May 11 , 2026
Attendees
Select Board Members: Diana Peduzzi, Chris Casey, John Gordon
Town Officials: Graham Christie (Town Clerk), Lilly Baron (Town Treasurer)
Town Employees: Peter Dailey (Road Commissioner ); Michael Gray (WSB assistant)
Members of the Public: Robin Durkee; Geoff Whitchurch, NEKBroadband/CV Fiber; Ivan Niles, Worcester
Rangers Snowmobile Club (WRSC); Kathryn Saunders, Worcester/Calais HO
Media: Jerome Lipani – HCTV Lance MacKenzie
Call to Order Chris called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M.
Adjustments to Agenda NEK/CV Fiber ROW permit added; Worcester Rangers Town Road repair added;
TH Grants Update added
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the April 27, 2026, Select Board meeting were approved after Diana read an addition to the
minutes addressing the results of the executive session held on the 27
th
.
Public Comment Robin noted that the WSB agenda has not been posted on FPF recently.
Worcester Rangers/VAST with Ivan Niles
Ivan Niles representing the Worcester Rangers Snowmobile Club, requesting permission to work on the Class 4
Town Highways in the Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve. These road segments are rutted and eroded by
years of mis-use by recreational drivers, making it impossible for the snowmobile clubs’ groomers to get through
in the winter. The town does not maintain these roads. The link between the Woodbury roads and the Elmore
roads is especially bad. West Woodbury Road – TH 3 – the Class 4 section goes from the Class 3 section, then
turns west for the short segment (.3 miles) toward Elmore. South from that intersection is Slayton Pond Road TH-
17. These form an important connection route to other snowmachine trails to the north. The WRSC has cleared
trees off the trail in the past but would like permission to do further repairs including widening, ditching and adding
material to the road surface. They are hoping to get a grant from VAST to do this work. It may be a multi-year
project depending on funding.
Ivan reviewed the project with Alfie, former Road Commissioner, and now requests a site visit with Peter Dailey,
an excavating contractor and NEWT to work out a plan and scope of work for improvements to the road . The WSB
voices support for this effort; Peter is willing to be a part of the site visit and the ongoing project. The Clerk will
forward a PDF version of the application for Work Within the Public Right of Way. There was discussion about how
to limit use of the road during the construction.
NEK Broadband/CV Fiber ROW Permit with Geoff Whitchurch
Geoff has submitted to Peter the town ROW permit requesting the laying of a 1,000 feet of conduit in the town’s
ROW on Scribner Road between existing poles. The WSB looked at the permit and map of the proposed area for
the buried conduit. The project description was missing in the permit . Peter mentions that there is a fairly deep
culvert in that 1000 foot section of road that needs to be upgraded to new standards . Peter suggests the conduit
and culvert replacement projects be coordinated to be done at the same time. The project description will be
made available to the WSB and the WSB will make a decision on this at its May 25
th
meeting.
Road Commissioner’s Report with Peter Dailey
Peter has received the report from PACIF that includes a suggested scope of work and the amount PACIF will pay
to cover damages to the roof at the Town Garage. Contractor estimates need to be solicited. It is believed that a
new generation of the racoon family have moved back into the ceiling. Peter also had a quote from McGee Ford for
the motor replacement of the 550 – $15,000. Mc Gee is not willing to accept any responsibility for the blown
motor. They feel that the fact that the motor failed a few days after the 550 was returned for the $12,000 exhaust
repair is an unfortunate coincidence. Peter met a Ford dealer from Rutland area at the “Truck Show” last week,
who said they could replace the 550 with a new truck for $130,000. Chris asks about replacing the motor and
keeping the truck going until 2028 when the 550 has been scheduled to be replaced and wonders how long the
road crew could function without the truck. Peter answers that the 550 is primarily used as the winter salt truck.
No decision on the 550 was made at this meeting. Peter mentions that he will be scheduling the pumping of the
garage septic tank. Diana suggests he call Michaud’s; Peter will give them a call.
Diana asked about the road crew part time employees who signed on to help with snow plowing. Peter reported
that they are both still being scheduled for part-time hours, but are not committed to stay on. Only one person
has shown interest in the full-time position but he does not have his CDL and said he was studying for it. There has
been no other response to the published ads for the position. Peter suggested posting on the VLCT site.
Work for this week will be focused on grading and cleaning out culverts. Peter is working with the crew to get them
trained on all the road equipment, Tim is learning to run the grader. It was also announced in the reading of the
executive session for the April 27
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meeting that Peter has been appointed as the town’s Road Commissioner.
Town Highway Grant Updates with Michael Gray
Michael received notice that the VTrans grants – paving of Foster Hill Road and engineering and design work for
culvert replacements on Church Street and Bailey Bridge Road have received recommendations for approval. The
final notice of these grant awards is anticipated soon. The road crew has also received notice of a grant award of
$20,000 for work on the section of Valley Lake Road as the road descends into the village. This work will be done
after the culvert replacement on Valley Lake Ro ad scheduled for this summer. Michael also shared that the
property owner for the County Road portion of the EWP project does not want the town’s road crew to do the work;
they would prefer the work be done by the contractor who will doing the work on the Cabot Road/Buck Lake Brook
project. The BRIC grant application for the Buck Lake Brook watershed study has been completed. However
VEM/FEMA now requires two additional forms. One of the forms asks for a listing of relevant town officials and a
bio/resume for each. Michael requests that the TTR, The EMD and the WSB chair put together a simple bio/resume
for inclusion in this application. Michael and Keith Cubbon, CVRPC will also be providing bios for the application.
Town Clerk’s Report with Graham Christie
The Select Board signed the Certification of Election of Town Clerk form, to confirm to the Secretary of State that
he has been duly appointed. Graham, with Robin’s help, will be overseeing the MVUSD special school budget
election on May 20
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along with learning the job, also with Robin’s help. Robin will stay on in the post of Assistant
Town Clerk while training Graham, which may take up to two months.
Graham reported receiving two Notices of Dog Bites, which come in from hospital Emergency Rooms. These
usually go to the Town Health Officer who determines whether any action is needed. In both of these cases, the
dog bites happened with domestic pets, in the owner’s homes. Concurrently and conveniently, Kathryn Saunders
arrived at the meeting. Chris had spoken with her about taking on the position of Town Health Officer for the Town
of Woodbury. Kathryn shares that she is the HO for Calais and Worcester, has many years of experience as a nurse
and would be interested in serving as Woodbury’s HO. She does not receive a stipend from the other towns and
would not expect one from Woodbury. The WSB accepted her offer and appointed her as the town’s HO. Graham
will put together an appointment letter for the next meeting. Chris offers to Kathryn that he is willing to be a backup
for her on HO issues in town, if Kathryn feels that is needed. She accepted the two dog notices and will follow up
with the owners.
Town Treasurer’s Report with Lillian Baron
The General Fund (GF)is currently operating at a deficit of $66,058 though the GF balance has increased to
$37,377, due to the $20K transfer of funds from the HF to the GF. As a result of this transfer, the HF balance has
decreased to $231,467. The Highway Fund (HF) has a budget surplus of $143,912. Total Cash on hand is $922,457.
The HERF received a Swenson Quarry payment this month that brings that fund to a current negative $37,874.
The town has received its final PACIF invoice for FY 26. The town has also been reimbursed $14k by the OSSU for
insurance paid by the town for the elementary school. The town has also received all funds from VTrans for town
highway aid for a total of $80,911.
The town has received the final FY 26 cash flow report from the state for education taxes to MVUESD and Hazen. In
September of each year the town receives a preliminary cash flow report that tells the town what is owed to
MVUESD and Hazen. Because town taxes are paid once a year and the school taxes are also paid once a year, the
town pays the full projected amount from the state’s preliminary cash flow report to MVUESD and Hazen. Later,
after these payments, the town receives a final cash flow report that states the actual amount owed. For this year,
it appears the initial payment is $40,000 higher than the actual amount owed. Lilly is expecting money back before
the end of FY 26 from the state education department. Lilly has signed up for a June 5
th
NEMRC day long seminar
on tax billing; the cost of the seminar is $175.
Lilly asks the WSB to reconsider the TTR’s weekly scheduled hours from the currently stated 22 hours a week. She
is finding that the responsibilities of the position consistently require approximately 30 hours per week, depending
on the time of the year. This change would affect the TTR’s eligibility for VMERS, paid leave and employer offered
health insurance. All changes could be directly addressed in the Elected Officials Agreement (EOA)
of the personnel policy to fully outline the benefits and hours for the TTR position. The WSB requests that Lilly
make those changes to the EOA and will discuss any proposed changes at a future meeting.
Updates on Buyouts with John Gordon
John has a draft RFP for the demolition work of the two properties and that the RFP should go out ASAP; WSB will
review the RFP. Logistics around power and water are discussed. John spoke a gain with Tim Higgins and was given
an estimate from Tim for the full transfer of the electrical line and transfer box from the old fire station to the T own
Hall – $3,000. He could temporarily disconnect the electrical equipment for later installation (after the demolition)
for $1000 (of the $3,000) The WSB agrees to this plan and approves hiring Tim Higgins, Woodbury Electric, to do
the work. John will also ask Tim for an estimate to fix the deteriorating electrical line running out from the back of
the Town Hall. It has already been decided the well/waterline work will be done in conjunction with the demolition.
There is a request about creating an outdoor spigot to provide water for the skating rink, as part of the water
configuration. Diana asks if there are any rules that will need to be followed with the water line work regarding
public water. Where would the outdoor spigot be placed? Since the water from the well behind the Post Office
building will only serve two buildings it may not be considered a public water supply. John will check into that.
John has suggested that part of the Shattuck property be used as a parking area for access to the two adjacent
parks. Permission from VEM and Vtrans may be needed.
Town Official Appointments
The Town still needs someone to serve as the town’s contact person with FEMA.
Updates and Other Business
Bills and Payroll: Bills and payroll orders were signed at the end of the meeting.
Status with FEMA: Nothing to report
Swenson/Polycor Quarry Act 250 Hearing Request: David Mears, the town’s lawyer has been asked
to generate a report for the hearing
Next WSB Meeting Date: With the next scheduled date for the WSB meeting falling on Memorial Day, May
25, the WSB reschedules its meeting to be on Wednesday, May 27
th
.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7 :50 P.M.
Signatures and Approval
Chris Casey ______________________ Diana Peduzzi _________________________
John Gordon ______________________ Date Approved __________
Guide to Acronyms
ACO – Animal Control Officer; ANR – Agency of Natural Resources; AOT – Agency of Transportation; AP – Accounts
Payable; BR- Better Roads; BRIC – Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities; CDT – Collector of
Delinquent Taxes; CIP – Capital Improvement Plan; CR – Cash Receipts; CRC –Consolidated Resource Center;
CVRPC – Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission; DHC – Department of Health; EC – Ethics Commission;
EMD – Emergency Management Director; EMS – Emergency Medical Service; EOA – Elected Officials Agreement;
ERAF – Emergency Relief Assistance Funds; ET – Electronic Transfer; EWPP – Emergency Watershed Protection
Program; FIRM – Federal Insurance Rate Map; FPF – Front Porch Forum; FY – Fiscal Year; GF – General Fund; GIA –
Grants in Aid; HED – Hardwick Electric Department; HERF – Highway Equipment Replacement Fund; HF – Highway
Fund; HMP – Hazard Mitigation Plan; HPD – Hardwick Police Department; H&H – Hydrological & Hydraulic; LE MP –
Local Emergency Management Plan; LHMP – Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; MMA – Money Market Account; MRGP
– Municipal Roads General Permit; MOU – Memorandum of Understanding; MTSC – Mountain Tamers Snowmobile
Club; MVUESD – Mountain View Union Elementary School District; NEMRC – New England Municipal Resource
Center; NEWT – Northeast Wilderness Trust; NRCS – Natural Resources Conservation Service; OSSU – Orleans
Southwest Supervisory Union; PDM – Program Delivery Manager; POC –Point of Contact; PR – Payroll; PTO – Paid
Time Off; RBT – RB Technologies; REI – Road Erosion Inventory; RFP – Request for Proposal; ROW – Right of Way;
SS – Seacoast Securities; TAC – Transportation Advisory Committee; TAN – Tax Anticipation Note; T C – Town
Clerk; TH – Town Highway; THO – Town Health Officer; TM – Town Moderator; TTr – Town Treasurer; USDA – United
States Department of Agriculture; VEM – Vermont Emergency Management; VTRANS – Vermont Agency of
Transportation; VAST – Vermont Association of Snow Travelers; WC – Workman’s Compensation; WCC –
Woodbury Conservation Commission; WCL – Woodbury Community Library; W/CFS – Woodbury/Calais Food
Shelf; WCSD – Washington County Sheriff’s Department; WHRT – Woodbury-Hardwick Rail Trail; WRSC –
Worcester Rangers Snowmobile Club; WSB – Woodbury Select Board; WPC – Woodbury Planning Commission;
WNRCD – Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District; WVFD – Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department;
ZA – Zoning Administrator; ZBA – Zoning Board of Adjustment