PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click: https://bit.ly/4iBvpoC
DATE: March 20, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben, Joyce Stevens (via TEAMS)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Katie Stiles, Mark Stugart, Janice Stumpf
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: delete NB#2 – Town Hall: Windows
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MINUTES APPROVAL: March 6, 2025 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Dept of Public Safety – Draft Report
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office
2. Town Hall – Windows
3. Tax Sale – Properties
4. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics
5. Building Maintenance – Update
6. MERP – Projects
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax
2. Finances – February Treasurer’s Report
3. Dog Ordinance – Ticket Procedure Policy
4. Contractors – Bid List
5. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §213 1 (E) Civil Litigation
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, April 3, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
ADJOURN:
Ann called the meeting of the Pittsfield Select Board to order at 5:35pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. She said that there was one Agenda Modification – NB#2 Town Hall Windows request from Patty Haskins has been withdrawn. AJ seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to accept Minutes from March 6, 2025. Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Ann moved to take NB#1 and OB#2 out of order to the top of the agenda. AJ seconded. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Dept of Public Safety – Draft Report. Ann explained that this is a preliminary draft report by the task force that has been asked by the legislature to develop a new E911 dispatch system. This is basically a two-year project. She said she forwarded this to the Fire Department. The Public Safety department would like comments back by March 28th. A link will be posted on the bulletin board.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
March 20, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office. Ann said that she did some follow-up and had not heard back from Susan Davidson or Craig Westling. She will post the vacancies on Facebook. She asked if a particular citizen might be considered for a particular position but hasn’t been contacted. She also didn’t know if the Rutland County Solid Waste District was still active.
2. Town Hall – Windows. Withdrawn by Patty Haskins.
3. Tax Sale – Properties. Ann asked Janice what types of contact she has had with the taxpayers in question. Discussion. The big question was, would it be worth it to go ahead with tax sales for small amounts that are still due after three years. Options, such as selling to an adjacent property owner or donating the land to the Town were discussed. The Board felt that taking these properties to a tax sale would be expensive and they were hoping that Janice could do something to avoid this. The Board thanked Janice for her work and said she is doing a terrific job. She was thanked for coming to tonight’s meeting and requested that they be kept informed.
4. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics. Ann said that she reached out to VLCT and asked the legal question. She said that right now the Town has a Code of Ethics Policy as well as a policy for handling ethics complaints against municipal officers. The legislature took back the authority from municipalities so they could produce one of their own. The suggestion is that the town rescind their current policy, then post the Municipal Code of Ethics passed by the legislature. Ann explained that this would replace the current policy and a vote to adopt would not be needed. She went on to explain that what needs to be done now is to produce an ordinance which spells out the enforcement procedure for handing ethics complaints and then approve the ordinance. Basically, it’s an updated ordinance which means that it has to be approved, document when it was approved, take an ad out in the paper, post it, and wait 60 days for it to go into effect. Ann moved that the Board rescind the current policy regarding conflicts of interest and ethical conduct for the Town of Pittsfield. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to post the Municipal Code of Ethics. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Discussion. It was decided to table the approval of the draft to next meeting. This would apply to all municipal officers plus post it on the Town’s Website. Joyce suggested that Trish make up a sheet to obtain all signatures. The State ethics board has also produced a video training webinar on their website. This code applies to all municipal offices. The remainder of this is tabled until the next meeting when all of this is together as packet with everyone’s signatures attached. Ann added that there is a whistleblower protection which the legislature came up with and they require that this be posted for employees to see.
5. Building Maintenance – update. Joyce said she saw the Town Office before she left town. She said that she is fairly sure that Denis has completed his work and now Nate is coming to do the lighting in the entrance and rest of the locations. Ann asked if an itemized estimate was available for inside and outside from Denis. It wasn’t yet. Joyce said that she also reached out to Wilk Paving regarding the basketball court. The survey estimates for the Fire house property aren’t in yet, but Joyce said she would tend to that when she returns.
6. MERP – Projects. Ann said she and Joyce met and went over the list in the report and listed the Contractors. Estimates will be started to be collected and added to the file.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax. Ann said that Katie was joining the meeting to discuss the impact of the Town Meeting vote to approve the 1% local option tax on meals, beverages, and rooms. Katie said that it was understood that they would have a 30-day window to collect signatures and challenge this. She wanted
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
March 20, 2025
to know a little more about how the decision was made. She said that she knew from Town Meeting, that businesses were consulted, and that people were in favor of it. She added that they were not consulted . AJ said she wasn’t aware that they had not been spoken to. Katie wanted to get a sense of what businesses were spoken to and how the information was collected and shared. Joyce said that she felt that there was a mistake in the wording, and she thought there wouldn’t be much of an impact on her business. She wanted to know how the tax would work. Ann said that the Town is trying to diversify revenue sources so that the taxpayers don’t have to produce the whole tax. Katie felt that this was just another hurdle business owners have to go through. She explained that they’ve issued all their contracts for 2025, they’re signed, and half of them have to pay their money. She doesn’t want to go back and ask for the 1%. Ann said that contracts THAT ARE PAID before July 1st were excluded from the 1%. AJ said that the Town was overwhelmingly in favor of this tax. Katie said that she just wanted to mention that it seemed misrepresented to go to the Town and then say that you’ve talked to these businesses and have their approval when this didn’t really happen. She also wanted to know where the numbers came from. Ann said that the Department of Taxes provided estimates based on what the State received from meals and rooms taxes from any business located in Pittsfield but did not include Airbnb and Vrbo. AJ said that if he had consulted with Katie and Mark and they were not in favor, he might not have voted for it. Katie asked a few clarifying questions about the tax and what the Tax Department takes out of it. Discussion. Katie said that they will be sending a letter challenging the tax. The Board added that the issue can always be put before the Town at next year’s Town Meeting and re-voted on.
2. Finances – February Treasurer’s Report. Ann moved to accept this report. AJ seconded. All in favor.
3. Dog Ordinance – Ticket Procedure Policy. There was some discussion regarding the timeline for receiving the list of unregistered dogs as of April 1st. Ann reviewed what will happen this year as the issue of tickets will be something new. Doug and AJ will deliver those. Joyce said she would back up AJ if he was unable to perform the duty due to work. Additional information is required this year. Ann said that she attended a power point presentation last year and will provide copies for AJ and Doug. She noted that there is even a website where the tickets can be tracked.
4. Contractors – Bid List. Quality Paving asked to be put on a Town bid list. The Board felt they could be added to the list of contractors. Ann asked Joyce if the Board wanted to start a list of projects. Discussion.
5. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §213 1 (E) Civil Litigation. Ann moved that the Board enter into Executive Session under 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (E) Civil Litigation at 7:02pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Ann moved to leave the Executive Session and resume the regular meeting at 7:13pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. Ann moved to sign the insurance acknowledgment letter. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
.
ADJOURN: Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, April 3, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
Approved: April 3, 2025 ____________ Respectfully submitted,
s/Martha L. Beyersdorf
__________________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A. J. Ruben
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click: https://bit.ly/4iBvpoC
DATE: March 20, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, AJ Ruben, Joyce Stevens (via TEAMS)
PUBLIC PRESENT: Katie Stiles, Mark Stugart, Janice Stumpf
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: delete NB#2 – Town Hall: Windows
-
MINUTES APPROVAL: March 6, 2025 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Dept of Public Safety – Draft Report
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office
2. Town Hall – Windows
3. Tax Sale – Properties
4. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics
5. Building Maintenance – Update
6. MERP – Projects
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax
2. Finances – February Treasurer’s Report
3. Dog Ordinance – Ticket Procedure Policy
4. Contractors – Bid List
5. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §213 1 (E) Civil Litigation
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, April 3, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
ADJOURN:
Ann called the meeting of the Pittsfield Select Board to order at 5:35pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor. She said that there was one Agenda Modification – NB#2 Town Hall Windows request from Patty Haskins has been withdrawn. AJ seconded. All in favor. AJ moved to accept Minutes from March 6, 2025. Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Ann moved to take NB#1 and OB#2 out of order to the top of the agenda. AJ seconded. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. VT Dept of Public Safety – Draft Report. Ann explained that this is a preliminary draft report by the task force that has been asked by the legislature to develop a new E911 dispatch system. This is basically a two-year project. She said she forwarded this to the Fire Department. The Public Safety department would like comments back by March 28th. A link will be posted on the bulletin board.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
March 20, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Appointments – Town Office. Ann said that she did some follow-up and had not heard back from Susan Davidson or Craig Westling. She will post the vacancies on Facebook. She asked if a particular citizen might be considered for a particular position but hasn’t been contacted. She also didn’t know if the Rutland County Solid Waste District was still active.
2. Town Hall – Windows. Withdrawn by Patty Haskins.
3. Tax Sale – Properties. Ann asked Janice what types of contact she has had with the taxpayers in question. Discussion. The big question was, would it be worth it to go ahead with tax sales for small amounts that are still due after three years. Options, such as selling to an adjacent property owner or donating the land to the Town were discussed. The Board felt that taking these properties to a tax sale would be expensive and they were hoping that Janice could do something to avoid this. The Board thanked Janice for her work and said she is doing a terrific job. She was thanked for coming to tonight’s meeting and requested that they be kept informed.
4. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics. Ann said that she reached out to VLCT and asked the legal question. She said that right now the Town has a Code of Ethics Policy as well as a policy for handling ethics complaints against municipal officers. The legislature took back the authority from municipalities so they could produce one of their own. The suggestion is that the town rescind their current policy, then post the Municipal Code of Ethics passed by the legislature. Ann explained that this would replace the current policy and a vote to adopt would not be needed. She went on to explain that what needs to be done now is to produce an ordinance which spells out the enforcement procedure for handing ethics complaints and then approve the ordinance. Basically, it’s an updated ordinance which means that it has to be approved, document when it was approved, take an ad out in the paper, post it, and wait 60 days for it to go into effect. Ann moved that the Board rescind the current policy regarding conflicts of interest and ethical conduct for the Town of Pittsfield. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to post the Municipal Code of Ethics. Joyce seconded. All in favor. Discussion. It was decided to table the approval of the draft to next meeting. This would apply to all municipal officers plus post it on the Town’s Website. Joyce suggested that Trish make up a sheet to obtain all signatures. The State ethics board has also produced a video training webinar on their website. This code applies to all municipal offices. The remainder of this is tabled until the next meeting when all of this is together as packet with everyone’s signatures attached. Ann added that there is a whistleblower protection which the legislature came up with and they require that this be posted for employees to see.
5. Building Maintenance – update. Joyce said she saw the Town Office before she left town. She said that she is fairly sure that Denis has completed his work and now Nate is coming to do the lighting in the entrance and rest of the locations. Ann asked if an itemized estimate was available for inside and outside from Denis. It wasn’t yet. Joyce said that she also reached out to Wilk Paving regarding the basketball court. The survey estimates for the Fire house property aren’t in yet, but Joyce said she would tend to that when she returns.
6. MERP – Projects. Ann said she and Joyce met and went over the list in the report and listed the Contractors. Estimates will be started to be collected and added to the file.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Taxes – Local Option Tax. Ann said that Katie was joining the meeting to discuss the impact of the Town Meeting vote to approve the 1% local option tax on meals, beverages, and rooms. Katie said that it was understood that they would have a 30-day window to collect signatures and challenge this. She wanted
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
March 20, 2025
to know a little more about how the decision was made. She said that she knew from Town Meeting, that businesses were consulted, and that people were in favor of it. She added that they were not consulted . AJ said she wasn’t aware that they had not been spoken to. Katie wanted to get a sense of what businesses were spoken to and how the information was collected and shared. Joyce said that she felt that there was a mistake in the wording, and she thought there wouldn’t be much of an impact on her business. She wanted to know how the tax would work. Ann said that the Town is trying to diversify revenue sources so that the taxpayers don’t have to produce the whole tax. Katie felt that this was just another hurdle business owners have to go through. She explained that they’ve issued all their contracts for 2025, they’re signed, and half of them have to pay their money. She doesn’t want to go back and ask for the 1%. Ann said that contracts THAT ARE PAID before July 1st were excluded from the 1%. AJ said that the Town was overwhelmingly in favor of this tax. Katie said that she just wanted to mention that it seemed misrepresented to go to the Town and then say that you’ve talked to these businesses and have their approval when this didn’t really happen. She also wanted to know where the numbers came from. Ann said that the Department of Taxes provided estimates based on what the State received from meals and rooms taxes from any business located in Pittsfield but did not include Airbnb and Vrbo. AJ said that if he had consulted with Katie and Mark and they were not in favor, he might not have voted for it. Katie asked a few clarifying questions about the tax and what the Tax Department takes out of it. Discussion. Katie said that they will be sending a letter challenging the tax. The Board added that the issue can always be put before the Town at next year’s Town Meeting and re-voted on.
2. Finances – February Treasurer’s Report. Ann moved to accept this report. AJ seconded. All in favor.
3. Dog Ordinance – Ticket Procedure Policy. There was some discussion regarding the timeline for receiving the list of unregistered dogs as of April 1st. Ann reviewed what will happen this year as the issue of tickets will be something new. Doug and AJ will deliver those. Joyce said she would back up AJ if he was unable to perform the duty due to work. Additional information is required this year. Ann said that she attended a power point presentation last year and will provide copies for AJ and Doug. She noted that there is even a website where the tickets can be tracked.
4. Contractors – Bid List. Quality Paving asked to be put on a Town bid list. The Board felt they could be added to the list of contractors. Ann asked Joyce if the Board wanted to start a list of projects. Discussion.
5. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. §213 1 (E) Civil Litigation. Ann moved that the Board enter into Executive Session under 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (E) Civil Litigation at 7:02pm. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
Ann moved to leave the Executive Session and resume the regular meeting at 7:13pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. Ann moved to sign the insurance acknowledgment letter. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
.
ADJOURN: Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, April 3, 2025 @5:30pm Town Hall
Approved: April 3, 2025 ____________ Respectfully submitted,
s/Martha L. Beyersdorf
__________________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A. J. Ruben
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