05/21/2026
Draft Minutes
SELECTBOARD, TOWN OF PAWLET
May 12, 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
Rich Hulett
Others in Attendance:
Kristin Powers
Jim Simmons
Deb Hawkins
Frank Nelson
Lenny Gibson
Tom Covino
Beth Moser-Duquette
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:
• Executive Session to discuss labor relations agreements with employees.
b. Deletions: None
4. Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
• Motion made to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 28, 2026 as printed.
• Mover: Tom Collard
• 2nd: Rich Hulett
• Discussion: None.
• Result: Approved.
5. Pre-Requested Appearances by Local Citizens and Visitors: None.
6.Announcements: None.
7. Reports to the Board:
A. Zoning Administrator’s (ZA) Report: No report at this meeting.
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.
▪ Jim also spoke to quotes obtained for an excavator as well as the portable safety lights, spoken about at a previous meeting. The Board acknowledged these, indicating that these larger purchases should be revisited during budget planning season.
D. Assessor Report: No report at this meeting.
E. Town Clerk’s Memo:
o Town Clerk, Deb Hawkins, provided a memo to the Board:
Bob Jones signed the uniform municipal excess weight permit.
Deadline to submit paperwork to be on the August Primary Ballot is May 28th.
The Town Offices will be closed Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day.
The swamp oak from the Poultney Rotary has been planted at the Mettawee Community School and there will be a small ceremony at the tree on Friday, 5/15 at 1:00pm.
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.
· Motion made to approve Payroll Warrant #26065 for $11,833.03 and Accounts Payable Warrant #26066 for $32,112.64.
▪ Mover: Jessica Van Oort
▪ 2nd: Rich Hulett
▪ Discussion: None.
▪ Result: Approved.
· The Board reviewed the Road Maintenance & Highway Operations Policy updated by Julie, offering feedback and potential edits. To be discussed at a future meeting.
G. Emergency Management Director’s Report: Nothing to report for April, per Bob Morlino.
H. Health Officer’s Report: Jennifer Sullivan submitted a report:
• A resident of WP inquired about any state offered approaches to checking indoor air quality. Finding nothing on the state site, the matter was referred to Constable Covino.
• The RCHP mobile health clinic will be set up at the Pawlet Church on July 25th when the food pantry is open.
I. Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF): No report at this meeting.
J. Facilities Report:
• Tom Collard received communication from a resident noticing that the light is not shining up on the flag in the Pawlet Town Green. Efforts have been made to fix this.
• Tom Collard shared an update about repairs to the Town Hall front porch, summarizing quotes for several different approaches to remedy deterioration. Tom’s suggestion was to proceed with repairing the entire porch, and establishing a preventative maintenance approach to re-staining the porch often rather than when rot begins to appear.
o Motion made to have Indian River Carpentry replace all boards on the Town Hall front porch at an estimated cost of $15,555.00.
Mover: Tom Collard
2nd: Jessica Van Oort
Discussion: None
Result: Approved
o Motion made to accept the Lux Brush quote for front deck surface clean and stain (two coats) for $2,380.00.
Mover: Tom Collard
2nd: Rich Hulett
Discussion: None
Result: Approved
8. Reports to the Public:
A. Library Board Report: Cori Rail shared an electronic report with the Board.
B. Mettawee School Board (MSB) Report: No report at this meeting.
9. Old or unfinished business:
• Jessica Van Oort shared an update on behalf of the Community Garden. The garden will be relocated to the Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s property across from the Pawlet church!
• Tom Collard inquired about flagging by the West Pawlet rail trail access point. Jessica confirmed that this is due to the upcoming installation of a bike rack and repair station. Discussion ensued regarding placement of the incoming bike rack and repair station.
10. New Business:
• Fred Stone submitted a request, to be relayed at the Board meeting, seeking the Selectboard’s approval to allow himself and fellow neighbors to enhance the “island” at the intersection of Towslee Hill Rd and Herrick Brook Rd. Mr. Stone stated that he has spoken to the Highway Dept, who has agreed to deliver a load of topsoil to said location so that Mr. Stone and neighbors can plant flowers in the area.
o The consensus of the Board was to approve this request.
• Lenny Gibson verbally expressed a complaint to the Board, following the recommendation of Rutland Restorative Justice, regarding the misrepresentation of the designation of Robinson Hill Road and the role that plays in a currently unfolding situation within the criminal justice system. The Board and Mr. Gibson agreed that legal guidance is necessary, and acknowledged that a record of Mr. Gibson’s presence at the meeting would be in the meeting minutes.
11. Public comment:
• Frank Nelson spoke to an upcoming energy fair.
• Mike Beecher spoke to an email shared with the other Board members speaking to the tax status of the Community Health Center of Rutland Region. Discussion ensued.
• Bob Jones was contacted by a West Pawlet quarry operator who was inquiring as to whether the Town would like for him to dump rubbish on the Town-owned side of the quarry. The Board accepted this offer, as it will benefit the stabilization of the Town’s side of the quarry.
12. Motion made to enter executive session to discuss labor relations agreements with employees at 8:13pm.
• Mover: Bob Jones
• 2nd: Rich Hulett
• Discussion: None
• Result: Approved
13. Motion made to exit executive session with no decisions made at 8:45pm.
• Mover: Bob Jones
• 2nd: Jessica Van Oort
• Discussion: None
• Result: Approved
12. Motion made to adjourn at 8:46 pm.
· Mover: Bob Jones
· 2nd: Rich Hulett
· Discussion: None
· Result: Approved
