Selectboard Meeting
October 19, 2009
Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Andrea Morgante, Ken Brown, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Bill Lippert, Dorothy Pellett, Jean Isham, Will Patten, Fred Haulenbeek, Charlie Baker, Kristen Sharpless, Rocky Martin.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Andrea moved the Board go into executive session to discuss legal / contract issues including Jeanne Wilson, Will Patten, Bill Lippert and Jean Isham. Second by Randy and approved. Ken moved the Board come out of executive session, second by Howard and approved.
Charlie Baker, CCRPC Executive Director - Regional Plan Update Committee / 2011 Regional Plan: The 2011 Regional Plan process has just begun; Charlie conveyed a message of openness and inclusiveness from CCRPC. He said this is a good time to let the committee know of any ideas of concerns. They are anticipating adoption of the new plan in the summer of 2011. Charlie said that by going to the web site any resident can identify areas of interest they have.
Andrea asked if it is the intention of the new plan to also be a policy plan as it is now. Charlie said from the staffs and commission point it has been workable.
Jon said the existing plan has a focus on economic development and he feels sustainability should be mentioned before economic development.
Andrea said the web site states there are 19 member municipalities and five regional partners, then only lists 2, Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and GBIC. Andrea also asked about natural areas. Charlie said the strategic guideline is looking at how to set up a structure to work regionally and allow each town flexibility for their needs.
Discussion of Correspondence from Planning Commission / Clean Energy Assessment Districts – Fred presented to the Board on behalf of the Planning Commission the idea of adopting clean energy districts pursuant to Act 45.
Howard asked if the district can include the entire Town or must it be a set district within the Town. Charlie explained the district could be defined by interested parties.
Randy said he is uncomfortable with the Town getting into the “banking” business. There could be large overhead on the Town’s part – there are funds available for such things by banks with low interest loans. He wanted to know if there is a failure of such traditional sources. Fred said this could be a partnership with a bank.
Howard likes the idea of promoting efficiency but is leery of getting into the business of lending.
Andrea encouraged Fred to publicize the program and see if there is interest in forming a committee to work on this.
Kristen Sharpless, LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest Planning Committee / Comments on Draft Management Plan: The management planning committee has been hard at work putting together the management plan over the past year in order to meet the December 2009 deadline for Selectboard approval. The committee would like to offer the Selectboard the opportunity to comment on the plan before the Board is asked to approve it. The Committee is looking for all comments to be submitted by November 1. They will incorporate any comments during November and plan to submit a final draft to the Selectboard for approval by December 1. The Committee also held a public forum on Thursday, October 8 to receive input on the plan.
Kristen informed the Board that no major issues were brought up at the public meeting in October. The Committee is recommending that there be one committee to take on management of both Town Forests. It was noted that a management plan for the old Town Forest should be drafted. Andrea suggested using the one for the LHTF as a template.
Howard said the committee created an amazingly comprehensive plan and wonders about the capacity of a volunteer committee implementing such a comprehensive plan. Jon had a similar reaction and said it did seem like a lot to ask volunteers to manage. He hopes there may be enough interested volunteers to take this on since there are a wide variety of uses in the forest.
Andrea said these are two important assets of the Town that without planning could turn into liabilities.
Ken noted that is obvious that a lot of work was put into this and thanks the committee.
Andrea noted that Kristen did the majority of the work.
Randy also said it is an impressive document that is well done.
Andrea moved the Board go into executive session to discuss a legal matter including Jeanne Wilson, Rocky Martin and Kristen Sharpless. Second by Ken and approved. Randy moved the Board come out of executive session, second by Andrea and approved.
Rocky Martin, Director of Buildings & Facilities
LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest, Ditch Plug & Easement Issue. Andrea moved to authorize the expenditure of up to $2700 in funds for revising a right of way easement with Wilson and Anisfield on the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest from revenue left over from NRCS Grant work done on the headwaters of the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest. Second by Ken and approved.
WWTF Upgrade Project / Pay Request from Kingsbury Construction: Andrea moved that the Board authorize Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin to sign normal monthly pay requests for the WWTF Upgrade Project. Any change orders will be reviewed and approved by the Selectboard. Second by Howard and approved.
WWTF Upgrade Project / Discussion of Line of Credit: The application for funding through the State Revolving Loan Fund for the WWTF Upgrade Project is proceeding through the approval process. It will likely be a couple more months before the state is able to process reimbursement requests, due to heavy workload associated with the ARRA funding program. An application has been made to the Chittenden Bank for a line of credit in the amount of $500,000 at 2.25% interest, which will allow the Town to remit payment requests in the interim while waiting for the SRF paperwork to be finalized. Andrea moved that the Board vote to sign the Bond Anticipation Note Line of Credit, Resolution, and Non-Arbitrage Certificate with the Chittenden Bank for a line of credit not to exceed $500,000 at 2.25% for the WWTF Upgrade Project. Second by Ken and approved.
Other Business
Approve Warrants: Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Andrea and approved.
Minutes of October 5, 2009: Ken moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of October 5, 2009 as corrected. Second by Howard and approved.
Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending September 30, 2009: Andrea moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for the water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending September 30, 2009. Second by Howard and approved.
Appointment to the Village Steering Committee: Terms of appointment on the Village Steering Committee are expiring for George Dameron, Aaron Kimball, Dona Walker and Brian Busier. All have expressed an interest in reappointment. Vacancies have been posted and published. Andrea moved that the Board vote to reappoint George Dameron, Aaron Kimball, Dona Walker and Brian Busier to the Village Steering Committee for two-year terms, which will expire on October 1, 2011. Second by Ken and approved.
Letter to Town of St. George / Fire Protection Contract for FY 10 – 11: Howard moved that the Board vote to sign the letter of budget request to the Town of St. George for the fire protection contract for FY 10 – 11. Hinesburg’s request is in the amount of $26,417, and represents 15% of the fire department’s actual expense for the previous fiscal year. Second by Ken and approved.
VTrans Finance & Maintenance Agreement / Silver Street Bridge: This agreement was reviewed by the Board at the August 3, 2009 meeting. There was concern with Item #9 of the agreement regarding traffic control and responsibility for maintaining a detour route. Following the meeting, Jeanne contacted VTrans to express the Town’s concern with the contract language. No response was received. Howard moved that the Board vote to sign the VTrans Finance & Maintenance Agreement (HINESBURG STP 0199(2) – Contract No. FM0006) as amended, with Item #9 deleted from the contract. A cover letter will be included, signed by the Board, explaining the Board’s concern with Item #9 and giving reason for its deletion from the contract. Second by Ken and approved.
Update on Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance: At the October 5 meeting, the Board decided to temporarily wait on adoption of the revised Wastewater Capacity Allocation Ordinance in order to hear from the Planning Commission regarding work on master planning. Director of Planning & Zoning Alex Weinhagen advises that he anticipates the Commission will have technical changes to the village growth area zoning, including regulations for master planning, back to the Selectboard in January 2010.
Other Board Member Items
Jeanne advised the Board needs to select the spot at the bottom of Lincoln Hill Rd to place the historic marker. Mike will mark the Town right of way and the Board members can go look at the site.
Additions to the Agenda
Finance Contract for Toolcat: Documents have been prepared by Baystone Financial Group for the lease to own on the 2009 Toolcat 5600T. Howard moved that the Board vote to adopt the Lessee Resolution attached herein, and to authorize the Chair to sign the following documents:
Lease with Option to Purchase Agreement
Payment Schedule
Second by Ken and approved.
Andrea moved the Board go into executive session including Jeanne for personnel and legal discussion. Second by Howard and approved. Andrea moved the Board come out of executive session and adjourn, second by Howard and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary