TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Don Pratt
William-PEGTV
Kimberly Young, Admin. Assistant
Devin Neary, Executive Director RRPC
Bob Underhill
Kevin Peck
John Colvin
Bob Bixby
Jimmy Austin
Eddie Baker
Shelly Lutz
Wayne Willhaus
Danny Pinkowski
Call to Order
Chairman Mike Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6 PM
Agenda additions/deletions
Robert Congdon made a motion to add his drafted letter to the legislature to Old Business.
George Ambrose provides the second and it is approved by all members.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes Monday May 12, 2025
Robert Congdon motions to approve the signing of the last meeting minutes dated May 12, 2025. George Ambrose again provides the second to the motion and it is approved unanimously.
Highway
Road Commissioner’s Report
-Construction Trailers old and new
Cash Ruane provides an update on highway trailers that were recently purchased and housed at the Town Garage. The year 2023 trailer was a left over but brand new and was a good purchase. He is proud of the progress on the new enclosed trailer of which rails have been installed to hang road signs, making it user friendly. He has provided the board with a packet of 2 bids he has procured. Ruane would like to pretreat the roads before storms which would require 937 gallons of product. He suggests that we purchase a skid tank with spray bars for $10,000 which pertain of a 600-gallon tank with booms designed for the existing 550 one-ton truck. Belden’s is willing to sell us their Brine mix at a cost of 75 cents per gallon. This would equate to approximately $937.00 for a pretreatment per storm. Eddie Baker remarks that this would cut the salt budget in half. Ruane explains that this investment would allow the current truck order to go down in price in the amount of $5900. It is discussed that the new truck would still have space for a brine system in the future if warranted. Ruane feels that in the future their may be grants available to help towns with brine making set ups.
One truck bid is from H.P. Fairfield for $123,000 and the other from Viking for $113,000. Ruane stresses it is important to get a truck order in as a body build completion is currently targeted for April of next year. Danny Pinkowski suggests that for the future a pup trailer for brine kept in a heated garage or a brine designated truck may be in order. Cash Ruane suggests that coordinating with adjacent towns on a shared system in the future would be cost effective for all. This suggestion was favorable to all the board members and seen as worth pursuing.
George Ambrose makes a motion to move forward with Ruane’s idea to invest in a system for the small truck along with the purchase of a new truck through Viking. Don Pratt seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
-Jimmy Austin to discuss snow plows
Guest Jimmy Austin speaks to having 3 questions this evening. His first question is as to whether the brine tank be also used for dust control? Cash Ruane answers yes. Secondly, he inquires if the grading equipment is working as the Quarterline Road is rough and has not been graded as of yet. Ruane explains that a recent drive over this road it seemed in good condition but he will revisit it. Ruane has been grading roads and additionally proactive with early mowing. It is mentioned that this early practice aids in alleviating the growth of poison parsnip. Austin’s final question is to ask why the road crew was bothering to take snowplow frames off which led to an injury. Ruane defends that it was his judgment call to care for seasonal equipment in this manner and stuff simply happens on jobs.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
The board approves and signs the warrants in front of them.
Guests
–Guest Devin Neary, Executive Director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission will discuss key points regarding the Future Land Use Maps and Categories.
Guest Devin Neary provides a follow up to his May 7th. 2025 visit with the Chair of the Planning Committee John Mckenna and both the Chair and Clerk of the Select Board, Mike Klopchin and George Ambrose. The informal meeting was called to discuss the Regional Plan and Future Land Use Map with the intention of alleviating concerns surrounding Act 250; specifically, the Rural Categories and Future Development areas of the new map. Robert Congdon inquires why this meeting happened without the rest of the board present. Neary explains that he was concerned about rhetoric from the recorded special meeting of the RRPC’s New Plan Presentation he had watched and wanted to reduce some fears and misconceptions before the Town of Clarendon’s public hearing. Ambrose discusses that it was evident that both he and Chair Klopchin being retired, were readily available for the Friday afternoon impromptu meeting, acknowledging that the remaining board members would all be working. Neary applauds Clarendon for calling an upcoming public forum to inform the public. The RRPC has now met with all 27 towns of which some revisions to the map have already been made. He mentions that 95% of future town projects will go through normal zoning. It will be the Airport and Industrial Park of Clarendon that will emit Act 250. He states that the Rural Categories will not limit what you can do with your land. The new plan will not restrict growth in these areas unless it is a proposed growth in a natural resource area such as a wetland. The new Regional Plan’s purpose is to promote development and they are primarily looking for towns to suggest possible extensions to village areas. Neary discusses that Act 250 exemptions in 2026 won’t look much different than 2025. The main issue will be the Road Rule that has been brought back. The biggest takeaway concerning Tier 3 Natural Resources and Rural Conservation is that it falls under the Land Review Board and the Natural Resources Agency. The State will map these areas the way they want to and it will overlay the current maps we are viewing. Rutland Regional Planning Committee is trying to make sure the maps make sense. They are not involved in the Tier 3 map at all. They do not know how the state will treat these areas; it is a wait and see what happens situation. Robert Congdon expresses that the board’s frustration is not with the RRPC, it is with Montpelier and the loss of local control. Neary appreciates this statement as the RRPC is only trying to help towns. He recommends going to the Land Use Review Board website to see any updates.
Public Comments
Danny Pinkowski expresses agreement with the Road Commissioner’s decision to remove plows from truck frames as it protects it from seasonal damages and accidents do happen.
New Business
–Lister Bob Underhill to discuss the Chippenhook Schoolhouse.
Bob Underhill opens by explaining that normally communities own one-room schoolhouses. Clarendon has the oldest 1 room schoolhouse in the state and it is a big part of the Town’s history. For the future it makes more sense for the town to own it rather than the Historical Society. The Historical Society is currently comprised of aging members while the town has long term continuity. The H.S. will continue to make repairs but suggests that the Select Board and Town take over ownership. The majority of the work is done by volunteer and donations. Clerk George Ambrose recalls the bygone of times when Historical Societies and Granges were both bustling. Don Pratt asks Underhill what the Historical Society’s goal is after refinishing the structure. Underhill discusses that the use is limited due to no water, sewer, parking lot or electricity, although electricity and heat could be added. The use is projected to be for historical display; a type of mini museum. Ambrose interjects that it would be a perfect historical visit for our grade school students. Robert Congdon makes a motion to research the legal conveyance of the schoolhouse to the Town of Clarendon in addition to a written agreement for the Historical Society to have lifetime use and residency for as long as they exist as an association. Cash Ruane seconds the motion. It is approved by all members.
-Lister Kevin Peck to discuss Cemetery Mowing.
Town Lister Kevin Peck discusses that this year there has not been a good response from the mowers contracted to take care of the cemeteries. Although it was a wet April, cemeteries are intended to be in pristine condition and there were openings in dry temperature that they should have been maintained. In addition to the lack of mowing and weed trimming, leaves and clippings were blown up against fences. A new contract is to start July 1, 2025 and go through June 30, 2026. Robert Congdon motions for the select board’s assistant to draft a formal letter to the mowing company. They are to take care of the cemeteries in a timely manner and according to the outlined contract specifications and performance standards. The Select Board reserved the right to review the services and rescind the contract. The issue will be revisited at the next board meeting June 9th 2025. George Ambrose seconds the motion and it is unanimously approved.
-Letter to Legislation on Coalition Against Bigger Trucks.
Robert Congdon motions for the Select Board to not get involved with this particular letter. Cash Ruane seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
Old Business
–Selectman Clerk George Ambrose to discuss the Transfer Station
George Ambrose has been visiting the Transfer Station every day since the new Punch Cards and hours started April 1, 2025. Three people have been working on Saturdays in order to ensure punching of cards is being done. Ambrose had given a clicker counter to Horst. After one week of use there were 380 total punches. Usage normally runs between 300-400. It is calculated that we would need 40,000 punches a year (769 a week) in order to cover expenses. Congdon expresses that the current number of punches we are receiving still creates a deficit and we are headed in the right direction. Cash Ruane states that the Transfer Station being open only 2 days a week has been a positive change for the Highway Crew.
-Letter to Legislation
Robert Congdon has written a letter to the legislation for the board’s review and suggests Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young could make grammatical corrections and type the letter on letterhead preparing it for the board’s signatures. George Ambrose provides an official motion to have Young properly prepare the letter for submittal. Don Pratt seconds the motion. Motion so approved.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session –Personnel Discussion
Cash Ruane motions to enter Executive Session at 7:42 PM. Robert Congdon seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
Cash Ruane motions to exit out of Executive Session at 8:28 PM. George Ambrose provides the second and it is approved.
A statement is given that a memo will be released to the Road Crew explaining that a personnel investigation turned out to be unsubstantiated.
Adjournment
Robert Congdon motions to adjourn at 8:28 PM. Cash Ruane seconds the motion and it is agreed upon unanimously.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes Monday May 12, 2025
Highway
–Road Commissioner’s report
-Construction Trailers old and new
-Jimmy Austin to discuss snow plows
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
–Guest Devin Neary, Executive Director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission will discuss key points regarding the Future Land Use Maps and Categories.
Public Comments
New Business
–Lister Bob Underwood to discuss the Chippenhook Schoolhouse.
-Lister Kevin Peck to discuss Cemetery Mowing.
-Letter to Legislation on Coalition Against Bigger Trucks.
Old Business
–Selectman Clerk George Ambrose to discuss the Transfer Station
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session –Personnel Discussion
Adjournment
