Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday January 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, Skip Brown/Board Secretary, Steve Robinson, Anne Zolotas, David Lane
Board Members Not Present: n/a
Other Town personnel Present: Sue Arguin, TA. Also see sign in sheet attached*Attendance 2026-01-12-2026
1. Called to Order:
– The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Carter at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– none
3. Minutes:
-Steve Robinson made a motion to approve the minutes of December 15, 2025. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. None
5. New Business:
A. There was a public informational meeting regarding the traffic study on Route 2 between the Sandbar Inn restaurant and Featherbed Lane that was headed by the consultant, Jessa Berna of Stantec, Inc. She presented a slide show of the area with concerns and three possible proposals. See attached * South Hero Featherbed Lane Public Information Meeting
After the presentation the people in attendance were able to ask questions. Here is a summary, but see LCATV for a full video.
-The Board asked if a demonstration project was done, who would pay? The Town would have to pay for the materials for striping and temporary bollards.
-Ruby Brezinsky does not think that a crosswalk should be just east of Featherbed Lane. She feels that since it is a private road, pedestrians should not be using it for access to the marina. Note that it was pointed out that the crosswalk and pedestrian path would be in the State ROW of Route 2.
-Robert Wigness pointed out that the overflow parking from the State fishing access illegally parks on Route 2, even though there are no “parking signs” and there is no enforcement. Sight lines are bad as it is.
-Claire Bergeron (sp? Did not sign in) also believes that a crosswalk on Route 2 near Featherbed Lane is not appropriate.
-Matt Reed feels that most of the pedestrians cross closer to the Apple Island Store and that the crosswalk should be farther to the East. Jessa Berna stated that the sight lines are better near Featherbed Lane and that narrower travel lanes and a crosswalk will have a traffic calming effect and should slow down speeds.
-Paul Beauleau suggests that the old stairs across from the Store and over the Route 2 guardrail should be redone and walkway installed behind the guardrail.
-Joan Falcao reminded that the 3 alternatives should be a guideline and all should be considered.
-Should the Town decide to look for funding and begin an engineering study, these plans will probably be modified.
The Board will consider the comments and decide on next steps at a future meeting. The informational meeting was then closed.
B. Al Getler was present to discuss the July 4 South Hero parade. Being the 250th anniversary of the USA and the fact that July 4 is a Saturday this year, the parade should be larger than in the past. Volunteers are needed to make it happen. He will put out PR to raise awareness and look for people to help. He hopes to find some funding and procure some marching bands and more live music than in the past.
C. Matt Reed and Nate Hayward were present to discuss the bids received for the construction of the new Town Hall building. Six bids were received, ranging from $2,157,000.00 to 2,699,500.00. An AES analysis of the bids recommends that Connor Contracting be the builder. David Lane made a motion to hire Connor Contracting as the builder for the new Town Hall project in the amount of $2,302,434.00. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Note that there is an aggressive schedule from this contractor, and that the building may be completed in calendar year 2026. The bond amount approved was estimated was $2,750,000.00 so the buildout amount will cover the building. There will still be funds necessary for hazardous material abatement for the old building, moving expenses, furniture, and other incidentals, so the bond should cover all of the work necessary. Note that the bond will be for the actual amount of the project.
The Board thanks the New Town Office Building Committee for all of the hard work to get to this point.
D. Anne Zolotas made a motion to appoint Ashley Williams to a 3 a year term as Town Health Officer. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
E. There were no new budget requests received.
6. Town Administrator (TA) and Zoning Administrator (ZA) Reports:
A. See the written report from the ZA attached below with these minutes.
B. Skip Brown made a motion to appoint Tim Mullen to a 3-year term to the DRB (moving up from an alternate position) The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Anne Zolotas made a motion to appoint Justin Myers to a 1-year term as an alternate member of the DRB. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. The State DEC has submitted a letter regarding the landfill property testing. More information will be in the Spring when VHB coordinates with the State DEC.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve and sign the contract from Mary Harwood as grant writer consultant. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. Steve Robinson made a motion to approve the 1st Class liquor license application for Pan’s South Hero Pizza. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve and sign the Town Highway Mileage certificate. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
9. Other Business:
A. Skip Brown made a motion to sign the orders 26-13A, 26-14, 26-15 and have the Treasurer pay the bills as presented on the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer updates: none at this meeting
C. Recreation Commission (RC) update: https://southherovt.org/rec/ for more info.
D. Road Department update: The road crew has been salting and sanding during the recent snow and ice events. Over 10% of the sand/salt pile is used up.
E. Lister Updates: Appraisals are starting up again.
F. Old South Hero Meeting House update: The windows have been removed and painted panels put in their place.
G. Lavin Property updates: none at this meeting
H. Town Hall Committee update: See above and https://southherovt.org/town-office-building-committee/
I. Tree Warden Update: none at this meeting
J. Steve Robinson made a motion to go into executive session at 8:47 pm to discuss personnel and salary issues. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. A motion was made and executive session ended at 9:22 pm. After the executive session ended, the consensus of the Board was to use the data received from the consultant and to offer salaries to the Town road crew as discussed.
10. Adjournment:
-Skip Brown made a motion to adjourn at 9:25 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown, Secretary David Carter, Chairman
For a video of the meeting, see: www.lcatv.com
January 12, 2026 ZA’s report to the SB
1. Attorney Peter Raymond of Sheehey Furlong & Behm has entered an
appearance on behalf of the Town of South Hero to Environmental Court (VT
Superior Court – Environmental Division) regarding the appeal by Joanne Naas
of the Zoning Administrator’s approval of a boundary adjustment between
Chippen Point and Wright Family Partnership on West Shore Rd. My
understanding is that the parties (Chippen Point and Joanne Naas) are talking,
and we hope they will come to an agreement soon.
2. A recent denial by the DRB of an application by Mitchel Richardson for a site
plan amendment and renewal of an expired conditional use approval has been
appealed by Mr. Richardson to Environmental Court. Mr. Peter Raymond has
entered an appearance to the Court on behalf of the Town. I anticipate that there
will be a resolution to this by the SB’s January 26 meeting.
3. Tim Maxham’s recent retirement from the Development Review Board has
elevated Tim Mullen from an Alternate to a full member of the Board, leaving an
opening for a new Alternate to the Board. South Hero resident Justin Myers
responded to the ad placed in the Islander expressing interest in the position. I
am recommending that the Selectboard appoint Justin to a 1-year term as an
Alternate on the DRB.
Planning Commission
The commission has finalized clarifications in the Development Regulations related to
“average natural grade” and “pre-construction grade.” These are now being passed on
to the DRB for their comments. In addition, the definition for measuring setback
distances is under reconsideration. The DRB has asked the Planning Commission to
redefine setbacks measurements from the structure’s walls rather than the dripline,
while giving the Board the option to measure from the eaves when reviewing setback
waivers.
Development Review Board
1. The Board recently approved a 6-unit residential Planned Unit Development in
the field west of the Fish and Wildlife parking area. These will be for short-term
rentals. Also approved were a subdivision amendment on Gifford Lanne. A
setback waiver application on Kibbe Farm Rd. was recently withdrawn when it
was determined that there was conforming space available on the lot for the
proposal.
2. As of this date, there are no current applications for hearings before the DRB.
There will be no meeting on January 28 th .
Respectfully submitted, Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA