03/02/2022 Approved Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
March 2, 2022 at 6:00 pm
The meeting will be held both in-person, videoconferencing and via conference call to follow Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. The meeting can be accessed via the below options:
Join the meeting: https://meetings.dialpad.com/braintreesbmotoole
Optional dial-in number: 802-210-4472 PIN: 16445
International access numbers available here: https://meetings.dialpad.com/international.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member
Present at the Town Office:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson Daniel Burson, Selectboard Vice-Chairperson Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member Janice Russell, Administrative Assistant Kris Haupt, Cemetery Commissioner
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. A roll call was done to confirm what members and citizens were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board reviewed the agenda and added annual Certificate of Highway Mileage for 2022, the Portable Toilet on Peth Road and a request from the Randolph Recreation Department regarding the Randolph Baseball League.
Selectboard organization
- On motion of Mr. McMeekin, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board appointed Ms. O’Toole as the Selectboard Chair (Ms. O’Toole abstained, the other four members voted in favor of the motion).
- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded Mr. McMeekin, the Board appointed Mr. Burson as vice chair (Mr. Burson abstained, the other four members voted in favor of the motion).
- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the normal meeting schedule as the first and third Tuesday of each month with the meetings starting at 6 pm at the Town Office.
- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved continuing to post notices at the Town Office, Town Hall, the Braintree Elementary School, and on the Town’s website along with having the newspaper of record be The Herald.
- Selectboard Responsibilities – after a brief discussion it was decided that the responsibilities to help distribute the workload and to clarify who will take lead on different types of projects would remain the same as 2021 except moving Mr. Burson as lead on Highway and Mr. Haupt as the backup, no motion or vote required:
Highway – Mr. Burson, with Mr. Haupt as the backup
Grant Evaluation – Mr. Burson, with Ms. O’Toole as the backup
Capital Plan & Budget – Ms. O’Toole, with Mr. Haupt as the backup
Town Office & Hall Improvements – Mr. McMeekin, with Mr. Haupt as the backup
Personnel Evaluation and Oversight – Ms. O’Toole, with Mr. Bent as the backup
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board approved the Selectboard Responsibilities as written.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on February 15, 2022.
Citizen’s comments limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum –
Mr. Kris Haupt continued his Town Meeting questioning the need for the Town to purchase an excavator. Mr. Bent reiterated the explanation that State required ditch work is done easier and more efficiently using an excavator then other types of equipment. Messrs. Burson and Pratt stated that purchasing an excavator would be cheaper in the long run rather than renting one or hiring a contractor to do the ditch work. Ms. O’Toole reiterated that the funds for the purchase of the excavator and trailer already exist in the Town’s vehicle and equipment reserve funds, but no final decision has been made to make the purchase. A report on what the Town has spent to rent an excavator or hire a contractor in the past 5 years, 10 years and 15 years will be prepared for the next Selectboard Meeting.
Mr. Kris Haupt in his role as the Cemetery Commission Chairperson informed the Selectboard that there are now two vacancies on the Cemetery Commission. Mr. Haupt believes the Town should keep the Commission at only three members instead of the current five-member requirement. The three-member board would make it easier to seat a quorum.
Reports
- Highway Report – Dylan Pratt stated that the Town Crew is still working on the roads. The 2017 Pickup Truck went in for maintenance that was covered under warranty. Mr. Pratt has begun a FY 2023 Municipal Highway Grant Application for Culvert Work on the intersection of Woodchuck Hollow and Thresher Roads. Ms. Russell is preparing the application for submission.
Old Business
- Portable Toilet on Peth Road – Mr. Haupt and the Zoning Administrator, Gary Blatz, spoke regarding the portable toilet possibly being located too close to Spear Brook. A review of the Zoning Bylaws will be completed before any further steps are taken.
New Business
- Appointments –
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the following appointments:
Agent To Deed Land…………………………………………………………… Kris Haupt
Development Review Board
New Term Expires 2025……………………………………… Malcolm Fitzpatrick
Planning Commission
Conservation Commission
New Term Expires 2025…………………………………………………. Linda Morse
ECFiber Representative…………………………………………………………….. Vacant
Alternative ECFiber Representative …………………………………………… Vacant
Emergency Management Director………….. (Expires July 1st) Derek O’Toole
Fire Advisory Committee Representative……………………………… Loren Bent
Mountain Alliance Representative…………………………………….. Sandy Cooch
Road Commissioner……………………………………………………….. Daniel Burson
Town Service Officer……………………………………………………. Jennifer Phipps
Tree Warden……………………………………………………………………… Dylan Pratt
Tri-Valley Transit Services, Inc. Representative …………………. Paul Kendall
Truant Officer …………………………………………………………………………. Vacant
Transportation Advisory Committee…………………………………….. Bob Moyer
White River Valley Ambulance Representative…………………. Linda Lubold
Certificate of Highway Mileage – After a brief review of the certificate, the Selectboard agreed that no changes have been made to the highway mileage.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the Certificate of Highway Mileage.
Randolph Recreational Department regarding the Randolph Baseball League – After a short discussion the topic was tabled until further information can be provided by the Randolph Recreational Department Director.
Payment orders – The Selectboard reviewed the Payment Orders.
Adjournment
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice R. Russell
Administrative Assistant