Unapproved Minutes Regular Meeting
Braintree Selectboard
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 6:00 pm
“In accordance with the recent amendments to Vermont’s open meeting law, and in light of the ongoing public health crisis, this meeting will be held via conference call. You can access the meeting at the scheduled time by calling 802-210-4472.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Jackson Evans, ECFiber Representative
Timothy Caulfield, Emergency Management Director
Present at Town Office:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson Jeff Masterson, Highway Foreman
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Jessica Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member Loren Bent, Selectboard Member
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. A roll call was done to confirm what Selectboard members, Committee Chairpersons and guests were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board reviewed the agenda with Ms. O’Toole tabling the discussions of two items, the Town Hall Internet Options and Possible Changes to Webmaster and Web Page, listed under Old Business. Mr. Caulfield added the Emergency Management Team’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias under New Business.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on July 21, 2020.
- Citizen’s comments limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum – No citizen comments.
- Highway Report
- A brief discussion ensued on the Town’s options for a potential location of sand needed to replenish the 2021-2022 Stockpile.
- Masterson informed the Selectboard that he has been in contact with a possible buyer for the 2001 International Truck.
- ECFiber Representative – Mr. Evans informed the Selectboard that ECFiber is working with the State of Vermont Public Service Department to help locate previous potential customers, especially those with school age children, who for bad location issues or financial reasons were not connected to ECFiber to inform them that Federal Money may be available now to get them connected.
ECFiber has experienced an influx of new customers due to the necessity of many people, due to COVID-19, being required to work from home and needing faster internet.
A Town of Braintree Alternative Representative to ECFiber is still needed and Mr. Evans provided some skills and knowledge that the potential candidate may need to be successful in the position.
Mr. Evans also stated that ECFiber, just like any other utility, is prepared for any damage caused by Tropical Storm Isaias.
- COVID-19 Follow-up
- Office Closure To Public – The Town Office will continue to be closed to the Public until at least August 18th, unless an appointment by phone or e-mail is made with the Town Clerk or Administrative Assistant to enter the building. There is a drop-off box in the front of the building to leave any correspondence that does not need an immediate response.
- Restructuring Office For Safety – The work has begun and is still in progress.
- RAMAN – Mr. Caulfield provided an update. There have been up to seven new cases of COVID-19 around the state per day, mostly in the Bennington and Burlington areas but with one or two new cases in Orange County. The County remains amongst the lowest in the state. One new death was reported in the Bennington area, which is the first death in the state in 45 days. The Governor is still trying to safely open schools and has provided guidelines to school districts.
- Review of New Trash Ordinance and possible vote – This discussion was tabled until the next Selectboard Meeting to provide the members time to review the new ordinance in more depth.
- Continued discussion of possible Solar Array Installation at Braintree town gravel pit – After a brief discussion regarding the lack of an easement to the property through the surrounding properties the Selectboard Members agreed to table this project at this time.
- Town Hall Internet Options – This item was tabled until the next Selectboard Meeting.
- Announcement for the vacancy position of Road Foreman Follow-up – Ms. O’Toole recited the list of Newspapers and On-line Sites where the ad had been placed. Mr. Burson stated that at the time of the meeting he had yet to receive a request for further information on the position or completed job applications.
- Possible Change to Webmaster and Web Page – This item was tabled until the next Selectboard Meeting.
- PACIF Risk Management Report from July 23, 2020 Visit – The Selectboard Members reviewed the report and discussed what corrections needed to be completed and by whom.
- VLCT COVID-19 Fiscal Impacts Survey – Ms. O’Toole will complete the Survey for the Town of Braintree.
- Bids Opening for Thayer Brook Culvert Header Repair – The Selectboard Members opened and discussed the three bids received for the Thayer Brook Culvert Header Repair project.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the acceptance of J.L. Smith’s bid for the Thayer Brook Culvert Header Repair work.
- Bids Opening for Garage Floor Maintenance – Only one company delivered a bid for this project but did provide different options. Due to the need of the Selectboard and Road Foreman to do more research on the materials listed in the bids no decision was made during this meeting.
- Emergency Management Team Response to Tropical Storm Isaias – Mr. Caulfield informed the Selectboard that a warning had been sent to all the Town’s Landlines and Vermont Alerts Subscribers regarding flash flooding and put in place a temporary evacuation plan for the Town and would use the State’s Plan for Evacuation Housing if needed.
- Payment orders – There were no payment orders prepared for this meeting.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.
