Holly Jarvis

Selectboard Minutes – August 20, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Aug 232019
 

Unapproved 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 werediscussed. 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 – special meeting – Aug. 6, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Aug 112019
 

Present:

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Annette Young, resident

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Brian Jones, resident

Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member David Dube, resident

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Marlys Eddy, resident

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Paul Kendall, resident

Jackson Evans, ECFiber representative Janice Thresher, resident

Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner Arthur Hamlin, resident

Todd Bent, resident Darcy Hamlin, resident

Shannon Bent, resident Jason Vinton, resident

Preston Allen, resident Thomas Jacobs, resident

Danielle Allen, resident Pam White, resident

Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm indicating that the Board is considering contracting with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement in Braintree. Everyone in attendance was given an opportunity to share their thoughts. Throughout the meeting it was explained that a typical contract with a rural town is for 5-6 hours per week at $47 dollars per hour with a total of about $12,000 annually. Some of those costs can be recouped through speeding tickets. There is currently money in the budget because the fire service Contact was able to be negotiated to a more traditional number from what was initially requested and included in the budget. It was noted that this contract could go to the end of the fiscal year and be evaluated at town meeting and determine then if there is interest in continuing the contract. The initial interest in a contract such as this was due to concerns regarding speeding from a few residents.

A number of suggestions were made.  One being that reports should be provided indicating how hours were used. Another was that times and locations of patrol should change and not be predictable. There was a question as to if funds from speeding tickets on route 12 or 12A would come to the Town or if they go to the State. This will be checked into, it was initially thought that they do go to the Town, but maybe not. 

Some in attendance seemed to think that such a contract was a good idea, some did not; those who did not think so, did not want taxes to go up. 

On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:35 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Selectboard Minutes – Aug. 6, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Aug 112019
 


Present:

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair Paul Kendall, regarding ECFiber

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Jackson Evans, ECFiber

Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member David Dube, Resident

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Kolby Haupt, Re: Tannenburg Bridge

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member Steve Wolf, from Contech Engineered Solutions

Janice Thresher, Resident

Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order.

Review of agenda: agreement regarding the subdivision can be removed. 

On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of July 16, 2019. 

Citizen’s comments 

  • Ms. Thresher mentioned that there is only one “no atv sign” on Woodchuck Hollow Road.  It seems there should be one from both directions on Woodchuck Hollow Road. 

Guests

  • Jackson Evans’ semi-annual report as the ECFiber Representative. Progress of building out the town continues. Tree cutting on Riford Brook Road is finished. Mr. Evans believes it is the last section which needs hanging. They have started connecting people on routes that are lit up. The origination is moving into a phase where they are now managing an existing fairly large network. 
  • Kolby Haupt, of Hilltop Construction, and Steve Wolf from Contech Engineered Solutions talked with the Board about the Tannenburg bridge project. The new proposal is a multi-plate structure, versus a wood planked bridge. Hilltop Construction will not be able to do the project for the originally proposed $170,000 but could do it for $190,000 which is still less than all the other bids. The plan and the timing was discussed. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board approved changing the contract amount to $190,000, and the contract term to end Oct. 31, 2019 (Mr. Keegan Haupt abstained from the vote, the other four board members voted in favor).

Highway Reports

  • The sand for this coming year has been put up. Another 2,000 yards of sand is being stored at the pit this winter for next year. That will be the last material coming out of that pit. It will now be closed. 
  • Mr. Masterson is looking into a site which could provide the remainder of the sand for one year. It will create a floodplain along a brook. ANR is in favor of the project. 
  • Three FEMA mitigation projects were briefly explained. 

Old business

  • The Board discussed a contract with Orange County Sheriff’s Department. They talked about what questions they want answered. 
  • The Board reviewed the status of the sale of tractor and truck. 
  • New business
    • The Board reviewed a newer draft of a Dog Ordinance. The dog bite that occurred at Abel Mountain Campground was discussed. The property owner also owed the dog, so the town’s dog ordinance does not have jurisdiction. The new draft will be on the next meeting. 

On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting around 7:30 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Planning Commission Minutes – Aug. 8 2019

 Planning Commission Minutes
Aug 092019
 

Attending:      

Jenn Phipps, Paul Kendall, Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Jackson Evans, Joan Richmond-Hall

Convened: 7:10 pm

The committee reviewed final changes to the land use chapter and is on agreement on most issues.

Next steps:

(1) Malcolm will draft a paragraph about side-plain flooding that may clarify this section and send it to members.

(2) Joan will send our final draft of the Land Use chapter to Tori at TRORC for critical review of content and language. Our major concerns: have we included all necessary elements; does our language comply with State statute and TRORC’s regional plan.

(3) Joan will compile all Town Plan chapters reviewed and revised to date and will send this draft to committee members for a reading. Task: read the whole with fresh eyes following our conceptual changes to the Land Use chapter. Look for conflicts, contradictions and repetitions and ask whether each chapter reflects the vision of the town’s future that we’ve focused on in the last few months.

Adjourned at 8:30 pm

Next meeting: 12 September 2019, 7 pm at the Town Offices

/s/ Joan Richmond-Hall

ATV Ordinance

 News
Jul 252019
 

TOWN OF BRAINTREE

ORDINANCE REGULATING

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE SPORTSMAN USE ON TOWN HIGHWAYS

SECTION I. AUTHORITY. Under authority granted in 24 V.S.A. Chapter 59, 24 V.S.A. § 2291(4), and 23 V.S.A. § 3510, the Selectboard of the Town of Braintree hereby adopts the following civil ordinance regulating the time, manner, and location of operation of all-terrain vehicles on Town highways.

SECTION II. PURPOSE. The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health and safety of operators of all-terrain vehicles and of the residents of the Town and to protect the animals, property and environment of the Town.

SECTION III. DEFINITIONS.

A. “All-terrain vehicle” or “ATV” means any non-highway recreational vehicle, except snowmobiles, having no less than three low pressure tires (10 pounds per square inch, or less), not wider than 64 inches, and having a dry weight of less than 1,700 pounds, when used for cross-country travel on trails or on any one of the following or a combination thereof: land, water, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, and natural terrain. An ATV on a public highway shall be considered a motor vehicle, as defined in section 4 of this title, only for the purposes of those offenses listed in subdivisions 2502(a)(1)(H), (N), (R), (U), (Y), (FF), (GG), (II), and (ZZ); (2)(A) and (B); (3)(A), (B), (C), and (D); (4)(A), and (B) and (5) of this title and as provided in section 1201 of this title. An ATV shall not include an electric personal assistive mobility device.

B. “Operate” shall include any attempt to operate and shall be construed to cover all matters and things connected with the presence and use of all-terrain vehicles whether they are in motion or at rest.

C. “VASA” means the Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association

SECTION IV. OPERATION OF ATVs.

A. All ATVs must be registered and operated according to the requirements of 23 V.S.A. Chapter 31.

B. A valid VASA registration decal must be affixed to the ATV.

C. All ATVs operating on Town highways must have liability insurance in accordance with 23 V.S.A. Chapter 11.

D. All-terrain vehicles may be operated only on the following town highways:

1.) Bover Road (Class 4) in its entirety, maintained in winter for snowmobile use. 2.50 miles

2.) Connecticut Corners Road from Bover Road to Thresher Road. 0.74 miles

3.) Old Home Hill Road (Class 4) in its entirety, privately plowed in winter. 0.06 miles

4.) Thresher Road from Connecticut Corners Road to 12a. 1.91 miles

5.) Lemery Road from #522 to North end of road. 1.48 miles

E. All-terrain vehicles shall not be operated on public bike paths or hiking trails or on V.A.S.T. snowmobile trails unless the property owner has signed a VASA Landowner Permission form.

F. All speed limits and traffic control devices apply to the operation of ATVs on Town Highways unless otherwise posted.

G. ATVs may not be operated on Town Highways between 8 P.M. and 8 A.M.

H. ATVs may not be operated on Town Highways between November 1st and April 15th and anytime that the Town Highways are not properly posted in accordance with Subsection (I) of this Section.

I. All town highways that are open to ATVs must be so posted. These signs shall be approved by the Braintree Selectboard. Speed limit signs and stop signs shall be posted at any location where the trail enters the Town Highway. The expense of these signs and erecting, posting and maintaining of the signs shall be the responsibility of the Lost Nation ATV Club, Inc.

J. All ATV’s operating on town highways must not have a modified exhaust.

SECTION V. PENALTIES.

The Municipal Authority shall have the authority to levy and collect a Waiver Fee in lieu of a civil penalty from any person who declines to contest a municipal complaint and pay the Waiver Fee.

First offense ………………………………………$150.00, waiver fee $75.00

Second offense …………………………………..$250.00, waiver fee $125.00

Third offense……………………………………..$500.00, waiver fee $250.00

A fourth offense will result in the immediate revocation of membership to the Lost Nation ATV Club, Inc. Offenses will accumulate in perpetuity, therefore offense count will not reset at the start of the new season.

SECTION VI. ENFORCEMENT. Designated enforcement officers will act in accordance with 23 V.S.A. Chapter 31 and 24 V.S.A. Chapter 59. Enforcement officers shall issue complaints and may be the appearing officer at a hearing to adjudicate a violation. The Lost Nation ATV Club, and the Town of Braintree both reserve the right to designate, appoint, and/or employ enforcement officers at their discretion.

SECTION VII. SEVERABILITY. If any section of this ordinance is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not invalidate any other part of this ordinance.

SECTION VIII. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective 60 days after its adoption by the Braintree Selectboard and shall supersede and replace all previous ordinances regulating the time, manner, and location of operation of all terrain vehicles. If a petition is filed under 24 V.S.A. Section 1973, that statute shall govern the effective date of this ordinance. This ordinance shall remain in effect until one year from its effective date, at which time the Braintree Selectboard may vote to reinstate the ordinance with any modifications or adjustments that may be appropriate or necessary.

SIGNATURES:

/s/            

Megan O’Toole                                               DATE: July 16, 2019

/s/

 Loren Bent

/s/

Charlie McMeekin

/s/

 Keegan Haupt

/s/

Daniel Burson

Conservation Commission Minutes – July 24, 2019

 Conservation Commission Minutes
Jul 252019
 

Braintree Conservation Commission

Attending:       Joan Richmond-Hall, Tom Cooch, Linda Morse, Paul Shriver

Convened at 7:03 pm

  • Approval of June minutes postponed until next month.
  • 2018 knotweed spraying inspection tour with Gerald Kinney: this Friday 26 July 2019 beginning at 8 am at the town offices.
  • Poison parsnip progress: Tom has been back and pulled ‘remainers’ and has continued up to Hebard Hill Rd.
  • Another work day at Thayer Brook on 24 August 2019 (see below).
  • Tom will contact TRORC about rescheduling as they didn’t show up for the meeting.

Adjourned at 7:38 pm.

Next meeting: Saturday 24 August 2019 at 9 am at Thayer Brook Rd

/s/ Joan Richmond-Hall

Selectboard Minutes – July 16, 2019

 Selectboard Minutes
Jul 192019
 

Present:

Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chair                                                          Tessa Partlow, ATV club

Charlie McMeekin, Selectboard Member                                                 Jacob Partlow, ATV club

Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member                                                Joan Richmond-Hall, PC chair

Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member                                                             Rich Arms, ATV club

Loren Bent, Selectboard Member                                     Tim Caulfield, Emergency Management

                                                                                                                      Lou Helmith, Resident 

                                                                                                          Holly Jarvis, Admin. Assistant

                                                                                              Jessie Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer

                                                                                                Jeff Masterson, Road Commissioner

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

The Board reviewed the agenda, tabling the Tannenburg Bridge Contract because Mr. Kolbey Haupt will not be able to attend the meeting.

On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of July 2, 2019.

Citizen’s comments – none.

Guests

  • The ATV ordinance was reviewed. On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin the Board unanimously approved the ordinance with no changes from last year. It is attached to these minutes [here]. It was noted that the ordinance as written, cannot take effect for 60 days. The Board looked into this and it is a requirement of statute. Last year’s ordinance expired on April 3, 2019, so no AVT ordinance will be in effect this summer. It was suggested that next year the ATV ordinance be reviewed in March to make it possible for the updated ordinance to take effect before the riding season.
  • The Tannenburg bridge contract was tabled until the next meeting.
  • Mr. Caulfield provided the Emergency Management’s semi-annual report. He explained a number of the things the committee has worked on in the last six months and indicated that the group has “reached maturity and is in the solidification and maintenance mode.”
  • Ms. Richmond-Hall provided the Planning Commission’s semi-annual report. She talked about the review of the Town Plan, and how they are doing a large update.

Reports

  • Quarterly financial reports were tabled. A few more bills have come in for last year, so there are some numbers to move around. So far the numbers look good.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved setting the residential tax rate at 2.5104 and the non-residential tax rate at 2.5330.
  • Fuel assistance fund- tabled.
  • The Board discussed a possible contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The amount agreed to pay the Randolph Fire Department this fiscal year is lower than what was budgeted, so there is space in the budget to cover some law enforcement services. On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board voted unanimously to call a special meeting on Aug. 6th, at 6pm to hear public comments regarding Braintree entering a contract with the Sheriff’s Department.  The Board’s normal meeting will follow the special meeting.

Highway report

  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the new Road and Bridge Standards were unanimously approved with the selection as discussed and indicated in the standards.
  • On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the utility road crossing permit for the Stephen’s on Brainstorm Road as requested with the stipulations that it be “buried as instruction dictates [on the permit] and they need a Braintree Highway or Selectperson on site before utility is buried”.

Old business

  • Options for selling tractor and truck-no new information.

New business

  • On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved locking into the fixed pre-buy plan that Gillespie’s is offering for propane with all three of the Town’s propane accounts with them (the office, garage, and generator at the town hall).

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

On motion Mr. Bent, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Holly Jarvis

Cemetery Commission Minutes – July 10, 2019

 Cemetery Commission Minutes
Jul 152019
 

Braintree Cemetery Commission

Minutes of meeting unapproved

Attendees: Kris Haupt, Ed Smith, Chris Blanchard, Mike Gaidys

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 on July 10th

1. Minutes from  June 5th, 2019 meeting. Approval of minutes was moved by Ed, seconded by Mike and with no objections.

2. Signs for cemetery regulations. 8 metal signs and 8 metal posts will be ordered, not to exceed $500.  Two signs will be posted at each cemetery. 

3. Kris will contact Jason Handiworks to get a quote from him for mowing services and report back at the next meeting on August 7th. 

4.  New Business

   a. Kris repaired the flagpole at Braintree Meetinghouse.

5. Michael will be taking Linda’s place keeping watch of the Braintree Hill Cemetery.

6. Chris Blanchard shared concerns about Traffic through the East Braintree cemetery to go to a neighboring junkyard. He also noticed that the wooden fence needs repair and a leaning gravestone 

needs to be uprighted. This work will be done June 14th at 9:00 by all four members.

7. Kris Haupt mentioned that there is a parcel of land at Mountain View Cemetery that needs mowing.

8. At 7:21 Kris moved adjournment and Ed seconded it.

Submitted by Michael Gaidys

Next Cemetery Commission meeting will be August 7th at 7:00

Braintree Town-Wide Reappraisal Begins July 25

 Listers News, News
Jul 152019
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Town of Braintree

Board of Listers

932 Vermont Route 12A

Braintree, Vermont 05060

Braintree Town-Wide Reappraisal Begins July 25

BRAINTREE, VERMONT, JULY 15, 2019 — After several years of planning, the Town of Braintree will begin a town wide reappraisal of all property beginning on July 25th. With the assessment of many properties in town being ten years old, a new assessment will bring values in line with present day market trends.

Following a competitive, state-wide bidding period, the Braintree Selectboard chose the Vermont Appraisal Company to carry out the groundwork of visiting, measuring and assessing the value of the nearly 700 taxable parcels within the town boundaries. The Vermont Appraisal Company has been carrying out these types of mass appraisals for decades in the state and their experienced assessors have been proven to be knowledgeable, efficient and accurate in their efforts.

The assessment work will involve a scheduled visit to the property where assessors will take exterior measurements, photographs and view the building’s exterior and interior in order to come up with an updated assessment. Postcards will be mailed to all property owners indicating the time set for their visit along with instructions for rescheduling the visit if the time indicated is not convenient. The assessors hope to inspect the interiors of as many properties as possible. The work will continue throughout the summer and into the fall until all properties have been assessed.

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

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