Marshfield public meetings in 2021
26 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met on December 21, 2021, to discuss and approve several items, including a natural inventory budget, a library porch design contract, and a park and ride grant agreement. They also discussed the Listers' budget, potential rent increases for Old Schoolhouse leases, and maintenance issues. The meeting included public comment and approval of previous minutes.
- Approved natural inventory budget of $13,920 with Conservation Commission contributions
- Approved Black River Design for library porch at $3,890
- Approved park and ride grant agreement
- Discussed Listers' budget: starting salary $15/hour, cybersecurity funds
- Deferred rent increase for Old Schoolhouse leases until June/July
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met on December 7, 2021, and approved several items, including authorizing the Fire Department to apply for a FEMA grant for new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). The board also discussed future fire truck replacement needs, a potential VTrans intersection project, and ARPA fund uses. The meeting included routine approvals of minutes, expenses, and payroll.
- Authorized Fire Department to apply for FEMA grant for 12 SCBAs at ~$6,500 each (~$80,000 total; town share ~$3,800)
- Discussed fire truck replacement: engine (1992) and tanker (1996) cannot be refurbished again; need replacement in 10 and 14 years
- VTrans may address Route 2/Route 215 intersection in next resurfacing project
- ARPA funds: discussed possible uses including library porch for broadband access and zoning administrator laptop
- Approved changes to grand list based on current use program
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed several budget items, including a Conservation Commission request for $20,000 to inventory priority parcels, a highway equipment purchase for $8,100, and the Fire Department's long-term plan for a new engine. They also reviewed the library, town clerk, and personnel budgets, and appointed a new Conservation Commission member. The meeting included two executive sessions for legal and personnel matters.
- Conservation Commission requested $20,000 for a consultant-led inventory of priority parcels
- Highway crew proposed $8,100 leaf blower for ditches, potentially ARPA-eligible
- Fire Department budget discussed future engine cost of $450,000–$500,000 and $80,000 for SCBAs
- Library budget level-funded except staffing and fundraising; trustees to consider dividend draw
- Town Clerk budget includes overlap for retiring assistant and cybersecurity upgrades
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed and approved installing signs and solar motion lights at the Stranahan parking lot and other town locations to address after-dark disturbances. They also reviewed ARPA planning, a Conservation Commission appointment, grant opportunities, flood mapping, and routine approvals.
- Approved signs and solar lights for Stranahan parking lot, Old Schoolhouse Common, Jake Martin Road, and Covered Bridge Park
- Discussed applying for Better Places grant for village center gathering places
- FEMA remapping Winooski River flood area; requested better mapping for Old Schoolhouse Common
- Instructed adding warning language to appropriation request applications
- Approved General Expenses and Payroll reports
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met to discuss potential uses for ARPA funds, including a picnic pavilion, library porch, and parking for outdoor recreation, with further research needed before public input. The board also declined to pay a $500 surcharge on a new truck, appointed Will Schwarz to the Regional Emergency Management Committee, and approved spending up to $400 for topsoil for the basketball court.
- ARPA funds: potential projects include picnic pavilion, library porch, parking for outdoor recreation
- Park & Ride grant: state may fund lights but not paving
- Appointed Will Schwarz to Regional Emergency Management Committee
- Declined $500 surcharge on new truck from Clark's Truck Center
- Approved up to $400 from recreation budget for topsoil
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard approved minutes, a culvert project on Eaton Cemetery Road, fuel bids from Gillespie, a guardrail repair contract, and an ARPA fund account. They also discussed solar options and public feedback for ARPA projects.
- Approved culvert work on Eaton Cemetery Road
- Selected Gillespie floating prices for diesel, heating oil, propane
- Signed resolution to open ARPA account with Credit Union of Vermont
- Signed proposal to hire Vermont Recreational for guardrail replacement on Cabot Road
- Discussed solar options: off-taking scenario or 18 panels on picnic shelter for ~$24,400
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met on September 21, 2021, to handle routine business and several notable items. They adopted drafts of the livestock, animal control, traffic, and cemetery ordinances, and added a $25 fee for reissuing expired zoning permits. They also discussed solar panel options, a zoning violation, and possible improvements to the library and picnic shelter.
