Selectboard Meeting
November 6, 2006
Page
1 of 6
Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon
Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Al Barber, Chris Morrell,
Susan Mead, Fred Silber, Craig Chevrier, Colon McNaull, Janet LaVanway, Michael
LaVanway, David Estey, Veronica Estey, Berthann Mulieri, Lou Mulieri, Bob Wood,
Tom Heubich, Tom Joslin, Dave Fenn, Andre Robert, Jamie Carroll, Rocky Martin,
Steve Button, Alex Weinhagen, Jean Isham, Wayne Elliott, George Bedard, Jeff and
Jean Davis, Stuart Pierson.
Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m.
Stuart Pierson asked to be put on a future agenda for
discussion about the Centinal Newspaper.
Budget
Kick Off Meeting / Reports from Department Heads & Board/Commission Chairs
on major budgetary changes for the upcoming FY 07 – 08 Budget.
Rocky foresees no huge budget requests or big projects. Sidewalks will be extending as planned with
money in the current budget. The park and ride project will be included in the
buildings budget.
Rocky reported for the Recreation Commission they will
continue work on the site plan for the municipal lot owned by the Town behind
the Fire Station.
Alex advised the DRB wants the Town to take an active role
in changing the existing street lights to a more efficient lighting
system. Rocky said those options are
very expensive.
Steve said he will have numbers for options to the problem
with the wastewater force main soon.
The sludge lagoon liner is torn; he will look into what the expected
life of the liner is and if it is worth patching or would be better to replace
the liner. Replacement of the water
line across Mechanicsville Rd near the two apartment buildings is planned for
next year.
Chris reports there are three issues facing the PD next
fiscal yr. 1) Inability to retain long
term career officers. 2) Use of outside
technical assistance related to the CAD program. And 3) staffing. A study is now being completed of staffing
needs and early indications are additional staff will be needed.
Susan reports the conservation commission is hoping to get a
grant to work on the open space plan.
If they are not awarded the grant they will be looking for an increase
in the budget for consulting. Susan
noted this may possibly be put in the planning budget; it is unknown at this
time.
Craig said the Land Trust is working on a large project on
the Bissonette Farm. The cost is
projected to be 3.7 million dollars and will encompass 630 acres. The Land Trust has a fund raising and grant
schedule but will be looking for a higher amount from tax dollar support than
the customary $5,000. request.
The Land Trust would like the Board to approve a warned
article for Town Meeting Day to request this money which is an unknown amount
at this time but will be a minimum of $100,000.
NOVEMBER
6, 2006 page
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Jean reported on the Planning Commission and advised they
will be looking for professional services for stormwater planning. They have many projects that need finishing
and plan to look for a work study student to help finish these.
Jeanne advised insurance costs are unknown at this time and
the VLCT is negotiating with Blue Cross.
Property and Liability will increase as workmen’s comp claims have been
paid out in the past year.
Wastewater
Treatment Facility Upgrade & Expansion Project / Presentation of
Recommended Plan and Comparison of Funding Options –
This is the second public hearing. Wayne Elliott presented alternative options including upgrade
only and upgrade with expansion.
Recommended options were discussed.
Mike LaVanway, owner of Laundromat in the village said the
State uses EDU figures based on old machines and an operating time of 24 hrs a
day. He said his usage needs to be
based on actual flow and not EDU’s.
Mike said Rocky ran the numbers and figures his cost would increase from
$250 to $1800 a quarter.
Veronica Estey said as owner of the shopping center with 10
businesses she is responsible if the tenant does not pay. She believes businesses are being
overburdened and residential should be paying more.
Wayne said residential is currently paying a large %
including covering the schools. Most
businesses will remain at 1 EDU.
Andrea and Jon both said they believe the EDU system does
not reward businesses that use water conservation methods. Jon would like to look at figures for a
straight usage fee.
Dave Estey asked what the expected life span of the upgrades
system is. Wayne said in excess of 20
years.
Questioned if the need for a capital fund for future needs
would require additional increases in user fees.
Tom Joslin, of Vt Dept of Environmental Conservation, said
the flat fee is based on debt retirement only.
Rob summed up the meeting stating that the Board will look
at the concerns of using EDU’s and how the cost of the upgrade and expansion
can be evenly distributed.
Jeff & Jean Davis / Request for
Waiver of Road Standards on Shadow Lane – George Bedard stated the Davis’s went to the DRB for
a camp conversion and were requested to get approval from the Selectboard to
waive the road standards. George had
maps showing the existing road with right of ways, culverts in individual
driveways. He mapped the road as it
would be with the improvements the Davis’s would make. The proposed changes reduce the grade to 8%
for the top 2090 feet at the approach to Pond Rd, traveling down the road the
next 30 feet will be at 22% grade and the following 30 feet at 18.7%.
Jeff stated
there are currently 9 year round homes and he is one of 5 conditional uses.
Howard said
he has received letters with some concerns that if this is approved 4 more
camps could then seek conversion to year round.
NOVEMBER 6, 2006 page 3 of 6
George said
an association for maintenance to the road will be formed and any additional
requests would go before the DRB on a case by case basis and would need septic
approval.
Jon said he
is not in favor and can’t support further development or expansion of use on
roads not meeting Town criteria.
Andrea said
the entire road is a steep grade – exceptions in the past have been for a
portion of a road not the entire road.
Jaimie
Carroll, resident of the road, feels it is the best solution as it will create
a road organization, and with the improvements emergency vehicles will be able
to serve all the homes.
Lou
Mulieri, resident of the road, was concerned with creating a plateau at the
top. He said now a car can get traction
needed to maintain a steady momentum, with rises and level spots he believes it
will make it unsafe as one will not be able to maintain a steady speed but will
need to slow down. He feels the
steepness of the road at the top gives the perception of danger which causes
people to be extra cautious.
Andre
Robert, resident of the road, says they have an informal road association as
neighbors now work on the road. He also
feels improvements will make it more dangerous.
Randy
agreed the current situation is not good but has been allowed to exist. He feels
that is why the Board has the capability to accommodate a unique situation like
this and feels it is reasonable to allow this use.
Jean Davis
said the camp across from them became year round because for 3 years someone
resided there even though there was no water and a failed septic. It was then sold and torn down and a year
round home built.
Jon moved
the Board vote to deny the request of waiver of road standards based on
expanded use of a non compliant road.
Howard second. Jon, Howard and
Andrea in favor and motion carried.
Jeff Davis
asked about an appeal – he feels precedent to allow this has been set with
approval of waiver on Bissonette Rd.
Jeanne did not have information on how to proceed with an appeal and
will check into it and advise Jeff.
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 Howard and
approved.
Approve
Minutes of October 16, 2006:
Randy moved
that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 16, 2006 as corrected,
second by Howard and approved.
Update
on Canal Dam Repairs / Rocky spoke with Gary Clark, he
will not be able to get to this till the end of Nov or beginning of Dec. The Board wants Rocky to have Gary to
proceed when he can.
Resignation
of DRB Alternate / Nathan Makay: Due
to an upcoming change in availability, Nathan Makay will need to step down as
alternate for the DRB. Howard moved
that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Nathan Makay as DRB Alternate
effective immediately. Second by Randy
and approved.
NOVEMBER 6,
2006 page
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Listers
Request for Changes to the Lodged Grand List:
The Board has received a request from the Board of Listers
to approve a correction to the lodged Grand List due to errors discovered. Randy moved that the Board vote to approve a
correction to the lodged Grand List as outlined in the letter from the
Hinesburg Board of Listers dated November 1, 2006. Second by Andrea and
approved.
Ancient
Roads Grant Application:
The Trails Committee has completed a grant application for the Vermont
Department of Housing and Community Affairs Ancient Roads Grant. Legislation passed in 2006 requires towns to
research, identify and map previously unknown Class 4 highways by July, 2009 or
face the prospect of having those roads discontinued in 2015. This grant
application asks for an amount of $4,328 to help fund efforts to locate,
identify and map ancient roads. Andrea
moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign the Vermont Department
of Housing and Community Affairs Ancient Roads grant application, as prepared
by the Trails Committee. Second by
Jon and approved.
Municipal
Park & Ride Grant Agreement: Randy moved that the Board vote to authorize
the Chair to sign the State of Vermont Standard Grant Agreement for the
Municipal Park and Ride Grant Program.
The amount of the grant award is $39,320. Fifty percent of the funds will be forwarded to the Town upon
execution of this grant agreement, and the remaining amount will be reimbursed
to the Town upon completion of the project. Second by Howard and approved.
Appointment
of Delegate to the CCRPC Substantial Regional Impact Task Force:
The CCRPC is convening a task force to review the Regional Plan’s definition of
“substantial regional impact” (for the purpose of determining whether a project
under Act 250 proceedings would have a substantial regional impact). The task force will review the existing
definition and recommend any revisions.
