Weathersfield Select Board Meeting – September 23, 2025

The Select Board of Weathersfield, Vermont, met on September 23, 2025, for a regular meeting. The meeting included a moment of silence for town resident Ernie Shane, a presentation from the Sheriff's Department, a discussion about transfer station punch ticket sales, an update on the Town Plan, a vote on the waterways naming project, and the approval of new memorial trees at the Memorial Grove.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from September 8, 2025: Approved by voice vote.
• Personnel Policy – First Reading: Approved unanimously to move to second reading at the next meeting.
• Warrants for September 22, 2025: Approved after brief discussion about library payroll and a late fee entry. Total payroll $31,451.12; total operating expenses $90,751.23.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Community Event: A citizen praised the Weathersfield School PTO for their fourth annual Quad Drop community event held the previous Friday.
• Stream Naming Opposition: Dave Fuller, a landowner and member of the Conservation Commission, objected to naming certain waterways, specifically Plains Brook and Little Scutney Brook, on the grounds that these were intermittent or man‑made ditches, not perennial streams. He argued that naming them could lead to unintended regulatory impacts and requested on‑the‑ground verification. Doug Johnstone, a former state official, supported the need for careful classification.

Discussion Items

• Sheriff's Department Update (Sheriff Palmer):

  • Addressed recent negative news stories, stating that a pending audit found no financial impropriety and that a deputy oath‑of‑office filing issue had been corrected.
  • Reported 749 calls for service since June 2025, including a home invasion and standoff. Provided a rough breakdown of call types (traffic stops, alarms, animal problems, etc.).
  • Highlighted proactive community engagement, such as attending school events and assisting elderly residents.
  • Responded to questions about mutual aid with neighboring police departments, confirming that calls are shared without budget impact.

• Transfer Station Punch Ticket Sales (Brandon, Town Manager):

  • Downers Corner Store stopped selling punch tickets after a dispute over authorization and inventory issues. The town lost about $10,000–$12,000 per year in commissions.
  • Discussed alternatives: online sales, reloadable cards, kiosks, or selling tickets directly at the transfer station with new part‑time staff.
  • Board expressed concern about handling cash at the station (security and audit risks). Preferred options that avoid on‑site cash, such as online purchases or a card/kiosk system.
  • Decided to have staff research online and kiosk options and report back at the next meeting.

• Town Plan Update (Planning Commission):

  • Presented two chapters: Natural Scenic and Historic Resources (Hank) and Flood Resiliency (Howard).
  • Hank noted the chapter largely continues existing themes; board member Beach suggested minor typos and clarified that policies need to be clearly defined, as the plan currently lists goals and objectives but not explicit policies.
  • Flood resiliency chapter mostly unchanged; the main action needed is adoption of a flood hazard and river corridor by‑law to align with state maps and improve the town’s ERAF rating from level 4 to level 5, saving the town an additional 17.5% on future disaster costs.
  • Board requested that all future chapter submissions be in writing and that the final plan be presented at a special meeting.

• Waterways Naming Project (Ryan and Conservation Commission):

  • A 20‑year effort to name 47 major unnamed streams and wetlands (defined as watersheds ≥200 acres and wetlands ≥10 acres) using historical names. The goal is to submit names to the U.S. Geological Survey via the Vermont Department of Libraries.
  • The commission stated that naming has no regulatory impact; the features are already mapped and regulated under existing state and federal laws.
  • Dave Fuller and Doug Johnstone challenged that assertion, especially for intermittent features like Plains Brook and the man‑made ditch proposed as Little Scutney Brook. They argued that naming could affect agricultural buffers and future regulation.
  • Board member Nate moved to accept the waterways naming proposal as submitted. The motion carried on a voice vote (ayes vs. nays).

• Memorial Grove Tree Plantings & Committee:

  • Tree Warden Ryan requested approval to plant two new sugar maples in the Memorial Grove: one to replace a dead tree and one in an open space.
  • The historical society had no objection, and the board approved the planting with the tree warden overseeing the work.
  • Discussion about forming a committee to develop a long‑term management plan for the grove. Board decided to first create a formal policy defining the committee’s mission, membership, and terms, then appoint members. Brandon will draft the policy for the next meeting.

• Rules of Procedure:

  • Reviewed a model policy from VLCT. Board agreed to adopt it with amendments, including using Robert’s Rules of Order as the default for matters not covered.

• Code of Ethics Investigation and Enforcement Ordinance – Second Reading:

  • Minor typos and a reference to non‑existent town officers (e.g., mayor, water commissioner) were noted. After corrections, the board approved moving to a third reading.

• Route 106 Flood Repair Project:

  • Bids for repairing a collapsed bank came in at $90,000, more than double the $42,000 NRCS award. The project was pushed to spring 2026. The town manager will seek additional administrative cost reimbursement from NRCS.

• Appointments and Personnel:

  • Town Manager Brandon announced new hires: Stephanie as executive secretary, Jeremy Curry as highway department worker and Escutney Water District operator, and four new fire captains (Ben Waters, Travis Compo, Zach Boyd, Tommy Seawall).
  • The transfer station position remains unfilled.

• Political Sign Policy: Tabled until next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes of September 8, 2025.
• Approved: First reading of personnel policy.
• Approved: Planting two sugar maples in Memorial Grove.
• Approved: Waterways naming proposal as presented.
• Approved: Second reading of Code of Ethics ordinance (to third reading).
• Approved: Warrants for September 22, 2025.
• Approved: Moving to executive session under 1 V.S.A. § 313 for legal and personnel matters.
• Deferred: Transfer station punch ticket system decision; staff to research online and kiosk options.
• Deferred: Memorial Grove committee formation until a policy is drafted.
• Deferred: Rules of procedure and code of ethics final adoption to next meeting.
• Deferred: Political sign policy.
• No Action: Electric gate request on John Jensen Road (withdrawn after state highway law explanation).
• Direction: Town manager to push NRCS for increased funding on Route 106 project and explore other options.