Meeting Minutes

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DRAFT Selectboard Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
February 4th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kelly Lyford called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present) 
William Lyon (Present)
Kevin Marshia (Absent)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from January 21, 2025 and January 25, 2025
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from January 21st and January 25th; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
There were no significant highway updates.
B. Town Administrator Update
There were no significant Town Administrator updates.
Action Items
A. Interim Zoning Administrator Services TRORC
Kyle Katz from Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission attended the meeting to discuss a potential contract for interim zoning administrator services. His colleague, Kyle Hansen, has availability to serve as a temporary zoning administrator to help with permitting until a ZA can be hired. This would likely be remote work for 5-7 hours weekly, depending on the needs of the Town. The price of this contract, expected to last until May 2, is not to exceed $4,420. Gregg Herrin made a motion to accept this contract and nominate Kyle Hansen as the interim zoning administrator; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
B. Water and Sewer Rate Increase
This item was tabled until February 18th to give ample time to prepare numbers and statistics.
C. Law Enforcement Requests for Proposal Opening
The Selectboard opened two bids for Law Enforcement services. The first was from Orange County for 6 hours of day and night weekly coverage for a total of $22,000 for a year. The second was for Windsor County for 14 hours of day, night, and weekend coverage for a total of $56,784 for a year. The Selectboard discussed their opinions on Window County’s current law enforcement services and agreed that they would like to continue using them for the upcoming year, having already made arrangements for the budget in case they chose to proceed with them again. They wanted to double-check that weekend coverage was still included, but overall chose Windsor County’s proposal. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept Windsor County’s proposal for law enforcement; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
D. Community Nurse Request for Proposal Opening
This item was tabled to February 18th to give proper time to open proposals.
E. Cleopatra Griffin Village Greens Request
Cleopatra Griffin requested to use the village greens on Saturday, June 7th from 11 am- 4 pm for the SafeArt Spring Carnival. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve this request; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
F. Chelsea Annual Flea Market Village Greens Request
The Annual Flea Market would like to use the village greens on July 12th from 6 am- 4 pm for the event, and on July 10th and 11th for set-up. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the request; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
G. Chelsea Farmer’s Market Village Greens Request
The Farmer’s Market requested the use of the village greens on Fridays from 2 pm- 7 pm May 23-October 10. There was a concern that this might affect the Flea Market’s request on July 11th, so the Town Administrator will work with both groups to ensure that they can both operate at the same time. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve this request; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
H. Approve Orders
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: none
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.
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Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes -January 25, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Special Selectboard Meeting Agenda
January 25th, 2025 8:00 am Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 8:05 am. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kevin Marshia (Present) 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present) 
William Lyon (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Additions to the Agenda
Leyna Hoyt had an addition to the agenda; Rick took his truck in for maintenance and found out it needed parts for the manifold and the work was estimated to be between $4,500-$6,500. He wanted to get the Selectboard’s approval in the event the work is over the $5,000 purchasing limit and he needs the work done as soon as possible to get the truck up and running. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve work on the truck up to $6,500; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from January 21, 2025
The Selectboard did not have the opportunity to review the minutes; the item was tabled until the February 4th meeting. No motion was made.
Action Items
A. Budget Amendment
There was a mistake on the previously approved budget; an appropriation petition for the Central Vermont Center on Aging was incorrectly listed at $1,000 instead of the requested $1,250. This affected the overall budget and the Town Meeting Warning.  To remedy this, the budget was adjusted for the additional $250, resulting in a general budget of $1,751,244, $1,144,192 of which will be raised by taxes and $607,052 by non-tax revenue. The Selectboard double-checked the numbers and added them into the final budget spreadsheet. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the budget of $1,751,244 of which $1,144,192 shall be raised by taxes and $607,052 by non-tax revenue; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
B. Town Meeting Warning
The Town Meeting Warning also had to be amended to reflect the appropriation amount, as well as editing the petition for the Chelsea Health Center to reflect the exact language written in their official petition. Article 7 was also added: To transact any other lawful business to properly come before the voters. One last review was made before the Selectboard agreed to approve the Warning. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the edited Warning as written; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 am.
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – January 21, 2025

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
January 21st, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kevin Marshia (Present) 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
William Lyon (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes from January 14, 2025
Kelly Lyford made a motion to approve the minutes from January 14; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. William Lyon abstained. Motion passed.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman let the Selectboard know that a substantial amount of sand has been necessary to use due to recent weather. He is working to conserve as much sand as he can. He also discussed the lead times for truck components for the Town truck that was ordered; factory delays may affect the finish date for the truck. He will work with Leyna and Tierney on getting a better idea of production dates.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard that several FEMA projects are moving forward through the review and approval process. The Selectboard would like to receive updates regarding the pedestrian bridge progress when available. The Town Administrator is consulting with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns regarding recent legal questions on funds appropriated during the 2023 Town Meeting and will update the Selectboard when more information is available.
