Selectboard 12/2/24

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Selectboard Minutes 12-02-24 164 KB

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Town of Richmond
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of December 2, 2024

Members Present: Bard Hill, Adam Wood, David Sander, Jay Furr, Lisa Miller
 

Absent: None

Staff Present: Town ManagerJosh Arneson;Assistant to the Town ManagerDuncan Wardwell; Town Clerk Linda Parent.

Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, MMCTV Angelike Contis, Judy Rosovsky, Ian Bender, Trevor Brooks, Rebecca Connell, Bruce LaBounty Cara LaBounty, Susannah Zeveloff, Wright Preston.

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg

https://youtu.be/qbKCLJmRtbw?si=EhMvEZNxSaZO1U48

Call to Order: 7:00 pm
 

Welcome by: Sander

Public Comment:

LaBounty read a letter she had written criticizing Selectboard members and Town employees for how they treat members of the community who criticize or raise concerns, including herself. Furr apologized for interrupting LaBounty during the last Special Selectboard meeting regarding tax increases. Sander added that people are dealing with a lot of personal issues that can lead to lack of composure on everyone’s part, and he asked that everyone have compassion for one another.

Additions or Deletions to Agenda: 

Timestamp:  0:04

Wood proposed to add a discussion about the recent break-ins and crime. Sander concurred and said that Richmond is not the only town with increased crimes of opportunity. Hill added that he has spoken to Chief Cambridge who shared that other towns, such as Huntington, Starksboro, Bolton, and Hinesburg are experiencing similar issues. This is germane to a budget discussion and Police Department hires. Chief Cambridge will be making a more public statement. Furr wondered if there was a neighborhood watch program in Richmond. Miller reminded people of “if you see something, say something.” Hill continued that it’s wise to set up a camera for security but to make sure it has a cloud storage option or other remote capabilities. Miller added that it isn’t possible to have enough police on the street to avoid these types of crimes. Bender wondered if there were statistics for these crimes. Sander said this needs to be answered by Chief Cambridge. A resident from Tilden Ave stated that she feels Richmond needs to have a police officer on staff in the evenings, driving around, making a presence. She added that perhaps adding cameras to some intersections in Town could help. Wood added that this is a huge shift in thinking about security for some people, who aren’t used to locking their home or car.

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Reminder of the Monday, December 9, 2024 Special Selectboard meeting for discussion of the FY26 Budget
Timestamp: 0:05

Arneson emphasized that the next budget meeting will be an important one. And that he has added another budget meeting for Dec. 17, 2024 at 7 p.m. if need be.

Reminder of the Tuesday, December 3, 2024 public meeting for the kickoff of the Flooding Mitigation Scoping Study

Timestamp: 0:26

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Arneson

Arneson reminded people that this is a meeting asking for public engagement regarding what can be done regarding flood mitigation.

Consideration of making an appointment to the Conservation Commission
Timestamp: 0:27

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/11/3c_RCCSusannahZeveloff11-17-24.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Rosovsky, Zeveloff

Rosovsky introduced Susannah who feels she is a perfect fit for the Conservation Commission appointment. She introduced herself and said that she has been working with Huntington as well as RCC to start talking about flood mitigation efforts, such as planting trees in flood prone areas. She is very passionate about this type of work. Miller thanked Susannah for volunteering.

Furr moved to appoint Susannah Zeveloff to the Conservation Commission to fill a vacant seat with a term running to 2028. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of making an appointment to the Planning Commission
Timestamp: 0:33
 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/11/3d_Planning_Commission_-_Rebecca_Connell.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Rebecca Connell

Connell states that she wants this appointment and divulged that she has lived in Asia and therefore brings a new perspective in terms of urban living and she is passionate about the housing crisis in Vermont. She has recently moved to Richmond. Miller asked regarding her PMP* and she said that she passed her PMP* exam approximately four years ago. *PMP – project, planning and management.

Miller moved to appoint Rebecca Connell to the Planning Commission to fill a seat with a term running to 2027. Wood seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of approving an easement for VELCO for Andrews Community Forest (ACF)

Timestamp: 0:38

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2024/11/3e_Finalized_ACF_Access_Easement__2_.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Sander, Preston, Hill, Miller, Arneson

Preston explained that Vermont Electric Power Supply (VEPS) and Green Mountain Power (GMP) have parallel utility easements that were granted in the 1920s, running east and west through ACF. Those easements allow them to access their property any way they want. VEPS updated the center access point, around 2,500 feet, and had a bridge installed, which they have since removed. ACF committee attempted to have VEPS remove the abutments to the removed bridge, which they refused, but they have installed a fence and they are proposing to cut the Town a check for $11,000. Preston would like to propose that this money go into the ACF Land Trust. Hill asked that the language of this deal be changed due to the outdated language use; he also asked what the current ACF budget is. Miller added that lawyers seldom want to change legalese in such documents. Arneson informed the board that his name was on the document to sign on behalf of the Town and asked if that was acceptable. Arneson said that the current balance of the ACF budget is $29,501, so $11,000 would be a significant jump in their coffers.

Wood moved to approve the easement for VELCO for access to the power lines located in the Andrews Community Forest which includes payments by VELCO to the Town of a $2,500 maintenance payment and an $8,549.45 easement payment, to be deposited into the Andrews Community Forest Reserve Fund. Arneson will be the Town representative to sign these documents, and preferably amending “to know all men by these presence” to something more modern and gender neutral. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of approving the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Committee to hold a coin drop on Saturday, May 24, 2025

Timestamp: 0:48

Hill moved to approve the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Committee to hold a coin drop at the intersection of Rt. 2 and Bridge St. on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 8am to 3pm.Miller seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, Warrants

Timestamp: 1:49

Minutes:

Wood moved to approve the draft Minutes of 11/25/24 as presented. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Wood mentioned that “these are some of the driest minutes I have ever reviewed.”

Furr moved to approve the draft Minutes of 11/18/24 as presented. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Motions for Purchase Orders:

Wood moved to amend Purchase Order number 4950 to Hinesburg Sand for material for emergency road repairs to the amount of $115,022.56. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Wood moved to approve Purchase Order number 5084 to Lafayette Highway Specialties for guardrails for emergency flood repair in the amount to not exceed $13,371.50. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Miller moved to approve Purchase Order number 5154 to Stone Environmental for a flood mitigation study in the amount of $124,766, which is not paid for by the tax-payers. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Warrants:

Wood moved to approve the Warrants as presented and amended. Miller seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Next Meeting Agenda

Invite Chief Cambridge in to discuss crime trends and statistics and actions the Town can take and perhaps arrange a neighborhood watch program

Firearm safety

Fire department staffing

Adjourn

Wood  moved to adjourn. Miller seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Miller, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 8:09 pm

Chat file from Zoom:  None