Deborah Feldman

The meeting included a presentation from the Mad River Valley Recreation District regarding their 2025 activities and welcoming Moretown as a new member. Discussions were held concerning the Pre Town Meeting, including plans for a potluck following the Town Meeting and setting up a food pantry donation box at both events. Key reports involved the presentation and subsequent approval of the Town Road & Bridge Standards for 2026 and the Certificate of Mileage for 2026. Old business addressed an ongoing issue with parking at the bottom of Pony Farm Road. New business noted several emails for attention to be discussed later, including topics on social media tax and joining the Valley Conservation regarding knotweed. A letter regarding quieter roads (engine brakes, motorcycles) will be circulated. Warrants for Payroll and Account Payable were signed and approved.

The meeting focused on preparing for the CVRPC Town Plan Hearing scheduled for February 17, which involved reviewing provided materials. The commission decided to approach drafting changes to the Zoning Regulations topically, particularly in light of the Let's Build Homes initiative proposing housing-friendly districts. Other business included a report on an unsuccessful grant application for a traffic study at the Routes 2/100 intersection, updates on the DRB hearing for the Tomasso property biking trails noting potential conditions related to traffic and privacy, and a discussion concerning the recycling or salvaging of materials from FEMA buyout properties.

The meeting included a public comment regarding plastic debris from a cell tower, which the Select Board agreed to follow up on by consulting Carol regarding tower stipulations. The Board discussed opposition to a petition intended for the Town Meeting ballot, centered on international politics. A significant discussion took place with the Fire Department concerning inventory, the need for actual equipment numbers for insurance purposes, and the request for four new sets of turnout gear costing $5,000 each. The Fire Chief agreed to provide an inventory and bank statements for the last 12 months and to work on bringing in assistance by the end of March. The Board subsequently voted to deny the petition opposing support for Israel's Apartheid regime. The final budget for 2026, totaling $1,878,380.18 (a 1% increase from the previous year), was accepted. Articles for the upcoming Town Meeting ballot, including funding for a grader blower and turnout gear, were finalized. The Board also agreed to include reports from CV Fiber and the Friends of the Library in the Town Report, and approved the annual agreement for the Mad River Resource Management Alliance (MRRMA).

The Select Board meeting included a public comment segment regarding a petition for a Town Meeting article on an international issue, which a resident strongly felt was inappropriate for local ballot consideration. During the budget discussion, final numbers were reviewed, including specifics for town buildings and discussion about dehumidification at the town garage. The board addressed the flashing radar sign by Hurdle Road, noting that replacement costs could potentially be covered by a grant found by staff, suggesting replacing both non-functioning signs. The board deferred finalizing ballot articles until the next meeting. Action was taken to amend a previous motion to waive a $6,500 performance bond for the 17.21 culvert awarded to Avery. Furthermore, the board approved a contract for GPI as the Town's Construction Consultant for $70,072.00 for the West Side Sidewalk Project. Warrants were signed, and the On Point Engineering Contract and Patrick Ross contract for culvert 20.18 were approved and signed.

Key discussions focused on multiple recreational areas. The playground planning is currently stalled, requiring decisions on site location, design, and funding allocation between the school and town projects. For fields, an MRVRD grant application was submitted by Friends of the Moretown Library for Storywalk accessibility improvements, noting the total project cost significantly exceeds typical grant maximums. Additionally, Town Forest hunting boundaries were adjusted uphill to buffer ECO classrooms. Tennis nets are stored for winter, and the Select Board suggested establishing a maintenance reserve fund for larger court resurfacing projects. Concerns were raised regarding temperature control and staffing for the Food Pantry. Budget priorities for the MRVRD were compiled, including the Storywalk, Forestry Harvest, Trails, Courts, Pavilion, and field drainage.