TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
August 9, 2021
Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Cash Ruane
Rick Wilbur
Katie Nop, Secretary
Kelly Jakubowski, Delinquent Tax Collector
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Matt Jakubowski
Mike Pedone
Mark Meszaros
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 5:59PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Ruane motioned to add a driveway access permit under Highway and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Chairman Klopchin motioned to have an executive session on personnel. Selectman Bixby seconded and all Board members approved.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Bixby motioned to accept the Regular Meeting minutes from July 26, 2021 as presented, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report– Road Commissioner Ruane updated the Board with what the Road Crew has been up to. They have been working on Anderson Hill Road, clearing trees and doing ditch work. It was flagged as a high priority with MRGP. It will take approximately 8 more days to complete the project.
Access permit – Cash received an access permit from Cass Anderson. They would like to put in an access so the farm can get to their wood lot and pasture. Cash mentioned that there was no culvert needed for the driveway. He motioned to accept the permit and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Wetland Permit for Walker Mtn Rd.– Cash explained that a cross culvert on Walker Mtn Road is built up with discharge. Once the culvert is cleaned the drainage will bottle flow into a wetland. Cash felt it was proper to ask if a wetland permit was necessary and it is. The Board decided to proceed with the permitting process so that the ditching can be done. Paving will begin when the contractor is available, and is not based on when the permitting is complete.
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
N/A
New Business
Fire Dept. CLFRF Funding Request- Mark Meszaros was present on behalf of the Clarendon Fire Department (CFD) to request a small portion of the CLFRF that the Town will receive. The CFD is requesting that the Town match the $5,000 they’ve raised to purchase a washer and dryer to wash their fire gear. Mark explained that Rutland City Fire Department currently washes Clarendon’s gear but the turnaround time is about 2-3 days. The Fire Department hoped that the fund request would be an eligible expenditure since it “strengthens the support of vital public services.” In receipt of the letter from Mark, Katie had reached out to RRPC and VLCT for clarification. VLCT thought the case may be justified if Clarendon experienced revenue loss during the pandemic (Clarendon did not). RRPC thought CFD made a good case for the funds but advised that Clarendon wait to commit funds until further guidance came out. The Board questioned if there would be any dangerous particles in the sewer system because of the washer cleaning the fire gear. Clarendon Fire Chief, Matt Jakubowski, responded by saying that the laundry detergent neutralizes any harmful chemicals in the water. The Board also wondered if CFD’s septic system could handle the washer/dryer system. Matt said that they have their system pumped regularly and it should be fine. The Board advised they let the Clarendon Elementary School know if they go ahead with the washer/dryer purchase since the septic is close to the school. The Board was generally in favor of the fund request if all questions about septic were answered as well getting the all clear from VLCT/RRPC on guidance. Katie let Mark and Matt know that she would keep them updated as she receives more information.
The Board and the Fire Department discussed briefly the idea of the Fire Department being Town-owned and Matt gave an update on dry hydrants around Town.
ZBA member letter of resignation- The Board read Bob Underhill’s letter of resignation from the ZBA. Selectman Bixby motioned to accept it, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved. Katie will send a letter of thanks to Bob and post the vacancy.
Town Officer’s Report
Secretary, Katie, reported that CJ Frankiewicz sent in a letter today to the Board about investing the ARPA funds in a high yield account. He will discuss it more with the Treasurer and they will present their findings together to the Board at a later date.
Delinquent Tax Collector, Kelly, asked who the authorized representative would be to sign the deed for the Morton property. The Board responded that Chairman Klopchin would be. Selectman Ruane motioned that the Board chair sign off on the deed to Casella when the time comes, and Selectman Bixby seconded, all approved. Kelly said that Attorney Bloomer will be in contact to arrange for the signing of the deed. Kelly also reported that Ritter is officially off the books and Morton is almost there. The oldest and largest delinquent tax accounts are almost all taken care of.
Matt Jakubowski updated the Board on a couple different committees that he leads. For the Rec Committee he reported that an individual drove though the field. He is getting solar lights installed and would like to reestablish a fence. The Committee had new roofs but on two dugouts as they were falling apart. The fields are being used very frequently by Little League so that is good to see. As far as Grange Hall Committee, Matt reported that the church is using the space again on Sundays for their worship services. On behalf of Emergency Management, Matt reported that the Hazard Mitigation Planning is wrapping up and should be completed soon.
Executive Session- Personnel
Selectman Ruane motioned to go into executive session at 6:36PM to discuss personnel and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Selectman Wilbur motioned to come out of executive session at 6:53PM. Selectman Ruane seconded and the motion passed unopposed. Chairman Klopchin stated that the Selectmen’s administrative assistant will hold office hours of 8am-1:45PM for the dates of 8/17, 8/18, 8/19.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Bixby asked about the status of winter sand and salt. Cash said he is waiting on pricing but there is plenty of material in the Town’s inventory right now.
Selectman Wilbur asked about the wetland permit because he was not present for the discussion. Chairman Klopchin reported that they will move forward with getting the permit submitted in order to do the ditch work.
Adjournment
Selectman Bixby motioned to adjourn at 6:55PM, Selectman Wilbur seconded, and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, August 9, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: July 26, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Wetland Permit for Walker Mtn Rd.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
New Business
Fire Dept. CLFRF Funding Request
ZBA member letter of resignation
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
