It’s the final regular meeting of the Brattlboro Selectboard for 2021 and the last regular meeting for outgoing Town Manager Peter Elwell. They’ll take up issues of mask mandate exemptions, financial audits, and more FY23 budget planning. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation, and you are probably welcome to bring holiday cookies as well.
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The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 5:30pm and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss the negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15 in the Second Floor Meeting Room at the Central Fire Station (103 Elliot Street) and on Zoom. Everyone will be required to wear a face covering and maintain social distance. The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:30PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
The physical location for this meeting will be the Second Floor Meeting Room at the Central Fire Station, 103 Elliot Street, where everyone will be required to wear a face covering and maintain social distance.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting using Zoom.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
2. APPROVE MINUTES – November 30 and December 7
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Errors and Omissions to the 2021 Grand List – Approve
B. Influent Pump Rebuild at Wastewater Treatment Facilities – Ratify Purchase
C. Replacement Pickup Truck for Utilities Division – Authorize Purchase
D. Replacement Pickup Truck for Highway Division – Authorize Purchase
E. Vermont Municipal Planning Grant for Walk/Bike Master Plan – Accept and Appropriate
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Rule Requiring Face Coverings in Indoor Public Spaces – Possible Exemptions
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Financial Reports
(i) Audit and Financial Statements for FY21
(ii) Single Audit for FY21
(iii) Monthly Report for First 5 Months of FY22 (through November)
B. FY23 Proposed Budget
(i) Town Clerk’s Office
(ii) Assessor’s Office
(iii) Planning Department
(iv) List of Unfinished Items to be Addressed in January 2022
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: Peter B. Elwell, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: December 17, 2021
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. The Board will meet in executive session at 5:30pm to discuss the negotiation of a real estate purchase or lease and the appointment, employment, or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene the business meeting at 6:15pm in the Second Floor Meeting Room at the Central Fire Station at 103 Elliot Street and on Zoom. The public is strongly encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the meeting in-person will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Errors and Omissions to the 2021 Grand List – Approve
B. Influent Pump Rebuild at Wastewater Treatment Facilities – Ratify Purchase
C. Replacement Pickup Truck for Utilities Division – Authorize Purchase
D. Replacement Pickup Truck for Highway Division – Authorize Purchase
E. Vermont Municipal Planning Grant for Walk/Bike Master Plan – Accept and Appropriate
In a memorandum dated December 21, 2021, Town Assessor Jenepher Burnell advises that the 2021 Grand List has increased by $296,000 due to corrections made since it was lodged earlier this year. Attached to her memorandum is a table that itemizes the individual corrections and the reasons they were made. Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate the Selectboard’s approval of these corrections to errors and omissions on the Town’s 2021 Grand List.
In a memorandum dated December 3, 2021, Director of Public Works Dan Tyler requests that the Selectboard ratify the expense of rebuilding an influent pump at the wastewater treatment facility at a cost of $15,060. Due to the critical importance of this pump, staff authorized the manufacturer to make the necessary repairs as soon as possible. The expense will be covered by the wastewater facilities operating budget. Approval of this item on the consent agenda
will indicate the Selectboard’s ratification of staff’s decision to incur this expense.
In a memorandum dated December 3, 2021, Director of Public Works Dan Tyler requests that the Selectboard approve the purchase of a replacement pick-up truck for DPW’s Utilities Division for a total cost of $42,359. This purchase is to replace a previous order that was cancelled by the manufacturer after the purchase was approved by the Selectboard at its meeting on July 6, 2021. Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate the Selectboard’s authorization for staff to proceed with this purchase.
In a memorandum dated December 3, 2021, Director of Public Works Dan Tyler requests that the Selectboard approve the purchase of a replacement pick-up truck for DPW’s Highway Division for a total cost of $45,680. This purchase is to replace a previous order that was cancelled by the manufacturer after the purchase was approved by the Selectboard at its meeting on July 6, 2021. Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate the Selectboard’s authorization for staff to proceed with this purchase.
In a memorandum dated December 10, 2021, Town Accountant Kim Ellison writes that the Planning Department requests that the Selectboard accept and appropriate a $22,000 grant from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to pay for developing a Walk/Bike Master Plan. Approval of this item on the consent agenda will indicate the Selectboard accepts this grant and appropriates the $22,000 to pay for development of a Walk/Bike Master Plan.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Rule Requiring Face Coverings in Indoor Public Spaces – Possible Exemptions
In a memornaudm dated December 16, 2021, Town Manager Elwell describes potential changes to the Town’s face covering rule. Specifically, in response to Selectboard members’ comments at prior meetings, the memo describes language that has been added to the existing rule to exempt performers in live performances and customers consuming food and beverages from the requirement to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. A modified resolution is included in the Selectboard’s backup materials to highlight the exact wording changes proposed for the rule.
POTENTIAL MOTIONS:
TO ADOPT THE MODIFIED FACE COVERING RULE THAT PROVIDES EXEMPTIONS FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS AND FOR THE CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES. OR
TO EXTEND THE EXISTING FACE COVERING RULE FOR AN ADDITONAL 30 DAYS.
9. NEW BUSINESS
Financial Reports
(i) Audit and Financial Statements for FY21
(ii) Single Audit for FY21
(iii) Monthly Report for First 5 Months of FY22 (through November)
In a memorandum dated December 15, 2021, Town Manager Elwell transmits to the Selectboard the FY21 audit documents and the November 2021 monthly financial report, and advises the Selectboard that the Town has received “clean” audits for FY21. He recommends that the Selectboard accept (1) the Independent Auditor’s Report for FY21 from Batchelder Associates, P.C., and the accompanying financial statements prepared by Town staff, and (2) the Reports on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, Internal Controls and Compliance with Laws and Regulations (known as the “Single Audit”) for FY21. He also reports that the monthly financial report for November 2021 contains no cause for concern.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR FY21 FROM BATCHELDER ASSOCIATES, P.C., AND THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PREPARED BY TOWN STAFF, AND TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS ON SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL AWARDS, INTERNAL CONTROLS, AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS (KNOWN AS THE “SINGLE AUDIT”)
FOR FY21.
FY23 Proposed Budget
(i) Town Clerk’s Office
(ii) Assessor’s Office
(iii) Planning Department
(iv) List of Unfinished Items to be Addressed in January 2022
Town Clerk Hilary Francis, Town Assessor Jenepher Burnell, and Planning Director Sue Fillion will present the proposed FY23 budgets for their departments. Town Manager Peter Elwell will provide additional information requested by the Selectboard during previous meetings and will list the unfinished FY23 budget items. A summary of what Town Manager Elwell will present is included in the Selectboard’s backup materials in his memorandum dated December 16, 2021. The Town staff’s entire proposed FY23 budget is posted on the Town’s website at www.brattleboro.org and can be accessed by clicking on the “FY23 Budget (Proposed)” link under “News” on the right side of the homepage.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM
