News

Road Closure and Evacuation Update

ByJesse Kay

Chelsea Village experienced extensive flooding overnight. Residents in the village have been advised to evacuate and take shelter at the United Church of Chelsea. We will continue to update this page as we learn more.

Please continue to monitor weather reports and be mindful of water levels in rivers and streams. Stay off the roads if you do not need to travel and do not drive or walk through flood water as strong currents or unseen washouts may sweep you or your car away.

If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911. If you have a non-emergent question, contact Tracy Simon (Chelsea’s Emergency Management Director) at 802-839-0522.

If you have information about local road and bridge conditions or closures, please contact Jesse Kay at jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

For the latest road closure updates, please visit https://newengland511.org.

Orange County Road Closings

  • VT-14 in Williamstown in the Williamstown Gulf is CLOSED due to flooding.
  • VT-14 in Brookfield is CLOSED from Brown Drive to Tripp RD due to flooding
    like 1 
  • VT-65 in Brookfield Floating Bridge over Sunset Lake is CLOSED due to flooding
  • VT-14 in Randolph is CLOSED between Clay Wright Rd and S Randolph Rd due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in East Randolph north of VT-66 is CLOSED to all traffic due to flooding. Closures also likely to extend into Brookfield.
  • VT-64 In Williamstown from junction of VT-14 to I-89 is closed due to flooding. 
  • VT-110 is CLOSED in Washington Village due to flooding
  • VT-110 in Washington is down to one lane near Richardson Rd due to flooding. 
  • VT-25 in Topsham near Waits River Valley School is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-25 in Topsham at Waits River Valley School to Brook Rd in Corinth is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in Vershire is CLOSED between Darling Hill Rd and Vershire Center Rd due to flooding 
  • VT-113 in Vershire is CLOSED near Beaver Meadow Rd due to flooding.

Washington County Road Closings

  • Berlin State Highway between VT-62 and US-302 is CLOSED to all traffic due to flooding at the bottom of the highway near US-302 
  • VT-62 EB at Hospital Hill (Airport Rd & Berlin State Hwy) is CLOSED to VT-62 EB traffic into Barre and WB traffic via Berlin State Hwy into Berlin/Montpelier to US-302. 
  • VT-62 in Berlin from Airport Rd to US-302 is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • I-89 NB at Exit 8 is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • I-89 NB from Exit 7 to Exit 9 is CLOSED to ALL TRAFFIC due to flooding.
  • I-89 NB just north of Exit 8 in Montpelier is closed to ONE LANE due to water
  • I-89 SB from Exit 9 to Exit 8 is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • VT-12A South of Roxbury village between Railroad Ave and Sullivan Hill Rd is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-12A in Roxbury is CLOSED in both directions from Railroad Ave to Sullivan Hill Rd. 
  • VT-12 in Worcester at Ledge Rd is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • The Waterbury Park and Ride off Lincoln St in Waterbury is CLOSED due to high water. 
  • VT-12 in Berlin at Chase Rd is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-12 in Berlin between Slayton Ave and Weston St is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • VT-12 in Worchester north of Mill Rd near Tavern Farm is now CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • US-2 in Middlesex near Lower Barnett Hill Rd is closed due to flooding.
  • Route 302 at the intersection of Route 2 to Sherwood Drive is now closed. We will update as soon as it is reopened 
  • US-2 in Marshfield is CLOSED between Plainfield Village and Nasmith Brook Rd due to flooding State Street from Bailey Avenue to Graves Street is closed 
  • State Street in Montpelier from Bailey Avenue to Graves Street is closed 
  • US-2 in East Montpelier between Gallison Hill Rd and Muddy Brook Rd is CLOSED due to flooding
  • US-302 in Barre Town from Old Route 302 to the roundabout is CLOSED due to flooding.
  • US-2 in Waterbury near Farrs Field (West of Waterbury) is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • US-2 Marshfield near Folsom Hill Road is CLOSED due to a mudslide. 
  • US-2 immediately west of the Village of Marshfield is CLOSED due to flooding 
  • US-2 in Marshfield at Beaver Meadow Road is CLOSED due to flooding and debris/mud
  • US-2 in Duxbury is CLOSED between VT-100 and VT-100B due to Flooding. 
  • US-302 in Orange near Reservoir Road is CLOSED due to flooding. 
  • VT-14 in Calais at Pekin Brook Road is CLOSED due to flooding.
Emergency Shelters

If you need to evacuate or are unable to return to your home, see below for a listing of emergency shelters for Vermonters. Our local emergency shelter is at the United Church of Chelsea

For people impacted by flooding in Vermont, below is a list of emergency shelters confirmed by Vermont Public.

Weather and Flash Flood Notice

ByJesse Kay

The National Weather Service anticipates widespread heavy rain starting tonight (7/9) and continuing through tomorrow afternoon with accumulation up to 4.8″ in Chelsea. The impacts of such heavy rainfall include saturated soils, clogged and washed-out culverts, washed-out dirt roads/shoulders, elevated river levels, and flash flooding.

Individuals living in the downtown area and near the Jail Brook or First Branch River are more likely to experience flooding. We advise you to monitor the weather, plan accordingly, and prioritize your safety.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911, other questions contact Tracy Simon, Chelsea’s Emergency Management Director, at 802-839-0522. For non-emergent questions, please contact the Administrative Assistant at administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us or the Chelsea Selectboard Emergency Liaison at jessekselectboard@gmail.com.

Notice:

ByPatty Swahn

Notice:
On 7/4/2023 the town performed our monthly 8 hour composite samples as required by our discharge permit. We typically composite the samples and submit them to the lab on the same day, but because of the holiday the samples were not submitted until Wednesday 7/5/2023.

The required monthly E-coli sample is usually not taken until just before going to the lab to ensure the shortest possible hold time. 

The latest test resulted in a high ecoli count. The permitted amount is 77 colonies / 100 milligrams per liter, our result was 800 colonies / 100 milligrams per liter. Wednesdays are the normal wasting days at the facility (wasting is the process of collecting solids in the bottom of the primary clarifier to be pumped to a sludge holding tank. The sludge is then hauled to final disposal by a permitted hauler at a later time. Typically about 2000 gallons of sludge is removed.) This process of wasting creates a drop and corresponding spike in flow when discharge returns. The ecoli sample was taken during this spike in flow. The sample was taken at 10:45 am and the flow returned to normal conditions about 11:45 am. The average flow during this period was about 23 gallons per minute, so an estimated 1380 gallons left the facility during this period.

The elevated ecoli numbers were reported to the state and were advised to provide notice to residents. The State requires a 48 hour notice to those pursuing recreation activities in the river. This 48 hour period has passed and there is no standing advisory to the public to avoid the river at this time.
 
If you have any questions please contact our wastewater operator, Mike Whipple (WSChiefoperator@chelseavt.us) or the Health Officer, Geoff Clayton (gwc05038@gmail.com).

West Fairlee-Thetford Vt. Rte 113 Culvert Replacement Postponed

ByPatty Swahn
A 48-hour Closure of Vermont Route 113 Has Been Postponed to July 29-30
West Fairlee and Thetford- A 48-hour planned closure of Vermont Route 113 (VT 113) previously scheduled for July 22-23 has been postponed to July 29-30. During the planned closure, VT Route 113, near the West Fairlee-Thetford town line, will be closed to all traffic.    During the closure, a state-signed detour route will be in place for motorists. The detour will travel south from VT Route 113 and U.S. Route 5 to VT Route 14 in Hartford, then head west towards VT Route 110 to go north and return to VT Route 113. 
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Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes (draft)

ByPatty Swahn

Special Selectboard Meeting Minutes (Draft)
July 1, 2023 – Chelsea Town Hall

Selectboard present: Kevin Marshia, Chair, Leyna Hoyt and William Lyon

  1. Call to Order – Kevin called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM
  2. Approve two permit requests for the Roberts-Gould Field
    Leyna motioned to approve the permit for the Chelsea Flea Market parking, Bill seconded. All approved the permit request.

Leyna motioned to approve the permit for First Branch Babe Ruth, Bill seconded.
All approved the permit request.

