Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday July 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM
South Hero Town Hall
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), Ross Brown, Anne Zolotas, David Carter
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: Janet Yates Town Clerk, Martha Taylor-Varney ZA and SB assist. Also see sign in sheet on file SB July 13 sign in
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 pm
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– Remove from New Business: C. Set tax rate
-Add to Other Business: Update Emergency Operation Plan and review Errors and Omissions
3. Minutes:
-Ross Brown made a motion to approve the minutes of June 22, 2020. The motion was seconded, David Carter abstained, the others in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Several residents were in attendance about the parking issue at White’s Beach. As a summary only:
-Jerry Robinson has questioned cars with no permits and has heard many excuses and assumptions on why permits are not required. Enforcement has been lax this season. Social Distancing may not be followed.
-Janine Bellinghiri thinks that the Town should be more pro-active.
-Bonny Rocheleau is concerned about lack of social distancing, speeding and lack of respect from beach users.
-Dylan Degree thinks that the signage is not clear. Carry in/carry out garbage rules are not being honored. The porta-potties are gross. There seem to be a lack of enforcement. Boats seem to come close to the swim area. Should there be buoys farther out?
-Tina Gallagher sees garbage left behind.
-Mark Rocheleau thinks that towing of cars without stickers should be added to the ordinance. He is concerned about not being allowed to have guns for hunting when not using the beach but launching a boat. The ordinance has specific wording about guns and would not restrict hunting.
These are just some of the comments and concerns. Note that since there is not a clear entrance or exit for the beach and that the whole area, where there is signage is considered White’s Beach, not just the fenced area. There appear to be enough signs, but they seem to be ignored. Fewer stickers were sold this year as compared to last year. For short term solutions, the Grand Isle County Sheriff will be asked to step up patrols and volunteers or beach stewards will hopefully be found to educate people when the Sheriff is not available. The porta-potties are supposed to be serviced twice a week. Janet will confirm that this is happening. The Recreation Commission and Selectboard will consider modifications to the ordinance if there continue to be issues as described.
5. New Business:
A. Wrenegade Sports inquired about holding small bike events leaving from Snow Farm Vineyard. As long as they meet State guidelines in place at the time of an event, it could happen.
B. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign the contract with Bay State Elevator for the Worthen Library at $1500.00/year for 5 years. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. See the report on www.southherovt.org or filed with these minutes.
B. David Carter made a motion to make a minor change to Table 2.1 “Accessory Uses” from permit (P) by the ZA to needing conditional use/site plan review (C/S). The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. Possible locations for the Tourist Cottage were discussed.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. See other business
9. Other Business:
A. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign orders 21-01 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. David Carter made a motion to approve the amended liquor license for Snow Farm Vineyard. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. David Carter made a motion to increase the salaries of employees by 2% as budgeted. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
D. David Carter made a motion to accept the errors and omissions for lot MR055 from $6000.00 to $4000.00 as submitted by the Listers. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
E. David Carter made a motion to accept the errors and omission for lot SS051 as submitted by the Listers from $148,200.00 to $158,200.00. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
F. David Carter made a motion to review, approve and sign the updated Emergency Operation Plan for the Town. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
10. Adjournment:
-Skip Brown made a motion to adjourn 8:30 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown Jonathan Shaw, Chairman
Administrative Officer’s Report to Selectboard July 13, 2020
Discussion Items:
1. Town Landfill well testing – vhb agreed to edits to the access agreements.that were sent to landowners for further testing of wells identified to be within 1 mile of the landfill. The original drafts included a hold harmless that required the property owners to compensate vhb for time spent or expenses incurred by vhb in defense of any claims against them. The 3 landowners, including the Town, who had responded so far (out of 6 total) had all objected to the clause. Vhb asked me to attempt to again contact the 3 landowners who had not yet responded with the updated agreement.
2. VCDP Planning Grant – Cathedral Square is preparing the requisition form in GEARS and will be sending that to me for my and Jonathan’s review. They are also completing a closeout report, for which they will need a Work Product Certification letter from the Town (I will be getting more information about that). The Champlain Islands Senior Housing Project was also awarded $1.3M from the VT Housing Conservation Board in mid-June. In addition, Cathedral Square also plans to request to VCDP a full implementation grant (as opposed to another planning grant). Both the closeout of the current Planning Grant and the application for the Implementation Grant require public hearings. The Planning Grant must be closed out before they can apply for the Implementation Grant. The deadline for the Implementation Grant is September 8th. Cathedral Square needs approval from the Town to apply for this. They are asking if they can be on the SB’s agenda for the August 24th meeting to hold 2 public meetings — for the closeout of the Planning Grant and the application for the Implementation Grant. Cathedral Square will handle warning both the public hearings in the Islander. (Timeline in email)
Planning Commission:
The Planning Commission is meeting at the Town Office with proper social distancing and mask protocols. They continue to discuss whether to further define ‘industry’ and expect to have a recommendation to the Selectboard soon. They voted at their July 1 meeting to ask the SB to approve a minor change to Table 2.1 (Allowed Uses) for “Accessory Uses” under the heading of “Commercial Uses. Their July 1st meeting also included a public meeting, via Zoom, asking for feedback on whether there is a need for a junk ordinance in South Hero. Discussion on responses from that meeting will continue at the Commission’s July 15 meeting.
Development Review Board:
– The DRB has scheduled hearings currently through the end of August. I anticipate that this will continue well into the Fall. All hearings are being held via Zoom.
– Recent DRB hearing decisions can be found posted on the Board outside the ZA’s office.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor Varney, ZA and Selectboard Assistant