STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING  Monday, January 23, 2006
Akeley Memorial Building    Minutes

Present: Theodore Teffner, Richard Marron (arrived at 5:09 pm), Heidi Scheuermann, Charles Lusk, Steven Riley; Town Administrator John Drury; PW Director Cliff Johnson; Park Superintendent Bruce Godin; Town Clerk Alison Kaiser: Rec Director Tori Faye;  Police Chief Ken Kaplan

Others Present:  Marjorie Ward, Reporter Scott Monroe, Reporter John Bauer, Mike Morrow, Matt Gonyo, Andy Thibault, Barbara Allaire, Bob Evans, Susan Connerty, David Jaqua, Marie Duquette, Mary Ann Purnell, Laurie Sil____

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Teffner called the meeting to order at 5:09 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.

There was brief discussion regarding the non-resident information meeting scheduled for February.  The Board decided to hold the meeting on Saturday, February 18 at 4 pm.

LIQUOR COMMISSION
Mr. Marron recused himself due to statutory restrictions.
A. Review MMC Request for Blanket Catering Permit for Spruce Peak:  Matt Gonyo and Andy Thibault from the State Liquor Control were in attendance.  Mr. Gonyo said there were no regulations governing blanket catering permits.  He said there is now a 15 day processing period for catering permits but for special requests the statute allows a five day period.  He also said he was concerned about setting precedence by allowing a blanket approval.
 
Mr. Teffner asked what size groups would be requesting catering permits.
Ms. Ward said she thought the requests at private residences would be up to 30 people for catering events.

Mr. Thibault said as a way to expedite the process, the Selectboard could authorize the Town Clerk to sign permits in certain instances.

Mr. Riley suggested that the Clerk be permitted to sign on permits up to 50 people. 

Ms. Scheuermann said it would bring the time period down for processing and provide a compromise to the situation.

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve a catering permit for the Spruce Peak Realty location, seconded by Mr. Lusk.

Motion carried.

Mr. Lusk made a motion to authorize the Town Clerk to review and approve catering permits for up to 50 people, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann.  Motion carried.

B. Review/Approve Request to Cater – MMC 2/4/06:  On a motion by Mr. Lusk seconded by Ms. Scheuermann the Board approved the Request to Cater at Spruce Base Lodge as presented. 
C.  Review/approve Request to Cater – Michaels on the Hill:  Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the Request to Cater as presented for 2063 Notchbrook Road on 2/11/06, seconded by Mr. Lusk. Motion carried.

LAMOILLE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE MGMT. DISTRICT
A. Authorize Opening of Bottle Redemption Center:  Mr. Marron made a motion to authorize the solid waste district to proceed with plans to open a bottle redemption center at the Transfer Station located on Dump Rd.  Mr. Riley seconded the motion. 

Mr. Lusk suggested the center’s operation be reviewed at the time the District’s contract is renewed in May.  The Board agreed. 

Motion carried.  Mr. Lusk opposed.

POLICE
A. Review/Approve Hiring of Animal Control Officer:  Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the hiring of a full time Animal Control officer Elizabeth Rankin at a rate $14.77 an hour Grade 4 Step 1, seconded by Mr. Lusk.  Motion carried.  Mr. Marron was opposed.
B. Review/Approve Hiring of Part Time Officer:  On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Lusk, the Board approved the hiring of Bronwen Moriath as a part time officer at a rate of $10.50 per hour.

SEWER & WATER COMMISSION
A. Review/Approve Revolving Loan Approved for Moscow Sewer Study and Sign Loan Documents:   Mr. Marron made a motion to approve and execute the loan documents for the Moscow sewer study as presented, seconded by Mr. Lusk.  Motion carried.

 Mr. Marrron made a motion to approve and execute the loan documents for the Water sewer study as presented, seconded by Mr. Lusk.  Motion carried.

 Mr. Johnson noted that the loans will be paid back over a five year period beginning in 2010.

B. Review/Approve Connection Applications:  Meadow View – Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the connection for the 17 townhouse sprinkler system at 7695 gpd water in the amount of $11,542.50.  Mr. Lusk seconded the motion.  Motion carried.
C. Review/Approve 2nd Amendment to SMR/SPR Agreement:  The Board previously reviewed an agreement between the Town and Stowe Mountain Resort.  This agreement was acceptable to SMR and SPR.  A revision was made where the Board changed the word “would” to “may”.

Mr. Marron made a motion to authorize the Town Administrator as duly authorized agent to sign the Second Amendment to the SMR/SPR Agreement, seconded by Mr. Lusk.

The Board discussed their concerns relating to the agreement and impact fees.

Motion carried.  Ms. Scheuermann opposed. 

FINANCE
A.  Review/Approve Impact Fee Study Budget Amendment:   Since the grant request was turned down,  Mr. Drury stated that the funds to cover the cost of the study would come from Prof. Services - $2000;  Rec Commission $4000 and $4000 from the Planning Budget.  Mr. Drury said the Town received additional payment in lieu of taxes which was not budgeted and should offset the funds being used from the Board’s budget covering Prof. Services and Legal Services.

Mr. Riley made a motion to approve the budget amendment as presented, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann.  Motion carried.   Mr. Lusk opposed.

B. Review/Approve Parks, Bldgs., Grounds Budget Amendment Request
for Garage Addition:  This item was postponed and a site walk was scheduled for
Feb. 13 at 4:30 pm.

HIGHWAY
A. First Reading of Traffic Ordinance Amendment – Covered Bridge
Road &Maple Run Lane:  Mr. Teffner read the amendment to the Traffic Ordinance to
reduce the speed limit on Covered Bridge Rd and Maple Run Lane to 25 mph.
Mr. Marron suggested that the language in #5 be changed to “Class 4” portion of
the road.

Mr. Teffner stated that the second reading and public hearing for the Traffic
Ordinance Amendment would be on Feb. 13, 2006.  
There was no further discussion. 

B. Review/Approve 2006 Certificate of Highway Mileage:  Mr. Johnson noted that the Certificate  must be approve by the Board in order for AOT to determine the Town’s share of state aid for FY 07.  The following changes were included:  TH 94 Cady Hill Road – added .16 miles of Class 3; TH 27 Sinclair Dr – changed .38 miles of Class 4 to Class 3 highway.
On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann, the Board approved the 2006 Certificate of Highway Miles.

A. Adopt FY 07 Proposed Budget:  Mr. Marron made a motion to adopt the FY 07 Proposed Budget in an amount of $8,762,353 with revenues totaling $2,338,050 and net to be raised by taxes of $6,424,303 resulting in an estimated tax rate of .03497.  Mr. Lusk seconded the motion.

Motion carried.

TOWN MEETING
A. Finalize Town Meeting Warning Articles & Australian Ballot Articles: 
The Board reviewed a draft of the Articles and resolution language.  Revisions were made.   Mr. Drury noted the suggested changes and said he would present another draft.  A special meeting was scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 am to review and approve the Warning. 

Petition of Registered Voters:  The Board received a petition signed by 217 registered voters requesting that an Article be added to the Warning for March Town Meeting as follows:  “Shall our state legislators support legislation that will protect young girls by requiring clinics to notify at least one parent prior to providing a surgical or chemical abortion to their minor daughter, with special provisions to protect girls in abusive situations?” 

Mr. Teffner stated that generally speaking over the last several years the Board has been opposed to putting these types of advisory articles on the Warning which do not pertain to town issues.  He stated that it was not the particular issue of this petition but the issues raised by petitions.   He referred to statute which states that inclusion of a petitioned article “is not mandatory if the article is frivolous, illegal, or pertaining to a matter which is not within the authority of the electorate of the town to decide.”  He said that as the petition is worded it was not a question that Town Meeting can decide.  The other Board members agreed.

Ms. Connerty asked the Board that wasn’t this how democracy works – to make clear the issues to our legislators.  She asked the Board to consider the petitioned article as an Australian Ballot Article.

Ms. Scheuermann said that the issue needs to be addressed in Montpelier and Washington. 

There was further discussion about placing the petitioned article on Australian Ballot or as other business at Town Meeting or presenting it as an advisory issue.  

The Board decided to table the discussion of the petitioned article until their special meeting on Friday, January 27.  They asked staff to research what types of articles can be included as Australian Ballot articles and to also ask the Town Moderator for an opinion.

Akekey Memorial Building Article, Consolidated Public Safety Facility Article & Trapps Adams Camp Article:  The Board reviewed the Articles.  Mr. Teffner said it was up to the Board as individuals to promote or inform the public on certain articles. 

The Board reviewed revised language for the Stowe Land Trust article regarding the purchase of Trapps Adams Camp property.

There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Teffner adjourned the meeting.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck. 

SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING  Friday, January 27, 2006
Akeley Memorial Building   8 am

Present:  Selectboard Members:  Theodore Teffner, Richard Marron, Charles Lusk, Steven Riley; Town Admin. John Drury; Town Clerk Alison Kaiser

Absent: Heidi Scheuermann

Others Present:  Larry Foster, Scott Monroe, David Jaqua, Joe Mooney

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Teffner called the meeting to order at 7:45 am.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT
A. Discuss BCA Appeals:  On a motion by Mr. Lusk, seconded by Mr. Riley, the Board went into executive session with Mr. Drury and Ms. Kaiser in attendance.

The Board came out of executive session at 7:55 am. 

Mr. Teffner made a motion authorizing Mr. Vickery to take the lead with utilizing the town’s attorney in BCA appeals as he sees fit, seconded by Mr. Riley.  Motion carried.

B.  Presentation to Larry Foster:   Mr. Teffner read the letter from VT Local Roads designating Larry Foster as Local Roads Scholar. He presented Mr. Foster with a certificate awarded by the program.

Mr. Foster thanked the Board for supporting the program.

TOWN MEETING
A. Finalize/Approve Sign Town Meeting Warning Articles & Australian Ballot Articles:  During a brief discussion, Mr. Teffner stated that there was no mechanism for putting the parental notification petition on the Warning for Town Meeting.  He suggested that the item be brought up under other business. 

State Education Question:  Mr. Teffner said that VLCT would like to see the question on the Ballot at Town Meeting and noted that it affected all Stowe taxpayers.

Mr. Riley made a motion to include the stated education question on the Warning.

Mr. Marron stated that this would be walking a fine line with other petitioners and preferred that the issue be brought up under other business and said he had no problem with voting for this issue.

Mr. Riley said VLCT needs all towns to participate to show strength and said that Stowe has a stigma of “going it alone”.

Mr. Marron said the Town can show support but in a different way or process.

There was further discussion regarding on the merits of including or not including the issue on the Warning. 

Mr. Teffner seconded Mr. Riley’s motion.

Mr. Jaqua said he would bring up the subject of voting education issues at Town Meeting.

The motion did not pass.  Mr. Teffner and Mr. Riley were in favor.  Mr. Marron and Mr. Lusk voted no.

Mr. Lusk said that all non-binding discussion should be moved to the very end of the meeting. 

Mr. Marron said he would like discussion before the school district portion of the meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Lusk, seconded by Mr. Marron the Board approved the Annual Town/School Warning as presented.

On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Lusk the Board approved the Australian Ballot warning as presented.

OTHER BUSINESS

Citizen Budget Book:   Mr. Mooney said he would like to see a budget summary handed out at Town Meeting.  The Board agreed.

Mr. Drury stated that a copy of the Warning would be available shortly for signatures.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 am.

Notes taken by A. Kaiser.  Minutes prepared by S. Moeck.