PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click: https://bit.ly/3DBzzO7
DATE: March 6, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
MINUTES APPROVAL: February 20, 2025 Regular Meeting
AGENDA MODIFICATION: NB#7: Executive Session 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (e)
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Killington Planning Commission Hearing
2. Select Board Essentials Webinar
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Financials – January Treasurer’s Report
2. Building Maintenance
3. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Select Board – Reorganization
2. Select Board – Rules of Procedure
3. Appointments – Town Office
4. Tax Sale – properties
5. Licenses & Permits – MRPG Permit
6. Finance – Community Tree Fund
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (e)
ADJOURN:
NEXT MEETING DATE: March 20, 2025 Regular Meeting @5:30pm Town Hall
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:33pm. Joyce seconded. Ann said that she had one Agenda Modification (see above). AJ seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to accept the Regular Minutes of the February 20, 2025 meeting. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Killington Planning Commission Hearing – The Killington Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Bylaw Amendments, and Zoning Map Amendment for the Town on March 19, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Public Safety Building, 800 Killington Road. The hearing is also being offered remotely. Ann moved that the Clerk post this on the outside bulletin board and in her office. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Select Board Essentials Webinar – Ann said that she registered for this which will be held on March 22nd from 9am – 2:30pm in Montpelier. Ann encouraged the members to attend as there have been some changes. Registration is recommended. The meeting can be held online.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
March 6, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Financials – January Treasurer’s Report. Ann said that she spoke with Trish regarding Lister licensing fees that were budgeted $350.00, such as annual VALA membership and usual NEMRC charges, and increased to $504.00. Ann wanted to understand what caused the increase. This year they have charged for the annual right to use tables for residential properties ($187.52) and commercial properties ($6.64). Also discovered was that half the user fee for iCloud should be moved from the Listers to the General Fund. Ann said the Board should have the Listers find out more about the unexpected fees. Joyce made a motion to accept the financial report. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Building Maintenance - Joyce said that Denis should be ready to start work in two weeks. He will work Friday through Monday so as not to disturb the office’s regular hours. Joyce thought the deadline for the PACIF grant contribution might be in April. Ann questioned if a building permit might be needed since it was municipal property. Joyce asked Ann if they could meet and go over the MERP list of projects and see what they want to do first. Discussion.
3. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics. Ann said there were two policies. One for the Procedure upon Complaint. She wondered if there was a template online for the actual code or to go to the State and see if the State Ethics Board has a municipal code of ethics to follow. Discussion. These documents need to be consistent and forwarded to all departments for signatures. We’ll discuss this again at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Select Board – Reorganization. Ann wanted to welcome AJ who was re-elected. The members were asked if they would like to keep their current jobs on the Select Board. Ann will continue as Chair, Joyce with buildings, and AJ with the orders. She encouraged Joyce to ask for help if needed. She said she would. Ann made a motion to have the members continue to serve in their current position. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Select Board – Rules of Procedure. Ann said that she made a few changes to this document. Discussion. Ann moved to adopt the updates made to the Select Board’s Rules of Procedure. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
3. Appointments – Town Office. The Board reviewed the current list of appointments and recommended people to vacant/expired positions with the Town of Pittsfield. Ann made a generic motion to approve the appointments (see the last page of these Minutes). Joyce seconded. All in favor. The Secretary will follow up by sending Letters of Appointment.
4. Tax Sale – properties. Janice, the Town’s Delinquent Tax Collector, sent two delinquent properties since 2022, one for $26.91 and the other $1044.43 to the Board. Ann said she would like more information from Janice and also be assured that the property owners are receiving their mail and seeing if it is worth holding a tax sale for delinquent properties with small balances. Discussion. Ann questioned whether the properties should be looked at or investigated further. It was decided to invite Janice to the next regular meeting to brainstorm.
5. Licenses & Permits – MRPG Permit. Ann said that she and George got a copy of this. It is paid through a portal. Ann said she reminded him that he needs to add $1,350.00 to his orders for the following week.
This is paid through the Highway Fund. Trish can make the payment through the portal
6. Finance – Community Tree Fund. This fund is a collaborative effort between the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VTUCF). This partnership supports communities in Vermont by addressing the need for more flexible funding for small scale tree planting projects, typically 1-10 trees. The proposed project must cost less than $2,000. The fund will
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
March 6, 2025
support the tree purchase and delivery as well as irrigation supplies. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with two seasonal deadlines: Spring April 18th and Fall September 12th. The Board felt that
Connie and George should be included in this project. Joyce will ask Connie if she has any estimates from companies that plant trees. More information about the Community Tree Fund can be obtained from Gwen Kozlowski at 802-656-7638 or gwen.kozlowski @ uvm.edu.
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (E) Ann moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss probable civil litigation at 6:28pm. Ann moved to adjourn Executive Session at 6:45pm. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
ADJOURN: Ann moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:46pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: March 20, 2025 Regular Meeting @5:30pm Town Hall.
Approved: _____March 20, 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/3DBzzO7
DATE: March 6, 2025
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
MINUTES APPROVAL: February 20, 2025 Regular Meeting
AGENDA MODIFICATION: NB#7: Executive Session 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (e)
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Killington Planning Commission Hearing
2. Select Board Essentials Webinar
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Financials – January Treasurer’s Report
2. Building Maintenance
3. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Select Board – Reorganization
2. Select Board – Rules of Procedure
3. Appointments – Town Office
4. Tax Sale – properties
5. Licenses & Permits – MRPG Permit
6. Finance – Community Tree Fund
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (e)
ADJOURN:
NEXT MEETING DATE: March 20, 2025 Regular Meeting @5:30pm Town Hall
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:33pm. Joyce seconded. Ann said that she had one Agenda Modification (see above). AJ seconded. All in favor. Ann moved to accept the Regular Minutes of the February 20, 2025 meeting. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Killington Planning Commission Hearing – The Killington Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Bylaw Amendments, and Zoning Map Amendment for the Town on March 19, 2025 at 7:00pm at the Public Safety Building, 800 Killington Road. The hearing is also being offered remotely. Ann moved that the Clerk post this on the outside bulletin board and in her office. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Select Board Essentials Webinar – Ann said that she registered for this which will be held on March 22nd from 9am – 2:30pm in Montpelier. Ann encouraged the members to attend as there have been some changes. Registration is recommended. The meeting can be held online.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
March 6, 2025
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Financials – January Treasurer’s Report. Ann said that she spoke with Trish regarding Lister licensing fees that were budgeted $350.00, such as annual VALA membership and usual NEMRC charges, and increased to $504.00. Ann wanted to understand what caused the increase. This year they have charged for the annual right to use tables for residential properties ($187.52) and commercial properties ($6.64). Also discovered was that half the user fee for iCloud should be moved from the Listers to the General Fund. Ann said the Board should have the Listers find out more about the unexpected fees. Joyce made a motion to accept the financial report. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Building Maintenance - Joyce said that Denis should be ready to start work in two weeks. He will work Friday through Monday so as not to disturb the office’s regular hours. Joyce thought the deadline for the PACIF grant contribution might be in April. Ann questioned if a building permit might be needed since it was municipal property. Joyce asked Ann if they could meet and go over the MERP list of projects and see what they want to do first. Discussion.
3. Town Policy – Municipal Code of Ethics. Ann said there were two policies. One for the Procedure upon Complaint. She wondered if there was a template online for the actual code or to go to the State and see if the State Ethics Board has a municipal code of ethics to follow. Discussion. These documents need to be consistent and forwarded to all departments for signatures. We’ll discuss this again at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Select Board – Reorganization. Ann wanted to welcome AJ who was re-elected. The members were asked if they would like to keep their current jobs on the Select Board. Ann will continue as Chair, Joyce with buildings, and AJ with the orders. She encouraged Joyce to ask for help if needed. She said she would. Ann made a motion to have the members continue to serve in their current position. AJ seconded. All in favor.
2. Select Board – Rules of Procedure. Ann said that she made a few changes to this document. Discussion. Ann moved to adopt the updates made to the Select Board’s Rules of Procedure. Joyce seconded. All in favor.
3. Appointments – Town Office. The Board reviewed the current list of appointments and recommended people to vacant/expired positions with the Town of Pittsfield. Ann made a generic motion to approve the appointments (see the last page of these Minutes). Joyce seconded. All in favor. The Secretary will follow up by sending Letters of Appointment.
4. Tax Sale – properties. Janice, the Town’s Delinquent Tax Collector, sent two delinquent properties since 2022, one for $26.91 and the other $1044.43 to the Board. Ann said she would like more information from Janice and also be assured that the property owners are receiving their mail and seeing if it is worth holding a tax sale for delinquent properties with small balances. Discussion. Ann questioned whether the properties should be looked at or investigated further. It was decided to invite Janice to the next regular meeting to brainstorm.
5. Licenses & Permits – MRPG Permit. Ann said that she and George got a copy of this. It is paid through a portal. Ann said she reminded him that he needs to add $1,350.00 to his orders for the following week.
This is paid through the Highway Fund. Trish can make the payment through the portal
6. Finance – Community Tree Fund. This fund is a collaborative effort between the Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) and the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program (VTUCF). This partnership supports communities in Vermont by addressing the need for more flexible funding for small scale tree planting projects, typically 1-10 trees. The proposed project must cost less than $2,000. The fund will
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
March 6, 2025
support the tree purchase and delivery as well as irrigation supplies. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with two seasonal deadlines: Spring April 18th and Fall September 12th. The Board felt that
Connie and George should be included in this project. Joyce will ask Connie if she has any estimates from companies that plant trees. More information about the Community Tree Fund can be obtained from Gwen Kozlowski at 802-656-7638 or gwen.kozlowski @ uvm.edu.
7. Executive Session – 1 V.S.A. § 213 1 (E) Ann moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss probable civil litigation at 6:28pm. Ann moved to adjourn Executive Session at 6:45pm. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
ADJOURN: Ann moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:46pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor.
NEXT MEETING DATE: March 20, 2025 Regular Meeting @5:30pm Town Hall.
Approved: _____March 20, 2025________ Respectfully submitted,
s/Martha L. Beyersdorf
__________________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens A. J. Ruben
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