​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, please click here:  https://bit.ly/416eVgt
 
DATE: November 16, 2023
 
PRESENT:  Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: Vaughn Micciche,  Meghan Asbury from TRORC (via Teams)
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: CD renewal – OB#3; Resignation – NB#5
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  November 2, 2023 Regular Meeting
 
CORRESPONDENCE: 
 
OLD BUSINESS:  
1.White River Valley Regional Energy – Coordinator
2.Grants – VT Recreational Grant Consultant
3.Finance – CD renewal
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Town Hall – Rental Policy
2.Gazebo – decorations
3.Listers – Computer
4.Resignations – Pittsfield Town Hall Building Committee
5.Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (F) Attorney Client
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: 

• Budget – November 31, 2023 @ 6pm Town Office
• Regular – December 7, 2023 @ 6pm Town Hall

 
ADJOURNMENT:
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.  Ann introduced the agenda modification (see above).  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor.  AJ moved to approve the Minutes of November 2, 2023.  Seconded by Joyce.  All in favor.  Ann proceeded to introduce Vaughn Micciche who will address Old Business #1 and Meghan Asbury from TRORC to address Old Business #2.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     White River Valley Regional Energy – Coordinator.  Vaughn said that he has attended several meetings, and it seems that it isn’t clear what the coordinator would be doing.  What is clear is that he wouldn’t be servicing individuals in the towns.  They would like someone to be able to find grants, write grant proposals that bring money into the towns.  He mentioned what the towns would be responsible for to support this position.  The question of how this person would be employed for mentioned.  A business would have to be created as he would not be able to be  
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                           page 2
November 16, 2023
employed by the five towns.  TRORC has offered to be the employer and explained how that      would work.  The proposed salary would be based on how many towns are involved.  Ann talked about the role of the coordinator and what he does for the community.  Involvement of the Town Plan in energy was also discussed.  Vaughn was thanked for attending tonight and invited to stay for the  meeting.
2.AJ brought this all together in an effort to try and apply using a recreational grant consultant.  TRORC can help with the paperwork.  It’s a low risk move for the town and costs the town nothing.  Ann wanted to know if there was enough time to do this before the deadline.  AJ said he can get bids.  AJ secured a recreational consultant, and they sent a contract.  Meghan Asbury, a Planner and Zone Agent with TRORC explained how TRORC can be involved.  Ann thanked Meghan for attending.Ann moved that the town sign a scope of work with TRORC to begin work on filling out the application for VOREC planning grant. AJ seconded. All in favor.
3.     Finance – CD renewal.  Ann said that the CD was due to be renewed on the 17th and wanted this on the record.  AJ moved to approve.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Town Hall – Rental Policy.  Ann said she has received two requests.  A decision needs to be made and an edit needs to be made to the policy.  Also, how does word get out and who will run it?  Joyce felt it should be Trish or Randy since money is involved.  Ann suggested that the rental policy and calendar should be posted on the website.  AJ said this should be tabled until the Board has had a chance to speak with Trish.   Ann moved to table this to the next meeting.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.
 
2.Gazebo – decorations.  Ann said that the existing decorations are all disintegrating.  She said she has been pricing out decorations and live greens and felt $450 would cover garland, a tree, and lights.  Ann said she would like permission to spend money from the fund.  The tree lighting will be held on December 3rd and has five volunteers lined up.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
3.Listers – Computer.  A new computer has been ordered for $1,159.  This should have come before the Board prior to ordering.  The tax on the invoice needs to be waived because it’s a municipality.  Ann suggested having Trish speak with Brian.  Ann moved to approve the amount of $1,233 knowing that we need to try and get the tax waived.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
4.Resignations – Pittsfield Town Hall Building Committee.  Three members of the committee are resigning: Herb Kuendig, Richard Gaston, and Ann Kuendig.  Ann moved to accept the resignations.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
5.Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (F) Attorney Client.  Ann moved to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:07pm and enter Executive Session.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: 

• Budget – November 31, 2023 @ 6pm Town Office
• Regular – December 7, 2023 @ 6pm Town Hall

 
 
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                           page 3
November 16, 2023
 
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann moved to resume the regular meeting at 7:33pm.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.  Ann then moved to adjourn at 7:34pm.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.
 
Respectfully submitted,
                                                                                    
Martha L. Beyersdorf
 
Approved: December 7, 2023
 
 
                                                      /                                                                  /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                    A.J. Ruben

 
 

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, please click here: https://bit.ly/3ue1PkH
 
DATE:  November 9, 2023
 
PRESENT:  Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
 
PUBLIC PRESENT:  Betty Warner, Trish Abbondelo
 
NEW BUSINESS:  
1.Board of Listers: proposed budget & CIP
2.Budget: General Fund
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:  Regular: Thursday, November 16, 2023 @6pm Town Hall
                                    Budget: Thursday, November 30, 2023 @6pm Town Office
 
ADJOURNMENT:
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:18pm.  Second by Joyce.  All in favor.  Ann presented Betty Warner from the Board of Listers to present their proposed budget for FY25.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.Board of Listers: proposed budget & CIP.  Handouts of the budget were given out.  Betty said that the proposal is pretty straightforward and is pretty much the same as last year with a few exceptions.  
User Fee of Cloud App: $600
Lister-Contractor/Assessor: $13,150
Migrate NEMRC to Cloud: 
Postage:  $200
Supplies: $500
Computer Support: $2,100  (1/3 of $6,300 for 3 computers)
License Fees & Dues:  increased to  $350
Miscellaneous:  $100
NEMRC Support:  $1,247
Mapping Annual Support:  $1,000
            Total:                                        $19,247
 
Reappraisal Fund:  $2,000 for now and revisit 
There was some discussion about potential changes in reassessment if the State goes ahead with their plans and it would eliminate the money the Town gets from the State for reappraisal purposes.  Also, discussion regarding the recent purchase of a new computer and the reasons for it.
2.Budget: General Fund
Income: looking at items with plugged in figures

• State Rabies Fee/Neuter Surcharge:  $300
• Liquor licenses:  $525

 
Pittsfield Select Board Special Budget Meeting                                                              page 2
November 9, 2023
 

• Town Clerk Fees: $11,000
• Interest-General Fund:  $11,000
• Interest-Restricted Funds:  $12,000
• Current Use Payment:  $9,000 (reduced due to properties being removed from the program)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

There was some discussion regarding interest rates and CD’s.  There was also discussion about the Land Trust CD and its history.  Ann said she would research that, and no one was sure about its purpose.
Budget: Highway Fund

• State Aid:  $24,000
• Green Mountain National Forest:  $24,000
• Interest:  $1,800

The GMNF money was questioned as to what that had to do with Highway.  It was felt that it had to do with the number of highway miles in the Town.
Budget: Cemetery Fund.  

• Interest:  $70 (reduced from last year)
• Dividends:  $600 (increased from last year)

Expense: General Fund
 

• Legal:  $5,000
• Printing:  $2,000
• Advertising:  $500
• Maintenance and Repairs:

Town Office Building:  $6,000
Town Hall:  $3,000
Band Stand: $750
Garage:  $600
Fire Alarm Yearly Inspection-Ann will touch base with 4-Security to see if their bid for inspections of the alarm and 10 fire extinguishers is still good
 
Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:47pm  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
Respectfully submitted,
                                                                                    
Martha Beyersdorf
 
Approved: November 30. 2023
 
 
                                                      /                                                                  /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                    A.J. Ruben

 

​ 
PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES 

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, please click here:  https://bit.ly/47p4kiB
 
Date:  November 2, 2023  
 
Agenda
 
Agenda Modifications:  
 
Minutes Approval:  Regular Meeting-October 19, 2023
 
Present:  Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben ,Joyce Stevens 
 
Public Present:  Tommy Van Epps, Joe Kelly- The contractors on the Town Hall exterior attended to complain about the hold-back/punch list and final payment on the contract. Board members will meet with the Town Hall Building Committee to review the hold-back items.
 
Correspondence:

1. Climate Infrastructure Financing Webinars
2. Mile a Minute Weed Release
3. FPR Move Forward Release
4. Czaplicki Communication

 
Old Business:

1. VT Recreation Grants Follow-up-Consultants
2. FEMA Buy-Out-next steps
3. MRGP Documents/Better Roads  Manual
4. Better Roads Grant Deadline

 
New Business:

1. Budget Hearings Preparation-Budget Comps, Dept reminder, Salary Book, Insurance Rates

 
Next Meeting Dates:  Budget- November 9, 2023
                                    Regular-November 16, 2023
Adjournment
 
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 6:05pm.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor. 
AJ moved to accept the October 19, 2023 minutes. Joyce seconded. All in favor.  
 
Correspondence:

1. Climate Infrastructure Financing Webinars-The state Treasurers Office is holding a series of informational meetings with municipalities to get information on climate financing needs  so the state legislature can draft legislation to request federal funding. Comment period closes November 3, 2023. No action.
2. Mile a Minute Weed Release-The Department of Forest Parks and Recreation is asking Vermont residents to be on the lookout for the  invasive mile a minute weed that has now been documented in Chittenden Country. AJ will put a warning poster together to be posted at Swiss Farm.
3. FPR Move Forward Release-The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation announced a new planning effort to collect information on where to focus resources for outdoor recreation in Vermont communities. DFPR will be sending out surveys for recreation providers and draft a plan for public comment in June 2024.
4. Czaplicki Communication-Katherine Czaplicki notified the board that she flagged down a tractor trailer attempting to use Upper Michigan to get to Chittenden and directed the driver to the turn around. Although this tractor travel is infrequent, the board will ask the Original General store to post a notice to their delivery drivers that Upper Michigan is a deadend while the board investigates posting a permanent road sign at the beginning of Upper Michigan,

 
 
 
Old Business:

1. VT Recreation Grants Follow-up-Consultants-AJ contacted VLCT and Killington Recreation to get local contacts for recreation planners so the Board can apply for up to $20,000 the state is offering communities to pay for recreation planning. The application is due by December 15, 2023. AJ spoke with SORF which will send an invoice. AJ will also followup with TRORC Kevin Geiger for help filling out the application through the MTAP program.
2. FEMA Buy-Out-next steps-The appraiser accepted the contract and will deliver the appraisal report November 30, 2023. The property owner has been notified of the next steps and protocols to follow if the house is occupied. Ann will follow-up with the owner to confirm that the closing could take place in the winter if she accepts the buyout appraisal and to plan on vacating the home accordingly.
3. MRGP Documents/Better Roads  Manual-Ann provided copies of the VT Better roads manual and 2019 agreement in which Pittsfield adopted state standards for the MRGP, river crossings and town highway construction, repair and maintenance. 
4. Better Roads Grant Deadline. Application for Better Roads 2025 grants to implement the MRGP are due December 20, 2023. Ann will forward the application to George to identify road segments that need to be brought into compliance with the MRPG and request help from TRORC in filling out the application.

 
New Business:

1. Budget Hearings Preparation-Budget Comps, Dept reminder, Salary Book, Insurance Rates-Ann circulated the first budget comparisons for members to review before the first budget hearing November 9, and reviewed health insurance premium increases. Martha was asked to send out a reminder notice to all departments except the Library to submit their proposed budgets and Capital Improvement Plans before the first budget meeting and request presentation time before the board.

 
 
 
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, November 16, 2023 @6pm Town Hall
 
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann asked if there was any further business to discuss.  As there was none, Ann moved to close the meeting at 7:32pm.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
                                                                                    
Ann Kuendig
 
Approved: November 16, 2023
 
 
                                                      /                                                                  /
           Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                    A.J. Ruben