Action Items
A. Recreation Committee Mowing Budget – John Parker
Gayle Durkee discussed information sent in by John Parker regarding mowing contracts for the coming year. Prices have gone up, so she worked with John to redistribute some funds between the Recreation Committee and the Town to help cover the increased rates. No motion was required.
B. Windsor County Police
Sheriff Palmer with the Windsor County Police attended the meeting virtually to discuss a proposed renewal of the policing contract with the Town and what services Windsor County has provided during the yearlong contract they’ve almost completed. Hourly rates for his officers will be raised from $65 to $78, which will likely bring the current contract up to $56,784 for 14 hours of service provided weekly. In order to finish the budget, the Selectboard decided to account for this price increase in the budget line item of Law Enforcement in the event that a contract is renewed. A request for proposals must be sent out to give fair chance to any agency looking to contract with the Town of Chelsea. The Town Administrator will work on the RFP and post it as soon as possible. No motion was required.
C. Budget Review and Finalization
The Selectboard discussed several remaining items on the budget, and adjusted them accordingly. Some funds were shifted from line items to account for the $20,000 previously dedicated to a community nurse, while others added to Law Enforcement funds. Leyna Hoyt presented information regarding competitive salaries from other towns, mainly for the Road Crew, Road Foreman, and Town Treasurer roles, so the Selectboard could consider budgeting for salary increases. After much discussion, Gregg Herrin suggested a lump sum of money to budget for overall increases in salary for all Town Employees. This was due to time constraints on the budget; it was proposed to reassess all Town Employee salaries at a later date. The amount proposed was $35,000, split between two line items for Highway staff and Town staff. After reviewing the full budget and altering some items, the Selectboard settled on a final budget which includes the total general fund expenditures of $1,750,994 of which $1,144,742 shall be raised by taxes and $606,252 by non-tax revenue. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the budget of $1,750,994 of which $1,144,742 shall be raised by taxes and $606,252 by non-tax revenue; William Lyon seconded the motion. Motion passed.
D. Town Meeting Warning
The Selectboard looked over the drafted Town Warning with the town Administrator. This warning includes requests for tax exemption for the Chelsea Health Center, several social service appropriations, and standard language for the Treasurer to collect tax bills and set a due date of November 1st for taxes. The selectboard added in the finalized budget number and approved the warning. Kelly Lyford made a motion to approve the Town Meeting Warning as written; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve orders; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – January 14, 2025

ByTierney Farago
​​Selectboard Meeting Minutes​  
January 14th, 2025 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall  
 ​Call to Order​ 
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm. 
SELECTBOARD 
Kevin Marshia (Present) 
Kelly Lyford (Present) 
Gregg Herrin (Present) 
Leyna Hoyt (Present) 
TOWN EMPLOYEES 
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator) 
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer) 
Karen Lathrop (Town Clerk) 
 Additions to the Agenda 
-Kelly Lyford added the item of her resignation to the agenda. Kelly informed the Selectboard that she would not be finishing her term (term expires in 2026) and instead would like to resign effective immediately. Gregg Herrin made a motion to accept Kelly’s resignation; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.  To help the Selectboard keep a quorum, she asked the Selectboard to appoint her to the vacant position left by Jesse Kay until Town Meeting Day, where another member can be elected in her place. Gregg Herrin made a motion to appoint Kelly to the vacant 2 year term Selectboard position until the election is held; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed. Karen Lathrop was present to swear Kelly Lyford into office.  
-Billy Lyon was nominated to be appointed to the newly vacant Selectboard role left by Kelly Lyford. Gregg Herrin made a motion to appoint Billy Lyon to the Selectboard until an election occurs on Town Meeting Day; Kevin Marshia seconded the motion. Motion passed. Mr. Lyon will be sworn in at the Town Clerk’s office when he has some availability.  
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None 
Public Comments 
Maryann McCann attended the Selectboard meeting to express her concerns regarding funds that were dispersed to the Chelsea Spotlight in 2023. Maryann stated that she has filed a tax fraud complaint with the State of Vermont regarding this funding. She was also seeking official commentary from the Selectboard regarding the claims that the request and funds were made illegally. The Selectboard disagrees with her stance and will verify that the steps taken to have the item voted on during Town Meeting were correct.  
Approve Minutes from December 3, 2024 and December 17, 2024 
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from December 3 and December 17 with edits made by Kevin Marshia; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed.  
 Current Events and Updates 
A. Highway Update 
The Town Administrator informed the Selectboard that the road crew is keeping the roads in great working shape. There were no significant updates other than the recent Stantec work occurring on Edwards Rd, Doyle Rd, and Maple Ave for the engineering report that is being conducted for the Town.  
B. Town Administrator Update 
Town Report Schedule and Preparation: The Town Administrator shared the calendar of deadlines for Town Meeting Day with the Selectboard. The Town Report is coming along and only needs a few more final additions before it can be sent to the printer at the end of the month. 
C. Sudie Marcuse Piano Repairs 
Sudie Marcuse obtained a quote for piano repair for the historic piano located in Town Hall. These repairs would be funded privately by donation and would restore the piano so that it may be used in the future. The Selectboard thank Sudie for her work and greatly appreciate the help in preserving a historic feature of Town Hall.  
D. Delinquent Water Bills 
The Town Administrator and Town Treasurer informed the Selectboard that residents will be notified for non-payment on water bills soon. There will be a short period of time before the water will be shut off. Those wishing to make payments can visit the Treasurer during her office hours.  
Action Items 
A. Interim Zoning Administrator  
The Selectboard and members from the DRB discussed needing an interim Zoning Administrator. Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission may be able to help with permits and any existing cases until a permanent ZA has been appointed; they will attend the February 4th meeting. The Town Administrator will work with the DRB for any meetings or warnings they may need to schedule.  
B. Zoning Violation Fees 
The Selectboard and members from the DRB discussed the need for violation fees to be established. There is some confusion on whether or not the Selectboard needs to determine the fee schedule and create an ordinance, or if the fees need to be established in the Zoning Bylaws. Representatives from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission have volunteered to attend the February 4th meeting to further explain the process to the Town. No fees were determined during this meeting until more information has been gathered.  
C. Susan Elder: Forest and Parks Commission Grants, Approval to Plant Trees on Public Property 
Susan Elder is working on two grants for the Forest and Parks Commission and the grants require the Selectboard to give their express permission to plant new trees on public property. The Selectboard did not have any issue with this, as it involves replacing old or dead trees. Gregg Herrin made a motion to allow Susan Elder to apply for these grants and allow trees to be planted on public property; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.  
D. Library ADA Access Grant: Automatic Doors 
This item was tabled until contractors has been finalized for the work in the library. 
E. Water/Sewer Budget and Fees 
Gregg Herrin prepared cost assessments to increase water and sewer fees to help the Town catch up to the current expenditure for water/sewer services. Fees have not been raised since 2018, which has put a serious strain on the budget, as expenditures have now surpassed revenue. There were several options on an immediate increase followed by smaller incremental rises in fees over several years to help the Town catch up on revenue. Kevin Marshia suggested that the Selectboard present the information to the public on February 4th so that residents understand why the fees need to be increased and how it will affect them. 
F. Transfer Station Budget 
The Selectboard discussed the possibility of cutting down on how much the construction dumpster is used to possibly help cut costs at the Transfer Station. Currently it costs $450 to get the dumpster and $50 to return it, plus the following additional fees: $155 per ton, $60 per mattress and couch (in addition to the tonnage), and an environmental fee of $100 for each time the dumpster is picked up. The Transfer Station employees have mentioned this may help bring costs down since the dumpster is emptied several times while it is in Town from about May-November. The Selectboard will consider this option.  
G. Selectboard Budget 
The Selectboard accepted the proposed budget as outlined by Gayle Durkee, which is in line with the previous year’s budget line items. 
H. Salary Budget 
Leyna Hoyt brought up the possibility of building in the ability for raises for many Town employees so that Chelsea is more comparable to the salaries of surrounding towns. Kevin Marshia requested more statistical information on competitive salaries and believes it to be too late in budget discussions to be able to factor in salary increases beyond what was already calculated for the 2.5% cost-of-living increases.  
I. Miscellaneous Budget Items 
The Selectboard reviewed all budget items to see if there were any immediate issues with . There were some changes a minor items, but the board was satisfied overall. Gayle Durkee will adjust a few line items that needed additional information. There will be a final review of the budget on January 21st.  
J. Town Meeting Warning 
The Town Administrator reviewed a draft of the Town Meeting Warning. Karen Lathrop suggested edits regarding phrasing and the dates. The Town Meeting Warning will be finalized after the budget has been decided at the next meeting.  
K. Approve Orders 
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.  
Executive Session If Necessary: None 
​Adjournment​ 
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 pm. 
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – December 17, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard meeting agenda
December 17th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall Library
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present, left early at 8:00 pm)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present, joined late)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
Karen Lathrop (Town Clerk)
Tom Swann (Maintenance)
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
-A letter from Frank Keene was received and read during the meeting regarding the pedestrian bridge. He reiterated the fact that he would need to purchase materials for the bridge soon in order to get a discount with his supplier. The Selectboard agreed that they should allow him to purchase materials so he doesn’t miss out on the discount. Progress has been slow with Vermont Emergency Management and FEMA. Gregg Herrin made a motion to allow Frank to move forward with the pedestrian bridge project, working with the Town to submit permits; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed.
-The Selectboard brought up emergency water and sewer expenses as detailed by the Treasurer. The department is in dire need of funds and the Selectboard was required to make a motion on where the funds would come from in order to pay for the contracted services. Gregg Herrin made a motion to move $40,000 from the surplus funds to the water/sewer fund; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Approve minutes from November 19, 2024 and December 3, 2024
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the minutes from November 19th; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion Passed. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the minutes from December 3rd; Kevin Marshia seconded the motion while Kelly Lyford abstained. Due to only having three selectboard members at the time, the item will be tabled until the next meeting. Motion was unsuccessful.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman reported that all is well in training Larry and Tom. Labor was required for one of the trucks after a part broke down.
B. Town Administrator Update: None
C. Pedestrian Bridge Update
The pedestrian bridge was discussed during the reading of Frank Keene’s letter.
D. Library Capital Improvement Plan
Kezia Frayjo attended the meeting to give an overview of the library capital improvement project. In addition to the grant they received for ADA improvements, they will be working on upgrading the library in the coming months, including getting printers and computer for the public, fixing broken blinds, replacing old cushions, opening up the space for more movement, and overall improving the library space for the public.
E. Carrie De Lallo Chelsea Exhibit
Carrie Caouette-De Lallo will have her art exhibit for Chelsea displayed at the state capital building. There will be an event for the exhibit on January 16th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm and all are welcome to attend if they are able. An announcement will be posted regarding the exhibit so the public is aware of the event.
Action Items: Please note some items may be tabled due to time constraints
A. Water/Sewer Budget and Fees
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
B. Transfer Station Budget
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
C. Security Camera RFP Bid Opening
The Selectboard opened a bid for security cameras at Town Hall and the Town Garage. The only proposal was from Green Mountain Security with a bid package of $18,706. The Selectboard discussed the proposal’s specifications and qualifications. They had some questions on how the camera videos are stored and how they can be accessed. Due to time constraints of entering in to a contract by December 31st, the agreed to accept the bid and clarify how the images will be stored. Kelly Lyford made a motion to accept the bid from Green Mountain Security, clarify how the videos are stored, and enter into a contract not to exceed $20,000; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
D. Selectboard and Clerk Budgets
The Clerk only had a few small adjustments to the Clerk’s budget from 2024. The Selectboard’s budget will be reviewed during the next meeting.
E. Auditor RFP Bid Opening
The Selectboard opened two proposals for auditing services. The Joachim Group CPAs & Consultants LLC offered services for a total bid of $33,352.98. Batchelder Associates, PC offered services for a total bid of $19,500. After reviewing the packages and qualifications, the Selectboard agreed that they would like to accept services from Batchelder Associates PC, under the condition that they would be able to offer a one year contract as opposed to a multi-year contract. If that was not an option, the item would be brought back to the Selectboard for further discussion in January. Gregg Herrin made a motion to accept the bid from Batchelder Associates PC for a one year contract; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
F. Zoning Violation Fees
After a short discussion, the Selectboard decided the table this item until they receive more information on what the recommended fee is for zoning violation, as there was not any historical data on how many violations the town gets annually to help decide on a set fee.
G. Town Hall Rental Fees
The Selectboard discussed how often the Town Hall is used with Clerk Karen Lathrop. Currently the rentals account for about $2,180 in revenue, which helps offset the heating bill of $3,800 annually. Because commercial entities rarely book the venue, the Selectboard agreed that the commercial fees should be eliminated. Gregg Herrin made a motion to eliminate commercial fees and continue with only half and full day rental fees; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed.
H. Larry Pickett Contract
The Selectboard signed the culvert work contract for Larry Pickett. No motion was required.
I. Approve Orders
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Executive Session If Necessary: Personnel
The Selectboard had two items for executive session, both regarding personnel. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to enter executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard Entered executive session at 8:51 pm. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to exit executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 9:19 pm. The Selectboard took action to determine holiday bonuses.Leyna Hoyt made a motion to enter executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion.  The Selectboard Entered executive session at 9:20 pm. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to exit executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 9:51 pm. The Selectboard took action to create a job description and post the opening for a zoning administrator when finished.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 9:52 pm.
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – December 3, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
December 3rd, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Kevin Marshia mentioned that Jesse Kay has resigned from the Selectboard as of December 2nd.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Absent)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Absent)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
Additions to the Agenda
-The Town Administrator added a tree removal contract to the agenda, however, the selectboard previously agreed to the emergency service and decided to simply officially sign the contract.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Frank Keene attended to inquire about the status of the pedestrian bridge, as he was able to secure a fair price on steel beams that may only last until the end of the year. The Town Administrator stated that the Town is waiting to have a meeting with Vermont Emergency Management to find out further details of the project; no further update is available at this time.
Approve Minutes from November 19, 2024
Gregg Herrin mentioned that he did not think the minutes aligned with what occurred during the last meeting and will review to see if there are edits to be made. A motion for the approval of minutes from November 19th will be tabled until the next Selectboard meeting.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman gave a general update of the state of the roads with the recent snow. He also mentioned that Larry Pickett was officially hired as part-time seasonal road crew. He has passed all necessary checks and has begun training to plow the west hill area.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator did not have any updates outside of meetings with Vermont Emergency Management regarding FEMA project and the pedestrian bridge that was discussed earlier in the meeting during public comments.
C. VTrans Bridges: Jon Griffin
Jon Griffin and Andrew Lemieux from VTrans attended the meeting for a presentation regarding the construction status of two bridges on VT Rte 110 (bridges #12 and #13). Both bridges have gone through preliminary plans and continue to be engineered. The Selectboard and audience members were able to ask some questions regarding the standards for lanes and shoulders for bridges. The bridges will continue to go through planning, permitting, and preliminary construction, as the bridges are constructed off site before being transported to the sites. Final construction is anticipated for April-October 2027. Jon and Andrew will continue to update the Town as the project develops.
Action Items
A. Water/Sewer Budget
The Selectboard went through the preliminary water and sewer budget. There were some changes from the 2024 budget, including increases in electricity due to price increases, as well as contract service increases. The Selectboard also discussed the importance of capital improvement, mainly meter and hydrant replacements that are necessary as the items get older and less effective. This topic will be brough up later, as well as at Town Meeting. As the full budget is addressed, the numbers for water and sewer may change, but for now it is sufficient to continue.
B. Transfer Station Budget
The Selectboard also discussed the transfer station/solid waste budget. There were only some slight changes to some of the line items from the 2024 budget. The board discussed recycle stickers and punch cards, as there has been a decline in recycling dropped off and it is unclear as to the reason. This budget will also be ironed out more during the full budget discussions.
C. Draft Town Plan Adoption
The public hearing for the draft Town Plan was held on November 19th. Only one resident attended the hearing. With no further questions posed, the hearing was closed, and the draft Town Plan was ready to be adopted by Chelsea and sent for regional planning approval with Two Rivers. Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the Town Plan and send it for regional review approval; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 3 votes in favor.   
D. VMERS Acceptance for Town Administrator
A previous motion to accept VMERS for the Town Administrator position was deemed not specific enough and the Selectboard was asked to read word-for-word a new motion to ensure it is properly recorded. Gregg Herrin made a motion that the Town of Chelsea offer VMERS Group A to the position of Town Administrator effective 1/1/25, VMERS will administer an election for the Town Administrator to join VMERS A effective 1/1/25, any Town Administrator hired after the date of this vote will automatically be enrolled in VMERS Group A; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 3 votes in favor.
E. Library Balcony Chairs
Nick DeFriez was in attendance to discuss the rehabilitation of the balcony chairs. The Fire Marshal stated that the previous plans to remove chairs and possibly add bookcases for library storage would not be possible, so it has been tabled for the moment.
F.  Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 3 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 3 votes in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.
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DRAFT Selectboard Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
November 19th, 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 (Absent)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
Susan Elder (Lister)
Additions to the Agenda
-MVP Health Insurance: The Town Treasurer came back with additional information regarding insurance that was on the last agenda. MVP is not leaving Vermont, so the Selectboard agreed that they would rather keep MVP rather than switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield since it is more expensive and offers the same coverage. The Treasurer also brough up adding vision insurance to the current health insurance; the cost would be $12 annually (per employee) and $67 annually (Town). The Selectboard agree that this would be great to offer Town employees. This will be factored in for the 2025 budget. No motion was made.
-Sewer Ordinance: A resident recently had an issue with a blocked sewer line, and it was unclear who the responsibility falls to per the current Sewer Ordinance. It was recommended that the ordinance be amended to include language that clearly states the responsibility of both the property owner and the Town. The Town Administrator will work with staff to start drafting the amendment to avoid future uncertainty.
-Larry Pickett Contract: The Treasurer brought in a contract for culvert work, but because this is an action item that requires notice, this will be added to the next meeting agenda for consideration.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Pete Amber from the Forest and Parks Commission wanted to discuss the possibility of having Rick Ackerman haul in fine gravel to help level out the ice rink before the season begins. The Selectboard agreed and asked him to speak with Rick directly to coordinate the effort.
Approve Minutes from November 6, 2024
The Selectboard requested two minor edits to the minutes for clarification on the community nursing RFP and adding the motion of approval for the highway permit. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from November 6th with edits; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Gregg Herrin abstained. Motion passed with 3 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
There were no new updates for the highway at this time.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard on the status of the wastewater engineering report; we just had the 30% meeting with Dufresne, with the 60% report expected in the coming weeks. The pedestrian bridge is still being reviewed by Vermont Emergency Management. The Town was also awarded a MERP grant, which was discussed more in depth later in the meeting.
C. Town Report Schedule
The Town Administrator shared some information regarding the deadlines for the upcoming Town Report and Town Meeting. December 31st is the last day for all department reports to be submitted so they can be included in the full Town Report. The calendar with all dates, including petition and proofing deadlines, will be sent to Town employees and Selectboard.
