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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – August 6, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
August 6th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Additions to the Agenda
A highway permit for a curb cut for 21 Richardson Hill was brought to the selectboard’s attention, however, they confirmed that curb cut permits will be required to be noticed on the agenda. This item will be moved to the next Selectboard meeting on August 20th.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Nick De Friez brought up the topic of the balcony chairs in Town Hall and room for storage for the book sale. He wanted to know more information on the number of chairs allowed on the balcony per the fire inspection conducted last year. The Selectboard briefly discussed the possible options for restoring the chairs; the Town Administrator will look into finding the previous fire inspection report to determine what the next steps are to restore the balcony seats.  
Approve Minutes from July 30th, 2024
The Selectboard was unable to review the minutes from the July 30th meeting before this meeting, so the topic has been tabled for future approval during the August 20th meeting.
Current Events and Updates
-Highway Update
Rick Ackerman did not have a highway update but attended to help review the truck bids.
-Town Administrator Update
Tierney Farago discussed possible town community events with the Selectboard. One suggested idea was to host a community event for residents to attend and have an open forum, however, the Selectboard would prefer to have events where the residents do not feel pressured to bring up issues that the town may not be able to fix or address immediately. Further planning will be required for any type of community-wide events.
Action Items
-26 O’Donnell Rd Highway Curb Cut Permit
A highway curb cut permit for 26 O’Donnell Rd was brought to the Selectboard. Rick Ackerman found no issue with the scope of work. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the highway permit for 26 O’Donnell Rd; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
-Pedestrian Bridge Debris
Tierney Farago presented the two options for debris removal to the Selectboard. One party was not able to send in a quote for fees the Town would be responsible for before a determination was made, and the other interested party (Robert Button) offered to clean up the debris and in exchange the town can negotiate to use his mower for various areas within town. Jesse Kay made a motion to allow Robert Button to remove the cemetery bridge debris; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
-Sealed Bids: Town Truck
Sealed bids for the town truck were opened and discussed by the Selectboard. Due to the amount of information that must be reviewed by both the Selectboard and the Road Foreman in each bid package, the Town Administrator will send digital copies of the bids for further review by the Selectboard, and the vote for a town truck will be added to the next meeting.
Approve Orders
Kelly Lyford moved to approve the orders; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary
Jesse Kay made a motion to enter executive session and invite Tierney Farago; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session to discuss personnel at 7:49 pm. Jesse Kay made a motion to exit executive session; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor. The Selectboard exited executive session at 8:14 pm. No action was taken.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.

Animal Control Officer Vacancy

ByTierney Farago

The Town of Chelsea has an open position for an animal control officer. Please see the job description below for more information.

WANTED: ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Animal Control Officer (ACO) is appointed by the Selectboard to administer and enforce The Town of Chelsea Dog Ordinance in conjunction with applicable State Statutes. The ACO responds to citizen complaints, handles animals in a humane and responsible manner, maintains incident records, and provides support to animal owners regarding licensing.

COMPENSATION

This is a part-time position compensated at an annual stipend of $500.00 (expenses covered include mileage reimbursement & boarding fees for impounded animals to cover the cost of food/shelter).

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The ACO shall have the following specific duties:

  • Respond to complaints about any dog in violation of the Ordinance within the Town of Chelsea.
  • When possible and/or appropriate, apprehend and transport animals in a safe and humane manner to a shelter or for impoundment in ACO care.
  • Issue warnings and citations for violations of the Ordinance and conduct follow-up visits as necessary.
  • Seek opportunities to educate animal owners about the Ordinance and its impact on both animal and owner in the community.
  • Coordinate with Town Clerk’s office for the verification of vaccinations & license status.
  • Work independently, receiving general supervision from the Selectboard.
  • Create and maintain records of each individual incident. Incident report copies must be submitted to the Town Clerk within seven (7) calendar days of incident for filing purposes to remain in compliance with the Town Office Records Retention Schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

  • No minimum level of education is required; however, a thorough knowledge of the Ordinance as well as applicable State statutes will be necessary.
  • Good interpersonal skills with the public.
  • Knowledge of animal behavior and skill in safely handling animals highly preferred.
  • Valid driver’s license required. Reliable vehicle in which to respond to complaints and, if appropriate, transport animals.
  • Basic computer skills and record keeping are preferred.

Please contact the Town Administrator for more information or to express your interest in this position. Phone: 802-625-2023 | Email: town.administrator@chelseavt.us

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Selectboard Meeting Agenda August 6, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
August 6th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from July 30th, 2024
Current Events and Updates
Highway Update
Town Administrator Update
Action Items
-26 O’Donnell Rd Highway Curb Cut Permit
-Pedestrian Bridge Debris
-Sealed Bids: Town Truck
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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Chelsea Planning Commission Notice of Public Hearing August 8, 2024

ByTierney Farago

On the Draft Chelsea Town Plan August 8th at 6:30 pm at the Chelsea Library publicly and virtually.

The Chelsea Planning Commission will be holding a hearing on the Draft Town Plan at 6:30 pm on August 8th at the Chelsea Library, 296 VT-110 ,Chelsea, VT and via Google Meets https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq.

The purpose of this hearing is to take comments from the public on the draft Town Plan so that the Planning Commission can consider these as it makes it’s final revisions prior to sending to the Selectboard. The proposed Town Plan will replace the current Town Plan in it’s entirety. Copies of the draft can be found at the Town Hall during business hours. Comments may be mailed to the attention of the Planning Commission at PO Box 266 Chelsea, VT 05038.

Below is a summary of the proposal.
I. Goals of the Plan
II. Demographics
III. Economic Development
IV. Housing
V. Education
VI. Utilities and Facilities
VII. Recreation and Parks
VIII. Health and Emergency Services
IX. Natural, Scenic, and Cultural Resources
X. Agriculture and Forestry
XI. Land Use Plan
XII. Transportation
XIII. Energy
XIV. Relationship to Other Plans
XV. Town Plan Implementation
Appendix A

To view the draft Town Plan, please click HERE.

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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – July 30, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
July 30th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from July 16th, 2024
Current Events and Updates
Highway Update
Town Administrator Update
-Animal Control Officer Opening
Water and Wastewater Update
Treasurer: Budget Update
Action Items
Wastewater Plant: Approval of Rotor Upgrade and Labor
Treasurer: Approval of Tax Rates
Treasurer: Carminati and Bullard Contracts
Mitigation Pre-application: Pedestrian Bridge Town Hall Basement
Microsoft Teams Integration
Treasurer and Town Administrator Training: UVM Vermont Local Government Institute
Pedestrian Bridge Debris
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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MANDATORY Water Line Survey

ByTierney Farago

The State of Vermont requires the residents of Chelsea using town water to fill out a quick survey regarding the water service line material in their homes. This survey is integral to helping us identify any lead sources in our water and only requires you to visually verify the type of material your water line is made of and enter that information online along with your address. Currently 101 residents have not completed this survey, and the alternative to the survey is a manual inventory involving representatives coming to your home to verify the material. We would like to avoid this inconvenience to you if possible!

Please follow the link below to complete the survey and share with your neighbors so that ALL residents fill out the survey. If you or someone you know does not have access to internet, please reach out to the Town Administrator at 802-625-2023 to help fill out the information for you. https://airtable.com/app6OfY4820Or8ndV/shrAALw8afF9Jb9FI

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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – July 16, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
July 16th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Additions to the Agenda
Signature for annual Grants In Aid acceptance was added. The annual grant was sent in this week for signature acknowledgement from the Selectboard. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to sign the grant acknowledgement for the Town to move forward with Grants in Aid; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from July 2nd, 2024
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the July 2nd minutes; Leyna Hoyt  seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
Highway Update
Rick Ackerman updated the board on the status of gravel and sand. The bids for the new town truck are out and he is waiting for bids back now. The town has received one application for a new road maintenance worker. Roadside mowing is currently being conducted while the town has access to a mower.
Town Administrator Update
Tierney Farago gave a brief update on FEMA progress. The Town is trying to wrap up the process in order for FEMA to fund the various long-term projects for repair and mitigation.  
action items
FEMA Engineering Contracts
–Stantec
–East Engineering
* Gregg Herrin received an emergency call and was excused from the meeting for the rest of the night. The Selectboard discussed the proposals received from East Engineering and Stantec. Based on the grading scale completed by each Selectboard member, Stantec ranked higher at 291 vs East Engineering’s 255. The board discussed a few questions they had including timelines and flexibility. The Selectboard thanked the representatives for their time and proceeded to a motion. Jesse Kay made a motion to accept the proposal from Stantec; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Listers: Approval of Reappraisal RFP
The listers submitted a draft Request for Proposal for the townwide reappraisal for the Selectboard’s approval. Kelly Lyford made a motion to approve the listers to move forward with their request for proposal; Jesse Kay  seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Treasurer: Approval of Tax Rates
This item was tabled until the remaining items needed are received by the treasurer. No action was taken.
Bench Donation from Chelsea Arts Collective
Carrie from the Chelsea Arts Collective wanted to see if the Selectboard would accept a donation of a bench (possibly a picnic table) from the Arts Collective. The Selectboard was appreciative of this generous donation. Jesse Kay made a motion to accept the donation of a bench or picnic table from the Arts Collective; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Arts on the Green North Common Road Closure
Carrie from the Chelsea Arts Collective brought up the possibly of closing off the North Common Road for the Arts on the Green celebration in August. The Selectboard had questions on why this would be needed and if there is a suitable alternative that would not impede traffic for the community. More information was needed, so further discussion will be had on the needs of the event. No action was taken.
Approve Orders
A note from the Treasurer regarding the increase of prices for bulk item pick-up was briefly discussed. The Town Administrator will compare vendor pricing of these items to ensure the town is getting the best deal.During discussion of the orders, Kelly Lyford questioned one of the line items for reimbursement. Seeking further clarification on why a purchase for bearings for the wastewater facility was being reimbursed to a Town employee, it was agreed that the Selectboard would approve the orders contingent upon the explanation.  Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the orders, contingent upon getting further clarification on a reimbursement line item; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. The motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary
Jesse Kay made a motion to move to executive session and invite Tierney Farago; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 7:58. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn executive session; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor and executive session ended at 8:11 pm.

Action: The selectboard will speak with personnel regarding their concerns.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.