Springfield Select Board Meeting - August 12, 2026

The Springfield Select Board met on August 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM, with Chair Heather Fram presiding. Board members present: Christy Morris, Michael Schmidt, and Doug Johnston (via Zoom). Tara Chase was absent. The meeting covered property enforcement actions, a major environmental cleanup update, financial approvals, and new contracts. Fourteen agenda items were addressed, with several unanimous votes.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of July 20, 2026, Meeting Minutes: The board voted 4-0 to approve the minutes as printed, with no corrections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ron Brick (audience): Commented on progress at the Siebersbrook property, noting trash removal and cleanup efforts. The town manager clarified that the town had contracted for a dumpster and contractor assistance.
• Crystal (audience): Asked about relocation of tenants at 10/12 Central Street. Town Manager Scott Pickup explained that Springfield Supportive Housing would offer services to compliant tenants; non-compliant tenants would need to make their own arrangements.
• Yara Richardson (audience): Expressed skepticism that tenants could vacate within 15 days, calling the timeframe unreasonable. She questioned enforcement and costs.
• Garrett (audience): Criticized the town's effectiveness, stating that the only improvement at 10/12 Central was lawn mowing by a neighbor. He predicted the building would not be vacant by August 25.
• Dr. Mesler (audience): Asked what would happen to the property after vacating, expressing concern about squatters and the owner's inability to afford code compliance. The town manager said the building would be secured, similar to 78 Valley Street.
• Lee Trapini (Director, Springfield Supportive Housing): Outlined his organization's role as the point of contact for tenants facing housing crises, but noted limited shelter beds and that immediate housing is not guaranteed.
• Jason Curtis (Spring Street resident): Raised concerns about occupancy controls, referencing a past charter modification related to parking spots. The town manager clarified that parking requirements are in zoning ordinances, not the town charter.
• Linda Brown (Valley Street): Asked whether the property owner at 10/12 Central was current on property taxes. The town manager confirmed the property was not on the tax sale list.
• Dan Kepler (audience): Asked about the Springfield Housing Authority's role. The town manager clarified it does not oversee private housing.
• Dan Bird (audience): Asked about fish populations in the Black River in relation to the Jones & Lamson cleanup. Dan Boyson noted that an ecological risk assessment showed a healthy benthic community but no specific fish study.
• Robin (audience): Asked if the 78 Valley Street purchase would lead to a teardown. The town manager said no decision has been made; options include floodplain programs.
• Dan Bird (later): Raised concerns about sidewalk plow width on narrow streets and light poles, and also noted a dilapidated trailer at the old Wall Street dry cleaners.
• Nate (audience): Asked about campers at 10/12 Central Street being removed. The town manager confirmed they would be removed after the notice to vacate.
• Ron Brick (later): Praised the Savage Cemetery Commission for cleaning headstones and noted the town's groundsman is leaving.

Discussion Items

• Updates on Properties with Municipal Actions (Item 1): Town Manager Scott Pickup reported that a re-inspection at 10 & 12 Central Street found no progress on required repairs since February 2026. The owner, Will Hunter, acknowledged he lacks funds. The board later took enforcement action. At the Siebersbrook property, a person claiming relation to the deceased owner is working with the town attorney to initiate probate, with 30-60 days allowed. The town also hired a new zoning administrator starting late August.
• 10/12 Central Street – Notice to Vacate (Item 2): Following the inspection report, the board discussed issuing a notice to vacate with a 15-day deadline (by August 25, 2026). The owner was notified and did not oppose. The town has started relocation referrals. Public comments raised concerns about enforcement and tenant welfare. The board voted 4-0 to issue the notice.
• Public Hearing – Corrective Action Plan for 160 Clinton Street (Jones & Lampson) (Item 3): Dan Boyson (Stone Environmental) and Tom Kennedy (Mount Ascutney Regional Commission) presented a $9 million+ cleanup plan. The preferred alternative uses enhanced recovery (injecting biosolvent and surfactant) to remove 95% of bunker oil contamination from a 25-foot deep area. The active phase will run from mid-September to mid-October 2026, with monitoring for several years. The plan is EPA-approved and funded by state and federal sources. The town's sewer plant will accept treated water under strict testing. No board action was required; the presentation was informational.
• Eureka Schoolhouse Building Condition Report (Item 4): Friends of the Eureka Schoolhouse requested a $375 town match for a $750 grant to fund a restoration evaluation. The group presented photos and described needed repairs. Board member Michael Schmidt suggested consulting the state Division of Historic Preservation and public trust funds. The board voted 4-0 to authorize the $375.
• Purchase Authorization for 78 Valley Street (Item 5): The town manager requested authorization to pay $20,000 to purchase the property, triggering a 30-day public review period. Funding comes from previously authorized fund balance. The board voted 4-0 to authorize.
• Contract – Springfield Humane Society (Item 6): The town manager proposed a three-year contract amendment increasing annual fees from $10,000 to $14,000 by 2029, with future CPI adjustments. The board voted 4-0 to authorize the amendment.
• Contract Services – New England Municipal Consultants (NEMC) (Item 7): The town manager explained that due to the current assessor stepping back from field work, the town will contract with NEMC for assessment services. Annual costs: $67,200 (2027), $70,560 (2028), $74,088 (2029). The state contributes $8.50 per parcel for reappraisal. The board voted 4-0 to authorize the contract.
• Lead Service Line Identification (Item 8): To meet the 2037 federal deadline, the town must investigate 236 properties where lead service line status is unknown. The board authorized a $177,500 contract with Defrain for field investigations (funded by state revolving loan) and authorized an amendment to the existing loan agreement. The board voted 4-0.
• Solar Array Presentation – Norwich Technologies (Item 9): Jeff Martin presented a preliminary proposal for a 5 MW solar array on privately owned land adjacent to the town garage. The town is asked to consider waiving a 50-foot setback and granting an access easement across town property. The board voted 4-0 to authorize the town manager to work with Norwich on preparing a setback waiver and easement option, to return for final approval.
• Bid Award – Mile Hill MRGP Project (Item 10): The town received bids for a road project; Sanderson Trucking & Excavation was the low bidder at $25,000, well below the $46,875 grant award. The board voted 4-0 to award the contract and noted the town will seek an amendment to use remaining funds for additional work.
• Purchase of Sidewalk Plow (Item 11): The town manager recommended purchasing an MT7 Trackless unit for $273,890 (includes $25,000 tariff) to replace a 1996 unit that failed last winter. Funding would come from reallocating capital funds for a cold planer and tow-behind sweeper. The board voted 4-0 to authorize the purchase.
• Downtown Vibrancy Fund Letter of Attestation (Item 12): The board approved a letter to DHCD acknowledging continued municipal support for Springfield on the Move, enabling receipt of a $25,000 state grant. The board voted 4-0.
• Event Permit – River Valley Employment Fair (Item 13): The board approved an event permit for September 25, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Riverside School fields. The board voted 4-0.
• Consideration of Purchasing Policy Increase (Item 14): The town manager proposed raising incidental purchase limits from $1,000 to $2,000 and minor purchase limits from $10,000 to $25,000. No action was taken; the item will return in September.

Key Outcomes

• Notice to Vacate Issued: 10/12 Central Street must be vacated by August 25, 2026. Vote: 4-0.
• Cleanup Plan for Jones & Lampson: Public hearing held; no vote needed. Work begins September 2026.
• Eureka Schoolhouse Evaluation: $375 match approved. Vote: 4-0.
• 78 Valley Street Purchase: $20,000 authorized. Vote: 4-0.
• Humane Society Contract Amendment: Approved. Vote: 4-0.
• NEMC Assessment Contract: Approved. Vote: 4-0.
• Lead Service Line Contract: $177,500 contract and loan amendment authorized. Vote: 4-0.
• Solar Array Preliminary Steps: Town manager authorized to work on setback waiver and easement. Vote: 4-0.
• Mile Hill Bid Award: Sanderson Trucking, $25,000. Vote: 4-0.
• Sidewalk Plow Purchase: $273,890 authorized. Vote: 4-0.
• Downtown Vibrancy Letter: Approved. Vote: 4-0.
• Event Permit: Approved. Vote: 4-0.
• Purchasing Policy: Discussion deferred to September 2026 meeting.