Town of South Hero
Meeting House – Preserve & Revitalize Project
Date: THURSDAY, May 8, 2025
Time: 3:10 PM In person at Town Office or via Zoom
Attendees: David Carter-Chair, Anne Zolotas-Selectboard, Michael Carroll, Pamela Surprenant, Sue
Arguin- Town Administrator, Andy Julow – LCIEDC, Mary Harwood, Sandy Gregg.
Via ZOOM: Jenna Lapachinski – Preservation Trust Vermont (PTVT), Rebecca Arnold – Arnold
& Scangas Architects
Absent: Sarah Kjelleren, Terry Robinson, Beth Curtis, Carol Tremble
Public: None
Recording began at 3:10PM (WiFi trouble getting started, OWL sound was troublesome also)
Called to order at 3:10 by David C.
Architect’s Report: Rebecca Arnold – A&S reported:
A..State Assistant Fire Marshall, Chris Boyd, met with Michael C., Rebecca A., and David C.
on Monday May 5 to walk through the Meeting House. The Fire Marshall said the architect’s plans
are good with the following notes:
2nd Floor: he would like to see a door added in the center wall on the north end that would allow for
faster egress to the 2nd floor back fire escape. Task: Rebecca said she would run this by Jenna L. for
any historic issues as it would require a small section of the original chalkboard to be cut away.
1st floor center door to Community Hall revealed while removing small section of wall for examination.
The Fire Marshall informed the group that there is paint that could be used on the historic wooden
door that would add 2 hours of time for safe escape. Task: Rebecca A. will add that paint to specs.
Fire Marshall also advised a possible partnership with the new VT Construction Academy could
help with the north temporary roof structure he requires over the back entrance. Tasked: Michael
C./and Mike Welsh, Build Committee to contact and report back at next meeting. Mary H. noted that
Chris Welsh (Mike Welsh’s son) is heading up this new Academy.
B. DuBois & King: still have not heard from them about not doing the 2nd floor. Task: Rebecca to
follow-up by next meeting. Question about electrical panel location.
C. Bid Docs will need to be revised to reflect new Project prioritizing foundation & stabilization
and the 1st floor. The 2nd floor will be put on hold for now. The Budget also needs to be
revised to reflect the new scope of work. Follow-up meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00 AM with Build Committee and Rebecca.
Bruhn Grant Status Update – Jenna L., Preservation Trust VT: Jenna L. stated the Bruhn
$100,000 funding is in the US Treasury. The grant has not been denied. Therefore, include it in the
funding stack needed to match the NBRC Catalyst Grant. Jenna cautioned that before the Town is
ready to sign a contract check with her to be sure the funds are still available. Jenna also stated she
will be ready to approve the new scope of work and budget
4. Town Financial Report: $223,073.31 (includes designated ARPA funds & voter’s $150,000).
5. Other Grant Status Reports:
• Mary H. reported there are currently no other grant applications in the works.
6. Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) Grant Update; Andy Julow stated; Our
priority is to get the Amendment in to NBRC that describes the Scope of Work for the revised
Project and the revised Budget. TASK: Sandy G., Sue A. and Andy will see that this is done
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before the next meeting (May 22). Andy added that the Town could also get a one year extension
on the Sources document if needed.
7. South Hero Foundation (SHF) Report: Michael C. reported the SHF has agreed to increase the
grant amount to $80,000. This will help to reduce the funding gap.
8. Project Updates: Build Committee: Meeting set for Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00 AM with
Rebecca and full Build Committee to clarify what needs to be updated in the Bid Docs to
reflect the new revised Project.
9. Old Business:
A. Brownfields: Town Maintenance
• Lead ground water testing: Greta Brunswick – NBRC will take the KAS estimate before her
Board on Monday May 19 to see if they will approve funding to cover this 3rd round of testing.
Reminder: there are no Federal or State clean-up funds available as they have been exhausted.
• Greta would like the Town to form a special group to follow-up with the Lead Contamination. She
has requested that in addition to herself and Jeremy Roberts-KAS that 2 additional Town
representatives take part. Both David C. and Anne Z. agreed to be included. TASK: Greta will
follow-up to set-up a meeting.
• Asbestos clean-up: Sue A. is getting 3 estimates.
B. Historical Preservation Project or Not? Thanks to Anne Zolotas, the Highway Dept. and the
Selectboard for committing $82,270 in regular employee hours to do assigned work toward this
project. These committed in-Kind dollars allow the Town to reach the 1-to-1 Match required for
the NBRC Grant. Therefore, the revised project is fully funded to proceed in an Historic
Preservation mode. This is a savings to our taxpayers since the Town will NOT be going for a
line of credit to meet the match!
10. New Business: None
11. Next Meeting: Thurs, May 22,2025 at 3:00 PM at the Town Office Meeting Room or via ZOOM
12. Adjourned at 4:35 PM: Recording ended.
Respectfully submitted by,
Sandy Gregg, Scribe
802-372-4565