TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
November 22, 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
Michael Lanfear
Michael Lanfear, Jr.
Kevin Peck
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from October 25, 2021. Selectman Bixby seconded and all approved.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report– Cash Ruane updated the Board that the grader has not come back from the shop yet. They are renting one at a decent hourly price. The Road Crew has been doing extensive ditching on Haven Hill Road. Chairman Klopchin asked for an update on the line painting for Walker Mountain Road. Katie did follow up with VTrans and they said to wait patiently. Allen May, from the Better Roads grant program, stopped by the shop last week and Cash asked him about line painting. He said as well that paint products are back ordered. It’s not likely that the lines will be painted before winter so please use extreme caution on Walker Mountain Road.
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
Michael Lanfear of Teer Road was concerned how built up the road was getting and how low the power lines are. His utility lines are the ones that hang over the road and then attach to his house. If the wires get snagged, the siding on his house will come off and he’ll lose electricity and Comcast services. Road Commissioner Ruane explained that they tried a new product on Teer road and it stoned up. They’re no longer using it. However, wire heights should be 13.6 feet high and trucks are never able to pass under with dump bodies up without snagging the wire. Selectman Congdon motioned to have Katie reach out to agencies who enforce powerline height to see if they can do anything about it, and if they don’t get anywhere then revisit it and talk about putting up a warning sign about low hanging wires. Selectman Wilbur seconded, and the motion passed unopposed.
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
Animal Control Ordinance Amendment – Selectman Congdon motioned to rescind the Animal Control Ordinance amendment that passed on 10/25/21. Selectman Wilbur seconded, and all Board members approved. Katie had not included dog, wolf, and ferret in the new definition, thus the need for the repeal. She explained what the different options could be to correct it. Katie suggested that there be two separate definitions for domestic pet and domestic animal; or keep the current animal ordinance and create a separate domestic animal ordinance. Selectman Congdon had thoughts on whether there should be change made at all to the current ordinance because of only one running at large case. Selectman Congdon mentioned that the home owners who have experienced property damage can file a claim against the horse lady’s home insurance. Chairman Klopchin reported that he and Selectman Wilbur paid a visit to the lady whose horses keep getting out. The lady did fill holes where the property damage had occurred. Chairman Klopchin suggested creating a separate ordinance for other animals that cause damage to property. Selectman Wilbur felt that people’s animals who get out repeatedly should reap the consequences. Selectman Congdon questioned what the Board has done in the past. The Board members agreed that if there was a fencing issue in the past, farmers have always been diligent to reinforce the fence. The horses on Quarterline Road keep getting out because the fence is insufficient. Selectman Congdon questioned if there was any Vermont state statute that mentioned animal neglect because of the lack of a secure fence. The Board asked Katie to reach out to VLCT to and to get back to them at the next meeting with more info.
School Zone Speed Limit discussion– Katie provided the Board with the traffic study from Middle Road (available at the Town Hall if anyone is interested). At the last meeting the Board decided to wait for the traffic study to be completed and then decide if there should be a school zone speed limit near MRU and if yes; then when will it be enforced, and who will pay for the signage associated with the speed change. Selectman Wilbur would like to see the whole Middle Road drop down to 35mph. Selectman Bixby would like to see the speed limit by the school be 25mph when lights are flashing, and the rest of the road be 40mph. Selectman Bixby motioned to put in a school zone speed limit of 25mph only when lights are flashing, which will be when school is in session. He further motioned to have the invoice for the signs to be billed to MRU and split between the 4 district towns. The scheduling of the lights flashing will also be the responsibility of the school. Selectman Congdon seconded the motion for discussion. Chairman Klopchin suspects that there will be pushback from the School Board, so they asked Katie to email them with the update. The motion passed 3-1.
REMC Appointments– Selectman Congdon motioned to appoint TJ Lacz and Matt Jakubowski to the REMC, Selectman Wilbur seconded, and all approved.
Hazard Mitigation Plan revisions– Katie explained that the Hazard Mitigation Plan was kicked back from VEM. Steffanie spoke with them and made the necessary changes. She provided the Board with an updated draft for their review and approval. The Board looked through the changes and compared it with different drafts as well at the 2016 Plan. Selectman Congdon wondered if it had really been 5 years since the last Zoning Regulations update. Selectman Congdon made sure that the FIRM date was included in the 2016 plan as well and it was. Selectman Congdon motioned to approve submitting this draft with the changes being only those that were highlighted in yellow. Selectman Wilbur seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Sign Paving Grant Reimbursement– Selectman Congdon motioned that the whole Board sign the paving reimbursement, Selectman Wilbur seconded, all approved.
Transfer Station job opening– Selectman Congdon motioned to draft a letter of thanks to Joe Turner for his years of service at the Transfer Station and post the job opening for 2 weeks. Selectman Wilbur seconded and the motion passed unopposed.
Kevin Peck- Cemetery Committee – Kevin reported that he’s been cleaning up Marsh Cemetery all summer and he needs a tree taken down in there. Kevin got a quote for $250 and there is $4,000 in the budget. Selectman Congdon motioned to allow Kevin to have the tree taken down, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved. Heidi asked that Kevin get with Katie and herself to make sure that we have all the proper documentation.
Town Officer’s Report
Heidi reported that they had their first budget workshop earlier. The next budget workshop will be December 13, 2021 at 5PM.
Select Board Member Concerns
Cash wanted to warn the public that Walker Mountain is not painted so when the wintry weather comes, be very careful.
The Board wished the public a Happy Thanksgiving and stay well.
Adjournment
Selectman Bixby motioned to adjourn at 7:20PM, Selectman Congdon seconded and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET MEETING
Clarendon Town Hall
Monday, November 22, 2021
5PM
Agenda
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Budget discussion
Public Comments
Recess
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, November 22, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: October 25, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Animal Control Ordinance Amendment
School Zone Speed Limit discussion
REMC Appointments
Hazard Mitigation Plan revisions
New Business
Sign Paving Grant Reimbursement
Transfer Station job opening
Kevin Peck- Cemetery Committee
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
