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Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 7:30 pm at Chelsea Town Hall
Selectboard Members present: Levar Cole, Geoff Clayton, Henry Cesari, Mark Whitney, Merrill Whitney
Other Town Officials/Employees present: Marianne McCann (Administrative Assistant)(Herald), Rick Ackerman (Road Foreman)
Members of the public present: Robert Button

1. Call Meeting to Order
   Meeting convened by Levar Cole, Chair, at 7:32 pm.
2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
   None.
3. Changes to the Agenda
   Administrative Assistant added a couple items under AA Report.
4. Treasurer
   Re: Budget Status: Levar Cole stated due to increasing costs we must do what we can to conserve oil. Town Treasurer has advised that there is not a locked in price for oil. The Town is subject to uncontrollable price increases for heating oil and diesel fuel. Cole stated we will burn through the heating fuel and diesel budget this year. Rick Ackerman stated there is not much you can cut back on, in terms of diesel fuel use at the Town Garage. Geoff Clayton stated we need to find ways to save money.
   Clayton mentioned there was a time when people were responsible for snow removal from sidewalks, not the town. Rick Ackerman stated that years ago, Don Yates and Whitey Adams did snow removal, after they left, people were walking in the road, and after that, the Town took responsibility for sidewalk snow removal. Clayton stated the Selectboard needs to present to the town that we could see a 50% increase in the road budget, just to keep the current services. Ackerman stated we use about 35 gallons of diesel each time we plow the sidewalks. Cole asked if we should consider rationing. Clayton suggested the possibility of getting a large tank and storing a quantity of diesel fuel. Action: Cesari will check with
   Road Foreman re: snow and sidewalks. Check with Treasurer to confirm locked into a fuel rate or not.
   Henry Cesari moved to approve the orders. Mark Whitney seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Orders Totalling:
   General Orders $20,828.34
   Highway $28,127.40
   Water/Sewer $1,104.26
   Rec Department $170.00
   Payroll $7,302.08
   $9,105.57
   Library Payroll $2,299.86
   AIP $129.00
5. Department/Liaison Updates
   Mark Whitney stated re: the Town Forest Plan, that Kate Willard has reported that the inventory is completed. Willard requests to present the information to the board and requests a date. Cole re-stated the background on this request for the benefit of the new board members. A previous selectboard had cut trees, but never finished the Town Forest Plan. Then, Coronavirus. Now, finishing the Town Forest Plan, with David Paganelli. Cesari asked the purpose of the Town Forest Plan. Recreational? Or Financial plan? Are there different parcels? The Selectboard agreed to get a plan finished.
6. Public Comments
   Robert Button asked if the Town Forest Plan will necessitate cutting the ash trees. Rick Ackerman stated Levar and I were supposed to ride around and look at ash trees. Levar Cole stated we will do that. The Road Foreman and the Selectboard are in general agreement that the Town of Chelsea does not have many large ash trees near the roads that would be likely to fall into the roads in case the trees die. The ride around was to be an informal survey of ash trees at risk.
7. Administrative Assistant Report
   Re: Creamery/School water drain.
   Report on the existing conditions at the Creamery building water drain prepared by M. McCann presented to the board. Brief discussion about possible remedies for the flooding/repair of the drain. Robert Button stated problems and construction history of the drain. Geoff Clayton will be the “point person” on this project. Next steps might be: engineering firm, environmental impact assessment.
   Selectboard would like to avoid Federal entanglement.
   Re: Highway Dept: Mowing/Tractor Rental.
   Rick Ackerman, Road Foreman, requests clarification on mowing duties for the Highway Department. Who mows at the Sewer plant? Who mows at the town fields? All the town properties? (Town properties mowed include: Rec Field, Parks, Tennis Court, Chelsea sign on 113, Sewer Plant, 3 FEMA lots, pump station, Kennedy, water tank, and behind old garage.) Ackerman mowed last Friday. Ackerman incurred overtime pay by doing this. Ackerman proposed to the board he could mow on Fridays for the town, using the town equipment, for $20.00 per hour. Selectboard agreed in principal to the need for clarifying mowing duties, but had questions about budget issues and employment law. Ackerman
   suggested hiring another Road crew person, with that person mowing. There was a brief Human Resources discussion regarding the Road crew. Clayton suggested hiring a part time road crew person for plowing/mowing season. Seasonal workers with CDLs. Mowing contracts were discussed. The Town has budgeted for 3 full time road employees. The Town has 2 full time and 1 part time employee.
   Actions: Make a proposal for Human Resources for Highway Dept. Decide if Town is willing to pay Rick/John for the mowing, which may entail overtime. Henry will consult with Rick re: employee status.
   Rick can cut back on some mowing. If mowing runs into overtime, ok. But not 11 hours of overtime.
   Merrill will check with Nolan about sewer plant mowing.
   Re: Roadside mowing.
   Ackerman asks if Chelsea should eliminate roadside mowing. Usually, the Highway crew mows 2 passes on the whole town. Roadside mowing is for visibility and to keep brush down. Usually a tractor is rented for the month of July. If we will not be mowing, we should tell people early, so they can mow themselves, if desired. Mark Whitney stated fuel availability might be a factor.
   Action: No roadside mowing for now. Selectboard will revisit this issue.
   Re: Selling old truck. Cesari will check with Allegiance. There is an option for “Auction International”.
   Henry Cesari moved to approve the Application for Access to a Town Highway by Carl and Mary Jo Childs. Geoff Clayton seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Re: Water Meters.
   Admin. Asst. informed the Selectboard about water meter research. A salesperson from FW Webb will come and make a presentation if desired. Action: Levar Cole requests a paper version of water meter research. Selectboard does not want a presentation. Three contrasting water bills from three properties were shared with the Selectboard to illustrate the vast difference in measured water useage and the same amount billed to all water customers. A water customer has made a request to remove one water bill from a house with 2 water bills and one meter. Robert Button commented that the old IGA building
   has 9 electric meters. The Selectboard agreed there is a need to make changes and will address these issues at the upcoming water department board meeting on June 21st.
   Re: Training Debriefs.
   Cannabis training is May 24th on Zoom. The DRB hearing is May 25th. Admin. Asst. will attend Zoom training and send a summary memo to Selectboard members.
   Re: ATV question letter.
   Admin Asst. informed Selectboard an email was received asking a question about ATVs. Action: Copy
   Mark Whitney on ATV email and response.
   Admin Asst. informed Selectboard about the need to provide more detailed information for the State Highway Access Permit for the Sidewalk Project. Part of the request is for a pedestrian detour plan to be utilized during construction. Action: Copy Levar Cole and Jeremy Hook on sidewalk plan.
   Geoff Clayton obtained the file with the documentation of approximate boundary lines of
   School/Town/Creamery and adjoining properties. Clayton will research the deeds and propose the next steps in the Creamery drain issue.
8. Executive Session for Human Resources
   Levar Cole moved to enter into Executive Session for Human Resources for Water/Wastewater and Highway, and inviting Marianne McCann into the Executive Session. Mark Whitney seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Levar Cole moved to exit Executive Session at 10:12 pm. Mark Whitney seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Afterwards, a decision was made to have Merrill Whitney contact the Water/Wastewater Chief Operator regarding meter readings and mowing at the sewer facility.
9. Approve Minutes
   Levar Cole moved to approve the minutes of May 3, 2022. Geoff Clayton seconded the motion.
   Motion passed unanimously.
10. Adjourn
    Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:15 pm.
    The next Selectboard meeting will be Tuesday, May 31st at 7:30 pm in the Chelsea Town Hall

Chelsea Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 7:30 pm at Chelsea Town Hall
Selectboard Members present: Mark Whitney, Merrill Whitney, Geoff Clayton, Henry Cesari, Levar Cole
Other Town Officials/Employees present: Karen Lathrop (Town Clerk), Gayle Durkee (Treasurer),
Marianne McCann (Admin. Assistant)(Herald)
Members of the public present: none.

1. Call Meeting to Order
   Levar Cole, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
   None.
3. Changes to the Agenda
   Administrative Assistant will add a few items.
4. Town Treasurer
   Re: Budget: Heating Oil is high. Leaf Blower has been purchased.
   Re: Purchase Card Options: Gayle Durkee is still researching options.
   Mark Whitney moved to approve the orders. Henry Cesari seconded the motion. Motion passed
   unanimously.
   Orders totalling:
   General orders: $13,624.77
   Highway orders: $21,530.13
   Water/Sewer: $2,612.29
   Rec. Department: $1,652.50
   Payroll: $8,585.12, & $5,610.28
   Library Payroll: $1,786.12
5. Department/Liaison Updates
   Henry Cesari discussed Roads, Equipment, and potentially paving the shoulder of the green along Route
6. Cesari is building a committee of people knowledgeable and interested in developing a long term
   plan for the roads. Cesari has two names so far, Kevin Marshia and Paul Libby, and seeks names of other
   people who might be willing to help out. Cole suggested Mary Ellen Parkman. Clayton suggested one
   person from each of the main back roads.
   Cesari is looking into a similar plan for Equipment. The next two things needing attention are: Loader,
   and Truck that needs Front End work. According to the Road Foreman, Chelsea always trades in the old
   trucks to the dealer. Cesari questioned the trade in amount, and potentially selling the truck directly to
   get more money.
   Cesari explained that Paul Perry, engineer on the Route 113 paving project, asked if Chelsea wants the
   shoulder paved along the Green, when they are paving that section. Chelsea could ask to have a car
   width paved. Cesari consulted with Selectboard and Peter Amber about the impact to the trees. The
   trees would be impacted a little. Karen Lathrop noted that more salt may be funneled onto the Green,
   with more paving. Road Foreman is in favor. Geoff Clayton asked what are we gaining by having that
   shoulder paved? Mark Whitney stated he is not a big fan of paving over the Green. Cole summarized by
   saying, it looks like this is not happening given the concerns. Cesari agreed to contact the road
   engineers.
   Re: Gated Legal Trail: Geoff Clayton spoke with Mr. St. Germain (sic). There is a question about the
   placement of the trail. There is a remnant of the trail. The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) atlas
   reflects deeds. A question was asked, do we go by where the trail historically has been used or by the
   deed?
   Cole asked if the Zoning Administrator should look into this. Mark Whitney stated you must go back to
   the map. Cesari stated there is a process to give up a right of way. Cole asked if there could be a
   compromise to reconnect a trail? Clayton stated there is no prevention of accessing a trail.
   Re: Cultural Facilities Grant: Levar Cole stated the Grant had been written and submitted with the
   Furnace being the highest priority, then the balcony, ADA, etc. There is a 1:1 matching for this grant.
   Chelsea could use money from the Town Hall Fund, or ARPA money to meet the matching requirement.
   Cole noted that Mark McDonald had sent left a message encouraging the Town to apply for more
   grants.
7. Public Comments
   Cesari stated the Road Foreman has no problems with the Green Mountain Gravel bike ride roads. There
   was a brief discussion about which roads would be the actual route. Cole summarized by stating the
   Selectboard has no objections to the Green Mountain Gravel Bike Ride’s proposed route through
   Chelsea on October 9, 2022. The Selectboard requests that the Ride officials talk to private landowners if
   the route would be going on private trails. Mark Whitney suggested letting the First Branch Ambulance
   know of the planned ride date. Whitney agreed to notify EMS and Fire.
8. Administrative Assistant Report
   A Roberts Gould Field Request was approved and signed for 5-21-22. A Roberts Gould Field Request was
   approved and signed for multiple dates for Chelsea Senior Baseball.
   Levar Cole moved to approve the updated annual Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP). Henry
   Cesari seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   ARPA Reporting Update: Chelsea submitted the required forms before the April 30 deadline. Chelsea
   filed Revenue Replacement.
   Levar Cole stated Tracy Simon and Doug Lyford are looking at the possibilities of getting grants from
   VTrans for bridge and culvert projects.
   Cole stated Tracy Simon was looking into procuring park benches for the FEMA buy out lots. Something
   not in the way of mowing, maybe picnic tables, maybe benches, and maybe connecting it to the school
   emergency plan. A dog park was mentioned.
   Levar Cole stated he tried to figure out a way to kill two birds with one stone by combining a town wide
   vote on Australian Ballots with a town-wide vote on disapproving the ATV Ordinance. The way to do this
   is to have two Town Meetings. First, a vote on whether to vote by Australian Ballot. And second, a vote
   on the ATV issue. The petition received sets up the timeline. The Selectboard has received feedback that
   it is preferable to have as many voters as possible be involved. More voters participate if there is an
   Australian Ballot. Lathrop noted that 230 people voted at the last (March 1, 2022) Australian Ballot while
   only 40 or so attended the floor vote.
   Karen Lathrop asked questions about scheduling and dates. Lathrop expressed an opinion that voters
   might think the Selectboard was cramming things down their throats. There is a $3,000. Election budget.
   Cole noted the anti-ATV lobby threatened a Special Town Meeting to disapprove the Ordinance before a
   committee was even formed and before an ordinance was written. Cole noted all of this was part of the
   public record. Cole noted that none of the board members initiated the petition driving the Special
   Town Meeting and that the previous board budgeted more for elections in anticipation of a petition and
   the Clerks request to have Australian balloting.
   Geoff Clayton stated after dinner you would get more participation. In the evening it would be a more
   fair vote.
   Levar Cole moved to warn a special town meeting for the Town of Chelsea on Thursday, June 9, 2022
   at 7 pm to transact the following business by floor vote: Article 1: Shall the Town of Chelsea vote on
   all public questions by Australian Ballot pursuant to 17 V.S.A. section 2680(d)? AND Article 2: Shall the
   Town of Chelsea adopt all budget articles by Australian Ballot pursuant to 17 V.S.A. section 2680(c)?
   Dated this 3rd of May, 2022, By the Selectboard members of the Town of Chelsea. Henry Cesari
   seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Cole stated with this timeline, we will still have time to warn and have another Town meeting or vote
   within the constraints of the petition dates.
   Re: Water and Sewer Billing: Cole stated the Selectboard has been asked to take a look at the water
   billing. Cole stated a water customer had shared copies of bills of two properties within the water
   district showing the same amount billed, and the big difference in the amount of water useage. Cole
   directed the AA to send copies of these bills to all Selectboard members. Durkee stated Tim Courts has a
   billing issue as well. Let’s explore options and put this on the agenda at the next Water Dept. Meeting.
   Clayton suggests everyone has a base rate charge, then amount of water used on top of that. Cole
   stated we need to run the numbers. We need an exact number of meters to be replaced. We need the
   exact cost of a meter replacement. Durkee stated the meters were not read this past quarter. We need
   to read them the next quarter.
9. Approve minutes
   Levar Cole moved to approve the April 5, 2022 Selectboard Meeting minutes. Geoff Clayton seconded
   the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
   Levar Cole moved to approve the April 19, 2022 Selectboard Meeting Minutes. Henry Cesari seconded
   the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
10. Appointments
    Steve Thomas was nominated to the Alternate DRB position. Vote approved unanimously.
    Kate Thomas was nominated to the Planning Commission. Vote approved unanimously.
11. Executive Session for Human Resources
    Levar Cole moved to enter Executive Session for Human Resources, and inviting Marianne McCann
    into the Session, at 8:50 pm. Geoff Clayton seconded the motion.
    Levar Cole moved to exit from Executive Session at 9:10 pm. Geoff Clayton seconded the motion.
    Motion passed unanimously.
    Afterwards, Mark Whitney will contact candidate with a few more questions.
12. Adjourn
    Meeting adjourned at 9:14 pm.
    The next Selectboard meeting will be: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 7:30 pm