SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 4, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair); Don Bedard; George Harwood (via Zoom)
Member Absent: David Roy
Others Present: Tim Maxham; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00 PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
Update on Wastewater Committee added as item ‘d’ under Old Business.
Public Comment
There was none. Tim reserved the right to comment later.
Old Business
- Strategic Transportation Safety Plan. Gregg told the Commission that during the discussion with VTrans at the September 20 meeting there had been mention of a “strategic plan” several times. She asked the members if the Town should have a strategic bike/pedestrian safety plan? Bethany Remmers of NRPC has been recommended to advise the PC on this. What tools does the Commission need? Could there be samples from other Towns to review?
- Additional discussion centered on the maintenance of sidewalks along RT 2, installed in 1969 or 1970 as part of the RT 2 reconstruction. Was there any agreement in place for maintenance, and whose responsibility is it. Tim Maxham has voluntarily been sweeping and weeding the sidewalk for years. Gammal said it isn’t his responsibility and, if the State will not maintain them anymore, the Town needs to budget for the sidewalks and for removing the sand from the intersections. She asked what the Planning Commission could do. There is concern about the sand from roads plugging up storm drains or eventually being washed into the lake. Are there plans to prevent this? D. Bedard suggested taking an inventory of the sidewalks and their condition and finding out what the State can do to help repair them. S. Gregg suggested that there should be a line item in the highway budget about sidewalks to build up funds for future maintenance or construction. Could there be a day, possibly associated with but before Green-Up Day, for volunteers to clean up the sidewalks? Tim Maxham said that any work on RT 2 by VTrans would have VTrans safety protocols. As a volunteer, he can do it alone any way he wants. He agreed that it needs to be included in the highway budget. S. Gregg will contact John Beaulac (Highway Supervisor) and the Land Trust to discuss a possible date in April, perhaps a week before Green-Up Day, for a volunteer day to clean sidewalks and road sand.
- Updating Development Regulations – the Commission discussed the schedule for technical and mandatory (legislated) changes to the Development Regulations to be able to include some as an article at Town Meeting in March 2024. Although these changes are required by statute, the normal amendment process must be followed. These include both Planning Commission and Selectboard public hearings which need to be warned at least 15 days in advance. Commission members will discuss proposed changes at the next meeting with the goal to have a finished list by their November 1 meeting. Tentative dates for public hearings are November 29 for Planning Commission (special meeting) and December 11 for the Selectboard (during a regular meeting).
- Wastewater Committee update – Harwood said that the committee has identified 2 locations for test pits to be conducted – Allenholm Farm and Kamp Ta Kumta. Archeological studies have been completed with no issues arising there. Test pits will possibly be done later this year. The committee will not be pursuing any further grant funding at this time as there is not enough information yet to determine the next steps.
New Business
There was none.
Approve Minutes
- Gammal moved to approve the minutes of September 20, 2023; D. Bedard second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- Vermont League of Cities and Towns will host a webinar on October 17, 2023 at 9:30 on the HOME Act. Martha is registered and anyone else who would like to attend is invited to come to the Town Office that day/time.
Announcements
- Meeting House update – Gregg told the Commission that Miles Jenness from VT Heavy Timber made a second visit to the Meeting House on Oct 3 to confirm what they found during their first visit. On the first visit they found discrepancies between their findings and the architect’s documents from Arnold and Scangas (A&S). He plans to contact A&S directly.
- The Town Office Committee met on Oct 1. Sites were staked out next to the current Office location and across RT 2 by the proposed town park/meeting house location for the committee members to review. No further information or decision at this time.
- Gregg told the Commission that the 2 crosswalks had been painted on the road at the school.
Next Meeting
October 18, 2023, at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
7:07 PM – G. Harwood moved to adjourn; D. Bedard second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
Signed: ________________________________________ Date: _________________
For the Planning Commission
These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.