Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of Monday August 14, 2020 at 7:00 PM
South Hero Town Hall
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), Ross Brown, Anne Zolotas, David Carter
Board Members Not Present: none
Others Present: Janet Yates Town Clerk, Martha Taylor-Varney ZA & SB assist. Also see sign in sheet.
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 pm
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
-Add to Other Business:
-Set up fund for grant funding
-Discuss ash trees and EAB
-Sign Worthen Library MOU
3. Minutes:
-David Carter made a motion to approve the minutes of August 27, 2020. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Jerry Robinson was present to discuss White’s Beach and the current ordinance. The Recreation Commission held a meeting last week, but no new recommendations have come to the Selectboard. When budgeting for FY 2021/2022 occurs, there will be most likely be a discussion about White’s Beach since money is allocated for the area.
5. New Business:
A. Terry Robinson and members of the South Hero Bicentennial Museum Committee (SHBMC) were present to discuss the “Honeymoon Cabin” that was formerly at the South Hero Inn (now the Community Bank) that Tim Maxham wants to donate to the Town. See the request from the SHBMC attached. Museum- Copy of Request re. Cabin to South Hero Selectboard Money has been raised and labor has been offered for the preservation of the cabin. Martha stated that the proposed location for the building will in the Village Zoning District and will be considered an accessory structure on the lot. David Carter made a motion to approve the proposal of the South Hero Bicentennial Museum Committee to undertake the moving of the Honeymoon Cabin to the blacktop area at the west side of the Old White Meeting House behind the grass area (where the old white fire station was). The Town of South Hero will own the building, but all funding for moving, restoration and future maintenance will be the responsibility of the SHBMC. The SHBMC will obtain all permits necessary for the moving and placement for the cabin. The Board will waive the Town building permit fees. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. The budget process for FY 2021/2022 will begin on October 12, 2020.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. See the report on www.southherovt.org or filed with these minutes.
B. Tim Maxham thanks Martha for coming to the DRB meeting last week during her vacation.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. none
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. See other business
9. Other Business:
A. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign orders 21-05 & 21-06 and to pay the bills associated with the orders. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. David Carter made a motion to approve the formation of a special fund to administer the grant monies that may be awarded to begin to digitize the Town records. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
C. David Carter made a motion to approve and sign the MOU between the Worthen Library and the Town. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
D. The Road Foreman will be applying for a storm water mitigation grant.
E. Anne Zolotas, Town Tree Warden, will look into getting estimates to remove some diseased and damaged ash trees. The ash tree in front of Town Hall was treated and should survive.
F. Now that West Shore Rd. is paved, speed of cars may increase. The Town will explore more signs, a possible crosswalk at Eagle Camp and possible seasonal speed humps with recommendations from the Road Department.
10. Adjournment:
-David Carter made a motion to adjourn 8:00 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown Jonathan Shaw, Chairman
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Administrative Officer’s Report to Selectboard September 14, 2020
Discussion Items:
1. The application for the Cathedral Square implementation grant for proposed Senior Housing has been submitted to Vermont Community Development. Cathedral Square will present the project to the VCDP Board on November 5th. If accepted, the grant will be awarded 2 weeks later.
2. The Application for the Old White Meeting House Planning Grant has been submitted to Vermont Community Development. NRPC (I’m assuming) will present the project to the VCDP Board on November 5th. If accepted, the grant will be awarded 2 weeks later.
3. I would like to request that the Selectboard either appoint a new grant administrator or include funds in the next budget to hire one. I do not have time to do my primary job as ZA and meet often last-minute deadlines for grant submissions.
Planning Commission:
The Planning Commission is meeting at the Town Office with proper social distancing and mask protocols. Topics of discussion include an ordinance for food trucks, sidewalk repair and maintenance, and new sidewalks. The Commission would like to consider a future grant application for sidewalks in the villages but agreed to wait until next year before applying. The Commission is also recommending that the Selectboard respond to recent statements in Front Porch Forum regarding the appointment of PC members.
Development Review Board:
– The DRB has scheduled hearings currently through the end of August. All hearings are being held via Zoom.
– Recent DRB decisions have included conditional use approval and preliminary site plan approval for development of Lot #4 in the Lavin subdivision at 275 US RT 2. The Applicant is still required to apply for final site plan approval for the proposed project. Other DRB approvals include conditional use and site plan approval for a nano-brewery at the location of the former bagel/deli shop next to Simon’s at 1 Ferry Rd. (previously Island Beverage). Upcoming hearings include upgrades to the Allen Point access from Martin Rd. to the Colchester causeway and expanded parking for the fishing/boat access on RT 2 in Keeler Bay Village. The Applicant for both hearings is Vermont Fish and Wildlife.
– Recent DRB hearing decisions can be found posted on the Board outside the ZA’s office.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor Varney, ZA and Selectboard Assistant