Selectboard Meeting
January 5, 2009
Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Andrea Morgante, Ken Brown, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Michelle Boomhower, Peter Keating, the Washburns, the Szwajas, Bruce Cote, Ashley Orgain, Will Patten, Rocky Martin
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Public Bid Opening / Shadow Lane Parcel (Tax Map #14-21-17.00): Selectboard Chair Jon Trefry opened the three submitted bids.
Gould for $3605.00
Washburn for $4500.00
Szwaja for $4500.00
Lisa Washburn said she thought that the fact that she brought the idea of sale of this lot to the attention of the Town should be considered in awarding a bid. She feels awkward to be bidding against her neighbors especially after she had initiated interest in the property.
The Board decided to reopen the bid process with bids to be opened on 1/26/09.
Michele Boomhower, CCMPO Executive Director and Peter Keating, CCMPO Senior Transportation Planner / Annual Update on CCMPO Activities and Initiative
The presentation included an MTP update, 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation, New Trasportation Improvement Program (TIP), Activities of the CCMPO Innovative Finance Blue Ribbon Commission, local projects and needs and the 09 Federal Surface Transportation Bill reauthorization.
The Board was advised that the Silver St Bridge project will not be ready for Federal Economic Stimulus money.
Bruce Cote / Interview for Appointment to Planning Commission or DRB –
Bruce has lived in Town for 2 ½ years, he has not served on a board or commission such as these before but has attended PC and DRB meetings in other communities. He has experience working with diverse groups of people.
Ashley Orgain / Interview for Appointment to Planning Commission –
Ashley has lived in Town for nearly a year; she has not attended any PC meetings. She has been involved with the Land Trust regarding the La Platte Headwater’s Conservation initiative. Asked what about sustainability makes her interested in planning in the community she responded that she is drawn to building the resources and space to maintain the four areas the PC noted as criteria last March at Town Meeting. She has worked previously with diverse groups of people.
Wastewater Upgrade Project / Update and Engineering Amendment / Set Wastewater Rates for January 1, 2009:
Howard moved that the Board vote to approve Amendment #1 to the agreement with Forcier Aldrich & Associates, amendment dated 12/15/08, for professional engineering consultant services associated with the wastewater treatment upgrade project for a sum not to exceed $80,100. Second by Andrea and approved.
The Board and Rocky discussed if it is necessary to increase rates now as rates were recently increased, or can the current rate maintain the system till July. Also discussed an incremental increase now and re-visit for July.
Ken moved that the Board vote to set the wastewater user rates, as authorized in the Hinesburg Municipal Wastewater System Use Ordinance, adopted July 28, 2008, at $ 40.00 / quarter plus $0.027 / cubic foot of consumption effective January 1, 2009, and the user rates for un-metered service at $ 40.00/ unit / quarter base fee, plus $ 40.00 / unit / quarter un-metered usage charge effective January 1, 2009. Second by Howard and approved.
Howard asked to have information go out with the bills explaining the reason for the increase.
Update on Impact Fee Ordinance: Alex Weinhagen, Jeanne Wilson, Andrea Morgante and Ken Brown met with consultant Michael Munson on December 18, 2008 to discuss the draft impact fee ordinance, and review what would be required to reach a final ordinance for adoption.
Ken reported that the impact fees can be grouped into four areas and we can implement just one area as a place to start. Michael Munson can give us a product that will include wording for adoption and accounting set up. The Board would need to budget for this service next year.
Discussion of Interim Zoning / Saputo Site / Saputo Redevelopment Steering Committee:
Discussion of Interim Zoning – will start working on language
Discussion of Saputo Redevelopment Steering Committee
Discussion of Vermont Community Foundation, Successful Communities Grant Application
Discussion of Vermont Community Foundation, Special & Urgent Needs Grant Application
Andrea moved the Board vote to adopt and set up a Saputo Redevelopment Steering Committee as outlined in the mission and goal statement attached.
Second by Howard and approved.
Andrea moved the Board vote to appoint Will Patten and Rolf Kielman to the Saputo Redevelopment Steering Committee, second by Howard and approved.
Other Business
Approve Warrants: Andrea moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Ken and approved.
Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 12/31/08: Ken moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 12/31/08. Second by Howard and approved.
Minutes of December 8, 2008: Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of December 8, 2008. Second by Andrea and approved.
Minutes of December 15, 2008: Ken moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of December 15, 2008 as corrected. Second by Howard and approved.
Appointments to Recreation Commission: There are two openings on the Recreation Commission. Terms on the Commission expired on 1/1/09 for Carrie Harlow and Dawn Dugan. Carrie has expressed interest in a reappointment. No other letters of interest have been received. Howard moved that the Board vote to appoint Carrie Harlow to the Recreation Commission for a three-year term, which will expire on 1/1/12. Second by Andrea and approved.
Andrea moved the Board go into executive session for personnel discussion, second by Ken and approved.
Howard moved the Board come out of executive session, second by Ken and approved.
Appointments to the Affordable Housing Committee: There are two openings on the Affordable Housing Committee. George Bedard has expressed interest in serving on the AFC. No other letters of interest have been received at this time. Andrea moved that the Board vote to appoint George Bedard to the Affordable Housing Committee to fill a vacancy with a term which expires on 7/31/10. Second by Howard and approved.
Appointments to the Planning Commission: There are three openings on the Planning Commission. Terms on the Commission expired on 1/1/09 for George Bedard, Carrie Fenn and Fred Haulenbeek. All three have expressed interest in a reappointment. In addition, Bruce Cote and Ashley Orgain have expressed interest in serving on the Planning Commission.
Howard moved that the Board vote to appoint Carrie Fenn to the Planning Commission for a four-year term, which will expire on 1/1/13. Second by Ken and approved.
Ken moved that the Board vote to appoint Fred Haulenbeek to the Planning Commission for a four-year term, which will expire on 1/1/13. Second by Howard and approved.
Jon moved that the Board vote to appoint George Bedard to the Planning Commission for a four-year term, which will expire on 1/1/13. Motion failed as there was no second.
Andrea moved that the Board vote to appoint Ashley Orgain to the Planning Commission for a four-year term, which will expire on 1/1/13, second by Ken and approved.
Appointments to Development Review Board: There are two openings on the DRB. Terms on the Board expired on 1/1/09 for Greg Waples and Zoe Wainer. Both have expressed interest in a reappointment. In addition, Bruce Cote has expressed interest in serving on the DRB. Howard moved that the Board vote to appoint Greg Waples to the DRB for a three-year term, which will expire on 1/1/12. Second by Andrea and approved.
Howard moved that the Board vote to appoint Zoe Wainer to the DRB for a three-year term, which will expire on 1/1/12. Second by Ken and approved.
Letter of Recognition to Robert Pelletier / Eagle Scout Award - letter signed by the Board and Andrea noted it is nice to know youth in our community are stepping forward to take leadership and she is glad to be able to sign this letter. Jon noted the Board has been invited to a reception for Robert on the 24th and it would be nice for Board members to attend.
Other Board Member Items –
Andrea reported on the LaPlatte Watershed Project regarding Town owned property on Beecher Brook and erosion problems. Further information will be brought to the next Board meeting.
Andrea moved the Board go into executive session for discussion of legal and personnel issues and for Will Patten to be present for a portion of the legal discussion.
Second by Ken and approved.
Andrea moved the Board come out of executive session and adjourn, second by Ken and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary