TOWN OF PITTSFORD SELECT BOARD MINUTES February 16, 2022
Members Present – W. Joseph Gagnon, David Mills, Alicia Malay, Tom Hooker, and Thomas
“Hank” Pelkey. Others Present: Chad Eugair, Ray Shortsleeves, Adams Parry, Stephanie Grimes, Town Manager John Haverstock, Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM, by Chair Malay.
J. Haverstock stated that there was a need to enter into Executive Session for Personnel (Town Manager, new Town Manager). Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to enter into Executive Session for Personnel. Motion passed 5 – 0.
J. Haverstock stated that there was no need to amend the agenda. Motion by D. Mills and seconded by T. Pelkey to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion passed 5 – 0.
Minutes:
The minutes of the February 2, 2022 regular meeting and the minutes of the February 9, 2022 Special Select Board meetings were signed, with no corrections.
Orders:
The orders in the amount of $50,219.36 and Payroll in the amount of $13,060.08 were signed, with the following discussion:
D. Mills inquired about the expense for the loader’s repairs. Chad Eugair stated that there were leaking cylinder lines, which were repaired; brakes were an issue and an axle was taken apart and resealed with some weak and leaking lines also being replaced.
Town Manager’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- Residents are reminded that there is assistance available for those who have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to contact or call 833-221-4208 to apply.
- Daniels Construction will be repairing the covered bridge on Depot Hill Road from February 23-25.
- A successful Town Report dedication was held. Liz Soulia was the Zoom host for the event honoring Barb Willis and the Town’s Recreation Department and volunteer supporters.
- The deadline for applications for the Assessor Clerk position is February 28.
- The external auditors from Sullivan & Powers will be present at the March 2 meeting to present their findings.
- The Municipal Offices and related services will be closed on Monday, February 21 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Select Board Member Remarks:
D. Mills stated that the Rutland Regional Planning Commission did not meet this month. D. Mills also stated that he has received a complaint that the lights at Dollar General are too bright and the neighbor is upset that the lights are lighting up the meadow. J. Haverstock will contact the developer. J. Gagnon stated that a light on the south side of the intersection may be beneficial to the lighting that is currently in place. D. Mills stated that possibly angling the lights that are currently installed may help with visibility as well.
Public Comment:
None presented at this time.
Old Business:
Update on VLCT Retention and Efforts on Recruitment/Hiring of Town Manager:
J. Haverstock reported that the VLCT recruiter will be providing updates soon. This was deferred to Executive Session.
Discuss Town Meeting Day Preparations:
There will be an Informational Hearing on February 28 at 6:30 PM via Zoom, hosted by Deb Alexander at the Lothrop School Library due to bandwidth concerns at the Municipal Office. Voting will occur on March 1, 2022 from 7 AM – 7 PM at the Fire Station. The regular Select Board meeting will be held on March 2, 2022. A Select Board Letter to the Editor has been drafted and is in the packets for review. D. Mills stated that there was no school ballot included in the Town’s mailing and residents must contact the Town Offices for this ballot.
Discuss Potential Uses of Town’s ARPA Funds:
J. Haverstock reported that a “wish list” is being compiled for the use of the ARPA funds. VLCT has answered the questions that were raised by the Select Board at a prior meeting and these answers were discussed.
New Business:
Discuss Proposed Purchase of Arm Mower:
Highway Foreman Chad Eugair was present to discuss the possible purchase of an arm mower as the current mowers are due for replacement. C. Eugair proposed to buy a single, used unit to do both jobs. Through research, it was learned that Fairfield rents 4 arm mowers of the type the Town uses, would sell one for $99,000. It has 1,400 hours of use. The machines are serviced between rentals and are delivered and retrieved when rented. A brand new John Deere arm mower sells for $149,000 and a New Holland sells for $156,000. Following discussion, the recommendation was made to rent for a period this summer to see how it works out before considering making such an expensive purchase. C. Eugair will be in touch with Fairfield to schedule the rental. J. Haverstock will check with surrounding communities on any interest to share an arm mower and report back at a future meeting.
The Select Board meeting was recessed at 7:23 PM.
Sidewalk Design Review Public Hearing:
Members Present – W. Joseph Gagnon, David Mills, Alicia Malay, Tom Hooker and Thomas “Hank” Pelkey. Others Present: Chad Eugair, Ray Shortsleeves, Adam Parry, Stephanie Grimes, Peter Pochop, Eric Hall, Dayton Crites, Town Manager John Haverstock, Kelly Giard- Recording Secretary.
The Public Hearing was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chair Malay.
J. Haverstock reported that the consultant’s power point presentation was included in the packets for review. Mr. Crites shared his presentation which showed the impacts on the proposed neighborhoods.
Eric Hall from the Rutland Regional Planning Commission was present to discuss the scoping study which is funded by a VTrans grant.
There was a general discussion of the study and the several possible routes.
Any resident interested in this project is welcome to visit the website
(https://pittsfordvermont.com/sidewalk-study) and also participate in the next survey
(https://tinyyurl.com/PittsfordSidewalkSurvey).
The Public Hearing was closed at 8:18 PM.
The Select Board meeting reconvened at 8:18 PM.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by T. Hooker to go into Executive Session for Personnel, where premature knowledge would be damaging to the Town and may be jeopardized by public disclosure.
In accordance with 1 VSA 312 (b), where premature general public knowledge would clearly place the Municipality or person involved at a substantial disadvantage, the Board unanimously agreed to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of Personnel at 8:18 PM. Town Manager Haverstock was invited to remain for Executive Session.
The Select Board exited Executive Session at 8:42 PM, with no action taken.
The Select Board adjourned at 8:42PM.
The next regular meeting of the Select Board will be held on March 2, 2022.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard
Recording Secretary
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Alicia Malay, Chair
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David Mills, Vice Chair
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Thomas Hooker, Selectman
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W. Joseph Gagnon, Selectman
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Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Selectman