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DRAFT – Selectboard Meeting Minutes  June 16, 2026  
 
Gregg Herrin 
Charles Peel 
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo  
Paul Libby 
Curtis Chase 

Gayle Durkee 
Bernard ‘Snook’ Downing 
Rick Ackerman 
Chintana Herrin 
Kasey Peterson 
Linda Ingold 
Bill Neukomm 
 
Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM    

Additions to the Agenda   
Reaffirm the approval of the Windsor County Sherriff’s Contract  

Conflict of Interest Disclosure  – none 

Public Comments  – none 

Water Board   
Charles Peel presented the proposal by Mike Whipple to add a 4-inch pipe to the connection at 354 Vt Rte 110 line to support fire safety sprinklers. Charles Peel made a motion to approve water/sewer allocation 2026-002 for 354 Vt Rte 110. Carrie Caouette De-Lallo seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0.  

Transfer Station    
Transfer Station Attendant – Carrie Caouette-De Lallo and Snook Downing reported that had interviewed Jacob Brooke. Both parties felt that he would be a good fit as he has worked at the Chelsea Transfer Station in the past, is familiar with the system, and can start right away. Paul Libby asked how many applicants were interviewed. Carrie Caouette De-Lallo reported that two candidates were interviewed. Carrie Caouette De-Lallo made a motion to hire Jacob Brooke for the part time position at the transfer station at the published rate of eighteen dollars ($18) per hour. Curtis Chase seconded. There was no further discussion, 5-0-0 
Removal of the waste oil tank – There was a discussion of the cost effectiveness of the oil tank, safety concerns, and the risk of contamination by brake fluid or antifreeze. There is a costly penalty for contamination. Gregg Herrin reviewed the last discussion and noted that there is no hurry to go back to collecting waste oil at the Chelsea Transfer Station. Snook Downing was concerned about people using the tank without permission and suggested a plan to secure that tank until it can be removed. WRC and Frank Keene both use uncontaminated waste oil as winter fuel. Waylan Childs is open to letting people bring uncontaminated motor oil to WRC during business hours. There was further discussion of redirecting people to other appropriate waste facilities such as the Eco-Depot.  
Paul Libby asked about further discussion of the transfer station fee and procedures. Terry MacNeish will be present at the 2 July meeting for the initial conversation. This will lead to a more focused series of conversations over the summer, so any changes can be in place before next winter.  

Paul Libby made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting. Curtis Chase seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0.  

Sgt. Austin Soule from the Royalton State Police Barracks was not present.  

Adopt the Local Emergency Management Plan  - this document is not ready for approval at this time. Kasey Peterson will work with Tracy Simon and Charles Peel to fill in the blanks and present it at the 2 July meeting.  

250^th Independence Day Flag for the Moxley Bridge – Kasey Peterson reported that Jen Chase received a flag for the Moxley Bridge for the 250th Independence Day. It is a ‘Betsy Ross’ style flag with thirteen stars in a circle. This item was added to the agenda because it was unclear if this was an item that needed a motion. Charles Peel made a motion to hang the flag on the Moxley bridge. Curtis Chase seconded. The Board asked Rick Ackerman to hang the flag on the Rte 110 side of the bridge. 5-0-0   

Chuck Peel made motion to approve the liquor license for Will’s Store. Paul Libby seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0 

Chuck Peel made motion to approve the tabacco license for Will’s Store. Curtis Chase seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0 

Paul Libby made a motion to approve the orders. Charles Peel seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0  

Highway – Gayle Durkee announced that the town is approved for a 2% loan from the Vermont Municipal Equipment Fund for the reimbursement of the tractor purchase which will not require a public vote and will confirm with the bank that the funds can be used as reimbursement instead of direct purchase.   
Rick Ackerman reported that Viking has further delayed the delivery of the body for the 10-wheeler until January 2027. This truck was originally ordered nearly two years ago. Rick talked to another manufacturer in Maine. For an additional twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) they would get to our truck in the next week or two provided the truck is delivered to them.  Curtis Chase asked why the cost was so much more and Rick explained that the truck body at Viking was bid to years ago at one hundred and four thousand dollars ($104,000). Rick is further concerned that in January, Viking will put us of once again and the truck we have has 150,000 miles on it This discussion was tabled until the 7 July meeting.  

Charles Peel made a motion to approve the Windsor County Sheriff contract for 14 hours a week for seventy-eight dollars ($78) per hour from July 1, 2026  – June 30, 2027 with optional holiday hours at a rate of one hundred dollars ($100). Carrie Caouette De-Lallo seconded. 5-0-0 

Charles Peel made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel issues and a Roberts Poor Fund request and invited Kasey Peterson. Paul Libby seconded. There was no further discussion 5-0-0. Executive session began at 7:26.   

