SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On Monday, June 1, the Springfield Selectboard met at the Springfield Town Hall, at 6 p.m., where agenda items included a review of the fiscal year 2026-2027 water and wastewater budgets, proposed staffing updates, and a discussion on the options to mitigate the instability of the slope and retaining wall along Wall Street.
In September 2025, the board designated a portion of Wall Street to be one-way in an effort to direct traffic away from the unsound hillside and address the precarious state of the retaining wall. Currently, while the town is awaiting recommendations from the consulting engineer to shore up the wall and provide at least a temporary repair, the roadway will remain one-way, and the sidewalk next to the affected area will be closed. Once the scope of the repairs is defined, Town Manager Scott Pickup said the town will be looking into potential state and federal funding opportunities.
Pickup reported that increasing costs for chemicals, gasoline, and propane were impacting town water and wastewater operating expenses. Noting that cybersecurity upgrades and capital costs for current water and sewer projects planned for Clinton Street and Main Street were not included in the budget, Pickup said, “We know we are going to absorb some of these large capital costs. We are not asking for significant increases in the rates…we are just trying to maintain status quo as we go through this significant period of capital investment.”
Pickup presented the board with the memorandum of agreement (MOA) contract with Local 98 IUOE, the trade union representing skilled water and sewer employees and commercial drivers. Pickup explained that the most recent agreement was signed by the town “in good faith,” but had “created some challenges in terms of how we pay our employees, and there were some changes to the pay schedule [which resulted in] a significant amount of turnover because of that.”
Pickup said the departure of staff from positions requiring certain certifications put quite a strain on the department’s capacity to perform necessary services. Vehicle maintenance suffered as equipment was often unavailable and repairs from outside contractors were costly.
After discussions with staff, Pickup approached the union with a plan that would recognize employees with special skills by offering reimbursement for maintaining certifications. The agreement was also modified to address employees who receive paid training, then vacate their position during their first two years of employment.
“I believe that this MOA will address these concerns, stabilize our critical workforce, and enable the vehicle maintenance repairs to return to a more sustainable path,” Pickup concluded. The board voted to adopt the contract modification.
The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) has been considering developing a health insurance plan to offer to their municipal members, of which Springfield is one. Pickup said if VLCT can obtain more competitive rates and improved plan options, that would have long-term benefits for staff and the town budget.
Pickup asked the board to designate one member to act as a voting delegate for the special VLCT meeting scheduled for June 22, at 3 p.m. Board member Mike Schmitt volunteered and was appointed to the position.
The board authorized a letter of support presented by Barbara Schultz, of Springfield Trails and Rural Economy Committee (STRE), endorsing the committee’s application for several grants to fund a portion of a proposed resurfacing project on the Toonerville Trail. The plan will address root heaves and surface degradation on the 26-year-old trail and install measures aimed at preventing future damage.
Schultz thanked Pickup for finding the grant opportunity. “We had just applied for a recreation grant for the same thing…and we were turned down. Scott found this one…[which] will deal with the root encroachment.”
Pickup said the 50% town match of $58,000 has already been set aside for this purpose. Schultz said the committee hoped to obtain funds and begin work in 2027.
The board voted to adopt the summer pool access agreement with the Edgar May Recreation Center again for this season, noting that the cost of $20,000, paid in two installments of $10,000, is considerably less expensive than operating a municipal pool.
There will be a special selectboard meeting on Tuesday, June 9, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Springfield Town Hall.