PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
March 21st, 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 (video), and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Conner (video), Gwyneth Hyndman, Larry Holmes, and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 3/7/23 with edits from Councilman Sundstrom, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman White made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the journal vouchers, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish talked about meeting with state agencies and the engineers. It was not thought that there were any major hurdles left in getting the final design approved. Maureen Conner talked about going out to bid on the construction in the near future. There would be a public meeting in which Great West would present their design on April 11th at 6:00 p.m.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish said the project would be complete in the near future. There was a Planning Board meeting on April 6th and then the Town would host its own public hearing on May 2nd. Maureen said the grant would be closed out soon.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish had spoken with HDR to discuss the scope of the project. Maureen talked about the funding sources.
Water & Sewer Rate Resolution
Mayor Reddish read the resolution and listed a few suggested edits to the resolution. Councilman Lyons made the motion to amend the resolution to start in June of 2023, Councilman Laigaie seconded this motion. There was a brief discussion as to why this was being done. Councilman Lyons stated that it was to make it more in line with the fiscal year of various entities. The motion was then approved unanimously. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the resolution as amended, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Animal Control Ordinance – 2nd Reading & Decision
Mayor Reddish read the ordinance. Councilman Lyons made the motion to waive the reading of the exhibits, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Councilman Lyons then made the motion to approve the ordinance, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Deer Feeding Ordinance – 2nd Reading & Decision
Mayor Reddish read the ordinance. Councilman Lyons made the motion to waive the reading of the exhibits, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Councilman Lyons then made the motion to approve the ordinance, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Personnel Manual
Mayor Reddish said he would distribute an updated version for Council review. This would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Tennis Court Proposal
Mayor Reddish explained the background work he had done to get this proposal. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the proposal, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Public Works IT Job Description
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the job description, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Public Works Director
Mayor Reddish stated that there was one candidate. An interview would be set up for the candidate in the near future.
Preferred Contractor Lists
There was a brief discussion concerning the existing preferred contractors for engineering services. The Town would be advertising for construction contractors in the near future.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish wanted the Council to have a Personnel Committee meeting in the near future to discuss the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Mayor Reddish said the auditor would be on-site later in the week.
Councilman Laigaie brought up the issues of the sidewalk in front of the Bergerson project.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Larry Holmes suggested reaching out the MSU-Havre concerning the public works opening.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 8:29, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.