SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

April 15th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall

I. CALL TO ORDER

Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

SELECTBOARD

Gregg Herrin (Present)

Curtis Chase (Present)

Paul Libby (Present)

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Present)

Kevin Marshia (Present)

TOWN EMPLOYEES

Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)

Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)

II. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Mowing for Town properties was added to the agenda under Town Administrator updates.

III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo informed the selectboard that she would abstain from anything to do with the pedestrian bridge due to her relationship with Tim Courts who has been assisting with the work and because she is an abutting neighbor. Paul Libby informed the Selectboard of his volunteer work with the New Creation Fellowship church and would abstain from voting during their request to use the greens.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Taylor, the owner of Free Verse Farm Shop, attended the meeting to discuss a break-in at their store that occurred last year. She was concerned about the possibility of more crime and wanted to discuss possible solutions to discourage loitering around the town center. The Selectboard will look into possible solutions and get more public input to help deter any further criminal activity.

V.APPROVE MINUTES FROM APRIL 1, 2025

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the minutes from April 1st; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed.

VI. CURRENT EVENTS AND UPDATES

A. Highway Update

Rick Ackerman informed the Selectboard that the truck in the shop for repairs is still being worked on currently. Repairs are still to be determined.

B. Town Administrator Update

The Town Administrator asked to confirm if the Selectboard would like to go out to bid for mowing services or have a town employee do the mowing for this year. They discussed and agreed that it would be a better option to contract out for the work, as the mowing was already previously budgeted for 2025. Kevin Marshia made a motion to have the Town Administrator to create an RFP for the normal town owned properties and have it posted as soon as possible; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Separately from the mowing bid, Paul Libby made a motion to request spring cleaning services from Ronald Johnson; Kevin Marshia seconded the motion. Motion passed.

C. Water and Sewer Rate Increase Public Discussion

Gregg Herrin presented a slideshow on the history of water and sewer rates in town. Costs associated with running the water and wastewater facilities have increased in recent years, causing a rise in expenditure that has now eclipsed revenue. The goal of increasing fees is to have our revenues cover expenditures, stop draining the sinking funds that are to cover emergency failures, and ensure residents don’t lose services. Gregg presented options: Option A includes one large increase, with small increases over the coming years. Option B is a series of medium increases over several years. Meter replacement in the near future may also help in determining the average usage of users, as the current meters are aging and no longer accurate. The Selectboard took questions after the presentation. The public in attendance all agreed that medium increases would be more palatable than a large increase that users may not be prepared for. The Selectboard will continue to have discussions regarding these increases and are looking to finalize numbers by June 3rd. A copy of the slideshow presentation is available on this post.

VII. ACTION ITEMS

A. Pedestrian Bridge

The Town Administrator gave an update on the required permits for the cemetery pedestrian bridge. The Town will have to get an H&H study to submit a permit for the Agency of Natural Resources. Additionally, there may be some restrictions on when construction can occur that was previously unknown. Paul Libby offered to help assist the Town Administrator in getting these permits. No motion made.

B. Creamery Rd Drainage Issue

The Town Administrator brought up an issue a resident, Robert Button, has been having at his property on Creamery Rd. There has been a history of flooding from the drainage the comes off the school’s property and drains to the river. The Selectboard would like to look into this issue more and understand the responsibilities of the town, property owner, and the school. No motion made.

C. New Creation Fellowship Easter Egg Hunt Greens Request

A request was submitted for the annual Easter Egg Hunt by New Creation Fellowship. The event will be on April 19th from 9:00 am-11:30 am. Kevin Marshia made a motion to approve the request; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. Paul Libby abstained. Motion passed.

D. Chelsea Senior Baseball Roberts Gould Field Request

A request was submitted to use the Roberts-Gould Field for various senior baseball games. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the request; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

E. Signature: Forest and Parks Commission Grant Acceptance

Paul Libby made a motion to accept and sign the tree removal and planting grants; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

F. Approve Orders

Paul Libby made a motion to approve orders: Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed.

VIII.EXECUTIVE SESSION IF NECESSARY

Paul Libby made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago; Curtis Chase seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 8:57 pm. Curtis Chase made a motion to exit executive session; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 9:14 pm. Personnel was discussed and no action was taken.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.