Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday May 26, 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: Sue Arguin, TA + see sign in sheet. *Attendance SB 2025-05-26-2025
1. Called to Order:
– The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Carter at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
– Kim Julow will not make the meeting, so New Business A. from the agenda will not occur
3. Minutes:
-Steve Robinson made a motion to approve the minutes of May 12, 2025. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. None
5. New Business:
A. Bids for Town Mowing were opened. Only one bid was received, so Steve Robinson made a motion to hire Bladez for FY, 25/26 mowing. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. Steve Robinson made a motion to approve and sign the application in order to appoint Bob Melcher, Peter Zamore and Al Getler as Representatives to the Northwest Communications Union District Legislative Body. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Skip Brown made a motion to approve and sign the Town Of South Hero Old White Meeting House Resolution regarding an in-kind contribution from Town Employees. See Attached* OSHMH Resolution 5-26-2025 The motion was seconded by David Lane. David Carter recused himself from voting. The others so voted and the motion carried.
6. Town Administrator and ZA Reports:
A. See Attached
B. Sue Arguin advised the Board that VHB has tested wells near the former landfill and results are pending.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. There are no updates re: ACT 181 mapping and Village Center designation.
B. Steve Robinson made a motion to approve the Class 2 liquor license application for the Green Frog. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve the Class 2 liquor license application for the Arbor Farm Market. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
D. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve the mobile vendor license for the Hive Café at Allenholm Farm. 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. The Cemetery Commission is working on a possible solution as to where to put the headstone and will report back to the Board. In the meantime, Merrylyn Sawyer is sending a cross to be placed near the possible site of the old cemetery. Sue Arguin will mount it and send a photo to Ms. Sawyer.
B. Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve and sign the updated annual Emergency Management Plan. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Al Getler has crafted a logo and would like to expand the July 4 Parade in South Hero. Ron Hackett will be the Grand Marshall for 2025. The plans are ambitious and possibly it is too soon to expand it for this year, but with 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the USA, next year would be a good year to plan ahead. More info will follow.
9. Other Business:
A. No orders were presented.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer updates: none at this meeting
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 and bids will be opened June 9, 2025.
-Trees and/or a fence will be installed around the new salt shed. Naomi King will meet with the seasonal neighbor to return to continue discussions.
-With the beginning of the heavy bicycling season in South Hero, South Street becomes busy. Berms and grass has built up along the shoulders of the road, narrowing them and causing a hump. The Road Dept. will be instructed to peel back this berm to expose the paved shoulders.
-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: Paperwork for the final approvals have been submitted. 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 8:05 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
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May 26, 2025 ZA’s report to the SB
1. There were no comments/concerns expressed after review of the preliminary FEMA
flood map. The deadline for comments was May 16. The next step will be opportunities
for public review. I have no anticipated dates for that yet.
2. I will be attending a webinar on June 11on the new Vermont Land Use Board, presented
by Vermont League of Cities and Towns. Thi9s will be about the Board’s role in the Act
250 process, and include major changes brought about by Act 181.
3. VLCT’s Spring Planning and Zoning Forum is being held on May 28. This is a hybrid
meeting. I have registered to attend remotely rather than travel to Montpelier.
Discussion will include a summary of the 2025 Legislative Session, a new State-wide ZA
Handbook being produced by Northwest Regional Planning (the first update in over 20
years), and Zoning Administrator 101. Although I’m a bit past the ‘beginner ZA’ stage
(going on 10 years now in South Hero), there’s always something new that can be
useful.
4. Also, on June 10 I am attending a virtual seminar called “Are You Ready for Your Next
Disaster”, presented by VLCT. I am registered already and can put it on the screen in
the boardroom if anyone else is interested in joining.
Planning Commission
The PC continues to discuss clarifications in the Development Regulations, including clarifying
definitions of “average natural grade” and “Pre-construction grade.”
Changes in FEMA flood maps will require updates to Article 9 (Flood Hazard Area and River
Corridor Regulations. Those cannot be done until final maps are produced. The earliest that
may be is 2027.
The Commission has been asked by South Hero Land Trust and the Rec Commission to be
included in discussions of future recreational use of the Lavin property. It is the Commission’s
opinion that a member of the Selectboard should be part of these discussions, and plan to
contact Steve Robinson to see if he has any interest in attending the next PC meeting.
Development Review Board
The Board’s May 28 meeting will include 2 hearings recessed from May 14 (Pest Pro’s
amended site plan for expanded parking) and a request from Two Heros Brew Pub for a food
truck and special events. Also scheduled for that evening is a site plan amendment from Keeler
Bay Associates for their Planned Unit Development on Phoebe Lane in Keeler Bay village. The
Board approved an application for professional services on West Shore Rd. at their May 14
meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA