Town of South Hero
Meeting House – Preserve & Revitalize Project
Date: THURSDAY, March 12, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM In person at Town Office or via Zoom
Attendees: David Carter-Chair, , Carl Frenning-Build Committee, Rebecca Arnold – Arnold & Scangas
Architects, Sarah Kjelleren, Mary Harwood, Sue Arguin-Town Administrator, Sandy Gregg
Via ZOOM: None
Absent: Russ Stratton-Build Committee, Carol Tremble, Andy Julow LCIEDC, Terry Robinson, Paula
Bagger, Anne Zolotas-Selectboard
Public: Mandy Hotchkiss – Blue Paddle Bistro
Called to order at 3:30 PM by David C.
Changes to the Agenda: Add approval of invoice Harwood Consulting to New Business
Public Comments : Mandy Hotchkiss – Blue Paddle Bistro (BPB) stated project concerns:
Noise: Will there be any jack hammer type noise when we are open? Dinner time serves 4:00 – 8:00 PM,
and will possibly be open for lunch on certain days. When test pits were dug it was very loud and had to
close windows and turn up music inside. Construction work timeframe is Monday – Thursday 7:00 AM –
5:00 PM. There may be occasion when a subcontractor needs to work on Friday and they will be
instructed about noise & parking considerations by the General Contractor, Vermont HeavyTimber (VHT).
There was agreement on this issue.
Parking: Loosing many spaces around the Meeting House. David C. responded that staff and customers
will be able to park at the new gravel area to the west of the Town Office and it is a short walk to the
BPB. Also, there will be parking available when Granny’s Attic is not open and using the space in from of
the red building. A handful of parking spots will likely be available along the east side of the construction
site which will be clearly delineated with barricades and construction site tapping. Mandy stated she had
talked with the Sheriff’s office to be sure parking is allowed along RT 2 and they responded it is as long
as cars do not park across the line into traffic lane and also do not block driveways. There was
agreement on these solutions.
Restaurant Dumpsters: David C. described meeting with Nate Hayward -BPB property owner and
Mandy to walk around the area to the north of the BPB on the grass and identified where the Town will
move the dumpsters and fencing. There was agreement on this matter. John Beaulac – Town Highway
Dept will oversee the work. Edit: Town will pay for moving the dumpsters.
Dirt Piles: Mandy expressed concern about blowing dust. David C. replied it is required practice to place
the excavated dirt on tarps and cover the piles to keep dust from blowing. There was agreement on this.
Old Business:
• LEAD/KAS Update – Rebecca A reported that KAS will have the draft of the CAP plan emailed to
Sue A.-Town Admin, Rebecca A. etc. by end of tomorrow, Friday 3/13/26. As soon as she
receives the email Sue A. will email to the Selectboard. Sue will arrange with Skip B. to post a
Special Meeting of the SB to discuss and act on 2 items; 1. CAP Draft, and 2. Town Line Of Credit
to cover cash flow situations should they arise while the Town waits for reimbursements from
Grants.
• Pre-Construction Meeting: Rebecca A. Still need some information from VHT and should have
this by end of tomorrow. There is a strong likelihood a time extension on the project will be
required due to the added work.
• PRIORITY: Town still needs to contact Bob Neeld – Engineering Ventures and have a construction
contract for any visits, consulting during construction on an hourly/visit basis. Tasked to Sue A.
• Contract #2 Change of work order to include 2nd floor windows and fire exit door work is
needed from VHT. Quote should be in by end end of tomorrow.
2 of 2
• A&S Construction Contract: Rebecca Arnold needs to provide an estimate for A&S completion
of this project, i.e. the construction phase…weekly meetings on site etc. This will help with fund-
raising.
• Construction Sign Update: Sarah K. presented a draft based on changes suggested by Carl F.
a couple of minor suggestions were made. Motion by Carl F. to approve the Construction Sign
and Second by Sandy G. motion carried with the vote being unanimous. Sarah will email the
updated image to the group and after all agree the final approved Construction Sign will be
emailed to Jenna Lapachinski-PTVT for approval. Jenna L. will provide the physical sign.
Placement is inside the brick planter in front of the building.
• Town Line-of-Credit: Special Meeting called for Monday March 16,2026 at 7:00 PM to discuss
and vote on this. Brief discussion about raising the requested amount to $300,000 just to be safe.
It does not mean that amount will be tapped. Once approved, Kim J.-Town Treasurer will
investigate and report back to the SB on terms etc.
• DRB Update: Continuance is scheduled for May 13,2026 at 7:00 PM. David C. reported that he
and Sandy G.met with Jay Buermann – Buermann Engineering and went over the issues.
Lighting: Ballard lighting, hard-wired, will be added along the east side of the sidewalk of the parking area
and along the path leading toward the BPB. Schematic to be prepared by exterior lighting professional
and emailed to David C. who will email it to Jay & Sandy.
Porta-Potty(s) Placement: Jay was asked to provide a letter authorizing placement of the port-potty(s) as
positioned by A&S Architects and provided to Jay B.
Trash: There is no outside trash container planned. Trash will be all inside in regular interior trash cans.
A full Trash Plan will be provided to the DRB.
Exterior Sign: Placement of a sign to serve the whole site will be shown on the site plan.
Tree Plan: The site plan will be updated accordingly.
Entrance: Already approved by AOT for the Park will be shown.
5. New Business:
• Motion by Carl F. and Second by Sandy G.to approve Harwood Consulting Invoice #320, 3/12/26
in the amount of $975 for grant work on behalf of the Town for the Meeting House Project.
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 3:30 PM at Town Office or by ZOOM.
7. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Sandy G. and Second by Sarah K. Vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM
Respectfully submitted by, Sandy Gregg, Scribe Home phone: 802-372-4565