TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
January 24, 2022
Minutes
Attendees
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Rick Wilbur
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Martina Barnes
Matt Jakubowski
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Ruane motioned to add an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel. Selectman Congdon, as chair of the BCA, requested Cash add to his motion, an update on the state’s redistricting proposal under New Business. Cash amended his motion to include Selectman Congdon’s request. Selectman Congdon seconded the motion and it passed unopposed.
Selectman Wilbur was approached by a resident about the Town discussing an “Inclusion Resolution” and provided the Board with a newspaper article about it. Selectman Congdon motioned that it be added to the next agenda, Selectman Bixby seconded, and all approved.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Congdon stated that he had looked over the FY23 Budget Workshop minutes and motioned to approve them. Selectman Wilbur seconded and the motion passed unopposed.
Selectman Bixby motioned to accept the Regular Meeting minutes from January 10, 2022 as presented. Selectman Congdon seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report– The Road Commissioner reported that they have updated the lighting in the town garage and it’s made a huge difference. On a different note, a neighboring town has purchased truck #14, the International, for $15,000.
Selectman Bixby mentioned that Cash should keep an eye on the potholes on the Chambers bridge.
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
Martina Barnes, US Forest Service, Manchester District Ranger– Martina introduced herself to the Board for the first time. She’s fairly new to the Forest Service, and since Covid, has tried to make her rounds to the Towns whose forests’ her office manages. Clarendon has 63 acres of National Forest, including the gorge area. There are a few timber sales going on, with one being in Wallingford. Clarendon Fire Chief, Matt Jakubowski, questioned what the Forest Services’ resources were in the event of a forest fire. Martina responded that her district has a brand-new tanker truck to assist in the case of an emergency but, of course, they would also call on local fire departments for aid.
The Board thanked Martina for coming and her brief presentation. She left them with her contact information, should they have any questions.
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
Overweight Permitting– Katie let the Board know that the office has received their first overweight permit and wanted to know how the Board would like to handle them administratively. She asked if they would like to review each one, or Cash and herself could sign off on them. Selectman Congdon motioned that the overweight permits be handled by the administrative assistant and the Road Commissioner since it’s a process that pertains to roads. Selectman Bixby seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Selectman Bixby said he should have brought this issue up under Highway, but he asked the Post Office if they have any issues with delivering to mail on Route 7b North. They said that they don’t, and they work closely with e911. A neighbor in the village did have issues with delivery of packages but he was not specific when he put down his address number. The Board decided to “let sleeping dogs lie,” and leave the road name for now.
New Business
Selectmen’s Report FY21– Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Select Board’s FY21 Report to appear in the Town report and Selectman Ruane seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Transfer Station Financial Condition Report– Selectman Congdon motioned that the Chair sign the financial conditions report on behalf of the Board. Selectman Bixby seconded and all of the Board members approved. Selectman Congdon explained that this conditions report is an annual letter that the Board signs off on, certifying that if the Transfer Station were to close, the town has financial resources to do so.
2022 Reapportionment – Selectman Congdon, BCA Chair, explained that there is a proposed redistricting across the State for representative purposes. So far, this bill has passed the House. The proposed changes would change every district in the State, and would cut all districts to 1 representative. Selectman Congdon has heard some concern about this because it could diminish local control. Feedback for Addison and Rutland Counties are due back to the State by February 1. Anyone who wants to submit feedback, can send it by email by Monday 1/31, by noon, so that it can be sent to the State. Matt Jakubowski questioned what the cost savings was on this, if there were going to be less representatives. Selectman Congdon explained that there will still be the same number of representatives in the State but the lines on the map are changing. The Board discussed the implications that this would have on Clarendon. Selectman Congdon motioned that Katie draft a letter that states the Select Board’s unanimous agreement: they are not in favor of being redistricted to a 1-member district, and that they remain a 2-member district. Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved the motion.
Katie said she would make a post for the website with this information and get a letter drafted for them to review.
Town Officer’s Report
Katie let the Board know that she had been working on getting quotes for radar speed signs for the proposed school zone on Middle Road. She contacted Elan City for a quote and they informed her that blue flashing speed signs (the kind the Board had requested estimates for) were not DOT compliant. The Board said to reach out to the Town of Woodstock, who has one, and Sgt. Cross.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Congdon asked the Road Commissioner who was responsible for plowing the entryway to Route 7 from Middle Road. It needs to be cleared out because the turn to come into Middle Road has not been cleaned out. Selectman Ruane thought that Clarendon was only responsible to do the length of the chain link fence, but he would reach out to Brad with District 3.
Selectman Wilbur reported that there has been an influx of log trucks speeding on Middle Road. Matt recommended having a DOT officer come down. Selectman Bixby said there’s also trucks going through the village. Selectman Wilbur would like to see something written up about trucks using the truck route.
Executive Session- Personnel
Selectman Congdon motioned to go into executive session at 6:54PM to discuss a personnel matter. Selectman Ruane seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
Selectman Congdon motioned to come out of executive session at 7:29PM and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed. The Board discussed a couple issues surrounding an employee, Cash has been advised on the situation from the Board going forward, and hopefully the situation is resolved.
Adjournment
Selectman Ruane motioned to adjourn at 7:30PM; Selectman Congdon seconded and all Board members approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, January 24, 2022
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
FY23 Budget Workshop
Regular Meeting: January 10, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Martina Barnes, US Forest Service, Manchester District Ranger
Public Comments
Old Business
Overweight Permitting
New Business
Selectmen’s Report FY21
Transfer Station Financial Condition Report
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
