Selectboard Minutes
Special Meeting of Monday December 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, Skip Brown/Board Secretary, Steve Robinson, Anne Zolotas, David Lane
Board Members Not Present: n/a
Other Town personnel Present: Sue Arguin, TA, Kim, Julow, Treasurer. Also see sign in sheet. attached*
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 December 8, 2025. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. None
5. New Business:
A. The general Town Budget was worked on:
-School Board chair Rich Monterosso was present to discuss the capital needs at Folsom Educational and Community Center. Because the building is used by the Community and is also the designated emergency shelter, the Town budgets money for the building. Rich has asked if the Town can up the budget amount, since the amount has not changed for over 6 years. The existing heating boiler is over 50 years old and is in need of being updated. There may be a formula on how much money that the Town can fund, so an email has been sent to VLCT to get clarification. Keep in mind that due to the State method of funding education, South Hero collects approx. $2.00 for every $1.00 that stays in the Town. So, the more that the Town can fund, money will be saved in overall taxes.
-The general Town budget was reviewed line by line with the Treasurer and the Board.
B. 3 bids were received for the former South Hero VFD fire truck now parked at the Town Garage. The high bid received was $5435.00. TA, Sue Arguin will contact the winning bidder and make arrangements for transfer.
C. A Town of South Hero Mailbox Repair or Replacement Policy was discussed. Anne Zolotas made a motion to adopt the policy as noted: Town of South Hero Mailbox Repair or Replacement Policy
“Mailboxes are placed in the Town right of way as a courtesy and are not automatically repaired or replaced if they are damaged during road maintenance. (Residents are responsible for installing their mailbox to U.S. Post Office standards.)
If a mailbox that is properly installed and in good repair is physically struck by the Town’s plow truck, the town will provide a generic USPS approved mailbox/post replacement or reimburse the cost up to $50.00.
If the mailbox is improperly installed or is in poor condition and is knocked down by snow coming off the snowplow, the Town will not repair or replace the mailbox/post.
The Highway Foreman will evaluate each incident to determine if the Town will repair or pay for a mailbox replacement.”
The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
D. The lead abatement from the OSHMH building was discussed. KAS Environmental is still compiling information and more information will be at a future meeting.
6. Town Administrator (TA) and Zoning Administrator (ZA) Reports:
A. See the written report from the ZA attached below with these minutes.
B. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve and sign a grant award for the OSHMH. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. none at this meeting
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. There will not be a meeting on December 22, 2025. The next regularly scheduled meeting is January 12, 2026.
9. Other Business:
A. David Lane made a motion to sign the orders 26-13 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: See above
C. Recreation Commission (RC) update: See https://southherovt.org/rec/ for more info.
D. Road Department update: The final bill from Elite Construction was presented. Since sales tax was charged and is not due, the bill will be edited and re-submitted.
E. Lister Updates: The Town wide re-appraisal process has begun soon and letters have been sent to homeowners when inspections will begin in their area. There will not be any inspections in December. Now that the deed for the Town Park has been signed, the Listers should assign a value to the property that was conveyed and consider and E&O for the taxes paid. Also, there will need to be an E&O plus abatement when the current Craft Shop is torn down as taxes were assessed for the building.
F. Lavin Property updates: none at this meeting
G. Town Hall Committee update: See above and https://southherovt.org/town-office-building-committee/
H. Tree Warden Update: The removal of 2 ash trees on Whipple Rd. have been contracted to DJ’s Tree Service.
I. Anne Zolotas made a motion to go into executive session at 8:42 pm to discuss personnel and salary issues. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. A motion was made and executive session ended at 9:13 pm. After the executive session ended, the consensus of the Board was to present the data and to discuss the salaries offered with the employees that the consultant studied.
10. Adjournment:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to adjourn at 9:14 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown, Secretary David Carter, Chairman
Zoom recording link: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/A05L8_fbRCrfSI0OPx_sWiDQ4fkQuyVbc2ggQHsTSoz48FrfVutNYeDlYbSRKRY.jt3FgeJXltJijbjP
Passcode: J4p+RW@5