BY GEORGE FJELD
BRANDON – The first meeting of the 2023-2024 Brandon Selectboard saw new member Cecil Reniche-Smith welcomed and Seth Hopkins re-elected as Board Chair. Tracy Wyman continues as Vice-Chair and Brian Coolidge as Secretary.
The board then completed the Designation of Selectboard as Other Statutory Bodies: a) Board of Liquor Control Commissioners, Board of Health, Board of Sewer Commissioners, Board of Sewage Disposal Commissioners, Housing Board of Review, Cannabis Control Commissioners.
The board then established its meeting schedule, time, and location: the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 7:00 p.m. in Brandon Town Hall or on Zoom.
The board adopted meeting rules and procedures for the Selectboard and for all other appointed boards, commissions, and officials.
The board designated official and alternate newspaper(s) of record: The Reporter (official) and The Rutland Daily Herald (alternate).
Appointments: a) March Appointments {term ends at first Select Board meeting after the 2024 Town Meeting} • Fen_ce Viewers (3) • Green-up Day Coordinator • Inspector of Lumber, Shingles and Wood • Otter Creek Watershed Insect Control District (2 Representatives & 1 Alternate ) • Rutland County Solid Waste District (1 Representative & 1 Alternate) • Tree Warden • Weigher of Coal b) Other Appointments • Constable • Development Review Board (2 Alternates) terms end June 30, 2023 • Deputy Health Officer • Otter Creek Communications Union District (1 Rep & 1 Alt) terms: Apr 1- Mar 31, 2024 • Planning Commission (1 member) remainder of 3-year term ending June 30, 2025 • Revolving Loan Fund Committee (1 Alternate) term ends June 30, 2023
Routine appointments to the various town committees were approved. March appointments end at first Selectboard meeting after the 2024 Town Meeting.
Fence Viewers: John Reynolds and Jon Wyman
Green-up Day Coordinator: James Leary
Inspector of Lumber, Shingles and Wood: Bob Kilpeck
Otter Creek Watershed Insect Control District Rep.: Tim Kingston and Sharon Stearns
Rutland County Solid Waste District Rep: Gabe McGuigan
Tree Warden: Neil Silins
Weigher of Coal: Lou Faivre and Olya Hopkins
Constable: vacant
Development Review Board Alternates: 2 vacancies
Deputy Health Officer: Larry Stevens
Otter Creek Communications Union District Rep.: Bill Moore and Peter Werner
Planning Commission (1 opening): Natalie Steen
Revolving Loan Fund Committee Alternate: vacant
Rutland Regional Planning Commission Alternate: vacant
The Board waived their policy against appointing Selectboard members to committees to allow Reniche-Smith to continue her work on the Planning Commision. She has put a lot of work into the Planning Commission and they have two important tasks coming up in the next 1-2 years.
Interim Town Manager Bill Moore’s report focused on a Newton road property closing for flood reasons, with monies to come from FEMA.
The Public Works Department is requesting a new larger salt shed and a proposal will be forthcoming.
Monies have been obtained to allow the Historic Preservation Commision to survey Brandon over the next 18 months to help prioritize its efforts to preserve the historical importance of Brandon activities during its early days.
Brandon Area Rescue Squad is running a CPR class on April 19th. Space is limited, so those who are interested should sign up soon.
Tree Warden Neil Silins has reached out to the Vermont Department of Transportation and Green Mountain Power to work with them to preserve our shade trees.
Representative Stephanie Jerome spoke about her work in the Legislature regarding workforce development.
A site visit to the wastewater treatment plant construction is planned for 6pm on April 10th prior to the board meeting.
During a short recess of the Selectboard at 7:24 pm, the Liquor Control Board passed their consent agenda available online.
The Board reconvened at 8:27 pm to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters, Seth Hopkins not attending. No action was taken.
