Draft Meeting Minutes September 1, 2026
Present: Gregg Herrin, Carrie Caouette DeLallo, Charles Peel, Curtis Chase, Paul Libby, Gayle Durkee, Rick Ackerman, Kasey Peterson, Jen Chase, Chintana Herrin, Bob Aicher, John Parker, Judy Libby, Russel Noel, Rosemery Noel, Jacob Held, Marrianne Mc Cann, Samantha Bonasera
Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:30
Adjustments to the Agenda – Chase Ackerman is on call and will join when it is possible.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure - Paul Libby wanted it noted that Judy Libby is present and he may have to recuse himself dependent on the course of the meeting.
Public Comments
Russell Noel expressed ongoing frustration with the Riverside Drive road issue and withdrew his offer to build a white picket fence because of a disagreement involving Selectboard members.
He also asked why a sheriff’s deputy was present at the previous meeting he was scheduled to attend.
Jacob Held spoke briefly about his experience and background as a candidate for Orange County Sheriff. Gregg Herrin noted that the Town contracted with Windsor County because of coverage concerns.
Gayle Durkee stated that a resident inquired about the Town’s plan for marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 4th meeting. Paul Libby seconded. 5-0-0
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 18 meeting. Charles Peel seconded. 3-0-2. Paul Libby and Curtis Chase abstained as they were not present for that meeting.
Chase Ackerman provided an update on First Branch Ambulance and the Town Nurse program. The nursing program has been in place for about a year and appears to be working well, providing auxiliary assistance to residents and reducing ambulance calls.
Gregg Herrin noted that the program will be discussed during the upcoming budget meetings and invited Mr. Ackerman to join those conversations.
John Parker and Samantha Bonasera were present to clarify the Recreation Department’s compliance with Open Meeting Law and the election of their officers. Curtis Chase reminded them that the September 16 meeting must be properly warned.
Ms. Bonasera noted that the Recreation Committee continues to seek additional members.
As a member of the Parks and Forest Committee, Jen Chase recommended fertilizing and aerating the Town Commons. The work was last completed in 2024 at a cost of $1,800; this year’s quote is $2,000. It was suggested that this maintenance be included in future budgets.
Paul Libby suggested revisiting parking along the edges of the green. Curtis Chase suggested adding fertilization and aeration to the mowing contract. Ms. Chase will obtain a formal quote, and Ms. Durkee will confirm whether funds are available.
Bob Aicher presented an Application for Sewer Allocation for the Congregational Church. Charles Peel summarized a meeting with Mr. Aicher, Mike Whipple, Curtis Chase, and a contractor, noting that Mr. Whipple was comfortable with the proposed plan. Charles Peel also reiterated the need for Mr. Aicher to supply quotes from contractors before a decision can be made.
Gayle Durkee supplied the numbers for setting the tax rate. Charles Peel made a motion to set the tax rate at 1.0768. Curtis Chase seconded. Paul Libby asked about veterans’ exemptions. Gregg Herin explained the exemptions for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. There was no further discussion. 5-0-0.
Rick Ackerman and Kasey Peterson presented information on the State of Vermont’s Highway Safety Improvement Program. The State will fund guardrail replacement contracts for the Town up to $50,000. Paul Libby moved to apply for the program. Charles Peel seconded. The motion passed 5-0-0.
Mr. Ackerman then updated the Board on general highway concerns. There was a question about the closures on Edwards Road, Mr. Ackerman assured the Board that he had notified the Fire Dept and Ambulance Services. The excavation for the Grants in Aid work is done, but the Highway Dept. will use the excavator in a few more places while it is here, specifically a culvert replacement on Williamstown Road.
Mr. Ackerman is still trying to schedule the Upper Village Road paving with Blaktop.
There is no further news on the truck body from Viking.
There was a brief discussion of the drainage issue by the tennis court and plans to alleviate the runoff.
Judy Libby thanked the Highway Dept. for the good work on behalf of the folks who live on the backroads.
Jen Chase explained that the state allows the town Justice of the Peace Ballot to be added to the reverse of the State General Election Ballot to save paper. Charles Peel made a motion. Curtis Chase seconded 5-0-0
Kasey Peterson explained that Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) has sent the Town paperwork authorizing payment of $412,000 in anticipation of work to be done on Edwards Road. Ms. Peterson has not signed the paperwork as extensions might not be forthcoming, the project might not be completed within the construction deadline, and the funds would need to be returned. There was discussion of the options, the likelihood of extensions from VEM, and the possibility that FEMA will deny the extension that would be needed through the 2027 construction season. This item was tabled for further discussion.
Kasey Peterson has spoken with, Adam Grimes, the contractor responsible for the exterior storm windows in the library. He has agreed to a contract amendment to complete the job by September 30th and to alter the window behind the circulation desk to include a panel that can be raised and lowered for air flow at a cost of $300.
Mr. Grimes also agreed to a subsequent amendment to provide storm windows for the Hall space that can be signed by September 30th to comply with the terms of the Municipal Energy Resilience Program grant. Charles Peel made a motion to amend the scope of work not to exceed $500 and to extend the term of Adam Grimes’ contract to September 30. Paul Libby seconded. 5-0-0
Water And Sewer
Changes to Fees – tabled to discuss, along with the transfer station, during the budget meetings.
Charles Peel reported that he now has a word document of the Water/Sewer Ordinance to work on. The goal of rewriting this ordinance is clarity and readability.
Mr. Peel was clear that any changes made to the ordinance would be carefully tracked for transparency and is aiming to have the document ready for review by the end of October.
Marianne McCann asked about the possibility of a conflict of interest as Mr. Peel is a ‘client’ of the water system. Gregg Herrin and Kasey Peterson explained that the question has been researched and no conflict of interest exists.
Approve Warrants – Paul Libby raised his concern regarding the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) invoice for support services regarding the Grants in Aid program noting that the invoice is vague and provided no details of when and what work was done. This is not the first time TRORC has provided incomplete or vague invoicing. Mr. Libby will follow up with TRORC. Paul Libby made a motion to approve the warrants excluding the $1500.00 TRORC invoice. Charles Peel seconded. 5-0-0.
Charles Peel made a motion to enter executive session to discuss a legal matter and a personnel matter. Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded. 5-0-0
Executive session began at 9:01.
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo made amotion to exit executive session. Paul Libby seconded. 5-0-0
Executive session ended at 9:41
Curtis Chase made a motion to adjourn. Chares Peel seconded. 5-0-0
The meeting adjourned at 9:42
Respectfully submitted,
Kasey Peterson