Selectboard 9/2/25

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Selectboard Minutes 09-02-25 214 KB

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Town of Richmond
Special Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of September 2, 2025

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

Absent: None

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

Others Present: MMCTV Erin Wagg, Andrew Bessette, Bob Stafford, Bonny Steuer, Cara LaBounty, Chelsye Brooks, Dennis's iPhone, Emily Mitchell, Jeff Forward, Jen's iPhone, Jerry, Jill's iPhone, John Rankin, June Heston, Morgan Wolaver , Marie's iPhone, Patty Brushett, Sarah, Trevor Brooks

MMCTV Video: Recorded by MMCTV by Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/pNxhz0JCGA4?si=navKirM64glxIpQT

Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
 

Welcome by: Furr stated that our community opens its doors to all, no matter where you come from.

Public Comment: LaBounty asked whether the Town Center sign was permitted or in violation. Furr stated they will discuss that in Item c. 

Additions, Deletions or Modifications to Agenda: None

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Update on Hinesburg terminating the current agreements for Police Services and Police Chief Services, discussion of policing in the short term and of future cooperation with Hinesburg for police services including the possibility of forming a Union Municipal District to provide police services to both towns
Timestamp: 3:30

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3a1_RID22-JointPolicingStatutes.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3a2_Selectboard_Minutes_8-29-22.pdf

Arneson reviewed the history of Police Coverage since 2023. Arneson confirmed that the Selectboard agreed with the contract with the Union did include time and a half pay for contract coverage and that it was going to apply to the agreement with Hinesburg.  Hinesburg cannot afford to pay for time and a half, and they do not have a Union contract.  Once they decided they wanted to pause the contract for Police Services, it didn't really make much sense to provide Chief coverage because there was no overlap in staffing.  Arneson reviewed that the Police Governance Committee has been talking for a while, but they are pausing the search because the two Departments are not working together.  Arneson summarized that in order to get a more permanent contract, one Department would dissolve so the other Department would have all the Offices and a Chief.  Another option is to form a Union Municipal District which is a long-term solution as both Departments would be dissolved, and a new Municipality would be established with a joint survey committee and voter approval in both towns.

Hill stated that Hinesburg is starting collective bargaining with their Officers for the first time. Hill stated the Police Leadership around the State sees the Union Municipal District as the direction of the future. 

Furr summarized that recruitment is a big concern as it is seen as a starter job. Stafford shared his perspectives with 40 years of law enforcement in Vermont and New Hampshire.  Stafford suggested that if you are going to have a Police Department then hire the Chief first.  Or if you want to hire an Officer have somebody else do it who knows who is out there.  Stafford summarized that they tried a Municipal District in Washington County, and it is politically and emotionally charged but in the long term it would be great and set an example.

Arneson reviewed that Richmond is currently budgeted for four Officers and half of a Chief. Filkins observed that working with Hinesburg, they still didn't get full coverage with their hiring capabilities.  Filkins stated that the Town is asking for someone available when they call.  Heston supported hiring a Chief first who can work towards a Municipal District.  LaBounty stated that having two Chiefs is going to be an issue for a combined municipality.  LaBounty summarized that there are issues with Hinesburg not having a Union like Richmond which should have been a dissolved Police Department with no active Officers.  Cohen stated that he is a supporter of making a Union Municipal District as there are more jobs than officers.  The reality of recruiting and retention is lateral transfers need to be highly competitive as they save money on not having to pay $30,000 in training someone to go somewhere else.  Furr stated that if they want to have a Police Department and compete for officers, they will probably need to raise the compensation.  The Selectboard members suggested short-term and long-terms goals and received public feedback.  Sander recognized Cohen’s patience, optimism and hard work as the feedback that he gets is very positive.            


