News

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    DRAFT Selectboard Meeting Minutes – February 3, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Selectboard Meeting Minutes
    February 3, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    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 (Present)
    Charles Peel (Present)
    TOWN EMPLOYEES    
    Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
    Jen Chase (Town Clerk)
    Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
    Additions to the Agenda: None
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
    Public Comments
    Andy Pomerantz attended the meeting to ask the Selectboard if they were interested in posting official town business on the Chelsea Listserv page. Andy mentioned that the Selectboard agreed to use the platform during a meeting back in 2023, however, it did not take off as originally expected. He wanted to know if the Town was still interested in using it as a platform for official town news. The Selectboard has no issue with adding regular updates to the Listserv as they are updated on other sites, but will make sure the Town and the library have access to the same platforms so that all Town news is consistent on social media for residents to view.

    Nick DeFriez attended the meeting to confirm that the Selectboard gave him permission to begin repairing the balcony chairs in Town Hall. They confirmed that he may move forward with the project and reach out if he needs help or places to store parts.
    Approve Minutes from January 6, January 9, and January 20, 2026
    Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the January 6th meeting minutes; Charles Peel seconded the motion. motion passed unanimously. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the January 9th special meeting minutes; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Paul Libby abstained due to being absent during the meeting. Motion passed. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the January 20th meeting minutes; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    Current Events and Updates
    A. Highway Updates
    Truck body availability
    Next equipment order
    Salt and sand status
    Equipment inventory and planning

    Rick reached out to Tenco, another truck body company to see if they have a faster turnaround, but unfortunately the timeline is the same as Viking which is now expected to be done in the 3rd quarter of 2026. The other company would also be $20k more expensive. The Selectboard decided to continue waiting for Viking to finish the body of the truck since it was already previously approved. Rick stated that he was able to have 33.44 tons of salt trucked in from New Hampshire. He feels confident in how much salt and sand is currently left in the inventory. The Selectboard will look into ways to better store sand so the highway crew is not losing so much material to the elements when the top layer freezes. The Selectboard also discussed equipment prioritization and planning for future equipment purchases. Rick has been looking into used trucks to replace the aging chlorine truck, as it will be needed in the summer. The Selectboard agree it would be helpful to pre-approve an amount for Rick in case he comes across a truck that he has to purchase in between Selectboard meetings. Charles Peel made a motion to approve the purchase of a replacement chlorine truck for up to $25,000; Paul Libby seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously. 
    B. Town Administrator Update
    The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard that all reports have been sent to the printer, and proof of the Town Report is expected soon. She will update the Selectboard when the proof is received for final edits and review. The Town will notify residents when the reports have been received and given to the post office for distribution. A digital copy of the Town Report will be available on the Town’s website so residents can view it ahead of the informational meeting.
    Action Items
    A. Community Nurse Quarterly Report
    Jodi Hoyt presented a quarterly report update on the community nurse program. Jodi began working as the community nurse on October 1st, 2025, but not performing home visits until November 1st as she was obtaining the required insurance, and has been working on establishing the program and gaining clients. She stated that she has 22 active clients, and more than a dozen inactive (one time visit only) clients. She has been getting referrals through various hospitals as well as word of mouth from other residents. The nurse has also been coordinating through the Chelsea Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. A community nurse board has been created and accepts volunteers to help with administrative duties, donations, fundraising, and more. She has held two cardiovascular clinics and a vaccination clinic that brought in numerous residents and non-residents alike. She plans on organizing another clinic on Town Meeting Day (March 3rd) in the town library. Further information will be shared before the event. 
     B. Approve Orders
    Paul Libby made a motion to approve the orders; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    Executive Session if necessary
    Charles Peel made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago and Rick Ackerman; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard entered executive session at 8:11 pm. Curtis Chase made a motion to exit executive session; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed and the Selectboard exited executive session at 8:28 pm. Gregg Herrin stated that personnel was discussed and entertained a motion from the Selectboard. Paul Libby made a motion to extend the full-time road maintenance worker position to Ruben Hook at his current rate; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    Adjournment
    Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
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    Informational Meeting Prior to Town Meeting Agenda – February 18, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Informational Town Meeting Agenda
    February 18, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    Call to Order
    Additions to the Agenda
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Agenda Items
    A. Budget Presentation by the Chelsea Selectboard
    B. Discussion of Articles 1 and 2
    C. Introduction to Candidates
    D. Any Additional Town Meeting Topics
    Public Comments
    Adjournment
    VIRTUAL OPTION: To join the Selectboard Meeting virtually, please request a link to join from the Town Administrator at town.administrator@chelseavt.us, or by calling 802-625-2023.

    NOTE: The meeting will be recorded, but please note that it can be difficult to hear with a larger crowd of people. We highly recommend attending in person if possible. If you are a candidate and would like to introduce yourself to the public prior to voting day, please join us at Town Hall.

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    Selectboard Meeting Agenda – February 3, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Selectboard Meeting Agenda
    February 3, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    Call to Order
    Additions to the Agenda
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Public Comments
    Approve Minutes from January 6, January 9, and January 20, 2026
    Current Events and Updates
    A. Highway Updates
    -Truck body availability
    -Next equipment order
    -Salt and sand status
    -Equipment inventory and planning
    B. Town Administrator Update
    Action Items
    A. Community Nurse Quarterly Report
    B. Approve Orders
    Executive Session If Necessary
    Adjournment
    VIRTUAL OPTION: To join the Selectboard Meeting virtually, please request a link to join from the Town Administrator at town.administrator@chelseavt.us, or by calling 802-625-2023.
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    Selectboard Meeting Minutes – January 20, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Selectboard Meeting Minutes
    January 20, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    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 (Present)
    Charles Peel (Present)
    TOWN EMPLOYEES    
    Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
    Jen Chase (Town Clerk)
    Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
    Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
    Additions to the Agenda: None
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Gregg Herrin disclosed that his spouse is on the library board. Curtis Chase disclosed that his spouse is the town clerk.
    Public Comments: None
    Approve Minutes from January 6, 2026 and January 9, 2026
    The selectboard was unable to review the minutes in time to approve during the meeting and the item was tabled for the next regular Selectboard meeting.
    Current Events and Updates
    A. Highway Update
    Rick Ackerman updated the Selectboard on highway business. They’ve had a few issues with one of the trucks but were able to fix it. He mentioned that the truck body from Viking may be pushed out again until September, so he will make a call to see if another company could fulfill the order sooner. He will bring the information back to the Selectboard for the February 3rd meeting.
    B. Town Administrator Update-Informational Hearing Date and Agenda
    The Selectboard discussed setting a date for the informational meeting before Town Meeting Day and settled on the date of February 18th at 6:30pm to present the budget and discuss the articles of the Town Meeting warning with the public.
    Action Items
    A. 2026 Budget Review
    The Selectboard had a final review of the budget to fill in remaining numbers from Gayle, and to clear up any flagged items. They agreed on the final numbers, and entertained a motion to recommend the budget to the voters at Town Meeting day. Charles Peel made a motion to include an article to see if the voters will approve the total fund expenditure of $1,776,417 of which $1,328,833 shall be raised by taxes and $447,584 by non-tax revenue; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.   
    B. 2026 Town Meeting Warning
    After approving the budget to be presented to the voters, the Selectboard reviewed the Town Meeting Warning and made adjustments as necessary with the final budget and appropriation numbers. A complete petition to change the Social Service Appropriation Petition Policy was received from Marianne McCann, and the Selectboard discussed including it on the Town Meeting warning. After seeking legal advice from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the Selectboard concluded that the petition could not be warned as a binding petition by Australian Ballot because the voters lack statutory authority over this aspect of Town government.  So, the Selectboard determined that it could either warn it as a non-binding advisory petition to be voted on from the floor of Town Meeting or exclude it from the warning altogether.  The Selectboard was concerned that if the nonbinding advisory petition was included in the warning, voters might object to further revision by the Board following passage. Ultimately, the Selectboard decided that, in accordance with its original intent conveyed when this issue was presented by Marianne McCann at a November meeting, that it would take the issue up at a February 2026 meeting in hopes of developing a process to encourage public participation on the policy amendment and thereby avoiding any confusion which may arise from an advisory petition.  

    Paul Libby made a motion to exclude the petition from the Town Meeting warning and take up the Social Service Appropriation Policy as a Board; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.  

    Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the 2026 Town Meeting Warning; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    C. First Branch Ambulance Contract Renewal
    The Selectboard reviewed the three-year contract to continue ambulance services with First Branch Ambulance. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the contract; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    D. Approve Orders
    Paul Libby made a motion to approve the orders; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    Executive Session If Necessary: None
    Adjournment
    Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm.
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    Selectboard Meeting Agenda – January 20, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Selectboard Meeting Agenda
    January 20, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    Call to Order
    Additions to the Agenda
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Public Comments
    Approve Minutes from January 6, 2026 and January 9, 2026
    Current Events and Updates
    A. Highway Update
    B. Town Administrator Update
    -Informational Hearing Date and Agenda
    Action Items
    A. 2026 Budget Review
    B. 2026 Town Meeting Warning
    C. First Branch Ambulance Contract Renewal
    D. Approve Orders
    Executive Session if necessary
    Adjournment
    VIRTUAL OPTION: To join the Selectboard Meeting virtually, please request a link to join from the Town Administrator at town.administrator@chelseavt.us, or by calling 802-625-2023.
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    Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes – January 9, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes
    January 9, 2026 7:00 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    Call to Order
    Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 7:00 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)
    Additions to the Agenda
    Jen Chase asked to have an executive session added for a time sensitive personnel matter.
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Charles Peel disclosed that he is on the DRB.
    Public Comments: None
    Action Items
    A. Zoning Bylaw Adoption
    Charles Peel made a motion to adopt the zoning bylaws as written, with additional spelling and grammar checks; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
    Executive Session (PERSONNEL PURSUANT TO 1 V.S.A. § 313(A))
    Charles Peel made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago and Jen Chase; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the Selectboard entered executive session at 7:06 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 7:24 pm. Gregg Herrin summarized that the Selectboard discussed a personnel matter, but no action was taken.
    Adjournment
    Charles Peel made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
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    Zoning Bylaw Hearing Minutes – January 9, 2026

    ByTierney Farago
    Zoning Bylaw Hearing
    January 9, 2026 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
    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 (Present)
    Charles Peel (Present)
    TOWN EMPLOYEES    
    Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
    Jen Chase (Town Clerk)
    PARTICIPANTS
    Bryan Kovalick (Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission)
    Marianne McCann
    Bob Brennan
    Tom Stearns
    Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    Charles Peel disclosed that he is on the DRB.
    Public Comments
    Gregg Herrin opened the floor to any questions regarding the zoning bylaw update. Marianne McCann had questions regarding the purpose of the bylaw update, and asked for clarification of several areas including the definition of “affordable housing” and the expanded conservation areas. She also pointed out a formatting issue in the document that the Selectboard will fix before final publication. Bob Brennan (chair of the planning commission) and Bryan Kovalick (representative from the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission) have been working on drafting the zoning bylaw update and offered additional information when needed. No other members of the public had questions or comments for the Selectboard.
    Adjournment
    Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Charles Peel seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm.