TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, March 25, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Board Clerk
Art Menard, Selectman
Cash Ruane, Selectman
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Ashley Robinson, Secretary
Will Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Ed Baker
Shelly Lutz
James ‘Jimmy’ Austin
Jan McCoy
Jeannie Stempfel
Kevin Peck, Lister
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called meeting to order at 6:00PM
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: March 12, 2024
No quorum to approve minutes as Selectman Ruane and Selectman Menard were not present at the meeting on March 12th and Selectman Congdon was not in attendance for this meeting.
Selectman Ambrose motioned to table the approval of minutes until the next scheduled meeting on April 8th. Chairman Klopchin provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Highway
Road Commissioner report
Selectman/Road Commissioner Ruane provided information on the Western Star truck. The truck will be picked up Tuesday 3/26. It had a transmission issue with the wiring which has been fixed. There was also a hole in the third air tank which was replaced and parts were covered under warranty, with labor being an additional fee. The fuel straps were rotted and replaced, along with the power steering lines.
Selectman/Road Commissioner Ruane gave kudos to his team for their efforts during the most recent snow storm for keeping up with the heavy snowfall.
PAVING GRANT application approval
Selectman/Road Commissioner Ruane had gotten a quote from Tom Fuller of Fuller Sand & Gravel for a portion of the Creek Road from Hawkins driveway to the Rutland Town line. The road hasn’t been paved since 2011. The first portion from Hawkin’s driveway to Alfrecia Road will need to be reclaimed and paved due to the bellies in the road, then Alfrecia to the town line will be paved without reclaiming. Selectman Ambrose brings the question up about the dip that happens by Norm Bowens home and if there is anything that can be done to help that from happening, Ruane speaks of a shallow culvert that was installed years ago that could be fixed, however problem being that this culvert continues all the way down to Norm’s barn. The only fix would be to replace culvert at road, and ditch the entire way down to barn/garden.
Board discusses that this is only a quote for grant application purposes. If grant is approved, we will need to get additional quotes for bid, and go through board for approval to move forward. This is a state grant that is normally is awarded every three plus years. Resident Jan McCoy questions how the selection of what roads are completed. Ruane says we have 25 miles of tar, and each year we are lucky if we get to complete a mile, so they go off of need. Treasurer Congdon speaks on the monies that are allocated. There used to be an article for voters to vote on at town meeting, however now they are included in the highway budget. There was $175,000 for resurfacing and reconstruction. On years that we are awarded the grant there is a match that the monies go towards. If a grant is not awarded, it is used as best the town deems necessary.
Selectman Ambrose motions to approve the sending in of the grant application, Selectman Menard provides the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Updated PACIF GRANT application sign-off
Administrative Assistant Robinson discusses the PACIF grant that had been previously approved was turned back to the town as there were items that were not compliant with the regulations of the grant. The items since have been updated and the new forms are ready to be sent in. The new quote is $3265.15 and there is a 50% match, however there is only $1500 available in grant funds if approved with the new material. Chairman Klopchin asks Treasurer Congdon if there is money available to make up the difference and she confirms that there is.
Selectman Ambrose motions to approve the change of the PACIF grant, Selectman Menard provides the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
All new warrants and warrants previously signed by the designated select board members were approved and signed by present select board members.
Guests
Clayton Webster Re: Railroad Drive
N/A
Public Comments
Shelly Lutz spoke on the snowstorm regarding Quarterline and had hoped that Clarendon could have plowed at least once down to Pete Billings driveway in Rutland Town and back as there was only a one lane road for travel. She said that Jim had to plow, as well as herself and Wayne due to Rutland Town did not touching the area. Jimmy did speak with Rutland Town and had plowed on Sunday, and had done the best they could with the equipment they had. Jimmy plowed Saturday morning all the way down to Cambell Road to get his daughter in law to work as it had not been done. Shelly and Wayne also had to plow even Sunday to be able to keep the road passible, including the pullover areas. Jimmy mentions that he does not believe the Clarendon end of Quarterline had been plowed prior to 1 or 2 pm. Selectman/Road Commissioner Ruane confirms that all roads had been completed in the morning, and then again in the afternoon on Saturday. There was sand put down on corners and hills and avoided the flats due to the heavy snowfall and would just be plowed off.
Jan McCoy requested an update on the Kingsley bridge. Chairman Klopchin stops every few weeks and confirms that it should be late June or July, however he said he will stop again and see if there is any other information to report at next meeting.
Old Business
N/A
New Business
Appointed Officials discussion
There was a brief review on reappointing the officials who had gotten back to Administrative Assistant Robinson.
Reappointments for Appointed Officials
Selectman Ruane motions to approve the reappointment of officials. Selectman Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Selectman Menard reported on the issue of the recreation committee only having 2 members and the need of at least 4 to have a quorum. Treasurer Congdon notes that it is the perfect time to reach out to town and say we have openings and to reach out to Ashley if interested.
Jan McCoy asks what it would consist of to be a part of the committee. Selectman Menard speaks that members have to find mowing contractor bids and approval yearly, and that Sarah Kumm (member) has ideas to get the community together. There was chatter among attendees on who will be using the fields, as well as materials that are on hand to be installed for the community to use. Disc golf being one of the items available that were a peak of interest at the meeting specifically.
Town Officer’s Report
N/A
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Ruane thanked the community for the support of votes at the last election as he was not present to do so at the last meeting.
Adjournment
Selectman Klopchin moved to close meeting at 6:35. Everyone motioned and approved.
SIGNED:_________________________ Mike Klopchin, Chair
SIGNED:_________________________ George Ambrose, Clerk
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, March 25, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: March 12, 2024
Highway
Road Commissioner report
Updated PACIF GRANT application sign-off
PAVING GRANT application sign-off
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Clayton Webster Re: Railroad Drive
Public Comments
Old Business
New Business
Appointed Officials discussion
Reappointments for Appointed Officials
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
