Selectboard 9/15/25

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Town of Richmond
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of September 15, 2025

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

Absent: Bard Hill

Staff Present: Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Matthew Cohen, Police Sgt

Others Present: MMCTV, Brendan Filkins, Cara LaBounty, Charlie Baker, Chelsye Brooks, Doug Thompson, Gretchen Paulsen, House 1 (Amy M) , Ian Bender, Jeanann Haskin, Jewels Hicks, Maria Poley, Margaret Cole, Mary Ann Kittenger, Mary Houle, Morgan Wolaver, Nick, Noa, Paige Kaleita, Patty Brushett, Robin Pesci, Sarah, Sarah Heim, Shaun Robinson, Tom Astle, Trevor Brooks

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Tom Astle
https://youtu.be/RpEUIH1Tk70?si=VbCSgru8gam4Cg5D
 

Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
 

Welcome by: Furr began the meeting with a land acknowledgement.
 

Public Comment: Houle acknowledgedthe assassination of Charlie Kirk.    

Additions, Deletions or Modifications to Agenda: None
 

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present


Statement on mail to residents which falsely claims to be from the Selectboard or the Town Office
Timestamp: 0:02

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3a_Mail_Falsely_Claiming_to_be_from_the_Town.pdf

Furr stated that those letters are not from the Selectboard, nor from any part of the Richmond Town government. The USPS Inspector General and local Police department are investigating. The Selectboard took a recess due to Furr and LaBounty argument during potential discussion of statement. Filkins summarized that she talked with LaBounty and confirmed there was something important to say at another meeting.  


Presentation of Chittenden Country Regional Planning Commission Annual Report
Timestamp: 0:10

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3b_Richmond_CCRPC_FY25.pdf

Baker and Arneson summarized the annual customer service check in with the Town and Selectboard.


Announcement of the completion of the Rt. 2 bridge over I89 southeast of the Fire Station and brief review of future VTrans bridge projects
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3c_Message_From_VTrans_regarding_completion_of_bridge_construction.pdf
Timestamp: 0:18

Furr summarized that there are still minor aspects of the project that are still open.  Furr reviewed concerns of VTrans’ next project with Jericho Rd and Kenyon Rd bridges.


Follow up on the possibility of creating a Union Municipal District to provide police services to Richmond and Hinesburg
Timestamp: 0:21

Furr summarized previous history of Richmond and Hinesburg police services.  Arneson confirmed that Hinesburg is not interested in forming a Union Municipal District and reviewed other local possibilities.  Filkins suggested a part-time Chief position.  Sander observed that everybody is short of staff.  Wood stated that there were many budget concerns for current staffing next year.  Sander appreciated Cohen sticking with them to help navigate the field.  Houle suggested that Richmond serves as a training station for officers and supported Cohen as a Chief.  Filkins suggested contract options to support Cohen.  Arneson stated that he is reaching out to other towns and Williston has more work than their current contract but would be willing to provide some patrol coverage.          


Follow up on permitting process for the Black Lives Matter / All Are Welcome Here sign
Timestamp: 0:44

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3e_Response_Regarding_Permit_for_BLM_Sign.pdf

Furr reviewed that the memo states the Town does not require a permit or zoning approval.


Discussion of the process to create a special assessment district for Southview 3 Acre Stormwater Permit
Timestamp: 0:45

Furr reviewed that the impermeable surface up in Southview is partly owned by the residents and partly owned by the Town.  Filkins recused.  Arneson reviewed that they need 50% of the owners to sign a consent form agreeing to the special assessment district.  Once 50% of the property owners consent, the remaining property owners are then subject to the assessment, and all owners of the property must sign the form.  Arneson stated that they would look at the impervious surface for each individual property.  Kaleita stated that they had been trying to comply and figure this out but they didn't know a year ago.  Kaleita summarized that a few neighbors feel that the engineering plans are lacking transparency and important information in the disconnection and the amount of impervious surface.  Heim stated that they are not going to get enough people to vote in favor of an HOA, but maybe a special assessment district is something that could be workable if costs are distributed over a long period of time.  


Consideration of entering into Opioids Class Action Suits
Timestamp: 1:10

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadminhttps://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3g_Info_from_VLCT_on_opioid_settlements.pdf

Sander moved to authorize the Town Manager to execute all documents necessary to participate in the settlements with Purdue and the eight (8) Secondary Manufacturers.  Filkins seconded.

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

Consideration of accepting the FY26 Grant In Aid
Timestamp: 1:13

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/09/3h_GA1105_RichmondTownof.pdf

Wood moved to accept the FY26 Grant in Aid.  Sander seconded.  

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

Consideration of setting dates for FY26 Budget meetings
Timestamp: 1:14

Wood moved to set special meetings of the Selectboard for the purpose of working on the FY27 budget on Wednesday, October 22; Monday November 10, and Monday, December 8. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, and Warrants

Timestamp: 1:16
 

Filkins stated that LaBounty is extremely well versed in local government and historical Richmond issues and this evening should not deter people from participating in this room.  Haskins agreed that it is very difficult as a woman to address an all-male board.  Furr & Filkins confirmed that Furr should resign from Chair of Selectboard but still serve on Selectboard.
  

Minutes:

Wood moved to approve the Selectboard Minutes of 9/2/25 as presented. Sander seconded.

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


 

Purchase Orders:

Wood moved to approve PO#5297 to Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District for first quarter taxes in the amount of $2,254,208.59. Filkins seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Warrants: 

Wood moved to approve the warrants from the September 15, 2025 meeting. Sander seconded. 
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.


Next Meeting Agenda

-Elect Selectboard Chair & Vice-Chair
-Police Department

-Budget Meetings
-Fay’s Corner Safety Study

 

Adjourn

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

 

Meeting adjourned at: 8:57 PM

Chat file from Zoom: 
01:39:52          Trevor Brooks:            The state allows you to get permits even when they aren’t required to for stormwater.

01:57:14          Chelsye Brooks:          The DRB hasn’t used their second meeting in a long time.