​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here:  https://bit.ly/4pKrp8J
 
DATE: December 16, 2025
 
PRESENT: AJ Ruben, Joyce Stevens; not present Ann Kuendig
 
PUBLIC PRESENT:  Mark Stugart, Craig Westling, Rose O’Brien
 
MINUTES APPROVAL: Regular Meeting December 4, 2025
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     Grants – VTrans Small Scale Project Grants
2.     VT Housing & Finance Agency – Short Term Rental Data
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) – Update Process
Discussion with Planning Commission
2.     Charge VT – Stebbins Estimate for Application
3.     Building Maintenance
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.     Contractor – Walker independent contractor paperwork
2.     Finance – Treasurer’s Report for November
 
ADJOURN:
 
NEXT MEETING: 
Tuesday, December 6, 2025 5:30pm Town Hall
Thursday, January 15, 2026  5:30pm  Town Hall
 
AJ called the meeting to order at 5:27pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to approve the Minutes of the December 4, 2025 meeting. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     Grants – VTrans Small Scale Project Grants. Applications are due by February 2, 2026 by 2:00pm. This program funds safety improvements on local roads that cost $5,000 - $50,000. A single grant can cover multiple project locations. Examples include curve signage, intersection signage, stop bar and crosswalk pavement marking,  replacement of damaged guardrail, and/or complete tree removal. AJ said it is something to look at, and suggested Ann look into it.
2.     VT Housing & Finance Agency – Short Term Rental Data. AJ said Ann wanted the Board to look at this as it relates to the possible 1% rooms tax being discussed. It’s basically a study of Airbnb’s. AJ offered this correspondence to Joyce to take home.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                     page 2
December 16, 2025
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) – Update Process. Discussion with Planning Commission. AJ said that Vaughn did some fill-in-the-blank entries. He said that Ann had included the contract in case no one wanted to take the project on. Joyce and AJ went over what was done the last time. Planning Commission members Mark, Craig, and Rose joined the meeting. AJ and Joyce explained some of the items in the report. Mark said he looked over the material Ann had sent him previously. Mark said that it would require some sort of outreach. AJ and Joyce explained about some the history of the LHMP history with Pittsfield. AJ pointed out there may not be many changes needed. He added that there is TRORC money for the project. Discussion. AJ asked Mark if he thought this project might be something the Commission would be interested in taking on. The next meeting of the Select Board is on January 15th. Mark noted that in the past, George, David Colton, the Constable, and Fire Department were involved, and he’d like them to be again. Craig and Rose joined the meeting and Mark explained what had been discussed. Joyce mentioned that the flood maps have changed since 2021. Mark said they will look over and let the Board know if they want to do this project or not and possibly have TRORC consulted for the draft and final review. Planning Commission members will meet in the coming weeks and will plan to attend the January 15th meeting with their opinion/recommendation of the 5-year plan. AJ and Joyce thanked Mark, Craig, and Rose for their interest and attending tonight.
2.     Charge VT – Stebbins Estimate for Application. AJ said the Board is still waiting for the estimate but said he would get it before Christmas and it’s due by the end of the year. Joyce clarified that he said he would try to get in by Christmas and it’s not due by the end of the year. She said Green Mountain Power would like it by the end of the year but has until they finalize their budget. Joyce said if Green Mountain Power doesn’t get it by December 31st, more might be given to another town. In addition, the parking spaces need to be changed. She noted where the meter is and that is where the power comes from. For this project, the Board wants a separate meter, but Green Mountain wants it on the same line as the meter coming in. As a result, the parking spaces need to be moved down by the meter.
3.     Building Maintenance – Joyce said she had nothing to report.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.     Contractor – Walker independent contractor paperwork. This only required Board members’ signatures.
2.     Finance – Treasurer’s Report for November. AJ moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
 
 
 
 
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                     page 3
December 16, 2025
 
ADJOURN:  As there was no further business, Joyce moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:07pm. AJ seconded. All in favor.
 
                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,
 
Approved: _____January 6, 2026____________                                            Martha L. Beyersdorf
                                                                                                Select Board Secretary
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      AJ Ruben

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here:  https://bit.ly/4pKrp8J
 
DATE: December 16, 2025
 
PRESENT: AJ Ruben, Joyce Stevens, Trish Abbondelo; not present Ann Kuendig
 
MINUTES APPROVAL: Budget Meeting December 9, 2025
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Budget – General Fund
2.     Warrant - Draft
 
ADJOURN:
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Budget & Regular Meeting  January 6, 2026  5:00pm  Town Office
2.     Regular Meeting  January 15, 2026  5:30pm  Town Hall
 
AJ called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to approve the Minutes of the December 9, 2025 meeting. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Budget – General Fund. Trish said the Town is in good shape except for the Library. They received a grant for the Interlibrary Loan Currier, so the figure is $715.20 which is less than ’25 Actual $1,262.40. She said she is still waiting for their CIP. She is also waiting for the School figures. Discussion. There isn’t another meeting until January, so the Board made the decision to give them $2,000. Joyce pointed out that they still have money available in Capital Improvements. This changes the Total General Fund to $381,964.52. It also changes the Municipal Total to be Raised by Taxes to $520,875.62. This brings the Municipal tax to $.4110 without any Warnings. With the Warnings the tax rate increases to $.4702 which is lower than ‘24’s rate of $.4815. AJ suggested having rates for the last five or ten years to present at Town Meeting if asked. Trish felt the Board could approve this and she could then forward it to the Auditors. Joyce made a motion to approve the General Fund’s entire year’s budget for fiscal year ‘26/’27. AJ seconded the motion. All in favor.
2.     Warning – Draft. AJ looked over the list of Town Officers whose terms are up. Jonathan Colton needs to be voted in for a one-year term replacing Herb Kuendig. All the rest are self-explanatory. Joyce said that Article 5 asks the voters to put $25,000 into the Recreation Fund. Article  6 asks the voters to authorize the creation of a Highway Project Reserve Fund and deposit $50,000 for a road remediation project. AJ said that they still need an estimate from George. AJ said that Ann spoke with George and he felt he could
Pittsfield Select Board Budget Meeting                                                              page 2
December 16, 2025
 
use existing highway funds this year to pay for the initial review. AJ felt the Board should wait until the next meeting to finalize the Warning. He said that Article 7 is up for discussion. It pertains to the 1% tax on rooms, meals, and alcoholic beverages. Ann has suggested we wait until the next meeting to finalize the Warning when some business owners are here. We can get input from them.
It was felt that there was no need for a budget meeting in January since it was approved tonight. But the regular meeting on January 6th will take place at regular time and place.
 
3.     ADJOURN:  As there was no further business, AJ made a motion to adjourn the meeting.            
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Regular Meeting  January 6, 2026  5:30pm  Town hall
2.     Regular Meeting  January 15, 2026  5:30pm  Town Hall
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Approved: January 6, 2026___________                                                        Martha L. Beyersdorf
                                                                                                Select Board Secretary
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      AJ Ruben

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click:  https://bit.ly/3Yqz3cj
 
DATE: December 9, 2025
 
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben, Trish Abbondelo, Town Clerk/Treasurer
 
MINUTES APPROVAL: Budget Meeting November 25, 2025
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     VT Dept. of Taxes – State Property Tax Projection letter
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Budget – General Fund
 
ADJOURN:
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Budget & Regular Meeting  Tuesday, December 16, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
2.     Budget & Regular Meeting  Thursday, January 6, 2026  5:00pm  Town Office
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:12pm.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.  There were no Agenda Modifications or New Business items.  Ann said that there were a couple of additions to the Minutes.  Under Dues and Contributions, the Bethel Area Food Shelf was increased from $500 to $750.  New Business items 1 and 2 left off originally as they were both tabled, have been added.  Ann asked if there was a motion to approve the edited Minutes.  Joyce moved to approve the Minutes of the November 25, 2025 Budget Meeting.  Ann seconded.  All in favor. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     VT Dept. of Taxes – State Property Tax Projection letter.  Ann said that the letter is calling for an average 12% increase to property taxes.  She said she couldn’t figure out what that would mean for Pittsfield.  Ann wanted to put this on the record.  She suggested keeping in mind the potential increase in educational property taxes as we do out deliberations.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
Budget – General Fund.
·      Undesignated Fund Balances: Trish wanted the Board to look at the Undesignated Fund Balances for the Cemetery, Fire Department and Library and approve that they want them in there to lower the disbursement that would be given to that department.
·      Insurance: Trish said that she doesn’t have any insurance figures yet but hopes to have them for the next meeting.
 
Pittsfield Select Board Budget Minutes                                                                     page 2
December 9, 2025
 
·      Printing: Trish explained what her cost would be to use the copier but didn’t have any idea about the number of pages.  Color copies would be $0.0920, black & white would be $0.0173, and paper would be $41/ream (500 sheets).  Discussion.  Trish will plan on printing them in the office using color copies.
·      Parks & Grounds Equipment Fund: $1,000 was put in to go towards a new mower.  The Board felt that was okay.
·      Village Green Tree Maintenance:  $1,200 was brought over from the Cemetery Fund.  Additional funds were discussed for trees for the recreational area.  AJ didn’t feel there was a need for that now.
·      Library:  There has been no word from Cynthia on a few budget items.  Trish said she would reach out to her.  Still need Interlibrary Loan Currier and Zoom/Google workspace actual figures as well as their revised CIP.
·      Budget Summary: Trish said she is still waiting for the School and insurance, but it doesn’t appear to be much different from last year.  She said she would speak with Cynthia re: the library and Beth for a Town Report update.
·      Potential Articles: Trish asked the Board if they have their Articles yet.  This will affect the tax rate.  One is for the Recreation Fund - $25,000.  Ann said that George had mentioned reaching out to the engineer regarding Upper Michigan Road by Hopkins. Should we do an Article for that?  Ann said she would speak with George. Funding/Grants were brought up that relate to roads. 
·        Another potential Article would be the 1% Local Option Tax. Katie and Mark have been invited and accepted to discuss at the January Meeting.
·      Budget Summary Setting FY27 Tax Rate:  Trish said that the insurance and Library are not included right now.  The insurance, the road, the Rec Fund  is $700,000.  Add that to the total to be raised by taxes and the municipal rate is $.49.  This is close to FY24’s $.4815.  Ann said $25,000 for the Rec Fund and $50,000 for the road project.  The voters could say “no” to one or all of these.
Ann suggested going through the budget to see if there are any items that could be looked at again.  Discussion.
            Town Hall Reserve Fund was reduced from $16,000 to $8,000. 
             Quin-Town was reduced from $4,116 to $3,500.
              Financial Audit was reduced from $15,000 to $5,000.
            NEMRC Support was reduced from $1,74.97 to $1,375.56
Fire Truck Fund deposit reduced from $40,000 to $20,000
·      There was some general discussion about various items, but it was felt that they should be left alone. 
·      Joyce brought up the subject of hiring a part-time, year-round, person to assist George.  George does a fantastic job but some year, he will retire and the Town should be prepared by hiring someone so that George can train the person to do the important things that he does now, like keeping the trucks and equipment maintained and how he maintains the
Pittsfield Select Board Budget Meeting                                                                    page 3
December 9, 2025
 
roads during the year. The Town could hire a part-time employee.  Ann said additional funds could be added to the Temporary Employee so that a new line item would not have to be created.  The meaning of “temporary” was discussed.  The Town needs someone part-time.  Everyone agreed that the hourly wage would have to be increased.  AJ stated that currently George uses Dave Colton but George is going to have to find a year- round  person.  AJ suggested that for the ‘26/’27 budget the Temporary could be increased and that would get the person on board, at least, and the next year the Board could  budget a Part-time employee.  Joyce said that the Board should be thinking of someone who could be hired.
Currently the Temporary Help is budgeted at $5,250.  Trish calculated that at $25/hr and the current budget would equal 4hr/wk.  George would have until July ’26 to find someone but there’s enough money currently that he could hire someone anytime. It was suggested that FY’26/’25 budget $15,000.  That would enable George to hire a part-time person to work almost 12 hrs a week.  Trish told the Board what the Total General Fund and the Total Highway Fund result would be with this change.  She also said that with the additional $100,000, the tax rate would now be $.4676 reduced from $.49, and that’s with the Articles approved and George’s help.  The $100,000 includes Recreation, the Upper Michigan Road project, and insurance.  Joyce suggested asking George to call and get an estimate for the Upper Michigan road project, then we would know.  .  The topics for the next meeting were reviewed.  Trish said she would have everything ready for next week and Ann said she would have the Agenda, etc done.  Ann said she wouldn’t be present next week, but will be attending the WRVA meeting on December 11 to discuss their billing cycles.
 
ADJOURN:  As there was no further business to discuss, Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:27pm.  Joyce seconded.  All in favor.
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Budget & Regular Meeting  Tuesday, December 16, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
2.     Budget & Regular Meeting  Thursday, January 6, 2026  5:00pm  Town Office
 
 
Approved: _____December 16, 2025________                                                    Respectfully submitted,
 
 
                                                                                                Martha L. Beyersdorf
                                                                                                Select Board Secretary
 
 
____________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      AJ Ruben

​PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

 
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here:  https://bit.ly/3KIb6Ki
 
DATE: December 4, 2025
 
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben; Joyce Stevens via Teams
 
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: C3 – WRVA budget
 
MINUTES APPROVAL: November 20, 2025 Regular Meeting
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     EC Fiber – Report
2.     Act 250 – New Rules
3.     Budget – WRVA budget and meeting request
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Mt Wilcox Water – Liability Document
2.     Recreation – Playground Proposal Update
3.     LHMP – Update Process
4.     Building Maintenance
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.     Warrant – potential Articles for Town Meeting Warrant
2.     Finance – Treasurer’s Report for October
3.     Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a) (1) (E) possible civil litigation/prosecution
 
ADJOURN:
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Budget Meeting  December 9, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
2.     Budget & Regular Meeting  December 16, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
 
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:32pm. Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor. Joyce attended via Teams. Ann presented one Agenda Modification (see above). Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to accept the Minutes of the November 20, 2025 Regular Meeting. Joyce seconded.
 
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.     EC Fiber – Report. Ann said that Diane sent over a copy of the court order that denies Great Works Internet (GWI) seeking a preliminary injunction to stop efforts by EC Fiber’s new operating company, VISPO, from poaching its employees. They also wanted to have
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                     page 2
December 4, 2025
 
the court enforce two employees that were just hired by the Vermont ISP Operative Company, aka VISPO who had non-compete agreements. Ann wanted this correspondence to go on record.
2.     Act 250 – New Rules. Ann said that there are some changes to the Act 250 statute that the Board should be aware of. These may impact us and cause us to take some action as a Board. The Legislature has charged the Rules Committee with setting up a three-tier system that will trigger the process for Act 250 reviews. The legislature has also imposed something called a Road Rule which will go into effect on July 1, 2026. What that does is establish a jurisdictional trigger meaning that construction of roads and roads associated with driveways may have conditions that could trigger Act 250 in their development. Tier 1 includes areas with the capacity for growth where limited or no Act 250 will apply (village centers, downtowns, etc.).  Tier 3 is currently being developed for criteria so as to constitute a Tier 3 area. Tier 2 relates to all areas that are not Tier 1 or Tier 3. Existing jurisdictional thresholds will remain based on acreage, units, or lots created. It also includes construction based on the length of roads and driveways. We may have George and someone from the State review board visit with us or hold a public meeting.
3.     Budget - WRVA budget and meeting request. This includes their 2026 budget and also a copy of their 2025 budget. They would like to meet with Select Boards, Treasurers of each Town that they serve to try to figure out a way that they can call their budget year. Ann thought they were on a calendar year. What that does is create an issue for them as to how to impose the budget for their towns, particularly those towns like Pittsfield that operate on a fiscal year budget. Discussion. That meeting is on December 11th at 10:00am. AJ made some suggestions.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
1.     Mt Wilcox Water – Liability Document. Ann said that she dropped the document off at CV Oil for Greg with directions to drop it off at the Town Office. He has to sign it in her presence and then there is the recording fee. AJ made a motion that the Town pay the recording fee. Seconded by Ann. All in favor.
2.     Recreation – Playground Proposal Update. Ann asked if there was any word from Jake regarding  this. Neither AJ nor Joyce had anything. AJ said he would try again.
3.     LHMP – Update Process. Ann reviewed this as to whether or not the Board would take this on. She said she spoke with TRORC as to who the Board could deal with, either TRORC or Vermont Emergency Management, as to what the process is. She said she received some links and the person’s name that we would be dealing with. She said she looked at all of the information, and they have a local mitigation planning handbook, which is 243 pages, which guides municipalities on all the things that have to be done to update the LHP. New standards in June, 2025. Ann felt this was a lot of paperwork and meetings. The Planning Commission worked on the previous one and they worked on it for six or seven
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                     page 3
December 4, 2025
 
months. Ann said that her concern was that the current Planning Commission members are new and she wasn’t sure it would be appropriate to take the lead on this. Discussion. AJ said he felt they should be involved and nothing should be done without their involvement. Joyce asked where the $3,500 would come from to cover the Town’s cost. AJ suggested that the Board invite the Planning Commission to the next meeting, and that we give them all the manuals, etc. and the cost involved. Ann reminded the Board that this has to happen this fiscal year as soon as possible. The LHMP expires on January 31, 2026. AJ moved that the Board table this until the information can be transmitted to the Planning Commission and invite them to see if they want to take this on or at least discuss it. There was some discussion regarding the source of the funds. Ann said there was the Contingency Fund and funds from the CD interests that have been received. Ann seconded AJ’s motion. All in favor. The date for the invitation was discussed. It was felt that an early January meeting would be best as the December 16th meetings have a lot that needs to be dealt with. Ann also said she may not be able to attend the 16th meeting.
4.     Building Maintenance. Joyce didn’t have anything to discuss. Ann asked Joyce if she was able to speak with Johanna about cleaning the Town Hall. Joyce said didn’t but would check in with her.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
1.     Warrant – potential Articles for Town Meeting Warrant. Ann said she was aware of two potential Articles. One is the 1% Local Options Tax. She said she did some research and found some statistical data. She highlighted some of the information. Discussion. AJ expressed concern about doing it without more information. He would like to hear from those who are affected. Joyce reminded the Board that they received notice a year ago. Joyce reminded the Board that budget meetings are being held and no one has shown interest in coming to a meeting. AJ suggested inviting Katie Stiles and Mark Stugart and Joyce to a meeting. The Secretary has been asked to invite Katie and Mark to the next meeting.
Ann’s second potential Article was regarding the playground. AJ said that we know it’s going to cost at least 100,000+ and there’s only $20,000 or $30,000 currently in the fund. We know we will need more even if we get grant money. He felt it was saft to ask the Town for $20-30,000 and say it’s for playground equipment and the Select Board will make sure it moves forward if there’s no committee to make it happen. Joyce agreed. Ann expressed her concern that the Board asks the Town for money but then not spend it. She said she would feel better about asking taxpayers to fund the playground if we could show them, for instance, that the playground is just a small, but expensive, section of the area. Estimates have been received from Dave Colton regarding the creation of the ring. She said she would like to show a project schedule for the entire area. AJ said that if we don’t get the money, then we won’t be able to make any progress again for next year. He then said that he will personally commit to trying to move the project forward without the committee if he can’t get them to help. He said there needs to be discussion at Town
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes                                                     page 4
December 4, 2025
 
Meeting about the need  for people to do the work. The Board has heard repeatedly that this is a priority for the Town so it just can’t be 2 or 3 people. AJ said that we should tentatively request for $25,000 for the playground demolition and rebuilding and focus on the playground and nothing else. If the Town says “no” because the committee hasn’t shown enough progress, then so be it. Ann said that we also need to show that we looked at different ways to finance this type of project. AJ said that there also might be grant funds, but without a functional committee, we don’t have the ability to do that.
2.     Finance – Treasurer’s Report for October. Ann moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for October. AJ seconded. All in favor.
 
Ann adjourned the Regular meeting to enter into Executive Session at 6:12pm for a very brief update on possible litigation. AJ seconded. All in favor.
 
3.     Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a) (1) (E) possible civil litigation/prosecution
 
ADJOURN:
Ann moved to adjourn from Executive Session and resume the Regular meeting at 6:22pm. Seconded by Joyce . All in favor. Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:22pm. AJ seconded. All in Favor.
 
NEXT MEETING DATES:
1.     Budget Meeting  December 9, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
2.     Budget & Regular Meeting  December 16, 2025  5:00pm  Town Office
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Approved __December 16, 2025__________                               Martha L. Beyersdorf
Select Board Secretary
 
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig                                        Joyce Stevens                                      AJ Ruben