Springfield Selectboard approves routine permits, staffing changes and contracts in unanimous votes

The Springfield Selectboard handled a series of routine but consequential items at its June 1 meeting, approving license renewals, personnel changes, contracts and permit requests by unanimous votes.

Licenses and minutes: The board approved liquor- and license-renewal applications for Black Rock Steakhouse LLC and K-B Ventures Inc. (Jake’s Market & Deli) (motion by Heather Frahm; second Tara Chase; vote 5-0). The board also approved the May 11, 2026 regular meeting minutes with minor corrections (motion Michael Schmitt; second Tara Chase; vote 5-0).

Budgets and hearings: The board acknowledged receipt of the proposed 2026–27 Water & Wastewater operating budget and scheduled a public hearing for June 22 (motion Michael Schmitt; second Doug Johnston; vote 5-0). Manager Scott Pickup noted rising chemical and fuel costs, a proposed septage-treatment rate of $0.14 per gallon and that capital costs for Clinton and Main Street projects are not included in this operating budget.

Labor and staffing: The board adopted a memorandum of agreement modifying the Local 98 IUOE contract to add retention payments and a training-cost recovery clause to address turnover in water and sewer staff (motion Heather Frahm; second Doug Johnston; vote 5-0). The Selectboard also approved adding a part-time police dispatcher and creating a full-time Assistant Town Clerk/Grant Accountant position within the existing budget (motion Heather Frahm; second Michael Schmitt; vote 5-0).

Grants and local projects: The board approved a letter of support for a Bicycle and Pedestrian Program grant to resurface the Toonerville Trail, which requires a $58,000 town match (motion Heather Frahm; second Tara Chase; vote 5-0). The board also authorized use of Economic Development Fund money to seed a small business incubator at 27 Main Street and to install a downtown kiosk for event postings and wayfinding (motion Heather Frahm; second Michael Schmitt; vote 5-0).

Recreation and community events: The Selectboard authorized a $20,000 town commitment (two $10,000 installments) to an Edgar May Recreation Center summer pool access agreement for Springfield residents and approved event permits for the Springfield Area Parent Child Center’s June 27 Duck Run and the Springfield Police Association’s National Night Out on Aug. 4 (respective motions and seconds in meeting record; all votes 5-0).

Procurement, property and tax sales: The board designated Stryker Sales as a sole-source vendor and authorized the Town Manager to purchase a replacement ambulance stretcher for $36,813.40 (motion Heather Frahm; second Doug Johnston; vote 5-0). The board approved a quitclaim deed conveying a roughly 2,758 sq. ft. strip of town-owned land along Litchfield Street to the abutting McCormicks, reserving town stormwater easement and access rights (motion Heather Frahm; second Tara Chase; vote 5-0). The board also ratified engagement of town attorneys Parker & Ankuda, P.C. to prepare tax-sale paperwork at 15% of uncollected taxes and authorized the Town Manager to bid on town’s behalf and sign deeds for town-owned properties acquired through tax sales (motion Heather Frahm; second Doug Johnston; vote 5-0). The manager noted recent state-law changes raising minimum delinquency thresholds for tax-sale eligibility.

Other actions: The board appointed Michael Schmitt as the town’s voting delegate for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns special meeting on June 22 (motion Heather Frahm; second Tara Chase; vote 5-0). The meeting moved into executive session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a public-works employment matter and the board later adjourned the executive session and the regular meeting (motions recorded; votes 5-0).

The full list of motions, movers, seconders and unanimous vote tallies appears in the meeting minutes. Several items (notably the Water & Wastewater budget) will return to the board for public hearings or after further engineering or grant-development work.