Selectboard 7/7/25

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Town of Richmond
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of July 7, 2025

Members Present: Bard Hill, Jay Furr, David Sander, Caitlin Filkins, Adam Wood
 

Absent: None

Staff Present: Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Duncan Wardwell, Assistant to the Town Manager; Gerald Levesque, Assistant Fire Chief; Matthew Cohen, Police Sgt

Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, Alex Naumann, Andres Torizzo, Andrew Kovick, Bill Supple, Brendan, Cara LaBounty, Chelsye Brooks, Dan Bianchi, Daniel Wolfson, Dave Sobel, Denise Barnard, iPhone de Carmelo, Jeanann Haskin, JP, Judi Jerome, June Heston, Kristen Werner, Mary Harrison, Mary Houle, Molly Dugan, Morgan Wolaver, Nick, Noa, Paige Kaleita, Pam Foust, PK, Polly Sobel, Roger, Sarah Heim, Shannon Walters, Susan Wells, Tom Walters, Trevor Brooks, Uphil

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/vAWHDRMo5tU?si=rO2MOG_sAc0kcV9D

Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
 

Welcome by: Furr

Public Comment:

Furr thanked all the volunteers and townspeople who made the July 4 events possible.

Houle gave the Selectboard the Conservation Commission rules and regulations to review in regard to the approved $30,170 for the Land Trust.
 

Barnard provided an update on the Pickleball Courts.

LaBounty asked for another member of the Selectboard to join the Town Center Building and Campus Committee.

Additions, Deletions or Modifications to Agenda: None

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Thank you to the Parade and Fireworks Committee and Volunteers for the Fourth of July Celebration

Timestamp: 0:15

People who participated in discussion:  Furr

Furr thanked everybody who made the July 4 festivities possible and all the hard work that went into it.

Consideration of making an appointment to the Andrews Community Forest Committee

Timestamp: 0:15

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3b1_ACFC_Dan_Wolfson_06-01-25.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3b2_ACFC_Vote_on_Appointment.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Wolfson, Houle, Hill, Wood

Hill moved to appoint Dan Wolfson to an at large seat on the Andrews Community Forest Committee to fill a vacancy with a term ending in 2028. Wood seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of making appointments to the Water and Sewer Commission

Timestamp: 0:18

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3c1_Wolaver_Letter_to_Serve_on_W_S_Commission_20252026.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3c2_Farr_Letter_to_Serve_on_W_S_Commission_20252026.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Hill, Sander, Filkins, Wood

Hill moved to appoint Morgan Wolaver to the Water and Sewer Commission. Sander seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Hill moved to appoint Erin Farr to the Water and Sewer Commission. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Wood moved to appoint Selectboard members Bard Hill, Jay Furr, and David Sander to the Water and Sewer Commission. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Update on the Prehospital Analgesia Intervention (PAIN) Trial
Timestamp: 0:21

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3d_PAIN_Study.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Naumann, Wolfson, Kovick, Filkins, Hill

Naumann presented a slideshow summary of the new research study that's coming to Chittenden Count, PAIN (Pre-hospital Analgesia Intervention, to see if ketamine or fentanyl is better than the other for treating pain from traumatic injuries. 
 

Consideration of approving the engineering plan for the Southview 3 Acre Permit
Timestamp: 0:30

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3e_1-25117-review_set_6.24.25.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arenson, Torizzo, Filkins, Hill, Walters, Heston, Kovick, Dana, Leonetti, Wood, Heim, LaBounty, Sobel

Filkins is recusing from conversation as directly affected. Torizzo summarized the previous discussions about compliance with the 3 Acre Permit rule. They completed some additional survey work on the site and learned some more specifics about the real discrete drainage patterns. The plan consists of four different chamber areas scattered around the subdivision.  They are looking for approval from the Town to basically proceed with the full Notice Of Intent application submitted to the State.  The Town needs to complete the application no later than October 1 in order to utilize POA funds.  Torizzo claimed that Southview has disconnecting conditions on 1.39 acres of impervious surface, or area that can be classified as kind of credit.

Torizzo confirmed that last year, the Town did submit the actual Notice Of Intent with a cover letter. If the Town put forward this application, there's always the ability to add a co-permittee or make any amendments.

Walters pointed out that a stream that goes through his property is not even on the plan. Torizzo stated that he does know exactly where the stream is and the contouring on the plans reflects that stream.

Heston recommended that the Selectboard become familiar with Act 37 of 2025 (H.481) as it changes a lot of the 3 Acre Rule. There are benefits to having the Town take full responsibility for available grants. There is going to be a study on stormwater management and the creation of a regional stormwater utility district. Furr presented a summary that deadlines have been pushed out, money available, and the regulations are pretty much impossible to follow.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/ACTS/ACT037/ACT037%20Act%20Summary.pdf?_gl=1*ay1kgd*_ga*NjUxNTk5NDI1LjE3NDU0MjQxOTk.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTIwODIzMTIkbzUkZzEkdDE3NTIwODI1MDMkajYwJGwwJGgw

Kovick asked what would happen if there was no HOA and something happens to one of their houses. He does not think the catch basin at Westall Extension would catch any water on the west side of the slope. Heim asked if the engineers were going to have a meeting with the residents to talk through the plan as not having a cost estimate makes it hard to have a conversation. Hill reviewed that Greystone has a Homeowners Association so there is an implication of equity and consistency.  Torizzo stated that there is not a lot of room to totally change course on the design, but there's always an opportunity to amend the permit before actually constructing anything.  LaBounty stated that Riverview Commons, which is the largest affordable housing area in the Town, also has a 3 Acre Permit so she requests a public hearing for this item only.  Furr suggested a walk through with Torizzo, followed by another meeting.

 

Update from the Fire Department
Timestamp: 1:30

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3f_Fire_Department_To_Do_List_as_of_7-2-25.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Levesque, Arneson, Hill, Filkins

Levesque summarized it was a busy weekend, the guys are responding well to the changeover, and a great demonstration on the 4^th of July. Levesque has another application today and hopefully more people will be joining soon.

Arneson and Levesque presented The Fire Department To Do List. Levesque reviewed some recruitment progress and the Junior Member Course. Levesque asked for approval to put up the recruitment banner on the Town Center lawn.

Public hearing to amend the Traffic Ordinance to reduce the speed limit on two sections of Cochran Rd.
Timestamp: 1:40

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3g1_Traffic_Ordinance_DRAFT_UPDATE_FOR_7-7-25_hearing.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3g2_Traffic_Ordinance_DRAFT_UPDATE_FOR_7-7-25_hearing_Clean.pdf

People who participated in discussion:  Furr, Wood, Cohen, Arneson, Hill, Haskins, Jerome, Houle, Brendan, Hill, Filkins, Sander, Wood, Wells, LaBounty, Wagg

Furr summarized the proposal to add transitional zones at both ends of Cochran Rd for 35 miles per hour. 

Wood moved to open the public hearing to consider amendments to the Traffic Ordinance to reduce the speed limit on two sections of Cochran Rd. Sander seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Arneson reviewed that these recommendations were based on a CCRPC Speed Study. Haskins and Jerome did not think the signs work. Houle thinks that the speed humps are very effective. Wells thinks that lowering the speed limit to 35 will be effective, even though not everybody will follow it.  Arneson summarized the process of gathering the data, looking at speeds, looking at conditions, and providing a recommendation.  LaBounty stated that Cochran Rd is a truck route because the Town didn’t want jake brakes going through the Village.  Wagg stated that the traffic does move really fast right at the end of Greystone which is also a bus stop.

Filkins moved to close the public hearing to consider amendments to the Traffic Ordinance to reduce the speed limit on two sections of Cochran Rd. Sander seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Furr confirmed that nobody wanted to make a motion. 

Consideration of covering domestic partners for health insurance
Timestamp: 2:09

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3h1_Domestic_Partner_Policy_-_Richmond_DRAFT.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3h2_Affidavit_of_Domestic_Partnership.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3h3_Affidavit_of_Termination_of_Domestic_Partnership.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arneson, Hill, Sander, Houle, Wood, LaBounty
 

Arneson summarized that VLCT provided a sample policy that outlines documentation to prove that somebody's a domestic partner, as well as an affidavit that the person would sign.

Hill moved to include domestic partners of employees for health insurance benefits. Wood seconded.

Hill amended his motion to include domestic partners of employees for health insurance benefits as defined in the Policy and Employee handbook. Wood seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Review of intermunicipal police agreement with Hinesburg which allows for each police department to provide general police services and patrol police services to the other town
Timestamp: 2:16

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3i_2025_Intermunicipal_Agreement_PD_-_fully_executed.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Houle

Furr summarized that the Special Meeting on June 27 provided a new policy that is a more reciprocal agreement for Richmond and Hinesburg.

Update regarding no bids for the sale of the Telsa and discussion of next steps
Timestamp: 2:18

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arneson, Cohen

Arneson stated that there were no bids for the Tesla. Cohen stated that Thomas Hirchak auction costs $55 every time it is listed and a service fee based on the pricing of about $300. They estimated a $18,000-$19,000 range. Carvana wants to give us $22,000 for it.

Sander moved to explore to sell the Tesla to Carvana for at least $20,000 and depositing the proceeds into the Police Reserves. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of placing $3,111 from the sale of the zero turn mower into the Highway Reserve Fund
Timestamp: 2:23

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Wood, LaBounty   

Wood moved to deposit $3,111 from the sale of the zero turn mower into the Highway Reserve Fund. Sander seconded.

LaBounty requested reconsidering the motion as Highway no longer does mowing we don't need to put it in the Highway Reserve Fund. LaBounty suggested using it for the Browns Court funds. Arneson stated that is was originally intended for the purchase of the next truck but the motion could be amended to put it in the Special Projects Reserve Fund which is where the ARPA money was transferred. 

Wood amended the motion to deposit $3,111 from the sale of the zero turn mower into the Special Projects Reserve Fund. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of setting the FY26 tax rate
Timestamp: 2:27

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3l_FY26_tax_rate.pdf
 

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arneson, Sander, Hill, LaBounty

Furr stated that this is unfortunately an increase, but they did work very hard to not have a double digit increase despite all the floods. Arneson reviewed that it was a 9.6% increase from last year but that was also due to the approval of the Appropriations and the Conservation Reserve Fund but does not include the School budget.

Sander moved to set the FY26 tax rate at $0.5447. Hill seconded.

Sander reviewed that the actual spending went down this year even though the taxes went up. The previous year was artificially low due to using Unassigned Funds in FY25.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Review code of ethics
Timestamp: 2:32

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3m_CodeofEthics_03-17-2025.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Furr, Arneson, Sander, LaBounty

Furr reviewed that Towns across Vermont have a mandate to have ethics policies which can be more stringent than the State model policy, but cannot be less stringent. The Selectboard voted to require all Town committee members and elected officials to comply with the code of ethics. People need to read and agree to abide by the code of ethics and complete the State ethics training which is available on the website:

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/General/boards-meetings/all-committee-board-members/CodeofEthics_Training_Acknowledgement.pdf

Furr summarized that the policy is to get people to take a more serious look at potential conflicts of interest. If you are not sure then it's best to err on the side of thinking you've got a conflict of interest.

Consideration of approving liquor licenses
Timestamp: 2:37

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3n1_Lucky_Spot_Liquor_License_Application.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/07/3n2_The_Big_Spruce_Liquor_License_Application.pdf

Wood moved to approve a first-class liquor license for The Big Spruce. Sander seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Sander moved to approve a second-class liquor license for The Lucky Spot. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, and Warrants

Timestamp: 2:40

Minutes:

Wood moved to approve the draft Selectboard Minutes of 6/16/25 as presented. Sander seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Sander, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Hill moved to approve the draft Special Selectboard Minutes of 6/27/25 as presented. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Filkins in favor. Sander and Wood abstain.  Motion approved.

Purchase Orders:
 

Sander moved to amend purchase order number 4927 to Innovative Surface Solutions for chloride to the amount of $19,473.98. Wood seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Sander moved to approve purchase order number 5195 to Simpleroute for FY26 IT services in the amount of $19,404.00. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Sander moved to approve purchase order number 5266 to Catamount North Sitework for the Tilden Ave. Stormwater Project in the amount of $69,546. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Executive Session:  Evaluation of an employee

Wood moved to find that premature knowledge about an employee review would cause the Town or person to suffer a substantial disadvantage. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Wood moved that we enter into executive session to discuss an employee review under the provisions of 1 VSA 313(a)(3. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Sander moved to exit executive session. Filkins seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr, Filkins, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Next Meeting Agenda

-3 Acre Rule site visit follow up meeting

-Pickleball Courts update

-Tesla update

-Town Center Building update

Adjourn

Hill moved to adjourn. Wood seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Filkins, Sander, Furr, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 10:17 p.m.

Chat file from Zoom:

00:56:55          Chelsye Brooks:          Shouldn’t a stream, or any surface waters for that matter, be on the design? Proximity to a stream is important for design, construction, and planning.

01:03:49          Chelsye Brooks:          Act 37 also says that towns who take responsibility can only collect special assessments on the users of the system if the majority of property owners consent.

Meaning: if Richmond takes responsibility, they would unlikely be able to collect fees unless legislation changes as I understand it.

01:03:51          Cara:    Are the grants for the municipalities portion? Are the grants guaranteed?

01:13:10          Chelsye Brooks:          Grants are not guaranteed. As always it’s first come first serve.

01:15:20          judi jerome:     are we going to get to the problems at the Jonesville end of the Cochran Road tonight?

01:15:40          judi jerome:     Multiple problems!

01:27:24          Chelsye Brooks:          Any meeting should be open to everyone, not just Southview residents, especially if talk is being thrown around about the town taking on responsibility for this as I believe it will be a substantial cost spread among all residents and hold greater implications if it bleeds over to ALL 3 acre sites in the Town of Richmond.

01:33:23          Cara:    I'm protentional future homer and looking to purchase a home in Southview.

01:33:48          Brendan:         Reacted to "I'm protentional fut..." with ❤️

01:34:18          Jean Haskin:    Reacted to "I'm protentional fut…" with ❤️

01:43:22          Jean Haskin:    Reacted to "Any meeting should b…" with 👍

01:54:39          Jean Haskin:    Funny, when I came over the bridge today at 4:30, all cars parked were off the road

01:56:51          Jean Haskin:    No way on a 3 way stop sign

02:01:43          Jean Haskin:    Agree with Adam

02:04:53          Jean Haskin:    How can lowering the speed limit be effective if people don’t follow it.?

02:06:28          judi jerome:     Reacted to "How can lowering the..." with 👍🏻

02:07:07          judi jerome:     Replying to "Agree with Adam"

Early this morning and mid morning

02:12:20          Chelsye Brooks:          I’ve tested the speed humps on Cochran road. The speed humps are most comfortably traversed at 15-17mph.

They can however be approached at 25mph with no damage to a car, it just isn’t too comfortable.

I don’t doubt people are flying over them faster.

02:14:19          Susan Wells:    On what did you make that decision not to follow the recommendation of the traffic study?? I just can't believe it.

02:14:21          Jean Haskin:    Adjust the distance of the 25 mph warning sign on the Jonesville end and put flags on both warning signs

02:17:08          Jean Haskin:    I have never seen anyone flying over the speed humps and I’ve never had anyone pass me on Cochran rd when driving the speed limit. I’ve lived here 47 years!

02:24:09          Jean Haskin:    Take it

02:25:02          Jean Haskin:    Yes

02:40:09          Chelsye Brooks:          Her interest is actually greater than any other member of town so it’s correct for her to recuse. Thank you for doing so.

02:41:07          Jean Haskin:    What happens if someone doesn’t sign?

02:51:56          Cara:    request for additional SB member on Town Center committee