PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here: https://bit.ly/3NAvjQk
DATE: October 17, 2024
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben; Joyce Stevens via Teams
PUBLIC PRESENT: Brett Yates (Mountain Times) via Teams
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: Appointment for Green Up Day Coordinator – OB#3
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 3, 2024 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development – HUD’s Report on VT Recovery Housing Program TRORC – draft of regional plan
2. GMNF – schedule of plans
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Town Attorney – update
2. Insurance – PACIF renewal
3. Appointment – Green Up Day Coordinator
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Building Maintenance – update
2. Village Green – removal of trees; planting two new ones
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for September
4. Generator – Brook Field maintenance
5. Audit – Bid
6. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §313 (1) (E) potential civil litigation
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget – October 24, 2024 Town Office @ 5pm
2. Regular – November 7, 2024 Town Hall @ 5:30pm
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:31pm. She had one Agenda Modification (see above). AJ moved to accept the Minutes of the October 3, 2024 meeting. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development – HUD’s Report on VT Recovery Housing Program. They would like this report to be posted so people can see how the money they received was spent. Ann said to have it posted outside the Town Clerk’s Office.
2. TRORC – draft of regional plan. The Regional Planner sent this. There will be a public hearing at the Bethel Town Office on November 4, 2024 from 5-7pm. Remote access will be available.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
October 17, 2024
This regional plan is in addition to our own Town’s Plan. Some changes were made. Ann moved to forward this to the Planning Commission for their review. AJ seconded. All in favor.
3. GMNF – schedule of plans. The only item pertaining to Pittsfield is the Telephone Gap project. No decision has been made on the four plans. A decision is expected to be made on January 1, 2025.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Town Attorney – update. AJ said that he would follow up with Attorney John Cassarino. He requested this be added to the next regular meeting agenda.
2. Insurance – PACIF renewal. Ann suggested forwarding the vehicle schedule to
Geena at TRORC to include as data in the Capital Budget report. She went on to point out various items in the policy. It was noted that the Veteran Memorial on the Green was being insured as well as the bandstand. Discussion. It was felt that these two items were assessed a little low. Joyce said she would see about determining a replacement cost for the two structures. The insurance policy was discussed in more detail and some points clarified.
3. Appointment – Green Up Day Coordinator. Ann made a motion to approve the appointment of Kristina Tooker as a Green Up Coordinator. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. The Secretary will send Kristina a Letter of Appointment.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Building Maintenance – update.
· Ann questioned the charge for asphalt recycling of $94.00. She said that she didn’t find any reference to this fee in the original paperwork. There was no mention of recycling asphalt. Joyce said she would follow up with this matter.
· Two estimates have been given for work in the Town Office. One for $5,600.00 and another for $4,500.00. The estimate for the PACIF grant for the work in the office (extending the counter, removing a wall, and replacing a door) was discussed. It was decided to move forward and apply for the grant. Joyce made a motion to have Ann sign as Chair on the grant application. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
· Ann wondered about the storage arrangement for the net and paddles for pickleball. Discussion. It was decided to forward this to the Recreation Commission. AJ said he would take this to their next meeting.
· The status of the burner and furnace cleaning for the Town Office, Town Garage, and Fire Department. These will be scheduled with CV Oil Company.
· Joyce said that she, Herb, and Caleb met at the Barnard Fire House to see plans for the addition. Joyce said that a septic system design and property survey would be needed. These files plus any others related to the Fire House would be made available. Estimates for the costs of everything will also be needed.
2. Village Green – removal of trees; planting two new ones. Joyce said that she spoke with Connie. Connie plans to meet with Davey trees on Friday, the 18th about removing two trees and some limbs in the cemetery. Discussion. The Board was made aware that permission to remove any trees must be given by the Tree Warden, Kris Sperber. Joyce said she would speak with Kris.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
October 17, 2024
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for September. There was some discussion. AJ moved to approve this report. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
4. Generator – Brook Field maintenance. The Board discussed the proposed contract with Brook Field Service. It is offered at $407.00 by November 15. They are also offering an auto-renewal for the next year. The price will never go up more than 3%. Ann moved to approve Program #1 as our 2025 Preventative Maintenance Agreement and in addition, sign up for the Automatic Renewal Subscription. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
5. Audit – Bid. $10,000.00 has been set aside for this. It was felt that an audit for 2024-2025 could not be started until September 2025. It will be put out for bid in May/June 2025. The Secretary was asked to place this item on the Tickler File for late March/early April 2025. Discussion with the Treasurer on what should be included in the audit will be put on the agenda for the next budget hearing.
Ann adjourned the Regular Meeting at 6:27pm to enter into Executive Session. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
6. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §313 (1) (E) potential civil liability.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:49pm. Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor.
Ann moved to readjourn the regular meeting at 6:50pm. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget – October 24, 2024 Town Office @ 5pm
2. Regular – November 7, 2024 Town Hall @ 5:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf
Approved: November 7, 2024
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting please click here: https://bit.ly/3NAvjQk
DATE: October 17, 2024
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben; Joyce Stevens via Teams
PUBLIC PRESENT: Brett Yates (Mountain Times) via Teams
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: Appointment for Green Up Day Coordinator – OB#3
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 3, 2024 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development – HUD’s Report on VT Recovery Housing Program TRORC – draft of regional plan
2. GMNF – schedule of plans
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Town Attorney – update
2. Insurance – PACIF renewal
3. Appointment – Green Up Day Coordinator
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Building Maintenance – update
2. Village Green – removal of trees; planting two new ones
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for September
4. Generator – Brook Field maintenance
5. Audit – Bid
6. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §313 (1) (E) potential civil litigation
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget – October 24, 2024 Town Office @ 5pm
2. Regular – November 7, 2024 Town Hall @ 5:30pm
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:31pm. She had one Agenda Modification (see above). AJ moved to accept the Minutes of the October 3, 2024 meeting. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development – HUD’s Report on VT Recovery Housing Program. They would like this report to be posted so people can see how the money they received was spent. Ann said to have it posted outside the Town Clerk’s Office.
2. TRORC – draft of regional plan. The Regional Planner sent this. There will be a public hearing at the Bethel Town Office on November 4, 2024 from 5-7pm. Remote access will be available.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
October 17, 2024
This regional plan is in addition to our own Town’s Plan. Some changes were made. Ann moved to forward this to the Planning Commission for their review. AJ seconded. All in favor.
3. GMNF – schedule of plans. The only item pertaining to Pittsfield is the Telephone Gap project. No decision has been made on the four plans. A decision is expected to be made on January 1, 2025.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Town Attorney – update. AJ said that he would follow up with Attorney John Cassarino. He requested this be added to the next regular meeting agenda.
2. Insurance – PACIF renewal. Ann suggested forwarding the vehicle schedule to
Geena at TRORC to include as data in the Capital Budget report. She went on to point out various items in the policy. It was noted that the Veteran Memorial on the Green was being insured as well as the bandstand. Discussion. It was felt that these two items were assessed a little low. Joyce said she would see about determining a replacement cost for the two structures. The insurance policy was discussed in more detail and some points clarified.
3. Appointment – Green Up Day Coordinator. Ann made a motion to approve the appointment of Kristina Tooker as a Green Up Coordinator. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. The Secretary will send Kristina a Letter of Appointment.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Building Maintenance – update.
· Ann questioned the charge for asphalt recycling of $94.00. She said that she didn’t find any reference to this fee in the original paperwork. There was no mention of recycling asphalt. Joyce said she would follow up with this matter.
· Two estimates have been given for work in the Town Office. One for $5,600.00 and another for $4,500.00. The estimate for the PACIF grant for the work in the office (extending the counter, removing a wall, and replacing a door) was discussed. It was decided to move forward and apply for the grant. Joyce made a motion to have Ann sign as Chair on the grant application. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
· Ann wondered about the storage arrangement for the net and paddles for pickleball. Discussion. It was decided to forward this to the Recreation Commission. AJ said he would take this to their next meeting.
· The status of the burner and furnace cleaning for the Town Office, Town Garage, and Fire Department. These will be scheduled with CV Oil Company.
· Joyce said that she, Herb, and Caleb met at the Barnard Fire House to see plans for the addition. Joyce said that a septic system design and property survey would be needed. These files plus any others related to the Fire House would be made available. Estimates for the costs of everything will also be needed.
2. Village Green – removal of trees; planting two new ones. Joyce said that she spoke with Connie. Connie plans to meet with Davey trees on Friday, the 18th about removing two trees and some limbs in the cemetery. Discussion. The Board was made aware that permission to remove any trees must be given by the Tree Warden, Kris Sperber. Joyce said she would speak with Kris.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
October 17, 2024
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for September. There was some discussion. AJ moved to approve this report. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
4. Generator – Brook Field maintenance. The Board discussed the proposed contract with Brook Field Service. It is offered at $407.00 by November 15. They are also offering an auto-renewal for the next year. The price will never go up more than 3%. Ann moved to approve Program #1 as our 2025 Preventative Maintenance Agreement and in addition, sign up for the Automatic Renewal Subscription. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
5. Audit – Bid. $10,000.00 has been set aside for this. It was felt that an audit for 2024-2025 could not be started until September 2025. It will be put out for bid in May/June 2025. The Secretary was asked to place this item on the Tickler File for late March/early April 2025. Discussion with the Treasurer on what should be included in the audit will be put on the agenda for the next budget hearing.
Ann adjourned the Regular Meeting at 6:27pm to enter into Executive Session. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
6. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §313 (1) (E) potential civil liability.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:49pm. Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor.
Ann moved to readjourn the regular meeting at 6:50pm. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1. Budget – October 24, 2024 Town Office @ 5pm
2. Regular – November 7, 2024 Town Hall @ 5:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf
Approved: November 7, 2024
/ /
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
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