WOODBURY – First up at the November 11 regular meeting of the Woodbury Select Board was Information Technology Manager Skip Marchesani, who talked about plans for upgrading network infrastructure and adding public Wi-Fi access in the area surrounding the town hall, and extending into the park area across Vt. Rte. 14. The board previously approved the public access point at the town hall, and asked Marchesani to arrange password-free access for the public.
photo from HCTV
Higgins expressed concern about use of the town’s network for drug deals. Marchessani explained how network traffic is monitored and restricted from accessing unsavory sites, along with terms and conditions the public will need to agree to before they use the network.
Installation is planned within the next several weeks, with some unresolved concern about possible upgrades to electrical service that may be required and are being looked into.
A lengthy discussion followed about flood mitigation in the town office and air quality due to apparent mold there. Peduzzi has contacted Paul Davis Restoration to have a look at the areas of concern and a report the board has received.
Some small areas will need to be finished or refinished and it’s suggested the town invest in a couple of temperature and humidity monitors and an air cleaner for the air coming out of the vault to potentially help with odors in the main office area. Board members Chris Casey and Lizzy Higgins will be following up with contractors to complete this work.
Paul Cerutti suggested a sprinkler be installed over the furnace.
Town Clerk Robin Durkee said the election went smoothly. She had received 366 absentee ballots before the election, which were stored in the vault until election day when they were recorded. Out of 755 registered voters, 581 cast ballots, she said, which is almost 75%. Board members noted turnout was high and much higher than in neighboring Hardwick. Their turnout was 67%.
Town Treasurer Brady Smith updated the board on tax payments, which were well over $1 million in the last two weeks, along with small payments from FEMA and from the state Land Pilot program. She reported the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) has asked for updated values for town properties for its insurance coverage and The Woodbury library is working on revaluing contents of the library for their VLCT insurance.
Smith told the WSB a town resident has expressed interest in taking over the treasurer position, but would need two months to wrap up her present work. Smith said she feels they are qualified to do the work and will have a further conversation to encourage her to send in a resume.
Casey had spoken with Road Commissioner Alfred Larrabee, who wasn’t at the meeting and reported roads will continue to be graded until they freeze, but there is not a specific schedule. Roads are done when needed, with more heavily traveled roads getting attention more often.
Casey reported Larrabee had told him stone is being hauled for storage at the garage in anticipation of mud season.
Higgins was concerned about someone who asked the town to pay for the damage to his vehicle’s windshield from debris he says was kicked up from the town’s roadside mower. The board was concerned that the town has not covered such damage in the past because it’s hard to confirm the cause. Higgins noted the resident’s version of the event that caused the damage appears to differ from the road crew’s, noting he told her Larrabee had indicated the town would cover repair costs above the resident’s deductible.
There was discussion of whether signs had been placed to warn drivers of the hazard and whether that should be done in the future. Casey said he will talk with Larrabee about the incident.
Recovery Officer Skip Lindsay reported nine 2023 flood repair projects have reached the “obligated” stage in the FEMA process, which means a payment of $206,953 is anticipated within roughly six weeks.
The last two 2023 FEMA road projects are making their way through the FEMA approval process chain and will need an extension for the completion of the work, he said.
A change to the FEMA review process for 2024 flood repair projects, will add a Vermont state consultant to review the damage inventories. A November 13 meeting is scheduled for a Zoom conference with FEMA for which Larrabee is gathering mapping information.
The board will spend much of its next scheduled meeting on November 25 to prepare next year’s budget, for which Durkee and Larabee will do initial work on town office and road crew needs.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
