Selectboard Meeting

November 6, 2006

                                                                                                                              

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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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