TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
May 8, 2023
Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Cash Ruane
Art Menard
Katie Nop, Secretary
Gloria Menard, Town Clerk
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Bob Bixby
Kevin Peck
Sarah Kumm
Pat Lanfear
Michael Lanfear, Jr.
Joanne Black
Matt Jakubowski
Amy Littler
Sgt. Cross
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Ambrose motioned to add a discussion under New Business about the school house in Chippenhook. There was no second so the motion failed. Selectman Menard said to have it warned on the agenda for next meeting.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Ambrose motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from April 24, 2023 as presented and Selectman Menard seconded. The motion passed. Selectman Ruane abstained since he was not present for the meeting.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report–
Road Commissioner, Cash Ruane, has been in touch with Alpine Construction about signage for the Kingsley bridge closure as well as the detour. Gorge Road will be closed during this time as well to allow for more space for the contractors. Jersey barriers will be placed at the end of Gorge Road on May 15th.
The road crew has recently been making upgrades to West Tinmouth Road.
Manlift Rental discussion–
The Board had tabled this discussion until the Road Commissioner was present to discuss. Cash explained he would like to rent a manlift from the Grembowicz to limb trees and trim brush, especially on West Tinmouth Road. There was a picture provided of the manlift. Selectman Menard clarified who would be responsible for moving it; Cash confirmed the town would be. Selectman Menard also assumed that the road crew would not be put in a hazardous position by using it. Cash said the manlift wouldn’t leave the road, and he didn’t think they would need to extend the boom much. Selectman Ambrose questioned if any of the road crew members had experience in operating a manlift. Cash replied that himself and one other member had operated one before. Selectman Ambrose also questioned if the town’s insurance was in order. Katie said in the rental agreement she included verbiage that was recommended by the town’s insurance. Selectman Ambrose motioned to move ahead with the manlift rental, Selectman Menard seconded and the motion passed unopposed. For the record, the Chairman noted his approval of the decision.
Teer Road Survey
Residents from Teer Road were invited down to the Select Board meeting to discuss the scheduled survey that will be taking place around the first week of June. The section of road is about ¼ mile from the intersection of Walker Mountain Road up. After the residents received a notification letter of the survey, they had some concerns so they were invited to the meeting to discuss. The letter noted that the town will be determining where their boundaries lie for a potential road project. The residents were concerned about the extent of the project. Chairman Klopchin looked to Katie for a brief explanation of why a possible road project would be taking place. Katie explained that in the last 5 years the town has been under the Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP- a state issued permit). The purpose of the permit is to improve water quality and decrease erosion. Over the last 5 years the road crew has made improvements to sections of road that are “hydrologically connected” to meet the requirements. Examples of this would be: Quarterline Road, backside of Teer Road, section of East Street, etc. The permit is in a new 5- year cycle and there are certain deadlines the town has to meet to bring the roads into compliance by. This year they hope to make upgrades to sections of the front side of Teer. As described in the workshop that Cash and Katie attended the previous week, they heard that the goal is to bring 7.5% of noncompliant segments into compliance, with 20% of that 7.5% being “Very High Priority” segments, annually. For Clarendon, that means a minimum of 4 segments this year. Pat Lanfear expressed her concerns about the bounds of the ROW. She felt that the section of road in front of her house been shifting over the years, closer to her property. She went on to describe incidents of washouts on her road and driveway. Joanne Black offered their side of the road for tree removal and ditching, if need be, if that would alleviate some of the road drainage issues. Chairman Klopchin noted that the town will be doing the survey to determine the legal boundaries of the road. At this point, there is not a proposition of what the project will look like- but there is a road drainage issue that needs to be addressed. Joanne asked what the intentions are after the survey. Kate explained that under the permit, the goal is water quality, so potentially some ditching needs to take place. The residents had concerns about how the road has been built up and how its graded. They felt when Markowski sloped the road and ditched, it worked properly. The road has lost that slope over the years. Michael Lanfear mentioned that there’s buried utilities in that section of road. Katie said under the new permit there may be an exemption for that. Pat expressed her concern that further up the road from her is in need of work before her section. Katie said it’s currently flagged to need work and it’s a matter of time before its addressed. Pat reiterated issues she’s had with the road in the past several years. After much discussion, the Chairman said that after the survey is completed and before any project begins, the residents will be invited back for more discussion.
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
Sgt. Cross–
Sgt. Cross of the Rutland County Sheriff’s Dept. was present to discuss some issues going on in Clarendon. Chairman Klopchin asked if he had any update on the bullet hole that was in the town office’s door. Cross said that VT State Police had come down for that, so they will be handling the case, but he could make a phone call.
Chairman Klopchin asked if Sarah Kumm wanted to share any of the issues going on at her property (corner of 7b Central/Route 103). Sarah Kumm thanked Sgt. Cross for sitting in the pull off near her property recently, and told the Sgt. about the hypodermic needles found on her land.
The Board also discussed the potential uptick in speeding on Bump Road, due to the upcoming Kingsley Bridge closure. Chairman Klopchin said that some residents along that road have offered their driveways for the sheriff deputies to sit in to patrol. Sgt. Cross left his business cards for Katie to hand out to those residents. He said to have them contact him to discuss. They greatly appreciate those opportunities. The Board said the presence of the sheriff and seeing them in town is a good reminder to slow down.
Selectman Ruane asked if the speed cart would be available for Middle Road before the high school’s graduation. Sgt. Cross said that Lt. Geno is in charge of the scheduling for it, so he would talk with him.
Bob Bixby–
Bob Bixby gave a report for the first Neighborhood Watch meeting that was held. He said Art Hetzel was a tremendous help and had resources left over from the Neighborhood Watch that was going on a number of years ago. 12 people attended the meeting including Lt. Bennick. The next meeting will be held on May 17th at the Grange Hall at 7PM. They discussed how residents should get cameras for their homes. Sarah Kumm mentioned a community party at her property to get more people involved. The citizens at the meeting requested a Sheriff’s report of the patrols they do in Clarendon. Katie said she will get that info.
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
N/A
New Business
Rec Committee appointment-Amy Littler
Amy introduced herself to the Board. She is a 4th generation Clarendon resident. She has kids in the school and she said it’s time for her to be more involved in the community. Selectman Ambrose motioned to appoint Amy to the Rec Committee and Selectman Ruane seconded. Katie clarified with the Board that the term would be from now till March of 2024. The Board confirmed and the motion passed unopposed.
Town Officer’s Report
Katie, Secretary, thanked the public for their efforts over the weekend in greening up Clarendon’s roads. She reminded the Board that at budget time/town meeting time, there was discussion of creating an Appropriations Policy. She will be gathering some information on that, for the Board to start working on it at their next meeting. Katie also reported that annually, Bob and Lynn Underhill sign off a Hold Harmless Agreement for the use of their ballfield. Katie spoke with Bob and he felt they didn’t need it this year. VLCT issued him a certificate of insurance at the beginning of the year.
Select Board Member Concerns
Cash Ruane reported that for Green Up this year, there was significantly less trash collected. Last year there was around 130 tires gathered and the roll off dumpster was overflowing. This year, there were 14 tires and the dumpster was only 1/3 full. Him and the road crew will grab the larger items of trash from the pull off on Alfrecha.
Fire Chief, Matt Jakubowski, reported that the Clarendon Fire Dept. will be hosting an open house at the Fire Department on Saturday, May 13 from 9am-12pm. This is a statewide event, with many fire departments opening up their doors to encourage recruitment.
Adjournment
Selectman Ambrose motioned to adjourn at 7:04PM, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all Board members approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, May 8, 2023
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: April 24, 2023
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Teer Road Survey
Manlift Rental discussion
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
New Business
Rec Committee appointment-Amy Littler
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