At 8:17 Paul Libby made a motion to leave executive session. Charles Peel seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0   

The session covered a Roberts Poor Fund request and personnel issues. No actions were taken 

Charles Peel made a motion to adjourn. Curtis Chase seconded. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0 
 
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 

Respectfully Submitted,  
Kasey Peterson  

Selectboard Meeting Minutes 
14 May 2026  
7:30 PM   
Chelsea Town Hall  

Present: 
Curtis Chase 
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo 
Charles Peel 
Paul Libby 
Rick Ackerman – Road Foreman 

Curtis Chase called the meeting to order at 7:38 pm

Additions to Agenda - none 
  
Conflict of Interest Disclosure - none 
  
Public Comments – none 

Rick Ackerman presented his opinions on the tractor he looked at last week. Discussion centered on the pros and cons and what this tractor may lack. Overall, Rick feels that the deal is a good one and this tractor will suit the needs of the Town.  

Charles Peel made a motion to purchase the 2018 M6101 Kubota mower tractor with 221 hours on it for $135,900. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded. There was no further discussion. Motion passed 4-0-0. 

Charles Peel made a motion to borrow $160,000 from Mascoma bank for a term between 5 and 7 years and to authorize Gayle Durkee or Curtis Chase to sign the loan agreement. Paul Libby seconded. There was no further discussion. Motion passed 4-0-0.  

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn. Charles Peel seconded. The was no further discussion. Motion passed 4-0-0.  

May 5, 2026 at 6:30 pm – Chelsea Town Hall

Present:

Selectboard members: 
Gregg Herrin
Curtis Chase
Charles Peel
Paul Libby
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (joining remotely) 

Town employees:
Kasey Peterson 
Rick Ackerman
Gayle Durkee
Jen Chase

Also Present:
Marianne McCann
Chintana Herrin
Peter Carbee 
Aileen Lem
Alexandra Oles

Gregg Herrin Called the meeting to order at 6:33PM 

Additions to Agenda –
Kasey Peterson added an amendment to the Dufresne Engineering contract
Rick Ackerman will provide a Highway Update
Paul Libby expressed his thanks for the efforts of the Green Up day crews and volunteers for making Chelsea look so nice

Conflict of Interest Disclosure   
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo will recuse herself from voting on the oil tank proposal as she is related to the contractor 

Public Comments  
Marianne McCann gave positive feedback on the meeting minutes written by Charles Peel for the April 21 meeting, citing excellent detail and professionalism.  
Ms. McCann also expressed her concerns of a conflict of interest for Carrie Caouette-De Lallo and Charles Peel in decisions regarding water and wastewater issues currently being experienced by building owners in the town as they are also users of the town’s water and wastewater systems. She included an AI generated assessment that suggested conflicts of interest are as much an appearance of impropriety as an actual one.  
Ms. McCann shared her thoughts on the Administrative Assistant position. She feels it is not a full-time position and instead a job that can be handled in 15 hours a week. She is willing to take that role for twenty-seven dollars ($27) an hour without benefits. Ms. Mcann suggested the use of AI to help with some tasks and to freelance others. The key to the job is email and keeping on top of those requests.  
Gregg Herrin thanked her for her feedback and insight on all three of her comments.  
Ms. McCann finally raised a now resolved issue she previously raised by email regarding the inflatable at the Post Office. 
Ms. McCann left the meeting at this time.

Approve Minutes from 21 April 2026 –  
Curtis Chase made a motion to approve the meeting minutes. Paul Libby seconded. There was no discussion or corrections. The motion passed 5-0-0   

Presentation By Windsor County Sherriff’s Office 
Claude Weyant was present to discuss his time on the Sherriff’s dept and the reshuffling of responsibilities that have recently happened within the department.  
Discussion focused on the contract with the Town of Chelsea – how many hours of coverage the town needs, how best to allocate those hours between day and nighttime presence. Gregg Herrin suggested that perhaps the Sheriff’s Office could report directly to the Board during a warned meeting might help to identify the best times for patrols.  
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo also thanked the deputy for his insights on Animal Control and Animal Control Officer, Leyna Hoyt’s, safety.  
No Action was taken at this time.  

Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District Intro and Board Representation  
Peter Carbee, Aileen Lem, and Alexandra Oles were present to encourage the Chelsea Selectboard to send a representative to the Waste Management District. They cited disaster resilience and grants for schools, businesses, and disposal for low-income folks trying to clean out a property as programs that the Town of Chelsea is missing because the town has no representative on the Waste Management Board. Furthermore, sending a representative to the Waste Management Board would provide access to people from other member towns that may be able to add insight and suggestions regarding the costs of running the transfer station vs. the fee structure. The Waste Management Board members that were present are also willing to come to an informational meeting on the subject if/when the Selectboard members are ready to further address the fees at the transfer station.   
No action was taken at this time.  

Transfer Station Compliance and Directives   
Carrie Caouette De-Lallo opened the discussion by stating that the Agency of Natural Resources had identified some issues at the transfer station. Most items were minor but the waste oil tank and the area surrounding it was an area of greater concern. Safety Kleen will be testing the tank to make certain it is not leaking, Rick Ackerman and ‘Snook’ Downing have cleaned up around the tank and found that most of what looked like a potential leak was just water. Shavings were put down to absorb any further run-off or spills.  
Discussion then turned to enclosing the oil tank with doors and a roof to shed water. Ms. Oles offered to provide guidelines for specifications and added that there might be a grant available to help with the cost. Curtis Chase suggested we wait until we have more information and a better understanding of what is allowed, what is needed and if oil disposal is a service that the Transfer Statin should continue to provide. No action was taken at this time. 
Mr. Carbee, Ms. Oles and Ms. Lem left the meeting at this time.   

United Church of Chelsea Wastewater Issue 
Charles Peel presented a brief explanation of the upgrades to the building and how that has impacted the sewer system and acknowledged that the Church has spent twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) so far on this project.  
A lengthy discussion followed. Mr. Aicher presented numerous proposals to connect to the main further to the west than the connection that is causing the issue. An email from Mike Whipple was cited that determined the best way for the church to connect to the town system is at a manhole instead of the main line and may require a pump system. Mr. Aicher pointed out that a pump system will be more costly as it requires electricity, frost protection, alarms, and a higher level of general maintenance.  
The discussion then turned to contractors and the liability of connecting straight to the sewer main.  
Ultimately Mr. Aicher’s request to the Board is to continue the plan for a gravity feed system in such a way as to protect the town and the church. And that the cost should also be shared between the town and the church.  
Charles Peel cited the ordinance directly which states that the building owner is responsible for the cost of new connections to the water system. 
There was general discussion of how to potentially apply the same standard used to correct the broken connection at Charles Peel’s house to the church project but further information would be required to make any decisions. 
Gregg Herrin asked Mr. Aicher to bring clearer proposals with clearer numbers to a future Selectboard meeting.
No other action was taken at this time.   

Town Clerk Jen Chase needed final approval on the Town Hall Rental Agreement for activities in the hall. Curtis Chase asked for comments or questions. Gregg Herrin had a question regarding time of payment, and a couple of minor editorial comments. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to accept the contract as written for the use of the town hall with minor edits and formatting adjustments. Curtis Chase seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion passed 5-0-0  

 Contracts: 
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo stepped away from her computer at this time.  
Ronjon mowing contract was signed administratively as the contract had been approved at a previous meeting. Paul Libby made a motion to hire Ronjon Mowing to do spring cleanup at a rate that is 10% more than last year’s spring clean. Charles Peel seconded. There was no further discussion. There was no further discussion. Motion passed 4-0-1.  Carrie Caouette-De Lallo abstained by her absence.  

The Lyon Excavation contract was signed administratively as this project, for Russell Noel’s water line, was done in an emergency capacity. Charles Peel made a motion to accept the contract from Lyon Excavation for one thousand one hundred and five dollars ($1105.00). Paul Libby seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion passed 4-0-1 Carrie Caouette-De Lallo abstained by absence.  

Two-Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) invoices. TRORC terminated the contract with the town of Chelsea for management of the Municipal Energy resilience Program (MERP) grant when they were asked to provide backup documentation for recent invoices. According to the contract, they have 10 days to provide full accounting – they have not. The deadline for the information is 7 May. The only leverage the town has to obtain the information is refusal to pay until the requirements of the contract are met. No further action was taken at this time.  

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo returned to the meeting.  

Rick Ackerman provided a Highway Update.  
The Road crew will be at the Municipal Show in Barre on 6 May.  
He had no update on a new truck in the town’s price range. Silloway will be fixing a drain in the garage and Rick will be going to Kentucky to assess the tractor the town is looking to purchase.  

Discussion of upcoming issues and agenda items this item was tabled due to the length of the meeting.  

Orders  
Paul Libby made a motion to approve orders.  Charles Peel seconded.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Charles Peel made a motion to enter executive session inviting Kasey Peterson. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded. Executive session started at 9:55. Motion passed 5-0-0  

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo had to leave the meeting during the executive session. 

At 10:20 Curtis Chase made a motion to end executive session. Charles Peel seconded. Motion passed. 4-0-1  
 
During the executive session two motions were passed.  

Charles Peel made a motion to keep the rate and the maximum number of available hours for the Interim Town Administrator consistent with the Town Administrator position. Paul Libby seconded. The motion passed 4-0-1   

Curtis Chase made a motion to Increase the annual stipend for Animal Control Officer from five hundred dollars ($500) to two thousand dollars ($2000). The motion passed 4-0-1 

No non-board members influenced the decisions made during the executive session. 

Paul Libby made a motion to adjourn.  Charles Peel seconded. The motion passed 4-0-1 

Meeting adjourned at 10:21 PM 

Respectfully submitted 
Kasey Peterson