Selectboard Meeting

August 15, 2005

                                                                                                             Page 1 of 5

 

6:45 PM         Site Inspection to gather information for a review of a request by Chris Applin, owner of Good Times Café, to relocate shrubs in an easement area between the parking lot of Good Times Café and the Village Green.

Attending the site visit; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Chris Applin, Peggy Cioffi and Sandy White.

 

Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Riggs, Jeanne Wilson, Chris Applin, Mike Anthony, Wayne Bissonette, Tony Cairns, Bill Marks, Rob Farley, Susan Mead.

 

Rob reconvened the meeting at 7:10 p.m at Town Hall.

Discussion of Request to Relocate Shrubs in Easement Area Between Good Times Café and the Village Green – Rob advised the Selectboard is in agreement with removing the existing shrubs and planting new shrubs or installing a fence along Chris Applin’s side of the easement.  They do not want it to extend onto Town property outside the easement. 

It was suggested the Selectboard send a message to the DRB that a picket fence is one option that seemed acceptable to those present at the site visit and hope it will be considered as a solution.  The Selectboard further understands the owner, in his proposal to the DRB, is going to offer some concepts for cutting back on the parking encroachment.

Randy felt the Board was being too specific with such wording.  Rob proposed new verbiage to be sent to Jeanne who will draft a memo for the Boards review.

 

Review of Proposed Zoning & Subdivision Regulation Changes:

Zoning;

Andrea would like to see a future reference to height limitations on buildings keeping in mind how that effects fire protection and equipment needs.

Howard – multi family dwellings are conditional in all residential areas now – he would like to give landowners more options in clustering buildings. 

Rob asked if any Board members see anything bad coming from such a change.

Andrea felt it is premature to make the change in thinking overall of the density issue.

Jon stated many people have expressed interest in low cost housing and multi family housing could address that.

Rob felt a reasonable alteration would be to meet the PRD criteria.

The Board asked Jeanne to get information as to why the P.C. made the change as proposed.

Jon also asked to have the P.C. address the PRD question.

Rob said that in regards to multi family units in the village district there are no area requirements but specific bedroom number units – for two family dwellings there is an area requirement but no note of number of bedrooms.

Andrea asked why restaurants are not allowed in districts other that the village – could be conditional use.  On further review it was found that restaurants are now conditional use in the village – could add Agricultural, RR1 and RR2 districts.

Howard asked in regards to accessory apts what the maximum allowable size is – does it have to be an unlimited number of sq ft?

Rob – existing small lots – check tax map to see what the impact of setback requirements might be.

Andrea noted mentioning the need for water and wastewater permits for existing small lots.  Rob said this is just to inform that a permit may be needed.

 

                                                            AUGUST 15, 2005                                                page 2 of 5

 

 

Jon – in the rural residential district – conditional use, under multi family need to add require PRD review and include language in all districts.  Remove “no more than 2 units”.

Rob – on page 11 section 3.4.33 multi family – add on lots where more than one 2 family dwelling is proposed these ratios shall be applicable.  Also any other place the same language is used regarding multi family.

 

Subdivision regs;

Andrea – page 18 – additional run off ….. add public as well as private property.

Page 17 section 6.2.1 shall be constructed to …… change wording to be accessible per statute.

When project is done need “as built” plan in final plat.  Jeanne will check on this.

 

Highway Foreman Michael Anthony / Hayden Hill Road

Research shows the Town can re-establish a natural water course but can not divert it.  The Board discussed notifying the property owner the Town has secured legal opinion and it is the Town’s responsibility to re-establish the pre existing water course.

 

CVU High School Expansion / Pond Road Crosswalk, Pedestrian Crossing Signs and Elimination of Pond Road Parking Area:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve a request by CVU High School to install a pedestrian crosswalk on Pond Road to provide a pedestrian connection between the Community Alliance Church parcel on the east side of Pond Road and CVU facilities located on the west side of Pond Road.  Pedestrian crosswalk shall meet all conditions and specification outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and the location of the crosswalk shall be coordinated with the Hinesburg Highway Foreman. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Howard moved that the Board vote to approve a request by CVU High School to purchase pedestrian crosswalk warning signs and posts for a crosswalk on Pond Road at the Community Alliance Church.  Warning signs shall meet all conditions and specifications outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as specified for non-intersection crosswalks.  Posts shall meet all specifications as outlined by the Hinesburg Highway Foreman.  Once purchased by CVU, the signs and posts will be installed by the Hinesburg Highway Department.  Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Elimination of Pond Road parking area:  Quote received from Lafayette for installing a plank rail fence ($5,508 for new P.T. wood posts; $4,536 for used P.T. wood posts).  CVU would like to coordinate removal of the boulders, grading and seeding with the Town’s installation of the fence. 

The Board discussed if the Town should make this area inaccessible for parking.  Mike stated it is a problem with the way the cars are parked and hang out onto the road.  Some Board members felt this should remain a place to park off the road.

Andrea moved the Board vote to approved installing snow fence to block off from parking after CVU removes the boulders and seeds the area.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Wayne Bissonette / Discussion of Re-Zoning of South West Corner of Shelburne Falls Road / Route 116 Intersection –

Wayne reviewed with the Board that in 1998 he and David Lyman came before the Planning Commission and Selectboard requesting commercial zoning on a portion of their land.  Both the P.C. and Selectboard felt a study was needed.  Wayne is again asking for a corner parcel he owns on Rt 116 and Shelburne Falls Rd to be re-zoned.

Tony Cairns, owner of CoCo and prospective property buyer, presented proposed plans for building on the parcel.

