February 9, 2026
Attendees
Select Board Members: Diana Peduzzi, Lizzy Higgins, Chris Casey
Town Officials: Robin Durkee (Town Clerk), Lilly Baron (Town Treasurer) Skip Lindsay (Recovery Officer); John Reid
(Auditor)
Town Employees: Alfred Larrabee (Road Commissioner ); Michael Gray (WSB Assistant/Scribe)
Members of the Public: Lisa Flood; Nicole Centerbar and Col en Johnson (Bowman staff, representing Swenson
Granite); Randy Cleveland (Director of Quarry Operations for Swenson Granite)
Media: Arthur Hynes – HCTV
Call to Order Chris called the meeting to order at 6:00 P. M.
Adjustments to Agenda
Update on the spring in the gulf; Road Erosion Inventory Update
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The minutes from January 29, 2026 Select Board meeting were approved.
Public Comment
Lisa Flood has been looking into the possibility of historic preservation grant money that could help finance needed repairs
at the school. She asked how the need for proposed work on the fire escape and elevator originated. The WSB answered
that the repairs have been mandated to meet state fire and safety codes. Michael suggested that she bring her inquiry to
the Woodbury MVUESD representatives and that the town paying for renovations may prove to be a liability for the OSSU
while the school is a designated campus within the MVUESD. Lilly will provide Lisa with a copy of the town lease with
MVUESD.
Swenson Granite Company – Request for Municipal Impact Statement
with Colen Johnson, Nicloe Centerbar and Randy Cleveland
Colin and Nicole attended the meeting to answer any questions the WSB may have regarding the Municipal Impact
Statement requested for the Swenson Granite Act 250 application. Colin summarized the project for which
permits are required from the town and the District Environmental Commission. These include footprint
expansion; the production of aggregate from tailings at the quarry that would involve the use of a crusher at the
quarry for 45 working days per year. Sale of the aggregate products would involve increased truck traffic to and
from the quarry. They have asked for a total maximum of 50 loaded truck trips per day including the blocks and the
crushed. Based on the first ZBA hearing, Colin’s impression is that the town’s major concern is the increase in
truck traffic and the wear and tear on Cabot Road. Chris shares that his impression of town concerns are the
increase in noise, increase in truck traffic and Cabot Road traffic/public safety concerns. Colen explained some
changes that have been made since the earlier ZBA hearing. The dump trucks carrying the crushed aggregate will
use the old quarry entrance, a private road off Cabot Road, which will mean no increase in trucks approved over
the section of Cabot Road between the new and old exits. All truck traffic including the blocks, will use the old
entrance in the winter. In the summer, the block trucks will go back to using the new entrance. Regarding the
noise produced by the crusher, he explained that a new support area is being prepared at the northern-most
corner of the site. Alternative sites are available within the quarry walls. There is more discussion of the
aggregate. In the amendment request, the aggregate extraction limit is 20,000 cubic yards. The creating and selling
of aggregate is a new aspect of the quarry’s business that is being explored. Dust fro m the road with the truck
traffic is expected to be controlled by the town road crew. Alfie expresses his concern that some of the trucks are
not properly equipped, especially with the tires they run on, and suggests the use of chains in winter, to travel
Cabot Road. He suggests the quarry have a requirement that the trucks be properly equipped in this regard to
avoid the problems the trucks have had, especially this winter. Randy believes that the use of chains would tear
up the pavement. Randy and Alfie discussed a project to widen the road at the steep curve just downhill from the
new entrance. The company would provide the fill material.
The subject of the financial payments to the town came up. To assist with additional road maintenance, Swenson
has long paid 6.5 cents per usable square foot of granite hauled from the quarry. The aggregate will add to the
total tonnage and increase the reimbursement to the town. Both Colen and Randy state that they are open to
more money coming to the town but neither are authorized to make that arrangement. The town needs make the
request. Diana mentions she still needs to contact the WVFD and Hardwick Rescue, to get their input for the
statement.
Town Clerk’s Report with Robin Durkee
Land Records research at the town office has been quiet and Robin has been focused on preparations for town
meeting. Robin also mentions that the WOOF contest, intended to inspire more residents to license their dogs, is
getting a good response.
Town Treasurer’s Report with Lillian Baron
Lilly will be meeting with the PACIF insurance providers to get a better sense of why insurance costs have recently
increased and discuss possible ways to lower insurance costs . The January financial review is postponed until the
February 23
rd
WSB meeting to allow time for the midyear review and budget projections on the agenda for this
meeting. The CVRPC Mutual Aid agreement has been finalized and is ready for the WSB to sign. Lizzy mentioned
that John Gordon and Tim Neill are the designated contacts in the agreement and that she still needs t o confirm
with Tim to know if he is willing to be a contact person. Lizzy will connect with Tim and the WSB will sign the
agreement at its February 23
rd
meeting.
Lilly presented a mid-year review of the town’s FY26, looking at budgeted expenses and revenues; she then
provides projections for the budget items at the end of the fiscal year. The town’s various reserve funds are also
reviewed. Lilly’s summary of the town finances, based on mid-year revenue and expenditures, is that the town’s
total expenses will slightly exceed total revenues by the end of the fiscal year, resulting in a modest budget deficit
across the combined General and Highway Funds.
Total cash on hand at mid -year stands at $1,093,577. The General Fund Budget is currently operating at a deficit,
meaning the town’s expenditures are outpacing revenues. The Highway Fund Budget continues strongly, with a
surplus and healthy fund balance. Overall, expenditures are trending slightly above budget, while revenues remain
steady, supported by state aid, clerk fees, and delinquent tax collections. The primary financial risk for the
remainder of the year is unbudgeted or under- budgeted expenses, including unanticipated truck repairs, post-
budget wage increases, and higher- than-expected insurance and technology costs impacting both of the town’s
major funds.
Projections for the end of FY 26 show cash on hand at $383,403. This reflects the anticipated return of the full
amount of excess FEMA funds, included as a conservative, worst- case assumption. The General Fund Budget is
projected to remain in deficit through year- end. Lilly will continue to watch the delinquent tax revenue, as she feels
it is the defining revenue that will have the largest impact on the health of the town’s General Fund Balance at year
end. The Highway Fund is projected to end the year with a 46% increase in its f und balance. This increase will
place our highway f und balance at a more stable rate. Lilly feels it will be important to monitor payroll expenses as
the transition of highway crew members evolves. The bottom line is that the town is not at risk of needing to
borrow, however, fund balances—particularly the General Fund—are projected to fall below best- practice levels,
limiting financial flexibility and increasing exposure to unanticipated costs.
Looking ahead, Lilly suggests the town’s best practice is to maintain approximately two months of operating
expenditures in both the General Fund and the Highway Fund at year-end. Based on the current FY27 budget,
which reflects more realistic expenditure levels, this target equates to roughly $125,000 in our main
Funds (Highway and General). Maintaining this level of fund balance serves two primary purposes: it
helps bridge cash flow needs before tax revenues are received, and it provides capacity to absorb
unbudgeted or unexpected expenses during the fiscal year.
Lilly then quickly reviews the various special funds the town holds, such as the HERF, library, cemetery , lister’s
education, reappraisal and separate FEMA funds, giving their current financial status and projections for fiscal
year end balances.
Road Commissioner’s Report with Alfred Larrabee
With snow coming daily, the crew has been busy. The new truck is back in action and the old 4900 truck has been
sold.. The road crew now has two part time road crew members. Dana Huoppi has agreed to fill in for a few weeks
and the other is awaiting results of the required drug test . This finally allows Alfie to step aside from daily plowing
duties. Alfie continues to train Peter to take on more road commissioner duties. Alfie shares that he will be starting
a 10 day vacation.
Big news of the day is the two raccoons that literally dropped through the sheetrock ceiling into the garage,
revealing the lack of ceiling insulation and the need for roofing repairs. Ice has been building up on the roof and
snow melt has begun to run into the building. Alfie worries about the poor retention of heat in the building and the
fuel expense from the lack of insulation. From this, Alfie brings up the need for a new roof or, perhaps, a new
building. This topic will be discussed in further WSB meetings. The road crew will patch the hole with plywood for a
temporary fix.
The roadside spring beside Route 14 in the gulf has not been running . Alfie, Michael, Peter Dailey and Dana
Huoppi visited the spring last week. The spring box is badly deteriorated, and water is leaking from the ground
around the spring box not allowing the buildup of water in the box to flow through the pipe to the water tub; also,
the water in the pipe has frozen. There was a fix attempted at the spring and an attempt to thaw the pipe at the
water tub site that was not successful. The crew that was there plan to do a major fix with the coming of warmer
weather. Lizzy mentioned an email she received regarding the spring. The person sending the email assumed that
the town was responsible for the spring. Alfie stated that this is not true, the spring is under the purview of VTrans.
Dana Huoppi, who used to work for VTrans, has been the person to get the spring running when it has stopped
flowing in the past, not as a VTrans employee but as a volunteer on behalf of the town. As this water source is
important for many homeowners, the four will continue to volunteer to make the repairs when weather permits.
Town Highway Grant Projects – with Michael Gray
Michael shares updates on the Valley Lake Road culvert replacement, the E mergency Watershed Protection
Program/USDA/NRCS grant for Cabot Road/Buck Lake Brook and the Better Roads Road Erosion Invent ory (REI)
grant. The RFP for the Valley Lake Road culvert replacement has been sent out to 14 contractors. Bids should be
coming in soon. Bids will be opened at the February 23
rd
WSB meeting. Nate Sicard, engineer and project manager
for the culvert replacement, will attend the meeting. The grant for this project is a VTrans Structures grant.
Michael met with Brian Voigt, senior planner for CVRPC, for an initial consultation on the RFP for engineering
design for the EWPP/USDA /NRCS awarded grant for bank stabilization of Buck Lake Brook as it enters Woodbury
Village. The bank erosion seriously compromises Cabot Road as the road enters the village. Brian and CVRPC will
be serving as project manager for this grant. Ve rmont’s division of the NRCS originally planned to do the design
work with its own engineers but many engineers have been laid off with federal budget cuts. A final draft of the RFP
for the design will be reviewed and then sent out to contractors. Michael suggests that the technical assistance
portion of the grant – $3,377 – be awarded to CVRPC for its role as project manager for this project. No decision on
that was made at this meeting.
The town was awarded a grant of $7,856 from Better Roads for the mandated updating of its REI, originally done in
2017. Michael shared that he has contacted John Reid for the purchase of an I Pad for the work of inventorying
town highways for the required update of the town’s REI. Estimates for the cost of the IPad are about $400. This
expense will be covered with the grant. Michael will be doing this inventory with the help of the road crew over the
next two summers in anticipation of the Octo ber 31
st
, 2027 deadline for completion of the inventory.
Recovery Officer’s Report with Skip Lindsay
Skip’s report focused on the ongoing communications centered around the “deobligation” and return of leftover
funds from the TH23 and TH24 bridge replacements. Chris contacted Peter Wech’s office about the heated
rhetoric coming from the VEM/Public safety rep that Skip has been corresponding with. A staff member from Peter
Welch’s congressional team contacted Skip and Skip sent all related email documentation relevant to the unused
funds to that staff member. Skip then received a positive response from the VEM/Public Safety rep that this issue
will be resolved in a more thoughtful manner. Skip, and Chris will meet with FEMA and VEM reps to discuss the two
projects, the balance of the leftover funds and the funds used from the original leftover funds for other town
mitigation projects, previously approved by FEMA.
Executive Session – citing 1 VSA 313 (a)(1)(A) and (a)(3)
The WSB voted to enter Executive Session at 8:05 p.m. inviting Lilly Baron and John Reid
The Excutive session was closed at 8:55 PM.
No action was taken.
Updates and Other Business
Bills and Payroll
Bills and payroll orders were signed at the end of the meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P. M .
Signatures and Approval
Chris Casey ______________________ Diana Peduzzi _________________________
Lizzy Higgins ______________________ 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; 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; GIA – Grants in Aid; HED – Hardwick Electric Department;
HERF – Highway Equipment Replacement Fund; HMP – Hazard Mitigation Plan; HPD – Hardwick Police
Department; H&H – Hydrological & Hydraulic; LE OP – Local Emergency Operations 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; RBT – RB Technologies; REI – Road Erosion Inventory; RFP –
Request for Proposal; SS – Seacoast Securities; TAC – Transportation Advisory Committee; TAN – Tax Anticipation
Note; TC – 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; 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; WSB – Woodbury Select Board; WPC – Woodbury Planning Commission; WNRCD –
Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District; WVFD – Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department; ZBA – Zoning
Board of Adjustment