News

  • Backyard Burning Reminders Released

    Montpelier, Vt. – With spring cleaning underway in some parts of the state, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants to remind Vermonters to follow a few guidelines for on-premise or backyard open burning.

    “Burning materials from spring cleanup can release harmful pollution that can impact neighboring properties,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “By following these guidelines, Vermonters can help reduce air pollution, avoid nuisance impacts, and protect human and environmental health.”

    On-premise or backyard burning of brush, deadwood, or tree cuttings collected from normal property maintenance is allowed under the Vermont Air Pollution Control Regulations, as long as no public or private nuisance, such as excessive smoke, is created.

    Use these guidelines during backyard burning:

    • Allow green materials to dry before burning.
    • Consider the wind speed and direction before burning.
    • Check the Fire Danger Forecast from Forests, Parks and Recreation and postpone burning during periods of elevated fire danger.
    • Check the Air Quality Forecast and postpone burning if atmospheric conditions are not favorable to disperse the smoke.
    • Obtain a local burn permit from your Town Fire Warden.
    • Ensure that the fire burns hot.

    “Our best suggestion is to avoid burning altogether and let the materials decompose naturally,” said John Wakefield, Compliance Section Chief for the DEC Air Quality and Climate Division. 

    Find tips on what to do with excess leaves, grass, and wood – such as composting and brush piles – from the DEC Waste Management and Prevention Division.

    Learn more about open burning from the DEC Air Quality and Climate Division.

  • |

    Request for Mowing Bids

    The Town of Chelsea is accepting proposals for lawn maintenance services of Town owned
    property. The proposal must be submitted on the provided BID FORM which includes both an itemized list of costs for spring debris cleanup of the North and South Commons as well as a cost per mow of the following areas:

    2024 Bid Form for Mowing Proposals

    Both Commons (Biweekly after Flea Market – July 13)
    Town Hall
    Chelsea sign, Rte 113 (biweekly)
    Chelsea sign, rec field and around the old sand pile (biweekly)
    Tennis/Basketball Court
    Allen FEMA property
    Babcock FEMA property
    Dybvig FEMA property
    Upper Village Road/Rte 110 Triangle
    Heath field
    Sewer Plant
    Old Town Garage Pump House
    Brookhaven Pump House
    Kennedy Pump House
    Water Tank (trim bank 3 Times – over the course of the
    summer)
    Transfer Station (Biweekly)


    This is an open and competitive process. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 8am 17 April 2024
    at the Chelsea Recreation Field.

    Proposals must be submitted on an official BID FORM and received by 4:00 pm on 29 April 2024. Bids may be emailed to administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us

    Proposals will be opened at the Selectboard Meeting at the Chelsea Town Hall on 30 April 2024
    The proposal must contain the signature of a duly authorized officer or agent of the company submitting the proposal.

    Contractor prohibited from sub-contracting.

    Although cost is an important factor in awarding the contract, the Town is not obligated by any Statute or regulation to award the contract for lawn maintenance services on the basis of cost. Accordingly, the Town reserves the right to evaluate all proposals objectively and subjectively and to accept or reject any or all proposals or portion thereof.

    Notification of awarded contract will be mailed.

    The Town of Chelsea is an equal Opportunity Employer.

  • | |

    Selectboard Meeting Agenda – April 2, 2024

    Selectboard Meeting Agenda
    2 April 2024
    6:30 PM
    Chelsea Town Hall

    1. Call meeting to order
    2. Additions to the Agenda
    3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    4. Public Comments
    5. Approve Minutes 19 March 2024
    6. Treasurer –
      a. Contracts
      b. ARPA
    7. Highway
      a. New Truck
      b. Revisions and clarification of Highway permitting
      d. Annual Financial Plan
    8. Health Center Building
    9. Water/Wastewater Contract
    10. Development Review Board – Appoint Chuck Peel
    11. Listers – Request for Redetermination
    12. Forest and Parks Committee – Maple Ave Pollinator Grant
    13. Sign Appt of William Lyon to Central Vt Waste Mgt District
    14. Liquor License – Vt Rte 110 Quickstop
    15. Approve Orders
    16. Executive Session if Necessary
    17. Adjourn

    Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:    
    https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
    https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams

  • | |

    Selectboard Meeting Agenda – March 19, 2024

    19 March 2024
    6:30 PM
    Chelsea Town Hall

    1. Call meeting to order
    2. Additions to the Agenda
    3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    4. Public Comments
    5. Approve Minutes 6 March 2024
    6. Treasurer – Contracts
    7. Highway
      a. New Truck
      b. Revisions and clarification of Work in ROW permitting
      c. Ben Canonica – permit and request to cut trees
      d. East Randolph Road Municipal Invoice Cover memo – corrected
      e. Municipal Roads Grant Permit
      f. VTRANS Grant Project
    8. Sewer Issue on Rte 113
    9. Mitigation Proposal for Town Hall
    10. Digitization Proposal
    11. Development Review Board
      a. Appoint Patty Swahn
    12. Listers – Response to appeal to the state
    13. Forest and Parks Committee
    14. Appointment of a Representative to Central VT Waste Management
    15. Approve Orders
    16. Executive Session to discuss personnel issue
    17. Adjourn

    Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:
    https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
    https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams

  • | |

    Selectboard Organizational Meeting – March 6, 2024

    Chelsea Selectboard Organizational Meeting Agenda
    Wednesday, March 6, 2023
    6:30 PM Chelsea Town Hall

    1. Call meeting to order
    2. Conflict of interest disclosure
    3. Changes to agenda
    4. Select Chair and Vice Chair
    5. Determine meeting rules of procedure
    6. Set meeting dates, location, and times for regular meetings
    7. Determine process for calling special and emergency meetings
    8. Public Comments
    9. Select Newspaper of Record
    10. Determine Selectboard organizational process
      a. Appoint Selectboard Clerk or continue to have Admin Assistant
      record meeting minutes
      b. Designate member or members to sign Orders/Warrants on off-weeks
      c. Determining agenda content and coordination
      d. Approval of Village Greens Requests
      e. Approval of Roberts Gould Field requests
      f. Designate whether Selectboard members want to have liaison
      appointments for Town Departments
    11. New Truck for Highway Dept
    12. Appoint Representative to Central VT Solid Waste District
    13. Mowing Bids
    14. Approve Minutes of 20 February Meeting
    15. Executive Session For Human Resources if Necessary
    16. Adjourn
      Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:
      https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
      https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
  • Employment Opportunity: Transfer Station Attendant Assistant (Part-Time)

    Position: Transfer Station Attendant Assistant (Part-Time)

    Location: Chelsea Transfer Station

    Hours: Saturdays, 4-6 hours per shift

    Description:

    The Town of Chelsea is seeking a reliable individual to assist with operations at our transfer station on Saturdays. Duties include customer service, directing traffic, and ensuring the safe and efficient disposal of waste, compost and recycling materials. No prior experience necessary; training provided. Apply now to become part of our team!

    Please contact administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us if you are interested.

  • |

    Selectboard Meeting Agenda February 20, 2024

    Selectboard Meeting Agenda
    20 February 2024
    6:30 PM
    Chelsea Town Hall

    1. Call meeting to order
    2. Additions to the Agenda
    3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    4. Public Comments
    5. Treasurer
      a. Internal Controls
    6. Highway
      a. VTRANS FY25 grants
      b. Codes and Standards
      c. Rte 110 Paving Project Update – no action
      d. Gravel Road Future Planning
      e. Town Truck Replacement
    7. Wastewater Engineering Services Bid Selection
    8. Town Meeting Preparation
    9. Use of Village Green – Chelsea Farmers Market
    10. Use of the Village Green – Chelsea Flea Market
    11. Approve Minutes 30 January 2024
    12. Approve Orders
    13. Executive Session if necessary
    14. Adjourn
      Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:
      https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
      https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
  • |

    February 6, 2024 Selectboard Meeting Minutes

    Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Minutes (draft)

    February 6, 2024

    Present: Kelly Lyford, Leyna Hoyt, William Lyon and Jesse Kay

    Others Present: Gregg Herrin, Karen Lathrop

    1.  Kelly called the meeting to order 6:30 PM
    2. Additions to Agenda -None
    3. Conflict of Interest Disclosure -None
    4. Public Comment – None
    • Listers Appeal of Sales and Equalization Study 2023- Phyllis recommended appealing 3 properties in the Sales and Equalization Study the State sends to the Listers. Kelly noted the appeal was as to how the properties were sold and she read the appeal letter.

    Jesse moved to approve the letter of appeal for the Sales Equalization study from Phyllis as read. William seconded the motion. All were in favor, the motion passed. 

    • VLCT PACIF- Insurance Claim for Town Hall- Kelly went over the three claims that came in from VLCT and noted Kasey would need authorization to sign electronically. Replacement cost of Pellet Furnace room was $4,500. Services from Lyme Green Heat and Irving Oil were $3,392.23 and Pellets and bag were $$4,680.  She explained their was a deductible of a $1,000.00 probably covered all three.

    Leya moved to give the interim administrative assistance the authority to sign electronically for the VLCT  Proof of Loss for the Town Hall in the amount of $4,500 for furnace room, $3,392.23 for service and replacement cost value of $4,680.  Jesse seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion passed.

    There was some discussion on the membrane. Leyna noted they could not find documentation on the waterproof membrane in the Town Hall Cellar. Leyna noted they needed to  have someone come in get an estimate.

    • Health Center Building – William does not have any information yet. Next step was to meet with the Health Center Board. Kelly noted they were going to have their own meeting. William to reach out and tabled any further discussion.
    • Log Storage at Heath Field- Leyna felt there should be a process for these requests. Karen gave some info from VLCT on insurance requirements for short term situations which would include a certificate of insurance with the Town listed as the Primary.  she noted VLCT suggested an agreement between the Town and Company for long term commitments and also noted the Town has Flood Bylaws to abide by. . Leyna to reach out to Mary Ellen Parkman, Zoning Administrator and Board discussed when to bring it back to the agenda, which sparked a conversation about when to have their organizational meeting as Town Meeting falls on their regular Tuesday. Board decided to have their organizational meeting on March 6, 2024.
    • Use of the Village Green – Arts Festival – The Chelsea Arts Collective requested the use of the village green for August 31, 2024 for their annual Craft Festival.

     Leyna moved to approve the request for use of the Green for the Arts Festival on August 31, 2024.  Jesse seconded the motion.  Jesse noted that the food trucks should not be on the green and it should be relayed to the Arts Collective.

    All were in favor and the motion passed.

    1. Approval of Minutes 30 January, 2024 – Jesse moved to approve the January 30, 2024 minutes. Leyna seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
    1. Approve Orders – Jesse moved to approve the orders.  Leyna seconded the motion. All were in favor and the  motion passed.
    1. Executive session for Personnel – Jesse moved to enter executive session for Personnel inviting Karen at 6:57 PM.  Bill seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion passed.

    Leyna moved to exit executive session at 7:33 PM. Jesse seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.

    No formal action taken – Bill and Jesse to follow up with personnel.

    1. Adjourn- Leyna moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 PM.  Jesse seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.