TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Selectboard Vicious Dog Hearing
Monday October 13, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:30 PM
Draft Minutes
Guests
Chair Mike Klopchin Kevin Peck
Clerk George Ambrose Ernest Pratt
Selectman Robert Congdon Tammy Hogenauer
Selectman Don Pratt Cindy Davis
Selectman Cash Ruane Kelsey Davis
Sheriff Sweet Hunter Potter
Deputy Sweet
Call to Order: Chair Mike Klopchin called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM
Dog owner Hunter Potter speaks to inform the board that he has owned a dog named Jack for 5 years. This dog was well behaved until another dog was introduced to the home. Potter has since removed the provocative canine from the home and installed an electric fence system for the remaining dog, Jack.
Sheriff Sweet informs all that he had a discussion with the dog owner regarding the necessity for updated rabies vaccines and quarantine time following the neighbor’s complaint of a dog bite. An update is provided that all actions were met by the dog owner.
Ernest Pratt expresses that he feels comfortable with the removal of the instigative dog and fence system for the existing dog who had bit him.
Selectman Robert Congdon feel satisfied with the actions taken and provides a motion that this be the final warning of the Clarendon Select Board. Congdon warns the dog owner that he is to keep his dog under control going forward and any further issues would require action. Clerk George Ambrose seconds this motion and provides that there will be no motion for fines in this case. All board members approve. Selectman Don Pratt adds advice for the dog owner, Hunter Potter and asks him to please keep his dog in line as he would hate to see a dog who is like a family member have to be put down. The motion is approved unanimously.
Adjournment: Robert Congdon motions to adjourn the hearing at 5:41 PM with George Ambrose providing the second, all board members in agreement.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
October 13, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
Minutes
Guests
Chair Mike Klopchin Kevin Peck
Clerk George Ambrose Charles Christian
Selectman Robert Congdon Ed Baker
Selectman Don Pratt Cindy Davis
Selectman Cash Ruane Kelsey Davis
Bob Bixby Sarah Kumm
Matt Jakubowski Shelly Lutz
Carol Austin Jim Austin
Agenda additions/deletions
-Cash Ruane motions for an addition of an Executive Session at the end of this meeting in regards to an Employee Personnel issue. George Ambrose seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Robert Congdon provides a motion to approve the last meeting minutes from September 22nd 2025. George Ambrose seconds the motion and it is approved by all members.
Highway
-Road Commissioner Cash Ruane provides an update that the road crew have been spot grading roads, which has been challenging due to the dry weather. Congdon mentions a couple of holes that still need fixing. Ruane informs that the delay in repairs is due to the difficulty in obtaining materials for patching.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
-Select Board Warrants have been approved and signed.
Public Comments
-Sarah Kumm asks if gates could be installed prior to the November 11th 2025 scheduled event. Road Commissioner Ruane confirms that they should be able to do this for the Recreation Committee.
-Charles (Chase) Christian introduces himself to the board as a 15-year resident residing on Walker Mountain Rd. He praises Cash Ruane for his past assistance. Chase comes to this meeting in good faith to meet the Clarendon Select Board members and participate in a community engagement.
New Business
–Matt Jakubowski to discuss our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. A fiscal year 2026 Municipal Planning Grant is in order. Application must be submitted by November 3, 2025. It would be a 10% match for $15,000. He asks the board if this something they would like to apply for. Robert Congdon explains that this particular grant is something that has to be done and makes a motion for Administrative Assistant Kimberly Young to take on the application and grant work. Cash Ruane seconds the motion and it is approved by all. Jakubowski additionally questions if a mason for the Grange Hall Chimney was contacted. Robert Congdon assures he will check in with the intended mason.
-Kelsey Davis to discuss concern with West Tinmouth Rd speeding traffic and how it affects horseback riders. Kelsey Davis stands up and introduces herself. Kelsey is a 12-year-old student who horseback rides on West Tinmouth Road. She compellingly expresses concern for speeding drivers and requests three equestrian signs; one for each end of West Tinmouth Rd. and one for gravel pit road. She recites that VT Law dictates for drivers to slow down and be aware. Robert Congdon motions to order the 3 signs. George Ambrose provides the second and it is unanimously approved. Guest Carol Austin inquires what the cost would be for the three signs. Ruane answers that it would be approximately $85 for all.
-Carol Austin to express concern with a town turn around area. Community member Carol Austin conveys issue with an area on Quarterline Road used as a truck turn around area. In the recent past it has contained a camper, garbage, tires, drug exchanges and squatters. The board remarks that this particular area is in Rutland Town and Clarendon will make the sheriffs aware of the issue. Robert Congdon motions to have Kimberly Young draft a letter to Rutland Town on behalf of the board over the concerned area. George Ambrose seconds the motion and it is thus approved by all.
-Sarah Kumm to converse on the topic of Town Credit Card Accessibility. Recreational Committee Chair Sarah Kuum inquires if the town’s credit card could be made more accessible, especially in regards to instances when the Town Treasurer Heidi Congdon and/or her assistant are not in the office. Chair Mike Klopchin states that the existing Credit Card policies will remain in place and he encourages all users of the card to practice better communication and forethought of needed purchases. Treasurer Heidi Congdon informs that the credit card will be available during Town office hours Monday through Thursday 10-4. In an emergency or instances when Heidi is out of the office due to vacation or illness etc. one can call or text her in search of an alternate arrangement.
-Approval of Administration Assistant Personnel Evaluation Form. It is discussed and determined that the two most appropriate elected officials to conduct this evaluation are Chair Mike Klopchin and Clerk George Ambrose. The form will be updated with this wording. Robert Congdon motions to approve the Evaluation form with this adjustment. Cash Ruane seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
-Treasurer Congdon states that taxes are due this Wednesday October 15th. Postmarks are accepted and there is a drop box outside the Town Hall for payment as well. 413 parcels have yet to be paid out of a total of 1,309 tax bills.
Town Lister Kevin Peck explains that reappraisals will start in June 2026 and take affect June 28th.
-Sarah Kumm updates that the Recreation Committee is working hard on the upcoming Veteran’s Day Event and that all requested donations have been received.
-Robert Congdon converses about the 250th 4th of July Celebration. Rutland City is aiming for the day to be a county celebration with a parade and activities. They are looking for participation. The parade will start at Strongs Avenue and end at the Fairgrounds with fireworks, which are back. Cash Ruane offers that possibly the town could plant a tree on this occasion. More discussion will ensue at future meetings.
-George Ambrose reminds all that the Town’s elected officials have a responsibility to the voters and the Select Board cannot issue orders to the elected officials. Ambrose additionally compliments young Kelsey Davis on her impressive presentation to the board.
Executive Session
-Robert Congdon provides a motion to enter in to Executive Session at 6:30PM. George Ambrose provides the second and it is approved to do so by all board members.
Adjournment
-Select Board members exit Executive Session at 6:56 PM. An update is provided that annual reviews for the road crew were discussed. Robert Congdon makes a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 PM. Don Pratt offers the second and it is approved unanimously.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
DOG BITE/VICIOUS DOG HEARING
The Selectboard of the Town of Clarendon is required by 20 V.S.A. § 3546 to conduct a hearing when a dog/domestic pet has bitten a person while the dog/domestic pet is off the premises of the owner or keeper, the person bitten requires medical attention for the attack, and the person bitten has filed a written complaint with the Selectboard.
In response to a written complaint filed by a local resident, the Town of Clarendon Selectboard shall hold a public hearing on Monday October 13th 2025 at 5:30 PM as required by law.
Hearing Date: Monday October 13, 2025
Hearing Time: 5:30 PM
Physical Location: Town Hall in Clarendon located at 279 Middle Road,
Clarendon, Vermont 05759
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
October 13, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
-Approval of the last meeting minutes from September 22nd 2025
Highway
-Road Commissioner’s report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
New Business
–Matt Jakubowski to discuss our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
-Kelsey Davis to discuss concern with West Tinmouth Rd speeding traffic and how it affects horse back riders
-Carol Austin to express concern with a town turn around area.
-Sarah Kumm to converse on the topic of Town Credit Card Accessibility
-Approval of Administration Assistant Personnel Evaluation Form
Old Business
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
Public Comment Instructions
Members of the public have the right to participate in public meetings. If you wish to speak during Public Input, please note that your time will be limited and must follow the below guidelines:
- Before speaking, please state your full name.
- When you are informed by the Chair that your time is up, you will be expected to yield to the next speaker. Speakers will have a maximum of 3 minutes to make their comments.
- Public input is for receiving comment on items pertaining to this or past agendas. Public comment will not be used as a time for problem solving or reactions to comments made. We do take note of your comments as they help to inform the boards’ future actions.
- Rudeness, ridicule or profane language, lack of respect and personal attacks are not acceptable behavior.
