Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of December 9, 2019
South Hero Town Hall, Monday 6:00 PM
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), Anne Zolotas, David Carter, Sharon Roy
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: Janet Yates, Town Clerk/Treasurer and Martha Taylor Varney, ZA & SB Assistant. Also, see sign in sheet.
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called by Chairman Shaw at 6:00 pm
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– none
3. Minutes:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to accept the minutes of November 25, 2019 as written. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. none
5. New Business:
A. Attorney Matthew Little was present to advise the Board on Dubuque Lane. Dubuque Lane is a private road, but the Town has a deeded 50’ easement to west at the eastern boundary. This allows ingress and egress to the former landfill property at the end of Dubuque Lane that the Town owns. This easement was established in 1981 before there was development of any property on the road. The access along this easement is not restricted and may be used by anyone who approaches the property at the end. This easement has not changed since it was established.
After Mr. Little finished his presentation, there were questions on why the Town will not restrict access. As of now, there are no plans to change what has previously been done. Sheriff Ray Allen says that he would like clarification, since there is public access on the private road, that the police should have jurisdiction to enforce traffic laws. More information will be at a future meeting after consulting with an attorney.
B. Ken Kowalewitz presented the proposed Worthen Library budget. The total budget request is $135,600.00, of which $95,600.00 is asked to be raised by taxes.
C. Members of the Cemetery Commission presented the proposed budget for the South Hero Cemetery. The total budget request is $11,888.50 of which $5000.00 is asked to be raised by taxes.
D. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign the updated Purchasing Policy for the Town. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
E. The grant from VCDP for the proposed senior housing was awarded. Cathedral Square will be administering the grant, but the Town has 2 parts to complete. Martha will forward the Town portion to the Board members and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. See the report on www.southherovt.org or filed with these minutes.
B. David Carter made a motion to re-appoint Nate Hayward and Tim Maxham to the DRB for 3 year terms. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. David carter made a motion to hire Sam Hilliker as assistant to the Zoning Administrator. Note that this position was budgeted for. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. The 2020/2021 budget was worked on.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. There will be a special Selectboard meeting on December 16, 2019, as there will not be a meeting on December 23, 2019. Also, there will be a public hearing before the Selectboard to discuss the updated zoning bylaws on January 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm at the Worthen Library.
9. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign orders 20-12 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
10. Adjournment:
-David Carter made a motion to adjourn 8:17pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown Jonathan Shaw, Chairman
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Administrative Officer’s Report to Selectboard Dec. 9, 2019
Discussion Items:
1. One letter of interest submitted for Town rep to NRPC, but the scheduled meeting times may not work. One person interested in the Alternate position on the DRB who will be attending the 12/11 meeting to get further information. I hope to have a recommendation for this position for the Board at their next meeting. No applicant yet for the Clean Water Advisory Board, although Amanda Holland of NRPC tells me that this committee will be reorganized in the next few months and new members are not being recruited right now.
2. DRB members Nate Hayward and Tim Maxham have requested to each be reappointed for another 3-year term to the DRB. Their current terms end on December 31st, 2019.
3. I received a letter of interest and resume from Sam Hilliker for the Asst. ZA position and would like to recommend the Selectboard appoint her.
4. NRPC Zoning Roundtable in St. Albans on Dec 12 from 9:30 to 3. I will be attending.
5. The Town was awarded the Agency of Commerce and Community Development planning grant for $60,000 for proposed senior housing in South Hero. Cathedral Square will administer the grant and will be working on the award conditions. The Municipal Policies and Codes document will need to be adopted by the Selectboard. A VCDP Anti-Displacement Plan must also be adopted by the Town (copy provided). Can this be approved by the SB?
6. The 2020 Municipal Planning Grant application for a feasibility grant for town-wide septic and water was denied.
-Planning Commission:
A. The PC completed a final draft of the proposed Development Regulations, reflecting the issues and changes resulting from of the October 2nd public meeting. Final editing and format issues will be completed on 12/10 and sent electronically to SB members this week. The SB scheduled their public hearing for the Development Regulations for January 6 at 6PM at the Town Office. This will be a SB Special Meeting. In order to meet the required minimum 15-day warning for the hearing, I will be submitting a warning to the Islander at the end of this week, in addition to adjoining Towns, NRPC, and other required recipients. The final draft will appear on the Town website and I’ve asked that it be referenced on the home page rather than under ‘Zoning.’
-Development Review Board: There will be no second DRB meeting in December due to Christmas. December 11 will have a sketch plan review for a 2-lot subdivision, a site plan amendment, and another variance request. Another site plan amendment has already been scheduled for January 8th, in addition to a 3-lot subdivision. Recent decisions can be found posted on the Board outside the ZA’s office.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney