Hinesburg Village Steering Committee
Meeting Minutes - April 14, 2008
Members present: Brian Busier, Donna Constantineau, secretary; George Dameron, acting secretary; Rolf Kielman, chair; Aaron Kimball, Karla Munson, Dona Walker
Also present: Monuments Committee membership (Peggy Cioffi, Jeff Kuhn, Rocky Marin), Michael Stefanowicz (Saint Michael’s College Student)
1. The minutes of February 28, 2008 were approved.
2. Discussion about VSC recommendation to Select Board to consider moving war memorial from present location to Town Hall (the Select Board had rejected that suggestion but wanted Monument Committee to express opinion on whether it supported possible and eventual move of monuments to a future town green). Members of Monument Committee want monument to stay. There were several reasons given: it would be recessed and not very visible at Town Hall, there may not be enough room at Town Hall for ceremonies, current site allows for walk-arounds, visibility for children may be impaired (in present location children can see it from school buses), and installation actually rather permanent (for structural reasons). Monument Committee members expressed interest in improving present site, however (the planned intersection improvement will not affect the monument). BB suggested that it was time for the VSC and MC to step up and ask Select Board for money for a beautification project (Rocky Martin said there is probably some money in his budget now for some improvements; he would be happy to talk with VSC about it). Rocky Martin also said that the VSC can ask for money in the next budget cycle for the following year; money can also be built into a capital budget (currently being discussed). Apparently, as Jeff Kuhn reported, Hinesburg was the first town to have a monument memorializing service in the first Gulf War.
3. Rocky Martin reported that the Select Board had charged him with the responsibility of looking at the lot behind the firehouse/police station as a potential town green. RM would like to talk with the VSC about this possibility. RK explained the rationale of the VSC for preferring lot 15 on Commerce Street. Apparently, according to RM, however, there are current development plans underway for that lot by the owner.
4. Village gateway signs and town signs. The VSC complimented RM on the new Town Hall sign. For village gateway signs, RM recommended that the VSC approach him about them at budget time in November.
5. Michael Stefanowicz, Saint Michael’s College student, earned credit toward graduation at Saint Michael’s College by helping the VSC collect information and data about the history of village buildings and houses. In a PowerPoint presentation, he presented his findings. Among the points he made were the following:
The 1977 John Dumville survey of village houses, done on behalf of the State of Vermont, is still a valuable source of accurate information on the history of village homes. It is available on cd-rom (the VSC will explore purchasing a copy for town records).
His report will include an up-to-date bibliography on Hinesburg village and on resources in state archives and record offices that are useful for a study of the architectural and historical development of village buildings and houses.
He reported on some information he learned from state officials regarding the designation of houses as historically significant structures.
His final report will include photos of houses as they appeared in the 1977 Dumville survey and as they appear now.
He recommends that a walking tour of the village historical district (which is delineated in Dumville’s survey) focus on the dominant structures detailed in that survey. His final report will include some specific recommendations regarding the development of a walking tour.
His final report will be delivered to the Village Steering Committee in May, and the VSC will deposit a copy in the town library (and other copies may go elsewhere).
6. Hinesburg Rides discussed. The VSC complimented KM for all the work that has been done on this program. KM reported there are several people who are ready to offer rides. The program is ready to begin once people needing rides step forward.
7. GD reported on a recent Select Board discussion with the town planner, Alex Weinhagen, regarding the zoning and subdivision changes recommended by the Planning Commission. The discussion was animated and focused on a number of issues, including when and how a town map may be produced, when rural zoning changes may be forthcoming, the potential impact of future development on the tax rate, and current public attitudes toward further development in the village. The Select Board is planning a public hearing on the changes in June.
8. AK reported that grant money may be available for the yet-to-be-constructed sidewalk segment in the village.
Next VSC meeting: May 12 (Monday, 7 pm, Town Hall)
Agenda will include discussion about development of town map and town green
Respectfully submitted,
George Dameron (acting secretary)