Leyna motioned to adjourn the meeting; Bill seconded.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM

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Chelsea Select Board Special Meeting Agenda, July 1, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Select Board Special Meeting Agenda
Saturday, July 1, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Chelsea Town Hall

I. Call Meeting to order

II. Conflict of interest disclosure

III. Approve Two Permits for us of the Roberts – Gould Athletic Field
A: First Branch Babe Ruth Baseball
B: Chelsea Flea Market Association, Flea Market Parking

IV. Adjourn

Chelsea Town Forest and Parks Commission

ByPatty Swahn

The Chelsea Selectboard is looking for interested residents to serve on the Chelsea Town Forest and Parks Commission.   The Commission will provide input to the Selectboard on the function and uses of the Town Forest as well as provide input on Town Parks.  An example of activities that this Commission will be asked to make recommendations on include; tree maintenance and replacement on the North and South Common, timber sales and recreational usage of the Town Forest.  These town owned properties are an incredible resource to our community and we look forward to working with a new Commission to address current and future uses and functions of these assets.  If you are interested, please send an email to Patty Swahn, Administrative Assistant at administrativeassistant@chelseavt.us by close of business on Friday, July 7th.  

Update: Postpone of 48 hour road closure West Fairlee and Thetford. Road Closure to begin on July 22

ByPatty Swahn
TRAFFIC ALERT STP CULV (48) West Fairlee   [West Fairlee-Thetford Vermont Route 113 Culvert Replacement Project]  
A 48-hour Closure of Vermont Route 113 Has Been Postponed to July 22
West Fairlee and Thetford- A 48-hour planned closure of Vermont Route 113 (VT 113) previously scheduled for July 8-9 has been postponed to July 22-23 to minimize impacts to the Chelsea Flea Market. During the planned closure, VT Route 113, near the West Fairlee-Thetford town line, will be closed to all traffic.    During the closure, a state-signed detour route will be in place for motorists. The detour will travel south from VT Route 113 and U.S. Route 5 to VT Route 14 in Hartford, then head west towards VT Route 110 to go north and return to VT Route 113. 

Planning Commission Agenda, June 29, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Planning Commission Meeting Agenda 
Thursday, June 29. 2023
7:00 pm
Chelsea Town Hall

  1. Call to order
  2. Elect a Secretary
  3. Discuss and review edits to the town plan, sections V., Education through VII Health and Emergency Services
  4. Comments
  5. Set next meeting and topics
  6. Adjourn
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Selectboard Meeting Minutes, June 20, 2023

ByPatty Swahn

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 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
Community Attendance: Pete Amber, Mark Lembke, Kate Willard, David Paganelli, Andy Pomerantz

Meeting –
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Kevin.
Conflict of Interest – No conflict of interest
Additions to the agenda – Access Permit, Jim and Susan Kay, Flea Market, Personal Policy, Water/Wastewater

Jesse moved to recess the meeting for 30 minutes for a walking tour of the common with Pete Amber, Seconded by Leyna. Selectboard meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm to begin walking tour with Pete Amber.
Selectboard reconvened at 7:14 pm.

Certified Arborist – Pete Amber – Pete walked with us around the common and suggested that the priorities are:
Removing dead limbs – can be done anytime.
Removing lower branches on limbs so that there is an 8-foot clearance.
Clear out trees around structures.
Clear out trees around signs.
Both parks have numerous trees that need to be removed. It’s best to do that in the winter as there is less impact on the park.

Orange County Forester Dave Paginelli–
Dave prepared a draft of the Chelsea Town Forest Stewardship Plan 2023-2025.
Town Forestry has worked with Chelsea since 1940.
Town of Chelsea has two parcels of town forest, the larger of the two is called the Laird Farm parcel and the smaller is called the George Tutherly parcel. Laird Farm is on both sides of Jenkins Brook Road, just before the town line with Vershire and George Tutherly is east of County Road halfway between Jenkins Brook Road and the Tunbridge Town line.

Stand 1 – Laird Farm – Forest type – Northern Hardwood – 109 acres
Stand 2 – Laird Farm – Forest type – Mixwood (25 – 65% softwood) 98 acres
Stand 3 – Laird Farm – Forest Type – Northern Hardwood – 81 acres
Stand 4 – Laird Farm – Forest Type – Softwood Plantation – 24 acres
Stand 5 – George Tutherly parcel – Forest Type – Northern Hardwood – 7.1 acres
Stand 6 – George Tutherly parcel – Forest Type – Regeneration – 15.53 acres

Public Comments – Phyllis Hayward has expressed concern of the upcoming VT 113 closure for culvert work Thetford/West Fairlee Town Line and the impact it will have on the Flea Market.

Approve Minutes – Leyna moved to approve the minutes from the June 6 meeting, with the edits from Kelly. Jesse seconded. All approved – “aye”, minutes were approved with edits.

Transfer Station – Jesse reached out Mr. Hamilton, Outreach Coordinator of Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District for information what type of payment surrounding towns use for their transfer station/recycling center.
Jesse to pursue the logistics of implanting a ticket system for the Transfer Station.
Billy will ask surrounding towns regarding their budgets for Transfer Station and are they running into a deficit.

Grants – Kevin gave an update on the Sidewalk Project; the Town has received all the clearances needed for the Sidewalk project from VTrans. Kevin to schedule a meeting for next Friday with Rick, Mike Whipple, Chris Paul, and Mike Avery to go over the water and sewer lines and the shut off.

Highway Department:
John has a lot of the chervil mowed.
10-wheeler needed to go Lucky’s to reprogram the transmission, Rick didn’t like how it was downshifting.
The Selectboard will address the process for temporary permit access for logging.
Leyna went over the evaluation of the loader, estimated cost of replacing the radiator, $7,502.98, estimated cost of replacing seals, gaskets in cover housing, $7,223.76.
Next steps – service loader and review Town Capital Equipment Fund.

Permits – James and Susan Kay Highway Access Permit, Jesse recused herself from the vote. Leyna motioned to approve the Access Permit for James and Susan Kay, Bill seconded, all in favor – “aye”, all approved, and the motion was passed to approve the Access Permit for James and Susan Kay.

Phyllis Hayward for United Church of Chelsea Ice Cream Social on the North Common, August 12. Jesse motioned for approval, Leyna Seconded, all in favor – “aye”, all approved, and the motion was passed to approve the permit for United Church of Chelsea.

Phyllis Hayward for United Church of Chelsea, closure of road in front of Church for July 2 outdoor Church service, Kevin to have conversation with Phyllis on how this has been done in the past. Leyna motioned to approve of Kevin having a conversation with Phyllis, Bill seconded, all in favor – “aye”, motion was approved, and Kevin will contact Phyllis.

Website – Jesse asked for the Board Members opinion about adding businesses on the
Town website, Bill agreed to this, as this may help draw people to the Town. Jesse reached out to VCLT to see about adding businesses to the Town website is legal, and it is fine to do so. Need to set a policy or procedure to put in place.
Jesse to contact Kasey regarding the Department tab on the website, as not everything on there is functioning yet.

Planning Commission – The Planning Commission is moving forward.

Additions to Agenda –
Sewer Plant inspection, two things that really need addressing, Pump Station and Chlorine room. Kevin and Kelly to talk with Mike about the SCADA System.
Mike sends Kevin and Kelly a weekly report on what was done during the week.

Concerns from Phyllis Hayward regarding the closure of Route 113 in Fairlee/Thetford town line, as this coincides with the Flea Market. Action to be taken by the Selectboard to send a letter to VTrans for reconsider and alternative date for the closure. Kevin and Kelly to prepare the letter.

Personnel Policy, Kelly reviewed some of the changes that have been made to the Personal Policy, everything highlighted is new content, bringing the policy up to statute. Plan to get the Personal Policy to all Town Employees for their review and make time to meet with employees to receive their feedback. Additional work still needs to be done.

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 –
Town Forrest
ARPA
Orange County Sherriff
Development Review Board
Budget review with Gayle
Capital Equipment Fund
Arts Community

Selectboard agreed to not hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 4, and will meet again on Tuesday, July 18.

Executive Session – No Executive Session
Adjourn – Leyna motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 pm, Jesse seconded, all agreed to adjourn the meeting.