TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, April 8, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Robert Congdon, Selectman
Art Menard, Selectman
Cash Ruane, Selectman
Ashley Robinson, Secretary
Kevin Peck, Lister
Will Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Jimmy Austin
Jan McCoy
Jeannie Stimpfel
Bob Bixby
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called meeting to order at 6:00PM
Agenda additions/deletions
Chairman Klopchin added Jim Austin’s request of an executive session with the selectboard regarding road conditions and a specific employees work.
Selectman Congdon motioned to add the executive session to the end of meeting. Selectman Ruane provided the second.
Selectman Menard questioned if the employee should be available to rebuff anything that is brought up. Chairman Klopchin said after executive session they could recommend a follow-up with the specific individual employee/s if needed. Selectman Congdon reminded the present attendees that the town tries to keep the executive sessions no more than fifteen minutes.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: March 11, 2024
Selectman Menard motioned to table the approval of minutes until the next scheduled meeting on April 22nd due to lack of quorum. Selectman Congdon provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Regular Meeting: March 25, 2024
Selectman Congdon recused himself from the approval as he was not present at the meeting.
Selectman Menard motioned to approve the regular meeting minutes. Selectman Ruane provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Highway
Selectman/Road Commissioner Ruane spoke briefly about the tree work that the road crew has been doing on Windy Lane and how they started stump work today.
Resident Jan McCoy asked about the trees that are marked on East Street. Ruane has been in contact with Green Mountain Power as when the trees die, they will end up in the power lines. He is trying to save the town money by using resources that are available. Chairman Klopchin asked if GMP had gotten back to Ruane at all on this. Selectman Ruane said that they worked great with them on the Windy Lane project, and is hoping the East Street will follow. Ruane spoke of the trees on East Street being on the backside of Adams property. Adams recently had a logger working on the property who was willing to push the trees over with the skidder and take responsibility, however that did not end up happening. Ruane needs GMP to look at the power poles in the area before anything can be done now with the trees. Jan McCoy brought this up as she is hoping she could be in contact with the persons doing the work to also remove trees on her personal property as they will be working next to her residence.
Resident Jeannie Stimpfel questioned as a follow-up from last month’s meeting if anyone had been in touch with Rutland Town regarding Quarterline Road. Selectman Ruane was under the impression that the residents around the area in question would be contacting them. Jim Austin said that Shelley Lutz did contact them, and that they did take care of the road during the most recent storm coming through twice. On Thursday they plowed at 9:30am and 2pm. Jimmy had also spoken with the Rutland Town crew and they seem to be looking forward to renting the grader and learning how to grade the roads. He also spoke on the trainings that are available that the crew from Rutland Town will be going to. Selectman Ruane noted that the state has the trainings every year.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Jan McCoy asked what the meaning of public comments is pertaining to selectboard meetings. Selectman Congdon responds if there is ever an issue or something specific that someone wants to be brought up this would be the time to do so.
Jan McCoy questioned if we will be getting the speed cart back in town. Selectman Congdon suggested that Administrative Assistant Ashley Robinson check on this.
Old Business
Update on Kingsley Bridge
Chairman Klopchin reads from an email from JOHN CONLEY of ALPINE CONSTRUCTION, LLC
- The bridge is structurally complete and has been self-supporting for the last month or so.
- Work outstanding on the bridge includes completion of the new bridge deck, siding, and metal roof system.
- The bridge will be sprayed with insecticide and fire retardant probably around mid-April as this is weather dependent.
- Once the remaining bridge work is done, we will look to remove the shoring system under the covered bridge. This should be complete around mid-May.
- After the shoring system is removed, we can proceed with concrete repairs to the abutments and road and drainage work. Probably finishing around mid- late June. Unfortunately, the repair work is mostly crane access so use of the bridge is not possible.
- The final phase will be road paving and line striping.
We are hopeful that all the work will be completed by June 28th.
Appointed officials’ discussion
Selectman Congdon spoke of two letters that the public can be aware of stating that Ashley Robinson and Jan McCoy are both interested in being a part of the recreation committee.
Appoint new officials
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the appointment of both Robinson and McCoy. Selectmen Ruane provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Both McCoy and Robinson are excited to be on the committee. McCoy asked about how many disc golf sets are available to install. Selectman Menard said three however referred McCoy to ask Matt Jakubowski to be sure. McCoy briefly spoke about the rec fields. There are gates that close the back field off, however Selectman Ruane would like to see another closer to the road that someone could safely pull in, unlock the gate being out of the roadway.
New Business
Discussion of town re-appraisal-Kevin Peck
Kevin spoke about how a few members of the board were here in 2009. At that time, the reappraisal was a bit of a mess, with having over 300 grievances. In 2016, the decision was made to use a different company for reappraisal going with NEMRC. The listers did get an updated estimate from NEMRC for the upcoming reappraisal – $138,000 starting in 2026 or 2027 and would take roughly two years to complete. In 2016, it was $112,500. The payments would be spread over the 24 months and would be $5750 per month. Kevin noted that we have enough in the budget that we will not have to request more money from the voters. Kevin asked, due to the success we have had in the past with NEMRC, if the town would like to use them again or if the board suggests we get more bids. Chairman Klopchin believed as we have dealt with them in the past and are familiar with their quality that we should use them again. Selectman Ruane asked if we have a policy in place that we would need to get three bids. Selectman Congdon said that we normally would have to get bids for something this size, however according to the policy it is ultimately the selectboards decision. Selectman Congdon noted that he was impressed with the quote that was given as he was expecting it to be much higher. Selectman Menard stated that he was a lister when the last appraisals took place and they sent out to bid. NEMRC was not the least expensive, however it was his suggestion to use them and not go to lesser quotes.
Select Congdon motioned to lock in NEMRC at the $138,000 quote. Selectman Menard questioned when payments begin. Lister Kevin Peck confirmed that payment begins when the reappraisals start. The payment schedule will be $5750 over 24 months starting July 2026.
Selectman Menard provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Town Officer’s Report
Delinquent tax collector Ashley Robinson spoke of the two tax sales that happened on April 8th and that both sales were successful. She let the board know that we will no longer be able to use the Chris Corsones as the attorney for the tax sales as his secretary is retiring. Ashley will need to find another attorney to do the sales. Chairman Klopchin asked Ashley how many we have remaining. She stated that we are in a good place with our numbers being lower than they have been. There have been a few certified letters sent out acting as warnings for some residents that she has not heard from. Selectman Congdon asked if she had an idea of how many sales may still need to take place. Ashley noted around ten. She spoke of the town policy and payment arrangements showing that if you miss a payment on an arrangement that it is a probability to go to tax sale. The goal is not to take houses away from residents, but to help them. She also noted many delinquent residents are good at communicating which is appreciated.
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session – Personnel
Selectman Ruane motioned to enter into Executive session for a personnel discussion not to exceed 15 minutes with Selectman Congdon providing the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
6:26pm executive session begins
At 6:50pm Selectman Congdon motioned to come out of executive session. Selectman Menard provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
The Select board was made aware of a citizen concern regarding an employee and specific road maintenance. After discussion, road commissioner has taken advisement and will have internal discussions take place.
Adjournment
Selectman Menard moved to close the meeting at 7:00pm. Selectman Congdon provided the second. The motion carried.
SIGNED:_________________________ Mike Klopchin, Chair
SIGNED:_________________________ George Ambrose, Clerk
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, April 8, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: March 11, 2024
Regular Meeting: March 25, 2024
Highway
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Update on Kingsley Bridge
Appointed officials’ discussion
Appoint new officials
New Business
Discussion of town re-appraisal-Kevin Peck
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
