Official bid advertisement – Village West Sidewalk Project (Waitsfield Village STP BP(13)4/STP BP16(5))

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The Town of Waitsfield is inviting pre-qualified contractors to bid on the Town’s sidewalk project known as, “Village West.”

Sealed bids from pre-qualified contractors shall be accepted until 11:00 AM, prevailing time on February 4th, 2021 at the Waitsfield Town Offices at 4144 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT  05673 for construction of the project hereinafter described. Due to COVID-19, pre-qualified contractors are strongly encouraged to submit bids electronically to [email protected].

Bid opening will occur immediately after the bid submittal deadline.

PDF Plans are available for viewing in PDF format. See “Contract Documents” below for bid eligibility.

Contract Documents are available only in PDF format. Plans may be obtained from Stantec in PDF format. There is no charge for the PDF, however, interested parties must make a request via email to [email protected] with the subject line Waitsfield Village STP BP(13)4/STP BP16(5) Plan Request. Only bidders who obtain plans from Stantec will be eligible to bid on the project.

A bidder list will be maintained by Stantec Consulting, Inc. and the list, along with any addenda, will be provided to anyone who has received the plans.  All requests for information regarding this project shall be made via email to Erik Alling, P.E., [email protected] (subject line: Waitsfield Village Sidewalk Project Question) until Thursday, January 28th at 4:00 pm. 

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 21st, via online meeting provider. Meeting login instructions will be sent to all registered plan holders.

All bidders on this project shall be on the Agency of Transportation’s prequalified list under the category(ies) listed below or shall have submitted a complete prequalification application to the Agency of Transportation, Contract Administration, a minimum of 10 working days prior to the bid opening. For information contact Jon Winter at 802-828-2643.

All bidders shall be on the current VTRANS Contract Administration pre-qualified list:

“Contractors List of Bicycle and/or Pedestrian Path or Curbs and Sidewalks Category.”

FY22 Budget Forums – Monday, 1/18 and Monday, 1/25

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The Waitsfield Selectboard is hosting two public budget forums to review and discuss the proposed FY22 budget and FY22-FY26 capital improvement program (CIP).

The forums will be remote-access only; for Zoom links and associated information to participate, please click here.

The proposed FY22 budget of $2,115,419 is $32,033 more than the budget approved by voters for FY21. The 1.5% increase would result in an estimated municipal property tax rate increase of $0.0043 per $100 of assessed value; the estimated annual property tax increase for property owners with property valued between $200,000 and $400,000 is between $9 and $17.

The FY22 Budget can be accessed by clicking here; a memo covering key changes, goals and priorities, and other elements can be found by clicking here.

The FY22 CIP, which includes a draft five-year paving plan, can be accessed by clicking here.

The FY22 debt service table can be accessed by clicking here.

(To view all documents as a singled pdf, please click here).

TOWN MEETING 2021 – CONSENT OF CANDIDATE REQUIRED

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Due to COVID-19, the requirement to submit a petition to become a candidate for local office is waived for one year – but the consent of candidate form is still required.

The form can be found by clicking here. Complete forms must be returned to the Town Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 25th.

Call (802) 496-2218, or email [email protected], with questions.

WAITSFIELD TOWN OFFICES – CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH 01/15/21

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Due to the continued prevalence of COVID-19 in Vermont, and in an effort to fully comply with Governor Scott’s recently issued (12/15) Addendum 9 to Restated Executive Order 01-20, the Waitsfield Town Offices will remain closed to the public.

The closure is now anticipated to last through Friday, January 15th 2021, though it may be extended if there is a public health need. 

As before, Waitsfield residents can request appointments for time-sensitive business, such as obtaining a marriage license. The appointment system for land records research remains in place; the Town will continue to schedule time in the vault for researchers (still only one at a time). Whenever possible, researchers may request copies of land records, tax bills, etc., sent via fax or email when the book and page can be provided. Town staff will determine to what extent assistance can be offered to researchers, based on request and general availability. 

Town employees will continue to work and be available to assist whenever and however possible (while maintaining strict adherence to all public health measures and recommendations). Please check the website for information, call (496-2218), or email with questions or concerns.

The Town Garage remains closed to the general public.

Addendum 9 extends the following guidelines and requirements from its predecessor, Addendum 8:

  • Requires all municipal governments, businesses, and non-profits to reinstitute telework/remote work protocols. In-person meetings are strongly discouraged.
  • Gatherings involving multiple households are suspended.
  • Limits restaurant hours (for in-person service) and seating capacity.
  • Closes bars and social clubs for in-person service; establishments may offer take-out, curbside pick-up, or delivery.
  • Requires all “customer facing” establishments to create and maintain a log of employees, customers, members, and guests. The log must collect names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for the purposes of support contact tracing efforts.
  • Requires cooperation with contact tracers.
  • Suspends recreational sports outside of school-sponsored sports activities (those are separately governed by Agency of Education rules).
  • Requires college students returning to Vermont from out-of-state institutions to quarantine for either 14 days or 7 days with a negative COVID-19 test.

The Vermont Department of Health’s (VDH) website remains one of the best, most comprehensive, places to get information on COVID-19 in Vermont. Click the link here (https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19) to visit VDH’s page. 

For additional information, such as an updated look as to how Vermont’s doing, visit the Vermont Dashboard (https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/current-activity/vermont-dashboard). 

REMINDER — Appointments needed for access to land records, vault, for research

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Anyone wishing to conduct land records research, which includes access to the Town’s vault, must make an appointment.

The appointments are required as part of the Town’s COVID-19 opening and operation protocols.

To book a time, please contact either Town Clerk Jennifer Peterson (496-2218, x3; [email protected]) or Town Treasurer Sandy Gallup (496-2218, x2; [email protected]).

FY20 Audit is Available

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The FY20 audit features a second consecutive “unqualified” opinion from the auditors – the best audit outcome the Town can achieve. Improving audit outcomes was one of the key goals in the Town’s overall effort towards improving its fiscal well-being.

The Town’s audit was performed by Montpelier-based Sullivan, Powers and Co., P.C.

To view the audit, letters, and a summary by Town Treasurer Sandy Gallup, please click here.

Openings on Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions

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Interested in volunteering for or serving in the community? The Town of Waitsfield has the following board, committee, and commission opportunities:

Conservation Commission – two vacancies; one two-year term expiring March 2021, and one two-year term expiring March 2022.

Planning Commission – one four-year term (expiring March 2024)

Water Commission – one two-year term (expiring March 2022)

Dog Warden – one one-year term (expiring March 2021)

If you are interested in applying, please submit an email stating your interest and applicable professional or personal experiences to [email protected].

Please contact Town Administrator Trevor Lashua with any questions at [email protected] or (802) 496-2218, x5.

Statewide Mask Mandate – Effective 8/1/20.

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On Friday, 7/24, Governor Phil Scott announced a statewide mask mandate, effective 8/1/20.

The addendum to the executive order may be found by clicking here.

The public will be required to wear masks in any public place (businesses, municipal buildings, retail establishments, and so on) and outdoors when social distancing standards cannot be met.

The statewide mandate will effectively replace the resolution passed by the Selectboard on 07/20/20 that highly encourages all members of the public to wear a mask or other facial covering inside businesses and public buildings, and when appropriate social distancing requirements cannot be met.

The latest addendum to the governor’s executive order supersedes any local authority related to masks that was previously enabled. Because of this, the local resolution passed on 7/20 is nullified.

[Published 7/28/20; 3:03 p.m.]

Draft amendment to Scrag Mountain Town Forest management plan

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A draft amendment to the 2012 Scrag Mountain Town Forest management plan, incorporating the 110-acre “Scrag Gateway Parcel” is available for review and comment.

Waitsfield Scrag Forest Management Plan – Amendment #2 (July 2020)

The Town of Waitsfield acquired the 110-acre addition to the Scrag Mountain Town Forest in 2017.

Since then, the Waitsfield Conservation Commission (WCC) has been gathering information to inform the long-term stewardship of the property. With outside help, the WCC has completed several important baseline assessments:

  • An inventory of “natural communities” (i.e., combinations of native plants and animals that are commonly found together in particular ecological settings on the landscape);
  • An assessment of habitat conditions for native forest birds;
  • An inventory of forest stands; and
  • A forest stewardship plan that provides recommendations for future forest management and timber harvests.

Using the inventories, and with help from the Vermont Land Trust, the WCC prepared the draft amendment.

The draft amendment is available for public review using the link above or in hard copies (“to go” — please call or email ahead) at the Town Offices. The public is invited to submit comments and questions about the draft amendment through Friday, July 17th by emailing Commission Chair Phil Huffman at [email protected] and Vice Chair Leo Laferriere at [email protected], or by submitting comments at the Town Office using either the exterior drop boxes (by the doors on either side) or the mail.

The draft amendment is not a stand-alone document; changes needed to the 2012 Management Plan in light of the addition of the Gateway Parcel and other things that have happened on the Town Forest over the past eight years are described.

The 2012 plan is available on the Town’s website (please click here) or in hard copies (“to go” — please call or email ahead) at the Town Office.

The WCC will consider public input on the management plan amendment at its July 20th meeting, and will finalize the amendment for submittal to the Selectboard for final review and approval.

Once an amendment is approved, expanding the trail network on the Gateway Parcel and other parts of the Scrag Mountain Town Forest will be next. This will include engaging a trail consultant to provide a professional assessment of the best opportunities for new trails that fit with the natural resources and character of the lands, as well as work to improve trail-based opportunities.

Route 100B Bridge Closure/Replacement Project Begins 8/17

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The replacement of the Route 100B bridge in Moretown (just south of the village) is scheduled to begin on August 17th.

The project is now expected to be completed by October 17th. The project’s primary detour is Route 100; the local bypass/detour is North Road (Pony Farm Road in Moretown).

If you are using the local bypass, please drive with consideration and caution. The Town received State funds for maintenance and dust control, as well as for increased speed enforcement.

Please contact Town Administrator Trevor Lashua at [email protected] or (802) 496-2218, x5, with questions.