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Attending the meeting: John Guttler, Andrea Morgante, Jonathan Trefry, Randy Volk, Jeanne Wilson, Wayne Bissonette, Kirby Dunn, Rocky Martin.
Meeting called to order by acting chairperson, Andrea Morgante.
During the Public Comment period, Wayne Bissonette questioned the Board on the proposed purchase of the Flore house for the police department. Board members explained that they recommended the purchase of the property for the multiple benefits it would offer to the Town, not only as a location for the police department. Randy commented that he views it as a purchase of a valuable piece of property, and an opportunity which has presented itself at this time and one which may not be available in the future.
Kirby Dunn, Director of Project Home, was present to provide the Board with information on the services of Project Home. The presentation included a 10-minute video on Project Home. The agency provides two primary services, Home Sharing and Care Giving. The Board offered to pass the information about Project Home on to the Hinesburg Community Resource Center and the Town Service Officer.
Other Business
Approve Warrants / John moved that the Board approve the warrants for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer, second by Randy and approved.
Approve Minutes of February 5, 2001 / John moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of February 5, 2001, second by Randy. There was a discussion about the minutes, and corrections/clarifications were made to the sections on Public Access Channel 15 and the Garvey Farm Development Water Expansion. The minutes were approved as corrected.
Trial Balance for the Sewer & Water Account and General Fund Account for the Period Ending 1/31/01 / Randy moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the Trial Balance for the Sewer & Water Account and the General Fund Account for the period ending 1/31/01, second by Jon and approved.
Resignation of Hinesburg Representative to the CVU School Board / Randy moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Vivian Hodgkin as Hinesburg’s representative to the CVU School Board, second by John and approved. The Board signed a letter of acceptance to Ms. Hodgkin.
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Withdrawal of Acreage from Town’s Tax Stabilization "Piggy Back" Contract / Bissonette Farm / Wayne & Barbara Bissonette are selling a six-acre parcel of land included in the tax stabilization contract. The penalty for the withdrawal from the contract, pursuant to Section 6 of the Town’s Tax Stabilization "Piggy Back" Contract with Wayne & Barbara Bissonette is as follows:
Section 6 (1) Deferred Taxes for the year of dissolution $6.556
Section 6 (2) Deferred Taxes for the three-preceeding years $19.555
Section 6 (3) 10% of the Fair Market Value of Land (Forest Value) $180.247
Total Penalty under Section 6: $206.36
Wayne Bissonette was present and agreed with the proposed penalty. Jon moved that the Board vote to authorize the Town to assess penalty and deferred tax in the amount of $206.36 on Wayne and Barbara Bissonette for the withdrawal of a 6-acre parcel of forest land from the tax stabilization "Piggy Back" Contract, in accordance with Section 6 of said contract, signed on March 31, 2000, second by Randy and approved.
Internet Access to Town Highway Garage / The Highway Department utilizes Internet access for weather forecast updates. Currently, they are using Michael's private Internet access account. The Board requested that Jeanne look into the possibility of getting another user ID for the Highway Department, so that they can access the Town's account. If that is not possible, a separate municipal account should be set up for the garage so that department members are not relying on a personal account.
Town Hall Access / Wetlands Issue / Rocky had received a letter from State Wetlands Ecologist Peter Keibel regarding the Town's CUD application, which requested permission to construct an access drive off the Town Hall parking lot to Stella Road. The area is listed as a wetland, and Mr. Keibel is not convinced that the access road is necessary, instead believing that a single drive directly onto Charlotte Road would be sufficient. In his letter, Mr. Keibel requested further traffic studies and watershed studies. The consensus of the Board was that further studies were not warranted. A letter from the Board to Mr. Keibel had been drafted, which requested a meeting with Mr. Keibel and the engineers working on the CUD application. After some discussion, the Board directed Rocky to discuss the letter with the engineers, and if it was felt that the letter was applicable to send it out. Otherwise further revisions would be necessary.
Garvey Farm Development Water Expansion Update / Rocky reported that he had met with the residents of the Garvey Farm development, and two concerns were noted:
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1. The residents felt that they only needed a waterline to the cul-de-sac, instead of all the way to Richmond Road as proposed. The residents felt that the municipal water supply district should pick up the cost of the waterline to Richmond Road. The Board asked Rocky to look into the difference in the quality of the system if the line ended at the cul-de-sac. The Board also recommended that the right-of-way rights be secured whether the line extended to Richmond Road or not.
2. If the line continues to Richmond Road, and then extends further in the future, the residents requested that they be reimbursed for their cost in extending the line to the Garvey Farm Development, through rate reduction. The Board acknowledged that utility companies would occasionally do this, when a resident has paid in full for a portion of the extension. In this case, the residents are being offered the opportunity to finance the expansion over a thirty-year period at 0% interest, and the municipal water supply district is covering some of the costs. Therefore, the reduced rate practice does not apply to this expansion.
Planning for Town Meeting / There was a brief discussion of final details for Town Meeting on March 5, 2001.
Randy moved the Board vote to
adjourn at 8:50 PM, second by John and approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeanne Kundell Wilson
Hinesburg Town Administrator