TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday August 05, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
MINUTES
Attendees
Mike Klopchin, Chairman
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon, Selectman
Art Menard, Selectman
Cash Ruane, Selectman
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Ashley Robinson, Admin Asst
Gloria Menard, Town Clerk
Kevin Peck, Lister
William PEGTV
Sarah Kuum
Janine Nilsen
Bob Bixby
Stephanie Ianni
Jimmy Austin
Ed Baker
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called meeting to order at 6:00pm
Agenda additions/deletions
-Cameras for Kingsley bridge discussion to be added under highway.
Selectman Congdon motioned to add the discussion under highway, Selectman Ruane provided the second. The motion was approved by all.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Regular meeting July 8th 2024
Selectman Ambrose motioned to approve the minutes from the July 8th meeting with Selectman Menard providing the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Highway
–Road Commissioner report
-Roadside mower discussion
The mower which is currently at United Ag & Turf has over $1500 into workup as of this time. After investigation of areas needing to be fixed, they are saying there will be
between $8,000-$10,000 of additional work to be done. Resident Ed Baker suggested to bring the tractor and mower back to the town garage, and he would work on it. Road Commissioner/Selectman Ruane spoke with the mechanic and he is saying it is a valve that is building pressure on the whole system. Selectman Congdon motions to bring mower back to the shop, and hire Ed Baker to fix it. Selectman Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved by all.
-Guardrail quote for upper Walker Mtn bridge (B10)
Ruane suggests adding guardrails on both sides on the bridge as the posts are rotted and old cable not safe. Lafyette has quoted doing the work and sent a quote for $12,500 without traffic control. Selectman Congdon notes we could use our traffic lights while the work is being done, to avoid the extra charges.
Ruane reads from Lafayette’s quote:
Double nest steel beam guardrail across existing concrete bridge posts. We will drill through most posts to attach, 5 posts will be attached with steel plates and bolts on either side of the post. 3 new facia mounted posts with new anchor bolt will be set where the concrete post is separated from curb and 1 new pedestal post will be installed near the sheet piling. Rails will be attached at each end with flat lip shoes, except the south east corner will tie into the steel beam guardrail.
Treasurer Congdon states there is roughly $16,000 left in the remaining budget for culvert and guardrail. There was brief discussion on what remains to be done for the fiscal year, and road commissioner Ruane spoke about a granted job on Bump Rd, as well as some smaller culverts that will need to be taken care of. Selectman Congdon suggests the payment can be made out of the bridge repair budget. Which holds $170,000 per the town treasurer.
Selectman Congdon motioned to install guardrail, using the budget from the bridge fund. Selectman Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
-East Street ditch work in the area of Jacob Lane
Road commissioner Ruane would like a site visit in the area of Jacob Lane. There was discussion on how the water begins south of Jacob Lane and continues through the culverts which seem to be blocked/crushed. Also, the road has been built up so much that the ditching that had been done has since been filled in, needing to be re-dug. There is concern of the fence (on Janine Nilsen property) being affected in the process of re-ditching which will need to be addressed. The suggestion is to replace the existing culverts, as well as ditch work to be completed. Chairman Klopchin asked Ruane when he can get to the location, and he will be trying to get it addressed soon, possibly less than two weeks. Janine suggests angling the road to the Pond View side to avoid the water from coming on her side of the road. Selectman Congdon confirmed that Ruane would get to it in the next week or two.
-Teer Rd
Road Commissioner Ruane would like to have residents meet to have a site visit with the selectboard in the area of Lanfear’s property. He believes if the landowners can agree to the work being done that it can be done in-house and not be outsourced. There was disagreement within the landowners in the past. Selectman Congdon suggests waiting until there is a plan in place to present, and have a set time to be able to have the project done. Ruane agreed.
-Bridge cameras
Beth Brown from the Covered Bridge society spoke with Chairman Klopchin at the ribbon cutting about getting cameras for the Kingsley Covered bridge. There have been many complaints about overweight vehicles going through as the bridge is set for a 3-ton weight limit. The suggestion was to have a camera set and monitored; however, the question is now who would monitor the cameras, and are they valid to use when issuing citations. Selectman Congdon wanted to make sure with the Sheriffs department that the photos/videos could be used, and Ashley had confirmed previously that they can go by the license plate and go by the dry weight. The board still questions who will monitor cameras.
The board goes on to discuss the weight limits of the bridge. We need to have research done regarding the weight limits, contact sheriffs department, and look into appropriate cameras.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
-All new warrants and warrants previously signed by the designated selectboard members were approved and signed by the present selectboard members
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
-Painting Bids for Town Hall
Ashley reports there are three painting bids, however did hear back from contractors regarding vinyl siding bids, and she suggested tabling this until the next meeting. Selectman Congdon motioned to table the item; Selectman Menard provided the second. The motion was approved by all.
-School Consolidation
Selectman Ambrose reports on the savings that would happen if we were to consolidate. The maximum we would save is 1.5 million dollars. To put that into prospective the budget that was just passed was over 21 million, there for there is not a large savings. There seems to be a uphill battle to close buildings. To close a school building there has to be a unanimous approval from the schoolboard, and majority approval from the town that the school is in. Discussion results in the minimal amount saved isn’t worth the effort that has been going into this research. Selectmen Congdon notes that himself, and he had heard Selectman Menard say that it isn’t something that they see happening. Selectman Congdon suggests Selectman Ambrose shouldn’t take any more time on this as it is a dead issue. Selectman Ambrose will let the board knows if he hears back on this any further.
New Business
-Set tax rate for 24/25
Treasurer Congdon discusses the rates below (**see end of Minutes). She is looking for approval of October 15th being the consistent due date yearly. Chairman Klopchin requests input from the public that are present, and they agreed that the due date is whatever the due date says on the bill. Selectman Ruane motioned to approve the due date being October 15th moving forward. Selectman Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved unanimously.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
-Kevin Peck reports on the teamwork between community members, GE, and Mill River football team at the cemeteries. It has been a great effort by all.
-Town Clerk Gloria Menard talks about the primary elections on Tuesday the 13th from 10-7 and invites all to come. She wants everyone to check their mailing address in the system for November’s elections as the state will be sending all registered voters’ ballots.
Selectboard Member Concerns
-Selectman Ruane and Ambrose commend on the work that has been done in all the cemeteries and want him to know that it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Executive Session Personnel
Chairman Klopchin entertained a motion to go into executive session at 6:53pm. Selectman Ambrose approved the motion, and Selectman Ruane provided the second. There was a clear the room as another meeting was happening in the usual room used. William from PEG-TV is free to go.
Motion to come out of executive session at 7:27pm.
Selectman Menard states the board had conversation with an applicant and that contract negotiations to be determined.
Adjournment
-Chairman Klopchin motioned to close meeting at 7:28pm. Everyone motioned and approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday August 05, 2024
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Regular meeting July 8th 2024
Highway
–Cash report
-Mower discussion
-Guardrail quote for upper Walker Mtn bridge
-East St ditch work in the area of Jacob Lane
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
-Painting Bids for Town Hall
-School Consolidation (George)
New Business
-Set tax rate for 24/25
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session Personnel
Adjournment
