TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
October 25, 2021
Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Rick Wilbur
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Matt Jakubowski
Marjorie Southard
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:01PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Bixby motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from October 11, 2021. Selectman Congdon seconded.
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Public Hearing minutes from September 27, 2021. Selectman Bixby seconded.
Both motions passed unopposed.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report- Road Commissioner Ruane reported that the shoulders will be put on Walker Mountain Road this week. Fuller will do the work but use our product already purchased, this will also save money on hauling costs. Roadside mowing was completed across Town. Cash informed the Board that he got 3 winter salt bids. Apalachee came in at $91/ton; American Rock Salt was $78/ton, and Cargill was $72.31/ton. Apalachee has been the Town’s supplier in the past. Cash likes their customer service but the price has gone up significantly since last year. The Road Commissioner’s recommendation was Cargill. Cash noted that Apalachee said they could be a backup provider if Cargill has issues with getting salt. Selectman Congdon motioned to go with Cargill for winter salt. Selectman Bixby seconded and all approved.
Chairman Klopchin questioned when lines would get painted on Walker Mountain Road. Katie explained that there was an email circulating from the State about how there is a shortage of line painting products and thus, freshly paved roads this year, are priority for striping. She let them know that Walker Mtn Road is in need of it, so the Town is on the list. She would contact Rutland Town to see who striped their section of Middle Road.
Approval of Select Board Warrants
All new warrants and warrants previously signed by the designated Select Board Member were approved and signed by all Select Board Members.
Guests
N/A
Public Comments
N/A
Old Business
Hazard Mitigation Plan – The Board reviewed the final draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Selectman Congdon said that the plan looked fine as long as working with the ANR Stream Engineer and US Army Corps of Engineers was removed. Selectman Wilbur motioned to approve the plan as long as the two partnerships (ANR Engineer & US Army Corp of Engineers) were removed from the following mitigation actions: Adequately Size Drainage and Perennial Stream Culverts in Flood-Prone Areas, Stabilize Culvert Outfalls, and Establish Vegetative Buffers in Riparian Areas, Stabilize Stream Banks, Remove Berms and/or Accumulated Debris to Restore Flood Capacity; and Appendix D will not include these aforementioned comments from the Select Board. Selectman Congdon seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Animal Control Ordinance Amendment – Katie presented the Board with an amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance (see end of minutes). She explained that if the Board chooses to the pass it, she will post the notice in 5 different locations around Town, as well as the Town website, and it will be placed in the Rutland Herald. If no petition is brought to the Town the amendment will be effective December 24, 2021. Chairman Klopchin stated that he received a few phone calls with residents who were concerned that if their cows got out (on accident) they would be fined. Selectman Congdon reiterated that this amendment is strictly for the purpose of repeat offenses. The Sheriff’s Department is understanding of the fact that we live in Vermont, where cattle can get loose. The amendment is not for the purpose of fining farmers, but rather to take care of the issues on Quarterline Road with the horses that have repeatedly gotten loose. Selectman Wilbur motioned to pass the amendment, Selectman Ruane seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
New Business
REMC Appointments– Katie explained that the Emergency Management Division has established Regional Emergency Management Committees (REMCs) which “shall coordinate emergency planning and preparedness activities to improve their regions’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all disasters.” The REMC (facilitated by the RRPC) is trying to establish its voting membership by November 30. Clarendon will have two seats on this committee, one being the current EMD (Matt Jakubowski), and the other seat needs to be filled. Katie asked the Board who they thought might fit this position. The Board tossed a few names around and decided to post the position for two weeks and then reconvene.
Town Officer’s Report
Treasurer, Heidi, reported that tax collection was wrapped up on October 16. $255,091.90 has gone delinquent. She said that budget season is coming up, so the Board needs to schedule its budget workshops. Heidi’s request is that budget workshops be the hour before regularly scheduled Select Board meetings. The first one then, will be November 8 at 5PM.
Secretary, Katie, reported that she spoke with the Sheriff’s Department about school zone speed limits and a traffic study. They had recommended a constant, year-round school zone speed limit of 25, rather than a speed limit that is indicated by flashing lights at certain times of the day. They said that the key to getting traffic slowed down is to enforce a consistent speed. Katie said the Sheriff’s Department is willing to set up a speed cart for the Town. It would be set up for 7 days and programmed to capture speeds, for the traffic study. The Board had mixed opinions about whether the speed limit in front of the school should be set to 25mph all year round or not. There was discussion about who would be in charge of programming the lights if it was decided to not go with the year round constant speed limit. Katie suggested the Board work on the traffic study first and then make a final decision about the speed limit. The Board asked that the speed cart be set up near Mill River Lumber on Middle Road.
Katie also reported that the propane contract was up with Keyser and due to rising prices, she tried to gather quotes ASAP, rather than waiting for budget season. She had reached out to Lake Champlain Coal, Keyser, and Marcell’s. Lake Champlain Coal could not provide a quote because they did not have time to install their own tanks this season. Katie called Marcell’s twice and did not receive a call back. Keyser, the current provider, offered a fixed rate of $2.229 for 2,000 gallons. Selectman Congdon motioned to go with Keyser, Selectman Wilbur seconded, and all approved.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Bixby said that the new power pole set on Middle Road is still close to the road. Selectman Ruane explained that the 3-phase line has to be as straight as possible so it had to be placed there.
Selectman Congdon said he received a few complaints about Mill River’s cross-country team running on Middle Road because of how dangerous it is. The Board decided to wait to discuss the runners until they had more info on a school zone speed limit and then could approach the school with both issues.
Selectman Wilbur wanted to remind the public that cyclists have to follow stop signs and use directional signals when bicycling. He has seen several that have not followed basic road rules and it can be very dangerous. Rick will alert the Sheriff’s Department of these violations.
Matt Jakubowski mentioned that there was a moose running around near the airport recently.
Adjournment
Selectman Congdon motioned to adjourn at 6:45PM, Selectman Bixby seconded, and the motion passed unopposed.
TOWN OF CLARENDON
ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
AMMENDMENT #2
Based on recommendation by the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department, the Select Board has suggested the following amendment be made to the current Animal Control Ordinance:
Amendment to page 2, Section 2 Definitions:
- Domestic Pet means those animals defined by 6 V.S.A. §1151 (2), as being all domestic livestock, including but not limited to, cattle, sheep, goats, equines, fallow deer, American bison, swine, poultry, psittacine birds, ferrets, camelids, reptiles, and amphibians. Specific categorical definitions are found in 6 V.S.A. §1151.
Instead of the current definition:
- Domestic pet shall mean any dog, cat, or ferret. The term shall also include such other domestic animals as the Commissioner shall establish, from time to time, by rule.
A full text of the ordinance can be found on the Town’s website (clarendonvt.gov) or at the Town Hall.
CITIZENS RIGHT TO PETITION:
Citizen’s Right to petition for a vote on the Ordinance at the Annual or Special Meeting, as provided for in 24 V.S.A §1973. The Animal Ordinance amendment (set forth in this notice) may be disapproved by a vote of a majority of the qualified voters of the Town of Clarendon voting on the question at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose, pursuant to a petition signed and submitted in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 1973 (b). A petition for a vote on a question of disapproving the above amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance shall be signed by not fewer than five percent of the qualified voters of the Town of Clarendon, and presented to the Select Board or the Town Clerk within 44 days following the date of adoption of the ordinance. If you have any questions about the amendment set forth in this notice, you can write/email Katie Nop at Clarendon Board of Selectmen, PO Box 30, Clarendon, VT 05759, clarendonadmasst@comcast.net; or telephone the Town Clerks Office at 802-775-4274.
Unless a petition is filed in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 1973, the ordinance amendments will become effective on 12/24/21.
Posted on 10/26/21 in the following locations: Clarendon Town Hall, Clarendon Post Office, Clarendon Transfer Station, Bailey Memorial Library, Gouchberg’s Farms & Market. Notice published in Rutland Herald on 10/28/21
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Cash Ruane
Robert Congdon
Rick Wilbur
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, October 25, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: October 11, 2021
Public Hearing: September 27, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Animal Control Ordinance Amendment
New Business
REMC Appointment
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Adjournment
