Selectboard Minutes, 10.23.2023

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GUILFORD SELECTBOARD MEETING
Monday, October 23, 2023, 6:30 p.m., 236 School Road, Guilford, VT

Draft Minutes

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

STAFF/OFFICIALS PRESENT: Erika Elder (Town Administrator) Sheila Morse (Assistant Town Administrator)

PRESENT IN PERSON: Peter Kelliher (BCTV), Jeannette Tokarz, Kyle Parker, Connie Burton, Steve Lembke, Dolores Clark, Frank Larkin, Richard Austin, Diane Frost, Marty Ramsberg, John Shaw

PRESENT via ZOOM: Jim Henry, Cynthia Clark, Barry Aleshnick, Carol, Julie Beet, Cathi Wilken, Jason Herron

  1. Call to Order by Zon at 6:30 p.m.
  1. Rules of Procedure 
  1. Welcoming of Public     Community Comment Period 
  1. Changes to Agenda Order  None
  1. Approval of Minutes
    1. Minutes of the regular meeting of 10.11.23
      MOTION:  Michael moved and Verandah seconded to approve the minutes.
      Vote was by voice, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
  1. Updates and Reports
    1. Town Administrator
      Working on a large Public Records request, Asset Management meeting video is on website, questions from the meeting on site soon. Met with Sara Coffey and Colin Bratton from Windham Regional on traffic issues. Working on Conservation website changes, Library MOU, Preparing for Town Meeting, Museum inspection.
    2. Highway Commissioner (not present)
  1. Old Business
    1. Finance Advisory Committee
      1. Committee mandate
        Zon: Committee was formed in response to certain events. Asks for comments on continuing its work. Discussion: Appreciation for Finance Committee’s members and work. Finance Advisory Committee could give an update to Selectboard. 
      2. Appointment of new committee member
        MOTION: Zon moved and Rusty seconded to appoint Tammy Sargent to the Committee. Steve Lembke: Support for continuing to have a Finance Advisory Committee. Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, none opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
    2. Traffic Speeds
      1. Traffic study, Windham Regional Commission
        Zon: The selectboard should authorize Erika to request the traffic study by Windham Regional Commission. Discussion on where to place the study cables on Weatherhead Hollow south of Yeaw Rd.; Guilford Center Rd. near Evans’ pond; Hinesburg at the hill. 
      2. Radar signs
        Erika got updated quotes, ARPA is a possible source of funding.
        Zon moved to use ARPA funds, and after some discussion suggested moving this vote to after Historical Society ARPA discussion. 
    3. Library Memorandum of Understanding 
      Memorandum of Understanding reviewed and adjusted by Town’s attorneys.
      MOTION: Verandah moved to accept the Memorandum of Understanding and enter into agreement, Tara seconded.
      John Shaw (Library Trustee): This codifies existing relationship. Sheila: Personnel decisions should be made with guidance with the Town Administrator. John: Authority for that  is with the Trustees. Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
    4. South Stoney Hill Road
      Subcommittee of Zon and Rusty recommends holding a public hearing.
      MOTION: Zon moved and Verandah seconded to hold a public hearing on renaming Stony Hill South.
      Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
    5. Conflict of Interest
      Tara asks for adoption of policy as changed, and two attachments. Attachment B is a chart,  Attachment A is statement and questionnaire. Tara has edited the current questionnaire for the Selectboard. Definition of public body. Tara will adjust by next meeting, hopes for a motion. Verandah: This doesn’t include employees. 
    6. ARPA funding request: Historical Society
      Subcomittee Verandah and Tara. Questions about estimate and schedule. Tara concerned about $80,000 estimate.
      MOTION: Tara and Verandah moved to approve request. Zon seconded. Dolores Clark: they can ask for more later. 
      Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
    7. Radar signs revisited
      Got updated quotes, ARPA is a possible source of funding.
      MOTION: Zon moved Verandah seconded  to use ARPA funds Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.
      Zon: not to exceed $20,000.
        1. New Business
          1. Budget Workshops (5 minutes; DISCUSSION)
            First scheduled 10/26 8:30 am Public is invited.
        1.  Finance  (5 minutes; ACTION: Motion)
          1. Warrants    
        Payroll – WE 10.15.23$6,955.38
        Payroll – WE 10.22.23$7,481.35
        Expense Warrant #2408$33,905.44
        Expense Warrant #2408R$1,089.65
        TOTAL$49,431.82


        Tara moved to approve the following warrants, and Zon seconded. Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.

        1. Other Business (none)
        1. Correspondence
          Two letters concerning traffic. One in support of lowering speed limits.

        2. Actions from Previous Meeting
          1. Approved minutes
          2. Approved grader purchase
          3. Accepted Listers E&O
          4. Approved Town Meeting E&O
          5. Subcommittee for S Stony Hill
          6. Approved Solar System
          7. Subcommittee for 180 day review
          8. Subcommittee for ARPA for Historical Society
          9. Subcommittee for Historical Society ARPA 
        1. Action Taken
          1. Approved minutes
          2. Tabled finance committee discussion
          3. Appointed Tammy to Finance Advisory Committee
          4. Authorized Erika to get traffic study by Windham Regional
          5. MOU for Library
          6. Stony Hill Road Public Hearing
          7. Tabled Conflict of interest
          8. Approved Historical Society ARPA request
          9. Approved purchase of 4 radar speed signs
          10. Approved warrants
        1. Actions to be Taken
          1. Conflict of interest
        1. Adjournment
          1. MOTION: Rusty moved and Verandah seconded to adjourn
            Vote was by roll call, all were in favor, no one opposed, no one abstained. Motion passed.

        Meeting Video: https://www.brattleborotv.org/guilford-selectboard/guilford-sb-mtg-102323

        Next meeting November 13, 6:30 pm