11.13.24 Selectboard Minutes

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GUILFORD SELECTBOARD MEETING

Wednesday, November 13 2024, 6:30 p.m., 236 School Road, Guilford, VT

SELECTBOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Zon Eastes, Chip Carter, Tara Cheney, Verandah Porche (via zoom), Michael Becker (via zoom) 

PRESENT IN PERSON:  Steve Lembke, Dolores Clark

PRESENT VIA ZOOM: Don McLean, Tammy Sargent, Cindy Clark, Pat Haine, Debra McLaughlin, Sheila Adams, Barry Aleshnick, Lesley Malouin, Laurie Carter, Elliott Mitchell, Andy and Elise Burrows

Minutes

  1. Call to Order at 6:31 pm
  1. Rules of Procedure read by Chip
  1. Changes to Agenda Order (none)
  1. Public Comment, Announcements
    Dolores Clark: Selectboard Appointment – thinks the appointment gives a leg up if that person runs for election. Suggests leave Selectboard at four until Town Meeting election. Algiers Road Safety Audit from 2019 – Wondering why we’re paying for another one, since nothing was done. Erika will email with an answer. 
  1. Approval of Minutes
    1. Minutes of the regular meeting of 10.28.24
      MOTION:  Chip moved to approve the minutes and Verandah seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.
  1. Finance  ACTION: MOTION (5 minutes)
  2. Warrants    
Payroll – WE 11.03.24$8,877.97
Payroll – WE 11.10.24$9,061.40
Expense Warrant #2509$21,893.48
Expense Warrant #2509V$1,711.62
TOTAL$41,544.47

MOTION: Tara moved to pay the warrants and Zon seconded. Included payroll, Barrows Diesel & heating, Gravel, Highway equipment. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

  1. Updates and Reports
    1. Town Administrator
      1. Getting ready for Town Meeting (Saturday March 1st) 
      2. Updated Social Services Policy on website due to Town Meeting date change
      3. PACIF Loss control report – No high priority items 
      4. Professional Audit Posted Online
      5. Interviewed 2 Highway Road Crew candidates 
      6. First Budget Workshop, other dates:  Friday, Nov.22 at 8:30 am, Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8:30 am, Thursday, Dec. 19 1:00 pm
      7. MERP Implementation Grant was not awarded. Most recipients were High Energy Burden Buildings. 
      8. Bevan Quinn resignation from Conservation Commission, no longer lives in Guilford
  1. Highway Commissioner (not present)
  1. Old Business
    1. Finance Advisory Committee status.
      Zon: Discussed disbanding last meeting, due to the original goal being accomplished. MOTION: Chip moved to disband the FAC once FY26 budget process ends. Zon seconded. Tara doesn’t think the committee is needed. The public is welcome to the budget meetings. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.
    2. Emergency Management ARPA purchase per Procurement Policy. The Funds have already been approved but one of the Vendors (Jackery) requires payment upfront, which is an option available through the town’s Procurement Policy. Erika has vetted the vendor, Jackery, which will provide the back up batteries. Jackery is used by Green Mountain Power as a reputable back up battery. Approving the method of Expenditure.
      MOTION: Zon moved and Verandah seconded to approve payment to Jackery. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

MOTION: Air Marketing, Zon moved Verandah seconded to Approve the expense of the Air Marketing, Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

  1. New Business
    1. Upcoming Selectboard meeting dates, status.
      Zon: Mondays Nov, 25, Dec. 9, Dec. 23. We have  a policy to pay bills outside of meetings. MOTION: Tara moved to not hold a meeting on 12.23.24, Chip seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.
    2. Selectboard member appointment process. 

Zon: Planning to step away after the last meeting in December. SB can appoint.
Tara doesn’t think it’s fair to appoint someone. Chip sees it as well-used time. Verandah: Zon brings much experience. We’re going to have to pull together and work harder. Jan to March is busy for the SB. Zon: Need to have a community process, Job Description. Decision could come in December or early Jan. Erika should start the process. Deadline for applicants: Dec. 1, then decide Dec. 9. 

MOTION: Chip moved to start the process to appoint Zon’s replacement, Verandah seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

MOTION: Chip moved to have Erika start the application process with Dec 1 deadline. Michael seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

  1. Mandated Delinquent Tax Policy change per Act 106. DISCUSSION: Addresses tax abatement process and tax sale process. We need to work with our Tax collection Policy and make sure it is aligned with the new mandate from Act 106.
  1. Other Business (2 minutes)
  1. Correspondence (2 minutes)
  1. Public Comment (15 minutes)
    Steve Lembke: Years ago we had three Selectboard Members, then moved to five. Recommends the SB make the appointment of the fifth member.
    Tammy Sargent: When do you need to have your petitions in to run for Selectboard. How many meetings would that person attend? Zon: Petitions for Selectboard need to be submitted by the end of January. Tara: petition forms are online and should be entered 6 Mondays before March 1st. 5 meetings prior to Town Meeting.

Dolores Clark: Budget workshops used to be at the selectboard meetings. Are community members allowed to participate in Budget Workshops? Zon: yes.

  1. Executive Session
    Executive Session to discuss labor relations agreements with employees

per 1 VSA § 313 (a)(1)(B).

MOTION: Zon Moved prior knowledge of discussions would harm the town or a party involved. Chip seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed. (Tara was not present)

MOTION: Zon moved to go into the Executive Session  inviting Erika. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

MOTION: Zon moved to leave the Executive Session at 8:20 pm, taking no action. Chip seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed.

  1. Actions from 10.28.24 Meeting
    1. Approved 10.16.24 minutes 
    2. Approved payment of Warrants
    3. Ratified Reserve Fund expenditures
    4. Approved work for bridges
    5. Executive session
    6. Approved an employee’s comp time 
  1. Action Taken
    1. Approved 10.28.24 Minutes
    2. Approved payment of Warrants
    3. Disbanded Finance Advisory Committee
    4. Approved Emergency Management ARPA Purchases 
    5. Canceled Dec.23, 2024 meeting
    6. Agreed to appoint Selectboard member prior to March 1st
    7. Approved Erika to start process of appointing Selectboard member
    8. Executive session
  1. Actions to be Taken
  1. Adjournment

MOTION: Chip moved to adjourn, Tara seconded. Vote was by roll call. All were in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jQUTk3G1I&list=PLDXseAKlG_qndbW4L6-yXyYZhEmpSe8Wg

Next Meeting 11.25.24

Zon Eastes, Chair _____________________________________

Michael Becker _____________________________________

Tara Cheney _____________________________________

Chip Carter _____________________________________

Verandah Porche _____________________________________

Meeting Video: https://www.brattleborotv.org/guilford-selectboard/guilford-selectboard-mtg-11-13-24/