TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING REGULAR
September 13, 2021
Minutes
Attendees:
Select Board
Mike Klopchin, Chair
Bob Bixby, Clerk
Cash Ruane
Robert Congdon
Rick Wilbur
Katie Nop, Secretary
Steffanie Bourque, RRPC
Matt Jakubowski
Nicole Peterson
Brownson Spencer
Don Pratt
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the meeting to order at 6:00PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
Selectman Ruane clarified that the executive session was to discuss personnel/contract negotiation.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Selectman Congdon motioned to approve the Regular Meeting minutes from August 23, 2021, subject to any corrections. Selectman Bixby seconded the motion and it passed unopposed.
Highway
Road Commissioner Report– Cash reported that the Road Crew has completed the Anderson Hill Road project. They put in expensive ditching and brought the road up to MRGP standards. They began working on East Street, which is a Grants-In-Aid project.
Speeding on Middle Road– Nicole Peterson was present and explained that she has lived on Middle Road for many years and has noticed increased speeding in recent years; specifically, the northern portion of Middle Road. With the Board, she discussed different solutions. Nicole mentioned that in the past, the Board had considered dropping the speed limit to 35mph, but that hadn’t gone over well. The Board decided to first start with asking for more Sheriff patrol on that road. Selectman Congdon motioned to have Selectman Wilbur reach out to the Sheriff’s Department and have Katie reach out to Vermont State Police to monitor Middle Road more. Selectman Ruane seconded for discussion. Selectman Bixby expanded on the discussion by stating that there is speeding throughout the whole village. The Board asked Katie to look into pricing for a blinking speed sign.
Nicole also asked why there isn’t a school zone speed limit of 25mph by MRUHS. The Board recalled they had had this conversation years ago but nothing ever came of it. Chairman Klopchin asked Katie to involve MRU in the discussion about setting a school speed limit. Selectman Ruane asked Nicole how the traffic was coming in and out of the school. She described the situation and it continues to be congested and fairly unsafe. The Board pointed out that that would be MRU’s financial responsibility to have a deputy direct traffic.
Selectman Bixby clarified with the Road Commissioner that shoulders would be reinforced where the new paving took place on Walker Mountain Road. Cash confirmed and explained that he will have a contactor come in to do that.
After the discussion, Katie asked the Board to vote on the motion at hand- Selectman Congdon’s regarding reaching out to RCSD and VSP about the speeding issue. The motion passed unopposed.
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 Final Draft review– Steffanie Bourque explained she was there on behalf of the Planning Team to present an update on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning Team has completed most of the Plan and has finished adding their input. Steffanie had provided the Board with a Review Tool to illustrate where the required information was located in the Plan. She gave a brief overview of sections 1-5 and expounded on the new work that was completed (section 6 forward). Section 6 speaks to Mitigation Goals & Actions. Those actions were looked at in 5 different categories. Project timelines for those actions are presented in Table 6. Steffanie reminded the Board that this plan is not legally binding, so the project timelines are estimates and not set in stone. She continued on by explaining Section 7. Section 7 discusses how the plan should be monitored and evaluated for the next 5 years.
The plan is now open for public comment until September 27, 2021. The plan has been posted on RRPC’s website and will be put on the Town’s website. Hard copies are available at the Town Hall. Chairman Klopchin asked if their had to be a hearing or a meeting with the pending adoption. Selectman Congdon felt very strongly that there be a pubic hearing at the next meeting so that Town residents had the opportunity to express their comments and opinions. Selectman Congdon motioned there be a public hearing from 6-6:30 on September 27, 2021, and the Regular Select Board Meeting be held at 6:30 that night. Selectman Bixby seconded and the motion passed 4-0.
Clarendon Planning Commission Chair, Brownson Spencer, questioned how the Regional Planning Commission was involved and how much the plan had cost. Steffanie responded that she facilitated the team meetings and drafted the plan. Funding from Vermont Emergency Management covered the costs of her technical expertise in writing the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
MRUUSD withdrawal discussion– Chairman Klopchin brought up that he would still like to have a non-binding article put on the ballot in March to engage the public about their opinions on withdrawing from the district. He asked his fellow Board members their opinions. Selectman Congdon recused himself from the discussion due to conflict of interest. Selectman Wilbur stated he had no problems with putting an article on the ballot. Selectman Bixby would like to hear what the other Towns think. Selectman Ruane wondered if Clarendon stood alone on the subject of withdrawing.
New Business
Sign FY22 Grants in Aid Agreement / Sign Structures Grant Agreement
Katie explained that the FY21 Grants in-Aid money is currently being used for a project on East Street. VTrans is handling Grants-In-Aid going forward. This FY22 grant will be used next construction season. The Road Commissioner would like to put this grant towards Teer Road, which is slated as high priority, according to MRGP standards. The grant award amount was $12,100 with a Town match of 20% ($3,025). The Structures grant was awarded to the Town to be used for the Creek Road bridge and was in the amount of $180,000. Selectman Congdon motioned to have the Chairman sign both grants on behalf of the Board. Selectman Wilbur seconded and all approved.
Town Officer’s Report
Secretary Katie reported that she will be working on Grants-in-Aid reimbursement for the East Street project.
Select Board Member Concerns
Selectman Bixby urged the public to be careful driving by the schools, as it is back in session.
Selectman Congdon thanked the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team for their efforts in putting the plan together with Steffanie. He said; however, he has been critical of these plans in the past and will be going through it with a fine-tooth comb. He would like to see the 2016 plan and compare. Selectman Congdon hopes that residents will come out to the pubic hearing if they have any issues with the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Selectman Wilbur asked if the ledges on South Creek Road had moved. Cash responded that they had moved a little.
Executive Session- Personnel/Contract Negotiation
Selectman Congdon motioned to move into executive session at 6:55PM. Selectman Bixby seconded and all Board Members approved the motion.
Selectman Congdon motioned to come out of executive session at 7:20PM; Selectman Bixby seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Chairman Klopchin stated they had a brief discussion on personnel. Selectman Congdon stated the Board discussed an employee’s contract.
Adjournment
Selectman Ruane motioned to adjourn at 7:22PM. Selectman Bixby seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AGENDA REGULAR
Monday, September 13, 2021
Clarendon Town Hall @ 6PM
AGENDA
Call to Order
Agenda additions/deletions
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting: August 23, 2021
Highway
Road Commissioner Report
Speeding on Middle Road
Approval of Select Board Warrants
Guests
Public Comments
Old Business
Hazard Mitigation Plan Final Draft review
MRUUSD withdrawal discussion
New Business
Sign FY22 Grants in Aid Agreement
Sign Structures Grant Agreement
Town Officer’s Report
Select Board Member Concerns
Executive Session
Adjournment
