Selectboard Meeting Minutes – September 3, 2024
| Selectboard Meeting Minutes |
| September 3rd, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall |
| Call to Order |
| Kelly Lyford called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. SELECTBOARD Kevin Marshia (Present) Kelly Lyford (Present) Gregg Herrin (Absent) Leyna Hoyt (Present) Jesse Kay (Present) TOWN EMPLOYEES Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor) Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) |
| Additions to the Agenda |
| Roberts-Gould Field Request: A request for the Robert-Gould Field was received for 9/8 and 9/15 at 8:00 am-4:00 pm for the Chelsea Senior Baseball games. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the request; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. Security Camera Upgrades: The Town Administrator asked for further clarification on security camera needs in order to draft a request for proposals. The Selectboard stated that at the moment, security cameras for Town Hall and the Town Garage would be required. CD Funds: Gayle Durkee presented information on interest rates for a CD she would like to put funds into. The Selectboard verified that those funds would go back into the same line items when the CD matured. No official motion was needed. |
| Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None |
| Public Comments: None |
| Approve Minutes from August 20th 2024 |
| Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 20th meeting; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. |
| Current Events and Updates |
| A. Town Administrator Update: None |
| B. ARPA Funds and CD Savings |
| The Town Treasurer discussed the finalized ARPA funding items that were sent to the Selectboard. Jesse Kay made a motion to allocate the ARPA funds into the line items as indicated by the Town Treasurer; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. |
| C. Health Officer Opening and Temporary Appointment |
| The Town Health Officer has resigned; Kevin Marshia has been named the interim Health Officer until a new one has been appointed. If any residents have questions or are interested in the position, please contact the Town Administrator for more information. |
| D. Community Nursing Forum |
| Kristin Barnum from Community Nurse Connection presented further information on possible models and funding options for a community nurse. There are several options that other towns in the state are using including municipalities funding and managing the nurse as well as non-profits or even fire/EMT managing the employee. The Selectboard asked further questions on Kristin’s knowledge of the success of other models for a community nurse. A forum regarding possibly acquiring a community nurse will be scheduled for a future agenda so the public can express their thoughts on the topic. |
| E. Town Plan Draft |
| The Selectboard briefly discussed a few concerns with the current Town Plan draft. Representatives from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission will be invited to the next Selectboard meeting to answer any questions the Selectboard may have. |
| F. Pedestrian Bridge |
| Frank Keene brought up the topic of possibly privately funding and building the reconstruction of the cemetery pedestrian bridge. The Selectboard considered his proposal and will investigate the legality and liability of moving forward with the project. FEMA is currently working with the Town to determine the eligibility of the project, so the Town will continue to iron out details of that project in terms of being reimbursed for damages from the flood. |
| Action Items |
| A. Town Truck Decision |
| The Selectboard discussed the truck options with Rick Ackerman. It was determined that the best option for the Town would be to proceed with ATG for the Freightliner build for a cab and chassis, and Viking Cives for the truck body. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept the cab bid from ATG and the body bid from Viking Cives, not to exceed $280,000; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. |
| B. J.L Smith Excavation Contract |
| The Selectboard officially signed a contract for J.L Smith’s excavation services. No official motion was made, as the bid was previously accepted during the last Selectboard meeting. |
| C. MERP Town Projects: Town Hall and Town Garage |
| Harry Falconer from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission discussed the MERP Implementation Grant that aims to address high energy usage concerns within the town. Last year the state conducted an energy audit for the Town Hall and Town Garage, listing several areas that consumed a higher than average amount of energy. A grant for up to $500,000 is now available to towns that consume a higher amount of energy and Chelsea will qualify for the grant. The selectboard discussed the projects from the report they would like to move forward with; Harry will submit the grant funding application on behalf of the Town. Several projects were excluded due to logistics issues. Jesse Kay made a motion to have Harry submit the grant application for the Town; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. |
| D. Chelsea Line Rd Repair |
| Leyna Hoyt made the board aware of a complaint about a backed-up culvert on Chelsea Line Rd. It was determined that this repair is within the Road Foreman’s duties and he will begin the repairs and replacement when able. No official motion needed to be made. |
| Approve Orders |
| Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. |
| Executive Session If Necessary: None |
| Adjournment |
| Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm. |