Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday June 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM
South Hero Town Hall
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), Ross Brown, David Carter, Anne Zolotas
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: Janet Yates Town Clerk, Martha Taylor-Varney ZA and SB assist. Also see sign in sheet.
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 pm
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– add to New Business: discuss roadside mower
-add at end of meeting: Executive session to discuss personnel matters
3. Minutes:
-David Carter made a motion to approve the minutes of May 11 and May 14, 2020. The motion was seconded, Anne Zolotas abstained, the others in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Everett Dubuque was present to discuss delinquent taxes. Since he is the delinquent tax collector, it is up to him to negotiate with the landowner. Should he not be able come to decision with the landowner, then the landowner may appeal to the Board of Civil Authority.
5. New Business:
A. Terry Robinson, Cathy Merrihew and Ron Phelps were present to discuss a proposal to move and restore an old tourist cabin that was formerly at the South Hero Inn (now Community Bank). A possible location mentioned was the grass area where the former white fire building was at the west side of the Old White Meeting House. More information will be necessary and will be at a future meeting.
B. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign the contract for the Grand Isle County Sheriff contract, as budgeted. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. David Carter made a motion to adopt the Vermont Local Government Resolution (as presented by VLCT Synopsis: The Vermont League of Cities and Towns has joined the National League of Cities’ campaign to lobby Congress for direct federal aid to cities and towns throughout the country. The VLCT Board voted to participate in the campaign financially and through active advocacy. We will forward all of the resolutions to Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch). The motion was seconded, Jonathan Shaw voted no, the others in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
D. The roadside mower has broken many times and now has a damaged transmission. It may not be worth repairing. A new mower is approx. $85,000.00-$100,000.00. David Carter made a motion to authorize road the foreman, John Beaulac, to spend up to $50,000.00 from the equipment replacement fund on a used mower he has located. 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.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. none at this meeting
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. see other business
9. Other Business:
A. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign orders 20-24, 20-25 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. There is now a paid employee for South Hero Rescue. Currently she will work 24 hours/week.
C. The Planning Commission has 2 openings. Any interested resident may submit a letter of interest.
D. The name “White’s Beach” was discussed. It was suggested that the Recreation Commission and the Historical Society decide on wording for a sign to explain the name.
E. Anne Zolotas made a motion to go into executive session at 8:00pm for personnel matters. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Executive session ended at 8:25 pm. No action was taken after executive session.
10. Adjournment:
-David Carter made a motion to adjourn 8:26 pm. 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 June 8, 2020
Discussion Items:
1. Local Motion is anticipating an opening date for the bike ferry to be in July – actual date TBA. This will coincide with the completion of repairs to the causeway. The ferry will operate daily rom July through Labor Day, then on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September 11 to October 12. Hours of operation will be 10AM to 6PM.
2. I am working from the office full-time now.
Planning Commission:
The Planning Commission is meeting at the Town Office with proper social distancing and mask protocols. They will meet outside as weather permits. Meetings that anticipate larger groups (public meetings or “hot topic” meetings will continue to be held over Zoom.
Discussion includes refining some definitions in the Regulations (industry/light industry), reviewing new and updated zoning application forms, a food truck ordinance, a junk ordinance, and underused public spaces. The next PC meeting will be June 17 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Development Review Board:
– The DRB has 2 hearings on June 10 that will be held by Zoom. A June 24 hearing is scheduled to be held at the Town Office as I don’t anticipate there will be more than the Board and the Applicant attending. Future hearings may need to be scheduled 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