Monday, August 17, 2026, 5:30 P.M.
at the Town Clerk's Office
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 5:33. Meeting was recorded on Chris Casey's
phone and the recording will be posted on the town web site. Present were Select
Board members Chris Casey, John Gordon and Diana Peduzzi, and Road
Commissioner Peter Dailey.
A motion to enter Executive Session pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(3) for the
purpose of interviewing John Phelps, applying for the position of full-time road
crew member.
The Executive Session was closed at 6:04and Phelps left the meeting. The Board
voted to offer him the position at a rate of $29/hour and also to grant the same pay
rate to Tim Neill. Peter left the meeting.
Larry Femo joined the meeting. The pending contract for his services to demolish
two buildings in Woodbury Village, had been reviewed by Femo and the Select
Board. Suggested changes were made by removing any reference to Asbestos
Removal. The contract was signed and witnessed. Ferno will not be able to work
in the buildings until the asbestos (and other hazardous wastes) have been
removed, but he may start on some site work outside of the buildings.
Treasurer Lilly Baron joined the meeting and presented updated reports which
incorporated the budget adjustments the Board previously approved. She also
presented a document summarizing the reasons for the increase in the tax rate.
The voter-approved budgets were $639,081 (General Fund) and $864,599
(Highway Fund) for a total of$1,503,600. After some adjustments up and down,
the tax rate was set for a budget of $1,302,127. The municipal tax rate will be
$. 9719 per $100 of property assessment. Increases affecting the tax rate include
the $105,000 that had to be returned to FEMA, cost over-run on the Valley Lake
Road culvert of $25,000, and a cost overrun on a new truck that was budgeted for
$200,000 and ended up at $300,000.
Updates and Other Business
Health Department still has not approved the appointment of our new Health
Officer Kathryn Saunders. Chris is following up.
-Board signed a form approving the pay rates that were approved as of 8/1
-The library wants to use the town's credit card to make purchases on line.
-Discussed legal advice regarding his review of the draft agreement regarding
the East Long Pond dam repair project. Attorney wonders why the HED
would not be more appropriate fiscal agent for handling donations and
grants.
-Carol Ray reported that a Town Truck had dinged the comer of the building
which houses the food pantry. Ownership of the building is not clear but it
is not owned by the Town. The Board agreed to pay for half of the repair of
the damage. Total bill was about $1600.
_-_Chris reported on a call from the OSSU Superintendent with bad news from
the state Fire Marshall -use of the third floor (gym) must be limited to 45
people until the fire escape is replaced and a sprinkler system is installed.
This would mean we would need to find another venue for Town Meeting.
Paul Cerutti, former State Fire Marshall and Woodbury Fire Chief, will help
the town/school to negotiate these restrictions.
At 7:20 the Board voted to enter Executive Session (l V.S.A. §313(a)(l)(E)) to
discuss correspondence regarding the Swenson case. The session was closed at
7:40. No vote was taken. Chris will contact Attorney Mears.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45.
Signed on 8/i 't / 'Zk:?
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Diana Peduzzi