PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/4fK11Yn (no audio)
DATE: August 14, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben -absent
PUBLIC PRESENT:
MINUTES APPROVAL: July 17, 2025 Special Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Draft Act 250 Tier 1 Framework
2.GMNF Hut Comment Period
3.EC Fiber Report
4.Ethics Commission Sessions
5.Chittenden LHMP draft
Old Business:
1.MERP Grant Historical Review Approval
2.Dog Ordinance Update
3.Town Fence Installation
4.Charge VT Update
5.Local Option Tax Notice
6.Ice Cream Social Charges
7.Grand List Revision Process
8.Mt Wilcox Water System Update
9.Town Hall Chairs
10.CD Renewals Update
11.Building Maintenance
New Business:
1.Kuendig Resignation & Colton Lister Appointment
2.Treasurer’s Report-FY 25 Financials
3.Town Clerk’s Office Computer Monitor Request
4.Playground Proposal
5.Executive Session. 1 V.S.A. 313 (a) (1) (E). possible civil litigation/prosecution
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:54pm as IT issues prevented the Secretary from joining remotely through TEAMS. Ann moved to amend the July 17, 2025 minutes by editing the tax rate under NB #2 to .4155. Joyce moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ann seconded.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 2
August 14, 2025
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Draft Act 250 Tier 1 Framework-VLCT sent to members the Draft Framework for municipalities to apply for Tier 1A or 1B land use regulations that would allow certain ACT 250 exemptions for housing in designated village centers. Ann said she would forward to the Planning Commission for follow-up.
2.GMNF Hut Comment Period-The GMNF sent notice of an invitation to comment on a proposed hut to be built in the Middlebury Ranger District.
3.EC Fiber Report- Pittsfield’s representative Diane Deautch submitted two reports from the EC Fiber board. One that questions whether EC Fiber has the capacity to install underground transmission lines now that GMP is beginning to bury transmission lines and the other a press release on the successful outcome of a lawsuit filed against the internet provider.
4.Ethics Commission Sessions- The State Ethics Commission is hosting two listening sessions for municipalities to get feedback on providing municipal services. The next session will be announced in September.
5.Chittenden LHMP draft-Announcement for surrounding communities that Chittenden is launching the process of updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Old Business:
6.Ice Cream Social Charges- Ann says there has been no response from Mr- Ding-A-Ling to document the overage charges for the ice cream social. Ann proposed taking the franchise operator to small claims court. Joyce said it sounded like a good idea.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
July 17, 2025
7.Grand List Revision Process- Jeremy reported that according to the PVR District Advisor, Pittsfield will be responsible for an extra $4,913 in state taxes, due to an incorrect number in Utility evaluation that was applied to the Grand List. The Board is discussing paying this tax bill with budget surplus funds.
8.Mt Wilcox Water System Update- Ann received state documents on the Mt Wilcox Water system that show the last inspections conducted on the system and diagrams of where to locate the pipes that connect the four springs to the valve/chlorination pump house. The Board discussed getting an estimate on capping the lines and shutting down the system. Joyce will reach out to Harvey’s for an estimate.
9.Town Hall Chairs- It was agreed that the board get rid of 23 old wooden chairs at town hall. Joyce would like to buy 6 chairs for $5 apiece, Randy Strong would like 4 for $5 apiece and Trish would like 5 to use at Town Office. Funds will go into the Town Hall Reserve Fund.
10.CD Renewals Update: Ann moved to approve the updated CD renewal plan. Joyce seconded. Contingency 2CD's to 1 CD - 13 week $87, 605.28 @3.78% (with $1,000 added)
Record Preservation/Reappraisal 13 week $66,486.32 @3.78% (with $1,500 added from Record Preservation) Record $$17,338.5/Reappraisal $47,647.74 interest that was earned on the last CD's was :Contingency 6mo was $759.70, 3mo was $436.32
Reappraisal $463.64/Record Pres. $168.72
11.Building Maintenance: court surfacing and line painting scheduled to be completed in two weeks. Veilleux Construction has finished Town Hall exterior repairs-window sill, clapboards and installed rain gutter. Once bill has been submitted and paid, Ann will submit for MERP grant reimbursement.
New Business:
1.Kuendig Resignation & Colton Lister Appointment-The board accepted Herb Kuendig’s resignation as Lister and appointed Jonathan Colton to serve out his term until the next Town Meeting. Herb’s term is up in 2027.
2.Treasurer’s Report-FY 25 Financials- tabled until first budget meeting
3.Town Clerk’s Office Computer Monitor Request-removed per Town Clerk’s request
4.Playground Proposal-Board reviewed a proposal for new playground structures and swing set from Obrien & Sons. For an estimated cost of $134,264,000 ($43,860 for installation site work) Board will discuss with Recreation Commission breaking the purchase into separate projects, discounts for work to be performed by town and whether company offers financing.
5.Executive Session. 1 V.S.A. 313 (a) (1) (E). possible civil litigation/prosecution- Ann moved to enter Executive session at 7:07pm. Joyce seconded.
Ann moved to exit Executive session and reenter regular session at 7:48. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49. Joyce seconded, All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 5:30pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: ___September 4. 2025_______________ Martha L. Beyersdorf
s/Ann Kuendig s/Joyce Stevens AJ Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/4fK11Yn (no audio)
DATE: August 14, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben -absent
PUBLIC PRESENT:
MINUTES APPROVAL: July 17, 2025 Special Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Draft Act 250 Tier 1 Framework
2.GMNF Hut Comment Period
3.EC Fiber Report
4.Ethics Commission Sessions
5.Chittenden LHMP draft
Old Business:
1.MERP Grant Historical Review Approval
2.Dog Ordinance Update
3.Town Fence Installation
4.Charge VT Update
5.Local Option Tax Notice
6.Ice Cream Social Charges
7.Grand List Revision Process
8.Mt Wilcox Water System Update
9.Town Hall Chairs
10.CD Renewals Update
11.Building Maintenance
New Business:
1.Kuendig Resignation & Colton Lister Appointment
2.Treasurer’s Report-FY 25 Financials
3.Town Clerk’s Office Computer Monitor Request
4.Playground Proposal
5.Executive Session. 1 V.S.A. 313 (a) (1) (E). possible civil litigation/prosecution
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:54pm as IT issues prevented the Secretary from joining remotely through TEAMS. Ann moved to amend the July 17, 2025 minutes by editing the tax rate under NB #2 to .4155. Joyce moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ann seconded.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting page 2
August 14, 2025
CORRESPONDENCE:
1.Draft Act 250 Tier 1 Framework-VLCT sent to members the Draft Framework for municipalities to apply for Tier 1A or 1B land use regulations that would allow certain ACT 250 exemptions for housing in designated village centers. Ann said she would forward to the Planning Commission for follow-up.
2.GMNF Hut Comment Period-The GMNF sent notice of an invitation to comment on a proposed hut to be built in the Middlebury Ranger District.
3.EC Fiber Report- Pittsfield’s representative Diane Deautch submitted two reports from the EC Fiber board. One that questions whether EC Fiber has the capacity to install underground transmission lines now that GMP is beginning to bury transmission lines and the other a press release on the successful outcome of a lawsuit filed against the internet provider.
4.Ethics Commission Sessions- The State Ethics Commission is hosting two listening sessions for municipalities to get feedback on providing municipal services. The next session will be announced in September.
5.Chittenden LHMP draft-Announcement for surrounding communities that Chittenden is launching the process of updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Old Business:
- MERP Grant Historical Review Approval- Will Ganslie from the Historic Preservation Board reviewed Pittsfields application on proposed energy projects for Town Office such as replacing windows and doors, installing heat pumps. The Board approved the replacement of all double hung windows in Town Office and the Library except those in the front vestibule. Copies of the approved application given to Joyce and the Town Clerk’s Office.
- Dog Ordinance Update-tabled until AJ can report on efforts to serve tickets on potential violators.
- Town Fence Installation- Ann submitted second estimate from Rutland Fence Company on installing the steel fence at the firehouse. After Greg Martin voiced his concerns to Todd Webster about the fence standing up to snowpack, reinforcements were added to increase the estimate from $3,300 to $7,300. Ann proposed going with the original installation proposal and taking out replacement property insurance on the fence should the fence get damaged by snowpack or trucks backing up. Action tabled until next meeting. Ann will get two estimates from two other fence companies.
- Charge VT Update- Joyce will reach out to A Plus and another commercial electrician to get estimates for drafting an implementation plan to be reviewed by Charge VT.
6.Ice Cream Social Charges- Ann says there has been no response from Mr- Ding-A-Ling to document the overage charges for the ice cream social. Ann proposed taking the franchise operator to small claims court. Joyce said it sounded like a good idea.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
July 17, 2025
7.Grand List Revision Process- Jeremy reported that according to the PVR District Advisor, Pittsfield will be responsible for an extra $4,913 in state taxes, due to an incorrect number in Utility evaluation that was applied to the Grand List. The Board is discussing paying this tax bill with budget surplus funds.
8.Mt Wilcox Water System Update- Ann received state documents on the Mt Wilcox Water system that show the last inspections conducted on the system and diagrams of where to locate the pipes that connect the four springs to the valve/chlorination pump house. The Board discussed getting an estimate on capping the lines and shutting down the system. Joyce will reach out to Harvey’s for an estimate.
9.Town Hall Chairs- It was agreed that the board get rid of 23 old wooden chairs at town hall. Joyce would like to buy 6 chairs for $5 apiece, Randy Strong would like 4 for $5 apiece and Trish would like 5 to use at Town Office. Funds will go into the Town Hall Reserve Fund.
10.CD Renewals Update: Ann moved to approve the updated CD renewal plan. Joyce seconded. Contingency 2CD's to 1 CD - 13 week $87, 605.28 @3.78% (with $1,000 added)
Record Preservation/Reappraisal 13 week $66,486.32 @3.78% (with $1,500 added from Record Preservation) Record $$17,338.5/Reappraisal $47,647.74 interest that was earned on the last CD's was :Contingency 6mo was $759.70, 3mo was $436.32
Reappraisal $463.64/Record Pres. $168.72
11.Building Maintenance: court surfacing and line painting scheduled to be completed in two weeks. Veilleux Construction has finished Town Hall exterior repairs-window sill, clapboards and installed rain gutter. Once bill has been submitted and paid, Ann will submit for MERP grant reimbursement.
New Business:
1.Kuendig Resignation & Colton Lister Appointment-The board accepted Herb Kuendig’s resignation as Lister and appointed Jonathan Colton to serve out his term until the next Town Meeting. Herb’s term is up in 2027.
2.Treasurer’s Report-FY 25 Financials- tabled until first budget meeting
3.Town Clerk’s Office Computer Monitor Request-removed per Town Clerk’s request
4.Playground Proposal-Board reviewed a proposal for new playground structures and swing set from Obrien & Sons. For an estimated cost of $134,264,000 ($43,860 for installation site work) Board will discuss with Recreation Commission breaking the purchase into separate projects, discounts for work to be performed by town and whether company offers financing.
5.Executive Session. 1 V.S.A. 313 (a) (1) (E). possible civil litigation/prosecution- Ann moved to enter Executive session at 7:07pm. Joyce seconded.
Ann moved to exit Executive session and reenter regular session at 7:48. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:49. Joyce seconded, All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 5:30pm Town Hall
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: ___September 4. 2025_______________ Martha L. Beyersdorf
s/Ann Kuendig s/Joyce Stevens AJ Ruben
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