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Minutes 03-18-24

  Town of Leicester
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 18, 2024
*Unapproved*
** See subsequent minutes for any changes
 
Members Present: Diane Benware, Brad Lawes, Tom Barker, John Rouse
Members Absent:  Diane Randall
Others Present: Julie Delphia, Arlan Pidgeon, Lesley Bienvenue, Richard Hopkins, Jeremy Gildrien
Call to OrderMeeting called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Town Clerk Julie Delphia
Pledge of Allegiance:
BOARD REORGANIZATION:  Julie entertained a motion to nominate a Chair of the Board.  Motion by John, second by Tom to nominate Diane Benware as Chair of the Board. 3 yes and one abstention by Diane. So approved. 
Julie turned the meeting over to the Chair of the Board.
Board Reorganization and Appointments:
Motion by John, second by Brad to nominate Tom Barker as Vice Chair of the Board. 3 Yes and one abstention by Tom, So approved.
Motion by John, second by Tom to nominate Brad Lawes as Road Commissioner. 3 Yes and one abstention by Brad. So approved.
Motion by Bard, second by Tom to nominate John Rouse as Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. 3 Yes and one abstention by John. So approved.
Motion by Brad, second by Tom, to nominate John Rouse as Emergency Management Coordinator. 3 Yes and one abstention by John. John did note his willingness to serve, but did cite noon meetings as difficult, given his schedule.  Chair to inquire if meetings could be taped or held in the evenings.
Motion by Brad, second by Tom to re-appoint Jeff McDonough as First Constable and Mike Rakowitz as Second Constable; with no law enforcement authority. All in favor, so approved.
Motion by Tom, second by John to re-appoint Richard Reed as our delegate to Addison County Solid Waste District (ACSWD).  So approved.
Motion by Brad, second by John to re-appoint Arlan Pidgeon as Tree Warden. So approved.
Chair informed Board of Jenei Rossig, who has expressed interest in serving as our delegate
to Maple Broadband Board.  Jenei will attend the April 1 meeting for an interview and likely appointment at that time.
Cemetery Sexton to be named at a subsequent meeting.
BOARD AFFIRMATIONS:
Board reaffirms Sandy Trombley as Clerk. All in favor. Approved.
Board reaffirms that regular meetings are on 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. All in favor. Approved.
Board reaffirms that the Addison Independent is media of record. Board reaffirms that the Chair may place ads on behalf of the Selectboard. All in favor. Approved.
Board reaffirms that the Board will follow Civil Rules of Conduct and follow Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Boards. All in favor. Approved. Board reaffirms that the Chair may second a motion. All in favor. Approved.
Board reaffirms that any one of the Selectboard can sign on behalf of the Board for orders that ned attention prior to a meeting. All in favor. Approved.
Chair reminded Board members that in 2024 Cemetery policies and plot maps need to be reviewed. In addition, security measures/decisions need to be made.
Review of Agenda:
Weight Permits Signed:
Correspondence:
1. Julie introduced a document from FEMA, indicating that we were not paid by the state for flood repair work of  2017. An oversight on the part of the state yields an amount of $1,131. 95. Chair signed document on behalf of the Board.
2. Municipal Roads General Permit for signature. Chair signed the annual permit. One area on Ferson Road remains in “purple”, meaning it needs to be addressed. Chair will contact Mike Winslow of ACRPC to arrange for REI training to conduct an update of the Bridge/Culvert Inventory, which will occur this spring.
3. Chair circulated memo from ACRPC about funding opportunity called Small Grants for Municipalities.
Chair to follow up with Deron Rixon as ACRPC to see exactly what projects could qualify.
 
  1. Fred Kenney, of ACEDC, would like to meet with Selectboard between April 1 and June 30, to discuss what ACEDC does for us and to hear about our economic and community development plans and other issues important to us. Meeting set for Monday, May 20, with the Selectboard and reps of ACEDC.
5. Contracts for services:  Board signed contracts for Lem Palmer for roadside mowing and Gus Letourneau for town green and cemetery mowing for 2024.
  1. Green Up: Chair will pick up bags, etc at ACSWD on Friday, March 22, between 3:30 and 4:30.  A poster will be placed in Town Office with list for folks to sign up for the Guinness World Book Challenge, pledging to help clear a roadside or portion thereof. The state is trying to achieve the record for the most trash picked up in a 24 hour period.
Approval of Feb 19 and Mar 6 minutes:
Motion by Tom and second by John to approve minutes of  Feb 19 and March 6, as written.   So, approved.
 
Review/Authorization to Pay Bills:
Motion by John and second by Tom. authorizing Julie to pay the bills.  All in favor.  So, approved.
 
Reports from Town Officials, Committees:
 
Road Foreman:
Arlan reported that Ed Brutowski, whom he knows, wants time to get some experience running the grader, with the town paying him. Ed does have a CDL, but would only be using the grader. Discussion of cost.
Brad made a motion authorizing 10 hours of training with Scott, with no guarantee of future employment, pending paperwork completion. Hearing no second, the motion was withdrawn.
Town Clerk/Treasurer:
Julie reported an RV being parked within the Town right of way on Leicester Whiting Road, which seems to be part of a boundary dispute between neighbors.  Brad noted that unless it interferes with town business, such as plowing, the town assumes no responsibility for damage, as noted in our road maintenance policy.
John made the motion, Tom the second, to do nothing Attis time; issue could be revisited. Passed unanimously.
A budget re-vote for RNESU will likely be held within the month.
Resident concern about drug dealing happening on Bullock and Lower Bullock Roads.  Julie to alert the
Sheriff’s Dept.
 
OLD BUSINESS:
Use of MERP funds:  Richard Hopkins of Climate Economy Action Center of Addison County and Jeremy Gildrien, Leicester Energy Coordinator
Richard informed board that a Coordinator for the Navigator Project will be hired within the week. Jeremy feels we should support the Navigator Project, using our grant funds (no match needed) if we can work out details and form a committee of folks to inform the community of this service.  Sustainability is a concern; a large enough committee of workers is needed to provide outreach and information. The goal of the Navigator Project is to provide one-on-one support for homeowners to discuss priorities/goals for reducing utility bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating a workplan on how to finance possible options and help navigating the barriers as well as locating technical and financial resources.
Chair offered to help form a committee. Names of possible members were discussed.
After discussion, Tom made the motion, John the second, to move forward with the Navigator Project, pending a written agreement, and attempt to get the word out about the project. 3 ayes (John, Tom, Diane) and one abstention, Brad.
A contract for review will be forthcoming.
Partridge Trail Junk Complaint:  The town is limited in what measures it can take to address the abandoned camper trailer, given that Partridge Trail is a private road.  For future Board action: review language of Junk Ordinance.
NEW BUSINESS:
OCW Update: The LDFLA donated $30,000 for the needed equipment for the state required modernization, permit pending.  Equipment will be shipped soon.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update:   Andrew of  ACRPC forwarded copies of the Executive Summary for the board to review.  A section for fluvial erosion is needed.  Identifying stakeholders and vulnerable populations must also be completed.  Committee to meet soon.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:  At 8:27 p.m., John made the motion, Brad made the second to go into Executive Session to discuss a possible legal matter.  At  9:08 p.m., Tom made the motion, John the second, to come out of Executive Session.  Tom made the motion, John the second to authorize Julie contact VLCT for legal advice. Passed unanimously.
Liquor License: Board approved liquor license for the store, pending payment.
Meeting was recessed, at 9:09 pm., until 1:00 pm. Friday, March 22, on a motion by Tom, second by John.
 
March 22, 2024
Present: Brad, John, Tom, Diane B., Diane R.
Other: Julie
Chair re-convened meeting at 1:00 pm. Brad made the motion, Tom made the second, to go into
Executive Session to discuss possible legal matter.  At 1:36 p.m. Brad made the motion, Tom the second to come out of Executive Session, no action taken.
At 1:37 pm. Motion to adjourn by Tom, second by Diane B.
Next meeting Monday, April 1, 2024.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Diane Benware