Andover swears in new Clerk/Treasurer; recognizes volunteers’ decades of service

By Shawn Cunningham
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

At its Monday, June 27 meeting, the Andover Select Board appointed Jeanette Haight to the posts of Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Tax Collector to replace Linda Bargfrede who is retiring. (ON THE COVER: Bargfrede goes over documents with Haight.)

Haight, who is an Andover native and a former long-time employee with the Vermont Country Store, read one oath for each of the jobs and filled out forms before beginning her first select board meeting in office.

As Haight began her tenure at Town Offices, board chair Red Johnson presented three Andover residents with certificates and pins recognizing their many years of public service.

Reino Berquist was recognized for 32+ years of service. During that time, he has served on the Cemetery Commission and as sexton, and served on the Planning Commission, Zoning Board and as a Justice of the Peace.

Joe Fromberger received a certificate and pin for his 38+ years of service, which has included stints on the Select and Zoning boards, Planning Commission, as school director and as a representative to the Solid Waste District and to Regional Planning.

And Alan Plumb was recognized for 52+ years as a member of the Planning Commission and Select and Zoning boards. Plumb has also been a school director, agent to prosecute and defend suits, Town Moderator, Justice of the Peace and Fire Warden.

Alan Plumb accepts the award for 52+ years of service to Andover. His son Chris (seated in the yellow shirt) continues the tradition, currently serving on the select board

The awards came through the Vermont Public Service Award Ceremony put on by the the office of Secretary of State Jim Condos. Every five years, this program honors individuals who have served as elected or appointed local officials, or as fire or police for 20 or more years. According to Condos’ office, the program highlights “the vital role of public servants in the ongoing success of our cities and towns and to provide these valuable public servants the recognition they deserve.”

Insuring contractors

Board member Jean Peters introduced new requirements that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns has put on the worker’s compensation insurance for contractors that the town hires. VLCT, the town’s insurer through the Property And Casualty Insurance Fund is trying to protect itself against claims of injured employees of contractors by mandating a new contract, which the town must use as of June 1.

The board discussed the problem of independent contractors that are one-person operations and that can buy worker’s comp policies, but as owners are not covered by them. For such contractors, they can qualify by signing a “hold harmless” for any injury or death of anyone involved in the work. Select Board members noted that these were exactly the kind of contractors that helped the town bounce back from Tropical Storm Irene.