08/24/2026
Unofficial Board minutes from August 19,2026
TOWN OF FAIR HAVEN, VERMONT
Selectboard, Water & Sewer Commissioners, Liquor commissioners, Cemetery Commissioners
REGULAR Meeting -- Tuesday, August 18, 2026 -- 7:00 P.M. Zoom Meeting Link: http://us02web.zoom.us/i/85646551688
Phone: 1 929 205 6099 | Meeting ID: 8564 655 1688
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
Members Present: Sam Lucci, Chadd Viger, Rich Greenough, Keith Hier, Dennis Reid
Others Present: Co-Town Managers Terri Perry, Chief William Humphries, Recording Secretary Claire Stanley, Rose Anne VanLew, Ann Finley, Steven Wilson, PEGTV
Call to Order: Chairman Viger called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the assembly in reciting the pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Amendments to the Agenda: Mr. Greenough made a motion to add, “River Street Pump Station” to New Business; seconded by Mr. Lucci and passed.
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Lucci made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2026, meeting; seconded by Mr. Reid and passed.
Department Head Reports: Police Chief Humphries reported:
* 3 arrests (39 yr. to date)
* 112 Traffic/municipal violations (1783 yr. to date)
* 18 Written warnings (517 yr. to date)
* 3 Parking violations (33 yr. to date)
* 1 Car Crash (23 yr. to date)
* 23 Sets of fingerprints (210 yr. to date)
* 251 Calls for service (3997 yr. to date)
* Chief Humphries reported receiving a strange call last night, of shots fired. However, nothing was found to support this.
* Will have an officer in the Park for the Slate Valley Showcase event
* Working to address electric bikes/scooters; experienced push-back after publishing rules; there are no clear regulations.
* Brief discussion re: safety issues surrounding the 15 Main Street building. The Engineer expects the building would collapse in, not out and recommended the fence placement
Town Manager Report & Communication: Terri Perry reported:
* Water Dept. will be cleaning and exercising valves on Washington Street starting tomorrow; there will be flaggers; can expect delays.
* The water leak report is in members’ packets. There are two main leaks; River Street and Airport Road, both have been known; are not new; expensive repair. Mr. Hier said repair should be done right and not just a “band-aid” repair. More information is coming.
* Wastewater Dept. is testing at the River St. pump station; that work is 6 weeks out.
* The Adams Street pump station was cleaned last week. It’s been five years since the East tank was cleaned and is next to be done.
* The Fire Dept. thanked Carrie Lafond for use of the sewer plant garage to install lights on the new truck.
* DPW staff is putting in 34 to 74 hours at the transfer station; student interns are going back to school. DPW is stretched a little thin
* DPW trucks are being lettered for identification when working, ex. in the Park
* DPW on-going work, mowing roadsides, equipment repairs, trash removal, Park tree work
* DPW will be repairing broken curb stops on Washington St. after cleaning is done.
* Repairing the Bigelow Road washout grant project is moving along
* The new Ford F600 is expected to be in service at the end of September.
* Are looking for quotes from additional companies for better price for the Police Dept. door being paid with grant funds. Also, contractors are looking at the porch; waiting for quotes
* We’ve been given the go-ahead on the Better Roads $15,000 Municipal grants and aid; doing four segments on Bigelow Road
* Anticipate the go-ahead on a $48,000 Smallscale Local Highway Safety Improvement Grant specifically for tree work on Scotch Hill and Town signs. Did an inventory of signs
* State paving is on-going
* Fire Dept. received a $10,000 grant from State Farm for turnout gear and decontamination materials.
* Researching feasibility of finding a company interested to build/place housing on vacant Town property(s), to be able to add to the tax rolls.
OLD BUSINESS
Park Ordinance Discussion: Mr. Lucci prepared a draft of minor changes made to the Park Ordinance noting that any changes will be reviewed by an attorney. Discussion included: any alcohol language in this ordinance is referred to the Town Ordinance, this to decrease redundancy. Is it better to include a time to close the Park rather than “dusk to dawn”. Vehicles and camping may be in the Park only with Selectboard authorization. Are pets allowed in any Park or recreation field. Behavior, small/criminal; penalties. More discussion to follow.
Town Clerk -- Late Dog Report to the List: Mr. Lucci made a motion to authorize Chairman Viger to sign the Warrant to Impound Unlicensed Dogs; seconded by Mr. Greenough. Ms. Perry noted that this is required by the State according to the Town Clerk. The motion carried. Chairman Viger signed the document.
Mr. Lucci thanked Chief Humphries for his time spent communicating with owners to register their dogs; he has seen positive results.
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer Station Credit Policy: Ms. Perry prepared an edited Transfer Station credit application for members’ review and later approval.
River Street Pump Station Repair: Mr. Greenough made a motion to go forward with PSI for the River Street Pump Station controller repair, cost $24,150 paid from reserve funds. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hier and passed.
Mr. Reid read part of the Vermont statute re: impounding unlicensed dogs, noting it says may, not will issue a warrant to impound; statute does not mandate impounding. There followed brief discussion; Mr. Reid made a motion to repeal the motion to impound unlicensed dogs; seconded by Mr. Hier. Ms. Perry said if an item is on the agenda, members need to inform themselves before the meeting. The motion carried with Mr. Lucci dissenting and Chairman Viger abstaining.
Parking Lot: Park Ordinance will be removed and treated as a regular agenda item
Two Minutes for Public Comment: Mrs. Stanley said she has no problems with the tree trimming and removal of two diseased trees’ work being done in the Park. Her issue is that since two trees will be removed, two trees need to be planted. Ms. Perry said, however, that replacement trees will not be planted in the same location.
Ms. VanLew reported some businesses have donation buckets to help displaced tenants from the 15 Main Street building; they have not been able to get back into the building for personal items. She is working with Slate Valley Cares; St. Mary’s Thrift Store is also helping. Ms. Perry thanked Ms. VanLew for her time and efforts.
Chief Humphries said the Municipal building upstairs floor is finished; still need to address light fixtures, chairs, and some sheetrock work. Mr. Lucci said to consider ceiling fans.
Ms. Finley said no EDC meeting was held last month -- need members. By-laws and mission statement were never finished.
Board Roundtable: Mr. Reid noted that the last minutes were not posted on the website. Mr. Lucci will be taking on that task in future.
Mr. Lucci again urged folks to register for VT ALERT; reminds people to register dogs.
Chairman Viger said the Town Manager job search is posted on the website and many other places
Review of Financial Reports: The checkbook status is, $798,482.54
Mr. Lucci made a motion to pay the Payroll warrant, $48.886.65; seconded by Mr. Hier and passed.
Mr. Lucci made a motion to pay the General Fund Payable warrant, $308,079.46; seconded by Mr. Hier and passed.
Executive Session: Mr. Lucci made a motion to enter executive session at 8:26 including Ms. Perry and Chief Humphries to discuss Legal/Personnel, 1 VSA 313 (a)(3); seconded by Mr. Greenough and passed
The recording secretary was excused at this time.
Out of executive session at 9:00 p.m. No action taken
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Claire Stanley
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