| Selectboard Meeting Minutes |
| September 16th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Link to Recorded Meeting: https://youtu.be/MofGvU-lLy4 |
| Call to order |
| Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. SELECTBOARD Gregg Herrin (Present) Curtis Chase (Present) Paul Libby (Present) Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Absent) TOWN EMPLOYEES Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman) Jen Chase (Town Clerk) Susan Elder (Lister) |
| Additions to the Agenda |
| -Crosswalk: Kate McLean contacted the Town Administrator’s office regarding possibly adding sidewalks to the town. There are a few areas that Kate thinks would work well safety-wise for residents and students going to school. Paul Libby and Curtis Chase reached out to VTrans on behalf of the Town to see what that process would look like for installing crosswalks in VTrans right-of-way. They are waiting for a response from VTrans on how they could start this process, as VTrans may need to conduct traffic studies to see if the crosswalk would be warranted. -Basketball Court Refinish Contract: The basketball/pickleball court refinishing has been completed. The contract needed to be officially signed by the Selectboard for services rendered. The project was already previously approve by the Selectboard, so no motion needed. -Highway Row Permit: A ROW permit for 21A Burbank Crossroad was received. The request was for the cleaning and rebuilding of a current existing stone wall, and repair of some drainage issues the property owner has been experiencing. The work does not cross the road, and is only on the west side. The Selectboard reviewed the drawn plans. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the ROW permit; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. -Horseshoe Area Electricity: Paul Libby recently communicated with the Chelsea Men’s Horseshoe League regarding their previous request to hook up electricity to the wastewater plant to bring lighting to the horseshoe area. A concern is the checks and balances of the lighting, and if only some people are allowed to use the lighting in the area. The Selectboard would like more information on their plans and would like for the Recreation Committee to review the request as well. |
| Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None |
| Public Comments |
| John Parker attended the meeting to notify the Selectboard that the Recreation Committee has scheduled times for pickleball now that the court has been successfully finished. They are setting aside the following times for pickleball only: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Pickleball equipment will be kept at Marty Gratz’s house next to the basketball court. A sign-up sheet is available on the Chelsea Rec Committee’s official Facebook page. |
| Approve Minutes from September 2, 2025 |
| Paul Libby made a motion to approve the minutes from September 2, 2025; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. motion passed unanimously. |
| Current Events and Updates |
| A. Highway Update |
| Rick Ackerman updated the Selectboard that the road crew has been grading areas of town, including Bobbinshop Rd. Work will begin on Bobbinshop Rd for culvert repair, and the contractor has been wrapping up the culvert work on Baraw Hill Rd. The Selectboard discussed with him possibly putting up a PSA regarding dust in town due to the drought. The unseasonably dry weather has posed a problem for how much chloride the road crew can use to tamp down the dust and dirt. The Selectboard will work on wording for social media so residents are aware of the road conditions. |
| B. Town Administrator Update |
| -Sewer System Flush: The Town Administrator notified the Selectboard that the water operator, Mike Whipple, will be scheduling a sewer system flush soon after coordinating with Rick. This flush would be from Upper Village Rd to the main line under VT Rte 110 and should not affect users. This flush is for regular maintenance of the lines. |
| Action Items |
| A. MERP Grant Scope of Work Estimates |
| The Selectboard reviewed the estimated pricing of various projects for the MERP Grant, including heat pumps, solar panels, and weather proofing insulation. No motion made. |
| B. TRORC: Town Housing Study Municipal Grant and EPA Brownfield Grant |
| Sarah Wraight from Two Rivers Ottaquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) presented information on two grants that the town could possibly use regarding housing study/feasibility. A Municipal Planning Grant could build out a study based on the town’s needs on housing and economic development. The MPG would require a 10% cash contribution, with a maximum grant award of $30,000. The grant is highly competitive and would need to be applied for by November 3rd if the Selectboard is interested in conducting a housing study, and would need to accept the grant with a special resolution. Sarah mentioned that TRORC has money already available for the second option, which would be a Brownfield grant that would study properties considered a “brownfield”, or land that was exposed to chemicals or hazardous waste. The grant helps entities with the assessment of the sites and what may be a future use for the property, as hazardous waste is an environmental concern. The hope is that the assessment can help spur redevelopment of the site for future economic development and/or new uses. There is no application or match needed, and TRORC already has the money available to begin. The Selectboard agreed to continue to review these options and what may be in the best interest of the town. |
| C. Lambert Excavation Septic Contract |
| A contract for excavation services for replacement of a forced main pipe was signed. No motion needed, as the contract amount was under the threshold for Selectboard approval. |
| D. Approve Orders |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the orders; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| Executive Session If Necessary |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard entered executive session at 8:38 pm. Curtis Chase made a motion to exit executive session; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard exited executive session at 8:57 pm. The Selectboard discussed personnel, and no action was taken. |
| Adjournment |
| Paul Libby made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm. |