Select Board
Friday, September 25, 2026
Meeting Minutes

Select Board: Andrew Maneval, Andrea Hodson, Kathy Scott
Attendees: Anne Havill, Mary Day Moredecai
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

The meeting opened at 9:00 am.

Agenda, Minutes of 9/21 – The board deferred discussion of September 21 minutes to allow time to review.   With the addition of a Planning Board request to the Select Board, a brief legal update, a question and comment on the highway department, and the Talon Report, the SB approved the agenda as amended.

2025 Financial Statements, Discussion with Auditor – This item was deferred to the SB meeting on Thurs 10/8.

South Road Bridge – Andrea Hodson noted the following:

  • The RFQ for a Construction Engineer was sent to 7 firms. Three responded with submissions. The ad hoc review committee, consisting of Dave Thompson of Friends of Russell Reservoir and former SB member Seth Kallman, is working with Ms. Hodson to evaluate responses, conduct reference checks, and rank the submissions for the DOT. Assuming DOT approval, the town will engage in contract negotiations with the construction engineering firm awarded the bid. Subsequently, an RFP for bridge construction will be issued.  The ad hoc review team will meet again Mon 9/28 at 2 pm.  The SB thanks them for their time and work.
  • The SB met with a Mascoma Bank representative to discuss a Grant Anticipation Note and ‘cash flow carry costs’ to finance bridge construction ahead of reimbursement from the state. The bank note would be available for one year. The interest rate applied would be contained to time borrowed; no penalty for early payment.  The SB will engage the town attorney to assist with warrant article drafting for construction and borrowing terms, as well as for the RFP process.
  • Dubois & King project manager Brian Breslend will attend the SB meeting on Fri morning 10/23 to present the bridge design plan.

Skatutakee Road – Following up on the suggestion to clarify right of way boundaries along Skatutakee Road, the board will consider in advance of Town Meeting the option via warrant article to abandon the railroad right of way layout, while maintaining the Town Road layout. The SB will research the warrant article history relative to the road and aim for mid-December (12/10) for a public hearing on whatever the board recommends; separately, the SB will discuss with the landowners of the turnaround area and with the Road Agent options for continued access to the turnaround for town trucks and delivery vehicles.

Staff Job Descriptions – The board reviewed job profiles for the SB Administrator, the Town Treasurer and the Emergency Management Director. With minor edits, all were approved.

Finance – The board approved the pay warrant, including the school district payment, for a total of $257,337.64.

Cemetery Trustees – Andrew Maneval met briefly with the Cemetery Trustees to discuss the status of cemetery work and to offer SB support.  He noted the SB will appoint a person to fill the trustee vacancy but always considers trustee recommendations or input. On the updated draft Cemetery Regulations, he recommended to the trustees to add this topic to an upcoming cemetery meeting agenda and to invite public input. The draft regulations are posted on the website homepage. The SB will continue the conversation with the Cemetery Trustees at the SB’s meeting on 10/8.

Transportation Committee – The committee would like to engage in the DOT’s project for repairs to the Chesham Road Bridge over the Minnewawa Brook (at Meadow Road). The board shared project information with Ms. Mordecai, including the DOT’s plan to widen the bridge to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and plows, and also to pave a section of Meadow Road where it intersects with Chesham Road. The Transportation Committee will discuss the plans at its next meeting so it can provide feedback to the SB.   The next DOT Informational Meeting on the project will be in February 2027.

Relative to the MAST Grant opportunity through Southwest Region Planning Commission and a matching fund amount from the town, Andrea Hodson will research whether a match can be encumbered and paid out in 2027; if so, the board will commit to a $5K contribution ($2,500 previously approved for 2026 and $2,500 pending approval of the 2027 budget). The SB will continue discussion on Oct 8.  The Transportation Committee would also need a letter of support from the SB.  On this village walkability project and the idea for a crosswalk and walking path, the committee is interested in a consensus in the village and town about whether people believe conditions are safe as they are or whether a sidewalk should be installed, whether ledge should be sheared off to allow better line of sight, and how much money, if any, the town should spend toward such efforts. The committee’s goal is for engagement by the whole community in the discussions and will proceed accordingly.

Correspondence and other business
– Planning Board request for the SB to resume a regular meeting schedule – The SB noted it mostly meets on a regular schedule but will consider the Planning Board’s request to resume meeting on set days and will further discuss at the meeting on 10/8.

-Tax Collector – The SB will meet with the Tax Collector on Fri 10/2 at 9:00 am to deliberate on properties up for deeding.

-Highway Department– The board agreed to posting the position of highway crew member.  Kathy Scott requested that her email to SB members, the SB Administrator, and the Municipal Services Director be added to the public record. She further requested review of the process for action on personnel matters. The SB agreed to both requests.  See addendum below.

The meeting adjourned at 10:54 am.

Addendum to Select Board Minutes