TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
July 11, 2022
Minutes
Attendees
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Art Menard
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Katie Nop, Secretary
Gloria Menard, Clerk
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Harry Withington
Joel Baker
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:01PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Congdon motioned to add Harry Withington under Highway; Selectman Ruane seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Condon motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from June 27, 2022. Selectman Menard seconded and all approved.
Highway
Paving Bids-
Road Commissioner Ruane got paving bids from 3 different contractors for South Creek Road, a section of Creek Road and Pimple Hill Rd. The town has a paving grant for South Creek. Walker Mtn was the main priority grant but it was denied. Cash proposed going ahead with the grant paving this year on South Creek but possibly hold off till Spring for the other sections of road, in hopes that prices will go down. He asked the Board their thoughts on that. The Board agreed it was a gamble. Selectman Congdon wondered if other folks were holding off till Spring for paving, would those companies be backed up. The Board opened the seal bids and the results were as follows:
Pike Industries:
South Creek Rd – $93/ton, 494 tons
Creek Rd- $$93/ton, 660 tons
Pimple Hill- $93/ton, 180 tons
Fuller Sand & Gravel:
South Creek Rd- $84.70/ton, 450 tons
Creek Rd- $84.70/ton, 1058 tons
Pimple Hill- $88.70/ton, 224 tons
Wilk Paving Inc.
South Creek Rd- $87.40/ton, 400 tons
Creek Rd- $87.40/ton, 525 tons
Pimple Hill- $110/ton, 130 tons
The grant for South Creek Road covers $32,000 with a 20% local match. There’s $175,000 in the resurfacing budget. The Board discussed the pros and cons to waiting on fuel/asphalt prices going down. If prices did go down, there’s a possibility the town could pave an additional section of road. Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the South Creek paving tonight and awarding it to Fuller Sand & Gravel. Selectman Menard seconded for discussion. Chairman Klopchin reiterated that the Board has made the decision to take a gamble and wait to see if prices will go down and he personally opposes that idea. The Board took a vote the motion passed 3-0. Selectman Congdon thought if any other section of road should get done this summer/fall it would be Pimple Hill. Selectman Congdon motioned that Fuller Sand & Gravel be awarded paving on Pimple Hill as well. Selectman Menard seconded for discussion. Selectman Menard clarified with Cash that these contractors were not promised the entire bid. Cash confirmed that he told them it was most likely that South Creek would be awarded but was unsure how the Board would feel about Pimple Hill or the section on Creek. The motion passed 3-0. They will reevaluate Creek Road paving in the spring for pricing.
Horton Road–
Cash explained that Horton Road is the town’s only Class 4 road and it is getting washed out at the bottom, causing gravel to spill into Creek Road. Cash proposed bringing in a couple loads of 3 inch minus stone. He would like to bring it about 70ft past the top of the corn field. The washout at the bottom of the road causes ice on Creek Road in the winter. Selectman Congdon testified to the ice issue. The Board was agreeable to Cash’s idea and encouraged him to go ahead with it.
Harry Withington–
Harry Withington, of Scenic View Drive, was present to discuss some of his concerns with the town’s roadside mowing. He suggested roadside mowing be completed by July 1, or at least scheduled something similar to that. He felt his road took a long time getting to and it was not mowed enough. Road Commissioner Ruane responded that they try to start mowing the week before Mill River graduation. Since the beginning of the season, the mower has broken down one time after another and they’ve had trouble getting parts in. It was also recommended by the Select Board to do one pass around town to get it done and mow back at intersections. The second time around town they would mow additional spots. Harry thought the town should consider buying a new tractor/mower if it keeps breaking down. Cash said he priced one out for $186,000. Selectman Congdon questioned when the town would complete the first mowing pass around town. Joel Baker, road crew member, said he has 5 roads left so he should finish this week if everything holds together. Next week he would begin making his second pass around town.
Harry’s other issue was the ditch in front of his house that was dug by a former road commissioner. It’s a large overdone ditch, and his trees are falling in. He would like it to be skirted a bit so he’s not losing his property. Cash wondered if it’s in the town’s ROW. It would have to be measured. Harry would like someone to come take a look at it. He thanked the Board for their time and told them Cash is doing a great job as Road Commissioner. The Board thanked him for coming.
Road Commissioner Report-
Cash remembered to add that for the section of paving on Creek Road that goes over Hawkins Bridge, he did ask the contractors if they would be agreeable to waiting to do that segment until the box culvert was replaced, and they were. The design plans for the box culvert are in the works.
The Board asked Joel Baker if there was anything he wanted to add. He said there was a resident that had an issue with them mowing their ditch on Quarterline Road. This resident has requested the town not to mow because they are working on removing invasive plants from their property. The issue is, that there are some limbs that need to be removed. The Board encouraged Cash to have a conversation with the individual before going ahead and doing it.
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
Kingsley Bridge- local funding update-
Katie received an email from VTrans stating that they received a federal grant that allows for the construction phase of the Kingsley Bridge rehab to be 100% federal share funded (except for non-participating items). The town should expect an amended Finance & Maintenance agreement. The Board asked when that project would begin. To Katie’s knowledge, it’s supposed to go out to bid this fall, and the rehab beginning Spring 2023.
New Business
Propane discussion-
Katie explained that she had a Suburban propane salesman stop into the office and urged that the town bids their propane sooner than later to lock in pricing. Selectman Congdon advised to tread carefully with Suburban due to a negative experience with them in the past. The Board discussed purchasing their own tanks so they could shop around for propane. They asked Katie to do some research on pricing out propane and tanks. They would like a minimum 3 of bids.
Town Officer’s Report
Gloria, Town Clerk, reminded everyone that the Primary election is on August 9, 2022. She noted that set up for voting is usually the day before, but the Board has a Select Board meeting scheduled that night (August 8). She asked that the Board consider cancelling it so set up could still happen. The Board agreed. Selectman Congdon motioned to cancel the Select Board meeting scheduled for August 8; Selectman Ruane seconded, and the motion passed unopposed.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Ruane said that last week he was asked to have grader/grader contract pricing for the Board to look at. He’s talked with 2 salesmen and they have not showed. He’s called 2 contractors and has not heard back. He will update when he has more info.
Adjournment
Selectman Congdon motioned to adjourn at 6:58PM, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, July 11, 2022
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: June 27, 2022
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Paving bids
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Kingsley Bridge- local funding update
New Business
Propane discussion
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
