Selectboard Minutes, 02.27.2023

GUILFORD SELECTBOARD MEETING
February 27,2023, 6:30 p.m., 236 School Road, Guilford, VT 05301

MINUTES
pdf version of 02.27.2023 Minutes

SELECTBOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Zon Eastes, Chair, Michael Becker, Rusty Marine (by Zoom), Verandah Porche, Richard Wizansky (by Zoom)

OFFICIALS/ STAFF PRESENT:  Sheila Morse (Interim Town Administrator), Dan Zumbruski

PRESENT in person: Peter Kelleher (BCTV), Steve Lembke, Anne Rider, Kyle Parker, Connie Burton, Dolores Clark

PRESENT via Zoom: Don McLean, Pat Haine, Tammy Sargent, Anna Klein, Deborah Albright, Marty Ramsburg, Chip Carter, Barry Aleshnik, Erika Elder, Jason Herron, Nancy Detra, Karen Murphy

1. Call to Order 6:30 p.m.

2. Welcoming of Public – Community Comment Period (10 minutes)
   1. Don McLean mentioned the Sugar on Snow supper at the BBCC hosted by the BB Grange on Saturday, 2.4.23, Reservations available for dining at 5, 6, and 7 p.m.

3. Changes to Agenda Order – NONE

4. Approval of Minutes (2 minutes)

5. Regular Meeting – date
   1. ACTION: Michael moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of 2.13.23 as written. Verandah seconded. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. Richard had fallen off the Zoom meeting, was not in attendance, and did not vote. 

6. Updates & Reports
   1. Highway ( 5 minutes): Dan recommended purchasing the Bandit Chipper from Champlain Valley Equipment. It is less expensive than the Mordark chipper quote from Beauregard. He also said that the John Deere Tractor/Mower is in stock and ready to go. Dan will look at it before the 3/13 Selectboard meeting, and try to get Champlain to match the dealer trade-in provided by United of $28,000, $4K higher than the trade-in value offered by Champlain. Dan will advise at the 3/13 meeting as to whether the Tractor/Mower is what he wants. There is sufficient money in the Capital Fund to cover the maximum cost for both of $207,891.
   2. ACTION: Michael moved that the SB approve the purchase of the Bandit chipper at a net cost to the Town of $47,746.40. This purchase price is net of the trade-in of the Town’s currently-owned Morbark chipper valued at $5,000. Verandah seconded. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. 

7. Old Business

8. Revised Procurement policy (2 minutes)
   1. Added: “As an alternative to issuing Requests for Proposals, the Town may use the competitive procurement price solicitation process provided by the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program.” See page 2 of policy.
   2.  ACTION: Zon moved and Richard seconded that the sentence be added to amend the Procurement of Goods and Services policy. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. 

9. New Business
   1. ARPA Grant application from Friends of Algiers Village (5 minutes) -Zon reminded participants that the SB adopted a method by which a subcommittee will receive and review applications for grants. This committee includes Richard and Michael and two members of the Planning Commission. Michael excused himself from the subcommittee that will be considering this grant application as he provided information to the FAV board about operations in his professional capacity. Rusty will step into his place.
      1. ACTION – Zon moved and Verandah seconded that the application be accepted and moved forward to the subcommittee for review. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. Richard had fallen off the Zoom meeting, was not in attendance, and did not vote.  
      2. Community members questioned the validity of Friends of Algiers Village receiving ARPA funds as three businesses with some connection to the board have received ARPA grant awards during an earlier round.  
      3. Anne Rider summarized the FAV  application and is happy to share the application with anyone who wants it.
   2. Regional Policing Policy Work Group (2 minutes) Sheila briefly explained this new initiative taking place in the region.  
   3. Review of Draft of Personnel Policy (15 minutes)
      1. ACTION: Sheila to forward the draft as discussed and amended to VLCT for legal review.

10. Finance
    • Warrants (5 minutes)

Payroll – WE 02.19.23	$6,373.88
Payroll – WE 02.26.23	$7,001.79
Expense Warrant #2216	$38,413.59
TOTAL	$51,794.26

ACTION Verandah moved to pay finance warrants as read. Zon seconded. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. None abstained. Motion carried.

11. Other Business – This is Richard Wizansky’s last Selectboard meeting. Verandah read her poem to Richard. That is attached as an appendix.
12. Communications – report from Guilford’s Energy Committee – tabled to next meeting. 
13. Executive Session to discuss personnel issues per 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a)(3) to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee.
    1. ACTION: Zon moved to enter executive session to discuss personnel issues per 1 V.S.A. § 313 (a)(3) to discuss the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee and to invite the Interim Town Administrator to join. Richard seconded. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried.
    2. The Selectboard entered Executive Session at 7:40 p.m.
    3. ACTION: Zon moved and Richard seconded to exit Executive Session at 8:00  The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. 
    4. ACTION: Zon moved and Richard  seconded that the Selectboard approve a salary adjustment to market compatibility for an employee, effective immediately. The vote was by roll call. All were in favor. None were opposed. No one abstained. Motion carried. 
14. Action Summary from Previous Meeting:
    1. Approved minutes of two prior meetings
    2. Approved working with Sourcewell purchasing cooperative to acquire Highway equipment
    3. Approved professional audit engagement letter
    4. Accepted e-bike grant award; determine amount of liability coverage provided for $55 premium
    5. Approved increasing the Planning Commission membership from 5-7
    6. Retroactively appointed personnel subcommittee
    7. Tabled discussions of revisions to the personnel policy
    8. Approved warrants
    9. Voted to approve offers of employment to preferred candidates for assistant town treasurer and town administrator positions

15. Actions Taken (see above)
    1. Approved minutes of meeting of 2.13.23
    2. Approved purchase of the chipper
    3. Approved revised procurement policy
    4. Accepted grant application from FAV and forwarded to the subcommittee which is revised to include Richard and Rusty for this particular application
    5. Agreed to forward draft of personnel policy to VLCT
    6. Approved warrants
    7. Approved salary adjustment

16. Actions to be Taken
    1. Move Energy Committee Report to 3.13.23 meeting agenda

17. Adjournment

ACTION: Richard moved to adjourn. Verandah seconded. All were in favor. None were opposed. None abstained. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:04

Meeting video – https://www.brattleborotv.org/guilford-selectboard/guilford-sb-mtg-22723

Next Selectboard Meeting: Monday, March 13, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.  

Zon Eastes, Chair _____________________________________

Michael Becker _____________________________________

Rusty Marine _____________________________________

Verandah Porche _____________________________________

Richard Wizansky ____________________________________

APPENDIX

Dear Richard,

Colleague, and not so long ago, our sturdy Chair,
allow us a moment of emotion.
After the motions and seconds, discussions,
and all the roll call votes, except your final favorite,
we pause to celebrate your qualities.

I appreciate his kind demeanor and sense of humor. 
I appreciate his desire to make the world a better place.
I admire how tough he is in the face of adversity.
I appreciate the time he has donated and the sacrifice
he has made while serving the town of Guilford.

I notice his great questions,
and his calling the question,
and his patience in the face of assaults
on his integrity. 

I value his clear mind,
his willingness to hear and hold multiple points of view.
I admire his commitments to efficiency and thoroughness.
I appreciate his (wicked) sense of humor
and his broad smile.

Richard, even when equipment falters,
you are always here, engaged and aware,
in this conference room, from a Zoom square
or cell, before the call to order,
until the last action to be taken.

Let us make a meal of our gratitude
on your return.
Till then,
Adjournment, and Amen.
Verandah Porche
with reflections from the Guilford Selectboard
February 27, 2023