Holly Jarvis

Braintree Selectboard Minutes – October 8, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Oct 132019
 

Unapproved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard Meeting

October 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Present:

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Janice Thresher, Resident

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member Jessie Brassard, Treasurer/DTC

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member

Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order. 

The Board reviewed the agenda adding a discussion about a mobile home park “mortgage”. 

On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of September 17, 2019.

Citizen’s comments: none. 

Guests

  • The Board reviewed Mr. Masterson’s Highway Report. 
  • Jessie Brassard 
    • The financial report was not yet provided. The reports will be provided following the audit, which is Nov. 6-7th. 
    • The credit card limit was discussed. The Board was ok with the limit increasing to $2,500. 
    • Tax sales were discussed.  On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board authorized the list of delinquent tax sales that Jessie provided, and approved the expenses and the terms of engagement for Jim Barrow for legal services to proceed with the tax sales. Mr. Bent abstained from the decision, the other four board members voted in favor of the motion. 
    • The Housing Foundation contacted Ms. Brassard and Ms. O’Toole a few days ago about discharging a mortgage between the Housing Foundation and the Town of Braintree from when the foundation originally bought Mobile Acres. It seems like it might be connected to a grant used in the purchase. They will be working with the Town’s Attorney regarding it, because what the Town’s role in this process should be is not clear. 

Old business

  • Dog Ordinance – the Board decided not to change the ordinance. 
  • The Board decided to wait and possibly add coverage for domestic partners to the Town’s Health Insurance next fiscal year, so that the added expense can be budgeted. 
  • Ms. O’Toole and Mr. Burson agreed to alternate participating on the new Fire Assessment Committee being organized by Randolph.
  • Reimbursements to the Emergency Committee for hotel expense at a two day training, an hour away. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded Mr. Burson, the Board voted unanimously to not reimburse for hotel expense but for mileage as if the emergency committee members has made two round trips.
  • There was no new information regarding the tractor sale.

New business – none.

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.

On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously went  into executive session for personnel matters under 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1)(B).

No decision was made after coming out of executive session. 

On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board adjourned the meeting at about 7:30 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Admin. Assistant

Braintree Conservation Commission

 Conservation Commission Minutes
Sep 302019
 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Unapproved Minutes

Present:  Tom Cooch, Linda Morse, Paul Shriver, Sandy Stephen

     Guest:  Paige Greenfield, Planner at Two Rivers-Ottaquechee Regional Commission

Mr. Cooch called the meeting to order at 7:00

No Public comments

Two Rivers-Ottaquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) Presentation

Ms. Greenfield enumerated the various ways in which TRORC might be able to help our commission and the Town:

  • mapping, including new high-definition LIDAR maps
  • environmental planning, including Emerald Ash Borer mitigation
  • grants
    • water quality work, such as riparian planting
    • municipal planning
    • transportation
    • emergency management
    • energy

2018 Knotweed Spraying Inspection

On July 26, Mr. Cooch and Ms. Richmond-Hall toured the areas sprayed last summer by Jerold Kinney. They agreed with the assessment given by Kinney to the Selectboard: some areas showed significant improvement, such as the guard rail patches along Thresher Brook Road. and the west side of Brainstorm Road north of Bruce Anderson. In other areas the spraying was much less effective, such as the section of Peth Road around the junction with Hockman Hill Road.

We do not yet have a list of the areas being sprayed this year.

September Newsletter

Mr. Cooch said he had not made any progress on another newsletter for this summer. The next issue will likely be next spring.

Fall Presentation

No one had any immediate ideas regarding a topic for a public presentation, such as those offered last year on deer yards and on vernal pools. It was agreed that commissioners would bring ideas to the October meeting.

Mr. Cooch suggested that the commission could host a workshop on making wood duck nest boxes that could then be stationed around Mud Pond in the Spring. This might or might not also involve a slide presentation and talk on wood ducks by someone from the ANR.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes for the past three meetings were approved: July (Ms. Richmond-Hall), June (Mr. Cooch), and May (Ms. Richmond-Hall).

The commission had already approved in June minutes for the May meeting submitted at the end of May by Mr. Cooch. Ms. Richmond-Hall subsequently submitted her minutes and these are the ones now posted and approved.

Mr. Cooch expressed his belief that the minutes needed to be sent out within five days of the meeting, both to the Administrative Assistant (by Vermont statute) and to all the commissioners. It is difficult to remember what transpired well enough to approve or make corrections if too much time has elapsed.

Next Meetings

Our next meeting will be on our normal 4th Wednesday, which is October 23. Our November meeting would normally be on the 27th, which is the day before Thanksgiving. We decided to cancel the November meeting altogether and hold our December meeting on the 11th.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Cooch

Selectboard Minutes – September 17, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Sep 202019
 

Unapproved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard Meeting

September 17, 2019 

Present:

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Paul Kendall, Stagecoach Rep.

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Daniel Burson, Acting Chair Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant 

Mr. Burson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 

The Board reviewed the agenda adding an executive session for personnel matters. A question about emergency management reimbursements was added to the agenda. 

On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of August 20, 2019. 

On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of September 3, 2019. 

Citizen’s comments: none.

Guests

  • Paul Kendal – Stagecoach Representative’s Semi-Annual report: the status of a number of ongoing projects were briefly mentioned. Things are going well with the Stagecoach.

Reports

  • Mr. Masterson provided the Highway report. The Highway Department has been working on Bent Hill Road this week. It was confirmed that a lot more speed limit signs will need to be installed before speed enforcement will be effective. Mr. Masterson will be meeting with a number of FEMA representatives on the 18th about a couple of projects. 

Old business

  • The Board again talked about a contract with Orange County Sheriff’s Department. On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously agreed to hold off on contracting with the Sheriff’s Department until town meeting. Mr. Masterson will determine how many signs would be needed as a part of budgeting. 
  • The Dog Ordinance was tabled. 
  • The Board reviewed the extended warranty options for the Mack. On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously selected the plans recommended by the salesman (the 84 months/250,000 miles, “Engine Plan 2”, and “Engine after Treatment System” plans for a total of $5,633). 
  • The Board briefly discussed the tractor auction. Mr. Burson will continue to work on sorting it out. 
  • Adding employee health insurance coverage for domestic partners was discussed. It was tabled. 

New business

  • The emergency management team went to a free two day long training. They stayed at the resort the training occurred at and are asking for reimbursement for the costs. There is enough in the training line budget, but the Town has not reimbursed this sort of expense recently (nor had there been a request to reimburse this sort of expense). The Selectboard is being asked if it should be reimbursed. 

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously when into executive session for personnel matters under 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1)(B). On coming out of executive session no actions were taken. 

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

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at about 7:00pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Selectboard Minutes – September 3, 2019

 News
Sep 092019
 

Approved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard Meeting

September 3, 2019

Present:

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair                     Thomas Cooch, Conservation Commission Chair

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member                                                               Brian Jones, resident

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member                                                              Janice Thresher, resident

                                                                                                                          Julia Haupt, resident

                                                                                                          Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

                                                                                                Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

                                                                                                              Jessie Brassard, Town Clerk

Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

Review of agenda: the Board added a utility permit for ECFiber to install cable in an underground crossing on Brainstorm Road for the Kennedy’s property. Moving the meetings in October was also added to the agenda.

Citizen’s comments – none

Guests

  • Mr. Cooch provided the semi-annual report of the Conservation Commission. The commission has had two main focuses in the last six months. Which were combating Poison Parsnip on Route 12, in conjunction with the Randolph and Brookfield Conservation Commissions, and maintaining and improving of the Thayer Brook Natural Area. They have also published a couple newsletter, reviewed the results of the road side spraying, and talked with the Planning Commission some about a wildlife corridor they are considering.

Reports

  • Mr. Masterson indicated that the Highway Department has been doing general maintenance and ditching. The paving projects are almost done.  
  • The Board reviewed the one bid which came in for the excavator work for the Bent Hill Road project. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved J.L. Smith’s bid of $12,950.

Old business

  • The Board considered a contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Two questions had been looked into. The first one was, does the town gets the fines from speeding tickets on 12A or 12? The answer was no, the Town only gets the proceeds from tickets on Town roads. The seconded questions was, is it possible to get reports about the services provided to Braintree. The answer was yes, reports are automatically provide. Mr. Bent asked if our speed limit sign are currently adequate for enforcement. This will be looked into.
  • Dog Ordinance – was tabled.
  • Extended warranty for the Mack – was tabled.
  • Update on the tractor auction: Mr. Burson has learned that the tractor cannot be withdraw from the auction (as they were originally told), but that a counter offer to the highest bid can be submitted. The tractor’s bid came in at $14,400. The letter from residents, indicating that they think the tractor should not be sold, was reviewed as a part of the conversation. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board agreed to a counter officer of $25,000. The tractor will be talked about again at the next meeting.

New business 

  • The Board reviewed and signed the fire service contract.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the utility permit access for ECFiber’s cable to cross Brainstorm Road underground.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved moving their Oct. 1st meeting to Oct. 8th, and their Oct. 15th meeting to Oct. 22nd.

On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved payment orders.

On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, unanimously approved adjourning the meeting. Adjournment was at 6:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Update on Progress of Braintree Town-Wide Reappraisal

 Listers News
Sep 032019
 

BRAINTREE, VERMONT, September 3, 2019 – With the town-wide reappraisal of all property well underway, the Braintree Board of Listers reminds residents and property owners that much work remains. The professional appraisers from the Vermont Appraisal Company have already visited over 100 properties on the northeastern part of Braintree and are continuing to work their way westward. The Board of Listers has been mailing appointment notice cards to property owners 10 – 14 days ahead of the appraisers’ visit, allowing time to reschedule visits when necessary. Property owners in the Braintree Hill/Bent Hill/Thresher Road areas of town should be receiving appointment notices in the next several weeks.

The first phase of the reappraisal involves visiting and assessing “developed” properties only. This excludes properties that contain only land with no dwellings, camps or outbuildings. The typical visit takes 30 – 45 minutes and, with the owner’s permission, involves taking exterior measurements and photographs of all buildings on the property. In addition, and again with the owner’s permission, an assessment of the interior of the dwelling is made. Property owners are reminded that in order to make the most accurate and complete assessment of their property, the ability to appraise a dwelling’s interior is crucial.

The town-wide reappraisal is a year-long process concluding in the summer of 2020 with the completion of the 2020 Grand List on which next year’s taxes will be assessed. Property owners will receive written notice in the spring of 2020 indicating any changes in the assessed value of their property. This notice will also include instructions for how to contest (or “grieve”) any change in assessment.

For more information please contact the Braintree Board of Listers at 802-728-9787 extension 5 or via email at braintreelisters@gmail.com

Selectboard Minutes – August 20, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Aug 232019
 

Approved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard Meeting

August 20, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Present:

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member                                               Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member                               Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member

Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order.

The Board reviewed the agenda adding the minutes from August 16, to the agenda.

On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously approved both sets of minutes of August 6, 2019, and the set of minutes from August 16, 2019.

Citizen’s comments – none.

Reports

  • Highway report:
    • Mr. Masterson asked the Board if they would approve sole sourcing excavator work for the Bent Hill Road Grant-in-aid project to J.L. Smith. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board voted on whether or not to sole source the excavator work for the Bent Hill Road Grant-in-aid work to J.L. Smith (Ms. O’Toole, Mr. Haupt, and Mr. McMeekin voted against the motion, Mr. Burson, and Mr. Bent voted in favor of the motion; the motion was NOT approved). After more discussion, and in light of the time constraints in which the project can be completed, the board asked Mr. Masterson to contact a number of contractors directly to bid on the project. These bids will be reviewed at the next meeting.
    • The status of Sault road work was discussed. The resident of Sault Rd. that had asked for permission to do maintenance to the road per the Town’s Class 4 Road and Trail Policy appears to have completed the work without permission of the town. Mr. Masterson will take a look at the condition of the road and the work that was done and report back to the board. The gravel pit was discussed. No decisions were made for either topic.
    • The trees which are in the right of way of Meadow Lane were discussed. As they get bigger they are encroaching on the traveled portion of the road. A letter will be sent to the property owners letting them know that the highway department will be trimming them per the town’s authority to conduct this type of work in the ROW.
  • The status of the extended warranty for the loader was discussed.
  • The truck and tractor auction results were summarized. At the special meeting on Aug. 16th the Board agreed to accept the bid for the truck which was $10,700. The tractor will be put back on the auction site, and added to another one as well.

Old business

  • The Board discussed a possible contract with Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Ms. O’Toole will look into the Board’s questions about ticket revenue and data reporting.
  • New business 
    • The Board reviewed a draft Dog Ordinance. Mr. McMeekin will review the current ordinance and make a recommendation on how to proceed.
    • The Board asked Ms. Jarvis to look into adding employee health insurance coverage for domestic partnerships, and what it entails.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Selectboard Minutes – August 16, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Aug 192019
 

Approved Minutes

Braintree Selectboard – Special meeting

Aug. 16, 2019

Present:

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member                                                        Stuart Kinney, Resident

Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member                                       Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member                                    Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member

Mr. Burson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

On motion of Mr. McMeekin, seconded Mr. Burson, the Board agreed to accept the bid on the truck for $10,700 and not accept the bid on the tractor which was for $14,400. The tractor will be discussed at the meeting on Tuesday.

On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

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