SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 20, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair); George Harwood; David Roy; Don Bedard
Others Present: Sue Arguin (via Zoom); David Carter; Bob Buermann; Matthew Arancio (Policy, Planning, and Intermodal Development Division – Vermont Agency of Transportation); Mike Gammal; John Beaulac; Herbie Durham; Ross Brown; Jonathan Crofts (VTrans); Steven Stanley (VTrans); Rick Breault; Sylvie Breault; Anne Zolotas; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA).
6:00PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
There was none.
Matthew Arancio of VTrans – Presentation and Discussion of Pros and Cons of Cass 1 Highways
Matthew presented a Power Point on Class 1 Highways, including definitions, benefits of a Class 1 Town Highway takeover, and maintenance responsibilities [this is included as an attachment to the minutes posted on the Town website. Contact the Zoning Administrator for a digital copy]. FY2023 funding is $11,948 per mile to the Town. IS it worth it? In simple terms, the question is the Town’s freedom to do what they want vs. the maintenance responsibilities (amount of additional work for the Town Highway Department, and the cost for that).
Ross Brown – Does the State have the final say on what the Town can do on a Class 1 Highway? All proposals must meet the Standards of the VTrans manual.
- Gregg – The Town does not have the equipment for sidewalk plowing or road striping. What equipment would the Town need to invest in and what are those costs? Matthew said he would look into costs to Towns of similar size to South Hero and get back to her.
- Roy – How long a distance on RT 2 would the Town take over? Heritage Lane to Robinson’s Hardware, and a shorter length in Keeler Bay Village. D. Bedard – Should it be one continuous stretch or sections of the road? The preference would be a continuous stretch – easier for plowing and maintenance.
David Carter — RT 2 was rebuilt 55 years ago, including constructing sidewalks within the ROW. When did maintenance get transferred to the Town? Matthew didn’t know. He asked if there had been any correspondence from the Town to the State in reference to this. David is not aware if there ever was. Also, if the Town took over a contiguous stretch of RT 2 through both villages and the space between, who would be responsible for replacing the large culvert at the Crick? Matthew said that the State understands the costs and can work with the timelines on when the work would be done, and the Town would assume responsibility.
Ross Brown asked if the States considers the amount of traffic on RT 2 in South Hero? It’s a major commuter artery. Can the speed limit be reduced to 25 through the villages? Matthew said the Town can set the speed on a Class 1 Highway. Can sidewalks and crosswalks be constructed along RT 2 if it doesn’t become a Class 1 Highway? Matthew said there was a different process for that. S. Gregg asked if the speed limit could be reduced without a Class 1 Highway? VTrans would need to do a speed study. S. Gregg suggested that be done during the summer season.
- Gammal asked if there were other towns where VTrans maintains the sidewalks? Matthew answered that there were none under VTrans control. S. Gregg commented that sidewalks were a priority of the Commission’s bike/pedestrian safety programs. The Town needs safe crossings, especially from RT 2 to the school. Matthew responded that a safety discussion is important to planning a Class 1 Highway. How to plan for safe sidewalks on a non-Class 1 Highway? The Town will need to develop a master plan through a Transportation Alternatives Program grant. Matthew suggested consulting Northwest Regional Planning Commission for assistance.
Bob Buermann commented that bulb-outs through the village are not a good idea because farm equipment doesn’t fit. Matthew recommended painted bulb outs as an alternative. Bob also recommended no parking along RT 2 for the same reason.
John Beaulac – For winter maintenance of a Class 1 Highway, is salt or a salt/sand mixture recommended. Matthew didn’t know. He can’t think of any towns that use sand. Are there Class 1 grants available? It is part of the yearly reimbursement.
Ross Brown – Can the Town do its own work on RT 2 without incurring costs without a Class 1 designation? Matthew said that grants are available. Locations would need to be identified with a VTrans engineer and there would be additional VTrans oversight.
Sylvie Breault – asked about sidewalks in Keeler Bay Village. Are they planned? Which side of the road? There are a lot of pedestrians walking along the busy road.
Matthew asked if the Town was expecting additional development. G. Harwood responded that they don’t expect immediate growth. Most will be in the village areas. D. Roy said that there has been a fair amount in the last 10 years. He is concerned about connectivity. David Carter said that the Lake Champlain ferry traffic is significantly more than most villages must deal with.
Mike Gammal asked if there was adequate width in the right-of-way along RT 2 for sidewalks? Can the Town build sidewalks within the State ROW? Matthew will check and get back to us.
ZA Martha Taylor-Varney asked if the Town could limit parking in the breakdown lane on RT 2 if not a Class 1 Highway? Matt said that would start with a letter from the Town to VTrans.
Approve Meeting Minutes from September 6, 2023
- Gammal moved to approve the minutes of September 6, 2023; D. Bedard second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- Martha discussed with the Commission members a phone call received by Town Administrator Sue Arguin about the most recent 2023 VTrans Bike/Pedestrian grant.
- There will be a Zoning Roundtable hosted by NRPC on October 4. The main discussion will be on the recently approved H.O.M.E Act.
- Zoning 101 will continue Thursday, September 28 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Announcements
-M. Gammal has lawn signs to distribute for Weekend in the Islands.
–D. Roy will be unable to attend the Oct. 4 PC meeting.
–D Bedard announced that the Parent/Child Center Calcutta will be at Snow Farm on September 29.
–S. Gregg reported that the Town Office feasibility committee is considering locations on each side of RT 2 and access to the vault during construction.
–S. Gregg told the Commission that VT Heavy Timber evaluated the condition of the Meeting House and will provide estimated costs to the Town for grant consideration. They reported that the condition of the building is generally good.
The next meeting will be October 4, 2023, at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
- Harwood moved to adjourn; D. Roy 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.