Unapproved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard Meeting

December 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Present:

Daniel Burson, Acting Selectboard Chair Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Katja Evans, Kimball Public Library Board

Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member Kris Haupt, Cemetery Commission Chair

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair (via phone) Jessie Brassard, Treasurer

Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

Mr. Burson called the meeting to order at 6pm. 

The Board reviewed the agenda. The Cemetery Commission’s semi-annual report was added. 

On motion of Mr. McMeekin, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of November 19, 2019. 

Citizens’ comments:

• Ms. Evans, stopped in to explain what Kimball Public Library has been doing this last year, and about future planning that will be taking place.  They will be asking for $10,500 in special appropriations this year. Which is an increase, therefore a petition will be circulated. 
• Mr. Kris Haupt and the Board talked about the Town’s New Holland tractor. 

Guests

• Mr. Kolbey Haupt and the Board discussed the additional costs for Tannenburg Bridge. There was more ledge at the site than anticipated. On motion of Mr. McMeekin, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved paying the $5,000 additional costs for the unanticipated work on the bridge.

• Mr. Kris Haupt provided the Cemetery Commission report. The two year mowing contract with Jason’s Handiworks was signed recently. A new commissioner member will need to be found as Linda Morse had resigned.  The commission doesn’t normally meet in the winter months so they are waiting until Town Meeting Day to fill the position. Ms. Brassard mentioned an idea about hiring someone as a town employee, who would mow at the town office, town hall, and cemeteries, and do basic repairs of the town buildings. The suggestion wasn’t for this budget, but a thought to consider for FY22. Equipment could be rented instead of bought.
• Mr. Masterson provided the highway report. The Thayer Brook Road culvert planning is still ongoing. Mr. Masterson is working with TRORC for a Better Roads Grant on Peth Road for a $20,000 grant. The signs for LaRocque Road have come in. Soon when the weather allows, the signs will be installed.  The Highway Department has been dealing with the winter weather. 

Old business

• • The current draft of the budget was reviewed. A number of lines in the regular budget, and in both the capital fund and the vehicle fund were discussed. There are a few numbers still to come in. The budgets are in good shape. How to show the proposal from the Sheriff’s Department for policing in Braintree, which will be on the warning, was discussed. Estimates for work on the garage, will be sought for the capital fund.  

• On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved selling the 2009 International Truck, and trade in the current angle plow on the 1-ton pickup, for a v –plow as long as it is less than $4,800 (the purchase of the plow was not contingent on the sale of the 2009 truck). 

New business

• A Thank you note from the school to the Highway Departments was reviewed. 
• VLCT Cannabis Resolution relating to S.54 was reviewed and tabled. 
• Holly Jarvis has resigned as Zoning Administrator and Admin. Assistant, as she will be moving out of state. The Board thanked her for her service. The resignation was anticipated, and an ad was run in the newspaper last week looking for someone to fill both positions. Mr. Burson and Mr. McMeekin will be conducting interviews and overseeing the transition. Ms. Brassard will look into a suggestion from a resident about hiring Compucount for payroll. 
• There is a new commercial motor vehicle operator drug and alcohol clearinghouse. The particulars of it were disused. On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved Ms. Jarvis as the administrator. It was understood that this will be passed along to the next Admin. Assistant when they start work.

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board voted unanimously to go into Executive Session for personnel matters under 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1)(B).

The Board came out of executive session.

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved paying the two years of overtime back pay without the consideration of comp time and how it affects overtime (this will mean the employees will be paid slightly more in back pay than if it is calculated the other way). 

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis