06/16/2026
Draft Minutes
SELECTBOARD, TOWN OF PAWLET
June 9, 2026
7:00 pm
Pawlet Town Hall
122 School Street, Pawlet, VT
& Virtually via Zoom
Members in Attendance:
Mike Beecher
Bob Jones
Jessica Van Oort
Tom Collard
Others in Attendance:
Kristin Powers
Jim Simonds
Nancy Morlino
Julie Mach
Frank Nelson
Amy Miller
Michael Miller
Amy Miller
Cori Rail
EVENT
1. Call to order at 7:00pm by Chairman, Mike Beecher, with the Pledge of Allegiance and a summary of the Selectboard’s Rules of Procedure.
2. Introduction of those present, virtually and in person.
3. Addition or Deletion of Agenda Items.
a. Additions: Amy Miller – Pre-Requested Appearances
b. Deletions: None
4. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
• Motion made to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 26, 2026 as printed.
• Mover: Jessica Van Oort
• 2nd: Bob Jones
• Discussion: None.
• Result: Approved.
• Motion made to approve special meeting minutes.
• Mover: Jessica
• 2nd: Tom
5. Pre-Requested Appearances by Local Citizens and Visitors:
• Amy Miller – Addressed the Board regarding recently arisen water issues due to potential culvert issues.
o Bob Jones spoke to an initial site visit of the culvert, which indicated that the culvert could still run smoothly, however conversations indicated that an additional visit may help to identify whether the Town could alleviate.
6.Announcements:
• Jessica Van Oort shared that she is running for State Representative. Launch party is Saturday, June 13th at the Library from 4pm-6pm.
7. Reports to the Board:
A. Zoning Administrator’s (ZA) Report:
o Nancy Morlino shared that following the DRB meeting last night, all issues on Robinson Hill have been resolved and the appeal application has been withdrawn.
o As Nancy begins her retirement from the ZA position, the Board will be posting a request for applicants for the Zoning Administrator, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
B. Planning Commission’s Report: No report at this meeting.
C. Road Foreman’s Report:
o Highway Foreman, Jim Simonds, provided a report to the Board, summarizing projects completed during the previous two weeks as well as upcoming areas of focus.
o The Board discussed the paving at the end of Bull Frog Hollow Rd which was never completed in Fall 2025. The Board requested that Jim reach back out with updated pricing and timeline for this project.
▪ Jim inquired about quoting a hot patch for the Danby Pawlet Road while speaking with Wilk paving, and the Board encouraged Jim to proceed with requesting pricing.
• Motion made to approve the continuation of this project so long as the price doesn’t exceed $3000.00.
o Mover: Bob Jones
o 2nd: Jessica Van Oort
o Discussion: None
o Result: Approved
D. Assessor Report: No report at this meeting.
E. Town Clerk’s Memo:
o Town Clerk, Deb Hawkins, provided a memo to the Board:
The Pawlett Historical Society requested use of the Town Hall auditorium on 9/19/26.
• Motion made to approve this request, free of charge.
o Mover: Bob Jones
o 2nd: Jessica Van Oort
o Discussion: None
o Result: Approved
Deb Hawkins shared that the Assessor’s Office shared that letters should be going out Monday or Tuesday regarding assessment changes, which may prompt the opportunity to grieve any changes to property assessments. Grievance dates have been set by the Assessor’s Office, and instructions will be included in aforementioned letter.
A resident of West Pawlet shared a concern regarding clean-up and up-keep of the monument in the center of West Pawlet, suggesting that this be completed by someone other than a local resident.
Some time ago, Bill Waite approached the Board about putting up veteran banners in Town. It was indicated that the Board was in support of this yet nothing has been done as of yet. Deb offered to look into this further.
• The consensus of the Board was to support these efforts.
F. Town Treasurer’s Memo:
· Town Treasurer, Julie Mach, shared a memo with the Board, including: an overview of payroll, accounts payable, monies from the General Fund, Highway, Wastewater.
· The Board unanimously agreed to give permission to Julie to sign an engagement letter with auditor, Mudgett, Jennett & Krogh-Wisner, PC.
· Motion made to accept and sign the Road Maintenance Policy.
o Mover: Bob Jones
o 2nd: Tom Collard
o Discussion: None
o Result: Approved
· Julie shared the financial checklist with the Board; a document required to be distributed to and acknowledged by the Board.
· Motion made to approve Payroll Warrant #26071 for $9,861.50 and Accounts Payable Warrant #26072 for $70,042.94.
▪ Mover: Jessica Van Oort
▪ 2nd: Tom Collard
▪ Discussion: None.
▪ Result: Approved.
G. Emergency Management Director’s Report:
• Bob Morlino electronically shared a report from May 2026.
H. Health Officer’s Report: No report at this meeting.
I. Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF): No report at this meeting.
J. Facilities Report:
• Tom Collard shared a facilities update: materials are ordered for painting and porch repair at the Town Hall.
• Motion made to accept and approve the Lux Bruch quote for the remaining three sides of the Town Hall in the amount of $5,570.00.
o Mover: Tom Collard
o 2nd: Jessica Van Oort
o Discussion: None
o Result: Approved
• Tom Collard posed questions to Library Board Chair, Cori Rail, regarding necessary repairs to plumbing and air conditioning.
8. Reports to the Public:
A. Library Board Report:
• Cori Rail shared a report from the Library Board following their meeting last week. Many fun events and programs taking place at the Library – please visit/call the Library and check them out! The search for Library Directory continues and the Library Board is planning a Board retreat. Lastly, the Library is working towards book sale preparation, set for the last weekend in July!
B. Mettawee School Board (MSB) Report: No report at this meeting, however Julie Mach did announce that an education reform bill did pass both chambers in Montpelier, however has not yet been signed by the Governor. This bill will effectively mean that there will be mandatory participation in merger studies across all school boards.
9. Old or unfinished business:
• Jessica Van Oort shared an update on the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP), which is funding the impending geo-thermal project. This project is set for completion before Fall 2026.
10. New Business: None.
11. Public comment: None
12. Motion made to adjourn at 7:56 pm.
· Mover: Bob Jones
· 2nd: Jessica Van Oort
· Discussion: None
· Result: Approved
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