PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DATE: February 11, 2020
PRESENT: Charles Piso , Matt Corron, Ann Kuendig, Marylou Scofield, Herb Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Trish Jarecki, George Deblon, Chris Rivet
AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: Correspondence #6 –VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings; Old Business #6 – Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application; New Business #7 – Liquor License Renewals
Minutes Approval: January 7, 2020 and January 21, 2020
Public Present: Chris Rivet, Dubois & King
Correspondence:
1.Notice from court Act 250 CV South
2.Public Utility Commission Annual Notice of Herbicide Spraying
3.ANR response Act 250 motion – Colton enterprises
4.VLCT Health Advocate
5.Gray Correspondence Act 250 Commission
6.VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings
Old Business:
1.Kiosk vote
2.Update lawyer complaint
3.Residents of Pittsfield Park and Ride
4.FEMA Update
5.Sand Shed Alternatives Presentation D&K
6.Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application
New Business:
1.Ram board for Town Meeting
2.Oil expenses Town Meeting
3.Town Meeting and Presidential Primary conflict
4.Certificate of appeal pending Grand List
5.Liquor license Swiss Farm
6.Bid for Demolition Abrams buyout
7.Liquor License Renewals
Adjournment
Meeting Opened, Minutes Approval & Agenda Modifications
Charlie motioned to open the meeting at 6:03 p.m., Matt seconded, meeting opened. All are in favor of the agenda modifications: Correspondence #6 –VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings; Old Business #6 – Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application; New Business #7 – Liquor License Renewals. Charlie motioned to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held January 7 and January 21, 2020; Ann seconded; all in favor to approve the minutes.
Correspondence:
1.Notice from court Act 250 CV South – possible court dates are July 3 and August 17; file.
2.Public Utility Commission Annual Notice of Herbicide Spraying – opt out application from Green Mountain Power; no action.
3.ANR response Act 250 motion-Colton Enterprises – Colton has appealed the decision; file.
4.VLCT Health Advocate – This is no longer a free service through VLCT. Towns can subscribe to the new carrier for a fee; no action.
5.Gray Correspondence Act 250 Commission – Lengthy correspondence from the Gray’s in response to the Colton application; file.
6.VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings – postcard with various workshops available through VLCT; file.
Old Business:
1.Kiosk vote – Charlie motioned to accept the kiosk design for the Tweed Open Space; Ann seconded; all in favor.
2.Update lawyer complaint – The Human Resource attorney through PACIF has completed the research and has provided an opinion. The attorney is willing to review and discuss his opinion with the board however it will cost $400 for the three additional hours. The opinion is not a judgment on the complaint. The opinion focuses on the responsibilities and statutory scope of Select Board members and town clerks. The opinion was just sent to Charlie and he has forwarded to Marylou as advised. It was suggested mediation take place in Executive Session; Marylou review and discuss opinion in Executive Session; or hire the HR attorney to review and discuss the opinion in Executive Session. Due to client/attorney privilege these proceedings are to take place in Executive Session. Ann suggested tabling until after Town Meeting. Charlie motioned to have the HR attorney present and review the opinion with the board at the additional expense of $400 and determine some dates prior to Town Meeting to hold the session; Matt seconded; Ann not in favor; motion carried.
3.Residents of Pittsfield Park and Ride – The ordinance cannot be changed via petition however the Select Board can change the ordinance. No overnight parking was included because vehicles would park for days and/or along The Green thus blocking the snowplow from clearing the area. Discussion of various changes, including public input, ensued: change the hours, add time of year prohibition, designate specific overnight parking spaces, etc. George would like to limit overnight parking to spaces between the Town Office and the Town Hall thus allowing room to clear The Green roadway properly. Charlie motioned to change the ordinance to allow overnight parking in the three spaces between the Town Office and Town Hall with the one handicapped parking space left as is and remove the signs that are between the two buildings; Matt seconded; all in favor.
