Regular Selectboard Meeting
Minutes of Meeting of April 14, 2025
South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom, Monday 7:00 PM
Board Present via Zoom and in person : David Carter, Steve Robinson, David Lane, Anne Zolotas
Board Not present: Graham “Skip” Brown
Others Present: Sue Arguin: Town Administrator. Also, see sign in sheet of in person and Zoom attendees. *
1. Called to Order: The meeting was called to order by David Carter at 7:00 PM.
2. Adjustments to Agenda: None
3. Minutes:
-Steve Robinson made a motion to accept the minutes of meeting of March 24, 2025, as written. The motion was seconded by David Lane. The motion was seconded, all in attendance voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input: Doug Patterson spoke about his concerns about Anne’s purchase presentation during the March 24th, 2025, meeting. Please see the attached sheet regarding his concerns and further questions he had for the board. After such a discussion he was told that we would be looking up answers for him and that we didn’t have any answers that night.
5. New Business:
A. South Hero Meeting House discussion with Sandy Gregg and audience. Before Sandy started David Carter told everyone about the KAS findings of lead contaminants in the soil around the property. He said that due to the depth of information that the committee had recently been provided, he would need 2 weeks to absorb all the information. Sandy clarified what the funds that are available at this time for the renovation of the South Meeting House. She told everyone that the Bruhn Grant, which is a historical grant, has given the town until May 15, 2025, to decide whether they wanted to move forward with the current plan to renovate the Meeting House. She fielded questions from the audience about funds, future plans for the building, the process for phase 1 & 2 and why a historical plan was made. There were many questions answered and at the end of the discussion, everyone agreed that offering an informational meeting for the residents of South Hero would be important to do and there should be one scheduled soon. Please see South Hero Meeting House Revised Budget as of March 30, 2025.
B. Green Up Day Dumpster for the Conservation Committee needed to be ordered and placed at the Folsom School where John Beaulac would mark on where exactly to set it. Steve Robinson motioned to get a dumpster and have it delivered to Folsom and Anne Zolotas seconded it. Ross Brown said it needed to be there by the 3rd of May.
C. Policies that were approved were the Reconciliation & Journal Entry Policy, Payroll Biweekly Payments Policy, Grant Review & Approval Policy, Credit Card Policy, Cash Receipts, Petty Cash, and Returned Check Policy and the Board of Abatement Policy. Anne Zolotas made the motion to approve, and Steve Robinson seconded.
D. There was a motion from David Lane to reinstate Carol Tremble, Rosemary Zamore, Jessica Jackson as Treasurer and add Lucy Lane to the Recreation Commission. Anne Zolotas seconded, and motion carried.
E. Update on the purchase of the Lavin Property from David Carter. He said all went well that past Wednesday and the people present at the closing were Bob Rushford, our Attorney, Lavin’s Attorney, Jeff Wick along with Jeff Sikora, Nate Hayward, Peter Zamore and himself. He said all closing documents go into an escrow and copies are sent to the Vermont Environmental Conservation Organization for them to review for the ARPA rules. The review process happens within 60 days from the closing date and then funds will be dispersed. The Town purchased Lots 1,4,5,6,7 and 8 equally 96 acres of land. There are still funds left over to do wastewater designs. David wanted South Hero Residents to know that Peter Zamore and Nate Hayward were amazing in this process and spent countless hours working on this and he was very thankful.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. Martha Taylor-Varney submitted her report and please see attached.
B. Sue Arguin mentioned that the resident that owns across from the salt shed, Jeff Thill would like to be part of the conversation about what kind of trees would be planted. He’s planning on being in town around May 22nd.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. There were a few liquor licenses to approve such as Victoria’s for a First-Class License, Blue Paddle for a First Class, 3rd Class & Outside Consumption, Anne made motion to approve, and Steve seconded. Snow farm Vineyard (David Lane abstained) requesting a First and Third Class along with outside consumption license, Steve Robinson made the motion to accept, and Anne Zolotas seconded it. Apple Island Marina requesting 2nd Class License, Little Red Truck (Rest Stop) to obtain an outside consumption license and Keeler Bay Variety for a 2nd Class, tobacco and tobacco substitute license. David Lane made first motion, and Anne Zolotas seconded it.
B. There were no mobile vendor licenses applications to approve.
8. Other Business and announcements:
A. Steve Robinson made a motion to sign orders #25-21. The motion was seconded by David Lane, all in attendance voted and the motion carried.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer update: None
C. Recreation Commission update: None
D. Road Dept. update: Anne said they are still in the beginning to get estimates for repairs to the exterior of the highway building. She also said the highway department has been busy replacing culverts also.
E. Lister Updates: Sue Arguin reported that the Assessors have been in town the past few weeks and things are progressing well.
F. Wastewater update: Update on Lavin Purchase (see above)
G. Town Hall project update: 30 days are up and Anne said they have just had a meeting that day. They are working on getting prepared a timeline together for the different stages of the project and costs associated with it.
H. Tree Warden updates: none
10. Adjournment:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to adjourn at 8:37 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,  Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Susan Arguin, Town Administrator David Carter, Chair