News

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Minutes of the Forest and Parks Commission – September 9, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Minutes of the Forest and Parks Commission
September 9, 2024
Chelsea Public Library
6:00 p.m.

Present: Jen Chase, Susan Elder, Andy Pomerantz, Linda Kuban, Erik Anderson, Lizzy
Amber, Marty Gratz (via zoom) and John Latham (via Zoom).

The minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting were approved as submitted.
No public comments.
Jen Chase reported that she spoke to Ron Johnson to get a quote on the work needed
for the Commons including adding fill in low spots, fertilizing, seeding, aeration, etc. The
quote totals $2400. Jen is going to ask for a breakdown. Once finalized the group will
bring to the Board for approval. It is unknown whether this work needs to go in as an
RFP.

Susan Elder thanked Lizzie Amber for assistance in the purchase and delivery of trees
and shrubs for the pollinator garden. Erik Anderson said he thinks October 8th and 10th
would work as planting dates. He suggested that the older students be first to help with
digging and the younger classes be brought in afterwards for planting of bulbs and
watering, etc. Erik will look into the possibility of making benches in the school’s
workshop. Cost would be only materials. Susan will look into access to water and
promotion of the work day and will contact lot neighbors. The Amber family will supply
bark mulch. Lizzy and Susan will find a date for marking out the lot for tree planting.
Jen spoke to Russell at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. It will cost $100 for
membership. State Agency of N.R. Orange Cty. forester Dave Paganelli suggested it is
a good organization to join. 7 acres of the town’s forest has been logged. The
selectboard knows it needs to move forward with the remainder but Paganelli will need
to develop a logging plan first and he is busy with several projects already. A logging
plan could also be done by a private firm. Once a logging plan is done, trail creation can
be planned.

Erik Anderson is interested in involving his class on the trail work and feels this is a
good fit for school participation. The sign work approved by the selectboard for the
Town forest may be another student woodworking project; such as a Town Forest sign,
a parking sign, and trail signs.

The next meeting will be held on October 7th at the Chelsea Public Library.

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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – September 3, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
September 3rd, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kelly Lyford called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Absent)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
Additions to the Agenda
Roberts-Gould Field Request: A request for the Robert-Gould Field was received for 9/8 and 9/15 at 8:00 am-4:00 pm for the Chelsea Senior Baseball games. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the request; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Security Camera Upgrades: The Town Administrator asked for further clarification on security camera needs in order to draft a request for proposals. The Selectboard stated that at the moment, security cameras for Town Hall and the Town Garage would be required.
CD Funds: Gayle Durkee presented information on interest rates for a CD she would like to put funds into. The Selectboard verified that those funds would go back into the same line items when the CD matured. No official motion was needed.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from August 20th 2024
Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 20th meeting; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
A. Town Administrator Update: None
B. ARPA Funds and CD Savings
The Town Treasurer discussed the finalized ARPA funding items that were sent to the Selectboard. Jesse Kay made a motion to allocate the ARPA funds into the line items as indicated by the Town Treasurer; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
C. Health Officer Opening and Temporary Appointment
The Town Health Officer has resigned; Kevin Marshia has been named the interim Health Officer until a new one has been appointed. If any residents have questions or are interested in the position, please contact the Town Administrator for more information.
D. Community Nursing Forum
Kristin Barnum from Community Nurse Connection presented further information on possible models and funding options for a community nurse. There are several options that other towns in the state are using including municipalities funding and managing the nurse as well as non-profits or even fire/EMT managing the employee. The Selectboard asked further questions on Kristin’s knowledge of the success of other models for a community nurse. A forum regarding possibly acquiring a community nurse will be scheduled for a future agenda so the public can express their thoughts on the topic.
E. Town Plan Draft
The Selectboard briefly discussed a few concerns with the current Town Plan draft. Representatives from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission will be invited to the next Selectboard meeting to answer any questions the Selectboard may have.
F. Pedestrian Bridge
Frank Keene brought up the topic of possibly privately funding and building the reconstruction of the cemetery pedestrian bridge. The Selectboard considered his proposal and will investigate the legality and liability of moving forward with the project. FEMA is currently working with the Town to determine the eligibility of the project, so the Town will continue to iron out details of that project in terms of being reimbursed for damages from the flood.
Action Items
A. Town Truck Decision
The Selectboard discussed the truck options with Rick Ackerman. It was determined that the best option for the Town would be to proceed with ATG for the Freightliner build for a cab and chassis, and Viking Cives for the truck body. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept the cab bid from ATG and the body bid from Viking Cives, not to exceed $280,000; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
B. J.L Smith Excavation Contract
The Selectboard officially signed a contract for J.L Smith’s excavation services. No official motion was made, as the bid was previously accepted during the last Selectboard meeting.
C. MERP Town Projects: Town Hall and Town Garage
Harry Falconer from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission discussed the MERP Implementation Grant that aims to address high energy usage concerns within the town. Last year the state conducted an energy audit for the Town Hall and Town Garage, listing several areas that consumed a higher than average amount of energy. A grant for up to $500,000 is now available to towns that consume a higher amount of energy and Chelsea will qualify for the grant. The selectboard discussed the projects from the report they would like to move forward with; Harry will submit the grant funding application on behalf of the Town. Several projects were excluded due to logistics issues. Jesse Kay made a motion to have Harry submit the grant application for the Town; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
D. Chelsea Line Rd Repair
Leyna Hoyt made the board aware of a complaint about a backed-up culvert on Chelsea Line Rd. It was determined that this repair is within the Road Foreman’s duties and he will begin the repairs and replacement when able. No official motion needed to be made. 
Approve Orders
Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 pm.
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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – September 3, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
September 3rd, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from August 20th 2024
Current Events and Updates
A. Town Administrator Update
B. ARPA Funds
C. Health Officer Opening and Temporary Appointment
D. Community Nursing Forum
E. Town Plan Draft
F. Pedestrian Bridge
Action Items
A. Town Truck Decision
B. J.L Smith Excavation Contract
C. MERP Town Projects: Town Hall and Town Garage
D. Chelsea Line Rd Repair
E. Approve Orders
Executive Session If Necessary
Adjournment
Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:     
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
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Board of Abatement Meeting

ByKaren Lathrop

There will be a Board of Abatement Meeting on September 11, 2024 at the Chelsea Town Hall at 6:30 PM for parcel 061-002.000, 169 Jenkins Brook Road.

Agenda :

  1. Call Meeting to order
  2. Changes to Agenda
  3. Conflicts of Interest
  4. Parcel 061-002-000
  5. Adjournment
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Town Clerk’s Office

ByKaren Lathrop

The Town Clerk’s Office will be closed September 2 for Labor Day and September 12 for a special training.

Coming Soon -Online Land Records- In Early October, the Town of Chelsea will be offering an online search program through Cott Systems for their land records.

November Voting News

The Vermont Secretary of State’s office will be mailing General Election ballots to all active voters in the state. They will be exporting voter data for the mailing on or around September 2. As soon as possible, voters should go to their My Voter Page (https://mvp.vermont.gov/) and confirm it lists a valid mailing address to ensure receipt of the General Election ballot.

