TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
May 9, 2022 Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Art Menard
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Gloria Menard, Clerk
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Tome Miles
Shanti McKenna
John McKenna
Monika Ganguly- Kiefner
Brian Sales
Daniele Gouchberg
Fran Kelly
Ed Kelly
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 5:59PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Bixby motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from April 25, 2022 and Selectman Congdon seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Selectman Ruane abstained from the vote because he was not present at the last meeting.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report–
Road Commissioner Ruane has been out on leave due to his hip replacement but was present at the meeting to report that the crew has been working on finishing up grading. Cash wanted to let the public know that the Kingsley Covered Bridge will be closed on May16th and 17th from 7am-6pm. He will have the crew post signage about the bridge closure. Katie will post a closure notice at Gouchberg Farms & Market, the Transfer Station, post office, and website.
Town entry sign update–
Katie explained to the Board that she did reach out to the State about the permitting process required to put up a sign on a state road. She found that no sign can be put in the State’s ROW, but they can assist in locating a place for the sign that is outside of their ROW. The town would be required to fill out a permit but there is no fee attached. Katie left it up to the Board to discuss from there, where they would like to go. Previously, the Board had talked about setting up an art competition at the elementary school to design the sign. The Board members discussed how many signs they may need and locations. Selectman Congdon mentioned that the Town of Ludlow made an arrangement with a landowner and put a sign in one of their fields that was outside of the state’s ROW, so the town was able to avoid the permitting process or getting the state involved. Selectman Menard questioned the size and pricing for this type of project. John McKenna noted that there is a sign size restriction before it ends up in Act 250. The Board talked about logistics of holding a drawing competition for the design of the sign and how that would work with the elementary school. Selectman Congdon reminded the Board that the school year is rapidly coming to a close, so this idea may have to be pushed to a summer program or the fall semester. Chairman Klopchin asked Katie to contact Clarendon Elementary to see if the school would be interested in a drawing competition and when it would work best. The Board also asked Katie to look into sign size restrictions.
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.
Selectman Congdon motioned to jump to Gouchberg’s Licqour License under New Business and Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
New Business
Gouchberg Liquor License–
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the liquor license and have all board members sign it; Selectman Menard seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Congdon motioned to move to the Inclusion Committee (also under New Business), Selectman Ruane seconded, and all Board members approved.
Inclusion Committee
The Board discussed amongst themselves which 2 members would serve on the Inclusion Committee. It was decided that Bob Bixby and Art Menard would be. Selectman Bixby may have to step down from the committee due to personal reasons so Mike Klopchin was named the alternate. There were 6 interested candidates: Marjorie Southard, Richard Ley, Monika-Ganguly-Kiefner, John McKenna, Tom Miles, and Madison Aken. Selectman Congdon motioned to appoint all the of the interested candidates and Selectman Ruane seconded. The motion passed unopposed. The committee requested that meetings be held in the evenings.
Selectman Congdon motioned to go back in order of regular agenda items. Selectman Ruane seconded and all approved.
Guests
N/A
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
N/A
New Business
Special Meeting Warning approval–
Selectman Congdon read the special meeting warning aloud that’s scheduled for June 13th. Selectman Congdon clarified because of Covid-19 and the town meeting being virtual last year, the article had been switched to the ballot. The article should have been switched back to a floor vote at this year’s meeting, but there was a mix up and the article did not end up on the ballot or voted on from the floor. The article that needs a floor vote would allow the Treasurer to collect taxes. Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the warning, and Selectman Menard seconded. Selectman Bixby clarified that June 13th is the date of a regularly scheduled Select Board meeting. The rest of the Board confirmed that it is. The motion passed unanimously.
Kingsley Bridge stream gauge approval–
Stone Environmental is performing an assessment on behalf of the Agency of Transportation. As part of their assessment, they would like to place a stream gauge at the Kingsley Bridge. Because there is a bridge inspection next week, the project manager with the bridge rehabilitation will meet with Stone Environmental to see if it’s plausible to have the stream gauge in during construction activities. Selectman Congdon motioned to table the discussion till after the two agencies meet, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all Board members approved.
Transfer Station Attendant–
Charles Bersaw had submitted a letter of interest for the Transfer Station Attendant. Selectman Menard motioned to hire Charlie and Selectman Bixby seconded. Selectman Ruane asked if there would be a trial period to see how things go. Selectman Congdon confirmed that the probationary period is standard as spelled out in the personnel policy. The Board asked that Katie make Charlie aware of that. The motion passed unanimously.
Town Officer’s Report
Treasurer, Heidi, provided the Board with a budget status to date. She’s happy to answer any questions the Board or public may have.
Select Board Member Concerns
The Board congratulated Selectman Congdon for receiving his Master’s degree in Education.
Selectman Bixby asked if there was an update from Bill Bloomer on the noise ordinance. Katie responded Bill Bloomer had responded similarly to VLCT saying it wasn’t very enforceable, but he would send along his formal opinion soon.
Adjournment
Selectman Congdon motioned to adjourn at 6:34PM, Selectman Bixby seconded, and the motion passed unopposed.