Hinesburg’s CCRPC representative and alternate representative, Penrose
Jackson and David Hirth, were asked if the were interested in serving on the
task force. Both declined, but
suggested that Schuyler Jackson, Nancy Plunkett or Melissa Levy might be
suitable representatives. At this time,
Schuyler Jackson has expressed an interest in serving on the task force. Nancy Plunkett and Melissa Levy have not yet
been contacted. Randy moved to nominate Schuyler Jackson to represent Hinesburg
on the CCRPC Substantial Regional Impact Task Force, second by Jon and approved.
Buried
Utility Permit / Martin on Richmond Road: This subdivision has received final approval
from the DRB. The permit asks for
permission to install water line within the Town’s ROW. Jon moved that the Board vote to approve a
Buried Utility Permit for Eric & Suzanne Martin on Richmond Road (Grand
List Lot # 17-22-19.10) as outlined in the permit dated 10/17/06 and subject to
the terms and conditions placed on the permit by the Highway Foreman and Water
& Wastewater Department and all state and local permits governing the
development of this parcel. Second by Howard and approved.
Road
Cut Permit / Martin on Richmond Road: This subdivision has received final approval
from the DRB. Jon moved that the Board
vote to approve a Road Cut Permit for Eric & Suzanne Martin on Richmond
Road (Grand List Lot # 17-22-19.10) as outlined in the permit dated 7/25/06 and
subject to the terms and conditions placed on the permit by the Highway Foreman
and all state and local permits governing the development of this parcel.
Second by Randy and approved.
NOVEMBER 6, 2006
page 5 of 6
Contract
for Appraisal Services / Bailey Appraisal Associates: Jon moved that the Board vote to
authorize the Chair to sign the contract with Bailey Appraisal Associates for
work necessary to perform maintenance to update the Town of Hinesburg 2007
Grand List, as outlined in the contract dated 10/23/06. Second by Andrea and approved.
Request
to Remove Tree in Town’s ROW / Guttler on Leavensworth Road: John Guttler has requested permission to
remove an ash tree within the Town’s right of way on Leavensworth Road for the
purpose of removing the existing mobile home located at 566 Leavensworth Road,
and bringing in a new modular home. The
tree is located on property belonging to Ann and Aidan Thomas, and they are
agreeable to the removal. The Road Foreman
and Tree Warden have been consulted.
Randy moved the Board vote to approve removal of the tree, widening of
the driveway and grade as necessary on a temporary basis, to be restored to its
proper grade and width as approved by the Highway Foreman upon completion. Second by Jon and approved.
Recommendation
on Budgeted Replacement Cruiser for Police Department: Chief Chris Morrell solicited price quotes
from 22 Vermont and northern New York dealerships for a Chevrolet Tahoe to
replace the 2000 Jeep Cherokee. The
amount budgeted for this purchase is $30,000.
The lowest price quote was received from Denecker Chevrolet at $29,732
for a 2006 Tahoe. Randy moved that the
Board vote to authorize the purchase of a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe from Denecker
Chevrolet for a sum not to exceed $30,000.
Second by Howard and approved.
Correspondence
to Green Street LLC / Recap of Discussion at October 16 Meeting: A letter drafted to
the DRB to summarize the discussion was reviewed and signed by the Board.
Correspondence
to VTrans / Request to Reduce Speed Limit on Route 116 in Village Area: A letter drafted to VTrans making this
request was reviewed and signed by the Board.
Follow
Up on Boutin Road Clearing Discussion at October 16 Meeting- Two
Board members went and looked at the trail and the Board agreed to authorized a
4ft clearing of the road.
Jeanne was directed to write a letter on behalf of the Board
to Scott Shumway for approval of the clearing and to contact Rocky Martin.
Update
on Baldwin Road Drainage Issue / Meeting with Property Owner: Randy Volk, Jeanne
Wilson and engineer Mike Weisel met with property owner Todd Whitaker on
October 25 to review the plans for changes to the drainage on Baldwin
Road. Mr. Whitaker was supportive of
the plan. Due to the time of year, the
decision was made to delay construction until spring 2007. Randy will discuss the delay with the
Baldwin family. Jeanne will have an
easement deed drafted for the Whitaker’s signature, and Mike Weisel will
finalize plans to be ready for bidding in April.
NOVEMBER 6, 2006 page
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Next
Meetings
Monday, November 20th
Budget – Agencies
& Commissions / General Administration
Gil Coates /
Discussion of Recognition of Peck Estate
Kristi Brown /
Discussion of Town Taking Over Ballard Corner Road
Doug Henson / Paving
Pond Brook Road
Trails Committee /
Future Goals
Howard moved the Board vote to adjourn at 11:15 p.m., second
by Jon and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary