​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click:  https://bit.ly/3RpNvxZ
 
DATE:  April 17, 2025
 
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:  NB#4 - Village Green request
 
MINUTES APPROVAL:  April 3, 2025 Regular Meeting
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission – Training
2. Rutland County Solid Waste District – Annual Report
3. Green Mountain National Forest – Schedule of Operations
4. VT Dept of Labor – Workforce Expansion Program
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Emergency Management Co-Directors, EC Fiber, White River Valley Energy Consortium
2. Dogs – Ordinance Tickets
3. Finances – Community Tree Fund application
4. Municipal Energy Resilience Program – Projects, Window Quote, Electric invoice
5. Pittsfield Volunteer Fire Department &Rescue – fence installation
6. Building Maintenance
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Grants – FY26 Grants in Aid
2. Finances – Bonin Fund
3. Finances – Treasurer’s Report March Financials
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, May 1, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
 
ADJOURN: 
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:38pm.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor.  Ann presented one Agenda Modification (see above).  Ann moved to approve the Minutes of the April 4th meeting.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission – Training.  Ann said that TRORC announced a training schedule for four different seminar/webinar combinations.  She forwarded copies to the Board members as well as the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment.  AJ said he
and Craig Westling attended the one on flood resilience.  AJ added that it was amazing to learn how much rivers can move in two years or twenty.   Ann said she would try and attend one of the sessions.
 
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                           page 2
April 17, 2025
 
2. Rutland County Solid Waste District – Annual Report.  Ann said that she would post this to the Town’s Facebook’s community page.
 
3. Green Mountain National Forest – Schedule of Operations.  This is their quarterly report on what they are involved in.  A decision is expected at the end of April regarding Telephone Gap with implementation in May.  Nothing further is expected to happen soon.  Ann said that she wanted the Town to be aware that there may be changes in the transportation, roads, and infrastructures.  She said that it’s expected that they will be constructing 12.6 miles of temporary road to be able to access timber stands, including 9.3 miles on non NFS lands.  This would include Forest Road #394, which is Townsend Brook Road.  Also, a parking area for three vehicles at milepost 1.8 on Townsend Brook Road.  She expressed concern as to whether an agreement should be made regarding the trucks.  Perhaps the Board should reach out to George.  She said that this information should be put on the record. 
4. VT Dept of Labor – Workforce Expansion Program.  This correspondence announces three informational sessions to have people apply for this workforce expansion program.  It’s a 2-year policy initiative proposed by the governor and legislature.  Applicants are expected to be a lead in economic and workforce development.  There is no funding for this.  Ann wanted to put on the record if anyone is interested, the second  session is April 23rd and the third is April 29th.
 
OLD BUSINESS:                                                      
1. Appointments – Emergency Management Co-Directors, EC Fiber, White River Valley Emergency Consortium.  Joyce said that Tim Thody and Jonathan Colton have both agreed to be co-directors for the Town’s Emergency Management positions.  Ann asked the Secretary to send out appointment letters to thank them.  Ann moved to appoint Tim Thode and Jonathan Colton to the Emergency Management Co-Directors’ positions.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor.  She also said that the White River Valley Energy Consortium is still meeting, but not as much as last year.  Discussion.  The Secretary was asked to send out an appointment letter to Craig Westling as the primary delegate and Dana Decker as the Alternate.  The EC Fiber and Zoning Board of Adjustment positions are still unfilled. 
2. Dogs – Ordinance Tickets.  There is currently only one unlicensed dog with possibly two unidentified dogs in town.  Ann thought that Joyce was going to try and find contact information for the one dog’s owner. 
3. Finances – Community Tree Fund application.  Ann said she has completed the application and sent it in.  The deadline is tomorrow.  She said that the companies to handle pruning, demolition, guidance as to what trees would be best, and someone aware of pruning issues, such as around the electrical wires.  This would beautify the area.  Two places have been identified as suppliers of the trees: Northern Nurseries in White River Jct and Pratico in Rutland. The town would need to find someone to plant.  Discussion about the price, specifications, and the best time to obtain and plant the trees. Connie Martin will be contacted. More information should be available in a few weeks.
4. Municipal Energy Resilience Program – Projects, Window Quote, Electric invoice.  Ann said that a quote has been received for the new windows.  At this time, the Board is waiting for a similar quote from Denis Veilleux to perform a comparison.  Ann said that she had received a quote from Paquette P&E last year for heat pumps but probably should obtain one more estimate.  Discussion.  It was felt that a third estimate was needed to comply with our Procurement Policy and to present to the state and feds. 
5. Pittsfield Volunteer Fire Department &Rescue – fence installation.  Joyce said that the fire department believes that the posts for the fence were incorrectly fabricated.  They need to be 8’.  Ann brought out the
 
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                           page 3
April 17, 2025
 
design.  There was some discussion about the installation, length, and how much would need to be underground.  Joyce said that she would speak with the fire department.
6. Building Maintenance – Joyce said that the Town Office project is almost finished.  The gate and some painting need to be completed.  Discussion. Joyce said that the grant has been applied for.  The Board talked about what would be involved in the outside work.  There hasn’t been a commitment yet for the outside from Denis.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Grants – FY26 Grants in Aid.  Ann said that this is the municipal roads general permit for the hydrological connected. This year for FY2026 the Town is being offered $8,500 and with a $2,125 match or in kind. Ann moved to sign the letter of intent to participate in the Municipal Grants in Aid Program.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor.  Our progress report states that eight segments need to be completed and brought up to improve non-Class 4 roads by the end of the year.  TRORC will come in and meet with George to identify those roads involved.  Ann said she would meet with George about this.
 
2. Finances – Bonin Fund.  Ann said the town had been contacted by Lydia Ronnel who is a representative of the Vermont Community Foundation.  Katherine Bonin had established a fund with them,  leaving the Town of Pittsfield a charitable fund to provide for the education and welfare of the residents of the Town of Pittsfield.  Ann said that a decision is made automatically every February  The rate is 5% of a 6-month lookback.  The first distribution is $1,600.  There was some discussion as to how these funds could be used.  Ann made a motion to accept and respond.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor. 
3. Finances – Treasurer’s Report March Financials.  Ann moved to accept the March treasurer’s report.  Seconded by AJ.  All in favor.
4. Town Green request.  The Board discussed and accepted the Fenity’s request to set up a lemonade stand on the Village Green on May 24th from 12 noon to 3pm.  Ann moved to approve the request.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, May 1, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
 
As there was no further business to conduct, Ann moved to close the meeting at 6:50pm .  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,
 
Approved: May 1, 2025________________                                      s/ Martha L. Beyersdorf
 
 ______________________            __________________________       ______________________
        Ann Kuendig                                      Joyce Stevens                            AJ Ruben
 

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click:  https://bit.ly/4j2sMfP (1). https://bit.ly/4lmhzrX (2)
 
DATE:  April 3, 2025
 
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
 
PUBLIC PRESENT: Jake Hunt re: NB#1
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: NB#2 – Petition for reconsideration of Article from Town Meeting
 
MINUTES APPROVAL: March 20, 2025 Regular Meeting
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Climate Council
2. VT Emergency Services Housing Program
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office
2. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics
3. Dogs – Ordinance re: Tickets
4. Town Ordinances – Code of Ethics Enforcement Ordinance
5. Finances – Community Tree Fund Estimate
6. Building Maintenance –
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Insurance – PACIF Playground Loss Control Report
 
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, April 17, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
 
ADJOURN: 
 
Ann called the regular meeting of the Pittsfield Selectboard to order at 5:33pm.  Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.  Ann said she had one Agenda Modification (see above).  AJ seconded.  All in favor.  Ann moved to approve the Minutes of 3/20/2025.  Seconded by Joyce.  All in favor.  Jake Hunt, Chair of the Recreation Commission, is in attendance to discuss NB#1.  Ann made a motion to take NB#1 out of order and move to the top of the agenda.  Seconded by Joyce.  All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Climate Control – Ann said this correspondence addressed the schedule of hearings on the draft of the Climate Action plan as well as posters to put up.
2. VT Emergency Services Housing Program.  This is a notification that a number of people have lost their eligibility for the shelter and housing program in the motels.  One hundred and thirty-three people out of the Rutland office and 62 children are now homeless and have used up their entitlement to have access to the housing and shelter program.
 
 
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting                                                                         page 2
April 3, 2025
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office.  Candace Kadamik has responded to her appointment as an Emergency Management Co-Director and has declined to serve as she leaves Pittsfield for part of the year.  Her resignation was noted.  Joyce said that she had spoken with Tim Thody.  He is interested so Joyce said she would get some of the position information to him.  Ann mentioned some things that need to be done.  Ann said she would serve as the second co-director if no one else is found.  There are still vacancies for the EC Fiber delegate and alternate, and a position on the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Ann noted that the Green Up information that the State has is out of date.  Joyce has found two people to assume the Co-Ordinator positions for next year as Kristina Tooker and her daughter Olivia Grasso will not be able to do it next year.  The Secretary will send appointment letters to Chris Evans and Maddie Kopicki for next year.  Ann added that she isn’t sure if the White River Valley Consortium is still meeting and is waiting to hear back from them.
2. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics.  This has been posted on the Town’s website and the old one shows it has been rescinded.
3. Dogs – Ordinance re: Tickets.  The unlicensed dog list has been updated as of 4/3.  Joyce said that she called them almost all on the list.  AJ thought the call was better than going out to issue a ticket.  There was some discussion about the late fee and the ticket to the judicial bureau.  AJ presented options to pay before issuing tickets.  He said that he and Doug will need copies of the ordinance and Minutes where they were appointed to do this to present to the court.  Ann expressed some concern over the time of violation.  Once past April 1st, they should be issued a ticket and not pay a late fee, etc.  AJ felt that ticket should be the last resort.    Joyce suggested making calls again and if the dog is not licensed/paid for by 4/10, then a ticket would be issued.  AJ felt that by waiting to issue a ticket, they are not wasting time and spending the Town’s money.  Ann expressed her concern that this was a civil matter.  It was decided that the Board members would make some phone calls and go from there.  Ann asked about people not on the list but known to have a dog/s. 
4. Town Ordinances – Code of Ethics Enforcement Ordinance.  Ann handed out A draft of the ordinance
 Joyce asked to review it.  Ann moved to adopt and sign the ordinance.  AJ seconded.  All in favor.  It needs to be posted in 5 places in Town and in a newspaper.  Ann said she would send this to Trish to post.  Five percent of voters can petition to disapprove the Ordinance within 44 days. If no petition Ordinance goes into effect 60 days following adoption by the board.
5. Finances – Community Tree Fund Estimate.  There have been no estimates from Connie yet.  Ann said she reached out to businesses regarding what type of tree would do best and some advice on buying.  The deadline for applying for the grant is April 18.  Joyce said she would check in Rutland and AJ suggested a business on Route 4 going towards West Rutland.  The number of trees was also discussed.
6. Building Maintenance – Joyce said that she was away but that she is looking into windows  She will check the grant as to any specifics or restrictions.  Ann suggested contacting the Preservation Trust.  The Minutes of the Building Committee will be checked in case there Is something in writing.  Ann also said she would like to review the invoices when they come in to make sur they aren’t related to MERP and would like detailed invoices. 
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Insurance – PACIF Playground Loss Control Report.  Ann said that in 2017, PACIF sent a loss control inspector to check the playground equipment and grounds.  In the report sent to the Town, there were eleven issues ranging from low priority to high.  Ann highlighted the issues that have been addressed since then.  She said that last week an officer came to the office to see what had been done.  He was told that the Recreation Commission is looking into the playground.  Ann gave the information to Jake and urged him to reach out to Wade at PACIF.  Ann said she would follow up with PACIF and copy Jake on the email.
2. Petition for reconsideration of Article 5 from Town Meeting – Ann said that there are 47 certified signatures that meet the requirements for reconsideration. The taxes on rooms, meals and alcohol were proposed as an alternate method for raising municipal revenues that would be largely borne by out of towners and tourists who frequent our inns and AIRBNB’s and get meals and drinks at the four main meals venues. Local property owners would also be subject to the tax at these venues, but would see reductions in property taxes to more than make up for the local option taxes. Joyce suggested the board try to get more estimates from the State on how much could be collected, then show how much it could reduce property tax bills. It was thought that perhaps this should have been and will be a paper ballot vote at Town Meeting.  There was some discussion about when to have the meeting.  It must be held within 60 days from adoption and warned, with the warning signed.  Ann said she would look back at the draft Warning when the fire truck Article had a special meeting as a result of a petition.  Ann made a motion to accept the petition for reconsideration of the Article  and set the date for the special election for Saturday, May 10th at 9:00am.  She said she would prepare a Warning and leave it for signatures as soon as possible.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
As there was no further business to conduct, Ann moved to close the meeting at 7:04PM.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,
 
Approved: April 17, 2025_____________                                      Martha L. Beyersdorf
 
 __________________________       ________________________      _______________________
        Ann Kuendig                                      Joyce Stevens                           AJ Ruben