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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – August 20, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
August 20th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
OTHER
Sydney Steinle (Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission)
Sarah Wraight (Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission)
Chris Bump (State of Vermont)
Additions to the Agenda
-A last-minute request to use the Roberts-Gould Field for baseball practice on various dates was added to the agenda. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the requests; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
-A sealed bid for the Grants in Aid excavation work on several roads in town was received. The only bidder was J.L Smith at $27,500.00. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept the bid from J.L Smith; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from July 30th and August 6th 2024
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from July 30th and August 6th; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
Town Administrator Update
-ARPA Funds: The Town Treasurer and Sarah Wraight, a representative from Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, presented the current ARPA budget and possible uses for the remaining funds. The Town will work on assigning the funds to different areas of the budget before the December 31st deadline.
-Transfer Station: The Town Administrator is working on presenting more information on how the transfer station has been operating since the implementation of punch cards and recycling stickers.
-Community Nursing Forum: The Selectboard discussed getting further information on the community nursing program and getting public input on the needs of the Town.
-Town Plan Draft: The Planning Commission has recommended the draft Town Plan to the Selectboard. The Selectboard reviewed the draft version of the Town Plan update with Sydney Steinle from the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission. They requested a list of all of the changes made to the Town Plan in order to better review the plan to set a hearing for the changes.
Action Items
Wastewater Plant Contract: Funding Application and ESA Signatures
The ESA and funding application for the wastewater plant update are ready to be signed by the Selectboard. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve and sign the ESA contract and funding application for the wastewater plant; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Sealed Bids: Town Truck
The Selectboard asked the Road Supervisor to continue looking over the bids received for the town truck, as there was discussion over which bids would be the best fit for the Town. No action was taken.
FEMA Projects: Cemetery Pedestrian Bridge and Town Hall Basement
The Selectboard invited Chris Bump into the discussion of the status of several FEMA projects. There were some concerns over the reimbursement eligibility of several projects including the cemetery pedestrian bridge, Maple Avenue bridge, and Brook Rd. The Town will continue to work with FEMA and Chris Bump in order to understand the status of the projects and how to continue moving forward with receiving reimbursements. No action was taken.
Amendment to Purchasing Policy: Town Administrator Approval
The Town Administrator was added to the authorized users on the Town’s purchasing policy. Kelly Lyford made a motion to approve the amended purchasing policy to add the Town Administrator to the list of authorized employees; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Water Meter Upgrades and Sewer Fees
The Town Administrator will be working with the wastewater department to gather more information on possibly upgrading the water meters in town. No action was taken.
21 Richardson Hill Highway Curb Cut Permit
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the highway curb cut permit for 21 Richardson Hill; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago to join; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive at 9:19 pm. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to exit executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 9:31 pm. Kevin Marshia had to leave for personal business during executive session at 9:28 pm. The Selectboard discussed personnel; no action was taken.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor and the meeting ended at 9:31 pm.
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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – August 20, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
August 20th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from July 30th and August 6th 2024
Current Events and Updates
Town Administrator Update
-ARPA Funds
-Transfer Station
-Community Nursing Forum
-Town Plan Draft
Action Items
Wastewater Plant Contract: Funding Application and ESA Signatures
Sealed Bids: Town Truck
FEMA Projects: Cemetery Pedestrian Bridge and Town Hall Basement
Amendment to Purchasing Policy: Town Administrator Approval
Water Meter Upgrades and Sewer Fees
21 Richardson Hill Highway Curb Cut Permit
Approve Orders
Executive Session If Necessary
Adjournment
Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:     
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams
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Request for Proposals: Excavation Services

ByTierney Farago

The Town of Chelsea invites the submission of bids for excavation services to meet the Grants in Aid requirements.

Project Scope:

Excavation of 10 culverts and stone line inlets and outlets of culverts on Washington Turnpike & Pepper Rd.

Excavation of 6 culverts on Bobbinshop Rd, removal of ledge where needed. Culverts include five (5) 18 in culverts and one (1) 2 ft culvert. Total amount of ditching is estimated at 2,800 ft (2,600 ft of stone lining).

Proposals are due by August 20 at 4 pm.

The project completion date is September 30, 2024.

Please Note: The Town of Chelsea is responsible for any potential debris removal and disposal, and the purchasing and hauling of materials for these projects.

This project is subject to the “Low Risk Site Handbook for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control”, and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The contractor is responsible for understanding and complying with all of these permits and documents.

The municipality must ensure all participating contractors have the prerequisite experience, therefore contractors wishing to bid must submit at least one construction reference from a successful project similar in scale to this one for review. This reference must be included with the project bid packet.

The Town of Chelsea Selectboard reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to accept any bid deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Chelsea. Incomplete bid packages will not be considered.

Highway Foreman Rick Ackerman will be able to answer questions on the location of these sites. He can be contacted at: exmark130@gmail.com and 802.685.4302

Please send all proposals via email or mail to:

Attn: Chelsea Town Administrator

Tierney Farago

P.O Box 266, Chelsea, VT 05038

town.administrator@chelseavt.us

802-625-2023.