Follow up on discussion of next steps for parking enforcement on Dugway Rd., Wes White Hill, and the eastern end of Cochran Rd.
Timestamp: 0:58

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3b_Traffic_Ordinance_Effective_May_12__2023.pdf

Arneson and Cohen reviewed potential Ordinance changes previously discussed. A community service officer can enforce municipal ordinances, and the Town could accredit towing companies.  Cohen stated that it's hard to get towing companies to come out and tow.  Furr suggested raising the ticket fee to $150 which is currently at $50.  Cohen reviewed that current policy states that a Police Officer writes the parking ticket in accordance to Town Ordinances, a copy of ticket is given to the finance department to log into an established log payments made to the Town Clerk who stamps the ticket and gives to finance for recording. The finance logs the payments, gives the ticket to the Police Department for their records and each quarter, the finance reviews the log, and the Police Department obtains the name and mailing address belonging to the plate number on the ticket.  A Past Due notice is sent to the owner of the vehicle and three late notices later a decision is made to further actions.  Currently there are staffing issues with following this policy.       

Furr summarized that the next steps were to collect data on parking ticket payment and to consider a bid process for accrediting towing companies.  Arneson summarized that they need to come back with Ordinance changes.  Several suggestions were also made about changing or updating the No Parking signs along Dugway Rd.    

Discussion of creating a sign policy
Timestamp: 1:25

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3c1_Model_Flag_Policy_Summary__Vermont_League_of_Cities_and_Towns.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3c2_flag-model-policy.pdf

Furr reviewed the memo of the current Zoning sign regulations provided by Keith Oborne.  Arneson summarized that the sign out front complies because it’s a government sign, but they still need to apply for a permit.  Sander stated the Selectboard should just permit it and not change the wording of the Ordinance.  LaBounty stated the Selectboard is not exempt from the permitting process.  Wood reviewed that the Ordinance says they are.  Wood suggested submitting a request to the Zoning Administrator to state their stance.  Bender asked about the Radiate Art signs.  Arneson said if it is on the Town Center lawns it should be approved by the Selectboard.  Wood suggested sending a letter to organizations for approval of signs on the Town Center.  Hill requested a future agenda item to clarify the process for this.  LaBounty suggested improving the existing signs for the Richmond Town Center and Welcome to Village.
 

Consideration of accepting a bid for the Tesla
Timestamp:  1:40

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3d_TeslaBids08-28-2025.pdf 

Arneson reviewed the bids for the Tesla.

Sander moved to accept the bid of $20,200.00 for the sale of the Tesla.  Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of holding a special Selectboard meeting for the presentation to the public and the Selectboard of the initial draft of the Town Plan
Timestamp:  1:44

Sander moved to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Richmond Free Library at 7pm, for the presentation to the public and the Selectboard of the initial draft of the Town Plan. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of accepting an increase in the grant amount for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program related to the 2024 flooding to fund engineering for the projects
Timestamp: 1:45

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3f_NR251644XXXXC002_EWP_5042_Richmond__VT_AMD2_pending_signatures.pdf

Filkins moved to accept the increase in funding to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to cover the cost of engineering. Sander seconded
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of appointing a voting delegate to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund (PACIF), and Employment Resource and Benefits Trust (VERB) annual business meetings
Timestamp: 1:47

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/08/3g_VLCT__PACIF__and_VERB_Annual_Meeting___Vermont_League_of_Cities_and_Towns.pdf
 

Sander moved to appoint Josh Arneson as the voting delegate from Richmond for the annual meetings of VLCT, PACIF, and VERB. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.

Consideration of setting dates for FY26 Budget meetings
Timestamp: 1:49

Arneson will return next meeting with a draft motion for dates that were discussed but need to be confirmed.

Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, and Warrants

Timestamp: 1:55

Purchase Orders:  None
 

Minutes:

Sander moved to approve the Selectboard Minutes of 8/18/25 as presented. Hill seconded.

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

Warrants: 

Sander moved to approve the warrants from the September 2, 2025 meeting. Filkins seconded. 
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander, Wood in favor. Motion approved.


Next Meeting Agenda

-Sign policy update
-Ordinance changes for parking tickets
-CCRPC
-Housing Committee

 

Adjourn

Sander moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, 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.