Town of South Hero
Meeting House – Preserve & Revitalize Project
Date: THURSDAY, March 6, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM In person at Town Office or via Zoom
Attendees: David Carter-Chair, Michael Carroll, Pamela Surprenant, Mary Harwood, Sue Arguin- Town Administrator, Paula Bagger, Sandy Gregg.
Via ZOOM: Rebecca Arnold-Arnold & Scangas Architects, Andy Julow-LCIEDC
Absent: Sarah Kjelleren, Terry Robinson, Beth Curtis, Carol Tremble, Jenna Lapachinski- Preservation Trust VT
Public: None
Recording began at 3:04
Called to order at 3:04 by David C.
Architect’s Report: Rebecca Arnold – Arnold & Scangas Architects, Inc. (A&S) reported:
All final architecture & engineering docs & specs will be completed by end of March. Still no civil engineering docs received as of today. Rebecca will contact them (Paul Boisvert – through Bob Neeld-Engineering Ventures). All specs info due by end of March.
DuBois & King electric docs complete.
Rebecca continues to work on specs. There are 46 sections to the specs and she has completed 50%.
Rebecca needs upfront ‘Funder Requirements’ such as Davis Bacon, BABAA etc. Discussion followed. Concluded with group agreeing to email contracts to Rebecca and she will pull out these requirements. And/or, Rebecca can contact [email protected] . And also contact [email protected] (Jenna Lapachinski).
MichaelC.has received some spec info from Rebecca that he will share with the group.
David C. said we should go for bids as soon as we can. Once bids are received contact bidders and explain the possible year delay due to Congress not passing Congressional Discretionary Spending on Community Projects. Of course, Bidders cannot promise estimates made and good for only 90 days; but we will have a better idea of the real cost. Plus, we will be building a relationship with potential bidders by being up front with them.
Mary H. will investigate and report back at our next meeting how a one year delay would affect our grants.
From our last meeting:
Specs Info:
Invitation to Bid: Bidders will be required to pay for architectural docs & specs either hard copy and/or electronic copy.
Bidders will be asked for lump sum bid.
April 11,2025 deadline for bid docs specs.
Friday, April 18th at 9:30 AM required Pre-Bid conference & site visit at the project site.
May 9,2025 deadline to receive bids at the Town Office by noon.
B. Info for Bidders:
Bidders buy either electronic and/or hardcopy, non-refundable. Comes out of project reimbursable.
Bids will be addressed to “David Carter”-Chair.
Contract #1 – Paul Bruhn Grant Funding: Foundation & Stabilization ($100,000).
Contract #2 & #3 – NBRC requirements ($500,000, reimberseable), include BABAA.
C. Project Directory: Names of those in each project position with contact info. Will be supplied by General Contractor and Build Committee.
Attachment A – Paul Bruhn Grant
Attachment B – NBRC Grant Agreement
Attachment C – SAT Grant Agreement
Attachment D – BABAA
Owner Rep – Michael Carroll
Summary: Owner installs equipment (security cameras, TV monitor). Historic Park Service required signage will be handled by the Town.
Rebecca A. suggests we contact General Contractors, as many as possible, to give them a heads up this project is coming. Tasked to Build Committee.
Michael C. stated the bid docs and bid process will give the Town a better idea if the project estimate is reasonable.
Updates – Jenna L., Preservation Trust VT: Nothing to report at this time.
Town Financial Report: $225,243 (includes designated ARPA funds & Voter allocated $150,000).
Grant Status:
Mary H. reported no changes since last meeting. Exception is if project is delayed we could possibly go for a Cultural Facilities Grant (up to $30,000) in 2026/7 with electric upgrade, insulation etc. could be carved out. Mary will keep this in the hopper.
South Hero Foundation (SHF) Report: SHF wishes to thank all Donors in support of preserving the 1816 Old White Meeting House and making it usable for generations to come. Call 802-372-4565 or email Sandy G. for details how you can donate or visit: wwww.SouthHeroMeetingHouse.org
Publicity:
FPF posts will continue and others need to post, please. Sandy G. is limited to 2/month.
Thank you to Paula Bagger for volunteering to be a ‘Social Media’ person for the cause. Sandy G. apologized for her delayed response to Paula to get together and work out the FaceBook page for South Hero Old White Meeting House. (Note: they met the next day, Friday 3/7 and worked it through!).
Old Business:
Brownfields: KAS gathered ground soil tests on 2/27/25 as promised.
New Business:
David C. will investigate a Bridge Loan possibility. It would still require going before the public to get feedback with warned SB meetings and much SB discussion but does not require a vote. Such a Loan would act as real funds towards the required matches. The Town would not have to draw on the loan at all if private funding and all Federal grants come through. Reminder: the NBRC $500,000 grant was awarded by Congress in 2024. It is the SAT Grant $400,000 that may be in question in 2025.
Sue A. made all aware of NBRC Form 1002 that requires ‘Committed Match & Cost Share’. Sue will send Jenna L.’s massive spread sheets about the matching funds to Adrianne at NBRC and ask how to proceed.
Andy J. will email his full contract with the Town to Sue A. as she has to download it to the NBRC management site.
Next Meeting: Thurs, MAR 27,2025 at 3:00 PM at the Town Office Meeting Room or via ZOOM
Adjourned at 3:42 PM: Motion to adjourn by Sandy G, second by Pamela S., vote was unanimous. Recording ended.
Respectfully submitted by Sandy Gregg, Scribe