News

February 5, 2024

DRAFT Minutes of the Forest and Parks Commission

Chelsea Town Library 

Start time 6:10 pm

Present: Linda Kuban, John Latham, Jen Chase, Andrew Pomerantz, Susan Elder, Kate Willard. Absent: Robin Amber, Peter Amber, Terry Libby,  John Upham, Kri Gale. Efforts to zoom call with Marty Gratz failed. 

Discussion was held concerning the Commission being under same rules as Selectboard on open meeting laws, conflict of interest, officers, setting of meeting, notice, etc. which had been circulated electronically to the group prior. Prior minutes approved with no objection.

Elected: Jen Chase, Chair; Kate Willard, Vice Chair; Susan Elder, Secretary. Voted and approved by majority. 

Review of Kate’s drafted Mission Statement. After revision, all approved for use and to be sent to Selectboard member Jesse Kay for insertion on Town website under newly created heading of Forests and Parks Commission. 

Jen Chase created a google group email that will be sent to Jesse Kay for use on the town website for contact information for the group. 

Susan Elder will send tonight’s draft minutes and member names to Jesse Kay for adding to Town’s website. Susan will draft paper meeting notices and place them in three places as per the open meeting laws. 

A discussion was held concerning sub-groups. It was decided that none will be created at this time. Since the group consists of only a few members and with a large cross over of interests it was decided that once we get into specific projects we can then divide up as needed.  

Susan read the email from VNRC concerning available resources. 

Susan reported on efforts to gather information concerning a pollinator garden on one of the FEMA properties; FEMA restrictions, grant options and low costs flowering trees through the conservation district. 

Andy suggested a walk through the town forest. He will organize and notify members of date and time. 

The group reviewed on-line and paper maps to identify town properties. 

Adjourn. End at 7:25 p.m.

The Town of Chelsea is looking for Development Review Board members. The Development Review Board (DRB) is a quasi-judicial five member board appointed by the Select Board. 

The DRB reviews applications that involve requests for waivers, variances, conditional uses, design review, and change of use. 

DRB meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd  Wednesday of the month at the Chelsea Town Library at 6:00 or as warranted.  

If interested, please contact administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us.

The Selectboard will be holding a special meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd at 6:30 PM. The topic is law enforcement. At our January 16th meeting the board voted to enter into contracts with the Orange County Sheriff for $12,500 per year and the Windsor County Sheriff for $34,000 per year. This decision was made after discussing this topic at four recent Selectboard meetings and after multiple conversations with both Agencies. This decision would have had Orange County providing four hours per week of daytime coverage and Windsor County providing ten hours per week of nighttime coverage.

Unfortunately on Wednesday, January 17th, the board received word from Orange County Sheriff’s Department informing us that they were not interested in entering into a $12,500 contract.

Given that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has declined to enter into a contract, the Selectboard will be meeting Tuesday evening to consider an updated proposal from the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office.

Please note, the upcoming January 16th Selectboard Meeting Agenda includes Law Enforcement and Budget Preparation as topics. The Board plans to continue ongoing discussions and make a decision regarding law enforcement contracts that will impact the 2024 budget. This meeting is open to the public.