Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday May 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, David Lane/Vice Chairman, Skip Brown/Board Secretary, Steve Robinson, Anne Zolotas
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: See sign in sheet. *Attendance SB 2025-05-12-2025
1. Called to Order:
– The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Carter at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– none
3. Minutes:
-Steve Robinson made a motion to approve the minutes of April 14, 2025. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Sandy Gregg prepared a financial document regarding the Old South Hero Meeting House with the current fundraising and proposed expenses. See Attached *SHMH Project as of 5.7.25.
B. At the end of the meeting Doug Patterson asked about the status of something that he brought up regarding the salt shed a couple of meeting ago. It will be looked into.
5. New Business:
A. Kim Lord of the GMAA was present to discuss the Clarence Demar 5K race and the Champlain Islands ½ and full marathons. The Grand Isle Sheriff is aware of these races and will be doing some traffic enfocement.
-David Lane made a motion to allow use of the Folsom parking lot and allow the 5K Clarence Demar race to occur on July 4, 2025 from Folsom to just south of the junction of Whipple and West Shore Roads. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Note that South Street will be closed for a short time during this race approximately 8:30-9:00 am.
-Steve Robinson made a motion to allow use of the Folsom parking lot and allow the Champlain Islands ½ and full marathon race to occur on October 19, 2025 from Folsom to the end of West Shore Road and back. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Note that no roads will be closed for this race.
B. Scott Molyneax was present via Zoom to discuss the Farm to Fork Fondo bicycle event that will leave from Snow Farm Winery on July 13, 2025. This is an event where cyclists will bike to different farms in the Champlain Islands. There is a staggered start and cyclists go at their own pace on various routes. Skip Brown made a motion to allow the event to occur on July 13, 2025. The motion was seconded. David Lane abstained; the others in attendance so voted so the motion carried.
C. The Selectboard received a letter asking that a resolution Condemning Attacks on Due Process and Affirming the Constitutional Rights of all People in Vermont. See the draft resolution attached. * South Hero DUE PROCESS The Board discussed this, but feels that while the sentiment is good, the Town is not able to enforce such a resolution. The matter is tabled at this time.
D. Northwest Fiberworx is asking for South Hero delegates. Sue Arguin was not present to advise the Board on possible candidates, so more information will be at the next meeting.
E. KAS, Inc. environmental engineers have submitted estimates for lead testing around the Old South Hero Meeting House as requested by the State. Hopefully NRPC will fund this testing. David Carter made a motion to approve the lead testing by KAS, Inc. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
6. Town Administrator and ZA Reports:
A. None at this meeting
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. There is no update on Act 181 Village Center designation.
B. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve the liquor license application for the Sand Bar restaurant, outside consumption. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. About 230 or more years ago there was a small cemetery between Eagle Camp and West Shore Rds. on land currently owned by Eagle Camp. The location of this cemetery has not been known for over 100 years. A descendant of a Col. Sawyer, who was supposed to be buried there, is requesting that a headstone be placed over his grave, but the location is not known and the land is on private property. FYI, his son is buried in the South Hero Cemetery. Alan Perry will allow UVM to use sonar/lidar to try to locate the grave if they so desire, but will not excavation on his private property. The Cemetery Commission is working on a possible solution as to where to put the headstone and will report back to the Board.
9. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve and sign the orders 25-23 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer updates: The Treasurer submitted fund balance paperwork. David Lane made a motion to allow the payment of the Gravel and Shea attorney bill for the purchase of the Lavin Property as has been discussed previously for the Wastewater project land acquisition. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Note that these are funds that will be paid by the grant.
C. Recreation Commission (RC) update: See https://southherovt.org/rec/ for more info.
D. Road Department update:
-Anne Zolotas submitted a proposal for an RFP for updates on the Town Garage. See Attached * Town Garage RFP 5-2025 Bids will be requested by July 9, 2025.
-Also, trees and/or a fence will be installed around the new salt shed. They are waiting for the seasonal neighbor to return to continue discussions.
-There is a probable leak near or under the Island Craft Shop building that they rent from the Town. The Road Dept. will dig up the pipe and install a temporary pipe, as the building is scheduled to be demolished in 2026.
E. Lister Updates: None at this meeting
F. Wastewater (WW) update: See https://southherovt.org/wastewater-committee/ for more info.
G. Town Hall Committee update: See https://southherovt.org/town-office-building-committee/
H. Tree Warden Update: None at this meeting
10. Adjournment:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown, Secretary David Carter, Chairman
For a video of the meeting, see: https://lcatv.org/south-hero