Town of South Hero
Meeting House – Preserve & Revitalize Project
Date: THURSDAY, February 6, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM In person at Town Office or via Zoom
Attendees: VIA ZOOM: Michael Carroll, Pamela Surprenant, Mary Harwood, Andy Julow-LCIEDC,
Rebecca Arnold-Arnold & Scangas Architects, Jenna Lapachinski-Preservation Trust VT, Sandy
Gregg. In person: Sue Arguin-Town Administrator,
Absent: David Carter-Chair, Sarah Kjelleren, Terry Robinson, Beth Curtis, Carol Tremble
Public: Anne Zolotas-Selectboard in person
Recording begun:
Called to order at 3:00 by Sandy G.
Architect’s Report: Rebecca Arnold – Arnold & Scangas Architects, Inc. (A&S) reported:
All final architecture & engineering docs will be completed by end of March.
DuBois & King electric docs complete. Note: required upgrade in exterior light fixtures to be water-
proof: changed out gooseneck school globe fixture for black original gooseneck fixture. Group
approved this changed as required by regulations. Jenna L. noted change and will note this upgrade
to the process as FYI and very minor and not requiring further NPS review.
Rebecca continues to work on specs.
Michael C. asked Rebecca to get an estimate on 2 artist renderings of what the interior 1st floor
meeting space would look like in the following iterations: 1. General meeting/lecture with chairs &
podium; 2. Special event such as small wedding or family event with round tables & chairs. Both
renderings should include a few people for scale, and firm maximum capacity number. Final
renderings due by Feb 20th if possible.
ADD Q&A re capacity of meeting room with comparison between Worthen Community Room and
SHMH Community Space. Sandy G. will contact Keagan for Library specifics.
National Park Service (NPS) Review Status & NBRC updates – Jenna L. reported that she heard
from NPS and as of today our project has been approved to move to State Historical Preservation
review – Caitlin Corkins. The NPS approval comes with no further conditions besides moving the
exterior HVAC units to the west side of the building. Cheers from all! Thank you, Jenna, for keeping
on top of this approval what with all the confusion at the Federal Government level. Jenna will notify
NBRC. Additionally, Jenna will notify NBRC when the project gets approved by VTSHP.
Jenna noted that NBRC needs NEPA to be completed. 2nd round of testing will have deliverables to
us by March 30th. That should complete NEPA.
Jenna will review the 100% Architect & Engineering docs and, providing no other changes, will be
able to “check a box” in the total review process.
Andy J. stated that all funding has to be in-hand in order to sign any contractor contracts.
Jenna L. again reminded the group to talk with NBRC about a “Partial Notice To Proceed”.
The Build Committee can begin putting together Bid Docs but CANNOT send them out quite yet.
Rebecca A. said A&S will help to put the Bid Docs together as part of their next contract work. TASK:
Build Committee to set a date to get together and discuss next steps.
Contract #1 Bruhn Grant work – invoices must track to described work under this grant.
Contract #2 Exterior work – invoices must track to the Grants that are supporting this work.
Contract #3 Interior work – invoices must track to the Grants that are supporting this work.
Anne Z. stated that the project appears to be proceeding as though the funding will all happen.
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Mary H. stated we do need to work on a ‘Plan B’. That could include the Town going for funding
either through a Bond Vote or Bridge Loan if all work to be covered by the Loan happens within a
one-year period. Sandy G. said the group has begun researching the possibilities and in any case the
Selectboard will need to approve any Town funding beyond what is already designated. David C.
tasked with follow-up.
Financial Report: No report available from Kim Julow-Town Treasurer as she is recuperating from
knee replacement surgery, get well soon, Kim!
Grant Status:
Save America’s Treasures: Mary H. reported she spoke with Welch’s office and they are holding to
the 2025 Congressional Budget being passed that contains Congressional Discretionary Spending
(CDS) funds that cover our Save America’s Treasures Grant of $400,000.
Northern Borders Regional Commission Grant – General discussion around this grant. NBRC
requires “Match Cost-Share” Document. The committee needs to feel confident in this document. To
that end yesterday a Zoom was held with just Jenna L, Mary H., Andy J., Sandy G, and Sue A
attending for discussion about the spreadsheets prepared by Jenna L. Follow-up will happen over the
next 2 weeks.
Easement Update: the Bruhn Grant requires a short-term easement as part of accepting the
$100,000 grant. Meg Campbell-PTVT has all the information needed to create the 1st Draft Contract
with the Town. When this comes it needs to be reviewed by the Selectboard.
South Hero Foundation (SHF) Report: SHF wishes to thank all Donors in support of preserving the
1816 Old White Meeting House and making it usable for generations to come. Have taken in almost
$5,000 in donations since January 1st.
Publicity:
The weekly FPF post will contain updated amount raised by SHF. Sandy G. is tasked with this.
Old Business:
• Brownfields: Rebecca A.-Arnold & Scangas reported that the 2nd round of testing WorkPlan
(SSQAPP) has been approved and deliverables will make the contracted date of March 30th.
Cost is covered by the Brownfields Funds through Northwest Regional Planning Commission.
New Business:
Build America Buy America Act (BABAA) compliance must be clear. At the last meeting handouts
were distributed. See: https://www.commerce.gov/oam/build-america-buy-america . Any project
receiving Federal funds over the minimum of $250,000 requires BABAA compliance. Reminder:
NBRC Grant is for $500,000. There needs to be agreement on who will track this compliance.
Involvement should include: Build Committee, Architect, Kim J.-Town Treasurer, Andy J.-LCIEDC at
minimum.
Next Meeting: Thurs, FEB 20,2025 at 3:00 PM at the Town Office Meeting Room or via ZOOM
Adjourned at 3:48 PM: Motion to adjourn by Michael C, second by Pamela S., vote was unanimous.
Recording ended.
Respectfully submitted by Sandy Gregg, Scribe