News

Notice of Public Hearing: Draft Chelsea Town Plan – November 19, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Chelsea Selectboard
Notice of Public Hearing
On the Draft Chelsea Town Plan November 19th at 6:00PM at the Chelsea Town Hall and Virtually.

The Chelsea Selectboard will be holding a hearing on the Draft Town Plan at 6:00PM on November 19th at the
Chelsea Town Hall, 296 VT-110, Chelsea, VT 05038 and via Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq.

The purpose of this hearing is to take comments from the public on the draft Town Plan so that the Selectboard can
consider these as it makes its final revisions prior to adoption. The proposed Town Plan will replace the current
Town Plan in its entirety. Copies of the draft can be found at the Town Office during business hours. Comments may
be mailed to the attention of the Selectboard at P.O. Box 266 Chelsea, VT 05038.

Below is a summary of the proposal.

I. Goals of the Plan
II. Demographics
III. Economic Development
IV. Housing
V. Education
VI. Utilities and Facilities
VII. Recreation and Parks
VIII. Health and Emergency Services
IX. Natural, Scenic, and Cultural Resources
X. Agriculture and Forestry
XI. Land Use Plan
XII. Transportation
XIII. Energy
XIV. Relationship to Other Plans
XV. Town Plan Implementation
Appendix A

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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – November 17, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Selectboard Meeting Agenda
November 19th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from November 6, 2024
Current Events and Updates
A. Highway Update
B. Town Administrator Update
C. Town Report Schedule
Action Items
A. Administrative Budget (Treasurer, Admin, Listers, ZA)
B. Highway Budget
C. Proposed Orange County Police Contract Review
D. Forest and Parks Commission Grant Application for Trees
E. Contract for Martinea Electric
F. Contract for Adam Stone Trucking
G. Signatures for MERP Grant Acceptance
H. Approve Orders
Executive Session If Necessary: Personnel
Adjournment
Links to join the Selectboard Meeting:     
https://meet.google.com/fwf-ayyb-acq
https://www.youtube.com/@ChelseaVTSelectboardOfficial/streams

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Forest and Parks Commission Minutes – November 4, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Minutes

Forest and Parks Commission

November 4, 2024

Present Peter Amber, Lizzie Amber, John Upham, Jen Chase and Linda Kuban

1. Minutes of October 7, 2024 were approved as submitted

2. No public comments

3. Commons update, no update

4. Pollinator garden work bee was a success, A great group from First Branch Middle School and other community worked together and planted trees, shrubs and bulbs. Everyone enjoyed the activity. Extra bulbs were planted on the triangle area on Barre Corner on Rt. 110.

5. Update on town forest We are now members of the Upper Valley Trail Association. They will be doing a walk-through of the town forest later in the year, to assist us in trail planning. John Upham asked what kind of traffic will be allowed. This will be discussed more once we are in the planning stage. The selectboard will be reviewing and signing the Town Forest Plan at their next meeting. There will be future discussion on our role with legal trails in town.

6. Play-ground decorative lights will be going up this weekend Nov 9 and 10. Contact Marty Grats if interested in helping

7. We will be working on a grant for replacing trees in the commons. Pete and Lizzie Amber have done a tree inventory and will be assisting in writing this grant.

8. Adjourn at 6:40

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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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Forest and Parks Commission Agenda – November 4, 2024

ByTierney Farago
  1. Approve Oct. 7, 2024 meeting minutes
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commons
    a. Provide recommendations to SB – update
  4. Pollinator Project status
    a. update
  5. Town Forest
    a. Upper Valley Trails Alliance
    b. Forest Management Plan
  6. Legal Trails
  7. Playground Lights
  8. New Grant Opportunities
  9. Adjourn.
    If you want to attend via Zoom call please email the group at
    chelsea-forest-parks@googlegroups.com
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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.

Adjusted Town Treasurer Hours for Tax Collections

ByTierney Farago

Tax time is upon us! With the November 1st due date looming, the Town Treasurer’s office will have the following temporary hours from October 21st-November 1st:

Monday-Wednesday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Please note that taxes are only taken in by the Treasurer or the Treasurer’s assistant.

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Selectboard Meeting Agenda – October 15, 2024

ByTierney Farago
Selectboard Meeting Agenda
October 15th, 2024 6:30 pm Chelsea Town Hall
Call to Order
Additions to the Agenda
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Public Comments
Approve Minutes from October 1st 2024
Current Events and Updates
A. Draft Town Plan/Regional Plan
B. Pedestrian Bridge
C. Lister: Reappraisal
D. Highway Update
E. Town Administrator Update
F. Myers/Casella Trash Prices
Action Items
A. 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