PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/4f1xqJT
DATE: July 17, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: Eric Schambach, Mark Stugart, Jeremy Rayner; Katie Stiles via Teams
MINUTES APPROVAL:
1. June 19, 2025 Regular Meeting
2. July 3, 2025 Special Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – MERP Mini-Grant Report
2. Grants – MERP Implementation Grant Quarterly Report
3. Resignation – Library Board of Trustees
4. Rentals – Holtz Rental Chair & Table update
5. E911 – Changes
6. VT Emergency Housing – update
7. Internet – Great Works Internet letter to EC Fiber subscribers
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Grants – MRP Grant Historical Review update
2. Dogs – Ordinance update
3. Town Property – Fence installation
4. Charge VT – update
5. Library – July 31st meeting
6. Events – Colton ceremony
7. Building Maintenance
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Tax – Local Option Tax discussion
2. Listers – Tax Bill Revision
3. VTRANS – Scoping Summary
4. TRORC – MRGP Assistance Agreement
5. Fuel – CV Oil Prepay
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:33pm. She asked for approval for the June 19th and July 3rd meetings. Joyce moved to approve the June 19th Regular Meeting and July 3rd Special Meeting.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 2
July 17, 2025
Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Ann acknowledged Katie Stiles meeting through Teams. Eric Schambach, Mark Stugart, and Jeremy Rayner were in attendance. Ann moved to take New Business #1 and #2 out of order. Seconded by AJ.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – MERP Mini-Grant Report. Ann said she received a notice from BGS, who is managing all the MERP Mini grants. We received $4,000 a few years ago. It appears that we have to report whether we spent the funds or not. If we didn’t spend, which we didn’t, we just send them an email, which she did.
2. Grants – MERP Implementation Grant Quarterly Report. The same procedure as the Mini Grants. Again, we didn’t spend any funds for the 4th quarter. Ann emailed them that we won’t be filing any report.
3. Resignation – Library Board of Trustees. Ann reminded the Board that they appointed Beth Stanton to fulfill Betty Warner’s term. Beth discovered that the Library Trustee and Auditor are incompatible positions. So, she resigned. Beth and Michelin told Ann that they didn’t have anyone in mind as a replacement. They also told Ann about another Trustee who has not attended any meetings or responded to their outreach. So essentially, there are only three Trustees. The Statutes state there needs to be five. Micheline asked if the elected position could be changed to an appointed one before Town Meeting. Some names were mentioned as possibilities. Ann moved to accept Beth’s resignation. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
4. Rentals – Holtz Rental Chair & Table update. The event is on August 9th. Ann offered to donate 73 chair covers. She said that the renter will contact Joyce and will pay the $50 donation fee.
5. E911 – Changes. Ann said that this is to put on the record that Randy is doing a good job as E911 Representative. There is still a problem with the Coltons property. They will be spoken to again in an attempt to resolve the property numbering. Some other issues with E911 were discussed with possible resolutions.
6. VT Emergency Housing – update. Ann said that this is a letter from the Department for Children and Families to update us on the number of families, children, and adults that have been removed from rentals and are not eligible for anything in Rutland. It’s 102 households, 152 adults, and 93 children. Those were all people with children or disabilities. Some of them did not follow procedure and report that they have not located any housing.
7. Internet – Great Works Internet letter to EC Fiber subscribers. Ann said that she didn’t see the need to post the letters because this is a court and contractual dispute they are having, and Pittsfield has no part in it. The Board asked Diane to keep them informed of the legalities as they are announced.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
July 17, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Grants – MRP Grant Historical Review update. Ann said that she sent in the application with all the windows. One of the historic resource specialists reached out and said he’d like to look at the windows. Ann explained that the storms no longer work to keep the climate controlled and protect the records. After examination, it was agreed that all the windows inside the office and library can be changed with the exception of windows that are in the front vestibule of the buildings Ann said that he did a whole review and video of the process.
2. Dogs – Ordinance update. AJ said that he had reached out to Doug but hadn’t heard back. He said he would check with Trish to see if anyone has licensed that dog. If not, AJ said he would let Doug know so he can go back and issue a citation. Maybe there is a need to take another look at enforcement of the dog ordinance that is currently on the books.
3. Town Property – Fence installation. Ann said that Rutland Fence Company sent an estimate for $3,500. Discussion. Joyce said Greg contacted
Rutland Fence to voice their concern about the fence ability to take snow loads snow loads. AJ asked that the fire department sign off on the installation and requested this be tabled until the next meeting.
4. Charge VT – update. Ann said that the next step is to work with an installer, and she has a list of names that are familiar with the program. We need to submit a site plan and project estimate. Once a site plan and estimate are received, we confirm that it meets the program requirements, share the estimated grant award amount and then sign the agreement and receive the first grant payment. We are at the point where we have to decide if we are going to move forward with this project. Ann said that Joyce would reach out to A+ Electric to see if they could produce the separate line costs and work with us on documentation requirements.
5. Library – July 31st meeting. Micheline responded to the letter we sent regarding the funding for the unbudgeted conference. The funds have been reallocated to our annual operating budget library materials line. No capital funds will be used. It was felt that there should be a town wide policy for professional development funding going forward. Discussion. Ann said that she found a bunch of educational programs and free webinars on the Vermont Library website. The Library’s next meeting is July 31st, and the Board felt that they should attend and discuss the capital budget as well.
6. Events – Colton ceremony. Joyce said that it was a very nice celebration but that she had a concern about the bill for the ice cream. They were additional billed for ice creams above the $300 contracted. Ann has requested documentation, but already paid the additional monies. AJ said she should not have paid without discussing it with the Board first. Discussion. AJ wanted to put it on the agenda for August.
7. Building Maintenance. Joyce said in the next two weeks they are going to do fix the berm on the court to hold water for the ice-skating rink. Then in three weeks they will be doing the lining using the estimate from last year. They will draw lines for basketball and pickle ball with colors. Denis is going to be fixing the window tomorrow outside the Town Hall.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 4
July 17, 2025
The 12’ ladder hasn’t been purchased yet. Air filters for the air conditioner will be dealt with once the ladder is purchased,
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax Discussion. Ann said the Board wanted to start discussion about a local option tax prior to budget deliberations later this year. She said that they wanted to reach out to business owners who would be impacted so the Board could understand how the tax would impact their businesses. It was felt that it was rejected initially because customers weren’t able to have adequate notice. It would be 6-7 months now before it would take effect. There was slight opposition to it as it would add additional costs to businesses, and they didn’t want to add to the cost. The biggest headache might be the process of putting it in place. There was talk about perhaps not having a meals tax, but having one for rooms, etc. Katie suggested having a special meeting to make people aware of the local option tax. There should be more awareness before any vote is taken. Mark was curious about what the State revenue could be with the tax versus no tax. Joyce suggested checking with similar size/business towns. It was felt that it would be helpful for everyone to have a bigger conversation about this. It was asked if a sales tax were added, how it would impact the town. Joyce said that the reason it was never discussed was that it would impact all the residents. It would impact the telephone bill, gas bill, electric bill, groceries, etc. Ann said that she would reach out to other communities that have the local option tax to see if they would share what the tax does provide, even if it’s a percentage. It was agreed to post the dates of the budget meetings although the specifics of those meetings won’t be known until they happen. The Board thanked everyone for their interest and attendance and would keep them informed.
2. Listers – Tax Bill Revision. Ann said that Jeremy asked to attend because he has some news regarding the tax bill evaluation of Green Mountain Power. Jeremy said that the rates are provided by the State for their poles and wires and everything else they have in town. He said that they are using two software programs, NEMRC and a state program. He said that basically what happened is that he didn’t enter the correct valuation for this year. It wouldn’t have been important except there is a new math used by the State in their valuation of utilities, which went down about half. If this impacts every community, they’ve just switched the way that they evaluate utilities they would evaluate them as a massive entity as opposed to individually. He added that this wipes out all improvements that have been made in everyone’s houses. So now our Grand List is technically lower than last year. He was asked how this would affect this year’s municipal rate of 0.4155. It would equal being short $4,900 that would need to be collected. Jeremy said that he tried to call the State and speak with several people who put him in touch with their tax advisor Chloe Wexler but have not heard back. Jeremy added that it could be as bad as $24,000 he didn’t realize for education but definitely $4,900 for municipal. He said that he doesn’t know if the Town will be on the hook for this. Could this be brought up under Errors and Omissions? If the tax rate changed, a supplemental tax bill could be sent out. The final submission of the Grand List
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 5
July 17, 2025
isn’t until August 15th. So there still might be a change to the final Grand List number. If a revised bill for the second payment, the first one would be left as it, but the second one would change. Jeremy said that he spoke with a legal expert and was told we weren’t the only community and to perhaps check with them. Jeremy said that he blames the State as to how they evaluate utilities and basically gave them a massive tax cut. How the State could implement a process for that tax cut of 40% being spread out so that it wouldn’t have such an impact in one year. There was more discussion including how the State manages the education rate.
3. VTRANS – Scoping Summary. Ann said that every year the Town receives a grant to do some of the hydrologically connected segments through the municipal roads general permit. Every year TRORC sits with George and goes over what segments have been done and what hasn’t with what it needs in materials. For their effort we pay them either 10% of the grant or $1,500, whichever is cheaper.
4. TRORC – MRGP Assistance Agreement. Ann proposed that the Board agree to sign just by having them do the same thing that was done this year and pay them. All in favor.
5. Fuel – CV Oil prepay. Highway: 500 gallons of propane at $2.39. Garage: $1043.67 propane. Town Hall: 125 gallons of oil @$3.21 for purchase of $159.57 with credit. Town Office: 1400 @ $2.39 for purchase of $3,46.7 withy credit. Fire Department: 800 gallons propane at $2.39/gallons and utilize the credit which ends up $1,558.52. When the new windows have been installed, we can take another look at the figures for Town Office. Ann moved to accept the recommendations. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
6. Financials – June Treasurer’s report. Tabled.
7. Town Office – new chairs. There is a request for seven new chairs (Asst. Clerk, Listers, worktable) for $371.30. Not all the money was spent on the purchase of new desks. The old chairs will be used elsewhere. Also discussed selling some of the chairs and kitchen items downstairs of Town Hall. This will be addressed again in August. Joyce moved to allow Town Clerk to purchase new chairs. Aj seconded. All in favor.
8. Finance – CD renewals. There are two Contingency CDs. It was felt that one was for 3 months, and the other was for 6 months. The first contains $44,627.70. Discussion. AJ moved to ask the Treasurer to renew whichever CD account was due in August, roll them over for 13 weeks at 4% and invest an additional $1,000, Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. Reappraisal and Record Preservation are one fund, but separate. Trish says the Board can invest $1,500 in the Record Preservation CD. That was $47,423 in Reappraisal and $17,256 in Record Preservation. Ann moved to invest $1,500 in Record Preservation and renew CD for 13 weeks at 4% interest. Joyce seconded. All in favor
The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 7:23pm and entered into Executive Session. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
9. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a) (1) (E) possible civil litigation/prosecution.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 6
Ann moved to exit Executive session and reenter regular session at 7:38. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39. Joyce seconded, All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:30pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: _______August 14, 2025___________ Martha L. Beyersdorf
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens AJ Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/4f1xqJT
DATE: July 17, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: Eric Schambach, Mark Stugart, Jeremy Rayner; Katie Stiles via Teams
MINUTES APPROVAL:
1. June 19, 2025 Regular Meeting
2. July 3, 2025 Special Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – MERP Mini-Grant Report
2. Grants – MERP Implementation Grant Quarterly Report
3. Resignation – Library Board of Trustees
4. Rentals – Holtz Rental Chair & Table update
5. E911 – Changes
6. VT Emergency Housing – update
7. Internet – Great Works Internet letter to EC Fiber subscribers
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Grants – MRP Grant Historical Review update
2. Dogs – Ordinance update
3. Town Property – Fence installation
4. Charge VT – update
5. Library – July 31st meeting
6. Events – Colton ceremony
7. Building Maintenance
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Tax – Local Option Tax discussion
2. Listers – Tax Bill Revision
3. VTRANS – Scoping Summary
4. TRORC – MRGP Assistance Agreement
5. Fuel – CV Oil Prepay
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:33pm. She asked for approval for the June 19th and July 3rd meetings. Joyce moved to approve the June 19th Regular Meeting and July 3rd Special Meeting.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 2
July 17, 2025
Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Ann acknowledged Katie Stiles meeting through Teams. Eric Schambach, Mark Stugart, and Jeremy Rayner were in attendance. Ann moved to take New Business #1 and #2 out of order. Seconded by AJ.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Grants – MERP Mini-Grant Report. Ann said she received a notice from BGS, who is managing all the MERP Mini grants. We received $4,000 a few years ago. It appears that we have to report whether we spent the funds or not. If we didn’t spend, which we didn’t, we just send them an email, which she did.
2. Grants – MERP Implementation Grant Quarterly Report. The same procedure as the Mini Grants. Again, we didn’t spend any funds for the 4th quarter. Ann emailed them that we won’t be filing any report.
3. Resignation – Library Board of Trustees. Ann reminded the Board that they appointed Beth Stanton to fulfill Betty Warner’s term. Beth discovered that the Library Trustee and Auditor are incompatible positions. So, she resigned. Beth and Michelin told Ann that they didn’t have anyone in mind as a replacement. They also told Ann about another Trustee who has not attended any meetings or responded to their outreach. So essentially, there are only three Trustees. The Statutes state there needs to be five. Micheline asked if the elected position could be changed to an appointed one before Town Meeting. Some names were mentioned as possibilities. Ann moved to accept Beth’s resignation. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
4. Rentals – Holtz Rental Chair & Table update. The event is on August 9th. Ann offered to donate 73 chair covers. She said that the renter will contact Joyce and will pay the $50 donation fee.
5. E911 – Changes. Ann said that this is to put on the record that Randy is doing a good job as E911 Representative. There is still a problem with the Coltons property. They will be spoken to again in an attempt to resolve the property numbering. Some other issues with E911 were discussed with possible resolutions.
6. VT Emergency Housing – update. Ann said that this is a letter from the Department for Children and Families to update us on the number of families, children, and adults that have been removed from rentals and are not eligible for anything in Rutland. It’s 102 households, 152 adults, and 93 children. Those were all people with children or disabilities. Some of them did not follow procedure and report that they have not located any housing.
7. Internet – Great Works Internet letter to EC Fiber subscribers. Ann said that she didn’t see the need to post the letters because this is a court and contractual dispute they are having, and Pittsfield has no part in it. The Board asked Diane to keep them informed of the legalities as they are announced.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
July 17, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Grants – MRP Grant Historical Review update. Ann said that she sent in the application with all the windows. One of the historic resource specialists reached out and said he’d like to look at the windows. Ann explained that the storms no longer work to keep the climate controlled and protect the records. After examination, it was agreed that all the windows inside the office and library can be changed with the exception of windows that are in the front vestibule of the buildings Ann said that he did a whole review and video of the process.
2. Dogs – Ordinance update. AJ said that he had reached out to Doug but hadn’t heard back. He said he would check with Trish to see if anyone has licensed that dog. If not, AJ said he would let Doug know so he can go back and issue a citation. Maybe there is a need to take another look at enforcement of the dog ordinance that is currently on the books.
3. Town Property – Fence installation. Ann said that Rutland Fence Company sent an estimate for $3,500. Discussion. Joyce said Greg contacted
Rutland Fence to voice their concern about the fence ability to take snow loads snow loads. AJ asked that the fire department sign off on the installation and requested this be tabled until the next meeting.
4. Charge VT – update. Ann said that the next step is to work with an installer, and she has a list of names that are familiar with the program. We need to submit a site plan and project estimate. Once a site plan and estimate are received, we confirm that it meets the program requirements, share the estimated grant award amount and then sign the agreement and receive the first grant payment. We are at the point where we have to decide if we are going to move forward with this project. Ann said that Joyce would reach out to A+ Electric to see if they could produce the separate line costs and work with us on documentation requirements.
5. Library – July 31st meeting. Micheline responded to the letter we sent regarding the funding for the unbudgeted conference. The funds have been reallocated to our annual operating budget library materials line. No capital funds will be used. It was felt that there should be a town wide policy for professional development funding going forward. Discussion. Ann said that she found a bunch of educational programs and free webinars on the Vermont Library website. The Library’s next meeting is July 31st, and the Board felt that they should attend and discuss the capital budget as well.
6. Events – Colton ceremony. Joyce said that it was a very nice celebration but that she had a concern about the bill for the ice cream. They were additional billed for ice creams above the $300 contracted. Ann has requested documentation, but already paid the additional monies. AJ said she should not have paid without discussing it with the Board first. Discussion. AJ wanted to put it on the agenda for August.
7. Building Maintenance. Joyce said in the next two weeks they are going to do fix the berm on the court to hold water for the ice-skating rink. Then in three weeks they will be doing the lining using the estimate from last year. They will draw lines for basketball and pickle ball with colors. Denis is going to be fixing the window tomorrow outside the Town Hall.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 4
July 17, 2025
The 12’ ladder hasn’t been purchased yet. Air filters for the air conditioner will be dealt with once the ladder is purchased,
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax Discussion. Ann said the Board wanted to start discussion about a local option tax prior to budget deliberations later this year. She said that they wanted to reach out to business owners who would be impacted so the Board could understand how the tax would impact their businesses. It was felt that it was rejected initially because customers weren’t able to have adequate notice. It would be 6-7 months now before it would take effect. There was slight opposition to it as it would add additional costs to businesses, and they didn’t want to add to the cost. The biggest headache might be the process of putting it in place. There was talk about perhaps not having a meals tax, but having one for rooms, etc. Katie suggested having a special meeting to make people aware of the local option tax. There should be more awareness before any vote is taken. Mark was curious about what the State revenue could be with the tax versus no tax. Joyce suggested checking with similar size/business towns. It was felt that it would be helpful for everyone to have a bigger conversation about this. It was asked if a sales tax were added, how it would impact the town. Joyce said that the reason it was never discussed was that it would impact all the residents. It would impact the telephone bill, gas bill, electric bill, groceries, etc. Ann said that she would reach out to other communities that have the local option tax to see if they would share what the tax does provide, even if it’s a percentage. It was agreed to post the dates of the budget meetings although the specifics of those meetings won’t be known until they happen. The Board thanked everyone for their interest and attendance and would keep them informed.
2. Listers – Tax Bill Revision. Ann said that Jeremy asked to attend because he has some news regarding the tax bill evaluation of Green Mountain Power. Jeremy said that the rates are provided by the State for their poles and wires and everything else they have in town. He said that they are using two software programs, NEMRC and a state program. He said that basically what happened is that he didn’t enter the correct valuation for this year. It wouldn’t have been important except there is a new math used by the State in their valuation of utilities, which went down about half. If this impacts every community, they’ve just switched the way that they evaluate utilities they would evaluate them as a massive entity as opposed to individually. He added that this wipes out all improvements that have been made in everyone’s houses. So now our Grand List is technically lower than last year. He was asked how this would affect this year’s municipal rate of 0.4155. It would equal being short $4,900 that would need to be collected. Jeremy said that he tried to call the State and speak with several people who put him in touch with their tax advisor Chloe Wexler but have not heard back. Jeremy added that it could be as bad as $24,000 he didn’t realize for education but definitely $4,900 for municipal. He said that he doesn’t know if the Town will be on the hook for this. Could this be brought up under Errors and Omissions? If the tax rate changed, a supplemental tax bill could be sent out. The final submission of the Grand List
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 5
July 17, 2025
isn’t until August 15th. So there still might be a change to the final Grand List number. If a revised bill for the second payment, the first one would be left as it, but the second one would change. Jeremy said that he spoke with a legal expert and was told we weren’t the only community and to perhaps check with them. Jeremy said that he blames the State as to how they evaluate utilities and basically gave them a massive tax cut. How the State could implement a process for that tax cut of 40% being spread out so that it wouldn’t have such an impact in one year. There was more discussion including how the State manages the education rate.
3. VTRANS – Scoping Summary. Ann said that every year the Town receives a grant to do some of the hydrologically connected segments through the municipal roads general permit. Every year TRORC sits with George and goes over what segments have been done and what hasn’t with what it needs in materials. For their effort we pay them either 10% of the grant or $1,500, whichever is cheaper.
4. TRORC – MRGP Assistance Agreement. Ann proposed that the Board agree to sign just by having them do the same thing that was done this year and pay them. All in favor.
5. Fuel – CV Oil prepay. Highway: 500 gallons of propane at $2.39. Garage: $1043.67 propane. Town Hall: 125 gallons of oil @$3.21 for purchase of $159.57 with credit. Town Office: 1400 @ $2.39 for purchase of $3,46.7 withy credit. Fire Department: 800 gallons propane at $2.39/gallons and utilize the credit which ends up $1,558.52. When the new windows have been installed, we can take another look at the figures for Town Office. Ann moved to accept the recommendations. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
6. Financials – June Treasurer’s report. Tabled.
7. Town Office – new chairs. There is a request for seven new chairs (Asst. Clerk, Listers, worktable) for $371.30. Not all the money was spent on the purchase of new desks. The old chairs will be used elsewhere. Also discussed selling some of the chairs and kitchen items downstairs of Town Hall. This will be addressed again in August. Joyce moved to allow Town Clerk to purchase new chairs. Aj seconded. All in favor.
8. Finance – CD renewals. There are two Contingency CDs. It was felt that one was for 3 months, and the other was for 6 months. The first contains $44,627.70. Discussion. AJ moved to ask the Treasurer to renew whichever CD account was due in August, roll them over for 13 weeks at 4% and invest an additional $1,000, Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. Reappraisal and Record Preservation are one fund, but separate. Trish says the Board can invest $1,500 in the Record Preservation CD. That was $47,423 in Reappraisal and $17,256 in Record Preservation. Ann moved to invest $1,500 in Record Preservation and renew CD for 13 weeks at 4% interest. Joyce seconded. All in favor
The Board adjourned the regular meeting at 7:23pm and entered into Executive Session. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
9. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a) (1) (E) possible civil litigation/prosecution.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 6
Ann moved to exit Executive session and reenter regular session at 7:38. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39. Joyce seconded, All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:30pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: _______August 14, 2025___________ Martha L. Beyersdorf
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens AJ Ruben
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