News

Heat Advisory

ByPatty Swahn

Good Afternoon,

This week is going to be a hot one. Heat index values are forecast in the upper 80s to mid 90s on Tuesday, low to upper 90s on Wednesday, and the mid 80s to mid 90s on Thursday.  For much of the area Wednesday will be the hottest day.  Low temperatures will only drop into the mid 60s to low 70s for a few hours each night, which may not be sufficient to effectively cool a home or other structures, allowing for heat impacts to accumulate each day.

If you are working in the field this week, remember to pack extra drinking water and take frequent cooling breaks in air conditioned vehicles or shade to combat the effects of heat stress.

Be on the lookout for signs of heat stress in yourself and folks that you work with, as well as familiar with basic heat stress first aid.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

  • Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness (coma)
  • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
  • Seizures
  • Very high body temperature
  • Fatal if treatment delayed

Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:

  • Call 911 for emergency medical care.
  • Stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive.
  • Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
  • Cool the worker quickly, using the following methods:
  • With a cold water or ice bath, if possible
  • Wet the skin
  • Place cold wet cloths on the skin
  • Soak clothing with cool water
  • Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
  • Place a cold wet cloth or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect:

  • The elderly
  • People with high blood pressure
  • Those working in a hot environment

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Heavy sweating
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Decreased urine output

Treat a worker who has heat exhaustion by doing the following:

  • Take worker to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
  • Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
  • Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.
  • Remove the worker from the hot area and give liquids to drink.
  • Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
  • Cool the worker with cold compresses or have the worker wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
  • Encourage frequent sips of cool water.

The CDC also recommends using the  OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App | NIOSH | CDC to monitor conditions in your immediate location to bring about awareness of heat stress conditions.

Take care and stay safe out there!

Chelsea Selectboard Agenda, September 5, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Tuesday, September 5, 2023,
6:30 PM , Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call meeting to order.
  2. Conflict of interest disclosure
  3. Additions to the agenda
  4. Public Comments
  5. WRV IREC – Nicole Cyr
  6. Planning Commission
  7. Amber Tree Service Contract
  8. Transfer Station Fees
  9. Flood Damaged Roads
  10. Approve Minutes – July and August
  11. Approve Orders
  12. Future Agenda Items
  13. Executive Session (as necessary)
  14. Adjourn

Links to join the Selectboard Meeting
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams

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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 6:30pm Chelsea Town Hall Edited

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 6:30pm Chelsea Town Hall
Edited

Board Attendance: Jesse Kay, Kelly Lyford, Kevin Marshia, Leyna Hoyt,
William (Billy) Lyon, Patty Swahn, Board Administrative Assistant
Other Attendees: Gayle Durkee, Rick Ackerman, Kasey Peterson, Flo Smith, Bernard “Snook” Downing

Meeting –
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Kevin.
Conflict of Interest – Jesse to recuse herself from bids on Maple Ave and Jenkins Brook Road due to conflict of interest.
Additions to the agenda – Sidewalk Project update

Public Comments – Flo Smith asked if any members of the Board had been involved with 4 Maple Street regarding property damage from the July flood Kelly and Leyna walked down Maple Street to introduce themselves, possibly Tracy Simon or Geoff Clayton may have made contact.

Amber Tree Service – Pete Amber Contract
Leyna moves to revisit the contract of Pete Amber’s of the North Common until September 5 meeting, Bill second. All in favor, “aye”, no one opposed, all approved.

Budget and Treasurer Overview – We are 67% through the calendar year, property tax payments are coming in steady. The credit card machine has arrived and is set up.

Transfer Station – Gayle ordered a dumpster cover for the construction dumpster.
Jesse started the discussion on the research she has been doing on Transfer station fees among neighboring towns and similarly sized Vermont towns with transfer stations.
40% recycling and 60% trash is what comes into the Transfer Station each week, the town spent $22,718 in recycling and $3,577 in food scrap during 2022, which are both free services to residents.
A discussion on Transfer Station fee increase was had, Jesse, Bill and Snook will draft a proposal outlining a policy for punch card use for waste disposal, windshield stickers for recycling and food waste services and outline an update transfer station fee pricing sheet.
The Selectboard will add public discussion regarding transfer station fees and payment options as an agenda item at a future meeting to warn residents.inquired

Bids for storm damaged roads; Jenkins Brook/Maple Ave, Brook/Hook/Pent
Jesse recused herself from the bids for Maple Ave and Jenkins Brook Road
Kasey inquired whether three bids are needed with competitive bidding.
The Board can reject a bid and request new bids.
Two bids were received for Maple Avenue and Jenkins Brook Road, with review of both bids and a small discussion, Leyna moved to award Galfetti Excavation, who submitted the lowest bid price for Maple Avenue and Jenkins Brook Road, Bill Second. All in favor “aye”, no further discussion, the Board approved to award the bid to Galfetti Excavation.

There was one bid for Brook Road/Hook Road/Pent Road.
The Board discussed the 3 things they could do.
1) Award the bid
2) Call contractor to see if there is any room to negotiate
3) Reject the bid
Kelly moved to reject the bid for Brook Road/Hook Road/Pent Road, Bill second, discussion on reason to reject the bid. No other discussion was had, all in favor “aye”, no one opposed, the Board approved to reject the bid.
The Board discussed having Rick complete some of the work on this bid with the potential to repost bids for smaller portions of the work required at these sites.
FEMA to be in town on Wednesday to tour the flood damaged roads.

Permits –
Jesse moved to accept the amendment for the use of the Town Commons by the Chelsea Farmers Market to extend the Market dates until October 13, Bill seconded All in favor “aye”, no discussion was had, all approved for the Market to extend its season until October 13.

Jesse moved to accept the use of Roberts-Gould Field for First Branch School 5/6 grade soccer practices and games. Leyna second, all in favor ‘aye”, no discussion was had, all approved the permit for the use of the Roberts-Gould Field.

Sidewalk Update –
Avery Excavation’s contract to include the 30 feet of sidewalk by Arnold Preston’s.
Kelly moves to accept the $45,239.50 contract of Avery Excavation, Bill second.
All in favor “aye”, no discussion was had, all approved Avery Excavation contract for $45,239.50.

Approval of Orders – Jesse motioned to approve all Orders of the night, Bill second. All approve – “aye”, so moved, all orders of the night were approved by all.

Future Agendas –
Invite Planning Commission
Transfer Station fee increase
Flood damaged roads
Approval of meeting minutes

Executive Session – No Executive Session

Adjourn – Jesse motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 PM, Bill second. All in favor, “aye”, motioned to adjourn was approved.

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Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes (Draft)

ByPatty Swahn

Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes (Draft)
Thursday, August 24, 2023 – Chelsea Town Hall 6:30 PM

Selectboard present: Kevin Marshia, Kelly Lyford, Leyna Hoyt, Jesse Kay, Bill Lyon, Patty Swahn-Administrative Assistant

  1. Call to Order – Kevin called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM
  2. Review Bids for South Washington Road and Edwards Road
    Leyna moved to approve to award the FEMA Road Work for South Washington Road and Edwards Road. Bill Second.
    The Board agrees to award this bid to Wards Excavating.
  3. Review Bids for Upper Village Road, mudslide, and site 1
    Leyna moved to approve to award the FEMA Road Work for Upper Village Road, mudslide, and site to J.L. Smith Excavating, Bill Second.
    The Board agrees to award this bid to J.L. Smith Excavating.
    Kevin motioned to adjourn the meeting; Leyna seconded.
    Meeting was adjourned at 7:37 PM
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Chelsea Selectboard Agenda, August 29,2023

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 6:30pm
Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call meeting to order.
  2. Conflict of interest disclosure
  3. Additions to the agenda
  4. Public Comments
  5. Pete Amber
  6. Budget
  7. Transfer Station
  8. Bids for storm damaged roads, Jenkins Brook/Maple Ave, Brook/Hook/Pent
  9. Flood Recovery
  10. Permits – Use of Town Green, Chelsea Farmers Market, additional dates.
    Use of Roberts-Gould Field, First Branch Soccer
  11. Approve orders
  12. Future Agenda items for September
  13. Executive Session
  14. Adjourn

Links to join the Selectboard Meeting
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams

Invitation to Bid – Storm Damage Jenkins Brook Rd/Maple Ave.

ByKasey Peterson

The Town of Chelsea invites the submission of project bids to repair storm damage to

TH #73 Jenkins Brook and TH#44 Maple Road

Project Scope:

The contractor will be responsible for three sites which includes the removal and diposal of debris, and the purchasing and hauling of materials unless otherwise indicated. 

Jenkins Brook Road

Site 1 – 43-58-38 lat 72-26-50 long – by Jenkins Brook. Stone around bridge wingwall, fix scour at road edge. 135ft x 20ft. Add 15 CY each Stone Fill Type I and Stone Fill Type IV at bridge abutment. Replace Culvert. Town to provide culvert and will resurface roadway.  

Site 2 – 43-58-29 lat 72-26-38 long – between Metcalf’s and Hall Road – various locations. Repair sections of ditches and road shoulder. Install two new culverts. 2000ft x 6ft. Excavate 444 CY and replace with similar amount Stone Fill Type I and 222 CY 1 – 1/2” crushed stone. Materials and culvert provided and hauled by town.

Maple Road – 44-59-21 lat 72-26-55 long – Stone work at bridge and road resurfacing. 50ft x 20ft  5 CY Stone Fill Type I and 3 tons paving material.

The project completion date is October 15, 2023, unless any unforeseen problem warrants a time extension.

This project may be subject to provisions of VT Stream Alterations General Permits; and is subject to the “Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control”, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all of these permits and documents.

The municipality must ensure all participating contractors have the prerequisite experience, therefore contractors wishing to bid must submit at least one construction reference from a successful project similar in scale to this one for review.  This reference must be included with the project bid packet.

Bidders should note that a preconstruction meeting with the Stream Alterations Engineer may be required prior to the start of work. The Stream Alterations Engineer for this project is Jaron Borg. Jaron may be reached at (802) 371-8342, or Jaron.Borg@vermont.gov.

Bids will be received at the Chelsea Town Office or by email (grants@chelseavt.org) until 12 noon on Tuesday, 29 August. The town plans to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to proceed as soon as possible, once the bids have been properly evaluated during a Regular Selectboard Meeting to be held at 6:30 on Tuesday, 29 August 2023.

The Town of Chelsea Selectboard reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Chelsea. Incomplete bid packages will not be considered. Please be sure to use the form provided on the Town of Chelsea website. Further information, including fact sheets and technical drawings can be found on the Town of Chelsea website. If you have any further questions regarding this project, please email Kasey Peterson at Grants@chelseavt.org. Questions will be received until 12 Noon on Wednesday, 23 August so that needed clarifications can be transmitted to all bidders in a timely manner prior to the bid deadline.

Invitation to Bid – Storm Damage Brook Rd/Hook Rd/Pent Rd

ByKasey Peterson

The Town of Chelsea invites the submission of project bids to repair storm damage to

5 Sites on TH#3 Brook Road/2 Sites on TH#34 Hook Road/1 Site on TH#33 Pent Road

Project Scope:

The contractor will be responsible for eight sites which includes the removal and diposal of debris, and the purchasing and hauling of materials unless other wise indicated.  

Brook Road

Site 1 – 43-58-32 lat 72-28-49 long – West Side of Road North of Allen Farm. Repair slope/replace culvert 75 ft x 20 ft. Excavate 222 Cy yards and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type IV. Culvert provided by Town.

Site 2 – 43-58-45 lat 72-28-53 long – Near Joe Compos. Replace culvert, fix outlet.25ft x 10ft. Excavate 37 CY and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type IV. Culvert provided by Town.

Site 3 – 43-59-44  lat 72-29-20 long – Near Button Farm. Repair/Reestablish ditch 150 ft x 6 ft Excavate 33 CY replace with similar amount of Stone fill IV and 1 -1/2” crushed stone. Material provided and hauled by town.

Site 4 – 43-59-52 lat 72-29-20 – East side of Road, south of Pent Road – Repair uphill slide area and reestablish ditch 75ft x 20 feet excavate 17 CY and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type I and 8 CY 1 – 1/2 “ crushed Stone

Site 5 – North of Pent Road. Repair/reestablish ditch. 300ft x 6ft. Excavate 66 CY material, replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type 1and 33 CY 1 -1/2” Crushed Stone. Material provided and hauled by town.

Hook Road

Site 1 – 43-58-51 lat 72-30-10 long by Rick Allen’s. Fix shoulder of road and ditch. 200ft x 8ft Excavate 59 CY of material, replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type I and 29 CY 1 – ½” crushed stone. Material provided and hauled by town.

Site 2 – 43-58-51 lat 72-30-10 long – By cemetery. Fix shoulder of road and ditch. Replace Culvert. 1320 Ft x 8. Excavate 391 CY material, replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type 1 and 195 CY 1 -1/2” Crushed Stone. Materials and culvert provided and hauled by Town.

Pent Road – 44-00-32 lat 72-29-24 long – by Coburn’s Replace undersized culvert and stone line ditch. 550 ft x 8ft Excavate 163 CY material, replace with similar amount of Stone Fill Type 1 and 81 CY 1 -1/2” Crushed Stone. Materials and culvert provided and hauled by Town. Town will resurface road.

The project completion date is October 15, 2023, unless any unforeseen problem warrants a time extension.

This project may be subject to provisions of VT Stream Alterations General Permits; and is subject to the “Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control”, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all of these permits and documents.

The municipality must ensure all participating contractors have the prerequisite experience, therefore contractors wishing to bid must submit at least one construction reference from a successful project similar in scale to this one for review.  This reference must be included with the project bid packet.

Bidders should note that a preconstruction meeting with the Stream Alterations Engineer may be required prior to the start of work. The Stream Alterations Engineer for this project is Jaron Borg. Jaron may be reached at (802) 371-8342, or Jaron.Borg@vermont.gov.

Bids will be received at the Chelsea Town Office or by email (grants@chelseavt.org) until 12 noon on Tuesday, 29 August. The town plans to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to proceed as soon as possible, once the bids have been properly evaluated during a Regular Selectboard Meeting to be held at 6:30 on Tuesday, 29 August 2023.

The Town of Chelsea Selectboard reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Chelsea. Incomplete bid packages will not be considered. Please be sure to use the form provided on the Town of Chelsea website. Further information, including fact sheets and technical drawings can be found on the Town of Chelsea website. If you have any further questions regarding this project, please email Kasey Peterson at Grants@chelseavt.org. Questions will be received until 12 Noon on Wednesday, 23 August so that needed clarifications can be transmitted to all bidders in a timely manner prior to the bid deadline.

Update to Bid proposals

ByKasey Peterson

Addendum 1

The Upper Village Road Invitation to Bid and the South Washington/Edwards Road Invitation to Bid have been updated to include the following:

“Please Note: The contractor is responsible for debris removal and disposal, and the purchasing and hauling of materials for these projects uless otherwise indicated.”

Also – the heading on the fact sheet for Upper Village Road Site 2 is incorrect. It states Site 1. Site 2 is correct. This will be remedied ASAP.

Invitation to Bid – Storm Damage to S Washington and Edwards Roads

ByKasey Peterson

The Town of Chelsea invites the submission of project bids to repair storm damage to

Town Highway #20 South Washington Road and TH#8 Edwards Road  

Project Scope:

The contractor will be responsible for five sites: Three on South Washington Road and two on Edwards Road

South Washington Road:

Site 1:  First Site north of Intersection with Upper Village road – 120 ft of road 12 ft wide. Replace culvert and repair Roadway slope. Town of Chelsea to provide culvert. Excavation of approximately 213 CY of material to be replaced with similar amount of Stone Fill Type IV.

