Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes
To listen to a recording of the meeting, please click here: https://bit.ly/3R9e21x
DATE: January 19, 2023
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: Brett Yates
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: C#1 – AARP Grant; OB#5 – Mower Purchase; OB#6 – MRPG Permit & Fee; NB#5 – Grand List Certification; NB#6 – Chad Rogers IC Paperwork; NB#7 – Executive Session
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 5, 2023 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – AARP Grant
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Budget – Final Revisions
a. Capital Improvement Budgets
b. Budget Summary
2. Town Meeting – Warrant
3. Town Trucks – Grader Purchase Agreement
4. Town Hall – Useage/Rental Policy Final
5. Parks & Grounds – Mower Purchase
6. Grants – MRPG Permit & Fee
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Town Meeting – 2024 Primary Conflict
2. Vermont AOT – Mileage Certificate
3. Treasurer’s Report – December Financials
4. Town Hall – Project Invoices: Cal’s Drywall final & change Order; Rogers Builder; CV Oil ductwork
5. Grand List – Certification
6. Independent Contractor – Chad Rogers paperwork
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1)(E) probable civil litigation
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023 6pm Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann presented several Agenda Modifications (see above). Joyce moved to accept the Agenda Modifications. Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Joyce moved to approve the Minutes of the January 5, 2023 meeting. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
January 19, 2023
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – AARP Grant. This correspondence presents the AARP Community Challenge grant program to make communities more livable and benefit those 50 and over. Ann said she was thinking about painting the basketball/pickleball court and purchasing pickleball equipment. The application is due by March 15, 2023 and the project completion date is November 30, 2023. Discussion. It was thought the cost might be around $2,500. Ann moved to engage the grant writer in applying for this community challenge grant. She said she would work with him in defining the project and would report back to the Board. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Budget – Final Revisions include:
- Highway: Hired Equipment – Rochester road maintenance: approved change from $2,200 to $2,500
- Highway: Other – MRPG annual fee: approved deduction from $1,990 to $1,350
- Highway: Town Trucks – Grader re: budget/transfer to reserve fund. Ann moved to have the Town
Treasurer transfer $83,000 that’s in the current budget to purchase the grader to the Highway
Equipment Reserve Fund. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
- Salaries: Librarian - AJ moved to give the librarian a 4% raise to take effect at the beginning of the
FY23-24 budget on July 1, 2023. This brings the total annual salary to $17,143.26. Seconded by Joyce.
All in favor.
a. Capital Improvement Budgets:
- Fire Department: Truck Fund deposit of $70,000 to be an Article on the Warrant.
- Highway: $25,000 for Building Maintenance to be Article on the Warrant.
- Highway: no deposit for the HW Equipment Fund for first payment of new grader. It won’t arrive until
at least January, 2024 and the down payment of $218,000 will carry through until January, 2025. This
will be part of the FY24-25 budget deliberations.
- $2,500 for PVF&R Equipment Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $10,000 for Town Hall Reserve Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $10,000 for Village Green Paving Project Reserve Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $2,400 for Library Capital Improvement Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
$25,000 total rounded up to come from GF/HW Undesignated Funds. This will be reviewed with Trish.
b. Budget Summary – Ann moved to accept the new proposed budget, Capital Improvement Budget,
and Budget Summary once the documents have been updated. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
2. Town Meeting – Warrant. Ann moved to approve the Warrant for Town Meeting once the edits to the
Articles have been made. Seconded by AJ. All in favor. A copy will be sent to the Treasurer for review,
then the Select Board will sign.
3. Town Trucks – Grader Purchase Agreement. The total purchase price is $281,500 after $45,000 for the
trade-in of the 1996 current grader. This represents the purchase of a Caterpillar 120AWD Lever Motor
Grader with option of a Craig 301-12RM Snow Wing. A 7-year warranty is included. Anticipated
delivery is January, 2024.
4. Town Hall – Useage/Rental Policy Final. Ann reviewed the changes made that had been previously
discussed. She said that she added a line about emptying all trash containers and taking the trash with
the renter. Ann moved to accept as final the Town Hall Rental Policy. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
The Board signed. Trish will be asked to post on the Town’s website under Ordinances and Policies.
There will be further discussion on how to administer this agreement.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
January 19, 2023
5. Parks & Grounds – Mower Purchase. Ann said that the mower was purchased on the final day of
the original quote. The new quote increased by $2,320.31. Joyce said she would contact the company
to discuss this overpayment. Trish will be asked to make the appropriate changes to fund the mower
and pay the repair bill for the old mower. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. The Board discussed how
the Treasurer should make the appropriate changes to fund the mower. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
6. Grants – MRPG Permit & Fee. Ann said that she and Trish will sit down next week and apply for the
next five-year municipal roads general permit using the ANR online portal. The Chair will sign the
application and pay the $640 fee. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Town Meeting – 2024 Primary Conflict. Ann said that Trish received notification that the Presidential
Primary will be held on the same day as Town Meeting in 2024. Both events cannot be held on the
same day. The Towns will be given the opportunity to hold Town Meeting on another day. Discussion.
2. Vermont AOT – Mileage Certificate. Tabled to the next meeting.
3. Treasurer’s Report – December Financials. Joyce moved to table this to the next meeting. AJ seconded.
All in favor.
4. Town Hall – Project Invoices: Cal’s Drywall final & two Change Orders; Rogers Builder; CV Oil ductwork.
Ann moved to accept for payment the following invoices, Joyce seconded, all in favor:
- Cal’s Drywall $2,530.81 final payment from undesignated surplus; $2,570.36 Change Orders from Town Hall Reserve Fund.
- Rogers Builder $5,000 for insulation from undesignated surplus
- CV Oil $1,975.78 for ductwork and thermostats from undesignated surplus
5. Grand List – Certification. Ann moved to accept and sign the Listers’ Grand List Certification. Seconded
by AJ. All in favor.
6. Independent Contractor – Chad Rogers paperwork. Ann moved to accept and approve Chad Rogers’
independent contractor paperwork. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1)(E) probable civil litigation. Ann moved to enter into Executive
Session at 7:50pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
Ann moved to resume the regular meeting at 8:09pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023 6pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: February 2, 2023
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting, please click here: https://bit.ly/3R9e21x
DATE: January 19, 2023
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: Brett Yates
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: C#1 – AARP Grant; OB#5 – Mower Purchase; OB#6 – MRPG Permit & Fee; NB#5 – Grand List Certification; NB#6 – Chad Rogers IC Paperwork; NB#7 – Executive Session
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 5, 2023 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – AARP Grant
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Budget – Final Revisions
a. Capital Improvement Budgets
b. Budget Summary
2. Town Meeting – Warrant
3. Town Trucks – Grader Purchase Agreement
4. Town Hall – Useage/Rental Policy Final
5. Parks & Grounds – Mower Purchase
6. Grants – MRPG Permit & Fee
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Town Meeting – 2024 Primary Conflict
2. Vermont AOT – Mileage Certificate
3. Treasurer’s Report – December Financials
4. Town Hall – Project Invoices: Cal’s Drywall final & change Order; Rogers Builder; CV Oil ductwork
5. Grand List – Certification
6. Independent Contractor – Chad Rogers paperwork
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1)(E) probable civil litigation
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023 6pm Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann presented several Agenda Modifications (see above). Joyce moved to accept the Agenda Modifications. Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Joyce moved to approve the Minutes of the January 5, 2023 meeting. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
January 19, 2023
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – AARP Grant. This correspondence presents the AARP Community Challenge grant program to make communities more livable and benefit those 50 and over. Ann said she was thinking about painting the basketball/pickleball court and purchasing pickleball equipment. The application is due by March 15, 2023 and the project completion date is November 30, 2023. Discussion. It was thought the cost might be around $2,500. Ann moved to engage the grant writer in applying for this community challenge grant. She said she would work with him in defining the project and would report back to the Board. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Budget – Final Revisions include:
- Highway: Hired Equipment – Rochester road maintenance: approved change from $2,200 to $2,500
- Highway: Other – MRPG annual fee: approved deduction from $1,990 to $1,350
- Highway: Town Trucks – Grader re: budget/transfer to reserve fund. Ann moved to have the Town
Treasurer transfer $83,000 that’s in the current budget to purchase the grader to the Highway
Equipment Reserve Fund. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
- Salaries: Librarian - AJ moved to give the librarian a 4% raise to take effect at the beginning of the
FY23-24 budget on July 1, 2023. This brings the total annual salary to $17,143.26. Seconded by Joyce.
All in favor.
a. Capital Improvement Budgets:
- Fire Department: Truck Fund deposit of $70,000 to be an Article on the Warrant.
- Highway: $25,000 for Building Maintenance to be Article on the Warrant.
- Highway: no deposit for the HW Equipment Fund for first payment of new grader. It won’t arrive until
at least January, 2024 and the down payment of $218,000 will carry through until January, 2025. This
will be part of the FY24-25 budget deliberations.
- $2,500 for PVF&R Equipment Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $10,000 for Town Hall Reserve Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $10,000 for Village Green Paving Project Reserve Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
- $2,400 for Library Capital Improvement Fund to be made with GF/HW Undesignated Funds.
$25,000 total rounded up to come from GF/HW Undesignated Funds. This will be reviewed with Trish.
b. Budget Summary – Ann moved to accept the new proposed budget, Capital Improvement Budget,
and Budget Summary once the documents have been updated. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
2. Town Meeting – Warrant. Ann moved to approve the Warrant for Town Meeting once the edits to the
Articles have been made. Seconded by AJ. All in favor. A copy will be sent to the Treasurer for review,
then the Select Board will sign.
3. Town Trucks – Grader Purchase Agreement. The total purchase price is $281,500 after $45,000 for the
trade-in of the 1996 current grader. This represents the purchase of a Caterpillar 120AWD Lever Motor
Grader with option of a Craig 301-12RM Snow Wing. A 7-year warranty is included. Anticipated
delivery is January, 2024.
4. Town Hall – Useage/Rental Policy Final. Ann reviewed the changes made that had been previously
discussed. She said that she added a line about emptying all trash containers and taking the trash with
the renter. Ann moved to accept as final the Town Hall Rental Policy. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
The Board signed. Trish will be asked to post on the Town’s website under Ordinances and Policies.
There will be further discussion on how to administer this agreement.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
January 19, 2023
5. Parks & Grounds – Mower Purchase. Ann said that the mower was purchased on the final day of
the original quote. The new quote increased by $2,320.31. Joyce said she would contact the company
to discuss this overpayment. Trish will be asked to make the appropriate changes to fund the mower
and pay the repair bill for the old mower. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. The Board discussed how
the Treasurer should make the appropriate changes to fund the mower. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
6. Grants – MRPG Permit & Fee. Ann said that she and Trish will sit down next week and apply for the
next five-year municipal roads general permit using the ANR online portal. The Chair will sign the
application and pay the $640 fee. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Town Meeting – 2024 Primary Conflict. Ann said that Trish received notification that the Presidential
Primary will be held on the same day as Town Meeting in 2024. Both events cannot be held on the
same day. The Towns will be given the opportunity to hold Town Meeting on another day. Discussion.
2. Vermont AOT – Mileage Certificate. Tabled to the next meeting.
3. Treasurer’s Report – December Financials. Joyce moved to table this to the next meeting. AJ seconded.
All in favor.
4. Town Hall – Project Invoices: Cal’s Drywall final & two Change Orders; Rogers Builder; CV Oil ductwork.
Ann moved to accept for payment the following invoices, Joyce seconded, all in favor:
- Cal’s Drywall $2,530.81 final payment from undesignated surplus; $2,570.36 Change Orders from Town Hall Reserve Fund.
- Rogers Builder $5,000 for insulation from undesignated surplus
- CV Oil $1,975.78 for ductwork and thermostats from undesignated surplus
5. Grand List – Certification. Ann moved to accept and sign the Listers’ Grand List Certification. Seconded
by AJ. All in favor.
6. Independent Contractor – Chad Rogers paperwork. Ann moved to accept and approve Chad Rogers’
independent contractor paperwork. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1)(E) probable civil litigation. Ann moved to enter into Executive
Session at 7:50pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
Ann moved to resume the regular meeting at 8:09pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023 6pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: February 2, 2023
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
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