TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Social Services Appropriation Policy Workshop
October 9, 2023
Minutes
Attendees:
Selectboard
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon
Art Menard
Cash Ruane
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski
Public that later joined:
Bob Bixby
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the workshop to order at 5:24PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Social Services Appropriation Policy discussion
Chairman Klopchin asked if anyone had any comments. Selectman Ambrose said that if the town is going to require 5% of the legal voters’ signatures (about 100) on petitions, that would likely cause frustration for some organizations. Organizations with worthy causes (Visting Nurses, for example). Selectman Menard commented that the main reason the Board is drafting a policy is because a citizen had asked about it at the last town Informational Meeting. Selectman Menard felt that as far as gathering 100 signatures, he didn’t think it would be difficult for organizations with worthy causes.
Selectman Congdon said that he still stands behind the feeling that everyone should be required to submit something, every year, exempting emergency services. Selectman Ambrose said if the town goes the petition route, there won’t be as many appropriations on the ballot.
Katie clarified with the Board that they are going with the “Option 2” policy that was before them. They confirmed. The Board discussed which organizations could be constituted as emergency service providers. Selectman Ambrose said the Board should list out specific organizations in the policy that would be exempt from the petition process so that it was clear. Selectman Congdon agreed.
Heidi, Treasurer, requested that somewhere in the policy it says that that the Town Clerk will turn over all the petitions to the Treasurer so she has it for budget purposes. Selectman Congdon added that verified petitions should be turned over to the Board and the agency requesting as well.
The Board discussed a few other edits in the policy and wording for each.
Katie will have a final draft for the Board to review at their next meeting.
Public Comments
N/A
Adjournment
Selectman Menard motioned to adjourn at 5:55PM, Selectman Congdon seconded, and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
October 9, 2023
Minutes
Attendees:
Selectboard
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Cash Ruane
Robert Congdon
Art Menard
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Katie Nop, Secretary
William Chmielewski, PEG-TV
Bob Bixby
Kevin Peck
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:02PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Ambrose motioned to approve the September 25th, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes and Selectman Congdon seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Selectman Ambrose motioned to approve the Social Service Appropriations Workshop minutes from September 25th, 2023 and Selectman Congdon seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Selectman Menard abstained from both votes since he was not present at those meetings.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report–
Road Commissioner Ruane reported that he will be working with Katie to collect salt bids in preparation for winter. The town hasn’t heard if the State has awarded their salt contract. Apalachee has contacted him twice to talk about salt numbers for this year.
The road crew will continue touch up grading. Selectman Menard said Misty Meadows has a few potholes for whenever the road crew has a chance to get to it. Road Commissioner Ruane reported that the road crew is working on light projects getting ready for winter.
FEMA DR4720 update–
Katie explained that the DR4720 event is only covering the July flooding. The incident period is July 7th-21st. The town had two sites that were affected by the July rain, but three sites that were affected by the rain event that occurred the first weekend in August. The town is waiting and hoping for another federal disaster declaration for the August event to recoup the money from those damages.
Selectman Ambrose asked where the driveway near Squiers Road is going. Road Commissioner Ruane said that that intersection has been a safety issue because of the lack of visibility. They can’t reach it with the boom mower and they’ve actually gone in and hand cut it before. Cash explained that he talked with the landowner to open that area up so the boom mower can reach back there. They installed a culvert and made somewhat of a driveway so the mower can get in there, as well as allow more space for the plow truck to clean up the intersection. The visibility is better now. The concrete barrier will stay in place to protect the pipes. Road Commissioner Ruane has received many calls in the past about the location being hard to see. Cash also got permission from landowners on northside to open up that side up a bit more.
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
Bob Bixby–
Bob mentioned that at the corner of Moulton Ave and 7B in the village, there’s a boat and a van parked on the property and it’s very difficult to see around at the intersection. Bob is concerned for safety with the school traffic there. Road Commissioner Ruane said the evergreen trees on the north side of the intersection are difficult to see around as well. Bob wondered if the tree limbs could be cut back to the edge of the ROW. Road Commissioner Ruane said he would look into it. Chairman Klopchin asked if Cash could talk to the owner of the property with the evergreens.
Old Business
N/A
New Business
VLCT/PACIF Renewal –
The Board reviewed the insurance renewal packet and thought it looked good. Katie commented that the Kingsley Covered Bridge should be reappraised when construction is complete so that’s it adequately covered on our insurance. Katie also asked the Board about adding the Town Garage addition to insurance. Selectman Congdon advised getting the square footage and then VLCT can add it. The Board reviewed a document in regard to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Selectman Congdon motioned to select the standard $10 million coverage option for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist with the Chairman to sign off on the document. Selectman Ambrose seconded the motion and it passed unopposed.
Town Officer’s Report
Heidi, Treasurer–
Heidi reported that taxes are due this Saturday, October 14th. The Treasurer’s office will be open Monday through Saturday this week from 10AM- 4PM. Heidi does have a drop box that’s been installed and it’s right next to the Treasurer’s side door. She checks it twice a day. If town residents plan to mail their tax payment in, make sure to get it post marked by October 14th. Heidi reported that the town is running $200k behind in collecting at this point, then where they were at this time last year. Selectman Ambrose asked if Heidi had any rules surrounding the drop box. Heidi responded that the voters have not voted for a specific time to stop accepting payments on the tax due date, so the town legally has to accept payments until midnight. Heidi will check the drop box first thing Sunday morning 10/15. After that, any payments dropped off after will be considered delinquent.
Katie, Secretary-
Katie reported that speed cart on Alfrecha was able to be moved down the road to a different location in hopes that it will more accurately track the speeding on that road. The speed cart will be in town the next couple of weeks.
Select Board Member Concerns
N/A
Executive Session-Personnel
Selectman Ambrose motioned to move in to executive session at 6:17PM, and Selectman Ruane seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Congdon motioned to come out of executive session at 6:26PM, Selectman Ambrose seconded and the motion passed unopposed.
Selectman Congdon motioned to have the administrative assistant contact the two individuals the Board selected to interview for the part time road crew position and have interviews on 10/23 at 5:00PM and 5:30PM. Selectman Menard seconded and all Board members approved.
Adjournment
Selectman Congdon motioned to adjourn at 6:30PM, Selectman Ruane seconded, and all approved.
Notice:
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Social Services Appropriation Policy Workshop
Monday, October 9, 2023
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:15PM
Agenda:
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Social Services Appropriation Policy discussion
Public Comment
Adjournment
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday, October 9, 2023
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:00PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: September 25th, 2023
Appropriation Workshop: September 25th, 2023
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
FEMA DR4720 update
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
New Business
VLCT/PACIF Renewal
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session-Personnel
Adjournment
