PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
February 7th, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami (video), Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Conner, Barbara Cahill, Heidi Heser, Larry Holmes, Gwyneth Hyndman (video), Jackie Butler, and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
Heidi Heser – BBQ Cookoff & Car Show
Heidi told the Council that the BBQ Cookoff was scheduled for June 17th and 18th. She requested that the road be closed as had been done in previous years and that a garbage truck be parked nearby. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the request, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Heidi then talked about the Car Show on July 30th. It would function as it had in previous years. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the request, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted. Mayor Reddish talked of the upcoming Deer Meeting on February 10th at 3:00 p.m. Councilman White made the motion to approve the report, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Library Board
Report submitted. Barbara Cahill talked about fundraising events and grants. She then talked about classes and programs. She also mentioned that they had had a pipe burst in the building and that it was repaired.
Chamber of Commerce
No report.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
No report.
Grant Writer
No report.
Director of Public Works
Mayor Reddish said he would meet with Sam Dennis the following day and that he had a meeting with the DEQ that day.
Town Attorney
Mayor Reddish reported that the Attorney was working on a main extension contract template to be used as policy with potential developers.
Town Clerk
No report.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 1/3/23 and 1/17/23, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Laigaie made the motion to approve Triple Tree invoice #21-32-004, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Laigaie made the motion to approve Pioneer Technical invoice #19201, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Laigaie made the motion to approve Great West Engineering invoice #28475, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update/ARPA #2 Strategy
Maureen Conner reported that final design was to be submitted to the DEQ the next day and then the Town could move towards putting the project components out to bid. Councilman Fujinami talked about extraneous materials being put in the sewer system. There was a brief conversation about the best approach for public education. Maureen then spoke about an infrastructure bill that was introduced by State Representative Fitzpatrick. She then switched to water and said that the public works director and Shana at HDR were in discussion about location of the holding tank. Finally, she talked about other grant opportunities that may come up in the near future.
Growth Plan Update
Maureen said that the project was nearly closed out and that a draft had been produced for the Community Wildlife Protection Plan. The Town would need to hold another public hearing to finalize the document with the addendums.
Water/Sewer Policy
Councilman Lyons reminded the Council and the public that a public hearing was scheduled for February 21st at 6:00 p.m. A mailing was set to be sent out the next week.
Code Enforcement
No report.
Personnel Manual
A closed personnel meeting was scheduled for 10a.m on February 9th.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Sundstrom talked about a bill in the legislation pertaining to video recording of meetings.
Councilman Laigaie reminded everyone of the deer meeting.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Jackie Butler talked about a series of different issues she had related to water and sewer as well as a tourist tax.
Larry Holmes commented about posting public notices at the library.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.