​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
“To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here” https://fccdl.in/lfqDoA1qMy
 
DATE:  January 21, 2021
 
PRESENT:(virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton (not present)
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: 
 
AGENDA
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 7, 2021 Regular Meeting, January 6, 7, and 14, 2021 Special Budget Meetings
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Town Meeting Preparations
2. Warrant, Articles
3. Budget (final)
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Upper Michigan Box Culvert
2. Sign draft final Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
3. December Financial Treasurer Report
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 4, 2021
 
ADJOURN:
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.  Joyce seconded.  Joyce made a motion to accept the Minutes of the January 7, 2021 Regular Meeting and January 6, 7, & 14, 2021 Special Budget Meetings.  Ann seconded.
 
OLD BUSINESS: 
1.     Town Meeting Preparations.  Ann said she looked through the TEAMS information and will get together with Brian from Saguaro Technologies and Trish to do a test prior to the Information Meeting on Saturday, February 27th.  A notice for the meeting will be posted separate from the posting for Town Meeting Warning.  Ann said she would write a draft.  The meeting will be held remotely via TEAMS.  Ann said she tried to connect through the Town’s website and had issues connecting.  She said she would talk with Brian.
2.     Warrant, Articles.  Ann sent the latest draft of the Warrant to members.  There was discussion about her conversation with the lawyer from VLCT.  The attorney okayed the language regarding Rutland County Solid Waste.  She noted that Trish drafted the Ballot.  It was decided to do a final proofread before printing.  
3.     Budget (final).  Both Ann and Joyce felt the Town was in a very good place financially. The tax rate is lower, and items are covered.  The Town will only need to ask from the taxpayers what is needed to run the Town.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.     Upper Michigan Box Culvert.  Ann said that the final design has been approved and paid for. Champlain Construction has asked for permission to have Michie begin construction of the box culvert.  She said she reviewed their contract with the Town and noted if FEMA did not provide funding for the project, the Town can cancel the project with no problem.  She noted that the Town still needs to apply for another extension. Joyce made a motion to approve construction of the box culvert for Upper Michigan Road. Ann seconded.
2.     Sign draft final Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).  The State and FEMA have approved the plan with some minor typo changes.  A Certificate of Adoption has been received. Ann read through the Certificate. Ann made a motion to approve and sign. Joyce seconded.  Ann will sign it and send it back.  Ann said she would also sit down with Doug, the Town’s Emergency Management Coordinator.
3.     December Financial Treasurer Report.  Joyce made a motion to approve.  Seconded by Ann.
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, February 4, 2021
 
ADJOURN:  As there was no further business to discuss Ann made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:29pm.  Seconded by Joyce.
 
                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                    s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
 
Approved: February 4, 2021
 
 
 
___________________________/___________________________/___________________________
              Ann Kuendig                                  Joyce Stevens                                       Mona Colton
 
 

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

 
“To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here” https://fccdl.in/EJyhCCvLAy
 
DATE:  January 14, 2021
 
PRESENT:(virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton (not present)
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: (virtually)Tricia Fryer
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: resignation of Mona Colton from the Select Board
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Special Budget Meetings for January 6 and 7, 2021
 
OLD BUSINESS:  
1.  Warrant Articles
 
OTHER BUSINESS:
1.  Solid Waste issue.
2.  Education Rate.
3.  Wording of Articles.
 
ADJOURN
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 11:03am.  Joyce seconded.
 
Agenda Modifications: Ann brought up the resignation of Mona Colton.  Joyce asked if this could be discussed at a future meeting.  Joyce said Mona was willing to remain until Town Meeting but might not be able to attend meetings.  Discussion. Felt it was good to have her available for signing documents, etc.  Ann rescinded the agenda modification.
 
Approval of Minutes:  not addressed
 
Old Business:
1.  Warrant Articles.  Ann asked Trish to explain the undesignated fund balance for each account.  Trish said that these are surplus monies that can be used and suggested what should be left to cover expenses from January through August 2021.  The Board approved the use of undesignated funds to lower the tax rate and for the following:

• Warned Item PVFR Equipment Fund: $2,150
• Warned Item PVFR Truck Fund: $90,400
• Warned Item Town Hall Phase 2: $25,000
• Warned Item HW Equipment Fund:  $67,000 (Grader)
• Warned Item Village Green Paving Fund: Item removed from Warning for this year.
• Warned Item Town Office Building: $7,500 (trim paint, sill, cupola repair).  This item newly added.
• Budget Line Items:
  • New Truck and equipment-dump body, plow, sander etc (HW): $103,388 for Ford F-550  (HW Undesignated Funds $92,000 & HW Equipment Reserve Fund $11,388)
  • Contingency Fund-deposit $43,184.10 in GF undesignated funds to fully capitalize the fund.

Other Business:
1.  Solid Waste District Article.  Ann said she is meeting with Mark Shea at Rutland County regarding the Terms & Conditions and other things that need to be reviewed and possibly changed (ex. Ordinance).  Ann said she would run everything by the Town’s attorney and the Town would also need to appoint someone to their Board of Directors.  
2.  Education Rate.  Do not anticipate an increase, but the state has not set the tax rate as yet.  The school District is preparing its budget
3.  Wording of Articles.  Discuss wording.  Ann will draft and send out to members for review
 
Adjourn: As there was no further business at this time, Ann motioned to adjourn the meeting at 2:25pm.  Seconded by Joyce.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                    s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
 
Approved: January 21, 2021
 
 
                                                     /                                                                 /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      Mona Colton

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

 
“To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here” https://fccdl.in/Qk3wFC4fZ8
This recording also includes the Regular Meeting Minutes which followed this meeting.
 
DATE:  January 7, 2021
 
PRESENT:(virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton (not present)
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: (virtually)Tricia Fryer
 
OLD BUSINESS:  
1.  Finalize all budgets.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.  Capital Improvements Plan, Warrant, Articles
 
ADJOURN
 
Ann reconvened the meeting of January 6, 2021 at 5:04pm.
 
Old Business:
1.  Finalize all budgets.  

• MRGP annual fee in Highway Fund Trish said that she spoke with Pete Fellows at TRORC regarding they annual fee and it is $1,350.00 as opposed to $1750.00 Line item adjusted
• Rutland County Restorative Justice Center.  Ann said she spoke with Rutland Restorative Justice and it was decided not to give them anything towards funding this year. 
• New Story Center.  Joyce said she would follow up with the New Story Center to determine if they put in a request for $200.00 NeighborWorks did put in a request for $200. Board Granted.
• Office Expense: Postage.  Postage for the Town Office was increased by $150 for a total of $1,650.00.  
• Tech Support and Software in Office Expense was increased to $3950 to cover new IT Monitoring monthly fee and QuickBooks monthly payroll subscription.
• Undesignated Funds/Contingency Fund.  Discussion.  Trish will notify the Board when she has the final figures. Board will need the figures to determine capital planning amounts.

 
Adjourn: Due to the time, Ann motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:56pm.  Seconded by Joyce.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                    s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
 
Approved: January 21, 2021
 
 
                                                     /                                                                 /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      Mona Colton

 

PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
“To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here” https://fccdl.in/Qk3wFC4fZ8
This recording also includes the Special Budget Meeting Minutes which preceeded the Regular meeting.
 
DATE:  January 7, 2021
 
PRESENT: (virtually)Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton (not present)
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: (virtually)Trish Fryer
 
AGENDA
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: NB3: Vermont Farms Catering – 2 liquor license renewals for Vermont Farms Catering; NB4: Vermont Concrete Cutting – independent contractor paperwork.  Motion to add made by Ann, seconded by Joyce.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 17, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.  Czaplicki Communication
2.  Kushner Communication
3.  Decker Communication
4.  Green Communication
5.  VT Department of Taxes Equalization Study
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.  Town Meeting Preparations
2.  November Financial Report
3.  Warrant, Articles
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.  Assistant Clerk New Computer
2.  2021 Goals
3.  Vermont Farms Catering liquor license renewals (2)
4.  Vermont Concrete Cutting independent contractor paperwork
 
NEXT MEETING DATE:  Thursday, January 21, 2021 
 
ADJOURN:
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:57pm.  Seconded by Joyce.
 
A motion to accept the December 17thMinutes was made by Joyce.  Seconded by Ann.
 

Correspondence:
1.  Czaplicki Communication.  Ann said that this and the following 3 items referenced the fee increase at 
     the Solid Waste Facility in South Royalton.  The facility is charging for recycling now.  Ann drafted a 
     letter to be sent to anyone with questions related to this facility indicating that the Town is interested 
     in joining the Rutland Solid Waste facility as there is no cost to join saving the Town $6700/year.  Joyce 
     approved the draft and Ann will send out the letter and post it on the bulletin board.
2.  Kushner Communication – see C1
3.  Decker Communication – see C1
4.  Green Communication – see C1
5.  VT Department of Taxes Equalization Study.  Ann wanted this noted on the record as the figure is used
     to calculate the Rutland County Tax.
 
Old Business:
1.  Town Meeting Preparations.  Ann said that postcards to the voters explaining the changes this year
     and to request an absentee ballot have been sent out. This information will also be posted on the 
     website and social media.  The incumbent officers have been contacted to see if they plan to run or
     not.  Ann reviewed the list of elected officials and went through the list of available positions.
2.  November Financial Report.  Joyce motioned to accept.  Seconded by Ann.
3.  Warrant, Articles.  Ann said she would look at last years Town Report and draft the new articles for this
     year. She also said that she sent an email to Mark Sheaat the Rutland Solid Waste facility for his review.
     It was decided it would be best to get something in writing from the South Royalton facility noting
     what, if anything, is needed to withdraw from their program.  The deadline for the Warning to
     be posted is January 31, but it needs to be completed by January 21.  Ann said she is planning to meet
     with the IT company regarding the set up for the informational meeting and establish a protocol for
     people to join the meeting virtually.  The list of Capital Improvements requested by the Fire
     Department, the Library, and the Highway Department was reviewed.  There was discussion about whether to use Undesignated Funds or request the money in a Warning Article.  No decisions were
     made. 
 
New Business:
1.  Assistant Clerk New Computer.  Ann made a motion to approve the purchase of a new computer for $754.99 with the cost coming from the Computer Fund.  Seconded by Joyce.
2.  2021 Goals.  Tabled until Mona can attend meeting.
3.  Vermont Farms Catering.  First Class Restaurant/Bar License to Sell Malt and Vinous Beverages and
     Third Class Restaurant/Bar License to Sell Spirituous Liquors.  These need approval and signatures.
     Motions made by Ann to approve both applications.  Seconded by Joyce.   
4.  Vermont Concrete Cutting.  independent contractor paperwork.  This needs signatures of the Select
     Board.
 
Next Meeting Date:  Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:00pm virtually, unless a Special Meeting is needed.
 
Adjourn:  As there was no further business to discuss, Ann adjourned the meeting at 7:07pm. Seconded by Joyce.
 
                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                    s/Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
 
Approved: January 21, 2021
 
 
                                                     /                                                                 /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      Mona Colton

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING

 
“To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here:”  https://fccdl.in/BgwYAkavvb
 
DATE:   January 6, 2021
 
PRESENT: (virtually) Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, Mona Colton (not present)
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: (virtually) Trish Fryer, George Deblon
 
AGENDA
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 17, 2020 Special Budget Meeting Minutes
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Finalize all Budgets.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Capital Improvements Plan, Warrant, Articles
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, January 7, 2021 
 
ADJOURN:
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 4:08pm.  Seconded by Joyce.  Motion passed.
 
Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the Minutes of the December 17, 2020 Special Budget Meeting was made by Joyce.  Seconded by Ann.  Motion passed.
 
Old Business:
1. Finalize all Budgets.
·Highway. The proposed Highway Budget was reviewed with George.  Questions were asked and discussed.  Items addressed included Hired Equipment, Material, Repair, Capital Projects.  No decisions were made.  
 
Joyce left the meeting at 5:19pm.  
 
Adjourn: As business was not completed, the meeting will reconvene on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 5pm, prior to the Select Board’s Regular meeting.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
                                                                                                s/Martha Beyersdorf
                                                                                                Select Board Secretary
Approved:​ January 21, 2021

Ann Kuendig                                      Joyce Stevens                           Mona Colton