                                                            AUGUST 15, 2005                                                                       page 3 of 5

 

 

Bill Marks asked what the process would be for the Selectboard to make such a zoning change.

Rob read the information Jeanne gathered on how the zoning was changed when NRG requested a change.

Bill did not see how the Selectboard could make such a specific change without directly contradicting the recently approved Town Plan.

Jon said he feels there is more than one way to approach this.  The fact that this area will likely be commercial in a few years is a point.

Susan Mead said she is not necessarily opposed to the Jiffy Mart but feels the Town needs to look at the gateway to Town and would like to see consideration to how the entire picture will fit with the Library and connecting sidewalk.

Bill said he feels by making a decision the Selectboard will be taking on a planning role and thinks it is a dangerous path.

Tony Cairns said he is willing to put in what the Town would feel is appropriate representation of the gateway and is willing to work with the Town’s needs.

Howard said he is concerned with this request process for re-zoning and reviewed why NRG was approved.

Rob Farley asked if this is a decision to re-zone or start a process for this project.

Andrea believes we need to look at how this can fit into the big picture for that area.

All parties agreed to have an all board meeting to look at the whole west side process and how this project could fit in.

 

Other Business

 

Approve Warrants: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer.  Second by Jon and approved.

 

Trial Balance for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 7/31/05:  Jon moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balance for the water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 7/31/05. Second by Andrea and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of July 18, 2005:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of July 18, 2005 as corrected, second by Jon and approved.

 

Approve Minutes of August 1, 2005:  Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of August 1, 2005.  Second by Andrea and approved with Randy abstaining.

 

Reserve Funds for FY 04 – 05:  Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the following reserve funds from FY 04 – 05:

 

                        Sidewalks                                                      $15,945.82

                        Recreation Path                                            $57,318.24

                        Land Preservation                                        $24,931.00

                        Records Restoration                                    $16,724.44

                        Print, Bind & Microfilm                                  $ 4,678.25

                        Town Clerk Shelving                         $ 7,000.00

                        PC Professional Services                           $ 5,000.00

                        Recreation Capital Expense (Fields)         $ 2,355.87

                        Recreation Skate Park / Rink                      $ 3,196.67

                        Town Hall Driveway & Landscaping           $ 8,919.14

                                                 AUGUST 15, 2005                                                                              page 4 of 5

 

 

                      Reappraisal                                                     $42,737.82

                       Silver Street Engineering                              $  2,623.60

                        Highway Garage                                           $11,518.02

                        Fire Department Landscaping                    $  9,700.00

                        Tree Planting                                                 $  2,600.00

                        July 4th Fund                                                  $  4,438.30

 

                        Total                                                             $219,687.17

 

            The following items are deferred revenue:

 

                        Silver Street Bridge Engineering                $19,020.57

                        Police Block Grant 03 – 05                          $ 1,685.99

                        Police Block Grant 04 – 06                          $ 2,050.00

                        Police Federal Seizure Funds                     $ 3,895.31

                        2005 Planning Grant                         $ 3,836.00

Second by Howard.

Discussed was the money for recreation skate park/rink – this is for resurfacing the skate park.  Jeanne will check if the current budget was less because they anticipated carryover of these funds.

Motion voted and approved.

 

Discussion of Procedure for Expenditure of Budgeted Funds / Purchase Order Policy – Jeanne will draft a letter of procedure to be sent to all department heads.

 

Wastewater Capacity Allocation Request / Reiss & Russell Family Trust on Buck Hill Road:  This project has received sketch plan approval and is within the Wastewater Service Area as outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04.  The required 50% of the application fee has been submitted.  The remaining 50% will be due upon securing all state and local permits for the project, but prior to construction.  There is sufficient wastewater capacity in the residential sector to allow for this allocation.  Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Request of Charles Reiss & the Russell Family Trust in the amount of 630 gpd for two single family homes and a residential allocation for the existing barn on Grand List Lot # 09-01-64.10, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance, adopted 4/19/04, and furthermore vote to approve the transfer of 1,050 gpd of wastewater treatment capacity for four new single family homes and the existing farmhouse on the same parcel from George & Karla Munson to Charles Reiss and the Russell Family Trust.  Second by Randy and approved with Howard abstaining.

 

 Resignation from Recreation Commission / Tom Whitney:  Andrea moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Tom Whitney from the Recreation Commission, effective September 30, 2005. Second by Randy and approved.

 

Caterer’s Request to Serve Alcohol at a Private Wedding Reception / Dog Team Tavern:  Randy moved that the Board vote to convene as the Board of Liquor Control, second by Howard and approved.  Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the request by Mush Team Inc. (d/b/a Dog Team Tavern) to cater a wedding reception on September 9, 2005 at 176 Shelburne Falls Road with malt and vinous beverages and spirituous liquors. Second by Howard and approved.  Randy moved that the Board vote to adjourn as the Board of Liquor Control, second by Andrea and approved.

 

                                                               AUGUST 15, 2005                                           page 5 of 5

 

 

Employee Personnel Policy:  Discussed changes have been made to the Employee Personnel Policy, and a draft has been distributed to all employees and the Selectboard.  Employees have been asked to provide feedback / comments by September 9 in order for the Board to act on adoption of the policy at the September 19, 2005 meeting.

 

 

 

Additions to the Agenda

 

Creekside Request for Additional Fill from Gravel Pit- Selectboard agreed to the request.

 

Update on Magee Hill Road / Richmond Road Intersection – Tree has been removed.

 

The Selctboard will meet again on 8/29.

 

Andrea moved the Board vote to adjourn at 11:10 p.m., second by Howard and approved.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary