Selectboard 3/17/25
-
Monday,
March 17, 2025
7PM – 9 PM
Minutes
Approved on: Monday, April 7, 2025
Minutes
Printable version
Web version
Town of Richmond
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of March 17, 2025
Members Present: Bard Hill, Adam Wood, Jay Furr, David Sander, Caitlin Filkins
Absent: None
Staff Present: Town ManagerJosh Arneson;Assistant to the Town ManagerDuncan Wardwell, Finance Director Connie Bona, Zoning Administrator Tyler Machia, Police Officer Matt Cohen, Town Clerk Linda Parent.
Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, Sarah Toscano, David Sunshine, Mike Denis Eagle Scout, Chelsye Brooks, Brendan Filkins, Brian Shevrin, Alicia Daniel, Ian Bender, Amy Wardwell, Trevor Brooks, John Smith, Jean’s iPad, Judy Rosovsky, Sarah T’s iPhone, June Heston, iPhone, Suzanne Parent, Connie Van Eeghen, Jeanne.
MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/YOYspyzkSjQ?si=QlK6-3Ww9TFGswgP
Call to Order: 7:01 pm
Welcome by: Sander: Filkins was congratulated on her seat on the Selectboard.
Public Comment: Toscano stated that she has started a petition and hopes Richmond will reconsider hiring Chief Cambridge as she feels he has been the victim of a smear campaign in Hinesburg.
Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present
Reorganization: Selection of Chair and Vice Chair, Board Secretary, Official Newspapers
Timestamp: 0:03
People who participated in discussion: Sander
Hill moved to appoint Jay Furr as Selectboard Chair. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor, Furr abstained. Motion approved.
Furr moved to appoint Adam Wood as Selectboard Vice Chair. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr Sander in favor. Wood abstained. Motion approved.
Sander thanked everyone for allowing him to be Chair in the past year. Furr thanked everyone for voting him Chair for the next year. Then they switched seats.
Sander moved to appoint Linn Caroleo as Selectboard Secretary. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Hill moved to designate the Burlington Free Press, Times Ink!, Williston Observer, and Seven Days as the official newspapers of Richmond. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Town Meeting follow up: Thanks to voters and candidates
Timestamp: 0:09
People who participated in discussion: Furr, Sander, Hill, Arneson
Furr thanked everyone for their efforts on Town Meeting Day, especially volunteers and the new and old Town Clerks. Sander concurred. Furr continued that it was not a popular idea to have the budget voted on by department, which had been a suggestion to the floor. Hill said some people said they wanted to be part of suggesting changes to the budget, but not enough people came to the budget meetings. Arneson wondered if giving dates for the budget meetings many months in advance and repeating the dates would be helpful for people to plan to attend.
Reminder of deadline and process to apply to serve on Town committees/boards/commissions
Timestamp: 0:16
People who participated in discussion: Furr
Furr reminded people that April 9, 2025, is the deadline to apply for most committees, unless another date is specified below:
Water & Sewer Commission applications are due May 30, 2025
Development Review Board (DRB) applications are due by May 14, 2025
Andrews Community Forest applications are due by April 4, 2025
Update on UVM frog recording project
Timestamp: 0:20
People who participated in discussion: Arneson
Arneson said they want to record the sounds of tree frogs for a month and then they will remove the recording device once they are done.
Public hearing on FY26 Capital Plan
Timestamp: 0:22
People who participated in discussion: Arneson, Bona, Hill
Sander moved to open the public hearing to consider adoption of the FY26 Capital Plan.
Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Arneson said this Capital Plan has been discussed since fall 2024. This Capital Plan is constructed as a tool to help plan for purchases of capital equipment, buildings, and infrastructure. The plan builds on the direction for capital expenditures that was started with the FY23 budget and is continued in the FY26 budget, specifically planning to use Unassigned funds, Restricted funds, Reserve funds, and money raised from taxes to pay for capital equipment without taking loans. Hill mentioned that the Capital Plan helps flatten out the tax rate increase.
Sander moved to close the public hearing to consider adoption of the FY26 Capital Plan.
Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Sander moved to adopt the FY26 Capital Plan. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Wood emphasized that if funds were used for flood repairs these will be replenished when FEMA and ARPA funds come in. It was also pointed out that we only have one police officer (and his dog) and therefore orders for police cruisers needed to be kept in consideration.
Consideration of approval of a sign for the Flag Return Box
Timestamp: 0:30
People who participated in discussion: Hill, Denis
Denis presented his suggestion for a sign, which he said would only cost $30, which still leaves some left-over funds from this project. Hill asked what the rules are for destroying State flags, to which Denis stated he did not think any rules applied to discarding a State of Vermont flag.
Wood moved to approve the sign for the Flag Return Box. Filkins seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of appointment of Delinquent Tax Collector
Timestamp: 0:35
People who participated in discussion: Furr, Brisbin
Brisbin said has served in this role for the past several years and would like to continue to strengthen her relationship with Town residents and help both the residents and the Town.
Hill moved to appoint Laurie Brisbin to the position of Delinquent Tax Collector. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of approving a vendor to grounds maintenance
Timestamp: 0:37
People who participated in discussion: Furr, Wardwell, Hill, Arneson, Sander
Wardwell explained that there were more bids than ever that came in and the bids showed a wide variety based on market value. Arneson stated that Mow N Maintain have been doing this job for the Town for two years and they have been very responsive to requests or making changes when asked. Sander said to pay a bit more for peace of mind is worth it. Hill mentioned that some bidders use electric equipment. Nick from Mow N Maintain stated in the chat he would be happy to take on more trimming up toward the water tower, which was a question posed by Sunshine, and that he does have electric mowers.
Sander movedto award the 2025 Grounds Maintenance contract to Mow and Maintain. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of approving the use of funds from the Conservation Reserve Fund for the salamander crossing project
Timestamp: 0:45
People who participated in discussion: Furr, Rosovsky
Rosovsky explained that they did a pilot project last year, because there is concern with several crossing points for the salamanders where there is fast moving traffic on Route 2. They would like to get additional safety vests and equipment for this pilot project. Furr added that there are over $300,000 in the Conservation Reserve Fund presently and this request is for $600.
Wood movedto approve the use of up to $600 in Conservation Reserve Funds to cover the cost of additional safety and herp collection gear, as described in the Richmond Save Our Salamanders Network proposal dated February 11, 2025. The request meets CRF criteria A1-A5 and B4 and B5, as enumerated in the proposal, as related to providing access to and preserving recreational opportunities and conserving an important natural resource. These funds must be expended within 3 years of the date of final approval. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of approving a hammerhead turnaround and a waiver to the Rural Road Specifications for a two-lot subdivision at 1582 Jericho Rd
Timestamp: 0:49
People who participated in discussion: Arneson, Furr, Hill, Machia, Sunshine, Brooks
Sunshine said the roadway that is proposed has been in existence since 1950. He is proposing two more houses and wants to keep the road the same width as to not impact the abutting wetlands. The hammerhead is to allow everyone who uses the road or emergency crews a place to turnaround, Sunshine added the road is currently 14-15 foot wide. Brooks believes that the road is no longer a road but is in fact a driveway and the reason it needs to be amended is to allow access to the additional houses, if it were a road it would need to be 22 feet wide with 2 foot shoulders. Hill wanted to clarify where the road went from following the road standard to the driveway standard, which Sunshine showed on the map. Wood hoped that a fire truck would be able to turn around on the hammerhead.
Filkins moved to waive the rural road standards, to approve the hammerhead turnaround, and to approve that the hammerhead turnaround be located further down the shared access without being required to widen the existing driveway in the class 2 wetland, as presented for the subdivision at 1582 Jericho Rd. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of setting the salary for the incoming Town Clerk
Timestamp: 1:01
People who participated in discussion: Arneson
Arneson said the incoming Town Clerk would have a salary of $73,796 plus a 2% stipend every year. The last study done on salaries in the Town was 2022.
Sander moved to set the salary for the newly elected Town Clerk Susanne Parent at $73,796 which is Grade 7, Step A of the FY25 pay grid plus a stipend equal to 2% of annual salary for completing financial tasks to ensure separation of duties. Hill seconded. Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Wood, Furr, Sander in favor. Motion approved.
Discussion of next steps for the Police Department
Timestamp: 1:05
People who participated in discussion: Arneson, Hill, Sander, Wood, Cohen
Arneson suggests putting together a subcommittee to start another search for a Police Chief. Hill mentioned that both Hinesburg and Richmond have budgeted for ½ a police chief and want to share that position. Wood thinks long term collaborations between Towns is good to explore. Furr says he has heard this is being proposed in other Towns in the State. Sanders said it’s due to shortages. Cohen explained that with the uncertainty in both Towns he wants to find a common ground we can work toward with respect to both police forces. Arneson stated that Hinesburg will be discussing this same topic on Wednesday evening. Furr thinks reawakening this committee is a good idea. Sander and Hill will be on this subcommittee. Wood concurs this committee needs to be up and running again and there need to be two members from Hinesburg also.
Consideration of approving an update to the agreement for shared police chief services with Hinesburg, possible executive session
Timestamp: 1:15
People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arneson
Furr stated that the agreement between Towns to share the police chief ended last summer but the shared services has continued. Arneson said he will have a draft by the end of the week. Hill said negotiations and discussions regarding contracts should also be shared with the committee that was just discussed.
Consideration of approving applications for home buyouts as part of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Timestamp: 1:18
People who participated in the discussion: Furr, Arneson, Machia
Furr said FEMA home buyouts have to be approved by the Selectboard. Arneson described which properties in the Town have applied for a buyout and shared a map.
Wood moved to apply for the property buyout program for 44 Old Brookly Ct. 2468 Cochran Rd. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Machia explained that what may or may not be permitted to do on these green spaces once the houses are torn down needs to be researched regarding flood plain zoning.
Consideration of adopting Ethics policy
Timestamp: 1:30
People who participated in the discussion: Furr, Arneson, Sander
Arneson described which changes the Town’s policy includes that the State ethics policy does not have. Furr reminded people that they should err on the side of caution with respect to ethics. Sander mentioned that yearly training will be required for all Town employees.
Sander moved to approve the Code of Ethics. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Consideration of approving the use of funds from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to fill holes in the Library’s foundation to prevent mice from entering the building
Timestamp: 1:34
People who participated in the discussion: Arneson, Furr, Wood, Hill
Arneson said there are holes in the foundation that need to be filled. Furr suggested getting a cat. Wood wanted to know what holes were being filled for $500. Hill concurred.
Sander moved to approve the use of $500 from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to pay for the cost of filling holes in the Library’s foundation to prevent mice from entering the building. Filkins seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Hill abstained. Motion approved.
Consideration of approving using funds from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to boost Town Wi-Fi on the third floor of the Town Center
Timestamp: 1:38
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/03/3q_WiFi_Quote_QT10074.pdf
People who participated in the discussion: Furr, Arneson
Furr said when on the 3rd floor the Town’s Wi-Fi does not reach and we have to use MMCTV’s Wi-Fi, this is to extend the Town’s Wi-Fi to the 3rd floor.
Sander moved to approve the use of $2,141.31 from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to pay for the cost of installing equipment for better Wi-Fi service on the third floor of the Town Center. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Furr abstained. Motion approved.
Consideration of accepting a USDA Emergency Watershed Protection grant for flood mitigation at eight privately owned parcels
Timestamp: 1:40
People who participated in the discussion: Furr, Arneson
Arneson described that this relates to 8 homes that have been awarded this grant because of the 2024 flooding. Homeowners have until a contractor is hired to pull out, since they will be responsible for a 25% match.
Wood moved to accept the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection grant with the understanding that the 25% match will be the responsibility of the homeowners whom the grant benefits, and to name Town Manager Josh Arneson as the duly authorized representative. Filkins seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Furr abstained. Motion approved.
Consideration of appointing a Selectboard Member to serve on the subcommittee for the development of the Town Plan
Timestamp: 1:43
People who participated in the discussion: Furr, Hill, Wood
Furr said this subcommittee will be meeting once per month. Hill mentioned that whichever a Selectboard member takes this on, that person does not have authority to make decisions on behalf of the Selectboard. Wood said he volunteers for this.
Hill moved to appoint Adam Wood to the subcommittee for the development of the Town Plan. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr in favor. Wood abstained. Motion approved.
Consideration of appointing a Selectboard Member to fill a vacancy on the Water and Sewer Commission
Timestamp: 1:46
People who participated in the discussion: Furr
Furr and Hill are already on the Water and Sewer Commission.
Wood moved to appoint David Sander to fill the vacant seat on the Water and Sewer Commission.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Wood, Furr in favor. Sander abstained. Motion approved.
Consideration of appointing two Selectboard members to review amendments to financial policies prior to review by the entire Selectboard
Timestamp: 1:48
People who participated in the discussion: Furr
Furr said this is making suggestions alongside Finance Director Bona.
Wood and Filkins volunteered.
Consideration of holding a special meeting to discuss the Fire Department needs assessment report
Timestamp: 1:51
People who participated in the discussion: Furr
Doug Patey, who is doing the Fire Dept assessment, has been asked to attend an extra meeting. Filkins stated for the record that Patey is her father.
Police officer Duke interrupted the meeting with exuberance.
Sander moved to hold a special meeting on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Town Center to review the needs assessment report for the Fire Department. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Wood, Furr in favor. Filkins abstained. Motion approved.
Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders
Timestamp: 1:54
Minutes:
Sander moved to approve the draft minutes from March 3, 2025. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Filkins abstained. Motion approved.
Purchase Order Motions:
Sander moved to approve Purchase Order number 5233 to NE Consulting Engineers for engineering for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program in the amount of $22,000.00. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Sander moved to approve Purchase Order number 5235 to the Hinesburg Police Department for police coverage in February 2025 in the amount of $22,467.50. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Sander moved to approve Purchase Order number 5237 to the Hinesburg Police Department for police coverage from March – June 2025 not to exceed the amount of $106,000.00. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Warrants:
Sander moved to approve the Warrants as presented. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Items for next Agenda
Change name of Town Center Library Committee to the Town Center Committee
Proposed contract for shared police with Hinesburg
Reconciliation of financial policies
Umiac update
Executive Session Motions
Motions for Executive Session: Evaluation of an Employee
Wood moved to find that premature public knowledge about the evaluation of an employee would cause the Town or person to suffer a substantial disadvantage. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Sander moved that we enter into executive session to discuss the evaluation of an employee under the provisions of 1 VSA 313(a)(3) and to invite Town Manager Josh Arneson into the executive session. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Hill moved that we exit executive session to discuss the evaluation of an employee under the provisions of 1 VSA 313(a)(3) and to invite Town Manager Josh Arneson into the executive session. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Motions for Executive Session: Evaluation of a public officer
Sander moved to find that premature public knowledge about the evaluation of a public officer would cause the Town or person to suffer a substantial disadvantage. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Sander moved that we enter into executive session to discuss the evaluation of a public officer under the provisions of 1 VSA 313(a)(3) and to invite Town Manager Josh Arneson into the executive session. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Hill move that we exit executive session to discuss the evaluation of a public officer under the provisions of 1 VSA 313(a)(3) and to invite Town Manager Josh Arneson into the executive session. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Adjourn
Sander moved to adjourn. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr abstain. Hill, Miller, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at: 9:55 pm
Chat file from Zoom:
00:11:40 Mike Denis: I have volume fine as well
00:18:57 Tyler M: Speaking as myself, Hybrid would be interesting. Balance accessibility of Australian ballot but keeps the ability to modify on the floor. Bennington also has a representative town meeting as well.
00:21:54 Tyler M: Two good books to look at are real democracy by Frank Bryan, and slow democracy by Susan Clark and wooden teachout.
00:33:45 Jean’s iPad: Why are we talking about ordering a cruiser?
00:38:40 Connie: Replying to "Why are we talking a..."
We are not purchasing any cruisers next year Jean. The cruisers are typically on a schedule when we have a fully staffed Police Department. We have sold 2 of the 6 cruisers we had, and we have not purchased any cruisers in a few years.
00:45:47 MRH: id like to thank the board a ton for letting me take care of this beautiful town. We have tried are best to accommodate any ask's. id be happy to help with that area that needs to be trimmed as well if someone would like to walk it over with me we do offer electric mowers thank you nick/owner mow n maintain
Agenda
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Meeting of the Town of Richmond Selectboard March 17, 2025
Richmond Town Center Meeting Room, 3rd Floor – 203 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT.
Meeting may also be joined online or by phone
Join Zoom Meeting Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89404484447?pwd=WjhMV2ljY1I3SzI0WGErcG92QjBpUT09
Join by Phone: +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 894 0448 4447 Passcode: 891937
7:00 PM 1. Welcome and Public Comment
7:03 PM 2. Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to Agenda
7:05 PM 3. Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present
a) Reorganization: Selection of Chair and Vice Chair, Board Secretary, Official Newspapers* (10 min)
b) Town Meeting follow up: Thanks to voters and candidates # (5 min)
c) Reminder of deadline and process to apply to serve on Town committees/boards/commissions # (5 min)
d) Update on UVM frog recording project # (5 min)
e) Public Hearing on FY26 Capital Plan* # (15 min)
f) Consideration of approval of a sign for the Flag Return Box* # (5 min)
g) Consideration of appointment of Delinquent Tax Collector* # (5 min)
h) Consideration of approving a vendor to grounds maintenance* # (10 min)
i) Consideration of approving the use of funds from the Conservation Reserve Fund for the salamander crossing project* # (5 min)
j) Consideration of approving a hammerhead turnaround and a waiver to the Rural Road Specifications for a two-lot subdivision at 1582 Jericho Rd.* # (15 min)
k) Consideration of setting the salary for the incoming Town Clerk* (5 min)
l) Discussion of next steps for the Police Department (15 min)
m) Consideration of approving an update to the agreement for shared police chief services with Hinesburg, possible executive session* (15 min)
n) Consideration of approving applications for home buyouts as part of the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program * # (5 min)
o) Consideration of adopting Ethics policy* # (10 min)
p) Consideration of approving the use of funds from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to fill holes in the Library’s foundation to prevent mice from entering the building* # (5 min)
q) Consideration of approving the using funds from the Town Center and Library Reserve Fund to boost Town WiFi on the third floor of the Town Center* # (5 min)
r) Consideration of accepting a USDA Emergency Watershed Protection grant for flood mitigation at eight privately owned parcels* # (10 min)
s) Consideration of appointing a Selectboard Member to serve on the subcommittee for the development of the Town Plan* (5 min)
t) Consideration of appointing a Selectboard Member to fill a vacancy on the Water and Sewer Commission* (5 min)
u) Consideration of appointing two Selectboard members to review amendments to financial policies prior to review by the entire Selectboard (5 min)
v) Consideration of holding a special meeting to discuss the Fire Department needs assessment report* (5 min)
9:55 PM 4. Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, and Warrants*
a) Minutes of 3/3/25
10:05 PM 5. Discuss Items for Next Agenda
10:10 PM 6. Executive Sessions
a. Evaluation of an employee
b. Evaluation of a public officer
11:00 PM 7. Adjourn
Time is available at each meeting for public comment. Documents related to this meeting are available at
http://www.richmondvt.gov/documents/selectboard-meeting-documents/ If you would like to schedule a time with the Board or need assistance to participate in the meeting, please call Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager at 434-5170 or email jarneson@richmondvt.gov. Links to videos of Selectboard meetings can be found at http://mtmansfieldctv.org/
*Denotes Action Item # Indicates documents in the packet