The Vermont Green-Up Day is this Saturday, May 30, 2020.
A supply of Green-up Bags can be found at these locations:
Braintree Town Office
Braintree Town Hall
Braintree Elementary School
Snowsville General Store
Thank you for your help in keeping Braintree and Vermont Green!
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Town buildings will be closed to the public until June 15th or until further notice. Town staff will continue to be available on limited hours, to assist residents by phone, e-mail, U.S. Postal Service, and by appointment with preventive protocols in place. Meetings of all boards are to either be cancelled until further notice or be held by phone conferencing in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, as close as possible.
WHAT IF I NEED SOMETHING?
Town Clerk/Treasurer/Delinquent Tax Collector – 802-728-9787 x3
Administrative Assistant – 802-728-9787 x6
Listers – 802-728-9787 x5
Road Foreman – 802-728-9787 x4
For more information:
Approved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
“In accordance with the recent amendments to Vermont’s open meeting law, and in light of the ongoing public health crisis, this meeting was held via conference call. You can access the meeting at the scheduled time by calling 802-210-4472.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member Robert Moyer, Development Review Board Chair
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Timothy Caulfield, Emergency Management Director
Kris Haupt – Cemetery Commission Chairperson Adam Wiggett, Local Business Owner
Present at Town Office:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson Jessica Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Jeff Masterson, Highway Foreman
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order at 6pm. A roll call was done to confirm what Selectboard members and citizens were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board Reviewed the agenda with Ms. O’Toole adding an Executive Session for a potential legal matter.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on May 5, 2020.
Citizen’s comments are limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum – No citizens attended.
Mr. Masterson stated that several local people have expressed interest in purchasing the 2009 International Truck. A brief discussion ensued on what the value is and what price the Town of Braintree should ask for the truck without the plow and wing. A decision was made to accept the highest offer.
Mr. Timothy Caulfield reported that RAMAN, along with its original duty of providing assistance to businesses and citizens, is now working on a campaign prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Braintree, Brookfield and Randolph area by testing and contact follow-up and to continue having citizens remain focused on handwashing, wearing masks and social distancing. RAMAN is working with Gifford so any citizen who wants testing can now be tested at Gifford or their Primary Care Physician. RAMAN is also setting up routine testing of owners/employees at area businesses that are open so that said employees do not spread COVID-19. Mr. McMeekin asked Mr. Caulfield if the general population should be getting this test and Mr. Caulfield stated that in order to get tested a person must still go through their Primary Care Physician. Those that should definitely get tested are people who are ill and believe they may have COVID-19 or if a person believes an exposure with an infected person may have occurred and believe they may be asymptomatic or a carrier.
Office Closure To Public – The Emergency Order has been extended to June 15th and has been modified from Stay Home Stay Safe to Be Smart Be Safe as the State of Vermont slowly opens back up. The Town Office will continue to be open by appointment only until June 15th or until the restructuring of the office for COVID-19 safety is completed.
Restructuring the Office for Safety – Mr. McMeekin stated that what is mandatory is moving the counter back 6 inches and have the Clear Breath Guard along the whole counter. Ms. Brassard indicated that although this isn’t really COVID-19 related a two level “Dutch Farmhouse” door should be placed at the end of the counter leading into the vault and her area; in the past a swinging gate was used. A Scope of Work will be created for the necessary required work for potential need to go out to bid. A remodel of the bathroom and closet was discussed by the Selectboard and Ms. Brassard; as these are discretionary items a separate Scope of Work may be mandatory.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the renewal of Gillespie Fuels & Propane, Inc. Price Protection Plan Option 2 for all four fuel Accounts.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Eastman as Alternate ECFiber Delegate.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously adopted the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2020.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously voted to enter into an Executive Session at 7:14 P.M. for a legal matter.
At 7:25 P.M. The Selectboard came out of the Executive Session with no decision made.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Unapproved Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
“In accordance with the recent amendments to Vermont’s open meeting law, and in light of the ongoing public health crisis, this meeting was held via conference call. You can access the meeting at the scheduled time by calling 802-210-4472.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member Tim Caulfield, Emergency Management Director
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member Joan Richmond-Hall, Planning Commission Co-Chair
Gary Blatz, Braintree Citizen
Present at Town Office:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson Jessica Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Jeff Masterson, Highway Foreman
Janice R. Russell, Administrative Assistant Paul Rea, Citizen
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order by phone at 6pm. A roll call was done to confirm what Selectboard members and citizens were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board Reviewed the agenda with no changes made.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on April 21, 2020.
Citizen’s comments are limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum – No citizens attended.
Mr. Haupt has had contact from a resident on Riford Brook and Thayer Brook Roads who was concerned that only parts of the roads had been graded Mr. Masterson stated it was due to the weather.
Several Riford Brook Road residents also felt that the Beavers located at the Pond on their road should be left alone because lack of food for the beavers will make them leave and the road has never flooded. Mr. Masterson goes to that specified location every day or every other day to clean out the debris from the culvert so the road does not flood. It has been close to flooding a couple of times before it was cleaned out.
A discussion ensued between Mr. Masterson, Ms. Brassard, Mr. Caulfield and the Selectboard members regarding the 2020 Green–up Day, which has been moved to May 30th. It was decided that the Town will get a dumpster as usual and will keep the price of tires the same as last year at $3.00 per tire. The tires do need to be rimless.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Blatz as Zoning Administrator.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved Mr. Rea’s application for zoning and issued him a permit. Mylar will be submitted and signed by the appropriate town officials.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously voted to enter into an Executive Session at 7:05 P.M. for a personnel matter.
At 7:19 P.M. The Selectboard came out of the Executive Session with no decision made.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Bent the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Braintree, VT Conservation Commission
Minutes, 04/22/2020
Present: (by teleconference)
Gina Logan, Linda Morse, Paul Shriver, Sandy Stephen, Joan Richmond-Hall
Agenda:
Discussion: sponsor/ hold a presentation on pollinators. Linda will look through her notes from a presentation she attended previously. Sandy wondered about the “bee folks” in
Brookfield; he will look into his contacts. Linda will look into Brian Lowe from Randolph, who works with birds (banding kestrels, etc.).
Minutes respectfully submitted by Gina Logan
Please see the attached link for further information on the STUMP DUMP!
Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
“In accordance with the recent amendments to Vermont’s open meeting law, and in light of the ongoing public health crisis, this meeting was held via conference call. The public could have accessed the meeting at the scheduled time by calling 802-210-4472.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson Tim Caulfield, Emergency Management Director
Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member
Present at Town Office:
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Jessica Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Janice R. Russell, Administrative Assistant Jeff Masterson, Highway Foreman
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order by phone at 6pm. A roll call was done to confirm what Selectboard members and citizens were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board Reviewed the agenda with Ms. O’Toole requesting the Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) be added under New Business and Ms. Russell and Mr. Masterson requested the Municipal Highway Grant Application be removed from New Business.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on April 7, 2020.
Citizen’s comments are limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum – No citizens attended.
Reports
There is an ongoing issue with a beaver dam on Riford Brook Road that requires a culvert to be cleaned out every two days or so to prevent flooding of the road. A discussion followed on the best option to legally remove the beavers and, although there was no decision on how to remove the beavers the Selectboard provided permission to Mr. Masterson to use his judgement and proceed with the removal.
Old business
Ms. O’Toole suggested that as the Stay At Home Order is still in effect until May 15th that the Town Office should remain closed and the Selectboard will re-evaluate the closure at each consecutive Selectboard meeting until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The other Selectboard members agreed that it made sense to continue with the closure. Ms. Russell will update the Town website, Front Porch Forum and Facebook with the new information.
New business
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeeken the Board unanimously approved the Delegation of Authority to the Emergency Management Director, Timothy Caulfield.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin the Board unanimously approved with Ms. O’Toole abstaining, the Delegation of Authority to the Deputy Emergency Management Director, Derek O’Toole.
On motion of Mr. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously approved the Local Emergency Management Plan dated April 21, 2020.
Payment orders – Mr. Bent, as the only Selectboard attending the meeting at the Town Office, checked and signed the payment orders.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Burson, the Board unanimously adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
Minutes
Braintree Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
“In accordance with the recent amendments to Vermont’s open meeting law, and in light of the ongoing public health crisis, this meeting was be held via conference call. The public could have accessed the meeting at the scheduled time by calling 802-210-4472.”
Present via Remote Conference Calling:
Megan O’Toole, Selectboard Chairperson
Charles McMeekin, Selectboard Member
Daniel Burson, Selectboard Member
Keegan Haupt, Selectboard Member
Present at Town Office:
Loren Bent, Selectboard Member Jessica Brassard, Town Clerk/Treasurer
Janice R. Russell, Administrative Assistant Jeff Masterson, HighwayForeman
Ms. O’Toole called the meeting to order by phone at 6pm. A roll call was done to confirm what Selectboard members and citizens were in attendance via teleconferencing.
The Board Reviewed the agenda with Ms.’ O’Toole and Brassard stated that new information would be mentioned under the COVID-19 section of Old Business as the situation and regulations are constantly evolving.
On motion of Mr. Haupt, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Regular Selectboard Meeting on March 17, 2020.
On motion of Ms. O’Toole, seconded by Mr. McMeekin, the Board unanimously approved the minutes from the Emergency Selectboard Meeting on March 18, 2020.
Citizen’s comments are limited to 3 minutes per person with a 15 minute maximum – No citizens attended.
Reports
* Highway Report – The Selectboard reviewed the report submitted by Mr. Masterson. Ms. O’Toole requested information on the Peth Road tree cutting plans and was informed that it is between Mud Pond and Walker Roads for ditch work and is a grant funded project, although the town has not yet received said grant.
Upon a question presented by Ms. O’Toole regarding sand stockpile and a need for a new sandpit in the near future; she wanted a definition of near future. Mr. Masterson stated that on best case scenario the current sand pit will suffice for 3 or 4 years and worst case is 1 or 2 years. Until further digging is completed there is no way of knowing which scenario will pan out.
Old business
* Hiring of a Zoning Administrator- Mr. McMeekin will continue his efforts to contact potential candidates. Currently all Zoning questions are being forwarded to Joan Richmond-Hall, chairperson of the Braintree Planning Commission.
* COVID-19 Follow-up – Office Closure To Public & Remote Working – Upon request from the Selectboard Ms.’ Brassard and Russell described how effective the Office Closure and Remote Working is functioning and when each employee is at the office.
Ms. O’Toole suggested that the Town Office should remain closed until April 21st and the Selectboard will re-evaluate the closure then and at each consecutive Selectboard meeting until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The other selectboard members agreed that it made sense to continue with the closure. Ms. Russell will update the Town website, Front Porch Forum and Facebook with the new April 21st date.
Timothy Caulfield, the Emergency Management Director, has created a new Town Office outgoing message that states that if you need any non-emergency assistant related to the COVID-19 Health Crisis that there are resources on the Braintree Website right on the Home Page with a link to the Emergency Management Page that leads to the Randolph Area Mutual Aid Network (RAMAN) information. The new outgoing message also provides Tim’s contact information.
Ms. Russell initiated a discussion regarding the new forum, much like Zoom that Vermont Computing created for the greater Randolph area to use for video and telephone meetings. At this time, the Selectboard decided this forum is not necessary to use at this time but are glad the option is there for use at a later date.
New business
* Dog License Late Fee Waiver – Ms. Brassard that because of Vermont State Statute the Dog License Fee date of April 1st can not be changed but late fees can be waived. Due to the COVID-19 Rabies Clinics have been pushed out or canceled altogether and people are scrabbling to get the required Rabies Certificate. Other towns are pushing the late fees out to April 30th to the end of May. The Town of Braintree collected less then $100 from late fees last year and wonders if we should push it out or waive all late fees for Dog Licenses this year.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Ms. O’Toole, the Board unanimously approved the waiver of Dog License Late Fees for this year.
* Certificate of Highway Mileage – The Selectboard reviewed the Highway Mileage, which has not changed since last year.
On motion of Mr. Burson, seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board unanimously approved the Certificate of Highway Mileage.
* Request for Public Assistance (RPA) from FEMA to Recoup Any Losses During COVID-19 Crisis – A discussion ensued and no Selectboard Member felt that the Town had anything to recoup at this time. The Town has not experienced any financial burden.
* Current town wide reappraisal and issues surrounding the extension of the deadline for the grand list. – The State of Vermont has extended the filing of the Grand List but the requirement of a 30 day period of when the tax bills are sent out and when said tax bills are due is still in place. Ms. O’Toole read the information provided by Ms. Brassard and Jackson Evans, Town Lister, and the Town is in a unique position because the Town Wide Appraisal is almost completed. Mr. Evans, in his information, explained his concern is regarding grievances of an appraisal and due to COVID-19 would not be able to convene the Board of Listers to hear these grievances. A discussion to push back the date of reappraisal notifications until later in the summer occurred and the selectboard discussed that the bills could be sent out on October 1st with a due date of October 31st.
Ms. Brassard spoke about the lack of Disaster Recovery Backup of the KAMA system, which is where all the appraisers support and work comes from. To purchase the Disaster Recovery Backup for KAMA would be $500.00. To prevent the possible lose all the work of the appraisers the Selectboard approved Ms. Brassard using the IT Support and Software and Office Supply lines there is money available to purchase the Disaster Recovery Backup software.
.
* Kari’s Law and Upgrade to the Phone System – Ms. Brassard informed the Selectboard Members that Key Communications notified her that as of February 16, 2020 that all public building required to have a phone system that allows direct dial to 911 without having to enter a code. The cost to the Town of Baintree would be a one time fee of no more then $100 for the update. Ms. Brassard was given permission to have the upgrade to the telephone system completed.
Payment orders – Mr. Bent, as the only Selectboard attending the meeting at the Town Office, checked and signed the payment orders. Mr. Burson arrive at the Town Office on Wednesday morning for a second signature.
On motion of Mr. Bent, seconded by Mr. Haupt, the Board unanimously approved the payment orders.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Town buildings will be closed to the public until May 19th or until further notice. Town staff will continue to be available on limited hours, to assist residents by phone, e-mail, U.S. Postal Service, and by appointment with preventive protocols in place. Meetings of all boards are to either be cancelled until further notice or be held by phone conferencing in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, as close as possible.
WHAT IF I NEED SOMETHING?
Town Clerk/Treasurer/Delinquent Tax Collector – 802-728-9787 x3
Administrative Assistant – 802-728-9787 x6
Listers – 802-728-9787 x5
Road Foreman – 802-728-9787 x4
For more information:
Braintree Planning Commission Meeting of 25 March 2020
Attending: Jenn Phipps, Paul Kendall, Jackson Evans, Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Joan Richmond-Hall
Convened at 7:02 pm by phone conference in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
Malcolm felt that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed in the Town Plan but were missing in this draft.
> Joan will ask TRORC what they are planning to do about upcoming stormwater rules.
Jackson likes the new, concise format. He’ll send granular edits to Paul K.
> Joan will do a bit more research here and check sources.
> Jackson will do a bit of research on the current child-care situation and will check in with employers.
Jen:
Joan:
In the interests of time Joan will send her comments to Paul. They are largely in agreement with others comments.
Next meeting will focus on policies and actions.
Adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Tentative schedule for next meeting: Thursday 16 April by phone conference
/s/ Joan Richmond-Hall