Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday August 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, Ross Brown/Vice Chairman, Skip Brown/Board Secretary, Anne Zolotas and Chuck Hulse
Board Members Not Present: none
Other Staff Present: Sue Arguin, Town Administrator. Also see sign in sheet of in person and Zoom attendees. *Attendance SB 2023-08-28-2023
1. Called to Order:
– The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carter at 7:08 pm. (The internet was down so meeting start was delayed.)
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
-Andy Julow will fill in for Donna Boumil
3. Minutes:
-Chuck Hulse made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2023. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. David Carter acknowledged and congratulated Jim Jones, who is the LCATV cameraman for the Selectboard meetings, as he has written a book and produced a video titled “Vermont’s Island Line Revisited” which is the story of the Rutland Railroad train line through the Islands.
5. New Business:
A. Andy Julow discussed the S.H.O.R.E. project. Since Donna Boumil has taken a leave of absence from LCIEDC, the project has been put on hold until the Spring of 2024. A route assessment will occur then. It was discussed that this assessment not be done until the Bike Ferry is up and running, as there is much more bike traffic when it is operating.
B. The inspection report for the current Town Hall was fairly comprehensive and noted many problems with the building. It was suggested that a structural engineer be hired to advise whether the building can be restored or if it at the end of its useful life. The committee to study the feasibility of moving the Town offices will advise the Board about hiring an engineer.
C. Bill Baron of the Grand Isle FD was present to discuss the possibility of hiring a countywide emergency coordinator accountable to the Grand Isle Mutual Aid Assoc, Inc. and the Local Emergency Planning Commission. He wishes to revisit a proposal originally written with some specifications in 2007. See attached *GICMAA Draft. The consensus of the Board is to pursue this proposal and would like to hear what the other County towns feel should happen at this time.
D. The Listers submitted an errors and omission for the former Sandbar Motel property as the buildings were torn down last year. Ross Brown made a motion to approve and sign the Errors and Omissions to reduce the assessment of the LPD Holdings property on Route 2 by $21,000.00. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
6. Town Administrator and ZA Reports:
A. See the written reports filed with these minutes (Below on the website or in Town Hall).
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. The Community Heart and Soul presentation from the last meeting was discussed. This phased program is a resident driven process that engages the population a Town as to what they love about their community and why they choose to live there. The consensus of the Board is that since the first three phases are community led by the Community Heart and Soul employees, and there are no costs to the Town, then the program should be supported.
B. Skip Brown made a motion to approve and have the Chairman sign the Memorandum of Understanding, as edited by the Granny’s Attic Group, between them and the Town. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. none at this meeting
9. Other Business:
A. Chuck Hulse made a motion to approve and sign the orders 24-05 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer updates: none
C. Recreation Commission (RC) update: The play set at White’s beach has been well received and gets a lot of use.
D. Road Department update: Clearing of trees for the salt shed occurred. There were complaints about the tree clearing from neighbors, but screening is planned when the project is completed.
E. Old South Hero Meeting House (OSHMH) project: no change since the last meeting
F. ARPA fund updates: none
G. Wastewater (WW) update: Archaeological studies are on hold for areas where test pits are anticipated to be dug because there are no inspectors available. A grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission that was applied for was not granted.
H. Town Hall Feasibility study committee: Read the minutes from that committee for more info.
10. Adjournment:
-Chuck Hulse made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown, Secretary David Carter, Chairman
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
August 28, 2023 ZA’s report to the SB
1. I have asked that the Selectboard schedule 2 public hearings at the September 25
meeting for naming new roads. One will be an existing right-of-way off Ferry road that
now serves more than 3 lots due to a recently approved DRB subdivision. The second
will be the existing right-of-way that serves the Keeler Bay Marina, again due to a
subdivision.
2. The Zoning 101 class will take August off and return on September 28 th .
3. The discussion on parking in the RT 2 breakdown lane has been added to the Class 1
Highway presentation at the September 29 Planning Commission meeting.
4. The Zoning Office will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, August 30-31. I will be back
in the office Tuesday morning, September 4 th .
Planning Commission
-The Planning Commission did not meet August 16. The next meeting will be September 6.
-The Planning Commission’s September 20 meeting will be a presentation by Matt Arancio of
Vermont AOT. The Selectboard and Road Supervisor, as well as the public, are encouraged to
attend. The meeting will be in the Town Office boardroom at 6PM.
Development Review Board
The DRB hearing schedule remains busy. The hearing for Pest Pro’s appeal to a notice of
violation was recessed from July 26 to September 13. Upcoming hearings include a 2-lot
subdivision at 269 US RT 2, a conditional use/site plan review for boat repair at 50 Ferry Rd.,
and a residential PUD on Station Rd.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA