PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/44eg9rT
DATE: June 19, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben; Joyce Stevens via TEAMS
PUBLIC PRESENT: State Rep. Jim Harrison
MINUTES APPROVAL: June 5, Regular Meeting
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:
1. NB#6 – Rep. Harrison’s Legislative Update
2. NB#7 – Reappraisal Order Response
3. NB#8 – Appointment Library Trustee
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. GMNF – Telephone Gap Alternative Approval
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Event – Colton/Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social
2. Town Office – Computer Monitors and Cameras
3. Grant – MERP Grant Historical Review Application
4. Dog – Dog Ordinance
5. Assistant Clerk – new job description
6. Town Property – Fence Installation
7. Building Maintenance
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Benefits – Employee Education
2. VT Auditor – State Auditor’s Financial Disclosure Checklist
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for May
4. Town Property – rental request for tables/chairs
5. Select Board – Summer Schedule
6. Legislative Report – Rep. James Harrison
7. Reappraisal – Order response
8. Appointment – Library Trustee
9. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (e) possible civil litigation/prosecution
ADJOURNMENT:
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
June 19, 2025
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Town Hall @5:30pm
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:27pm. AJ seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to accept the Minutes of the June 5th meeting. Ann seconded. All in favor. She added that Rep. Harrison will be coming around 6pm to present a report on the closing session of the Legislature. Ann moved to take Rep. Harrison out of order when he arrives. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. GMNF – Telephone Gap Alternative Approval. Ann said that this includes locations and complaints. Ann will ask Trish to post this on the front page of the website because the links are included in the letter, and it would make it easier for people to see all the documents.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Event – Colton/Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social. Ann said that she has reserved an ice cream truck for Sunday’s event. There was a $30 downpayment plus $40 for the driver and $300 for the ice cream. If that sum is gone over, then the ice cream is priced individually and added to the bill. Ann made a motion to pay $370. AJ seconded. All in favor.
Ann said that she had ordered a brass plaque to be inscribed. It will be placed on the tree dedicated to Ray Colton in honor of his 50 years of public service. The cost was $134.83 plus $20 rush for a total of $154.96. The source of the funding was discussed. Ann made a motion to pay for the ice cream from the Recreation Fund and the plaque from the Parks & Grounds Fund is there is enough money. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
Ann said that she had received a letter from the Governor to present to Ray.
The Board would like someone to function as an emcee, preferably someone who has worked with Ray. George Deblon was suggested. Ann said she would speak with him.
2. Town Office – Computer Monitors and Cameras. Ann said that the Board had discussed at the last meeting the purchase of two monitors for the Listers and Assistant Town Clerk equipped with camera and speakers. Ann said that she spoke with Bryan from Saguaro Technologies about the cameras. Trish is now asking for five monitors for the price of $1,271. 87 because the monitors are over four years old. Joyce felt that was too many and suggested four as the Listers only needed one monitor. Discussion. AJ felt that if there was money available, then purchase them. Also discussed was the creation of a replacement schedule, with replacing the oldest monitor first to stagger budget expenses. It was decided to let Trish work out the replacement schedule. Ann said that Brian previously recommended getting 2 new ones this year with cameras. Ann moved to approve the purchase of two monitors and two cameras. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
3. Grant – MERP Grant Historical Review Application. This is in regard to the MERP project replacement of 23 counterweighted double-hung windows on the North, South West sides of the building and two front doors.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
June 19, 2025
The building is located within a Historic District. Ann said that she chose the preliminary conceptual review to submit the Vision Builders estimate plus the pages in the Energy assessment that pertain to the windows and doors. Ann went on to explain what was going to be done or exempted. The deadline is July 1, 2025. The replacements will be the same size and shape, but replacing them with fiberglass instead of wood.
Dog – Dog Ordinance. AJ is still working with Doug Mianulli as to what dog/s remain unlicensed. AJ will call Doug for an update for the next meeting.
4. Assistant Clerk – new job description. The new revised job description was presented. Ann moved to sign the new job description for the Assistant Town Clerk. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
5. Town Property – Fence Installation. Ann is waiting on an estimate from a Rutland fence company for installation of the firehouse fence sections. Will put on next regular agenda.
6. Building Maintenance. AJ told the Board about the dirty oven and unstable shelf issues in the Town Hall basement. The shelves are unable to hold the weight of dishes. Ann suggested putting some of the plates in a tote and storing them. Also, some of the glassware. AJ said that at the last recreation meeting, he told Dave and Jake that the Board was authorizing them to go forward and get the sealing done and paint the lines on the basketball/pickleball court. Ann moved to approve Walker estimate for yearly maintenance check of two Town Office AC units for $400. AJ seconded. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Benefits – Employee Education. Ann said that the only employee education fund was in the general fund and $500 is allocated for town officials to attend seminars or webinars. It was suggested that the employees look into webinars vs conferences located some distance away requiring plane fare, hotel expense, and time working. There is nothing in the budget to address any of this. The library’s budget was discussed. There is nothing in the library budget that pertains to employee education. This information needs to be conveyed to the Library. AJ moved to convey to the Library Trustees that attending conferences or functions costing money is not a good idea. The Board felt that they should attend a Library Trustee meeting. The Board asked the Secretary to send a letter to the Librarian explaining that funding is not budgeted for and therefore not available.
2. VT Auditor – State Auditor’s Financial Disclosure Checklist. Ann said that this is something the Secretary of State requires municipalities to do every year. Ann made a motion to sign and return this to Trish. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for May. Ann moved to accept. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Town Property – rental request for tables/chairs. A request has been made to rent 7-8 tables and 30-34 chairs for August. Ann said that there is currently no policy for this other than for used by residents. Discussion about accepting a donation in lieu of a fee for the Pittsfield
Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 4
June 19, 2025
rental. The request is from Stockbridge. It was suggested handing these on a case-by-case basis. A Select Board member would need to be present at time of pick up as well as return. Joyce says she can coordinate this. Ann said she would email the requestor asking for a $50 donation. Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor.
4. Select Board – Summer Schedule. Discussion. Ann explained that the Board usually has a meeting in early July to set the tax rate. It was suggested that when Trish receives the information she needs, that we call a Special Meeting. AJ will be away, so it will just be Ann and Joyce. The regular July meeting will be held on Thursday, July 17th at 5:30pm. The regular August meeting will be August 14th at 5:30pm. Ann moved to accept these dates. AJ seconded. All in favor. The schedule twice a month will resume in September.
5. Legislative Report – Rep. James Harrison. Rep. Harrison said that it ended last Monday evening. It went two weeks longer due to the Education issue. He said that he presented “A Road Map” to see what is upcoming. There will be a task force made up of some former educators and legislators who will come up with three options for the legislature to consider next year for new district lines. He added that the Speaker spent more time with the Governor than in the past. Jim said that the budget was passed earlier. Usually, it is the last topic to vote on. Vermont does depend on Washington’s funding. Healthcare is expensive. They tried to cap drug costs. They targeted tax relief for low-income families and veterans. Housing was a large topic. There is a new financing tool to help infrastructure. Community Housing Investment Program. Also mentioned were changes to Social Security and child credits. He summed up the meeting with 82 passed bills and 4 vetoes. There were no veto overrides. The Open Meeting Law was tweeked to include the issue of disruption of meetings. He then made himself available for questions from the Board. AJ asked if there were any instances where conflict was involved. This seemed to be something new. Ann said that the Board had previously signed the Code of Ethics. But she said that the Commission of Ethics has no money to operate. Jim explained a bit about this. He also said that in the future if a resolution is requested by a Town, request it at the beginning or middle of a session rather than at the end. The Board appreciated Rep. Harrison’s attendance tonight.
6. Reappraisal – Order response. Ann said that Lister Jeremy sent over a letter from the Department of Taxes saying that Pittsfield is required to reappraise the education grand list properties because our coefficient od dispersion (COD) id below 20%. this states we are required to order a reappraisal if the COD is below 20%. She said that the Listers are currently requesting bids. There was some discussion on funding that can be addressed during budget meetings. Ann moved to sign the response. AJ seconded. All in favor.
7. Appointment – Library Trustee. Ann said the Library Board has informed us that Beth Stanton has expressed an interest in assuming the remainder of Betty Warner’s term as a Library Trustee. Ann moved to appoint Beth Stanton to fulfill Betty’s term which is up in March 2026. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 5
June 19, 2025
8. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (e) possible civil litigation/prosecution. Ann moved to close the regular portion of the meeting at 7:11pm and to open the Executive Session.
Ann adjourned from Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 7:25pm. Ann moved that a cease and desist and no trespass letter be drafted and sent to a Hawk Mountain homeowner. AJ seconded. All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:26pm. AJ seconded. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Town Hall @5:30pm
Approved: July 17, 2025 Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/44eg9rT
DATE: June 19, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben; Joyce Stevens via TEAMS
PUBLIC PRESENT: State Rep. Jim Harrison
MINUTES APPROVAL: June 5, Regular Meeting
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:
1. NB#6 – Rep. Harrison’s Legislative Update
2. NB#7 – Reappraisal Order Response
3. NB#8 – Appointment Library Trustee
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. GMNF – Telephone Gap Alternative Approval
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Event – Colton/Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social
2. Town Office – Computer Monitors and Cameras
3. Grant – MERP Grant Historical Review Application
4. Dog – Dog Ordinance
5. Assistant Clerk – new job description
6. Town Property – Fence Installation
7. Building Maintenance
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Benefits – Employee Education
2. VT Auditor – State Auditor’s Financial Disclosure Checklist
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for May
4. Town Property – rental request for tables/chairs
5. Select Board – Summer Schedule
6. Legislative Report – Rep. James Harrison
7. Reappraisal – Order response
8. Appointment – Library Trustee
9. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (e) possible civil litigation/prosecution
ADJOURNMENT:
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
June 19, 2025
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Town Hall @5:30pm
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:27pm. AJ seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to accept the Minutes of the June 5th meeting. Ann seconded. All in favor. She added that Rep. Harrison will be coming around 6pm to present a report on the closing session of the Legislature. Ann moved to take Rep. Harrison out of order when he arrives. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. GMNF – Telephone Gap Alternative Approval. Ann said that this includes locations and complaints. Ann will ask Trish to post this on the front page of the website because the links are included in the letter, and it would make it easier for people to see all the documents.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Event – Colton/Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social. Ann said that she has reserved an ice cream truck for Sunday’s event. There was a $30 downpayment plus $40 for the driver and $300 for the ice cream. If that sum is gone over, then the ice cream is priced individually and added to the bill. Ann made a motion to pay $370. AJ seconded. All in favor.
Ann said that she had ordered a brass plaque to be inscribed. It will be placed on the tree dedicated to Ray Colton in honor of his 50 years of public service. The cost was $134.83 plus $20 rush for a total of $154.96. The source of the funding was discussed. Ann made a motion to pay for the ice cream from the Recreation Fund and the plaque from the Parks & Grounds Fund is there is enough money. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
Ann said that she had received a letter from the Governor to present to Ray.
The Board would like someone to function as an emcee, preferably someone who has worked with Ray. George Deblon was suggested. Ann said she would speak with him.
2. Town Office – Computer Monitors and Cameras. Ann said that the Board had discussed at the last meeting the purchase of two monitors for the Listers and Assistant Town Clerk equipped with camera and speakers. Ann said that she spoke with Bryan from Saguaro Technologies about the cameras. Trish is now asking for five monitors for the price of $1,271. 87 because the monitors are over four years old. Joyce felt that was too many and suggested four as the Listers only needed one monitor. Discussion. AJ felt that if there was money available, then purchase them. Also discussed was the creation of a replacement schedule, with replacing the oldest monitor first to stagger budget expenses. It was decided to let Trish work out the replacement schedule. Ann said that Brian previously recommended getting 2 new ones this year with cameras. Ann moved to approve the purchase of two monitors and two cameras. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
3. Grant – MERP Grant Historical Review Application. This is in regard to the MERP project replacement of 23 counterweighted double-hung windows on the North, South West sides of the building and two front doors.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
June 19, 2025
The building is located within a Historic District. Ann said that she chose the preliminary conceptual review to submit the Vision Builders estimate plus the pages in the Energy assessment that pertain to the windows and doors. Ann went on to explain what was going to be done or exempted. The deadline is July 1, 2025. The replacements will be the same size and shape, but replacing them with fiberglass instead of wood.
Dog – Dog Ordinance. AJ is still working with Doug Mianulli as to what dog/s remain unlicensed. AJ will call Doug for an update for the next meeting.
4. Assistant Clerk – new job description. The new revised job description was presented. Ann moved to sign the new job description for the Assistant Town Clerk. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
5. Town Property – Fence Installation. Ann is waiting on an estimate from a Rutland fence company for installation of the firehouse fence sections. Will put on next regular agenda.
6. Building Maintenance. AJ told the Board about the dirty oven and unstable shelf issues in the Town Hall basement. The shelves are unable to hold the weight of dishes. Ann suggested putting some of the plates in a tote and storing them. Also, some of the glassware. AJ said that at the last recreation meeting, he told Dave and Jake that the Board was authorizing them to go forward and get the sealing done and paint the lines on the basketball/pickleball court. Ann moved to approve Walker estimate for yearly maintenance check of two Town Office AC units for $400. AJ seconded. All in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Benefits – Employee Education. Ann said that the only employee education fund was in the general fund and $500 is allocated for town officials to attend seminars or webinars. It was suggested that the employees look into webinars vs conferences located some distance away requiring plane fare, hotel expense, and time working. There is nothing in the budget to address any of this. The library’s budget was discussed. There is nothing in the library budget that pertains to employee education. This information needs to be conveyed to the Library. AJ moved to convey to the Library Trustees that attending conferences or functions costing money is not a good idea. The Board felt that they should attend a Library Trustee meeting. The Board asked the Secretary to send a letter to the Librarian explaining that funding is not budgeted for and therefore not available.
2. VT Auditor – State Auditor’s Financial Disclosure Checklist. Ann said that this is something the Secretary of State requires municipalities to do every year. Ann made a motion to sign and return this to Trish. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
3. Finance – Treasurer’s Report for May. Ann moved to accept. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Town Property – rental request for tables/chairs. A request has been made to rent 7-8 tables and 30-34 chairs for August. Ann said that there is currently no policy for this other than for used by residents. Discussion about accepting a donation in lieu of a fee for the Pittsfield
Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 4
June 19, 2025
rental. The request is from Stockbridge. It was suggested handing these on a case-by-case basis. A Select Board member would need to be present at time of pick up as well as return. Joyce says she can coordinate this. Ann said she would email the requestor asking for a $50 donation. Ann moved to accept. AJ seconded. All in favor.
4. Select Board – Summer Schedule. Discussion. Ann explained that the Board usually has a meeting in early July to set the tax rate. It was suggested that when Trish receives the information she needs, that we call a Special Meeting. AJ will be away, so it will just be Ann and Joyce. The regular July meeting will be held on Thursday, July 17th at 5:30pm. The regular August meeting will be August 14th at 5:30pm. Ann moved to accept these dates. AJ seconded. All in favor. The schedule twice a month will resume in September.
5. Legislative Report – Rep. James Harrison. Rep. Harrison said that it ended last Monday evening. It went two weeks longer due to the Education issue. He said that he presented “A Road Map” to see what is upcoming. There will be a task force made up of some former educators and legislators who will come up with three options for the legislature to consider next year for new district lines. He added that the Speaker spent more time with the Governor than in the past. Jim said that the budget was passed earlier. Usually, it is the last topic to vote on. Vermont does depend on Washington’s funding. Healthcare is expensive. They tried to cap drug costs. They targeted tax relief for low-income families and veterans. Housing was a large topic. There is a new financing tool to help infrastructure. Community Housing Investment Program. Also mentioned were changes to Social Security and child credits. He summed up the meeting with 82 passed bills and 4 vetoes. There were no veto overrides. The Open Meeting Law was tweeked to include the issue of disruption of meetings. He then made himself available for questions from the Board. AJ asked if there were any instances where conflict was involved. This seemed to be something new. Ann said that the Board had previously signed the Code of Ethics. But she said that the Commission of Ethics has no money to operate. Jim explained a bit about this. He also said that in the future if a resolution is requested by a Town, request it at the beginning or middle of a session rather than at the end. The Board appreciated Rep. Harrison’s attendance tonight.
6. Reappraisal – Order response. Ann said that Lister Jeremy sent over a letter from the Department of Taxes saying that Pittsfield is required to reappraise the education grand list properties because our coefficient od dispersion (COD) id below 20%. this states we are required to order a reappraisal if the COD is below 20%. She said that the Listers are currently requesting bids. There was some discussion on funding that can be addressed during budget meetings. Ann moved to sign the response. AJ seconded. All in favor.
7. Appointment – Library Trustee. Ann said the Library Board has informed us that Beth Stanton has expressed an interest in assuming the remainder of Betty Warner’s term as a Library Trustee. Ann moved to appoint Beth Stanton to fulfill Betty’s term which is up in March 2026. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 5
June 19, 2025
8. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 313 (1) (e) possible civil litigation/prosecution. Ann moved to close the regular portion of the meeting at 7:11pm and to open the Executive Session.
Ann adjourned from Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting at 7:25pm. Ann moved that a cease and desist and no trespass letter be drafted and sent to a Hawk Mountain homeowner. AJ seconded. All in favor.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:26pm. AJ seconded. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Town Hall @5:30pm
Approved: July 17, 2025 Respectfully submitted,
Martha L. Beyersdorf
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A.J. Ruben
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