TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday June 23, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Don Pratt
Cindy Davis
Eddie Baker
Jim Austin
Robert Underhill
Kevin Peck
Heidi Congdon
Kimberly Young
William-PEGTV
John McKenna
David Potter
Eric Engelhhardt
Shelly Lutz
Brownson Spencer
Michael Palfey
Call to Order
Chair Mike Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM
Agenda additions/deletions
George Ambrose motions to add an Executive Session to the end of the meeting to discuss Personnel Issues and concerns surrounding Rutland County Solid Waste (RCWS). David Potter, Clarendon’s RCSW representative will join in on this portion of the session. Robert Congdon seconds the motion and it is approved unanimously.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes from June 9, 2025
George Ambrose motions to approve and sign the minutes from the last meeting. Robert Congdon provides the second. It is approved by all members.
Highway
-Road Commissioner’s report
Cash Ruane is unable to attend this meeting. No report given.
Robert Congdon extends the Select Board’s deepest sympathy to Ruane and his family for their loss.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Warrants are all approved and signed.
Guests
Public Comments
Robert Underhill speaks on behalf of the Historical Society. They have applied to the State of Vermont for a historic sign/marker for Clarendon Springs. The process will take approximately 8 months and there is a character limitation for the sign. It is a stipulation that the Historical Society share proposed wording of the sign with the Select Board, although the State will determine the final wording. After Underhill reads the conceptual wording to the meeting members, Robert Congdon motions to approve them. George Ambrose provides the second. It is then approved by all
.New Business
-Considered Burial for Chippenhook Cemetery
Kevin Peck discusses a request received from Angela Kellogg to add her husband Daniel’s name to an existing family stone in the Mclellan plot as well as burial of an urn. Robert Congdon motions to approve both the addition of the name to the stone and the urn burial. Don Pratt provides the second. It is approved by all.
-Cemetery Mowing Contract
Kevin Peck discusses the care of the cemeteries by our current contracted mowers. Peck states that there has been improvement, however the North Fence for one of the cemeteries has yet to be cleared. Peck due to continued improvement and cost savings suggests continuing with this company for mowing services. Robert Congdon motions to authorize the Administrative Assistant, Kim Young to establish a contract with them for the next Fiscal Year. Peck then informs the board that the process of having signs for the cemeteries has begun. Plaques have been made by Tuttle Printing and posts for them will soon be purchased.
-Letters of interest for Vacated Planning Commission Seat
John McKenna, Chair of the Clarendon Planning Commission discusses that are two interested parties for the vacant seat on their committee; Dan Pinkowski and Eric Englehart. The committee voted 3-2 in favor of Eric Englehart and thus that is their recommendation to the Select Board. Chair Mike Klopchin invites Eric who is in attendance to say a few words. Eric speaks to the positivity of having a younger opinion whose goal is to help the town. Eric loves VT and that is why he moved here. Brownson Spencer, Planning Commission member, explains that there was controversy on the committee when formulating their votes. Brownson himself favors candidate Dan Pinkowski for his experience and longevity as a 3rd generation resident of Clarendon. George Ambrose moves to follow the Commission’s recommendation of Eric to the opening seat. Don Pratt seconds the motion. With the board’s approval of appointing Eric to the seat, Spencer shakes Eric’s hand and others also join in giving him congratulations.
-Michael Palfey to discuss Cleaning Bid
Guest Michael Palfy discusses his longevity in the cleaning business, 50 plus years. He remarks that his cleaning company has been cleaning the Town Office, Grange Hall and Library for decades and he would like to continue doing so.
-Cleaning Bid Submissions
The cleaning service was recently put out to bid and Palfey along with 2 other companies have provided bids. The library was not included in the bid paperwork as the chair of the Recreation Committee instructed it should not be. Robert Congdon mentions having heard concerns of both communication issues and work quality with the current cleaning company. Discussion ensues about the importance of having an annual contract and bidding for competitive pricing, quality assurance and accountability. After thorough review of all 3 applicants, Don Pratt makes a motion to continue with the current company (CBS) of Mr. Palfey with a contract for the new fiscal year and with expectations of improvement. George Ambrose provides the second and it is approved by all. Treasurer Heidi Congdon requests Palfey’s phone number for better communication, as his business phone number has produced no results.
-Fireworks Permit Request
A fireworks permit application for the weekend of the 4th of July is reviewed for Clarendon resident Mike Ley. In consideration of no issues with this applicant in the past, Robert Congdon motions to grant permission of the fireworks permit. George Ambrose seconds the motion and it is approved.
-Airport Restaurant Lease Advertisement
Chair Mike Klopchin asks Administrative Assistant Kim Young to speak on the topic. Young provides that Klopchin had emailed her the Airport Restaurant’s information regarding the need to fill the restaurant’s lease. Klopchin was interested in posting the lease advertisement on the Town of Clarendon’s website. Young felt it might be in better interest to post the vacancy on a Facebook site more readily used by many town members. Further discussion on the matter leads to the notion of possibly adding it to the Facebook site mentioned. Klopchin will be attending a Transportation meeting the following day and will look to that committee for more clarity.
Old Business
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Administrative Assistant Kim Young speaks to the desire to add an addition to the bottom of each of Clarendon’s Select Board agendas. Young reads a simplified version she adapted for the Select Board’s use, which mimics that written by John McKenna for the Mill River Unified School Board agendas. The addendum provides rules and instructions for public speakers at the Select Board meetings. Robert Congdon authorizes Young to add this written addition to future agendas. George Ambrose provides the second and it is approved by the board.
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session
At 6:48 PM Robert Congdon motions for the board to enter in to executive session with Guest David Potter to discuss RCSW. Don Pratt provides the second. The board approves.
At 7:12 PM Robert Congdon motions to end this portion of the executive session and start the next session regarding Personnel issues. George Ambrose provides the second. The board all approves. David Potter exits while the remaining board members enter in to the second portion of executive session at 7:14 PM. At one point Heidi Congdon and Kimberly Young are invited to briefly join the session. Executive session ends at 7:42 PM. A statement is provided that at the next Select Board Meeting an action plan will be finalized for a special meeting with employees and review processes will be determined. A motion is given by George Ambrose to provided the Transfer Station employees $200 each in recognition of their efforts to make the transfer station a more productive unit. Robert Congdon seconds the motion. It is approved and will be carried out by the treasurer.
Adjournment
At 7:42 PM Chair Mike Klopchin makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. George Ambrose seconds this motion. The board agrees and the meeting is adjourned.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday June 23, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes from June 9, 2025
Highway
-Road Commissioner’s report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
New Business
-Considered Burial for Chippenhook Cemetery
-Cemetery Mowing Contract
-Letters of interest for Vacated Planning Commission Seat
-Michael Palfey to discuss Cleaning Bid
-Cleaning Bid Submissions
-Fireworks Permit Request
-Airport Restaurant Lease Advertisement
Old Business
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
