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DRAFT Selectboard Meeting Minutes – April 15, 2024

ByTierney Farago

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

April 15th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall

I. 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)

Kevin Marshia (Present)

TOWN EMPLOYEES

Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)

Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)

II. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Mowing for Town properties was added to the agenda under Town Administrator updates.

III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo informed the selectboard that she would abstain from anything to do with the pedestrian bridge due to her relationship with Tim Courts who has been assisting with the work and because she is an abutting neighbor. Paul Libby informed the Selectboard of his volunteer work with the New Creation Fellowship church and would abstain from voting during their request to use the greens.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Taylor, the owner of Free Verse Farm Shop, attended the meeting to discuss a break-in at their store that occurred last year. She was concerned about the possibility of more crime and wanted to discuss possible solutions to discourage loitering around the town center. The Selectboard will look into possible solutions and get more public input to help deter any further criminal activity.

V.APPROVE MINUTES FROM APRIL 1, 2025

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the minutes from April 1st; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed.

VI. CURRENT EVENTS AND UPDATES

A. Highway Update

Rick Ackerman informed the Selectboard that the truck in the shop for repairs is still being worked on currently. Repairs are still to be determined.

B. Town Administrator Update

The Town Administrator asked to confirm if the Selectboard would like to go out to bid for mowing services or have a town employee do the mowing for this year. They discussed and agreed that it would be a better option to contract out for the work, as the mowing was already previously budgeted for 2025. Kevin Marshia made a motion to have the Town Administrator to create an RFP for the normal town owned properties and have it posted as soon as possible; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Separately from the mowing bid, Paul Libby made a motion to request spring cleaning services from Ronald Johnson; Kevin Marshia seconded the motion. Motion passed.

C. Water and Sewer Rate Increase Public Discussion

Gregg Herrin presented a slideshow on the history of water and sewer rates in town. Costs associated with running the water and wastewater facilities have increased in recent years, causing a rise in expenditure that has now eclipsed revenue. The goal of increasing fees is to have our revenues cover expenditures, stop draining the sinking funds that are to cover emergency failures, and ensure residents don’t lose services. Gregg presented options: Option A includes one large increase, with small increases over the coming years. Option B is a series of medium increases over several years. Meter replacement in the near future may also help in determining the average usage of users, as the current meters are aging and no longer accurate. The Selectboard took questions after the presentation. The public in attendance all agreed that medium increases would be more palatable than a large increase that users may not be prepared for. The Selectboard will continue to have discussions regarding these increases and are looking to finalize numbers by June 3rd. A copy of the slideshow presentation is available on this post.

VII. ACTION ITEMS

A. Pedestrian Bridge

The Town Administrator gave an update on the required permits for the cemetery pedestrian bridge. The Town will have to get an H&H study to submit a permit for the Agency of Natural Resources. Additionally, there may be some restrictions on when construction can occur that was previously unknown. Paul Libby offered to help assist the Town Administrator in getting these permits. No motion made.

B. Creamery Rd Drainage Issue

The Town Administrator brought up an issue a resident, Robert Button, has been having at his property on Creamery Rd. There has been a history of flooding from the drainage the comes off the school’s property and drains to the river. The Selectboard would like to look into this issue more and understand the responsibilities of the town, property owner, and the school. No motion made.

C. New Creation Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt Greens Request

A request was submitted for the annual Easter Egg Hunt by New Creation Fellowship. The event will be on April 19th from 9:00 am-11:30 am. Kevin Marshia made a motion to approve the request; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Paul Libby abstained. Motion passed.

D. Chelsea Senior Baseball Roberts Gould Field Request

A request was submitted to use the Roberts-Gould Field for various senior baseball games. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the request; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

E. Signature: Forest and Parks Commission Grant Acceptance

Paul Libby made a motion to accept and sign the tree removal and planting grants; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

F. Approve Orders

Paul Libby made a motion to approve orders: Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

VIII.EXECUTIVE SESSION IF NECESSARY

Paul Libby made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 8:57 pm. Curtis Chase made a motion to exit executive session; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 9:14 pm. Personnel was discussed and no action was taken.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.

Request for Bids: Town Property Mowing

ByTierney Farago

Town of Chelsea
Request for Bids
Town Property Mowing

The Town of Chelsea is accepting proposals for lawn maintenance services of Town owned properties. A list of properties is included below in the itemized bid form.

Site Visit
If desired, appointments for site visits can be made by emailing Town Administrator, Tierney Farago, at town.administrator@chelseavt.us.  

Bid Process and Deadline

Bid packages must be sealed and received by May 2nd at 4:00pm at PO Box 266 Chelsea, VT 05038 (ATTN: Selectboard/ Town Administrator). Please include the following information in your bid:

  • On the outside of the sealed envelope: PO Box 266, Chelsea VT 05038 (care of the Selectboard/Town Administrator), Town of Chelsea Town Hall Proposal, the deadline for bid submissions (May 2nd, 4:00 pm)
  • A copy of bond/insurance
  • A cover sheet with the title of the RFP; the bidder’s name, physical address, and all other contact information
  • A completed Bid Form (provided below)

Bid Opening

Sealed bids will be opened and selected by the Chelsea Selectboard during the Selectboard meeting at Town Hall (296 Vt Rte 110 Chelsea, VT 05038) on May 6th at 6:30 pm. Bids will be judged by the following factors:

  • Price
  • Bidder’s ability to perform within the specified time limits
  • Bidder’s experience and reputation, including past performance for the Town
  • Quality of the services proposed
  • Bidder’s ability to meet all terms and conditions spelled out in this RFP

Contact Information

Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted by email only to the Town Administrator, Tierney Farago, at town.administrator@chelseavt.us. The Town Administrator will maintain a list of RFP questions and answers posted on the Town’s website once received. Questions will be accepted until 4:00pm on May 2nd, to ensure all parties have adequate time to review the answers before the proposal submission deadline.

Disclosure

The Town of Chelsea is an equal opportunity employer.

The Selectboard reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all bids, wholly or in part, to waive any informalities or any irregularities therein, to accept any bid even though it may not be the lowest bid, to call for rebids, to negotiate with any bidder, and to make an award which in its sole and absolute judgment will best serve the Town’s interest. The Selectboard reserves the right to investigate the financial condition of any bidder to determine his or her ability to assure service throughout the term of the contract. The Town assumes no responsibility and no liability for costs incurred relevant to the preparation and submission of proposals or any other costs prior to the issuance of a contract.

CLICK HERE FOR BID FORM

Job Opportunity: Zoning Administrator/E911 Coordinator

ByTierney Farago

Town of Chelsea: Zoning Administrator/E911 Coordinator

Department: Town of Chelsea Zoning Department

Status: This is a part-time position – budgeted for approximately 10 hours per week – depending on workload. Current pay rate: $22.49

Job Summary: The Zoning Administrator works with Chelsea residents, property owners, and officials to make sure they understand the town’s zoning regulations and application process. The ZA processes zoning applications in a timely manner, schedules and facilitates hearings, and oversees compliance with the town’s zoning and land use regulations. The Zoning Administrator communicates both verbally and in writing with a variety of people, including applicants/citizens, town officials and boards. Site visits may be required and could consist of uneven terrain and in a variety of weather conditions.

Supervision: The Zoning Administrator is nominated by the Planning Commission and appointed by the Selectboard. Employment is on terms determined by the Selectboard. The Zoning Administrator will be appointed for a three-year (3) term. The Zoning Administrator position is subject to the Town’s Personnel Policies. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Be well-versed in all State of Vermont zoning Acts and statutes.
  • Administer the zoning bylaws and land use regulations as written.
  • Provide applicants/citizens with all forms required to obtain any municipal land use permit.
  • Issue decisions or make referrals to the Development Review Board in a timely manner.
  • Make appropriate site visits if needed.
  • Ensure that all statutory notice requirements are complied with and provide all necessary assistance for applicants to meet their statutory requirements.
  • Facilitate and attend meetings of the Development Review Board, record and transcribe their minutes, and draft and distribute for comment their decision documents.
  • Issue and post zoning permits and provide copies to the Town Clerk.
  • Serve as the E911 Coordinator for the Town; as required by 30 V.S.A. §7056 (a), the E911 coordinator serves as the liaison to the Vermont E911 Board on all database and mapping maintenance issues.
  • The coordinator will maintain the municipal address system, the municipal E911 map, and the
    Emergency Service Zone (ESZ) database and associated emergency service provider information.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Experience in development review and/or zoning administration.
  • Preferred demonstration of experience in the land-use field.
  • A desire to work as part of a team to initiate and perform detailed work with appropriate supervision.
  • The ability to interact courteously, clearly, and in a timely manner with the public on potentially sensitive issues.
  • Familiarity with zoning and subdivision bylaws and flood hazard area regulations.
  • The ability to organize, prioritize, maintain multiple tasks and deadlines, and to manage time effectively.
  • Ability to read plans and drawings.
  • Must demonstrate outstanding judgment.
  • Must have good written and verbal skills and be highly organized.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office products and GIS.
  • Must be able to attend evening meetings for the Design Review Board.

Discrimination Policy: The Town of Chelsea condemns racism and welcomes all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age or disability and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community. As a town, we formally condemn discrimination in all its forms, commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all our actions, policies and operating procedures reflect this commitment.

Please direct all inquiries and resumes to:

Tierney Farago, Town Administrator
PO Box 266 Chelsea, VT 05038
Or submit via email: town.administrator@chelseavt.us 

Request for Proposals: Town Hall Basement Waterproofing

ByTierney Farago

Town of Chelsea
Request for Proposals
Town Hall Basement Waterproofing

The Town of Chelsea is accepting bids to address a water infiltration issue in the basement of the town hall.

Proposals must include leveling the dirt floor, installation of a drain system, and a pump system that will activate automatically when needed. The whole space, approximately 1900 square feet, requires encapsulation. A combination of concrete on the floor itself with a vapor barrier/insulation on the walls is recommended.
A dehumidifier may also be added to the proposal.

The building is a historic landmark and precautions must be taken to retain the integrity of the building. No changes to the outside can be made.

Site Visit
Proposals will not be accepted without a site visit. Appointments for site visits can be made by emailing Grant Administrator, Kasey Peterson, at grants@chelseavt.org or Town Administrator, Tierney Farago, at town.administrator@chelseavt.us.  

Bid Process and Deadline

Bid packages must be sealed and received by May 16th at 4:00pm at PO Box 266 Chelsea, VT 05038 (ATTN: Selectboard/ Town Administrator). Please include the following information in your bid:

  • On the outside of the sealed envelope: PO Box 266, Chelsea VT 05038 (care of the Selectboard/Town Administrator), Town of Chelsea Town Hall Proposal, the deadline for bid submissions (May 16th, 4:00 pm)
  • A copy of bond/insurance
  • A cover sheet with the title of the RFP; the bidder’s name, physical address, and all other contact information
  • A cost estimate with itemized per unit costs for hardware, and a total proposed contract amount

Bid Opening

Sealed bids will be opened and selected by the Chelsea Selectboard during the Selectboard meeting at Town Hall (296 Vt Rte 110 Chelsea, VT 05038) on May 20th at 6:30 pm. Bids will be judged by the following factors:

  • Price
  • Bidder’s ability to perform within the specified time limits
  • Bidder’s experience and reputation, including past performance for the Town
  • Quality of the materials and services proposed
  • Bidder’s ability to meet all terms and conditions spelled out in this RFP

Contact Information

Questions regarding this RFP shall be submitted by email only to the Town Administrator, Tierney Farago, at town.administrator@chelseavt.us. The Town Administrator will maintain a list of RFP questions and answers posted on the Town’s website once received. Questions will be accepted until 4:00pm on May 16th, to ensure all parties have adequate time to review the answers before the proposal submission deadline.

Disclosure

The Town of Chelsea is an equal opportunity employer.

The Selectboard reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all bids, wholly or in part, to waive any informalities or any irregularities therein, to accept any bid even though it may not be the lowest bid, to call for rebids, to negotiate with any bidder, and to make an award which in its sole and absolute judgment will best serve the Town’s interest. The Selectboard reserves the right to investigate the financial condition of any bidder to determine his or her ability to assure service throughout the term of the contract. The Town assumes no responsibility and no liability for costs incurred relevant to the preparation and submission of proposals or any other costs prior to the issuance of a contract.

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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – April 15, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
April 15th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from April 1, 2025
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
B. Town Administrator Update
C. Water and Sewer Rate Increase Public Discussion
Action Items
A. Pedestrian Bridge
B. Creamery Rd Drainage Issue
C. New Creation Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt Greens Request
D. Chelsea Senior Baseball Roberts Gould Field Request
E. Signature: Forest and Parks Commission Grant Acceptance
F. Approve Orders
Executive Session If Necessary
Adjournment
Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:     
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@chelseavtselectboardofficial/streams
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2024 Consumer Confidence Report

ByTierney Farago

This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided in 2024. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. To learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings which are held at Chelsea’s regular Selectboard meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Chelsea Town Hall.

The person who can answer questions is Mike Whipple Telephone: 802-685-7727 and/or Email: wschiefoperator@chelseavt.us

You can read the report here: Consumer Confidence Report 2024

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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – April 1, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
April 1st, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Curtis Chase (Present) 
Paul Libby (Present) 
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Present until 8:30 pm)
Kevin Marshia (Absent)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
Additions to the Agenda
Community Nursing: Paul Libby had spoken with a representative for the Health Center regarding expected contribution for the community nurse contract. Tierney Farago stated that the approved budget for the Town’s contribution was up to $20,000. The Town and the Health Center will need to discuss cost sharing further while the draft contract is written, as well as how both parties expect to invoice/be invoiced for those fees. The Town Administrator will follow up with the Health Center while writing the contract for services.  
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Tim Courts attended the meeting to ask questions regarding the water and wastewater system. Some of his questions included how the system is funded and how it is beneficial to users and non-users. The Selectboard will gather answers to his questions so they can be addressed during the April 15th meeting where the fee increase will be discussed in further detail.
Approve Minutes from March 6, 2025 and March 18, 2025
Carre Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the minutes from March 6th and March 18th; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman updated the Selectboard that he received some additional quotes for transmission work for the truck that is in the shop, which would be closer to $10,000 rather than the original $17,000. After some discussion regarding repairing the truck, the Selectboard agreed to have Rick work with the auto shops and have the truck repaired as needed. Paul Libby made a motion to make repairs to the truck not to exceed $18,000; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed. Rick Ackerman and Paul Libby also brought up the new timeline for the new truck that the Selectboard previously approved. The truck was originally expected to be completed by the end of 2025, but the truck is now delayed and expected to be completed by May of 2026. The Selectboard will reassess the selection and see if the truck is necessary before winter 2025.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator informed the Selectboard that reimbursements for several FEMA projects have been released to the treasurer. The remaining projects are being reviewed by FEMA.
C. Forest and Parks Commission Grant Announcements
The Town Administrator announced that the Forest and Parks Commission received another grant; the commission now has two grants, one for the removal of trees and one for the planting of replacement trees. The Selectboard greatly appreciates their hard work and is very excited to see the project completed.
Action Items
A. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
The Selectboard reviewed the draft notice of the proposed water/sewer fees that will be included in this quarter’s bills. They agreed to have an informational session regarding the topic of changing fees during the April 15th Selectboard meeting. This item will be advertised to the public to drive resident engagement to determine the final fee increase. No motion required.
B. Transfer Station Construction Trailers
The Selectboard discussed the construction trailer that is usually ordered to the transfer station during spring. Currently, Myers charges the Town $60 dollars for each large item in the trailer like couches, recliners, and mattresses in addition to the normal price charge per ton. The current prices charged at the transfer station for these items do not cover that extra surcharge, causing a deficiency in transfer station funds since the change was implemented last summer. The Selectboard considered increasing the prices charged for those items to at least balance what the Town is being charged for by Myers. The Selectboard gave permission for staff to order the trailer to be delivered. Gregg Herrin made a motion to increase the price for these large items to $65; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.
C. Jonathan Maier Highway Permit
The Selectboard reviewed additional information regarding Mr. Maier’s right-of-way permit and determined that it is able to be approved. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the right-of-way permit; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.
D. VTrans Grant Application for Signatures
Signatures for the submission of the 2026 VTrans grant were required from the Selectboard. Rick Ackerman will be submitting a paving grant request for Upper Village Rd. Paul Libby made a motion to sign the grant application once Rick Ackerman completes the paperwork; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.
E. VTrans East Randolph Rd Grant Agreement
A grant agreement needed to be signed for work that has already been completed for East Randolph Rd. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to allow Tierney Farago to sign the grant agreement; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed.
F. Free Verse Farm Liquor License
The Town Clerk had a pending liquor license renewal for the Free Verse Farm Store. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the renewal of the license; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.
G. Approve Orders
Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the orders; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary
Paul Libby made a motion to enter executive session for a personnel item, inviting Tierney Farago; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 8:57 pm. Paul Libby made a motion to exit executive session; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Executive session ended at 9:12 pm. Personnel was discussed and no action was taken.
Adjournment
Curtis Chase made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 pm.