4.FEMA Update – Charlie thanks everyone for all the hard work that went into the April 15 event. Only three projects remain: Culvert #33, cemetery and Parmenter Place. All the paperwork has been submitted and in review except for the three unfinished projects. Once the review is complete it goes into the payment phase. The only reimbursable hours are Trish, George, Sarah and Martha. Charlie’s 440 hours are not paid. The use of machinery is also reimbursable based on hourly rates that are set by FEMA. When the money is received it will be used to pay down the Line of Credit.
5.Sand Shed Alternatives Presentation D&K – Chris Rivet from the design team presented four alternatives as required by the grant. One – don’t do anything; two – complete replacement including new foundation, walls, roof structure, etc.; three – same as alternative two except re-use the roof structure; four – same as alternative two except keep some of the existing side walls and re-use the roof structure. A structural inspection of the building found 15 – 20 roof trusses had defects. Kricket from TR Fellows reviewed report and concurred the roof should be replaced. Ann and George both recommend a full replacement of the building. Chris indicated a complete replacement cost should be comparable to the cost of salvaging some of the building. Construction would likely begin in the spring of 2021 due to the permitting process. He can have preliminary drawings this March. Charlie motioned to move forward with a complete replacement design with cost estimates; Ann seconded; all in favor.
6.Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application – One document was missing so Cheryl Harvey re-submitted the application for approval. Charlie motioned to accept and approve the Contractor Application for Harveys Plumbing & Excavating; Matt seconded; all in favor.
New Business:
1.Ram board for Town Meeting – This is used to cover the floor in the church for protection. There is some leftover from last year however it is not enough. Charlie motioned to purchase additional ram board as needed; Matt seconded; all in favor.
2.Oil expenses Town Meeting – Bruce Shaw would like the town to replace all the heating fuel that is used for town meeting which is approximately $600 based on last year. Charlie motioned to cover the heating expense for set-up, town meeting and tear down/clean up of the church building; Matt seconded; all in favor.
3.Town Meeting and Presidential Primary conflict – Charlie researched how to handle this situation including contact with the Secretary State. One option is to move up the time to 4 pm and hope to finish by 7 pm in order to count Primary votes. Another option is the Moderator opens the meeting on Tuesday at the set time and then adjourn the meeting to a set day and time which would be Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. Herb questioned the accuracy of the information and Charlie will send the information to the other board members. Charlie motioned to notify town residents of Town Meeting change to Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. through various means, including but not limited to notice with the Town Report, sandwich board on The Green, use of social media, flyers posted on the usual bulletin boards, website, etc.; and the Moderator (George) and the Town Clerk (Trish) will open the meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. and adjourn the meeting to Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m.; Matt seconded; all in favor.
4.Certificate of appeal pending Grand List – There are no pending appeals on the Grand List. Charlie motioned to sign the Grand List; Matt seconded; all in favor.
5.Liquor license Swiss Farm – Charlie motioned to approve the liquor license renewal for Swiss Farm; Matt seconded; all in favor.
6.Bid for Demolition Abrams buyout – The buyout is complete. Charlie motioned to have George draw up a bid request for the demolition of the property buildings (2) and removal of any and all debris (including abandoned vehicle) associated with cleaning up the property; Matt seconded; all in favor.
7.Liquor License Renewals – Charlie motioned to approve the first class and third class liquor licenses for VT Farms Catering; Matt recused himself; Ann seconded; motion carried.
Other: Joyce questioned why the letter submitted to the board at the January 21 meeting was not shared and then the information appeared in the newspaper. Marylou explained the reporter approached her stating it is public record therefore she was obligated to share it.
Next Meeting Date: February 18, 2020 Regular Meeting
Adjournment: Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.; Ann seconded; meeting adjourned.
Approved Date: February 18, 2020 Recorded by: s/Tyna Gallagher
s/Charles Piso
s/Matt Corron
s/Ann Kuendig
DATE: February 11, 2020
PRESENT: Charles Piso , Matt Corron, Ann Kuendig, Marylou Scofield, Herb Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Trish Jarecki, George Deblon, Chris Rivet
AGENDA
Agenda Modifications: Correspondence #6 –VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings; Old Business #6 – Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application; New Business #7 – Liquor License Renewals
Minutes Approval: January 7, 2020 and January 21, 2020
Public Present: Chris Rivet, Dubois & King
Correspondence:
1.Notice from court Act 250 CV South
2.Public Utility Commission Annual Notice of Herbicide Spraying
3.ANR response Act 250 motion – Colton enterprises
4.VLCT Health Advocate
5.Gray Correspondence Act 250 Commission
6.VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings
Old Business:
1.Kiosk vote
2.Update lawyer complaint
3.Residents of Pittsfield Park and Ride
4.FEMA Update
5.Sand Shed Alternatives Presentation D&K
6.Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application
New Business:
1.Ram board for Town Meeting
2.Oil expenses Town Meeting
3.Town Meeting and Presidential Primary conflict
4.Certificate of appeal pending Grand List
5.Liquor license Swiss Farm
6.Bid for Demolition Abrams buyout
7.Liquor License Renewals
Adjournment
Meeting Opened, Minutes Approval & Agenda Modifications
Charlie motioned to open the meeting at 6:03 p.m., Matt seconded, meeting opened. All are in favor of the agenda modifications: Correspondence #6 –VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings; Old Business #6 – Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application; New Business #7 – Liquor License Renewals. Charlie motioned to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held January 7 and January 21, 2020; Ann seconded; all in favor to approve the minutes.
Correspondence:
1.Notice from court Act 250 CV South – possible court dates are July 3 and August 17; file.
2.Public Utility Commission Annual Notice of Herbicide Spraying – opt out application from Green Mountain Power; no action.
3.ANR response Act 250 motion-Colton Enterprises – Colton has appealed the decision; file.
4.VLCT Health Advocate – This is no longer a free service through VLCT. Towns can subscribe to the new carrier for a fee; no action.
5.Gray Correspondence Act 250 Commission – Lengthy correspondence from the Gray’s in response to the Colton application; file.
6.VLCT Spring/Summer Trainings – postcard with various workshops available through VLCT; file.
Old Business:
1.Kiosk vote – Charlie motioned to accept the kiosk design for the Tweed Open Space; Ann seconded; all in favor.
2.Update lawyer complaint – The Human Resource attorney through PACIF has completed the research and has provided an opinion. The attorney is willing to review and discuss his opinion with the board however it will cost $400 for the three additional hours. The opinion is not a judgment on the complaint. The opinion focuses on the responsibilities and statutory scope of Select Board members and town clerks. The opinion was just sent to Charlie and he has forwarded to Marylou as advised. It was suggested mediation take place in Executive Session; Marylou review and discuss opinion in Executive Session; or hire the HR attorney to review and discuss the opinion in Executive Session. Due to client/attorney privilege these proceedings are to take place in Executive Session. Ann suggested tabling until after Town Meeting. Charlie motioned to have the HR attorney present and review the opinion with the board at the additional expense of $400 and determine some dates prior to Town Meeting to hold the session; Matt seconded; Ann not in favor; motion carried.
3.Residents of Pittsfield Park and Ride – The ordinance cannot be changed via petition however the Select Board can change the ordinance. No overnight parking was included because vehicles would park for days and/or along The Green thus blocking the snowplow from clearing the area. Discussion of various changes, including public input, ensued: change the hours, add time of year prohibition, designate specific overnight parking spaces, etc. George would like to limit overnight parking to spaces between the Town Office and the Town Hall thus allowing room to clear The Green roadway properly. Charlie motioned to change the ordinance to allow overnight parking in the three spaces between the Town Office and Town Hall with the one handicapped parking space left as is and remove the signs that are between the two buildings; Matt seconded; all in favor.
4.FEMA Update – Charlie thanks everyone for all the hard work that went into the April 15 event. Only three projects remain: Culvert #33, cemetery and Parmenter Place. All the paperwork has been submitted and in review except for the three unfinished projects. Once the review is complete it goes into the payment phase. The only reimbursable hours are Trish, George, Sarah and Martha. Charlie’s 440 hours are not paid. The use of machinery is also reimbursable based on hourly rates that are set by FEMA. When the money is received it will be used to pay down the Line of Credit.
5.Sand Shed Alternatives Presentation D&K – Chris Rivet from the design team presented four alternatives as required by the grant. One – don’t do anything; two – complete replacement including new foundation, walls, roof structure, etc.; three – same as alternative two except re-use the roof structure; four – same as alternative two except keep some of the existing side walls and re-use the roof structure. A structural inspection of the building found 15 – 20 roof trusses had defects. Kricket from TR Fellows reviewed report and concurred the roof should be replaced. Ann and George both recommend a full replacement of the building. Chris indicated a complete replacement cost should be comparable to the cost of salvaging some of the building. Construction would likely begin in the spring of 2021 due to the permitting process. He can have preliminary drawings this March. Charlie motioned to move forward with a complete replacement design with cost estimates; Ann seconded; all in favor.
6.Harveys Plumbing & Excavating contractor application – One document was missing so Cheryl Harvey re-submitted the application for approval. Charlie motioned to accept and approve the Contractor Application for Harveys Plumbing & Excavating; Matt seconded; all in favor.
New Business:
1.Ram board for Town Meeting – This is used to cover the floor in the church for protection. There is some leftover from last year however it is not enough. Charlie motioned to purchase additional ram board as needed; Matt seconded; all in favor.
2.Oil expenses Town Meeting – Bruce Shaw would like the town to replace all the heating fuel that is used for town meeting which is approximately $600 based on last year. Charlie motioned to cover the heating expense for set-up, town meeting and tear down/clean up of the church building; Matt seconded; all in favor.
3.Town Meeting and Presidential Primary conflict – Charlie researched how to handle this situation including contact with the Secretary State. One option is to move up the time to 4 pm and hope to finish by 7 pm in order to count Primary votes. Another option is the Moderator opens the meeting on Tuesday at the set time and then adjourn the meeting to a set day and time which would be Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. Herb questioned the accuracy of the information and Charlie will send the information to the other board members. Charlie motioned to notify town residents of Town Meeting change to Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. through various means, including but not limited to notice with the Town Report, sandwich board on The Green, use of social media, flyers posted on the usual bulletin boards, website, etc.; and the Moderator (George) and the Town Clerk (Trish) will open the meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. and adjourn the meeting to Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m.; Matt seconded; all in favor.
4.Certificate of appeal pending Grand List – There are no pending appeals on the Grand List. Charlie motioned to sign the Grand List; Matt seconded; all in favor.
5.Liquor license Swiss Farm – Charlie motioned to approve the liquor license renewal for Swiss Farm; Matt seconded; all in favor.
6.Bid for Demolition Abrams buyout – The buyout is complete. Charlie motioned to have George draw up a bid request for the demolition of the property buildings (2) and removal of any and all debris (including abandoned vehicle) associated with cleaning up the property; Matt seconded; all in favor.
7.Liquor License Renewals – Charlie motioned to approve the first class and third class liquor licenses for VT Farms Catering; Matt recused himself; Ann seconded; motion carried.
Other: Joyce questioned why the letter submitted to the board at the January 21 meeting was not shared and then the information appeared in the newspaper. Marylou explained the reporter approached her stating it is public record therefore she was obligated to share it.
Next Meeting Date: February 18, 2020 Regular Meeting
Adjournment: Charlie motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.; Ann seconded; meeting adjourned.
Approved Date: February 18, 2020 Recorded by: s/Tyna Gallagher
s/Charles Piso
s/Matt Corron
s/Ann Kuendig
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