TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
June 28, 2021
Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Rick Wilbur
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from June 16, 2021 and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Highway
A- Road Commissioner Report – The Road Commissioner was not present but left some items to report with Heidi. He is working on getting bids for paving Walker Mountain Road. The Road Crew has been cleaning and rip rapping ditches on Walker Mountain Road in preparation for paving. Roadside mowing is ongoing.
Heidi explained that UniFirst is willing to rent shop rags to the Town on a monthly basis. The cost would be about $23/month. This would be beneficial since the Town does not have any laundry services to wash their own rags. The Board requested to have a contract to sign at the next Select Board meeting.
Gail Gillam emailed the Board regarding her driveway. Chairman Klopchin suggested that Cash and another Select Board member do a site visit. The Chairman isn’t convinced it is entirely a Town issue as the driveway seems to be raised at a certain pitch. Selectman Congdon reminded the Board of the policies the Town has in place already and that those need to be followed. Chairman Klopchin stated that the policy says the landowner is responsible for purchasing the driveway culvert (at the Town’s discounted rate) and then the Town will do the work as long as it is in the Town’s ROW. He noted that he has previously explained this to Gail. If there is any storm damage after that – then the Town is responsible for maintenance.
Selectman Congdon mentioned that the pothole by Scott Brook needs to be fixed and asked that that info gets passed along to the Road Commissioner.
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
A- Cemetery Maintenance update – Katie was not present at the meeting but left a report with the Board to give them an update. In summary, herself and Selectmen Klopchin and Bixby met with CJ (of Johnson’s Lawncare) at the Chippenhook Cemetery and went over the property. There was minimal damage to be found, except for a few knicks from a weed wacker here and there. CJ said he would remind his crew to be careful. Katie stressed the importance that they report any kind of damage immediately so that the Board can address it. Johnson’s Lawncare agreed to do some brush removal. All in all, the Board members were pleased with the upkeep of the cemeteries.
B- Approve updated Personnel Policy – Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the updated Personnel Policy, and requested that all employees are provided with a printed copy of the updated version and a signature sheet acknowledging that they have received it. Selectman Bixby seconded the motion and all of the Board members approved.
C- MRUUSD Withdrawal discussion – Chairman Klopchin stated there had been an election in March to vote in School Board members. Andrea Hawkins is now holding the position that was left vacant when George Ambrose resigned. At the time of the Special Election that was held for the vacant School Board seat, there had also been discussion that there may be an option to vote to get out of the district. After a lot of research, between Chairman Klopchin, Brian Collamore, Art Peterson, and others, they were able to find out what the process would be to leave the district. The Town would have to hold an election. If the majority voted yes to leaving then the other Towns would have to vote on whether to allow Clarendon to leave the union or not. Chairman Klopchin voiced his displeasure with all of this. Selectman Bixby said he was not in favor of a special election, but was interested in learning what the other town’s opinions were. He also thought the Town shouldn’t just jump in to doing something like a special vote. Chairman Klopchin read an email from Brian Collamore who received information on the process. The Chairman also noted that the school buildings had been sold to the union for $1 so Clarendon has no ownership or say over them. Selectman Bixby said while he doesn’t necessarily agree with how it happened – it was the voters who approved joining the union. Chairman Klopchin stated that the voters were sold on the basis that school taxes would be less and that has not happened. Selectman Congdon stated that he thought the Board protected Clarendon’s voice by hosting the special election in May and thinks that their voice can continue to be held at the ballot box in March. He doesn’t think this is the time to pursue this. Selectman Congdon said that if something happens again like it did after the election in March, he would vote for a special election, but does not think this needs further action. Selectman Bixby agreed with Congdon and urged folks to do their own research to know what is going on with school district. Selectman Wilbur stated if it was easy to leave the union he would’ve yesterday, but seeing as that’s not the case and was not sure if there’s anything they could really do. He also urged the voters to have their voice heard at the ballot box.
New Business
A- Financial Maintenance Agreement, Kingsley Covered Bridge- Katie had left a note with the Board to discuss the different lighting and fire-retardant options for the Kingsley Covered Bridge rehabilitation. The Board didn’t feel this was the meeting that they needed to make those decisions and asked that the paperwork showing the associated costs with each be sent to them again for review. Selectman Congdon motioned to have all Board members sign the Finance and Maintenance Agreement pertaining to the Bridge and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
B- RRPC Appointments – Selectman Congdon motioned to reappoint Brownson Spencer as the Regular Commissioner to the RRPC and Selectman Wilbur seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Selectman Congdon motioned to reappoint Dave Potter as the Regular Commissioner and Bob Bixby as the Alternate for the Transportation Advisory Council; Selectman Wilbur seconded. All of the Board members approved the motion.
C- Sign Sheriff’s Department Contract – The Board confirmed with the Treasurer that the amount listed on the contract was correct, which it was, so Selectman Congdon motioned to have all Board members sign the contract and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
D- Sign Johnson’s Refuse & Lawncare FY22 Contract – Selectman Congdon motioned to have the Chairman sign the cemetery mowing contract between the Town and Johnson’s Lawncare for FY22. Selectman Bixby seconded and all members approved the motion.
E- Firework Permits – Selectman Congdon motioned to approve firework permits for the Sylvesters at 949 Airport Road for the 5th and/or 6th of July, the Leys at 134 Misty Meadows Circle, and Winnes at 1735 E. Tinmouth Road for the 4th of July. Selectman Bixby seconded and the motion passed unopposed.
Town Officer’s Report
Treasurer Heidi reported that she is closing out the fiscal year. She provided budget statuses for the Board and any member of the public can request a copy if they’d like one.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Bixby thanked Heidi for a job well done reporting for both Cash and Katie in their absence as well as reporting on the Town’s finances. Selectman Congdon wished everyone a happy and healthy Independence Day celebrating the nation.
Adjournment
Selectman Congdon motioned to adjourn at 6:51PM and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motioned passed unanimously.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, June 28, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: June 16, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Cemetery Maintenance update
Approve updated Personnel Policy
MRUUSD Withdrawal discussion
New Business
Financial Maintenance Agreement, Kingsley Covered Bridge
RRPC Appointments
Sign Sheriff’s Department Contract
Sign Johnson’s Refuse & Lawncare FY22 Contract
Firework Permits
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
