Putney Selectboard adopts six-month work plan, prioritizes recreation department and housing study

The Putney Selectboard on July 29 agreed on a focused six-month work plan that puts a town Recreation Department, a housing needs assessment and several policy and ordinance reviews at the top of the agenda.

The action came during a goal-setting work session called to order by Aileen Chute, who opened the meeting at 5:40 p.m. The board said it will concentrate on deliverables the body can complete before the next election and assigned board members accountable for each priority.

The most immediate target is standing up a Recreation Department, with a board-set goal date of July 1, 2025. Selectboard member Karen Astley outlined a plan to pursue a fall grant for a Recreational Comprehensive Study to inventory town property, trails and private recreational assets and to evaluate how to expand programs for youth and adults. The study, the board said, would support grant applications and planning for playgrounds, a possible public pool and other amenities.

Board members also directed a Community Housing Gap Study by Camoin Associates, which the minutes list with a target completion of January 2025, and noted an ongoing zoning bylaw modernization contract with the Windham Regional Commission slated for completion in November 2025. The Selectboard recorded these planning items as part of its six-month priorities.

Policy and ordinance work was detailed in the session. The Town Manager will bring a draft Animal Control Ordinance back to the board; the minutes note that ordinances will require public hearings and are appealable for 60 days. The board discussed replacing the Transient & Temporary Business Ordinance with a new Event Ordinance, and asked staff to review the Sign Ordinance and fee structures. A draft personnel policy has been reviewed by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT); VLCT recommended a human resources consultant perform a final review, and the Town Manager will obtain pricing.

Energy and transportation items were included in the plan but given different priority levels. Karen Astley proposed a community solar array residents could buy into and suggested using solar on town properties; Fletcher Proctor was assigned to explore a 1% local-option sales tax and fee structures. The board also agreed to prioritize creating an Alternate Transportation Committee to study bike racks and electric vehicle charging sites.

The board assigned specific accountability for committee formation and policy updates, with members accepting leads: Nate Snell for a Recreation Department Committee; Aileen Chute for the Alcohol Ordinance, Facility Use Policy and Alternate Transportation Committee; Fletcher Proctor for the Solar Advisory Committee and tax options; Peg Alden for the Event Ordinance and rebranding efforts; and Eric (surname not specified in the minutes) for the Highway Access Policy. The minutes set a goal of having committees stood up with charges by October 2024.

Several logistical and administrative items were discussed: whether to adopt position-based or individual Selectboard email addresses (the Town Manager will research other towns' approaches), updates to facility-use and alcohol-on-town-property policies, and a suggestion to update the town logo and branding with community input.

The Selectboard set its next meeting for Aug. 7, 2024. Nate Snell moved to adjourn; Peg Alden seconded and the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The minutes were signed in draft by Rachel Rhein, recording clerk.

The board's direction on staffing a Recreation Department, pursuing a housing study and scheduling ordinance reviews establishes a timetable the Selectboard will revisit at upcoming meetings.