Selectboard Meeting Minutes 10.26.26

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GUILFORD SELECTBOARD MEETING

Monday, October 26, 6:30 pm, 236 School Road, Guilford, VT

DRAFT Minutes

  1. Call to Order by Sheila at 6:30

Changes to Agenda Order: Add Ruck-Up

  1. Rules of Procedure waived
  1. Welcoming of Public; Community Comment Period (10 minutes)
    Sheila reads Get on Board notice.
  1. Changes to Agenda Order (2 minutes)
    Sheila: Marc Pickering denied Ruck-Up their originally scheduled date of Oct.24. MOTION: Sheila moved to hear from Ruck-Up, Kim seconded,  Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed.
    Monali: Requests to hold Coin Drop this Saturday 10.31.26.
    MOTION: Sheila moved to Authorize Ruck-Up’s event on Rt 5 in Guilford 10.31.26. Tara seconded. Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed. Erika will send the letter to Monali King. 
  1. Updates & Reports
    1. Town Treasurer
      Elly: Reporting on first quarter (Sept. 30) bank balances for all accounts. A large number of taxes are in. 003 General account is made up of several funds. Elly described the account balances. Sheila noted the amount due to the state for education. Elly: Delinquent taxes  – $625,176 outstanding. When new taxes become overdue for an already delinquent taxpayer, a new agreement needs to be created. There may be a tax sale in the spring.
      Highway funds need transferring – Resurfacing and Bridges.
      Sheila asked about interest.
      Budget Status Reports…
    2. Town Administrator

Jim’s notes: First Hwy Budget workshop took place last week. Crew is getting equipment ready for winter; crew is also doing spot grading of potholes; picking up the F600 this week and trading in the 2019 F5-50.  Sheila: Monitor closely because all the prices are so much higher. 

Erika: First Budget Workshop done on 10.20.26. The schedule is as follows: Wednesdays at 9AM on 11.4, 11.18 & 12.16. Budget requests from Commissions and other organizations are coming in for the budget & Town Report. PHP vulnerability warning has been emphasised by Sheriff Mark Anderson as big companies have been hacked recently. FY26 Audit – received and uploaded to website, bound copies being mailed to office. Planning commission and land use topics have been updated on website: New state statutes regarding “accessory dwelling units.” 

  1. Regional Policing
    Tara: Worked on contracts. Budgets due Dec.1. Requesting feedback from towns. 11.9.26 meeting will discuss. Tara will create a summary before the 11.9.26 meeting and also write an update for the Gazette.
  2. New Business
    1. Personnel Policy – Paid Holidays 

Sheila: We are looking at the Personnel Policy as it relates to paid holidays. Request from two town employees to review the section of the policy. Elly described current leave details per the policy.
Discussion about work schedules, Personnel Policy and holidays. The policy promises 10 holidays.
MOTION: Sheila moved to add the following draft changes to the Personnel Policy, Chip seconded.
When a designated holiday falls, or is observed, on a day the Town Office is closed based on posted hours of operation, eligible employees who do not otherwise receive paid leave for that holiday shall receive an equivalent floating holiday, based on the employee’s existing entitlement. The replacement holiday time shall be used within 30 days, with prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or the Town Administrator.
Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed. Elly wants to identify the designated supervisor(s), wants it in writing. Taking effect before 2026 Thanksgiving. Pending legal review.

  1. Cemetery Commission Resignation –
    Eric Feindel has resigned from Cemetery Commission due to work schedule. The Commission recommends Siobhan Leonard to fill the vacancy per 24 V.S.A. § 961.
  2. MOTION: Sheila moved to appoint Siobhan Leonard to the Cemetery Commission.  Tara seconded. Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed.
  1. Correspondence
    1. Erika: Tim Jones from Green Mountain Power notified us that rebuilds are completed in Guilford with  seven  miles of underground lines placed. 
    2. DV Fiber Public Hearing Nov. 4. Erika to post info on website.
  2. Finance  ACTION: Budget Status
    1. Warrants    
Payroll – WE 10.18.26$8,493.51
Payroll – WE 10.25.26$7,650.54
Expense Warrant #2708$65,600.02
Expense Warrant #2708A$49,027.44
TOTAL$130,771.51 

MOTION: Tara moved to accept the warrants. Sheila seconded.
Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed.

  1. Approval of Minutes ACTION: 
    1. Minutes of the regular meeting of  10.14.26
      MOTION: Sheila moved to approve minutes of the 10.14.26 meeting, Kim seconded. Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed.
    2. Minutes of the Budget Workshop Meeting of 10.20.26
      MOTION: Sheila moved to approve minutes of the 10.20.26 Budget Workshop, Chip seconded. Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed.
  1. Actions from Previous Meeting
    1. Approved the FY26 Audit Report
    2. Appointed all Selectboard Members as Water Commissioners
    3. Approved Warrants
    4. Approved Minutes 09.28 and 09.29
  1. Actions Taken
    1. Altered amendment to Personnel Policy
    2. Approved Warrants
    3. Approved Minutes of 10.14.26 Meeting
    4. Approved Minutes of  10.20.26 Budget Workshop Meeting.
    5. Approved Ruk-Up Boot Drop for Saturday 10.31.26
  2. Actions to be Taken
  1. Adjournment
    MOTION to adjourn by Sheila, seconded by Kim, Vote by Roll Call, all in favor, no abstentions, no objections, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:05.

Next Meeting Nov. 9

Video Link: https://www.brattleborotv.org/guilford-selectboard/guilford-selectboard-mtg-10-26-26/