TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
July 28, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Cash Ruane
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Don Pratt
Heidi Congdon
Kevin Peck
Bob Underhill
William (PEG-TV)
Ed Baker
Jim Austin
Len Doucette
Shelley Lutz
Call to Order
Chair Mike Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Robert Congdon made a motion to add Grants in Aid under Highway. George Ambrose seconded the motion. It was approved by all.
Robert Congdon motions to add a Transfer Station discussion under New Business with Don Pratt providing the second. It is approved by all.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Robert Congdon made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting July 14, 2025. Don Pratt seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Highway
Grants in Aid
Road Commissioner Cash Ruane brings up the paperwork for signing the intention of applying for Grants in Aid. Treasurer Heidi Congdon clarifies that it has to do with making MRGP updates and could be a maximum grant of up to $20,000 with our contribution being a maximum of $5,000. Robert Congdon made a motion to sign the State of Vermont Grant Agreement for grant program GA0992. George Ambrose provided the second and it was approved by all.
Paving
Road Commissioner Cash Ruane provides letters of 3 bids for Paving for the Town; Wilk Pile and Fuller. Bids are reviewed by all Select Board members. Robert Congdon motions to accept Fuller’s Bid for Paving. Don Pratt provided the second and it was approved by all.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Select Board warrants are approved and signed.
Guests
Guest Len Doucette, a School Board member and Clarendon Town citizen inquires who decides what image goes on the cover of the Town Report. Doucette explains that the 50th Anniversary of the Mill River Union High School is coming up with it’s start year of 1975.
He would like to see the school be represented on the next Town Report Cover. Town Treasurer Heidi Congdon points him the deciding Town members of David Bausch and Kevin Dougherty.
Public Comments
New Business
-Approval of Tax Rate
Town Treasurer Heidi Congdon provides information on the Tax Rate. Once approved the Town Clerk Gloria Menard will post it to the public on the Town’s website. George Ambrose makes a motion to approve the tax rate with Don Pratt providing the second. It is approved by all members.
-Approval and Signing of Bill of Sale, Quit Claim Deed and Memorandum regarding Chippenhook Schoolhouse. The Bill of Sale and Quit Claim Deed were previously addressed by the Select Board and legally drawn up by the Town’s lawyer and signed. Tonight, the Memorandum of an agreed relationship between the Town and the Historical Society are reviewed and signed. Robert Congdon motioned to sign the agreement with George Ambrose providing the second. Approved by all.
-Transfer Station Back up
George Ambrose speaks regarding the concern of a need for back up personnel with any unscheduled absences of the current staff. He suggests a job opening be posted for a temporary position that would an on call/as needed position. He will work with Administrative Assistant on the posting. Ambrose motions to have the job officially posted with Robert Congdon providing the second and it is approved by all.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
None given.
Select Board Member Concerns
George Ambrose asks Guest Kevin Peck to give an update on the Grange. Peck discusses the Chat and Chew activity that occurs at the Grange every other Tuesday. The community is invited to attend by bringing a pot luck item to share along with conversation. Discussion has been to change the timing of the events to the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month but has not been confirmed yet. Peck would like to see announcements for the Chat and Chew given earlier in the form of Reminders 5 days ahead to promote a strong attendance and ability to participate. Bob Underwood compliments the updated Library interior which has beautiful hand painted murals in the kid’s space.
Robert Congdon addresses guest Len Doucette with the statement that the board had reached out via a letter to the VT State delegation in Montpelier regarding a recent issue. Doucette thanks the board for the letter sent for more clarification on the process in question and explains that there are many new members on the school board as well as a new superintendent. Continuity has been difficult and is a work in progress.
George Ambrose compliments Ed Baker for his professional opinions on road maintenance and looks to him for future thoughts and discussions.
Adjournment
Meeting is adjourned at 6:36 PM with Robert Congdon making a motion to adjourn, George Ambrose seconding the motion and all in agreement to end the meeting at this time.
Public Comment Instructions
Members of the public have the right to participate in public meetings.
If you wish to speak during Public Input, please note that your time will be limited and must follow the below guidelines:
- Before speaking, please state your full name.
- When you are informed by the Chair that your time is up, you will be expected to yield to the next speaker. Speakers will have a maximum of 3 minutes to make their comments.
- Public input is for receiving comment on items pertaining to this or past agendas. Public comment will not be used as a time for problem solving or reactions to comments made. We do take note of your comments as they help to inform the boards’ future actions.
- Rudeness, ridicule or profane language, lack of respect and personal attacks are not acceptable behavior.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
July 28, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Highway
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
New Business
-Approval of Tax Rate
-Approval and Signing of Bill of Sale, Quit Claim Deed and Memorandum regarding Chippenhook Schoolhouse
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
Public Comment Instructions
Members of the public have the right to participate in public meetings.
If you wish to speak during Public Input, please note that your time will be limited and must follow the below guidelines:
- Before speaking, please state your full name.
- When you are informed by the Chair that your time is up, you will be expected to yield to the next speaker. Speakers will have a maximum of 3 minutes to make their comments.
- Public input is for receiving comment on items pertaining to this or past agendas. Public comment will not be used as a time for problem solving or reactions to comments made. We do take note of your comments as they help to inform the boards’ future actions.
- Rudeness, ridicule or profane language, lack of respect and personal attacks are not acceptable behavior.
