Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of May 8, 2017
South Hero Town Hall, Monday 7:00 PM
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), Anne Zolotas, George Rice, David Carter
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: Sharon Roy, Town Clerk. Martha Taylor-Varney, Administrative Assistant. Also see sign in sheet.
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
-Add “Discuss Stump dump” to 5.D.
-Move “Possible executive for personnel matters” to the end of the meeting.
3. Minutes:
– Anne Zolotas made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of April 24, 2017 as written. The motion was seconded, David Carter abstained, the others in attendance so voted and the motion carried. David Carter made a motion to accept the minutes of the emergency meeting of May 3, 2017 as written. The motion was seconded, George Rice abstained, the others in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. David Hobbs was present to discuss a letter that the Recreation Commission wants to send to the State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (F&W) department regarding the Roy Marsh Trail. The consensus of the Board is that the letter if fine, and should be sent to F&W, as well as to Emily Boedecker, the new Commissioner of Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation, as she should be made aware of the concerns of the Recreation Commission.
B. Jessica McAllister was present to question the objectivity and accuracy of the minutes in regard to her concerns and support for the local paper. Per the VLCT, the meeting minutes are to be a record of what is done in a meeting, not to report on how the tone of the meeting is projected. The Board will try to be more attentive to this in the future.
C. Vermont State Police Lieutenant Maurice Lamothe of the St. Albans barrack was present to discuss the role of the State Police in the area. There are 3 troopers assigned to Franklin and Grand Isle Counties for each shift. The State Police are always on call, but defer to the Grand Isle Sheriff Dept. during the hours that they work.
5. New Business:
A. There was not a recommendation for a new Fire Warden made to the Board. The Board will be in touch with the SHVFD Chief and try to have some information for the next meeting.
B. There has been a street light was proposed for the parking area along South St. by the side entrance of Folsom at the last two meetings. VEC has recommended a LED light at a cost to the Town of $12.88/month. There is a question if it can be on a timer so that it will not be on all night, or if it can be hooded to not cause a nuisance. More information to follow at the next meeting.
C. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for an audit accounting firm for FY 2016/2017 will be necessary. VLCT has a template for a RFP. It may be prudent to request a full audit for FY 2016/2017 as well as an interim audit on selected items before Town Meeting 2018, due to the fact that there may be a new Town Clerk and or Treasurer.
More info will be at the next meeting.
D. The Road Dept. requested to apply for a stump dump permit for the former landfill property. The consensus of the board is to have the Road Dept. apply to the State.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. A written report was submitted. A hard copy with discussion points can be seen in Town Hall filed with these minutes or on www.southherovt.org.
B. In 2010 the State awarded a grant of $15,635.00 for construction of a Park and Ride. David Carter made a motion to have the Chairman sign a letter to the State regarding the completion of the Park and Ride, so that the remainder of the Municipal Planning Grant funds (50%) can be released to the Town. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. South Street reconstruction project from Landon to Martin Roads updates: Work began on April 25 at the Martin Rd. end. The construction engineer noted that no construction fabric has been specified for under the road bed. It is recommended and will be added to the project. The road will be done in sections, so there will be a gravel surface in sections before it is paved. Anne Zolotas suggests that a “pavement ends” sign be placed to warn drivers of the change in surface. Jonathan will speak with the project engineer to try to arrange that.
B. The Fire and Rescue emergency services building was discussed:
– An agreement between the Town and the users of the building will be drafted. VLCT will be contacted, and drafts of agreements from other towns will be studied to see if there is a template for a South Hero agreement.
-Builder Nate Hayward has indicated that he received an update from Labor and Industry Board and he has to estimate suggested changes. He then needs to arrange financing before a contract for the building are able to be completed.
8. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign orders 17-23 and pay the bills associated with this order. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. The “Model Public Records Inspection, Copying and Transmission Policy” was discussed and edited. David Carter made a motion to accept the “Model Public Records Inspection, Copying and Transmission Policy” as amended. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. David Carter made a motion to have the Chairman sign the final draft of the “Model Public Records Inspection, Copying and Transmission Policy” as edited. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. Some adjustments to the Personnel Policy and Rules were discussed. A draft copy with the changes will be reviewed and possibly adopted at the next meeting.
D. George Rice mentioned that there is a pending bill in the Statehouse, H42, which relates to possibly appointing municipal clerks and treasurers. Since this bill is pending, no information on how this may relate to the Town is known.
E. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign the “Certificate of No Appeal and Suits Pending” as signed and presented by the Listers. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
F. Anne Zolotas made a motion to have the chairman sign the “Warrant for Delinquent Taxes” in the amount of $275,144.00. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
G. Anne Zolotas made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters at 8:40 pm. Sharon Roy is asked to attend. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried. Executeve session ended at 9:00 pm. No action was taken after executive session.
9. Adjournment:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to adjourn 9:01 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown Jonathan Shaw, Chair
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TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Administrative Officer’s Report to Selectboard May 8, 2017
Discussion Items:
1. Spring Planning and Zoning Forum on June 14 at Lake Morey. I plan to attend.
2. Need signature on letter requesting remaining funds for MPG for the completed Park and Ride.
3. VEC response to questions on light at the Town Library/School. VEC recommends the 20 LED light for the parking area in front of the school by the library. The cost ($12.88) would be added to the Town’s monthly bill.
Planning Commission: Continuing to meet with NRPC for Development Regulations updates. Will meet next on May 17 with draft of Articles 1 through 4, and Definitions. Continue to encourage public participation in this process.
Development Review Board: No DRB meeting or hearings this week (May 10). 2 hearings scheduled for May 24 and 2 on June 14.