Town of South Hero
Meeting House – Preserve & Revitalize Project
Date: THURSDAY, April 10, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM In person at Town Office or via Zoom
Attendees: David Carter-Chair, Michael Carroll, Pamela Surprenant, Mary Harwood, Sue Arguin- Town Administrator, Andy Julow – LCIEDC, Rebecca Arnold-Arnold & Scangas Architects, Jenna Lapachinski-Preservation Trust VT (PTVT), Denise D’Abramo- PTVT
Sandy Gregg.
Via ZOOM: Paula Bagger, Jeremy Roberts -KAS
Absent: Sarah Kjelleren, Terry Robinson, Beth Curtis, Carol Tremble,
Public: Carl Frenning – Build Committee(arrived 3:30)
Recording began at 3:01PM
1. Called to order at 3:01 by David C.
2. Architect’s Report: Rebecca Arnold – Arnold & Scangas Architects, Inc. (A&S) reported:
• Just a few last minute items to clean-up. All Bid Docs have been submitted to Michael C. by the deadline. Bid Docs are 99.5% complete.
• Paint spec needs review.
• Tin ceiling South Bay 1st Floor: Suggest future plain design be added to visually tie into original design on ceiling in North Bay. Note: the tin ceilings may be a Value Engineering item. Jenna L. asked that a sample the emailed to her for approval to be sure it is visually compatible.
• BID DOC Attachments:
1. Procurement Standards TCRF200: TASK: Andy J. will provide “Procurement Requirements” to Sue A., Sandy G. & David C.
2. Davis Bacon & BABAA not applicable to Bruhn Grant. They are applicable to NBRC Grant work. Requires tracking wages at the Administration level and would fall on the Town Treasurer, Kim Julow, to track.
• Walk-Through with Fire Marshall TASK : Michael C. & Rebecca will coordinate this. Please let other members of the committee know when you have scheduled this walk-through, thanks.
• Fire Door & Delays: Rebecca A. said a 2 hour separation between the first & second floors is specced. The Fire Marshall will provide final information required fire rating on door between the 1st floor Community Hall and Foyer. There is an original wooden door there uncovered during sampling in the South Bay wall.
• Finally: Rebecca stated there needs to be tidying up coordination dates to go out to bid.
• Reminder: NBRC requires the project be fully funded to get a “Notice To Proceed” before going out to bid.
• Bidders will be required to pay for Bid Docs (This is a usual procedure) and costs are:
• $250 Hard Copy
• $150-200 PdF Copy
• For the Project, Town should plan on 1 set for Owner (Town), 1 for Architect, 1 for Consultant.
3. Updates – Jenna L., Preservation Trust VT: Bruhn Round 3 grants expire August 15,2025. This is our grant for $100,000. PTVT needs written confirmation from the Town that the Town is committed to follow through with the project by May 15th.
4. Town Financial Report: $223,073.31 (includes designated ARPA funds & voter’s $150,000).
5. Grant Status:
• Mary H. reported that she is still awaiting word from one local Foundation.
6. 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. Call 802-372-4565 or email Sandy G. for details how you can donate or visit: wwww.SouthHeroMeetingHouse.org . The SHF has reached the targeted amount of $70,000 to donate to the Town for this project.
7. Publicity:
• Thank you to Paula Bagger for volunteering to be a ‘Social Media’ person for the cause. Paula has setup Instagram and FaceBook accounts. TASK: Sandy G. get volcano story to Paula.
8. Brownfields: KAS’s Jeremy Roberts presented the 2nd round of soil test results. These results along with a report prepared by Jeremy will be sent to the State & EPA for review today. The Town can expect to hear from the State in 2 weeks after receiving that report with recommendations for how to proceed.
Jeremy R. stated where there is grass now, and results for lead higher than accepted by the State, soil will have to removed down to 18” and replaced with clean soil if grass is to be planted. If the entire area is covered with asphalt, thus encapsulating the lead, the asphalt cover would seal off the lead. Estimated cost of dispersal is $80 – $200 / T. Alternative when digging to 6 ft for foundation is to stockpile the soil on site, have it tested,
Sue A. asked if the Town Highway crew could do some of the work. Jeremy R. replied if they have hazmat certification they could. Sue A. will follow-up with John Beaulac.
David C. asked is this is unusual when working with an old building. Jeremy answered, “No.”
David C. asked if the Town did nothing and just walked away would the State require the Town to do anything? Jeremy answered, “Yes, the State would expect you remediate the lead.”
David C. asked Jeremy to provide rough estimate for different ways to approach the clean-up. Jeremy said he could get that to the Town by Monday April 14.
Reminder: The Town will have to contract with the Remediator and it would be funded with monies not designated to go towards the Meeting House Project.
Possible that a Town Highway Dept person is lead-certified to haul. Sue A. will find out.
9. Build Committee: No report
10. New Business: Motion by MichaelC. and Second by Sandy G. to pay Mary Harwood Consulting Invoice #298 for $435. Vote was unanimous. David C. will give to Kim Julow for payment.
11. Next Meeting: Thurs, April 24,2025 at 3:00 PM at the Town Office Meeting Room or via ZOOM
12. Adjourned at 4:15 PM: Motion to adjourn by Sandy G, second by Michael C., vote was unanimous. Recording ended.
Respectfully submitted by Sandy Gregg, Scribe