Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM
At South Hero Town Hall and via Zoom
Board Members Present: David Carter/Chair, David Lane/Vice Chairman, Steve Robinson, Anne Zolotas
Board Members Not Present: Skip Brown/Board Secretary
Others Present: Sue Arguin, Michael Frett/Newspaper, Dean Pierce/NRPC, Patrick Robinson, Rich Goggin, Ron Phelps, Justin Myers, Jan Stiles, Mike Stiles, Pierre & Donna LaBlanc, Patricia Long, Bob Buermann, Ken Kowalewitz, Marco DiCarlo, Mark Naud, Judy Steacy, Rich Monterosso & Liz Wirsing. Zoom attendees: Joan Falco, Jessa Berna/Stantec & Greta Brunswick from NRPC.
1. Called to Order:
– The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Carter at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
To add Rich Monterosso/Chair of the School Board to speak about upcoming expenses.
3. Public Hearing
A. Featherbed Lane/Apple Island Resort Safety Concerns Scoping Study Alternatives with Jessa Berna from Stantec and Dean Pierce from Northwest Regional Planning Commission. (See Presentation attached).
Public Concerns that were addressed:
1. Pierre LaBlanc spoke saying the crosswalks were a good idea, but the continued action to slow the traffic down in that location is key.
2. Jan Stiles spoke about an accident she had on Rte. 2 turning onto Featherbed Lane. She was rear ended due to the speed, and the other driver was not paying attention. She wanted to make sure there was a plan for folks not to be able to pass on the right.
3. Mike Stiles said that the shoulders of the road should be closed not only seasonally but also year-round and expressing how folks speed and not paying attention in that area is a big concern.
4. Mark Naud spoke about his concern that the study did not include at this time the possible new 6-unit PUD that is developed which was a little further past Featherbed Lane coming from the East. He was hoping when and if this project moves forward with VTRANS that they would consider that as well.
5. Justin Myers said that signage was needed to force drivers not to park along the road or not to pass in that area.
6. Rich Monterosso asked if there were any thoughts of electronic speed limit signs in that area because they were working so effectively coming in to and out of our Village.
7. Bob Buermann followed up with comments regarding just the need to keep things consistent in and out of the changing seasons in that area.
8. Anne Zolotas wanted to know why there hasn’t been a left turn considered. Jessa from Stantec mentioned that it had been but that it doesn’t typically slow the traffic down and most of the time keeps things moving too fast.
4. Minutes:
-Anne Zolotas made a motion to approve the minutes of October 13, 2025, as written. The motion was seconded; all in attendance voted, and the motion carried.
5. Public input: There was none.
6. New Business & Invited Guests:
A. Greta Brunswick from NRPC spoke briefly about the Municipal Planning Grant Application and her need for the Board to approve & sign the Resolution so she could move forward with the application for this grant. Motion by Anne Zolotas to approve the resolution and Steve Robinson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. She also wanted to verify that Susan Arguin/Town Administrator would be signing and returning the Good Standing Certificate to her. She said the application will be submitted on November 3rd.
B. Ken Kowalewitz & Liz Wirsing presented their budget request for the library for the 26-27 year. (See attached).
C. Patrick Robinson & Rich Goggin presented the Fire Department’s budget request for the 26-27 year. (Attached)
D. Judy Steacy from Island Arts presented their budget request for 26-27 year. (See attached)
E. The Budget Request for the Highway Department with John Beaulac is being rescheduled because John was not present.
6. Town Administrator (TA) and Zoning Administrator (ZA) Reports:
A. ZA Report attached.
B. Sue Arguin presented a letter from the South Hero Historical Society Board on proposed wording for the Old White Meeting House to have a marker made for the building. Write up (attached). David Carter made motion to approve write up as written and David Lane seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. none at this meeting
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. none at this meeting
9. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign the orders 26-09 and have the Treasurer pay the bills as presented on the orders. The motion was seconded by Steve Robinson; all in attendance voted, and the motion was carried.
B. Town Clerk/Treasurer updates: None
C. Recreation Commission (RC) update: Meeting this Wednesday, October 29th to review their budget.
D. Road Department update: Elite Construction has a few more items to complete but are almost finished. Foundation still needed to be addressed, and the tin roof needed to be screwed down in a few places also.
E. Lister Updates: Town wide reappraisal still moving along well.
F. Lavin Property updates: None at this time.
G. Town Hall Committee update: See https://southherovt.org/town-office-building-committee/
H. Tree Warden Update: Anne Zolotas mentioned the poplar trees down on South Street that need to be removed because they are tangled up in the power lines and that the Electric Coop mentioned that any help including but not limited to removing the wood would be helpful. They have not come up with an estimate yet but will soon as they have put bids out and would like to have this job completed before it gets too cold because the power in that area will have to be turned off.
10. Executive Session:
-Anne made a motion to go into Executive Session for legal/personnel matters at 8:30 pm. The motion was seconded by Steve, all in attendance voted and the motion carried