TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Wednesday May 7, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Special Meeting Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Don Pratt
Kimberly Young
Brownson Spencer
John Mckenna
Sarah Krumm
Steffanie Bourque
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Agenda additions/deletions
Robert Congdon motioned to add to the end of the presentation two discussions; one on the subject of a Hot Water Heater and second on Hired Personnel Evaluations.
Guests
-Steffanie Bourque of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) will present an update on the finalizing of the first draft of the 2026 Regional Plan. An overview of the plan elements will be provided along with how ACT 181 overhauled Vermont’s land use planning framework. Presentation will include information regarding the new ACT 181 land use categories, state designations and location-based Act 250 tiers. Stefannie Bourque will walk us through the draft regional future land use map and highlight key changes from the 2018 map. The meeting will give an opportunity for all attendees to review and provide feedback on the draft regional future land use map, especially regarding how it applies to our municipality.
Steffanie Bourque introduces herself as a representative of the RRPC. Reason given for her visit is to review the 3rd final phase of community engagement on updates to the 2026 Regional Plan with sought after alignment from the public. She opens with 2 questions: 1) Does the plan reflect the right community economic development priorities for the Rutland Region? And 2) Do these priorities make the Rutland Region a place you want to live, work and play? The plan is an 8-year (2026-2034) guide to accomplish community economic development with social, cultural and environmental priorities for 27 different municipalities. The Plan’s intention is to analyze present and future land uses in addition to identifying areas for growth and conservation. The Regional Plan contains multiple elements, however Steffanie deep dives in to Land Use only. There are new Land Use Categories, new State Designations and 4 Location based Act 250 Jurisdiction Tiers. Steffanie lays out on to the table the 2026 Future Land Use Map for Clarendon. It is to be used to guide development by designating areas for growth and conservation based on environmental, infrastructure and community factors. John Mckenna confirms that the Clarendon Planning Committee has a Land Use Map currently for the Clarendon Town Plan, but it is very small and unlike the map shown here tonight. When Brownson Spencer asks Steffanie if he can get a large map copy, she explains that this new map is available to all on the RRPC website but she should be able to get him a large copy. Selectman Robert Congdon remarks that the reality is that there will be more scrutiny under Act 250 and the biggest impact will be on the Tier 3 areas. The Act 250 Land Use Review Board in February will have to finalize the rules for Tier 3. Steffanie explains that benefits being tax credits and grants will be available for Tier 1 of which Clarendon currently has no such areas, as Clarendon does not have subdivision. The Village Center in Clarendon Springs will be grandfathered in as a Step (tier) 2. If the community is wondering what role they can have in these decisions, Steffanie suggests they ask their Legislation or the Land Use Review Board (LURD) for more answers. Steffanie makes it clear that she is just here to present the materials and more specific questions should be asked in writing. The group steps closer to look at the map and right away notice 3 areas of Land Use Categories that are inaccurate. Steffanie informs the group that they have 3 weeks from the date of this meeting to make any map area adjustments. She further explains that any changes to the map must be based on the criteria and definitions laid out in the plan, they cannot be changed simply because we feel it is inaccurate. Discussion ensues about the areas on the map. Brownson Spencer cautions that we must be careful of decisions made regarding Land Use and Value. Incorrectly categorizing areas now could have serious repercussions in the future. Revision Map Requests are to be emailed to Logan Soleman by May 29th, 2025 along with any requests for an extension for extra time to work decisions. The Clarendon Select Board and Planning Committee both feel that more time is needed to involve the public and make appropriate revisions to the map. Less than 30 days’ time is unacceptable. Robert Congdon makes a motion to have a letter drafted to require a 60-day response time. George Ambrose provides the second. Motion is approved by all. John Mckenna asks the Select Board what they need from the Planning Committee exactly? The answer is for them to give their best review of the map with error corrections. The consensus from the discussion is that the boards need the publics input and need an extension in order to do so. Robert Congdon motions to have the Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young call the Director of the RRPC, Devon Neary and send a follow up email requesting an extension to Thursday June 5th for map error corrections. This extension request is asked for due to tight schedules and the Memorial Day holiday. George Ambrose seconds the motion. It is approved by all.
Selectman Robert Congdon discusses the need for a new Hot Water Heater downstairs of the Town Office. His research found two options: a 6 gallon On-Demand with mixing valve installed for a total of $1,245.00 or an $890.00 option that is money saving but non-compliant.
Robert makes a motion to purchase the On-Demand option. George Ambrose provides the second. It is approved by all members.
George Ambrose brings up discussion of Employee Performance Evaluations and states that our policy and forms both need to be adjusted and adopted in to our Town Handbook. Hired employees to be reviewed include the Town Garage, Town Transfer and Administrative Assistant. It is agreed unofficially that two people should sit in on the review process. The topic will be discussed further in Monday night’s select board meeting May 12, 2025.
Public Comments
Adjournment
Robert Congdon motions to adjourn tonight’s meeting at 8:08 PM. George Ambrose provides the second. The motion is approved by all and the meeting adjourns.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING SPECIAL
Wednesday May 7, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Special Meeting
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Guests
-Stefanie Bourque of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) will present an update on the finalizing of the first draft of the 2026 Regional Plan. An overview of the plan elements will be provided along with how ACT 181 overhauled Vermont’s land use planning framework. Presentation will include information regarding the new ACT 181 land use categories, state designations and location-based Act 250 tiers. Stefanie Bourque will walk us through the draft regional future land use map and highlight key changes from the 2018 map. The meeting will give an opportunity for all attendees to review and provide feedback on the draft regional future land use map, especially regarding how it applies to our municipality.
Public Comments
Adjournment
