AkeleyMemorialBuilding – Banquet Room 5 pm 4 pm SITE WALK – Mayo Farm Fields on West Hill Rd – The Board conducted the site walk to observe the progress of the Bike Park and to familiarize themselves with the proposed recreation fields. 4:45 pm SITE WALK – Bloody Brook Schoolhouse area on School St. – The Board conducted a site walk in response to a request to locate the former St John’s Church adjacent to the Bloody Brook Schoolhouse. Present: Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann; Richard Marron; Paco Aumand; Steven Riley; Larry Lackey; Town Administrator John Drury; PW Director Cliff Johnson; Library Director Charlotte Maison, Town Clerk Alison Kaiser, Asst. Fin. Mgr. Susanne Gann, Parks Superintendent Bruce Godin; Rec Superintendent Rick Farnham, Rec Assistant Brian Kaplan Others Present: Ken Biedermann, Evelyn & Ed Frey, Heather Furman, Scott Monroe Stowe Reporter, John Bauer VT Journal, Jan Merrill, Charlie Berry, Jonathan & Rebecca Radford, Lyn Francis, Bill Rosmassler, Barbara Baraw, Dick Johannesen, Frits Momsen, George Speer, Ed Rhodes, Bev & Sonny Davis, Connie Bull, Tim Meehan, Philip Scott, Marilyn & Steven Mayhall, Carol & Edmund Dugan, Robert & Mary Rose, Dave Lachtrupp, Hardy Avery, Kevin Hart, Michael Hart, Will Woodard, Tom Krieizel, Rick Sokoloff, Jesse Goldfine, Penny Murray, Alan & Caryn Kovacs, Valerie Rochon, Marina Meerberg, Leo Clark, Lloyd Sheiner, Bruce Harmon, Rich Conte, Marc Segal, Carly Segal, Nick Meerburg, Michael Chase, Sam & Lynn Stober & family, Tim Crayton, Natalie , Paul Hammond, Nils Mindrich, Jackie Dollinger & