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
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
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