Selectboard Meeting
July 16, 2007
Page 1 of 4
Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon
Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson and attached sign in sheet of
residents.
Meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Public
Comment on Proposed Changes to Planning & Zoning Fee Structure - Rob explained the reasons for the proposed
increase in fees.
John Lyman asked if the Board had considered the fees being
contingent on approval.
Rob replied the hearing for approval time spent with the DRB
is a service that has an associated cost.
Alan Norris said Charlotte has no fee for sketch plan
approval. Having a fee for sketch plan
and then adding impact fees on top of that makes Hinesburg’s cost higher than
surrounding towns.
George Bedard said he believes the problem is the
process. Other towns have you bring in
plans pay a fee and you leave with a building permit. Hinesburg does not operate that way and as John Lyman noted you
can pay these high fees and at a point in the process be denied. If you pass sketch plan approval and can
fill the requirements there should be a guarantee for a permit. George also noted
sketch plan should be an open process.
Jon asked if they are looking to pay a large fee at the
beginning and a lower fee later.
George replied, pay the fee for review but if you pass
sketch plan review you should be guaranteed a permit, if you are denied fees
should be returned to the applicant.
Rob noted in many towns there are difficulties in how this
is implemented and So. Burlington as mentioned is not an example of a good
working system.
Barbara Lyman said the process is inefficient and takes
longer than necessary.
Andrea noted that Charlotte invites people in but theirs is
not an approval process it is just for discussion.
Alan Norris said neighbors should have input if pertinent
but not just because they don’t like what is being proposed which then affects
the decision of the DRB.
Jon said the fees will not cover the true cost of the process;
the new proposed fees will cover 50%.
John Lyman asked if there is breakdown of the fee structure.
Howard said it is difficult to do that as the costs associated
with time and personnel can be different for each project. This is based on an average cost.
Alan Norris brought up the point of affordable housing and
how the new structure does not address that adequately.
Howard agreed the issue of affordable housing could be
looked at closer. He also noted that as
proposed this will not have a significant impact on whether affordable housing
is built, but it is an important token.
George Bedard asked about building permit fees. If the Town is encouraging commercial growth
the proposed structure hits a large business the hardest.
Howard said he also questioned if commercial should be a
different rate.
George said applicants are looking for a guarantee if they
get through sketch plan and meet the requirements of a permit and if you do not
meet the requirements you get your fees returned.
Howard asked what if it is the applicant who does not meet
the requirements as requested and due to that is denied – he does not believe
they should then be able to receive a refund.
JULY
16, 2007 page 2 of 4
George said he is concerned with new conditions that could
be required due to public pressure.
Alan said if the fees are meant to cover 50% what will
happen in a year when there are not enough projects being proposed to cover the
50%?
Rob said this is an effort to help with costs.
Rob said the Board will take comments into consideration,
look at the proposed new fee structure and make changes as they feel
appropriate. This will then be
available for public review.
Lea
Cassidy / Hinesburg Dog Park Proposal – Lea and Caleb Hanson have
looked into this and feel there is enough interest in Town to make this
successful. The dog park would be funded by private donations and funds to be
raised by a group of private citizens.
Jon asked how much space they would be looking for and Caleb said they
are thinking of a soccer field size but nothing has been decided yet.
Andrea asked if they will be looking to have the dog park in
the village as it will likely be most useful to residents who do not have space
to exercise their dog. Caleb said there
is also a socialization value to the dogs and owners. Andrea asked if people will be driving to it requiring parking.
Lea suggested the dog obedience class held at the Town Hall
parking lot could be held there.
Rob asked if they have an idea of location and Lea mentioned
the lot at Creekside that will not be used for a recreational field. Jeanne said parking may be a problem at that
site but the park should not.
David Lyman asked if the roads in Creekside will become
public and the Board replied they are still working this out with the
developer.
Town
Attorney E. M. Allen / Discussion of Recent Appeals of Zoning Decisions - Jon moved that the
Board go into Executive Session for a discussion of legal issues with Town
Attorney E.M. Allen and Town Administrator Jeanne Wilson, second by Randy and
approved.
Jon moved the Board come out of executive session, second by
Randy and approved.
Other
Business
Approve
Warrants: Jon
moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants)
for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Randy and approved
Minutes of June 18, 2007:
Andrea moved
that the Board vote to approve the minutes of June 18, 2007 as corrected.
Second by Randy and approved.
Minutes of July 2, 2007:
Jon moved
that the Board vote to approve the minutes of July 2, 2007 as corrected. Second by Howard and approved with Randy
abstaining.
Trial Balances for Water &
Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 6/30/07: Howard moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of
the trial balances for the Water & Wastewater and General Fund accounts for
the period ending 6/30/07. Second by Andrea and approved.
JULY 16, 2007
page 3 of 4
Set Tax Rate for FY 2007 – 2008: Howard moved that the
Board vote to set the Property Tax Rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2007 at $1.6930 / $100 valuation for the Homestead Tax Rate and $1.6533 / $100
valuation for the Non-Residential Tax Rate (Municipal Tax Rate = $0.4028, State
Homestead Education Tax Rate = $1.2891, State Non-Residential Education Tax
Rate = $1.2494, Local Agreement Tax Rate = $0.0011). Second by Jon and approved.
Streetscape Project / Authorize Town
Agent to Sign Easement Documents: Andrea moved that the Board vote to
authorize the Town Agent to sign any easement documents and Vermont Property
Transfer Tax forms associated with securing easements for the Streetscape
Project (sidewalk from Town Hall to Saputo on the west side of Route 116). Second
by Howard and approved.
VLCT Chittenden County
Labor Report – Jeanne
said the report now includes highway, administrative and police. Jeanne will look into the possibility of a
reduced rate for the report.
Randy moved the Board vote to authorize Jeanne Wilson to
sign agreement if the Town can get the report for the cost of $1,000. Second by Jon and approved.
Additions
to the Agenda
Sign for Town
Hall: Rocky Martin solicited information,
and has decided to work with Sparky Potter of Wood & Wood on the design for
the Town Hall sign. Since Mr. Potter
charges on an hourly basis, Rocky is suggesting that a sign committee be
established to work through design questions.
The committee could include staff, one or two Selectboard members and
representatives from the village steering committee. The Selectboard did not see value to forming a committee for this
but will have the proposal for the sign reviewed by them.
Update on Hayden Hill
West Moto-Cross
Course Issue – The LaBerge family on Hayden Hill Rd
West have created a motor cross course on their property which is used by
family and friends. Neighbors have
complained about the noise and the police have been called a few times.
Jeanne said they will
try to get this problem into the mediation process to work out a solution.
Municipal Impact Questionnaire / Bissonette Property - Jeanne
reported she received a call last Friday regarding the municipal impact
questionnaire on the Bisonette property.
She was supposed to receive the report before tonight’s meeting for
required signature but did not.
Howard moved the
Board vote to authorize Chair, Rob Bast, to sign the impact questionnaire when completed. Second by Jon and approved.
Update on Recreation
Path Project – Jon
said they are looking at the timeline for different options.
Outgoing Correspondence – letter of
congratulations to Sgt. Allen Fortin of the Shelburne Police Dept. on being
named 2007 lifesaver of the year by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
Rob noted he attended the VLCT Legislative Policy on
Transportation meeting.
JULY 16,
2007 page 4 of 4
Howard moved the Board vote to go into executive session for
discussion of the Highway Union Contract and personnel issue, second by Jon and
approved.
Howard moved the Board come out of executive session, second
by Jon and approved.
Jon moved the Board vote to sign the agreement with AFSCME
Local 1343 for an effective period of July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 as
amended. The agreement will now go back
to the union for their decision on the amended item. Second by Randy and approved.
Howard moved the Board vote to adjourn, second by Jon and
approved.
Upcoming Meetings
August 6 / Final
Report of Capital Budget and Impact Fee Project
August 20 / Larry
Smith of VLCT to give presentation on Health Savings Accounts
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary