Author: Patty Swahn

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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 6:30pm Chelsea Town Hall, EDITED

ByPatty Swahn

Board Attendance: Jesse Kay, Kelly Lyford, Leyna Hoyt,
William (Bill) Lyon, Patty Swahn, Board Administrative Assistant
Other Attendees: Tracy Simon -Emergency Management Director, Gayle Durkee, Karen Lathrop, Pastor Bill Smith, Johanna Welch, Sheilagh Smith, Ryck Morales- SBA

Meeting –
Kelly brought the meeting to order at 6:32 PM
Conflict of Interest – No conflict of interest
Additions to the agenda – Use of Village Green (basketball court/playground)

Public Comments – Sheilagh Smith thanked the Board for their volunteer efforts and dedication in helping the Chelsea Community with the ongoing Flood Recovery.

Tax Rate – Gayle presented a correction of the tax rate to the Board. Adjustment to the Veteran Tax exemption of $40,000 instead of $30,000. This will bring the tax rate down to .7881. Leyna moved to approve the adjusted tax rate of .7881, Jesse seconded. There was no discussion. All in favor; “aye” and the adjusted tax rate for 2023 has been approved.

Development Review Board – Johanna Welch is the only official member of the DRB. Johanna requested an Executive Session with the Selectboard members.
Leyna moved to go into Executive Session.
Kelly asked the guests to step outside while the Board went into Executive Session, Kelly invited the Admirative Assistant into the Executive Session. Left the Open Meeting at 6:40 PM, entered Executive Session at 6:42 PM.
Jesse recused herself from the Executive Session due to a conflict of interest.
Exited Executive Session at 6:54 PM with no action taken.
Kelly opened the meeting back at 6:56 PM.
Continued conversation with Johanna regarding DRB, asked Johanna to continue as the Chair of DRB.
Jesse moved to appoint Johanna Welch as the DRB Chair, Bill seconded.
There was no discussion, all were in favor. The appointment was approved.
Selectboard approves all new DRB Board Members.
Action item: Development Review Board Members need updating on the town website.
Moxley Bridge – Leyna will follow up with Karen regarding more information on the Chelsea BO 1444(62). This project entails rehabilitation of covered bridge #46 on Town Highway 68 Moxley road.

Flood Recovery:

Debris:
Dan Gauthier contacted Tracy regarding the HHW pickup, the contractors will pick it up Saturday during Transfer Station hours or they will call Tracy 48 hours ahead of the pickup day. Tracy is confident that all HHW related to the flood has been taken to the two HHW dumpsters at the Transfer Station. EPA has looked at the oil tank and a Hazmat spill team came out originally to look at the soil. Tracy will call EPA to inform them that neighbors are reporting a strong petroleum odor. There is additional remediation
needed in town. Frank Keen’s lawn and then down the bank.
There is to identify if there is still debris on Beacon Hill, Pent Road and Bobbinshop Road.
HHW will be on Saturday, August 5 at the Transfer Station, this will be the final Saturday for HHW to be received at the Transfer Station, any HHW after Saturday will need to be taken to the facility in Middlesex near the State Police Barricks. The HHW needs to be flood related.

Recovery Phase:
Tracy introduced Ryck Morales of the Small Business Administration. Ryck gave information on how to apply for disaster loans for businesses, homeowners, and renters. Benefits are a fixed interest rate at 2.5%, automatic 12-month payment deferment with 0% interest for the first 12 months. No insurance settlement is needed to apply or receive loan.
Tracy and Ryck Morales are working together to have a town hall meeting with FEMA and SBA.

Roads:
Rick has begun grading. He has been in contact with Dubois and King, and they will get together to sort out bid packages for the roads that need contractor repair, ditching for Pent Road, Upper Village Road, Brook Road, Jenkins Brook Road. Jesse will get the documentation to Dubois and King, including Leyan and Rick’s photos, Tracy’s drone footage.
Dubois and King has looked at the damaged roads, taken measurements and collected GPS coordinates of the damage. Dubois and King are documenting each site as to who the Contractors are, what materials are being used, which trucks were used.
If it is under $250,000 we do not need to go through posting for bids. We can get quotes from 3 to 5 contractors and then decide how to go forward.
All wires on Upper Village Road are cleaned up.
Need to reach out to Natural Resources about water ways.
Chris Bump gave options for Edwards Road,
(a) close it to one lane to keep two cars meeting.
(b) close it to through traffic, only residents of Edwards Road may travel it.
Per Leyan, Rick advised closing it to through traffic.
There are 5 mud slides from the July storm.
Bill made a motion to close Edwards Road to through traffic, Jesse second.
There was no discussion. All in favor “aye”, the aye’s have it and the motion to close Edwards Road to through traffic approved by all.
Closure will begin on Wednesday, August 2.

Route 110 bridge above Upper Village Road is open.

Highway equipment update –
The town loader will be back on Wednesday.

Permits – Use of basketball court and playground for NCF Vacation Bible School recreation was approved.

Logging contract – Bill will follow up with Kevin Braman to see if he is ready to move to the George Tutherly block of the Chelsea Town Forrest.

Approval of Orders – Jesse motioned to approve all Orders of the night, Leyan second. All approve – “aye”, so moved, all orders of the night were approved by all.

Future Agendas –
Flood Recovery
Logging Contract
Transfer Station
Orange County Sherriff Department
Sydney Steinle – TRORC

Executive Session – No Executive Session
Adjourn – Leyna moved to adjourn the meeting; Bill seconded. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM

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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Agenda, Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 6:30 PM, Chelsea Town Hall

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 6:30pm
Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call meeting to order
  2. Conflict of interest disclosure
  3. Additions to the agenda
  4. Public Comments
  5. Orange County Sherriff Contois
  6. TRORC – Sydney Steinle
  7. Chelsea BO 1444(62) Moxley Bridge ROW
  8. Logging contract
  9. Transfer Station
  10. Flood Recovery
  11. Permits
  12. Approve orders
  13. Future Agenda items for August 29 meeting
  14. Executive Session
  15. Adjourn
    Links to join the Selectboard Meeting
    https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
    https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 6:30pm Chelsea Town Hall

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting
Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 6:30pm
Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call meeting to order.
  2. Conflict of interest disclosure
  3. Additions to the agenda
  4. Public Comments
  5. Treasurer – Tax rate
  6. Development Review Board
  7. Chelsea BO 1444(62) Moxley Bridge ROW
  8. Flood Recovery
  9. Permits – Road closure between library and the North Common for Arts Festival, September 2, 2023++
  10. Logging Contract
  11. Approve orders
  12. Future Agenda items for August
  13. Executive Session
  14. Adjourn
    Links to join the Selectboard Meeting
    https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
    https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Minutes, July 18, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Board Attendance: Jesse Kay, Kelly Lyford, Kevin Marshia, Leyna Hoyt,
William (Billy) Lyon, Patty Swahn, Board Administrative Assistant
Other Attendees: Tracy Simon -Emergency Management Director, Gayle Durkee, Karen Lathrop, Rick Ackerman, Bernard (Snook) Downing, Dave Conger, Pastor Bill Smith, Charles Gooding

Meeting –
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Kevin.
Conflict of Interest – No conflict of interest
Additions to the agenda – Access Permit, Reimbursement for paving

Permits – Richard Lyford property owner and Samuel Lincoln, Logger, Highway Access Permit on Hall Road. Kelly recused herself from the vote. Leyna moved to approve the application for the permit, William Lyon seconded, no discussion, all approved.

Pike Paving, East Randolph Road – reimbursement–
Municipality cost; $379,148.8
We’re expecting a portion of this will be reimbursed.

Flood Recovery:

Debris: Learned through a situational update meeting that the Town is under the burden to remove trash and debris from flood, FEMA will cover 75% if the debris is disposed of properly. Household hazmat will be picked up separately, GPS and photos have been done for each pile.

Bill moved to utilize the two roll off dumpsters that were delivered earlier this week at the Transfer Station, on Thursday, July 20th to collect flood debris. Leyna second, all in favor, motioned passed

Recovery Phase: Orange County, and therefore Chelsea, is not currently on the federal disaster declaration list. This is a two-part federal declaration; one part is for the roads, and Orange County has been declared for that. The second piece is a declaration for personal property damage, and that is the piece that will help support our citizens.

The board and Emergency Management Director Tracy, explained to residents the importance call 211 to report flood damage; Registering with 211 does not commit you to continue to file for assistance but allows for an accurate reporting of all property damage to individuals and to business’ in Orange County. This is the documentation needed to support a disaster declaration.

Division of Public Safety – Fire Marshalls have briefly inspected the electrical components of several homes that were damaged in the floods. Homes were cleared to be “occupied” if all set or were given a yellow placard that provides instructions on the next steps for the homeowners and landlord, to ensure that their power is safe.

Jesse to reach out to Chelsea Librarian to request use of library to help community members navigate 211 through the public computers.

Roads:
Temporary fixes have been made to the roads by Rick, John Tilton, and Paul Beede, highway employees.
Proposal by Kevin to authorize the Selectboard to go into contract with
Dubois and King, Inc. The first phase will be doing GPS of the flood damaged roads, assessment of damage, documentation with pictures of damage. Assess the slopes (mud slides) to see if they are FEMA eligible.
Kelly moved to contract with Dubois and King under our emergency procurement policy to begin work. Leyna second. The motion was amended to include an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the First Phase. Seconded. All approved.
Kevin will work with Dave Conger of Dubois and King on the contract.

Town Buildings:
Karen to purchase a HEPA filter for Town Clerk Office.

Brian, who is the insurance adjuster for Vermont Leagues of City and Towns assessed the damage to the basement of the Town Hall, he measured the basement and photographed the pellets, pellet furnace and oil furnace. He will send his documents to the assigned insurance agent at VLCT.

Irving Oil will arrive on Wednesday to inspect the oil furnace.

Flood Recovery Financial:
Pastor Bill Smith reported there have been monetary donations being sent to our two churches to help Chelsea with community needs relating to the flood. Gayle to reach out to Mascoma Bank, Bill and Errol Hinton, the Pastor at the Congregational Church to help establish a fund.

A $200,000 short term loan was secured from Mascoma Bank to be used as needed for Flood Recovery that the town may need. Leyna motioned to approve. Jesse second. All in favor, aye’s have it and the motion is approved.

Approval of Orders – Jesse motioned to approve all Orders of the night, there was not a second. All approve – “aye”, so moved, all orders of the night were approved by all.

Future Agendas –
Flood Recovery
Development Review Board
Chelsea Public Library
Logging Contract
Credit Card/Online Payments
Tax Rate

Executive Session – No Executive Session
Adjourn – Kevin made a motion to adjourn. Leyna seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 6:30pm Chelsea Town Hall
DRAFT

Board Attendance: Jesse Kay, Kelly Lyford, Kevin Marshia, Leyna Hoyt,
William (Billy) Lyon, Patty Swahn, Board Administrative Assistant
Other Attendees: Tracy Simon -Emergency Management Director, Gayle Durkee, Karen Lathrop, Rick Ackerman, Bernard (Snook) Downing, Dave Conger, Pastor Bill Smith, Charles Gooding

Meeting –
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Kevin.
Conflict of Interest – No conflict of interest
Additions to the agenda – Access Permit, Reimbursement for paving

Permits – Richard Lyford property owner and Samuel Lincoln, Logger, Highway Access Permit on Hall Road. Kelly recused herself from the vote. Leyna moved to approve the application for the permit, William Lyon seconded, no discussion, all approved.

Pike Paving, East Randolph Road – reimbursement–
Municipality cost; $379,148.8
We’re expecting a portion of this will be reimbursed.

Flood Recovery:

Debris: Learned through a situational update meeting that the Town is under the burden to remove trash and debris from flood, FEMA will cover 75% if the debris is disposed of properly. Household hazmat will be picked up separately, GPS and photos have been done for each pile.

Bill moved to utilize the two roll off dumpsters that were delivered earlier this week at the Transfer Station, on Thursday, July 20th to collect flood debris. Leyna second, all in favor, motioned passed

Recovery Phase: Orange County, and therefore Chelsea, is not currently on the federal disaster declaration list. This is a two-part federal declaration; one part is for the roads, and Orange County has been declared for that. The second piece is a declaration for personal property damage, and that is the piece that will help support our citizens.

The board and Emergency Management Director Tracy, explained to residents the importance call 211 to report flood damage; Registering with 211 does not commit you to continue to file for assistance but allows for an accurate reporting of all property damage to individuals and to business’ in Orange County. This is the documentation needed to support a disaster declaration.

Division of Public Safety – Fire Marshalls have briefly inspected the electrical components of several homes that were damaged in the floods. Homes were cleared to be “occupied” if all set or were given a yellow placard that provides instructions on the next steps for the homeowners and landlord, to ensure that their power is safe.

Jesse to reach out to Chelsea Librarian to request use of library to help community members navigate 211 through the public computers.

Roads:
Temporary fixes have been made to the roads by Rick, John Tilton, and Paul Beede, highway employees.
Proposal by Kevin to authorize the Selectboard to go into contract with
Dubois and King, Inc. The first phase will be doing GPS of the flood damaged roads, assessment of damage, documentation with pictures of damage. Assess the slopes (mud slides) to see if they are FEMA eligible.
Kelly moved to contract with Dubois and King under our emergency procurement policy to begin work. Leyna second. The motion was amended to include an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the First Phase. Seconded. All approved.
Kevin will work with Dave Conger of Dubois and King on the contract.

Town Buildings:
Karen to purchase a HEPA filter for Town Clerk Office.

Brian, who is the insurance adjuster for Vermont Leagues of City and Towns assessed the damage to the basement of the Town Hall, he measured the basement and photographed the pellets, pellet furnace and oil furnace. He will send his documents to the assigned insurance agent at VLCT.

