They will be distributed over the next few weeks.
(Volunteers do this, so if you would like to help please contact Holly: 728-9787 ext. 6).
They are also downloadable here: Town Report 2018
Feb 142019
Holly Jarvis
Feb 142019
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
WARNING
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Saturday, MARCH 2, 2019
The legal voters of the Town of Braintree in the County of Orange are hereby notified and warned to meet in the Braintree Elementary School in said Town on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. to transact the following business from the floor:
Article 1. To elect a moderator for the year ensuing.
Article 2. To hear the reports of the town officers for the past year.
Article 3. To elect all the Town Officers as required by law:
- A Selectperson for a three year term;
- A Selectperson for a two year term;
- A Selectperson for a two year term;
- A Lister for a three year term;
- An Auditor for a three year term;
- A Delinquent Tax Collector for a one year term;
- A First Constable for a one year term;
- A Cemetery Commissioner for a five year term;
- A Cemetery Commissioner for four years of a five year term;
- A Cemetery Commissioner for three years of a five year term;
- A Town Agent for a one year term;
- A Trustee of Public Funds for a one year term.
Article 4. Shall the voters authorize financing for capital plan expenses which would include town highway improvements in an amount not to exceed $ 30,000 to be financed over a period not to exceed five years?
Article 5. Shall the voters authorize total fund expenditures of $ 1,236,289.96, of which $ 975,414.96 shall be raised by taxes and $ 260,875.00 by non-tax revenues?
Article 6. Shall the town collect its real property taxes in two installments, with the due dates being October 15, 2019 and March 16, 2020?
Article 7. Shall the town vote to change Town Meeting day back to the first Tuesday in March pursuant to 17 V.S.A. § 2640(b)?
Article 8. To transact any other business not of a binding nature.
Dated at Braintree, County of Orange, and the State of Vermont this 24th day of January 2019.
Board of Selectmen:
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
Richard Bowen Keegan Haupt Megan O’Toole
_________________________ _________________________
Loren Bent Daniel Burson
Feb 132019
The Town of Braintree is seeking proposals for 3 projects: 1 – Design and Build of Tannenburg Bridge, 2 – paving on Thresher Road, 3 – paving on Riford Brook Road & the Town Hall parking lot. More information is available at the Braintree Town Office, 932 Vermont Route 12A, 728-9787 ext. 6 or by emailing braintreeadm@gmail.com. Technical questions can be directed to the Highway Foreman, Jeff Masterson at 728-9787 ext. 4. Sealed bids are due by 3 PM Friday, March 29, 2019.
Feb 082019
Unapproved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
February 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Present:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Tim Caulfield, EMD
Richard Bowen, Selectboard Member Paul Kendall, Re: LaRocque Road
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Kevin LaRocque, Re: LaRocque Road
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member
Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Aaron LaRocque, Re: LaRocque Road
Zak Freeman, Re: LaRocque Road
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
Review of agenda, a review of the financials were added.
On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from January 15, 2019.
LaRocque Road was discussed.
- The public concern is for safety for those using the road. Some skiers using ski trails on the property of the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) and Paul Kendall have chosen to deviate from the trail to LaRocque Road. The current plan that is being negotiated between the landowners is for the Rochester/Randolph Area Sports Trails Alliance (RASTA) to create a new route across NEFF’s and Mr. Kendall’s land, and close the trail which crosses LaRocque Road near Mr. Aaron LaRocque’s property. This proposed route would keep skiers further from Mr. Aaron LaRocque’s house and keep the skiers off the road away from cars. The snow needs to be mostly gone before the trees along the proposed route can be cut, and the trail prepared.
- To assuage the problems temporarily RASTA has put out signs asking that the trail users keep off the road, respect Mr. LaRocque’s private property, and be quiet when skiing past his house. Some additional private matters between Mr. Aaron LaRocque, NEFF, and Mr. Paul Kendall regarding how to reroute trail users way from Mr. Aaron LaRocques house, and the preferred method for NEFF to access the land beyond Mr. Aaron LaRocques’ house for forestry management & trail management purposes, were brought up at the meeting. Mr. Kendall suggested that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may be in order between the three parties regarding the private matters. He is interested in having the Selectboard recognize the MOU. The Board made it clear that any such “recognition” would not provide any change in the MOU’s legal standing, or the Town’s responsibility and is solely a private matter..
- Mr. Aaron LaRocque asked about discontinuing LaRocque Road. It was noted that a petition of the voters can start the process to discontinue the road. Mr. Kevin LaRocque asked about using a different access to Mr. Aaron LaRocque’s house and stopping personal maintenance of the 4th class town road which is currently how he accesses his property. It was noted that unless the road is actually discontinued it would remain a public access, even if it is not maintained. A bridge that was in the Town’s legal trail, but was washed out in Hurricane Irene, was discussed. If someone wants to install one in its place they will need to get permission from the Selectboard and approval of the design from the Road Foreman.
- The Selectboard would like to be kept in the loop about the public concerns regarding LaRocque Road.
Citizen’s comments
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- Mr. Caulfield provided the Board a draft of an insert for the Town Report to giving people information about emergency information and looking for volunteers.
Reports
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- Mr. Masterson reported that the new truck was picked up today.
- The parking issue on West Street was discussed. One of the cars was able to be moved some. The Selectboard may want to consider a parking ordinance.
- The financial report was reviewed.
Old business
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- Phone system update: the problems with the echo may be resolved. We will continue to monitor the situation.
- Town office projects update: the process of getting the heat pumps installed is continuing.
New business
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- Editing the Winter Maintenance Policy was tabled. Mr. Burson will provide edits ahead of the next meeting.
- The FY’21 Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization from TRORC was reviewed.
- The Board reviewed the changes in the insurance coverage documents for 2019.
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- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously re-appointed Loren Bent as the Fire Warden for 5 years.
- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved moving the March 5th meeting to March 6th at 6:00 pm.
On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved adjourning the meeting 7:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Jan 282019
Unapproved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
January 24, 2019
Present:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Jessie Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Holly Jarvis, Administrator
Richard Bowen, Selectboard Member – conference call
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 9:24 am.
The fire department budget was discussed. Ms. O’Toole will communicate with Randolph and report back to the Board.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the town meeting warning.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Jan 172019
Braintree PC meeting, 10 Jan 2019
Attending:
Joan Richmond-Hall, Nathan Cleveland, Jackson Evans
Guest:
Victoria Littlefield of TRORC
Convened at 7:05 pm.
We reviewed the transportation chapter of the Town Plan and worked to incorporate suggestions made by Jeff Masterson in a 2016 meeting with the PC.
We will share the updated draft with Jeff.
We had a preliminary discussion about the final chapter to be reviewed, Land Use. The formal review will occur at our February meeting.
We reviewed the comments and suggestions made by TRORC about our existing Town Plan to be sure we will have addressed all of their concerns. We will double check these concerns in February.
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- A statement or goal encouraging public participation.
- Land use: include smart-growth principles in a goal or policy.
- Transportation: include air and rail. – DONE
- Natural, scenic & cultural resources: Add a goal specific to mitigation of forest fragmentation. – This may be added to land use.
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- Housing: Add a goal encouraging multi-family housing and where it might be located.
- Natural resources: add a goal or policy that addresses the need to ‘restore earth extraction’; i.e. gravel pits. – DONE
It’s worth noting that TRORC did not approve recent Town Plans from Randolph and Norwich because they did not address similar concerns and did not include all needed elements in their town plans, and failed to meet state legal standards for regional approval.
Finally, Tori has suggested that we add a table or matrix that summarizes all goals and policies of the revised plan and we agree.
Adjourned at 8:20 pm.
/s/ Joan Richmond-Hall
Jan 172019
Unapproved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
January 15, 2019
Present:
Richard Bowen, Selectboard Member
Faun Koplovsky, Resident
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair
Joan Richmond-Hall, Planning Commission Chair
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member
Jessie Brassard, Treasurer
Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member
Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member
Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
The Board reviewed the agenda.
On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from January 2, 2019.
Citizen’s comments – none
Reports
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- Ms. Richmond-Hall provided the semi-annual report of the Planning Commission. The Commission is working on the rewrite of the Town Plan. The state and regional commission is concerned with avoiding fragmentation of forest blocks and wildlife corridors. Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission provided the Town Planning Commission a map indicating where the high priority connectivity blocks are in Braintree. The Planning Commission is currently considering expanding the conservation district along West Braintree’s ridge to expand out to Riford Brook Road and Thayer Brook Road. It will be discussed more at their next meeting. Residents are encouraged to come to the meeting, learn more, and provided feedback.
- Mr. Masterson provided the Highway Report. He has been working on reports and budgeting lately.
Old business
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- The phone system is still being worked on.
- Town Office projects update: the electrical for heat pumps is ready, along with the outlet for the hot water heater.
- The Board reviewed the budget. It was discussed.
- The Board discussed Jackson Road. The Town of Randolph took no action on the proposal to reclassify or discontinue Jackson Rd at a hearing held by the Randolph selectboard on January 3rd.
- The draft warning was discussed.
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- Town Meeting planning was discussed. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board voted to hold Town Meeting at the Braintree Elementary School, paying a school employee to be on hand at the rate prescribed by the school district, and also to pay for child care. Mr. Bowen voted against the motion. The other four Board members voted in favor of the motion. The motion carried.
New business
- On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved borrowing $145,000 toward the purchase of the new truck.
- On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved the Certificate of Highway Mileage with no changes.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bowen, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bowen, the Board unanimously when into Executive Session to discuss a legal matter in accordance with 1 V.S.A 313(a)(1)(F).
The Board came out of executive session at 7:15 pm. No decisions were made.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant
Jan 172019
The Braintree Selectboard will hold a meeting on January 24th, 2019 following the BCA meeting at 8:30 am.
Agenda:
- Call to order (will follow the BCA meeting)
- Review & approval of the Town Meeting Warning
- Adjournment
Jan 172019
The Board of Civil Authority of the Town of Braintree will hold a meeting on January 24th, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.
Agenda:
1) To decide on the location for Town Meeting.
2) To discuss voting on March 5th and who might be working when.
3) Setting the times for voting.
4) Any other business BCA related.
Jan 042019
Unapproved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
Jan. 2, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Present:
Richard Bowen, Selectboard Member Jessie Brassard, Treasurer
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Tim Caulfield, Emergency Manager
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
The Board reviewed the agenda.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bowen, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of December 18, 2018.
Citizen’s comments – none.
Reports
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- Mr. Caulfield explained that the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan needs to be updated this year. The Town has been awarded a grant to do the rewrite. The Town share of the costs is expected to be between $2,200-2,300. It is not budgeted but needs to be done this fiscal year. Mr. Caulfield explained that Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) has provided a proposal for the work. He asked that the project be sole sourced to TRORC because of their extensive knowledge, and experience writing these plans. On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved sole sourcing the writing of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to TRORC.
- Mr. Caulfield provided a summary of the number of fire calls this past year.
- Mr. Caulfield also asked the Board’s opinion regarding when the Emergency Operation Centers should be opened during an emergency and feedback on the general philosophy for approaches to Emergency Management in Braintree. Mr. Caulfield and the Board discussed it. The Board asked that the emergency committee discuss it more and determine what they think is the best approach.
Old business
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- Mr. Caulfield provided an update regarding the testing he has done with the phone system problems. He will talk to Key Communications about fixing the echo now that the problem is better understood.
- There was no new information about the Town Office projects.
- The Board reviewed the draft budget. The money to resurface gravel roads was discussed. It will be moved to the capital plan from the previously planned transfer to the gravel pit reserve fund.
- Ms. O’Toole reported that she has asked Randolph to discuss Jackson Road with Braintree before making a decision about reclassifying it. They have a hearing Thursday, January 3rd. She plans to attend.
New business
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- The Board review the draft warning for Town Meeting.
On motion of Mr. Bowen, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bowen, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:22pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Holly Jarvis
Admin. Assistant