Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday May 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, David Lane, Vice-Chairman, Skip Brown/Board Secretary, Steve Robinson, Anne Zolotas
Board Members Not Present:
Other Town personnel + public present: Sue Arguin, TA. Also see sign in sheet.Attendance 2026-05-11-2026
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 April 28, 2026. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Sandy Gregg and Sarah Kjelleran were in attendance to present a large prop check from the South Hero Foundation to the Town in the amount of $105,000.00. This money was raised to help pay for the restoration of the Old South Hero White Meeting House. Photos were taken of the presentation and the Board appreciates the work done.
5. New Business:
A. Hayden Jones and Donald Bedard of CBNA were in attendance to discuss government banking options for the Town. Hayden presented a “slide show”. See Attached *Board Presentation 5.11.26. Currently the Town mostly banks with TD Bank, but has a borrowing relationship with other banks. The Treasurer will be looking into the possibility of changing the Town’s banking options.
B. Peter Zamore of the Wastewater Committee (WW) discussed some updates:
-The committee has discussed hiring Weston & Sampson engineering firm to identify the potential additional wastewater capacity on the Lavin parcel. The firm will consider the best way to utilize the capacity, whether by using traditional mound or drip systems. The contract presented is for $59,190.00 and has been approved by the DEC. This work has to be complete by Sept. 30, 2026. David Lane made a motion to approve the contract and have the Chairman sign it. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
-The WW is applying for earmark funds from the federal Senators. They are also looking into the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) for funding. Additional funding from NBRC cannot be applied for until the exiting grant funds for the OSHMH are spent. They will look into a possible exemption for this matter.
-The Lavin Property Vision committee will meet monthly to continue discussions. There is now a web page on the Town site, www.southhero.org.
-The Board acknowledges and appreciates the work of Peter and the committee for this project.
6. Town Administrator (TA) and Zoning Administrator (ZA) Reports:
A. See attached with these minutes
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. There is no update on the potential purchase of the small parcel to the East of the new Town Hall.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. The Board acknowledges receiving a letter from the Todd Chagnon regarding the Dubuque Lane Right Of Way (ROW). The Board has researched the ROW and has hired an attorney to clarify the use of the ROW. Mr. and Mrs. Chagnon have received the latest attorney correspondence and do not seem to accept the attorney’s determination. At this point, if someone is trespassing on their property outside of the ROW they should contact the Grand Isle Sheriff.
B. The delinquent tax list was presented and the Board initialed it acknowledging it’s receipt.
9. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign the orders 26-23 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:
-Some potholes have been filled with cold patch.
-A culvert was installed on Station Rd.
-The new bike route signs have been installed.
-General vehicle maintenance is ongoing.
-David Lane mentioned that a car hit a sign and bent the post just to the West of the sharp uphill curve on West Shore near his house. The Road Dept will look into straightening it.
E. Lister Updates: Appraisals are starting up again.
F. Old South Hero Meeting House (OSHMH) update: See above. Also note that the building is now lifted off of the foundation to begin to fix rotted sills. The building will be moved to the North soon to fix the foundation and to excavate the contaminated soil.
G. Lavin Property update: See above
H. Town Hall Committee update: See https://southherovt.org/town-office-building-committee/ Two recent change orders have been issued. One is for more money and one is for a credit.
I. Tree Warden Update: none at this meeting
J. New Town Park updates: The parking area will be staked out soon.
K. Liquor License/Mobil vendor applications:
– Steve Robinson made a motion to approve Mobil Vendor license application from Gerber Rodriguez (Taco Truck) that will be at Two Heros occasionally. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
10. Adjournment:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 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
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May 11, 2026 ZA’s report to the SB
1. The appeal to the ZA’s approval of a boundary adjustment at 341 West Shore
Rd. has been settled between the parties.
2. Mitchel Richardson’s appeal of the DRB’s denial of his site plan amendment and
conditional use review continues to stand as he has a separate application for a
3-lot subdivision review pending before the Board.
3. There is a Planning and Zoning Spring Forum on June 10 that will include
information on Municipal Planning Grants, in addition to a review of the 2026
Legislative Session and the legal roles and responsibilities of Development
Review Boards. The hybrid session will be both in-person at Lake Morey Resort
or virtual.
Planning Commission
The Commission is finalizing updates to the De4velopment Regulations, which include
clarifications to setbacks, measuring building height, natural grade/pre-construction
grade, and additions required by the HOME Act and Act 181.
Development Review Board
The Board’s schedule on May 13 includes 3 hearings — the continuation of the site
plan/conditional use review for the White Meeting House from February 25, a continued
setback waiver review from April 22, and Mitchel Richardson’s 3-lot subdivision at 138
Ferry Rd.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA