Town of LeicesterSelectboard Meeting MinutesMonday, May 5, 2025*Unapproved*** See subsequent minutes for any changesMembers Present: Diane Benware, Diane Randall, Brad Lawes, Tom Barker, John RouseOthers Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Lauren TessaroCall to Order:Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair.Pledge of Allegiance:Review of Agenda:Add placing a porta-potty at Fern Lake AccessApproval of April 21, 2025 minutes:Motion by Tom and second by John to approve minutes of April 21, as written.Three approved, two abstentions (Diane and Brad)Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:Motion by Tom and second by Diane R. authorizing Julie to pay the bills.All in favor.So, approved.Reports from Town Officials, Committees:Road Foreman:Arlan noted he had nothing to report. Diane thanked him for waiting to open Lower Bullock Road, made Green Up easier in that area. Town Clerk/Treasurer:Julie reported that trucks have been noted on Ferson Road, including one truck/trailer from Custom Whitney Hauling.Board decision to not send this business a letter about traveling on town roads.Julie reported an email from Peter Franzoni of Rutland seeking Selectboard support of an oath of support to defend the Constitution and due process. The consensus of the board was to table the item indefinitely.Weight Permits:No weight permits. Julie will check on those for Lawes Ag.CORRESPONDENCE:
VT Trails and Greenways
ACEDC newsletter
Vt Emergency Management conference of Sep t ‘25
OLD BUSINESS:Municipal Planning Grant: We received a message on April 30 that we did not qualify for a Planning Grant during this round. We are encouraged to re-submit this fall for the ‘26 round of grants. Funds have been located to pay for the Enhanced Energy portion of the Town Plan. ACRPC personnel are discussing ways to support us to allow for the edits/changes of the plan by December 2025, the time our plan expires. Applying for ‘26 grant cycle would put us out of compliance and could limit us in competing for some other grant funding. We need to wait for guidance from ACRPC as to the amount/time of support they can provide us before deciding next steps.NEW BUSINESS:Geo-engineeringLauren Tessaro, resident, citing her civic duty, wants to raise our awareness about unidentified planes flying overhead releasing unknown chemicals into the atmosphere.There is legislation in 31 states calling for oversight and monitoring of planes and their cargo. 19 VT Representatives in Montpelier have sponsored legislation similar to other states. The discussion in Montpelier is tabled at the moment. Lauren provided the board with a copy of the legislation, an article by the Georgetown Law Review that provides an easily-readable summary of the lack of monitoring and oversight of federal and private aircraft and the potential cloud-seeding happening, as well as a copy of the Congressionally Mandated Report of the Research Plan and Initial Research of the Governance Framework Related to Solar Radiation Modification.The Chair thanked her for the information and asked that she send an email with updates as appropriate.Porta-Potty at Fern Lake AccessChair brought up request made in the fall by several residents living near the access. The inquiry Chair made in the fall indicated that a porta-potty from Dundon’s could be placed for $135 per month, once a week cleaning, with a $10.00 set up fee. Dundon personnel indicated a two to three day notice needed for set-up. To replace a damaged porta-potty costs $1,500. If we decide to go ahead, we need to add this structure to our insurance policy. Discussion centered on concerns of potential damage and Arlan was asked to place rocks to minimize the likelihood of it being tipped over.On a motion, 4 ayes, one nay (Tom) the Chair was authorized to contact Dundon’s: to confirm if price has changed, to approve installation for Friday, May 23, the start of Memorial Day weekend.Arlan will place rocks around it to reduce likelihood of it being tipped over. Chair will ask Dundon’s that if they find foreign objects or objects of concern to let us know. Chair will contact neighbors to ask if they will keep an eye on the situation.If there is no vandalism, we will fund the porta-potty until Labor Day. If the structure is vandalized it will be removed. In addition, John will place a camera on the site, Julie will create signs, one of which indicates that, per order of the Selectboard, the area is under surveillance. We may also ask the Sheriff’s Dept to swing by when they are on patrolEXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Tom and second by Diane to go into Executive Session at 7:18p.m. for:1 VT Stats § 313 (E) pending or probable civil litigation or a prosecution, to which the public body is or may be a party.Second item a personnel matter. All in favor.So, approved.Motion by Tom and second by Brad to come out of Executive Session at 7:29. p.m.No action taken.Motion by Tom and second by John to adjourn at 7:29 p.m.Next Meeting Monday, May 19, 2025Board of Abatement scheduled for June 30, 2025.Respectfully submitted,Diane Benware
