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October 25, 2021 SB Minutes

Select Board Minutes, Selectboard

Selectboard Minutes

Regular Meeting of Monday October 25, 2021 at 7:00 PM

At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom

 

Board Members Present: David Carter/Chairman, Ross Brown/Vice Chairman, Chuck Hulse, Anne Zolotas

Board Members Not Present: Skip Brown/Board Secretary

Others Present:    Michele Gammal; Tim Maxham; Cathie Merrihew; Teresa Robinson; Peter Zamore; Ron Phelps; Ken Kowalewitz; Liz Wirsing; Martha Taylor-Varney/SB Assistant

 

  1. Called to Order:

-The meeting was called by Chairman Carter at 7:00 pm

 

  1. Adjustment to Agenda:

            -Item 7C – Granny’s Attic – was moved to the November 8, 2021 agenda.

 

  1. Minutes:

–Chuck Hulse made a motion to acknowledge the minutes of the meeting of October 11, 2021.  The motion was seconded, all who were in attendance at the last meeting so voted and the motion carried.

 

  1. Public input:
  2. A. David Carter asked to acknowledge Chris Herrick, past South Hero SB Chair, recently appointed as Chair of the VT Fish and Game Commission.
  3. B. Michele Gammal gave the Board a follow-up on Weekend in the Islands, held the weekend of October 9-10. It was a huge success with many South Hero businesses having 3 times their normal volume of business. She thanked the Town and Selectboard for their support.  Grand Isle and North Hero are interested in taking part next year.  The goal was to encourage participation throughout town, not just on South St.  David thanked Michele for her efforts. Michele requested that the Selectboard consider including $1000 in the budget to help support next year’s Weekend in the Islands.

 

  1. New Business:
  2. A. Peter Zamore reported on the first meeting of the South Hero Wastewater Committee. Committee members are Peter (Chair), George Harwood (Clerk), Ross Brown, and Bob Buermann. Greta Brunswick of NRPC is contributing technical help.  The Committee felt the focus should be on the Keeler Bay and South Hero Village Districts, rather than the whole town. Greta explained the option of pursuing a “planning advance” grant to explore alternatives, feasibility, costs, etc.  The benefit of this would be that there would be no need to pay back the funds unless the project is built. The committee encourages additional members interested in taking part. November meetings will be on the 1st, 15th, and 29th, held at the Town Office or via Zoom at 4:30PM.
  3. B. Terry Robinson and Cathie Merrihew presented the budget for the South Hero Bicentennial Museum. They updated the Board on recent additions to the museum and invited the Board to visit the museum prior to a future meeting. During Weekend in the Islands, they had the most visitors than one day ever. Cathie told the Board that the building is old but currently in good shape. The “Honeymoon Cottage” is not part of the museum budget.  It is supported entirely by donations and volunteers.  The Museum is asking for level funding in the FY 2023 budget — $6200.
  4. C. Ken Kowalewitz and Liz Wirsing presented the budget for the Worthen Library. Ken explained that the library is actually 2 organizations – the Worthen Library and the South Hero Library Foundation.  The Worthen Library offers over 75 programs in addition to lending books, snowshoes, and E-bikes.  The Foundation mission is to promote the library, build the brand, and raise funds.  Liz presented the budget, explaining that it is based on the last 2 years of operating costs. The library is estimating a budget of $149,614.02, and is asking the taxpayers for $110,000.

 

  1. Administrative Assistant Report:
  2. A. See the written report filed with these minutes (below on the website or filed in Town Hall).

 

  1. Old and Ongoing Business:
  2. David Carter reported that the fundraising for the Old White Meeting House is going well.
  3. B. David explained that he had attended the Planning Commission’s Oct. 20 meeting where the agenda included an NRPC webinar on ARPA funds. There are currently 66 categories by the US Dept. of the Treasury that are allowed for the use of ARPA funds. More may be added.  David asked the Planning Commission to establish a committee of community members to gather public input for allocation of the funds.
  4. C. The Board signed the contract with Reprographics to print the 2021 Town Report. The cost to print 900 copies will be $1829.00 — $500 more than last year. There is a projected paper shortage this year, resulting in a considerable increase in cost.  Ross Brown made a motion to sign the contract with Reprographics.  The motion was seconded, all who were in attendance at the meeting so voted and the motion carried.  There was additional discussion about what options the Board may consider for future Reports – a pdf on the Town website, a minimal number of paper copies in addition the pdf on the website?

 

  1. Announcements and Communications:
  2. Chuck Hulse agreed to assume the Town Health Officer position if Anne Zolotas (current Health Officer) agrees to assist on the transition. Anne Zolotas made a motion to appoint Chuck Hulse as the Town Health Officer. The motion was seconded, all who were in attendance at the meeting so voted and the motion carried.
  3. David read a letter from the town of Colchester, VT stating that they had relinquished their part of the causeway to the VT Dept. of Forest and Parks. Selectboard discussion included what part of the causeway does South Hero own?  Anne asked if there was a deed from when the causeway was transferred from the railroad to the Town.  The Board decided to add this discussion to the agenda at a later meeting.
  4. Additional discussion included the safety of local roads for bicyclists, especially at some confusing intersections (for example, Station/Tracy Rds.). Ross Brown stated that The Town may need to start considering alternate bike/pedestrian paths for the busier roads throughout South Hero.

 

  1. Other Business:
  2. A. Order #22-09 was signed. 22-09 payroll will be signed by Oct. 26. Anne Zolotas made a motion for a board member to sign order #22-09 on Oct. 26. The motion was seconded, all who were in attendance at the meeting so voted and the motion carried.
  3. – Town Treasurer Kim Julow reported the Town will be receiving $97,273 in hold harmless payment this fiscal year.

     – The Board discussed the suggested reapportioning letter the Town received this week. The BCA needs to respond by November 15.  A BCA meeting will be scheduled sometime during the week of November 8th.  A final report will be delivered on November 29th.

– Kim asked the Board about budget schedules so she can prepare the needed reports.  It was decided to include some time at the end of each upcoming meeting until completed.

    – The Board agreed to let Kim decide whether to include delinquent taxes to the tax year, ending on April 30, or as part of the fiscal year, ending on June 30.

  1. There was no Recreation Commission (RC) update.
  2. D. Ross Brown reported that the Highway garage roof is being re-coated and the paving is nearly done. Martin’s last day will be Nov. 3rd.  There have been no applicants to fill the position yet.  No date has been set yet to close on the Hill Rd. parcel that is to be added to the Town Garage lot for a new salt shed.

 

 

  1. Adjournment:

-Ross Brown made a motion to adjourn 8:50 pm.  The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,                                      Approved by,

 

_______________________________                ________________________________

Martha Taylor-Varney                                       David Carter, Chairman

 

Administrative Officer’s Report to Selectboard                                          October 25, 2021

 

Discussion Items:

  1. Scheduled so far for 2023 budget discussion:

October 25,2021 – Museum; Library

November 8, 2021 – Sheriff’s Dept.; Cemetery Commission; SHVFD, South Hero Rescue

November 22, 2021 – Highway Dept.

I’m still waiting to schedule Rec Commission – hopefully Nov. 22nd?

 

  1. A 5th Monday meeting has been scheduled for the SB with the Planning Commission and DRB. I need confirmation of the time – 6 or 7PM?
  2. Town Attorney Andy McIlwaine is reviewing the documentation for the final grant agreement for the Bayview Crossing Implementation grant. These administrative costs are included as part of the grant.  There will be no charge to the Town.
  3. Annual post-closure landfill monitoring is conducted each October. If the SB signs the client authorization at their 10/25 meeting, the work can be scheduled for this week.  The budget remains the same, as well as the terms and conditions from last year.
  4. I received information last week for (what I assume is) a VLCT webinar on “Tree Law for Municipal Officials” regarding Vermont tree law and recent legislative changes to Act 171. This is open to Selectboards, Tree Wardens, Administrators, and Highway Staff to learn more about their dutie related to public shade tree management.  Contact ZA Martha Taylor-Varney for additional information and registration.
  5. The South Hero Wastewater Committee held its first meeting on Monday, Oct. 18 at 4:30PM at the Town Office. Committee members are George Harwood (Clerk), Ross Brown, Peter Zamore (Chair), and Bob Buermann.  Greta Brunswick will represent NRPC on the committee. The committee will meet on 3 Mondays in November – the 1st, 15th, and 29th – at 4:30PM in the Town Office. The meetings are open to the public.

 

 

Planning Commission:

The Planning Commission is now meeting in person but continues to provide a Zoom option for those who prefer.

  1. The Planning Commission is completing the application for a 2022 Municipal Planning Grant for the 2023 Town Plan update. Deadline is October 31, 2021.  The Commission thanks Sandy Gregg for taking this monumental task on.
  2. Additional discussion continues re ARPA fund possibilities. The Commission took part in an NRPC webinar on ARPA fund options at their October 20 meeting.

 

Development Review Board:

– DRB meetings moved back to in-person meetings at the Town Office on June 23.  The Zoom option will continue to be available.  The Board agreed to make the meeting time of 7PM, moved in June from 6PM, a permanent change.  The earlier time makes it difficult for some members to get there on time.

– The October 27 meeting includes a hearing for a 2-lot subdivision administrative review.

– No hearings are scheduled for the November 10 meeting, and the Nov. 22 meeting has been canceled due to the Thanksgiving holiday.  There will only be one meeting in December, on the 8th, due to the Christmas holiday.

– Recent DRB hearing decisions are posted on the Board outside the ZA’s office or can be emailed upon request.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA and Assistant to the Selectboard)

 

 

 

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