DRAFT
To listen to a recording of the meeting, click here: https://bit.ly/3VPjuNl
DATE: October 1, 2026
PRESENT: Ann Kuendig, Joyce Stevens, AJ Ruben
PUBLIC PRESENT: Emma Patterson; Kerri Menard and Michael Miller via TEAMS
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: NB#4 – Booth ICP paperwork; C#1 – VOREC Grants; NB#5 – Taylor event on the Village Green
MINUTES APPROVAL: September 17, 2026 Regular Meeting
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Grants – VOREC Grant
OLD BUSINESS:
- Citizen Concerns/Complaint – Eric Gammon complaint follow-up
- Charge VT – project update
- TRORC – Meeting on Regional Land Use Plan
- Building Maintenance
- Boiler Replacement
- Firehouse Survey
- Stump Removal
NEW BUSINESS:
- Town – Emma Patterson flag presentation
- Budget – Schedule/Budget Notice/Calendar
- Town Outdoor Storage – Discussion on Solid Waste/Junk
- Contractors – Booth independent contractor paperwork
- Events – Taylor event on the Village Green
ADJOURNMENT:
NEXT MEETING DATES: Regular Meeting October 15, 2026 Town Hall 5:30pm
Ann called the meeting to order at 5:41pm. Seconded by Joyce. All in favor. AJ moved to approve the Minutes of the September 17, 2026 Regular Meeting. Seconded by Ann. All in favor. Ann introduced Emma Patterson who was here to make a presentation. This is NB#1 and will be taken out of order. NB#3 will also be taken out of order.
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 2
October 1, 2026
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Grants – VOREC Grant. Ann said that there will be a webinar on October 8th. Ann said that the VOREC Community Grant program will begin accepting pre-application materials on December 13th. There is a project planning webinar being offered October 8th, a pre application materials on October 29th. You can register for these. This is the planning grant that the Rec. Commission could use. AJ said that Becky would like to be on the agenda for the next meeting just to check in.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Citizen Concerns/Complaint – Erin Gammon complaint follow-up. Erin and AJ have been in touch regarding Chris Johnson and his work in the river behind their houses. AJ said that he understood that Chris Johnson used the machine to move river-bottom sediments around and construct some sort of dam. After Chris did that, the DEM looked at it and told Erin it was determined that it doesn’t meet the threshold for action by ANR. The Department on Environmental Conservation said that substantial fill is illegal without a permit and even though it is technically illegal to drive through a river to move or fill sediment, unless you do it up to something above 10 cubic yards, they don’t even want to take a tree out of it. And you can only do this is August. AJ said he has seen emails between Erin and the DEC staff and said it wasn’t significant enough to take any action. Even though the Town’s zoning ordinance and flood insurance ordinances says it’s unlawful to put basically a substantial amount of fill in the river without permit; AJ explained the steps he would have to take as Zoning Administrator. Erin asked to be put on the next meeting’s agenda.
- Charge VT – project update. The unit is still not working. Joyce said she did call Stubbins to find out what was going on. She said she forwarded Ann’s email stating what we need to find out. Joyce said she would get back to Ann. The Board needs to find out if Stubbins did what he was supposed to do because there are minimum requirements for the signal. Discussion.
- TRORC – Meeting on Regional Land Use Plan. Ann said she attended the meeting online that was open for public comment. There will be another meeting to go through changes. Overall, more meetings will be needed.
- Building Maintenance
- Boiler Replacement. $9,000 has been sent, as well as the quarterly report. Joyce will reach out to see when Levi might start.
- Firehouse Survey. Joyce said the surveyor, Rob Townsend, will look at the property next Thursday at 9am to see where he can put a septic system for something that’s going to have a shower and a washer/dryer.
- Stump Removal. Ann said she reached out to two other businesses and stated what each would do:
Pittsfield Select Board Regular Meeting Minutes page 3
October 1, 2026
*Nick Demers, Mountain View Tree, Vermont: He’s a new business out of Rutland , and doesn’t want to pull the stumps, but grind 5 stumps 8” below grade with the material removed from the grinding site so we can add topsoil, grass seed, and mulch. He proposes $2,400.
A full cleanup of the work area will be done after all the work is done.
So, there are 3 bids that can be voted on now or put off to the spring. The $1,200 bid includes the grinding of 5 stumps, and guessing it’s between 3” and 8”, raked , clean, and prep soil.
The $1,200 would come from the Tree Reserve Fund, of which we put in $2,000. Ann moved to approve Vermont Expert Tree and Landscaping, Inc, and hire him. Seconded by AJ. All in favor. Joyce was asked to reach out and hire him and schedule that.
- Other:
*Ann said she planted one of the trees. Discussion. There will also be a flower bed between the trees.
*Ann said that there is still some MERP money left. Ann said she figured they have spent $145,000 which means there is $12,390 unspent. There is one more project, heat pump water heater, that’s in the scope of work. They are much more efficient than other types plus dehumidify and cool surrounding areas. We recommend purchasing a heat pump water heater that exceeds the minimum Energy Star requirements. Joyce will solicit bids from Merrill and Booth Plumbing.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Town – Emma Patterson flag presentation. Ann asked Emma if she had a flag to present. She replied that she and her cousin did. She said that her cousin has done a lot in providing flags for his family and others. She said it’s like a banner that you find attached to a pole on the side of the road. Emma invited AJ to assist in holding it up. It was quite large and Joyce marveled at it and said that this is the type of flag our town is looking for to hang on the poles. It had a picture of Roger Clark in uniform with his name and information under it. There was talk about where to put it noting that it wouldn’t be hanging year ‘round. The Board members really liked it and expressed excitement at displaying it. It was noted that the brackets and other hardware were included. Joyce said that every vet in town, still living and those that aren’t, should have a banner, too. It was decided it would be appropriate to mount it on a pole by the Library. The Board asked for the information on what company did this one. Emma was thanked for coming to the meeting and presenting this flag. The Board then discussed that poles to use and if there was a list of veterans in Pittsfield. Poles between the Clear and Swiss Farm could be used. It was decided to store it in a cabinet in the Town Hall. The height needs to be determined and George will be consulted. Eric has offered his lift.
- Budget – Schedule/Budget Notice/Calendar. Joyce said Tuesdays are not good unless it’s after 6:30pm or after. Ann spoke with Trish, and she said she could do Wednesdays. She’s not available Thursdays but could make Wednesdays work at
October 1, 2026
5:30. Ann recalled that they started meeting October 7thlast year. It was suggested that the meetings only last one hour and have at least one meetings after the State puts out the education letter. Town Report preparation was discussed. The Warning can’t be drawn up until January 14th then posting the Warning as soon as January 22nd. Dates for budgeting departments was scheduled as follows: November 4th: HW Budget/CIP; November 11th:
Library Budget/CIP; November 18th: PVF&R Budget/CIP; December 2nd: Parks & Cemetery, Recreation Commission. The Secretary was asked to send out a letter this week to various departments that says you’re on our budgeting schedule. Ann reviewed some of the other dates for things in January thru Town Meeting.
- Town Outdoor Storage – Discussion on Solid Waste/Junk. Ann said that the Town has had discussions about some of the investigations that are going on and previous complaints that the Board has had about trash burning. The fact is that the Town has no enforcement capabilities in addressing wastewater. We also don’t have any capabilities in addressing junk vehicles or abandoned property that could create a health hazard. VLCT has a template ordinance regulating the disposal of solid waste and outdoor storage of junk and junk vehicles. Both Joyce and AJ voiced opposition to this idea. The Town has never had an ordinance like this, and it was felt it wasn’t a suitable time to do one. There are too many other things. No action was taken on this.
- Contractors – Booth independent contractor paperwork. The paperwork for Booth Plumbing & Heating, LLC, was moved for approval by Ann and seconded by AJ. All in favor.
- Events – Taylor event on the Village Green. Val Taylor, Rutland 11’s District representative to the Vermont House of Representatives, is planning to hold a speaking event on Saturday, October 10th at noon. She’s looking to address topics and answer questions that attendees have concerning Vermont. Ann said this is just an FYI for the record.
As there was no further business to address, Ann moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm. Seconded by AJ. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: Martha L. Beyersdorf
Select Board Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
Ann Kuendig Joyce Stevens AJ Ruben
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