agency to subsidize. Flood insurance only covers the house and contents. Peter recommends to the homeowners to take pictures of the current damage, gather documentation of property status pre-Irene, what was done to repair damage, and any photos of changes to property/stream that has occurred over time, etc. The process requires the town to write a letter to FEMA, get the declaration, and then available funds are appropriated. Peter gave the town officials kudos for being the first town to contact the state Emergency Operations Commission about the storm damage and getting the ball rolling for assistance.
4. Delinquent Tax Properties (Janice) – Tabled as Janice is not present.
5. Line of Credit – The town needs a line of credit once the figures are set by FEMA. Charlie motioned to forward the application to the town attorney, Marylou Scoffield, once the declaration comes through from FEMA for review; Ann seconded; motion carried.
6. Jarecki towing issue – One of their vehicles was parked overnight in the Park and Ride shortly after the April 15 storm that damaged the roads. It was towed because the town was unable to determine who the vehicle belonged and there was no note attached to the vehicle explaining why it was parked after hours. The Jarecki’s would like the town to reimburse them for the towing. The original fee was $250 however the towing company gave Mr. Jarecki $100 discount and revised the fee to $150. The board offered to split the fee and pay $75. The Jarecki’s want the town to pay $125 towards the fee because the original fee was $250 and the discount was theirs. The board offered $75 and the Jarecki’s did not accept.
7. Original General Store Liquor License – License renewal approved by the board
8. Adopt NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) program – Charlie motioned to apply for assistance through NRCS and sign the acceptance letter when it is ready; Ann seconded; motion carried.

Next Meeting Dates:  May 21, 2019 Regular Meeting
 
Adjournment:  Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.; Ann seconded; meeting adjourned.                                                                         
 
Approved Date:  May 21, 2019                                                               Recorded by:   s/Tyna Gallagher
 
 
s/Charles Piso
 
s/Ann Kuendig