| Selectboard Meeting Minutes |
| March 17, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall |
| Call to Order |
| Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. SELECTBOARD Gregg Herrin (Present) Curtis Chase (Present) Paul Libby (Present) Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Present) Charles Peel (Present) TOWN EMPLOYEES Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) Jen Chase (Town Clerk) Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman) Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) |
| Additions to the Agenda |
| -Curb cut permit: The Selectboard reviewed a curb cut permit for Lou Maraget at 208 E Randolph Rd. Rick Ackerman had reviewed the permit and had no issue. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the permit; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None |
| Public Comments: None |
| Approve minutes from february 17, 18, 24, 2026 and march 5, 2026 |
| Charles Peel made a motion to approve the February 17th meeting minutes; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the February 18th meeting minutes with changes from the Selectboard; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Charles Peel made a motion to approve the February 24th meeting minutes; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed, with Paul Libby abstaining due to his absence during the meeting.Charles Peel made a motion to approve the March 5th meeting minutes with one minor change, Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| Current Events and Updates |
| A. Introduction to Senator John Benson |
| Senator John Benson attending the Selectboard meeting to introduce himself as the representative for Orange County, and to give an update on what projects he’s been working on in Montpelier. He gave an overview of the committees he is involved in (Committee on Health and Welfare, Committee on Institutions), and encouraged residents to reach out if they have questions or comments regarding state legislature. Senator John Benson John.benson@vtleg.gov802-828-2228 |
| B. Highway Update |
| Rick Ackerman updated the Selectboard, stating that mud season is slowly but surely arriving. The highway crew has 1,00-1,500 yards of stone stockpiled in preparation for the mud. Rick is still waiting on estimates on truck prices. He mentioned that he had seen a used tractor for sale in Kentucky for $135,900. The Selectboard discussed the prospect of getting a tractor, and asked that Rick and Gayle look into financing possibilities for the tractor. |
| C. Town Administrator Update |
| The Town Administrator shared information from the new contact at the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Selectboard discussed the need to have a contract renewal for police services. The Town Administrator and Selectboard liaisons for Health and Safety will reach out to Windsor County to secure a contract renewal. Charles Peel made a motion to preliminarily approve the Windsor County contract for 2026-2027, assuming they are offering the same services as described; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The Town Administrator mentioned putting out the 2026 mowing RFP. The Selectboard discussed and agreed that the RFP should be put out so that a bid can be chosen at the next regular Selectboard meeting on April 7th. No motion required. |
| Action Items |
| A. United Church of Chelsea: Sewer Drainage Issue at 13 Church St |
| Bob Aicher from the United Church of Chelsea attended the meeting to discuss a sewer issue that the church has been experiencing. The Church had recent renovations and discovered a sewer issue after it began to back up. Bob showed the Selectboard plans and photos for the lines, and believes the issue was caused during the placement of the water line. The Selectboard will rely on the water and sewer liaisons, Charles Peel and Gregg Herrin, to investigate the issue and work on a solution. |
| B. Treasurer: Apply for Additional Line of Credit |
| Gayle Durkee requested that the Selectboard allow her to apply for a line of credit for $375,000. Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the line of credit for $375,000, with the Selectboard as the authorized signer with the treasurer allowed to request advances from the line of credit; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| C. Constable and Animal Control Officer Vacancies |
| Leyna Hoyt, Animal Control Officer, attended the meeting to discuss the status of animal cases in town. The amount of animal control cases has increased since she began working as the ACO, and it has become financially and personally difficult to continue the work. Leyna said she can tentatively continue working on cases that require follow-up, but ultimately would like to transition out of the position. The Selectboard thanked her for all of her work and will look into additional funding possibilities and more support from Windsor County for issuing tickets. |
| Contracts and Selectboard Approvals |
| A. Wastewater Plant Loan Agreement (Final Engineering) |
| This item was tabled to allow for additional review of the contract. |
| B. Annual Grants in Aid 2027 Letter of Intent Approval and Highway Financial Plan |
| Charles Peel made a motion to sign the Grants in Aid Letter of Intent and Highway Financial Plan; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| C. State of Vermont: Town Road and Bridge Standards Update |
| Charles Peel made a motion to approve and adopt the Town Road and Bridge Standards dated 1/21/26; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| D. Free Verse Farm Shop Liquor License Renewal |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the liquor license renewal for Free Verse Farm Shop; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| E. Approve Orders |
| Charles Peel made a motion to approve the orders; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Charles Peel had questions regarding two orders, but still made a motion to approve them. Motion passed unanimously. |
| Executive Session If Necessary |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago, to discuss two Roberts Poor Fund requests and personnel pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313(a); Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard entered executive session at 9:37 pm. Charles Peel made a motion to exit executive session; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard exited executive session at 10:11 pm. |
| A. Roberts Poor Fund Requests |
| First request: Charles Peel made a motion to approve a Roberts Poor Fund request for $320; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Second request: Charles Peel made a motion to approve a Roberts Poor Fund request for a maximum of $500, pending receiving an invoice; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. |
| B. Personnel Pursuant To 1 V.S.A. § 313(a) |
| Gregg Herrin summarized that two personnel issues were discussed, with no motion made. |
| Adjournment |
| Paul Libby made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting ended at 10:13 pm. |