PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting click: https://bit.ly/3rH2XtI
DATE: December 2, 2021
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: George Deblon; Robert Leitch & Susan Olsen via TEAMS
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: none
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 18, 2021, Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Class 4 Roads: Forsha Road – Leitch and Larkin Communications
2.Dog Complaint
OLD BUSINESS:
1.Skating Rink - update
2.Capital Plans - Departmental
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Special Town Meeting – Warning
2.Sand Shed – permit fee
3.Mask Requirements
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.Budget MeetingDecember 7, 2021 @ 5:00pm at the Town Office
2.Regular Meeting December 16, 2021 @ 6:00pm at the Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. A motion to accept the Minutes of November 18, 2021 Regular Meeting was made by AJ and seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Class 4 Roads: Forsha Road – Leitch and Larkin Communications. Ann said that a letter was received from Robert Leitch making several requests. Also received was a letter from David Larkin inquiring about what the Forest Service is doing and their status. George was asked to explain where the situation stands. He said that the weather hasn’t been cooperating. He also said that the property owner has run out of money and has spent
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
December 2, 2021
about $20,000 in road work. George thinks that things are complete. The road is tremendously better with the ditching and other work done to it. The landowner was up this weekend and George said he’s received compliments on the road. He noted that the landowner may build a house up there and plans to take care of the plowing, etc. himself. George added that Joe Fuster has been to the site daily. Bob has requested that the stones be moved and that a single lane of travel be more delineated. Also, some of the soil around the base of the trees needs to be removed. Ann cited what Chris Mattrick from the Forest Service noted in his recent letter regarding drainage, timber removal, tree mortality and bank destabilization. The Board urged Bob to reach out to the property owner to resolve his requests thus eliminating the Board’s involvement. Bob reemphasized his concerns about the width of the road and its return to a single lane status and about the dirt around the trees that would eventually kill them. He said he was also concerned about the flagged stakes on his property. Joyce said that because the Town has no zoning, there is no way to know what the landowner’s future plans are. The only plans the Board are aware of are what the Forest Service has outlined in correspondence. Bob also inquired about the Town’s involvement in a Class 4 road in not overseeing any of the work. He was told that the Town’s only concern is assuring that the road is passable. George said that the logging will resume when the road freezes. The Town has minimal authority and doesn’t feel there is anything that needs to be tended to now. Joyce again said that a conversation with the landowner is the best option at this time. Bob asked if the Town needs to be informed of any future work. The response from the Board was that it should be but may not. He said he would like to see the Town institute some Class 4 permitting. Ann said that she would send the landowner’s contact information to Bob and requested that he keep the Board informed.
2. Dog Complaint. Ann said that the Town Clerk received a concern about a dog chained up to a tree day and night. This was passed along to Second Constable Doug Mianulli. The situation was resolved.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Skating Rink – update. Joyce said that the kit has been purchased and Coral has said that six families have volunteered to manage it. The wood will cost around $1,000 and Bethel Mills is giving the project a 40% discount. Joyce said that they had a donation jar at the store and that Coral also went to local businesses and received donations, so the cost of the wood is covered. The fence around the court needs to be removed and Joyce suggested that the Fire Department use the Jaws of Life to do it.
2. Capital Plans - Departmental. It was decided to review the decision and table this until the next budget meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Special Town Meeting – Warning. Ann passed out a copy of the Warning that she drafted, and it was discussed. Some clarifications and changes were made. The budgets will be
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
December 2, 2021
handouts at the meeting and if available will be posted online. AJ moved to approve the Draft of the Warning. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann said she would bring a final copy to the budget meeting for signing.
2. Sand Shed – permit fee. Ann said that the construction permit has been filled out. AJ asked about the cost of the permit. Ann said that it is based on $8/$1000.00 of project cost which is $2,269.00. Ann moved to approve. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann said that the application for the grant has gone in. She said that they are requesting $20,715.00 from the Feds with a match of $5,179.00. The Town will not know whether it will be awarded this until late February/early March. Without the TAP, the Town’s portion to pay for this project would be $110,144.00. A decision needs to be made as to whether to move forward with the project with the idea we might not get this grant. Joyce said she would like to see what the bottom line, what we have left, is before any decision is made. There was discussion about using the Reserve and/or Contingency Funds. Ann said she would have figures available at the next budget meeting.
3. Mask Requirements. Ann noted the legislation that was just passed allowing Towns to issue their own mask mandates. It was felt that all the Town Buildings should be mandated, but the Town should not impose a mandate on businesses. The businesses can decide for themselves. AJ felt the Town has the responsibility to enforce a safe environment. Ann responded that the option is there to use if so desired. Discussion. AJ moved to impose the mask mandate on all locations in Pittsfield that are open to the public. Seconded by Ann. Joyce abstained. Motion passed and will be reviewed in forty five days. Ann and AJ signed.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget Meeting December 7, 2021 @5:00pm at the Town Office
2. Regular Meeting December 16, 2021 @ 6:00pm at the Town Hall
As there was no further business, Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:07pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: December 16, 2021
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting click: https://bit.ly/3rH2XtI
DATE: December 2, 2021
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: George Deblon; Robert Leitch & Susan Olsen via TEAMS
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: none
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 18, 2021, Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Class 4 Roads: Forsha Road – Leitch and Larkin Communications
2.Dog Complaint
OLD BUSINESS:
1.Skating Rink - update
2.Capital Plans - Departmental
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Special Town Meeting – Warning
2.Sand Shed – permit fee
3.Mask Requirements
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.Budget MeetingDecember 7, 2021 @ 5:00pm at the Town Office
2.Regular Meeting December 16, 2021 @ 6:00pm at the Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:01pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. A motion to accept the Minutes of November 18, 2021 Regular Meeting was made by AJ and seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Class 4 Roads: Forsha Road – Leitch and Larkin Communications. Ann said that a letter was received from Robert Leitch making several requests. Also received was a letter from David Larkin inquiring about what the Forest Service is doing and their status. George was asked to explain where the situation stands. He said that the weather hasn’t been cooperating. He also said that the property owner has run out of money and has spent
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
December 2, 2021
about $20,000 in road work. George thinks that things are complete. The road is tremendously better with the ditching and other work done to it. The landowner was up this weekend and George said he’s received compliments on the road. He noted that the landowner may build a house up there and plans to take care of the plowing, etc. himself. George added that Joe Fuster has been to the site daily. Bob has requested that the stones be moved and that a single lane of travel be more delineated. Also, some of the soil around the base of the trees needs to be removed. Ann cited what Chris Mattrick from the Forest Service noted in his recent letter regarding drainage, timber removal, tree mortality and bank destabilization. The Board urged Bob to reach out to the property owner to resolve his requests thus eliminating the Board’s involvement. Bob reemphasized his concerns about the width of the road and its return to a single lane status and about the dirt around the trees that would eventually kill them. He said he was also concerned about the flagged stakes on his property. Joyce said that because the Town has no zoning, there is no way to know what the landowner’s future plans are. The only plans the Board are aware of are what the Forest Service has outlined in correspondence. Bob also inquired about the Town’s involvement in a Class 4 road in not overseeing any of the work. He was told that the Town’s only concern is assuring that the road is passable. George said that the logging will resume when the road freezes. The Town has minimal authority and doesn’t feel there is anything that needs to be tended to now. Joyce again said that a conversation with the landowner is the best option at this time. Bob asked if the Town needs to be informed of any future work. The response from the Board was that it should be but may not. He said he would like to see the Town institute some Class 4 permitting. Ann said that she would send the landowner’s contact information to Bob and requested that he keep the Board informed.
2. Dog Complaint. Ann said that the Town Clerk received a concern about a dog chained up to a tree day and night. This was passed along to Second Constable Doug Mianulli. The situation was resolved.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Skating Rink – update. Joyce said that the kit has been purchased and Coral has said that six families have volunteered to manage it. The wood will cost around $1,000 and Bethel Mills is giving the project a 40% discount. Joyce said that they had a donation jar at the store and that Coral also went to local businesses and received donations, so the cost of the wood is covered. The fence around the court needs to be removed and Joyce suggested that the Fire Department use the Jaws of Life to do it.
2. Capital Plans - Departmental. It was decided to review the decision and table this until the next budget meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Special Town Meeting – Warning. Ann passed out a copy of the Warning that she drafted, and it was discussed. Some clarifications and changes were made. The budgets will be
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
December 2, 2021
handouts at the meeting and if available will be posted online. AJ moved to approve the Draft of the Warning. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann said she would bring a final copy to the budget meeting for signing.
2. Sand Shed – permit fee. Ann said that the construction permit has been filled out. AJ asked about the cost of the permit. Ann said that it is based on $8/$1000.00 of project cost which is $2,269.00. Ann moved to approve. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann said that the application for the grant has gone in. She said that they are requesting $20,715.00 from the Feds with a match of $5,179.00. The Town will not know whether it will be awarded this until late February/early March. Without the TAP, the Town’s portion to pay for this project would be $110,144.00. A decision needs to be made as to whether to move forward with the project with the idea we might not get this grant. Joyce said she would like to see what the bottom line, what we have left, is before any decision is made. There was discussion about using the Reserve and/or Contingency Funds. Ann said she would have figures available at the next budget meeting.
3. Mask Requirements. Ann noted the legislation that was just passed allowing Towns to issue their own mask mandates. It was felt that all the Town Buildings should be mandated, but the Town should not impose a mandate on businesses. The businesses can decide for themselves. AJ felt the Town has the responsibility to enforce a safe environment. Ann responded that the option is there to use if so desired. Discussion. AJ moved to impose the mask mandate on all locations in Pittsfield that are open to the public. Seconded by Ann. Joyce abstained. Motion passed and will be reviewed in forty five days. Ann and AJ signed.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget Meeting December 7, 2021 @5:00pm at the Town Office
2. Regular Meeting December 16, 2021 @ 6:00pm at the Town Hall
As there was no further business, Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:07pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf, Secretary
Approved: December 16, 2021
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
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