- Adopted livestock, animal control, traffic, and cemetery ordinances
- Added $25 fee for reissuing a previous valid permit
- Discussed solar panel options and maintenance contract
- Approved library storage closet and lock box
- Received engineering proposals for library porch ($3,500 and $3,890)
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed and approved additional funding for the basketball court project, increasing the cost from about $8,000 to about $10,750 due to extra material and asphalt. They also discussed painting the court, with a quote of $1,450, and will seek more quotes and continue fundraising.
- Approved additional $300 for 21 yards of material and $2,450 for extra asphalt
- Original quote was about $8,000; new total about $10,750
- Received one quote of $1,450 for painting basketball and pickleball lines
- Paving delayed from June due to weather
- Site work by Dale Brown to enlarge the court
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed using ARPA funds to support CVFiber broadband expansion and agreed in concept to allocate some money, with a survey planned for residents. They also approved 40 hours of community service for two individuals who vandalized the Old Schoolhouse Common, and reviewed the hazard mitigation plan revisions.
- Approved 40 hours community service each for two vandals; picnic table materials cost about $450
- Agreed in concept to give some ARPA money to CVFiber for broadband; survey to be developed
- Approved revisions to Local Emergency Management Plan
- Added time frames to dog ordinance offenses
- Executed deed to Douglas and Lori Zimmerman for cemetery plot
Board of Civil Authority
The Board of Civil Authority met and unanimously approved a list of names to challenge in the biennial purge of the voter checklist. The board also discussed requesting funds from the Selectboard for on-site tax appeal training next year due to the town's reappraisal.
- Approved challenge of 80+ names on voter checklist
- Discussed requesting funds for tax appeal training
- Meeting held at Old Schoolhouse Common and via Zoom
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard held a regular meeting, discussing a proposed pollinator garden, a library porch engineering proposal, and possible uses of ARPA funds. The board also authorized the zoning administrator to contact the town attorney about zoning violations and considered personnel policy changes.
- Proposal for library porch engineering services from Black River for $3,890
- Discussion of possible ARPA fund uses, including stormwater projects
- Authorized contact with town attorney regarding zoning violations
- Consideration of sick time policy changes to allow donations
- Discussion of cemetery tree rot and potential replacement
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met on July 6, 2021, and set the municipal and local agreement tax rates for the town. They also discussed adding more solar power, plans for a new picnic shelter, and the possibility of allowing green burials at Eaton Cemetery. The board approved the sale of the town's mulcher to Plainfield for $2,750 and approved a curb cut permit for Gabriel Riley on Bemis Farm Road.
- Set municipal and local agreement tax rates: Non-Homestead total 2.5916, Homestead total 2.6004
- Approved sale of mulcher to Plainfield for $2,750
- Discussed green burials at Eaton Cemetery, with sexton to attend future meeting
- Approved curb cut permit for Gabriel Riley on Bemis Farm Road
- Discussed plans for a picnic shelter, possibly 24 x 36, with Road Crew assistance
Meeting
The Marshfield Development Review Board is holding a hearing on Henry Harris's appeal of a letter from the Zoning Administrator regarding permit issues. The board heard from the administrator and the appellant about whether a permit was required.
- Appeal hearing for Henry Harris regarding zoning permit letter
- Zoning Administrator Kate Hayes explained her reasoning for the letter
- Tim Belcher and Henry Harris argued a permit was not needed
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met and approved several contracts and grant applications, including for ARPA funds, a land records system, basketball court sitework, and School Street Bridge engineering. They also discussed the hazard mitigation plan, a library grant, and a dog complaint.
- Authorized application for $128,033 in ARPA funds
- Approved contract with Cott Systems for land records
- Approved contract with Dale Brown for basketball court sitework
- Approved contract with Ruggles Engineering for School Street Bridge
- Approved purchase of laptop, camera, and screen for ballot counting
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed replacing the School Street Bridge deck, which is more cost-effective than rehabilitating deteriorated t-beams. They also considered energy projects, approved a curb cut permit, and made personnel and COVID-19 policy decisions.
- School Street Bridge: replacing deck favored over rehab; grant scope to change
- Curb cut permit approved for Red Door Bakery at former Catholic Church on Beaver Meadow Road
- COVID-19: mask requirement removed for vaccinated people at Old Schoolhouse Common
- Town email addresses authorized at $10/month additional cost
- Solar tracker service contract discussed, no decision
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met via Zoom and approved a sign for the Community Garden, kept the town's mask requirement despite state changes, and noted a grant for School Street Bridge repairs. They also discussed the hazard mitigation plan, changed the town's web domain to .gov, and entered executive session for personnel matters. The meeting was largely routine with no public comment or agenda changes.
- Approved sign for Community Garden on Old Schoolhouse Common
- Kept mask requirement for now, vaccinated town employees exempt in office
- Underground storage tank test completed for $700, down from $2,000 quote
- Changed town web domain to .gov per Secretary of State recommendation
- Received grant to repair School Street Bridge surface
Meeting
The Marshfield Development Review Board held hearings on two matters: a conditional use permit for Red Door Bakery to move into a former church, and an appeal by Henry Harris over a zoning permit requirement for a summer camp on his property. The board took testimony but did not issue decisions at the meeting.
- Conditional use permit for Red Door Bakery to convert an unused church into a bakery at an unspecified location on Route 2
- Bakery would employ six people, operate 4 am to 5 pm four days a week, and add an exhaust fan and compressor
- Appeal of zoning administrator's letter requiring a permit for a summer camp on Henry Harris's 173-acre property
- Harris's camp is for youth ages 13-19, lasts 8 days, and is grant-funded with donations
- Board discussed whether the camp qualifies as a school or educational use under zoning bylaws
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard approved widening and paving the basketball court, reviewed plans for a library porch, and made several appointments. They also discussed COVID meeting limits, a speed study, and a delinquent tax sale.
- Approved widening and paving basketball court: $2,000 excavating quote from Dale Brown, $7,995 paving quote
- Reviewed draft RFP for library porch; state permit requires stamped plans
- Authorized hiring attorney for delinquent tax sale
- Approved WEC utility permit for poles on AI Ennis Place
- Made appointments to Planning Commission, DRB, and other boards
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard discussed a conservation easement on Forest Farmers land, reviewed hazard mitigation plans, and made decisions on library entrance improvements, a trailer purchase, and COVID-19 building access. They also discussed a potential speed limit change on Route 2 and a 4-way stop sign request.
- Conservation easement granted by Forest Farmers to Vermont Forests & Parks, guaranteeing pedestrian access and allowing forestry/sugaring
- Library side entrance: Board agreed to pay $5,000 if Library Trustees contribute $10,000 and a $5,000 donation, for a porch option costing about $20,000
- Approved purchase of 82 x 16' trailer from Green Mountain Trailers for $3,900, funded by an unexpected $6,000 grant
- Discussed 4-way stop sign at Upper/Lower Depot intersection; recommended tree/brush removal instead
- Request to lower speed limit on Route 2 to 30 mph before Hollister Hill Road; letter to VTrans for speed study
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met via Zoom and made several financial decisions, including borrowing $110,000 for a dump truck, buying a generator for the Town Garage, and purchasing a hydroseeder. They also appointed three animal control officers, approved permits, and discussed highway grants and other routine business.
- Approved $110,000 loan from Union Bank at 1.76% for 5 years for dump truck
- Approved $10,774 generator purchase for Town Garage
- Approved hydroseeder purchase for $16,037.50 with $6,000 grant
- Appointed Heather Bent, Seleste Weeks, and Alana Vaillancourt as Animal Control Officers
- Approved curb cut permit for Jonathan Lloyd on Lower Depot Road
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard held an informational hearing to discuss the articles for the upcoming town meeting, including budgets and appropriations. No questions were raised on most articles, and the meeting also covered the townwide reappraisal, hazard mitigation plan, and election logistics.
- Essential Services Budget article discussed
- Jaquith Library appropriation same as last year
- Property tax collection dates to be set
- Townwide reappraisal to be conducted this year
- Hazard mitigation plan update by CVRPC
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard authorized the purchase of a new 6-wheel truck for $149,358 after trade-in, to be ordered now for 2023 delivery. They also discussed bridge grants, parking complaints on Johnson Road, a recreation grant semifinalist status, and approved a library porch design concept. The board accepted the town clerk's retirement plan and held an informational meeting on the town budget and ARPA funds.
- Authorized truck purchase from Allegiance Trucks or Tenco for $149,358 after $65,000 trade-in
- Discussed bridge grant application for Upper Depot Rd bridge; School Street Bridge design underway
- Board to send letter to Washington County Mental Health about parking on Johnson Road
- Town selected as semifinalist for Recreation Economy grant; declined Better Places grant due to crowdsourcing requirement
- Approved library porch design concept (30x10 ft, graded approach, no ramp)
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard made several decisions, including approving the purchase of a new dump truck for $130,955, a 5-year lease for the Stranahan Town Forest, and a raise for an employee. They also discussed town meeting logistics, the Old Schoolhouse Common lease, and reviewed a draft Cemetery Ordinance.
- Approved purchase of 2021 International dump truck from Clark's Truck Center for $130,955
- Approved 5-year lease for Stranahan Town Forest with Hollister Hill Farm
- Gave Scott Ciampi a 25 cents per hour raise
- Approved liquor licenses for Marshfield Village Store, Maplefields, and Rivers Edge Quik Stop
- Discussed Old Schoolhouse Common lease to New England Municipal Consultants for town-wide reappraisal
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met via Zoom and made several decisions, including moving the annual Town Meeting to April 6, 2021, and hiring a road crew member. They also discussed a dump truck purchase, approved a budget, and agreed to sell a plow. The meeting was routine with no public comment.
- Town Meeting moved to April 6, 2021; informational hearing set for March 30 at 6:00 p.m.
- Hired Paul Stecker for road crew at $21.50/hour, starting January 25, with health insurance from February 1.
- Approved sale of a plow to Jim Colgan for $3,500.
- Selected Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission for hazard mitigation plan.
- Board member Laurie Colgan resigned effective April 6, 2021.
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met jointly with the Plainfield Selectboard and the local School Board to discuss postponing the annual town meeting due to delays in state pupil counts and the need for more public outreach. Both towns agreed to support postponing the meeting to April 6, 2021, and discussed mailing postcards to voters to request absentee ballots. The boards will meet again next week to formalize the decision once state legislation allows the postponement.
- Agreement to postpone town meeting to April 6, 2021
- Discussion of mailing postcards to voters for absentee ballot requests
- School budget approved by the board
- Delays in receiving equalized pupil counts from the state
- Marshfield residents have never voted officers by Australian ballot
Selectboard
The Marshfield Selectboard met via Zoom and made several decisions, including awarding a hazard mitigation plan contract to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission with a cost cap of $9,999, and allocating budget surplus funds to various town funds. They also discussed postponing Town Meeting and reviewed a library lease dispute over a Black Lives Matter sign, ultimately agreeing the sign did not violate the lease.
- Awarded hazard mitigation plan project to Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, not to exceed $9,999
- Allocated $15,000 to bridge fund, $15,000 to paving fund, $40,000 to highway equipment fund, $12,000 to recreation fund
- Discussed postponing Town Meeting and mailing ballots to voters
- Reviewed library lease provision on signs; agreed Black Lives Matter sign does not conflict with lease
- Held executive sessions for road crew interviews and personnel issue