| Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes |
| December 22, 2025 5:00 pm Chelsea Town Hall |
| Call to Order |
| Gregg Herrin called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. SELECTBOARD Gregg Herrin (Present) Curtis Chase (Present) Paul Libby (Present) Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (Present) Charles Peel (Present) TOWN EMPLOYEES Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) |
| Additions to the Agenda: None |
| Conflict of Interest Disclosure |
| Charles Peel disclosed that he is on the Development Review Board, and Gregg Herrin disclosed that he is on the Planning Commission. |
| Public Comments |
| Kate Willard, Ben Canonica, and Zeb Allen attended the meeting to discuss ash trees with the Selectboard. An inventory of the trees was sent to the Town to begin discussing a potential plan to remove the trees. According to Ben, other towns like Strafford and Corinth have made efforts to remove ash trees that have been affected by the emerald ash borer, which destroys the trees and presents a potential hazard near roadways and right of ways. The Selectboard inquired if there are any grants to help towns pay for the removal of these trees, but the group was unsure. The Selectboard will keep the information in mind as they move into the new year and can dedicate more time to assessing the issue. |
| Action Items |
| A. Zoning Bylaw Review |
| The Selectboard reviewed the draft of the zoning bylaws as written by the planning commission with the help of Two Rivers-Ottaquechee Regional Commission. They discussed several comments and edits they wanted to propose, including many spelling, grammar, and formatting changes as well as some content changes. Those changes mainly related to the consistency of wording (ex. “zoning permit” vs “administrative permit”) and the types of permits allowed in zoning areas like the conservation area. The Selectboard agreed to limit additional uses in the conservation area in the interest of preserving the Town’s limited zoning area. There were various discussions regarding the permitting process and the Development Review Board’s (DRB) role in certain uses and types of construction. After reviewing the content of the bylaws, the Selectboard accepted the changes discussed to create the updated draft, which will be the version highlighted at the upcoming zoning bylaw hearing. -Charles Peel made a motion to approve the Selectboard’s edits of the bylaws as discussed, pending minor font and header changes; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. -Charles Peel made a motion to approve the draft of the zoning map; Paul Libby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The Selectboard discussed the date of the zoning bylaw hearing, which is required so the article can be included in the Town Meeting Warning so the public can vote on the adopted bylaws. . The hearing will be held on January 9th, 2026, at 6:30 pm. A special Selectboard meeting will be held directly after the hearing at 7:00 pm to move to approve or deny the draft zoning bylaws. Copies of the Selectboard’s draft of the zoning bylaws will be available online on the Town’s website, as well as at the Town Clerk’s office for the public to request. |
| Executive Session If Necessary: None |
| Adjournment |
| Curtis Chase made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Carrie Caouette-De Lallo seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm. |