Action Items
A. Administrative Budget (Treasurer, Admin, Listers, ZA)
The Town Administrator updated numbers for the administrative department’s budget, including allowances for cost of living increases and presented this to the board. They agreed that the department budget is at a point where they feel comfortable continuing with the rest of the budget and will adjust numbers if needed when the numbers have been received for more departments. There was additional discussion on the sharing of child care tax; the Selectboard agreed that sharing the cost (0.33% town, 0.11% employee) would be reasonable. This will be factored in to the budget. No motion was made.
B. Highway Budget
Rick Ackerman attended the meeting to go through each line item with the Selectboard. Several line items decreased based on need, while other items increased as necessary, like gravel and highway salaries, which will be assessed by the liaisons moving forward. The highway budget can continue forward with these tentative numbers and will be modified as more departments send in their changes to the 2025 budget. No motion was made.
C. Proposed Orange County Police Contract Review
The Town Administrator notified the Selectboard that a contract proposal from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was received. Since the Selectboard did not have any other proposed 2025 contracts to compare it to, this contract will be considered at a later date when all other options have been received. The Town Administrator will reach out to Windsor County for data on current policing and the proposed contract renewal. No motion was made.
D. Forest and Parks Commission Grant Application for Trees
Susan Elder came to represent the Forest and Parks Commission and their effort to apply for two grants to help remove and replace dead trees on Town properties. She discussed the intent and deadlines for both grants. The Selectboard was appreciative of these efforts and they fully support submitting applications for the grants. No official motion was needed at this time.
E. Contract for Martinea Electric
The Treasurer explained that this contract was for electric services provided for the wastewater treatment plant. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve and sign the contract; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
F. Contract for Adam Stone Trucking
The Treasurer explained that this contract was for chervil mowing that was conducted in June. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve and sign the contract; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
G. Signatures for MERP Grant Acceptance
The Town Administrator shared that Chelsea was awarded the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) grant for $406,506.25. In order to accept the grant funding, a grantee signature is required before December 16th. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to accept the MERP grant and allow Kasey Peterson, grant administrator, to sign on behalf of the town; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
H. Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary: Personnel
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to enter executive session for personnel, inviting Tierney Farago and Rick Ackerman; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 6:56 pm. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to exit executive session; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 7:08 pm. The Selectboard reviewed and discussed applications for the open highway crew position. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to offer the position for part-time seasonal work to Larry Pickett; Kelly Lyford seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 pm.
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DRAFT Selectboard Meeting Minutes – November 6, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
November 6th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Kevin Marshia called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
SELECTBOARD
Kevin Marshia (Present)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present until 8:31 pm)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Gayle Durkee (Town Treasurer)
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Frank Keene attended to inquire about the status of the pedestrian bridge project; this was addressed during the town administrator update.
Approve Minutes from October 15, 2024
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from October 15, 2024; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion was approved with 5 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman reported on highway happenings including replacement of culverts, status of gravel/sand, and a possible candidate for the open road worker position. He will advise the candidate to submit an application as provided by the Town Administrator.
B. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard with a few items; the pedestrian bridge project is currently being worked on by the Town, Vermont Emergency Management, and the Agency of Natural Resources. Currently the Town is waiting for responses from the other agencies for next steps. The wastewater facility engineering contract is now at 30% completion and is awaiting comments from the Agency of Natural Resources. The engineering contract for the FEMA projects has been fully executed and will now begin.
C. Community Nurse
Judy Libby attended the meeting to convey to the Selectboard that the Chelsea Health Center is willing to contribute ½ to ¾ of the price of a community nursing program if the Town will approve of the contract position. The Selectboard discussed the viability and responsibility of the position; there were some concerns that it may not be the Town’s place to be the executor of the program. In addition to this concern, the topic of funding was another factor. Mrs. Libby assured the Selectboard that the Health Center is more than happy to contribute funding if it means that the community nurse will be approved. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the Town Administrator to put out a request for proposals for a community nurse for one year at 12 hours a week, with the expectation that the Chelsea Health Center will pay for at least 50% of the contract when awarded; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. The motion passed with a majority of 3 votes in favor.
Action Items
A. Administrative Budget (Treasurer, Admin, Listers, ZA)
The Town Administrator presented the proposed budget for the administrative division that includes the Town Administrator, Town Treasurer, Grant Administrator (formerly Administrative Assistant), Listers, Delinquent Tax Collector, and the Zoning Administrator/DRB. Several budget line items were requested to be increased including the Town Administrator salary, retirement, healthcare, etc., as they were all previously $0 for 2024. The Selectboard also discussed what the cost-of-living increase for the year might be. Items that were decreased included supplies and publication budgets for the zoning administrator, as the funds were barely used during 2024.  The Selectboard would also like further clarification on a few items including the Zoning Administrator salary increase, as well as the possible increases in cost-of-living expenses; the Treasurer and Administrator will research and report back at the next meeting. No motion was made.
B. Health Insurance
Gayle Durkee presented the comparison of MVP and Blue Cross Blue Shield for employee health insurance, with BCBS being higher by nearly $10. Kelly Lyford was concerned that MVP may be leaving Vermont, so the Treasurer and Town Administrator will investigate if the service is going away and see if the Town will need to switch anyway.
C. VTrans Utility Agreement
The VTrans Utility Agreement was previously discussed in a Selectboard meeting; this agreement is to pay VTrans for the use their contractor to perform adjustments to manholes and water valve boxes in Town as opposed to the Town having to hire an additional contractor. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the utility agreement; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
D. 215 Williamstown Rd Highway Permit
Jesse Kay made a motion to approve a culvert permit for 215 Williamstown Rd; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
E. Contract for NEMRC Reappraisal
The proposal from NEMRC was previously approved in another meeting. The Selectboard signed the official contract for the reappraisal.
F. Contract for Martinea Electric
This item was tabled to gather more information on the contract.
G. Contract for Adam Stone Trucking
This item was tabled to gather more information on the contract.
H. Contract for Brookfield Service
This contract is for servicing the generator at the wastewater plant for 2025. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the contract; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
I. Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion was approved with 4 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary: Personnel Matter
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to enter executive session, inviting Tierney Farago to join; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. The Selectboard entered executive session at 8:39 pm to discuss personnel. Leyna Hoyt made a motion to exit executive session; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. The Selectboard exited executive session at 8:56 pm. Jesse Kay made a motion for Leyna Hoyt and Tierney Farago to discuss negotiations for light maintenance, snow blowing, and other duties in Town with a potential candidate; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jesse Kay seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes in favor.
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – October 15, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Minutes
October 15th, 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 until 8:00 pm)
Kelly Lyford (Present)
Gregg Herrin (Present)
Leyna Hoyt (Present)
Jesse Kay (Present)
TOWN EMPLOYEES
Tierney Farago (Town Administrator)
Rick Ackerman (Highway Supervisor)
Kasey Peterson (Grants Administrator)
Phyllis Hayward (Lister)
Susan Elder (Lister)
Frank Keene (Cemetery Commissioner)
Additions to the Agenda: None
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments: None
Approve Minutes From October 1st 2024
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the minutes from October 1st; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with five votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
A. Draft Town Plan/Regional Plan
Peter Gregory from the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission attended the meeting to discuss the changing regional plan as it applies to Chelsea’s draft Town Plan. The Selectboard’s main concerns were regarding the change for principal retail to be only within the village center. Peter discussed the reasoning for the zoning changes, as well as the need for updating floodplains throughout the state. He will continue to work with Chelsea and other towns facing the same issues as they continue to update the regional plan. He recommended continuing with the current draft Town Plan so that Chelsea has one in place and has the ability to amend the plan in the future. The Selectboard agreed to move forward with the draft and set a date for the public hearing. Jesse Kay made a motion to schedule the Draft Town Plan hearing for November 19th; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with five votes in favor.
B. Pedestrian Bridge
Frank Keene presented specifications on the proposed bridge rebuild. Ben Rose from the Vermont Emergency Management department was in attendance to speak on the FEMA aspect of the project. He mentioned that moving forward with FEMA on the project can result in the Town using the funds for alternate projects after they cost it out. The Selectboard has considered the options and would like to move forward with the project in FEMA while Mr. Keene works on the bridge. Jesse Kay made a motion to move ahead with the pedestrian bridge; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with five votes in favor.
C. Lister: Reappraisal
Phyllis Hayward and Susan Elder brought to the Selectboard’s attention two corrections that needed to be made on the Grand List. They submitted the corrections to the Selectboard for approval and signatures. No official motion was made for this approval. They also made a recommendation for the Request for Proposals made for the Town’s reappraisal; NEMRC had the preferred proposal of $91,560.00 for the reappraisal to be conducted from 2027-2029. Jesse Kay made a motion to approve the bid from NEMRC for $91,560.00; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with five votes in favor.
D. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman provided the Selectboard with a salt invoice to be signed by a Selectboard member. Snow blowing for the town was discussed; Rick will speak with another employee to see if they would be willing to snow blow this winter if another road worker is not hired. He mentioned that we will be needing gravel as well. He also discussed the issue of trash at a home that is no longer occupied; he will be picking up the trash bags and taking them to the transfer station for disposal. In regards to the open road worker position, the Town Administrator will advertise on additional sites and the Selectboard agreed that it would be best to open the position for part-time/seasonal and full-time to attract more candidates.
E. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator reported that a meeting with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns regarding insurance for the pedestrian bridge was rescheduled.
F. Myers/Casella Trash Prices
The Town Administrator presented the current prices for trash collection from Myers and Casella. Casella is about $10 more each month than Myers. The Town Administrator will reach out to Casella and see if there is any way to get the price down below Myers.
Action Items
A. Approve Orders
Jesse Kay moved to approve the orders; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with four votes in favor. (Kevin Marshia had to leave the meeting early).
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
**Before adjournment the Selectboard discussed the next meeting; it was decided that there would be no meeting on October 29th. The November 5th meeting will also be moved to Wednesday, November 6th due to Election Day.**
Jesse Kay moved to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with four votes in favor. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 pm.
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes – October 1, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
October 1st, 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)
Additions to the Agenda
The Town Administrator added final signatures for a previously approved loan agreement for the Wastewater Plant upgrade project. The Selectboard had questions regarding the loan and what part of the earmarked funds would be used for the loan. The Town Administrator will follow up with the engineering firm to confirm.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None
Public Comments
Frank Keene and Tim Courts attended the meeting to express their frustrations with the ongoing process of attempting to rebuild the pedestrian bridge. Mr. Keene obtained a petition from numerous residents to allow work to be conducted to rebuild the bridge. The Selectboard heard these concerns and are working diligently along with the Town Administrator to find the means to properly rebuild the bridge by following all rules and regulations required.
Approve Minutes from September 17th 2024
Gregg Herrin made a motion to approve the minutes from September 17th; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Current Events and Updates
A. Town Administrator Update
The Town Administrator updated the Selectboard on the first meeting regarding the engineering study for the wastewater plant upgrade. FEMA meetings are still occurring to wrap up the projects for emergency work done last year. There have also been ongoing talks with ANR regarding the pedestrian bridge replacement. Further clarification is needed.
B. Highway Update
Rick Ackerman gave an update on the Grants in Aid projects that were completed for several areas around town. All projects went smoothly. He will be working on gravel and sand for future road work. There have been no additional applications for the open road worker position.
C. Transfer Station
The Selectboard discussed revenue and expenditure numbers provided by the Treasurer regarding the transfer station data of trash and recyclables received. Based on past year totals, the transfer station is currently breaking even rather than being over-budget. It appears that implementing tickets and recycle stickers have been helping alleviate costs accrued for the transfer station.
D. Quarterly Library Update
Kezia Frayjo presented a quarterly update on the happenings of the library. Currently their budget is healthy and they recently received a $20,000 grant to help upgrade the library/Town Hall to be more ADA accessible. They have had great success with after school programs, summer programs, the book sale, and certifications for the librarian. Their challenges include space needs and shared resources currently. Kezia requested a motion to remove 50% of the balcony chairs in Town Hall so the remaining chairs can be refurbished and the balcony can be cleared for more storage for books. The Selectboard agreed to add the item to a future agenda to have proper warning for the public. Kezia will work with the Town Administrator to reach out to the fire inspectors about the plans and ensure it is acceptable from a fire safety perspective.
E. Community Nursing Forum
Several community members and a representative from First Branch Ambulance attended to show support for acquiring a community nurse for the town. Jodi Hoyt, community nurse for Tunbridge, gave a summary of the program for those that may not have been looped in during previous Selectboard meetings. The Selectboard discussed the possibility of cost-sharing with the Chelsea Health Center in order to be able to fund the position. The Health Center will internally discuss what they may be able to offer financially. The Selectboard also heard some comments from residents who are concerned about tax raises to pay for the nurse position. Kelly Lyford mentioned that a contract position rather than a Town employee model would be the best fit for the Town if it moving forward with acquiring a community nurse. This item will be added to the October 15th meeting agenda to discuss further.
Action Items
A. North Common Landscaping
The Town Administrator brought up the topic of landscaping updates for the north and south commons from the previous meeting. There are funds in the budget to pay for services to infill areas, aerate, fertilize, and otherwise tidy up the commons. It was also confirmed that the expected monetary threshold is low enough to proceed with accepting services from the current mowing contractor. Work would be done on the commons on days that do not interrupt any scheduled events. Due to the expected pricing of the services (approx. $2,400), the Selectboard did not need to make a motion and agreed to let the Town Administrator proceed with executing the contract.
B. Town Forest Management Plan
David Paganelli, Orange County Forester, attended virtually but was unable to stay to discuss the Forest Management Plan. Kate Willard stepped in to elaborate on the plan for the Selectboard. The Management Plan includes timber sales and a path to both preserve and prune the forest as recommended by the foresters. Jesse Kay made a motion to adopt the Town Forest Management Plan from 2023; Leyna Hoyt seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor. The Town Administrator will follow up with the County Forrester to begin plans for following forest management.
C. Approve Orders
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to approve the orders; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor.
Executive Session If Necessary: None
Adjournment
Leyna Hoyt made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Gregg Herrin seconded the motion. Motion passed with 5 votes in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.