TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
December 13, 2021
Minutes
Attendees
Select Board:
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Rick Wilbur
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:05PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Congdon motioned to add the Cold River berm removal permit under Old Business, and to add Cemetery Bid Award under New Business. Selectman Bixby seconded the motion and it passed unopposed.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from November 22, 2021; Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report– The grader has come back from the repair shop. It was an expensive fix, but it’s finally back on the road. There have been some light snow storms that the Road Crew has tackled. They haven’t used as much salt year to date as last year.
Access Permit- 63 Acre Solar– Selectman Congdon motioned to approve and grant the access permit for the 63 Acre Solar project. Selectman Bixby seconded for discussion. This solar project is located off of Alfrecha Road on Cash Ruane’s land. Selectman Bixby asked where the access would be. Cash explained it would be 300 feet from the railroad tracks. The motion passed 3-0. Selectman Ruane recused himself from the vote.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
All new warrants and warrants previously signed by the designated Select Board Member were approved and signed by all Select Board Members.
Guests
N/A
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
Transfer Station job opening– Katie reported that she had one candidate that had left a letter of interest. She received a phone call from another resident but they didn’t leave a letter of interest, so there was only one candidate to review. Selectman Congdon motioned that Chairman Klopchin, Selectman Bixby, and Transfer attendant Tom, meet with the interested individual (Horst Gebauer), and if there were no red flags, then to hire him, effective immediately, for a 90-day trial period. Selectman Ruane seconded, and all Board members approved.
Overweight vehicles discussion– Katie explained that after doing research whether there was an ordinance needed to enforce lower weight limits during mud season; she also reached out to the DMV with a separate issue about overweight permitting. Clarendon had stopped issuing the permits, because the fee was so low, it did not seem worth it. However, after talking to past town officials about the issue, she found that the Town should start issuing them so if anything happened on our roads, we would not be held liable. Katie heard that AOT was getting stricter with companies that have overweight vehicles. They could get fined if they can’t provide their overweight permits. The DMV got back to Katie and confirmed that municipalities are required to issue the permits annually. Selectman Congdon motioned to start issuing overweight permits, effective January 1. Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved.
Hazard Mitigation Plan- Adoption – Selectman Congdon asked if any changes had been made to the 12/13 draft that was presented. Katie confirmed that as far as she knew, there were no changes made since the last time it was submitted to VEM. After municipal adoption, it would be sent for final VEM/FEMA approval. Selectman Wilbur motioned to adopt the 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Board looked over the review toolkit that was provided for them. Selectman Congdon seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Cold River Berm permit– The Board received an email from Shannon Pytlik, who’s from the Watershed Management Division, Rivers Program. She’s been waiting on a conditional use permit to be issued, so that they can move forward with the berm removal work in the Cold River. Shannon said that if they did not receive the permit soon, they would have to cancel the project. There was serious miscommunication between the Zoning Administrator and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The ZA said he was waiting on a written decision from the ZBA so that he could issue the permit. The ZBA told the Zoning Administrator that after 45 days from the hearing, its “deemed approved” and he could go ahead and issue the permit without the written decision. Selectman Congdon thought that since the ZBA approved the project at their hearing and it had been 45 days since, that the ZA was bound by law to issue the permit. The Board was not impressed with how the two parties have performed their respective jobs, but regardless, the permit needed to get to Shannon soon. Selectman Congdon said to have an email written up to the ZA that they expect him to issue the permit by Friday (12/17), have it sent via email with the SB members copied on it, and send it via mail. Selectman Congdon told Katie to get in contact with Shannon and let her know that the permit will be issued by the end of the week.
In addition to the permit issue, the Board received a letter from the ZBA, with recommendation to remove the current ZA. The Select Board decided to have an executive session next meeting about that. Selectman Congdon questioned whether to ask the Town attorney about a Town appointed individual who was being negligent in their duties that could put the Town in a position to lose a large amount of money on a river project; what the Town’s recourse would be with such an individual.
New Business
CES Zoning fees– Katie explained that Mike had received a phone call from Fred Valestro, principal of the Clarendon Elementary School. The school had installed a shed, all by donated monies. Fred had asked the Zoning Administrator to waive the zoning fees associated with the permit to put the shed up, since the project had been done at no cost to the school. Jeff directed him to the Select Board, since they are able to forgive zoning fees. Selectman Congdon motioned to deny the request that the fees be waived, Selectman Ruane seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Mask Mandate discussion– Selectman Congdon motioned to not enforce a mask mandate in Clarendon, and Selectman Bixby seconded for discussion. Selectman Bixby’s personal opinion was to “educate, not mandate.” Chairman Klopchin added that the schools have their own mask mandates in place. The motion passed unopposed.
Better Roads Grant – Selectman Congdon motioned that on behalf of the Board, the Chairman sign the Better Roads grant for the Teer Road project that is planned for Fall of 2022. Selectman Bixby seconded and all Board members approved.
Cemetery Mowing Bids– Katie had advertised the cemetery mowing bid for more than two weeks at the Transfer Station, Post Office, Town Hall, and Town website. She had also reached out to multiple contractors. The Board received two bids. One of them was the current contractor, Johnson’s Refuse & Lawncare, the other was Intrinsic Property Services. Johnson’s bid came in at $10,900 with a $30/hourly rate for any extra maintenance. Intrinsic’s bid was $8,700 with a $50/hourly rate for any extra maintenance. Selectman Ruane motioned to award the bid of $8,700 to Intrinsic for FY23. Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed. Katie will write a thank you note to Johnson’s when their contract is up.
Chairman Klopchin read Mr. Turner’s thank you note. Joe Turner worked at the Transfer Station for many years. Selectman Congdon motioned to approve and have all members sign it. Selectman Bixby seconded and all Board members approved.
Town Officer’s Report
N/A
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Ruane wished everyone safety on the roads and a Merry Christmas. The Board wished the public a Merry Christmas.
Adjournment
Selectman Bixby motioned to adjourn at 6:59PM, Selectman Congdon seconded, and all Board members approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET MEETING
Clarendon Town Hall
Monday, December 13, 2021
5PM
Agenda
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Budget discussion
- Cemetery Mowing Bids
Public Comments
Recess
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, December 13, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: November 22, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Access Permit- 63 Acre Solar
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Transfer Station job opening
Overweight vehicles discussion
Hazard Mitigation Plan- Adoption
New Business
CES Zoning fees
Mask Mandate discussion
Better Roads Grant
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
