News

Informational Meeting Minutes – February 21, 2025

ByTierney Farago

To view the recorded meeting, click HERE.

Informational Town Meeting Agenda
February 21st, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Absent) 
William Lyon (Present)
Kevin Marshia (Present, Virtual)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Agenda Items
A. Budget Presentation by the Chelsea Selectboard
Gregg Herrin presented a slideshow of the budget highlights, including comparisons to last year’s budget and the expected changes for 2025. He also reviewed some of the ongoing projects around Town, including the Wastewater Plant upgrade and open hiring of several town employee positions. You can view the full presentation HERE.
B. Discuss Articles 1 and 2
Article 1 of the Town Warning includes the open seats for Town Office:
a. Town Moderator – one (1) year term;
b. Town Clerk – three (3) year term;
c. Treasurer – three (3) year term;
d. Delinquent Tax Collector – one (1) year term;
e. Selectboard – three (3) year term;
f. Selectboard – two (2) year term;
g. Selectboard – one (1) year of three (3) year term;
h. Lister –three (3) year term;
i. Trustees of the Public Library – one (1) year of a three (3) year term;
j. Trustee of Public Funds – three (3) year term;
k. Cemetery Commissioner –  five (5) year term

Nyla Whipple presented information regarding the Chelsea Health Center’s request for tax exemption, which is Article 2 on the Town Warning. She discussed the services that the Health Center regularly provides to both residents and non-residents, and how they give back to the community in general.
C. Introduction to Candidates
Several candidates were in attendance to introduce themselves to the public:
Jen Chase (Town Clerk candidate)
Katie Golden (Town Clerk candidate)
Paul Libby (2 year Selectboard term candidate)
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (1 year of 3 year Selectboard term write-in candidate)
The candidates briefly gave their history in Chelsea and why they would like to serve in public office. The candidates fielded a few questions from other attendees regarding experience and what they enjoy about Chelsea.
Public Comments
The public had several questions, mainly pertaining to the process of voting and how they are meant to nominate write-in candidates; the Selectboard advised them that the Board of Civil Authority reviews and counts votes based on what is written on the ballot. It is acceptable if there is a spelling mistake on the name, as long as the voter’s intent is clear. Voters are advised to write as clearly as possible to ensure their vote is accepted. Other questions included why the Town uses both Australian ballot and a floor vote, and how that can be petitioned and changed in the future is the residents so choose.
Adjournment
William Lyon made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm.
| |

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
February 18th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present) 
William Lyon (Present)
Kevin Marshia (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
Additions to the Agenda
The Town Administrator included an item related to a possible reimbursement for water/sewer for a resident. Their water was turned off mid-December but they were charged for the remainder of the month. The Selectboard discussed that if the water was turned off and the Town wasn’t notified, it would be the owner’s responsibility to pay the fees. If the water was turned off by the Town, however, it would make sense to reimburse them. Gayle will reach out to Mike Whipple to see if the Town shut off the water for the owner, and if he did, then their bill can be reimbursed.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from February 4, 2025
Kelly Lyford made a motion to approve the minutes from February 4th; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman gave an update on the highway department; sand is a little lower than he would like, but they’ve had to use significantly more sand due to the unseasonable winter weather. They’ve used quite a bit more than they have in recent years with the amount of snow and ice Chelsea has been experiencing. Larry Pickett will also scale back his work, so the Town Administrator will post the road crew position again to hopefully get additional help. The Selectboard also discussed the possibility of hiring if the candidate will be willing to train for the CDL license if they do not already have one.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator gave updates on several items:1. Security Cameras: Green Mountain Security has been setting up security cameras at Town Hall and the Town Garage recently. They should be wrapped up within the next few weeks. Kevin suggested notifying the public of why the cameras are being set up while also making it clear that they will be recorded while on the premises. The Town Administrator will post on social media so the public is aware, and signs will also be posted on the property for transparency. 2. Several remaining FEMA cases have been obligated, and the Town is now just waiting for the state to draw those funds down to the accounts. The last cases that will stay open are tied to the engineering projects for Edwards Rd, Doyle Rd, and the Maple Ave bridge.
Action Items
A. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
Gregg Herrin gave an update on where he was at regarding the numbers for the water and sewer rate increase proposal. He has been working with Gayle to figure out some missing information and they are waiting to get some answers regarding funds in/out. Once they have the remaining information, they will be able to present accurate rate increase proposals for the Selectboard to deliberate. No motion was made.
B. Community Nurse Request for Proposal Opening
The Selectboard opened a sealed bid for the community nurse contract. The bid was from Jodi Hoyt proposing a year long contract for community nurse services for 12 hours weekly, totaling $30,576, not including mileage and supplies. The Selectboard had questions regarding how the mileage is calculated, what supplies would be required, and how much the community nurse grant might cover, among other questions. Further information from Jodi was needed for clarity before a decision is made, so the Town Administrator will reach out with the written questions and come back to the Selectboard with answers and further discussion. No motion was made.
C. Susan Knapp: Free Library Donation for Village Greens
Susan Knapp attended the meeting to pitch a free little library to the Selectboard. She would like to create and fund a little library to install at one of the village greens so that residents can take and leave books as they would like. The Selectboard has questions pertaining to what it would look like and who would maintain it; Susan said she would work with a handyman to build the structure, and she would maintain the library. The Selectboard wants to check with several other entities including the Forest and Parks commission, the Town library, and the zoning administrator to make sure that it would be possible to do. The Town Administrator will reach out to everyone and see if there are any possible issues with accepting this generous donation. No motion was made.
D. Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion Passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Informational Meeting Prior to Town Meeting Day Agenda – February 21, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Informational Town Meeting Agenda
February 21st, 2025 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. Discuss Articles 1 and 2
C. Introduction to Candidates
Public Comments
Adjournment
Links to join the Meeting:     
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@chelseavtselectboardofficial/streams

| |

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – February 18, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
February 18th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from February 4, 2025
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
B. Town Administrator Update
Action Items
A. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
B. Community Nurse Request for Proposal Opening
C. Susan Knapp: Free Library Donation for Village Greens
D. 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
| |

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
February 4th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kelly Lyford called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present) 
William Lyon (Present)
Kevin Marshia (Absent)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from January 21, 2025 and January 25, 2025
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from January 21st and January 25th; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
There were no significant highway updates.
B. Town Administrator Update
There were no significant Town Administrator updates.
Action Items
A. Interim Zoning Administrator Services TRORC
Kyle Katz from Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission attended the meeting to discuss a potential contract for interim zoning administrator services. His colleague, Kyle Hansen, has availability to serve as a temporary zoning administrator to help with permitting until a ZA can be hired. This would likely be remote work for 5-7 hours weekly, depending on the needs of the Town. The price of this contract, expected to last until May 2, is not to exceed $4,420. Gregg Herrin made a motion to accept this contract and nominate Kyle Hansen as the interim zoning administrator; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
B. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
This item was tabled until February 18th to give ample time to prepare numbers and statistics.
C. Law Enforcement Requests for Proposal Opening
The Selectboard opened two bids for Law Enforcement services. The first was from Orange County for 6 hours of day and night weekly coverage for a total of $22,000 for a year. The second was for Windsor County for 14 hours of day, night, and weekend coverage for a total of $56,784 for a year. The Selectboard discussed their opinions on Window County’s current law enforcement services and agreed that they would like to continue using them for the upcoming year, having already made arrangements for the budget in case they chose to proceed with them again. They wanted to double-check that weekend coverage was still included, but overall chose Windsor County’s proposal. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept Windsor County’s proposal for law enforcement; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
D. Community Nurse Request for Proposal Opening
This item was tabled to February 18th to give proper time to open proposals.
E. Cleopatra Griffin Village Greens Request
Cleopatra Griffin requested to use the village greens on Saturday, June 7th from 11 am- 4 pm for the SafeArt Spring Carnival. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve this request; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
F. Chelsea Annual Flea Market Village Greens Request
The Annual Flea Market would like to use the village greens on July 12th from 6 am- 4 pm for the event, and on July 10th and 11th for set-up. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the request; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
G. Chelsea Farmer’s Market Village Greens Request
The Farmer’s Market requested the use of the village greens on Fridays from 2 pm- 7 pm May 23-October 10. There was a concern that this might affect the Flea Market’s request on July 11th, so the Town Administrator will work with both groups to ensure that they can both operate at the same time. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve this request; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
H. Approve Orders
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: none
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
| |

Selectboard Meeting Agenda – February 4, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
February 4th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from January 21, 2025 and January 25, 2025
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
B. Town Administrator Update
Action Items
A. Interim Zoning Administrator Services TRORC
B. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
C. Law Enforcement Requests for Proposal Opening
D. Community Nurse Request for Proposal Opening
E. Cleopatra Griffin Village Greens Request
F. Chelsea Annual Flea Market Village Greens Request
G. Chelsea Farmer’s Market Village Greens Request
H. 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