Irving Oil will arrive on Wednesday to inspect the oil furnace.

Flood Recovery Financial:
Pastor Bill Smith reported there have been monetary donations being sent to our two churches to help Chelsea with community needs relating to the flood. Gayle to reach out to Mascoma Bank, Bill and Errol Hinton, the Pastor at the Congregational Church to help establish a fund.

A $200,000 short term loan was secured from Mascoma Bank to be used as needed for Flood Recovery that the town may need. Leyna motioned to approve. Jesse second. All in favor, aye’s have it and the motion is approved.

Approval of Orders – Jesse motioned to approve all Orders of the night, there was not a second. All approve – “aye”, so moved, all orders of the night were approved by all.

Future Agendas –
Flood Recovery
Development Review Board
Chelsea Public Library
Logging Contract
Credit Card/Online Payments
Tax Rate

Executive Session – No Executive Session
Adjourn – Kevin made a motion to adjourn. Leyna seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm

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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Agenda, July 25, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 6:30pm
Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call meeting to order.
  2. Conflict of interest disclosure
  3. Additions to the agenda
  4. Public Comments
  5. Chelsea Public Library- approve two new trustees
  6. Development Review Board
  7. Treasurer – Tax rate, credit card/online payments
  8. Development Review Board
  9. Flood Recovery
  10. Permits – Use of Town Green, Chelsea Public Library Annular Solar Eclipse viewing party. Event date October 14, 10 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
  11. Logging Contract
  12. Approve orders
  13. Future Agenda items for August
  14. Executive Session
  15. Adjourn
    Links to join the Selectboard Meeting
    https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
    https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
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Chelsea Selectboard Emergency Meeting, Sunday, July 16, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting
Sunday, July 16, 2023, 5:00 pm
Chelsea Town Hall
Emergency Meeting

Kevin Marshia – Chair, Kelly Lyford – Vice Chair, Tracy Simon – Emergency Management Director, Jesse Kay, Leyna Hoyt, Kasey Peterson, Rick Ackerman, Gayle Durkee, Tracy Simon, Mike Whipple – Water/Sewer Contractor

Call meeting to order at 5:05 pm
Debris Management ~ Jesse Kay and Billy Lyon, will be working with Kasey Peterson to review regulations and work with the state on the program that is being set up to assist Vermont Towns in helping to manage the various types of debris.

Water Update ~ The Boil Water notice was lifted on 07/16/2023. Two of our wells were unaffected. We’re waiting to receive the results of the DW4, well, which was offline at the time of flood. The Pump house at that location has been damaged.

Sewer plant ~ flow has reduced and is almost back to typical capacity.

Road Updates ~ Upper Village Road Landslide – Will install markers as a form of tracking.

State Geologist will be meeting with Rick and Tracy on July 17, 2023, to review all locations of landslides for assessments.

Kevin will connect with Rita Seto to discuss next steps in moving forward.

East Randolph Road is a federal aid road. Rick will contact Chris Bump tomorrow to discuss that damage.

Photos – Need to download and label all photos to Google Drive.

The basement of the town hall flooded. Debris has been removed today. All furnaces were damaged along with pellet hopper. Kasey will work with Lyme Green to evaluate. Fans have been installed and are running. Karen will be asked to purchase an air conditioner for the town clerk’s office and to get it installed.

The Pedestrian Bridge located over the First Branch that crosses to Riverside Cemetery was lost during the flooding on July 10, 2023. It was located a short distance downstream, lodged across the river with debris caught behind it. We were advised by the SEOC to remove these things prior to Sunday night’s storm. This was removed Friday morning.

Insurance – The admin assistant is working with the insurance company to start a claim for our properties.

Federal Emergency Management Assistance – The initial property assessment team arrived in town yesterday and quickly reviewed the outside areas of several properties on Maple Avenue and Main Street.

We have many citizens that will need assistance with navigating the FEMA and state systems.

Multi Agency Response C. 9 – 5 Tracy will begin the coordination with this,
Request list from Fire Dept. of those basements that were pumped. 211 maps – Kelly will pursue the AHS aspect to see what support can be provided to citizens.

Gayle has secured a $200,000 line of credit and will oversee contracts. Kasey will assist Gayle with FEMA documentation. We will be adding a FEMA line item to the highway and general funds.

Kevin Marshia will work with Jesse Kay and Gayle Durkee on File naming for the documentation for each site.

Selectboard members, Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Director must document all hours be worked as responded. This information needs to be submitted to Gayle for tracking.

Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn. Jesse Brinkman seconded. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 Pm.