| Selectboard Meeting Minutes |
| May 20th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Link to recorded meeting |
| Call to Order |
| Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:39 pm. SELECTBOARD Gregg Herrin (Absent) Curtis Chase (Present) Paul Libby (Present) Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Present) Kevin Marshia (Present Until 7:30 pm) TOWN EMPLOYEES Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman) |
| Additions to the Agenda |
| A request for the use of the Robert-Gould Field was added to the agenda. Later in the night, the Selectboard reviewed the request for the June Jubilee Dance scheduled for June 7th from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the request for the Roberts-Gould field; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| Conflict of Interest Disclosure |
| Kevin Marshia disclosed that the person who submitted the request for the Roberts-Gould Field was his wife, Emily Marshia, so he would abstain from voting. Paul Libby disclosed that Emily is his sister, but it would not influence his decision on the topic. |
| Public Comments: None |
| Approve Minutes from May 6, 2025 |
| Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the May 6th minutes; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| Current Events and Updates |
| A. Highway Update |
| Rick Ackerman discussed several items relating to the highway. The Town truck is back from the shop and he is still negotiating the price of the work done on it. The Selectboard discussed the status of the new Town truck and if it might be more beneficial for the road crew to get a turnkey truck instead due to the delay in receiving the truck previously agreed upon. Rick will solicit prices for turnkey trucks so the Selectboard has a better idea of budget and will have those prices ready for the next meeting to discuss if the Town should continue with the current new truck order, or possibly change routes and choose a turnkey truck so the Town has the new truck available for the winter. They also discussed the mowing of chervil; Rick will reach out to Vershire per usual to ask about using their mower for cutting the weeds again this year. |
| B. Town Administrator Update |
| The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard that Stantec is beginning to wrap up their studies and plans for the FEMA projects in town. Permitting for the pedestrian bridge is being prepped, just waiting on the H&H study to submit permitting to ANR. The Town will also be posting up RFPs for the tree planting and tree removal/maintenance grants that the Forest and Parks Commission received by the end of the week. |
| C. Water and Sewer Rate Increase Public Discussion |
| The Selectboard discussed a question brought up during the last meeting regarding the charge for turning meters on and off. Gayle Durkee pointed out a section of the water and sewer ordinance, Article XIII, Section 12: “When requested by the customer, 24 hours notice shall be required for letting on or off water to any service, and such service shall take place only during the regular business hours of the Water System. There is no charge for this service for one turn off/on per calendar year. Regular charge for added service of $75.00 for turn off/on service. (Amended December 29, 2020). Effective February 27, 2021.” The Selectboard feels comfortable with the water and sewer service fee information that has been discussed over many Selectboard meetings. Their decision will be on the June 3rd meeting agenda. |
| Action Items |
| A. Library Board Appointment |
| Nick DeFriez attended to represent the library’s Board of Directors. The board wanted to nominate Chris Byrne to be appointed by the Selectboard to the Board of Directors per bylaw, as they now have a vacancy. Nick spoke highly of Chris and the other members of the board believe he would be a great fit. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to appoint Chris Byrne to the Library’s Board of Directors; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| B. Basement Waterproofing Bid Opening |
| The Selectboard opened a bid that was received for waterproofing the Town Hall basement, which is covered under the umbrella of the MERP grant. The request for proposals asked for proposals to finish the Town Hall basement flooring, provide a waterproof barrier, and a sump pump system for water that might be taken on in the basement. The bid was from Twin State Basement Services and the price for these services was $67,492. This is within the allotted amount provided by the grant. The Selectboard discussed this and requested additional time to review the proposal and ask follow-up questions. Questions will be sent to the company contact, and the proposal will be added to the June 3rd meeting agenda for further consideration. No motion made. |
| C. Will’s Store Liquor License Renewal |
| Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the renewal of the liquor license for Will’s General Store; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| D. Carminati Cemetery Mowing Contract |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to approve and sign the contract for mowing services for Highland Cemetery; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| E. RonJon Mowing Contract |
| Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the contract for RonJon’s Lawn and Landscape; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| F. Wastewater Plant Contract and Funding Application |
| This item was tabled until the next meeting for further review. No motion made. |
| G. Approve Orders |
| Paul Libby made a motion to approve the orders, with the exception of an item regarding the delinquent tax collector fee; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed. |
| Executive Session If Necessary |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago and Gayle Durkee; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 7:56 pm. Curtis Chase made a motion to exit executive session; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 8:25 pm. Paul Libby stated they discussed personnel and no action was taken. |
| Adjournment |
| Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed. |