TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday February 10, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Minutes
Attendees:
Selectboard
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Art Menard
William Chmielewski, PEG TV
Gloria Menard, Town Clerk
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Kimberly Young, Administrative Assistant
Kevin Peck, Lister
Horst Gebauer, Transfer Station
Harry Delong, Transfer Station
David Hance Transfer Station
Jimmy Austin
Bob Bixby
Shelley Lutz
Jeannie Stimpfel
Ed Baker
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM
Agenda additions/deletions
Addition of one item:
Certificate – No Appeal or Suit Pending from Listers needs signing by the board
Selectman Robert Congdon motioned for the additional item on the agenda regarding signage of the Listers certificate to be moved to New Business. Selectman George Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Minutes from 1/27/25 * Ratification of Motion
Selectman Robert Congdon made the motion to both approve and ratify the meeting minutes from January 27, 2025. George Ambrose provided the second. All select board members approved.
Highway
-Road commissioner’s report
Road Commissioner Cash Ruane was not in attendance of the meeting.
Attendee Shelley Lutz inquired as to how the brine was working. Selectman Robert Congdon stated that he felt it had worked well with the small snow squalls we had. Jimmy Austin expressed concern that it had froze and asked why it wasn’t kept in the garage. Ed Baker stated that if we fixed the portions of salt and water and used the structure he built, it would save money to use brine. He noted a 2018 Report that showed Clarendon to be the highest spender on salt and brine. Further discussion on the brine topic ensued. Selectman George Ambrose stated that future discussions would be needed. Selectman Robert Congdon asked the board members to take a look at the Vermont State legislature regarding brine that recently aired on WCAX. Attendee Ed Baker suggested that our new truck body be set up for the use of brine. Selectman Robert Congdon stated that the new truck body had not been ordered yet. It will be next following the current order of the new truck. All were in agreement that there is a need to get the tank thawed out and test it again on the roads. This discussion ended with Selectman Robert Congdon asking Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young to draft a memo to the Road Commissioner Cash Ruane to thaw out the tank and pursue further exploration of the intricacies of using brine. Selectman George Ambrose stated that in the memo it be expressed that safety in operation be a priority. This concern arose from the current filling practice of the crew running buckets up a ladder. Ed Baker mentioned various other ways to fill the tank including using the excavator.
Selectman Robert Congdon stated that he is still seeing people in town plowing across the roads. Attendee Jimmy Austin expressed that VT State statute warnings should be given to discourage this illegal act.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Select Board Warrants were signed by all the Select Board members.
Guests
N/A
Public Comments
N/A
New Business
-Certificate of No Appeal or Suit Pending from the Listers needs signing by the board
Selectman Robert Congdon motioned for approval of the Select Board to sign the Lister’s certificate. Selectman George Ambrose provided the second. The motion was approved by all the board members with signatures following.
Old Business
–Transfer Station discussion
Lister Kevin Peck initiated the discussion by asking if open truck beds of loose trash would equate to 10 punches. Selectman Robert Congdon stated that there was no plan to do this. Kevin expressed concern that it was difficult for the transfer station employees to police their neighbors when they drive in with their truck beds full of various loose trash. He suggests that it be standard practice to send them to Hubbard Brothers Incorporated. Hubbard’s takes this type of trash by weight and is quite inexpensive. Selectman Robert Congdon stated that the Select Board would discuss this issue with the Transfer Station Crew in their later Executive Session meeting.
Attendee Ed Baker raised concern of large quantities of pizza boxes being brought in and not properly accounted for. He suggested that townspeople should be bagging them as they are considered regular garbage and not fit for recycling. Discussion ensued regarding sizes of garbage and new punch card costs. Selectman George Ambrose stated that the town keep the $10 and $20 punch cards while adding a $40 one. He also stated that a sign with the sizes and correlating punches be displayed for the public. Selectman Robert Congdon motioned for the Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young to research signs and order one for public clarification purpose. Selectman George Ambrose seconded the motion. All board members were in favor. Discussion ended with Selectman Robert Congdon suggesting an alert of our transfer station changes be brought to the Sheriff’s department attention so that they may police any uptick of illegal trash dumping.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Treasurer Heidi Congdon provided input on the Town of Clarendon’s latest Casella bill. It shows that it costs the town more to get rid of Recycles than trash. The one punch for recycles that is beginning on April I, 2025 is in place to help offset some the recycling cost. Discussion ensued regarding the town’s new punch cards. It was clarified that a 20-punch card formerly $20, would now be $40. A 10-punch card formerly $10 would now be $20. Selectman George Ambrose stated that he would like to see an additional 5- punch card for $10. Treasurer Heidi Congdon stated that a transfer station attendant should be the public’s first contact before dumping any trash bags. Heidi noted that seeing an attendant before dumping could be addressed on our proposed informational sign.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman George Ambrose expressed concern of procedural issues that can occur within small groups. This concern arose with the board’s recent need to ratify our last meeting minutes from January 27, 2025. George offers to be the group member who will help keep meetings on track. George stated that this will help to alleviate sole burden of order and rules from Chair Mike Klopchin. An informational packet on procedures, rules and requirements was provided to all the Select Board members for reference. Selectman Robert Congdon motioned for the addition to the clerk title to be that of clerk/parliamentarian. Selectman Art Menard provided the second. All selectman present approved this addition.
Executive Session – Personnel
Selectman Robert Congdon motioned to enter into Executive session at 6:32 pm. George Ambrose provided the second. All Select Board members approved. Selectman Robert Congdon called the Transfer Station employees in to the meeting at 6:42 pm.
Selectman George Ambrose motioned to come out of executive session at 7:23 pm. Selectman Art Menard seconded the motion. All Select Board members approved. The board met in Executive Session to work out concerns brought to their attention and held discussion with the transfer station employees regarding the April 1 2025 upcoming changes to both punch cards and transfer station schedules.
Adjournment
Selectman Mike Klopchin asked for a motion to adjourn. Selectman Robert Congdon motioned to adjourn at 7:27 pm. Selectman George Ambrose seconded. All board members approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday February 10, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Minutes from 1/27/25
*Ratification of Motion
Highway
-Road commissioner’s report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
New Business
Old Business
–Transfer Station discussion
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session – Personnel
Adjournment