Site 2: Second site north of Upper Village Road – 60 ft of road 10 ft wide. Repair slope at brook. Steep embankment will require stone toe wall. Excavate approximately 89 CY of material and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill type IV

Site 3: “Farthest East to Taylor Farm.” Replace culvert add stone at inlet and outlet. Town to Supply Culvert. With require approx. 30CY Stone Fill Type IV

Edwards Road:
Site 1: Repair 25ft of slope on lower end of Edwards Road, west of Gilman’s Hill. Excavate approx. 9 CY of material and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill, Type II

Site 2: Also West of Gilman’s Hill 60 ft of slope 20 ft wide. Excavate approx. 89 CY of material and replace with similar amount of Stone Fill, Type IV

The project completion date is October 15, 2023, unless any unforeseen problem warrants a time extension.

This project may be subject to provisions of VT Stream Alterations General Permits; and is subject to the “Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control”, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all of these permits and documents.

The municipality must ensure all participating contractors have the prerequisite experience, therefore contractors wishing to bid must submit at least one construction reference from a successful project similar in scale to this one for review.  This reference must be included with the project bid packet.

Bidders should note that a preconstruction meeting with the Stream Alterations Engineer may be required prior to the start of work. The Stream Alterations Engineer for this project is Jaron Borg. Jaron may be reached at (802) 371-8342, or Jaron.Borg@vermont.gov.

Bids will be received at the Chelsea Town Office or by email (grants@chelseavt.org) until 12 noon on Thursday, 24 August. The town plans to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to proceed as soon as possible, once the bids have been properly evaluated during a Special Selectboard Meeting to be held at 6:30 on Thursday, 24 August 2023.

The Town of Chelsea Selectboard reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Chelsea. Incomplete bid packages will not be considered. Please be sure to use the form provided on the Town of Chelsea website. Further information, including fact sheets and technical drawings can be found on the Town of Chelsea website. If you have any further questions regarding this project, please email Kasey Peterson at Grants@chelseavt.org. Questions will be received until 12 Noon on Wednesday, 23 August so that needed clarifications can be transmitted to all bidders in a timely manner prior to the bid deadline.

Invitation to Bid – Storm damage Upper Village Road

ByKasey Peterson

The Town of Chelsea invites the submission of project bids to repair storm damage to

Town Highway # 2 Upper Village Road

Project Scope:

The contractor will be responsible for two sites: The “Mudslide” and “Site 2.”

Site 1: Repair approximately 30-foot length of slope, 10 feet wide. Excavate 44.4 CY and refill with 44.4 CY of Stone Fill, Type II

Mudslide: Remove debris and re-establish the ditch on the North side of the road.

Remove debris/trees from the South (brook) side of the road and re-establish the slope.

Slope work on South side of road is undetermined until debris is removed – stone fill is only an estimate at this time.  
Estimates: Debris removal: 1000 CY.  Excavation: 44.4 CY. Stone Fill, Type I: 44.4 CY. 1 -1/2” Crushed Stone: 22.2 CY. Stone fill, Type IV: 200 CY.

The project completion date is October 15, 2023, unless any unforeseen problem warrants a time extension.

This project may be subject to provisions of VT Stream Alterations General Permits; and is subject tp the “Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control”, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all of these permits and documents.

The municipality must ensure all participating contractors have the prerequisite experience, therefore contractors wishing to bid must submit at least one construction reference from a successful project similar in scale to this one for review.  This reference must be included with the project bid packet.

Bidders should note that a preconstruction meeting with the Stream Alterations Engineer may be required prior to the start of work. The Stream Alterations Engineer for this project is Jaron Borg. Jaron may be reached at (802) 371-8342, or Jaron.Borg@vermont.gov.

Bids will be received at the Chelsea Town Office or by email (grants@chelseavt.org) until 12 noon on Thursday, 24 August. The town plans to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to proceed as soon as possible, once the bids have been properly evaluated during a Special Selectboard Meeting to be held at 6:30 on Thursday, 24 August 2023.

The Town of Chelsea Selectboard reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Chelsea. Incomplete bid packages will not be considered. Please be sure to use the form provided on the Town of Chelsea website.

Further information, including fact sheets and technical drawings can be found on the Town of Chelsea website. If you have any further questions regarding this project, please email Kasey Peterson at Grants@chelseavt.org. Questions will be received until 12 Noon on Wednesday, 23 August so that needed clarifications can be transmitted to all bidders in a timely manner prior to the bid deadline.