TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday September 14, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 4:40 PM
Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair
George Ambrose, Clerk
Robert Congdon, Selectman
Cash Ruane, Selectman
Don Pratt, Selectman
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer
Kimberly Young, Administrative Assistant
Call to Order: Chair Mike Klopchin calls the meeting to order at 4:30 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions: N/A
Executive Session:
- Selectman Ruane motions to enter in to Executive Session at 4:40 pm with Selectman Pratt seconding the motion. All members approve.
- Selectman Congdon motions to exit Executive Session at 6:24 PM. Selectman Pratt seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
- Selectman Congdon provides a statement that three candidates of all that were interviewed this evening for a road crew position, will be brought back for a second interview. During the second round of interviews the Select Board will keep Cash’s retirement under consideration.
Public Comments: N/A
Adjournment: Selectman Congdon motions to adjourn at 6:25 PM, with Selectman Pratt seconding the motion. All approve. Special meeting adjourned.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday September 14, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:30PM
Minutes
Guests
Mike Klopchin, Chair William – PEGTV
George Ambrose, Clerk David Wolk
Robert Congdon, Selectman Kevin Peck
Cash Ruane, Selectman Bob Underhill
Don Pratt, Selectman Jim Austin
Heidi Congdon, Treasurer Ed Baker
Kimberly Young, Admin. Assistant
Call to Order: Chair Mike Klopchin calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions: Selectman Congdon motions to add under New Business both a letter of support for a Historical Marker at the schoolhouse and a discussion of NEMRC Cloud Service. Selectman Pratt provides the second and they are approved as additions.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: Selectman Ambrose motions to approve the meeting minutes from August 24, 2026. Pratt seconds the motion. Selectman Ambrose also motions to approve the minutes from the workshop on August 24, 2026. Selectman Ruane seconds this motion. Both motions approved by all members with the exception of Selectman Congdon, who abstained from voting due to not having been in attendance of these meetings.
Highway – Road Commissioner’s Report: Ruane updates that the road crew has started grading roads today. Additionally working on West Tinmouth Rd with a deadline of September 30th for an MRGP Grant Project. Ruane informs that the mower’s front tires need replacement and take an odd size that is difficult to find according to Pete’s Tires. Guest Ed Baker suggests using weighted commercial truck tires as a work around.
Selectman Ambrose provides a motion to adopt a 4-man road crew with one serving in a leadership role. This motion is not seconded or approved. Further discussion is needed.
Approval of Select Board Warrants: Warrants are approved and signed.
Guests: David Wolk, an independent candidate for the Vermont State Senate, addressed the Board. He noted his 57 years of public service and his desire to continue serving Vermont and Rutland County. As part of his campaign, he is visiting town meetings throughout the county. Wolk asked Board members what issues they would address if serving in the Senate and what changes they would like to see.
The Board discussed several areas of concern, including education funding and governance, school choice, Act 76, water quality regulations, Act 250, roads and infrastructure, and the overall cost of living in Vermont. Board members expressed concerns regarding the cost of education and the impact of current school-choice legislation, including situations where students and families have limited options. The Board also discussed the need to support both public and trade schools.
A specific matter was discussed regarding the need for a change in how Unified School Board Members are chosen. Recently the Clarendon Select Board’s recommendation of who they wanted to represent Clarendon on the Mill River School Board was not honored.
Concerns were raised regarding the State’s three-acre stormwater rule, including its impact on small businesses and the fairgrounds, as well as the need for a practical approach that continues to protect water quality. Act 250 was also discussed, including its negative impact on local development and permitting.
Road and infrastructure funding was identified as another significant concern. Board members noted the costs of maintaining roads, bridges and culverts, the importance of paving grants, and the financial burden placed on municipalities. The Board referenced the recent paving of approximately 1.4 miles of Middle Road at a cost of approximately $398,000.
The discussion also touched on public safety, drug-related issues, and accountability within the criminal justice system. Wolk stated that work has been underway on potential legislative changes addressing repeat offenses and compliance measures.
Wolk stated that Vermont has among the highest per-student education costs in the country, depending on the methodology used. Board members reiterated concerns about education costs, infrastructure needs, and the increasing cost of living for Vermont residents.
The Board thanked Wolk for attending and sharing his perspectives. Wolk thanked the Board, stating that he had learned a great deal from the discussion, and left the meeting.
Public Comments: N/A
New Business:
-Signing of State of Vermont Standard Grant Agreement # GR2090 (Grants in Aid):
Selectman Congdon provides a motion to approve signing of this agreement. Ambrose seconds the motion and all approve.
-Signing of Grant Agreement with Rutland Regional Planning Commission:
(RRPC will assist the town of Clarendon in producing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan)
Selectman Ambrose motions for signing of this grant agreement with Ruane providing the second. All members approve.
-Listers present two Grand List Corrections: Selectman Congdon motions to approve the changes. Ambrose provides the second. All members approve and sign.
-Historical Marker for Chippenhook Schoolhouse: Bob Underhill of the Historical Society requests a letter of support from the Select Board to send with his application for a Historical Sign for the Chippenhook Schoolhouse. A preemptive letter of endorsement was created by the administrative assistant. Congdon motions for all select board members to sign the letter in support of the new sign. Ambrose seconds the motion. All members approve and sign.
-Treasurer Heidi Congdon speaks to the interest of wanting to transition to NEMRC Cloud Services. Associated costs are a one time set up fee of $750 and a hosting fee of $20 per user per month. Selectman Ambrose provides a motion to approve with Selectman Pratt seconding the motion. All approve.
Old Business: N/A
Town Officer’s & Committee Member Report: Kevin Peck reminds everyone of the 250th Ceremony for Lt. Col. Joseph Wait to be held at 1:00 at the intersection of Moulton Avenue and Middle Road.
Select Board Member Concerns: Selectman Ambrose discusses an issue occurring in the area of the Clarendon Springs Hotel. Logging is to be done behind the Hotel and questions arise regarding the road’s right of way. VLCT says the road in the right of way is under jurisdiction of the town. The way the information is presented regarding the land owner’s concern of lawn damage has Congdon thinking that the matter is a civil dispute between a private entity and the land owner. Ambrose would like to have the matter looked in to further, including Form 111 or similar which would require a permit application in order to take heavy equipment on the road. Cash’s conversation with the forester indicates the use of a pup trailer and log truck that will cause less damage, as it does take a 90-degree turn to get in there. The forester indicates fixing and damages made.
Selectman Congdon brings up line striping missing from Alfrecia Road. He requests administrative assistant Young to research the process and possibility of getting a non-state road to become a State Aid Road. Road Commissioner Ruane is currently seeking bids for line striping on Squires Road. This discussion will continue as more information is gathered.
Adjournment: Selectman Congdon motions to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 pm. Selectman Ruane seconds the motion and all approve.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Notice
Monday September 14, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 4:40 PM
Agenda
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Executive Session: Interviews
Public Comments
Adjournment
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
Monday September 14, 2026
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6:30PM
*PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE* (this meeting only)
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes -Approval of the last meeting minutes from August 24, 2026
Highway – Road Commissioner’s Report Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
New Business
-Signing of State of Vermont Standard Grant Agreement # GR2090
-Signing of Grant Agreement with Rutland Regional Planning Commission.
(RRPC will assist the town of Clarendon in producing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan)
-Listers present two Grand List Corrections
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.
