TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
February 9, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair William- PEG-TV
George Ambrose, Clerk Ed Baker
Robert Congdon Jim Austin
Cash Ruane Cindy Davis & Kelsey
Don Pratt ShellyLutz
Heidi Congdon Chreston Rabtoy
Kimberly Young Carol Geery
Kevin Peck John Geery
Bob Underhill Paul Carroccio
Call to Order
Chair Mike Klopchin calls the meeting to order at 6:01 PM
Agenda additions/deletions
Cash Ruane makes a motion to add the signing of the new Town Road and Bridge Standards and the signing of the New Certificate of Compliance under Highway.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Robert Congdon makes a motion to approve the meeting minutes from January 26, 2026. Selectman Ambrose provides the second and all approve.
Highway
–Cash Ruane and Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young recently attended a Southeast Sub-Region discussion hosted by the RRPC. The exercise with neighboring towns helped to evaluate how municipal partnerships can support each other in a disaster. Discussion ensues regarding shelter areas, generators and equipment sharing. This topic will be explored further in future meetings.
-It is discussed that a stainless-steel tank will not work to hold dust control product as it will eat through anything not plastic or glass lined. The Town currently has 160 tons of salt left.
-Selectman Congdon motions for the board to sign both the new Town Road and Bridge Standards in addition to the new Certificate of Compliance. Selectman Ambrose seconds and all approve.
Approval of Select Board Warrants – Warrants are approved and signed.
Guests
– Carol Geery, Chair of the MRUHS School Board, presents information on the School Budget. She explains the budget is increasing due to factors such as inflation, rising health insurance costs and teachers’ salaries. It is mentioned a new position will be for hire as well as equipment to be bought, in order to improve and maintain the soccer and football field which are deemed unsafe. The parking lot needs paving and the gym floor which is over 50 years old needs to be replaced. In addition to approval of the 22-million-dollar school budget, they will also be asking for approval of moving 1 million in surplus to the sinking/building fund. Last year the surplus was $300,000 dollars. The Clarendon Select Board is interested in researching the process on how to get the CLA lowered which currently looks to increase the tax rate by 8%. Total cost per pupil is said to be approximately $15,000 per student. Selectman Pratt feels that the numbers just aren’t adding up right. Selectman Ambrose who past served on the MRUHS School Board, provides a statement that he will vote no on the school budget and hopes if many community members also vote no, then maybe the VT Legislature will take more notice.
– Paul Carroccio who sits on the Airport Committee gives the board a preliminary proposal regarding his pursuit to build 4 commercial hangers at the airport. There are many obstacles for development including an inability for water sprinklers and ACT 250. It is discussed that his development projects would create revenue for the Town of Clarendon and aid the Grand List as the hangers could be taxed. Carroccio plans to sell a couple of hangars and lease the other two. Regarding sought after grants for the projects, the Town would essentially sponsor the grant for the development. A site plan has yet to be designed.
Public Comments
– Road Commissioner Ruane answers questions from Shelly Lutz who asked why a recent grant was forfeited and discusses with Cindy Davis that Wilder Bridge has passed inspection this year.
New Business
–Kevin Peck discusses the upcoming 250th Anniversary Celebration. A ceremony is already in plan for September 20, 2026 from 1-4 PM. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wait was a notable history mention who died in 1776 and was buried in a Clarendon cemetery.
-Selectman Congdon motions for the board to all sign a Site Plan. Ruane seconds the motion and it approved by all members.
-Administrative Assistant Young discusses the proposed timeline for the RRPC to work on a new Local Hazzard Mitigation Plan with funding from the recently awarded Municipal Planning Grant. Information was provided to each board member to review. Future updates will follow.
-Young is working with RRPC additionally on use of remaining funds in a MERP Mini Grant to replace the Town Hall’s outside doors with ADA compliant doors. Ramps to the entrance will need to be updated as well. Bids will be sought for new doors and work to the entrances.
-Discussion ensues regarding obtaining painting bids for both the interior and exterior of the Town Hall. The board suggests separate bids: one for the interior and one for the exterior. The exterior will entertain bids for all sides of the building in addition to two sides (the ones with the most sun exposure).
Old Business
–Kevin Peck and Bob Underhill, Town Listers update that they have yet to settle on a tax map service. One quote being considered offers the choice of digital or paper maps.
-Selectman Congdon reads a written update on the request for railroad crossing lights. To summarize, letters were sent to both our VT Delegation and the VT Rail System without success. In addition to a decrease in Federal Funding and diversion of funds to the Education Fund, Walker Mountain railroad crossing is ranked low on the state’s list of priorities.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
-Treasurer Congdon provides an update on the town employee Vision Service Plan. The board is asked to decide on a 2- or 4-year length of contract. Selectmen Congdon and Ruane abstain from voting as the decision affects them. Selectman Pratt motions to accept a 4-year contract. Selectman Ambrose seconds and it is approved.
Select Board Member Concerns
-Selectman Pratt updates that will he not be in attendance of the February 23rd Selectboard Meeting or the March 3rd Town Meeting.
-Selectman Congdon states that a lot of information was given regarding education. He encourages all voters to please look at all sides. Raising the tax rate 8% will be very hard for the community. It has to stop.
Selectman Ambrose recites that accountability and transparency are responsibilities of the Select Board Clerk. He presents a situation where the board was asked by Art Menard to have his name and recognition for time served on the Select Board removed from the Town Report. In an Open Meeting, the Board denied this request but when approached a second time, rescinded this decision. The agreement was made via email due to time constraints to get the Town Report to the printer. Congdon makes a motion to ratify the request by signing a typed document that will provide a proper file record. Selectman Ambrose provides the second. It is approved and signed.
Adjournment
-Selectman Congdon motions to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 PM. Selectman Ambrose seconds the motion and it is approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
February 9, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes from January 26, 2026
Highway
–Road Commissioner’s Report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
– Carol Geery to present information on the School Budget
– Paul Carroccio to discuss Airport hangars and future terminal development projects.
Public Comments
New Business
–Discussion of the 250th Anniversary Celebration
-Signing of a Municipal Impact Questionnaire for a Site Plan
-Discussion of Municipal Planning Grant Timeline
-Discussion of MERP Mini Grant Use
-Discussion of obtaining painting bids for both the interior of the Town Hall and exterior of the Town Hall (in entirety or 2 sides with the most sun)
Old Business
–Update on Lister Tax Maps
-Update on Railroad Crossing Light Inquiry
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
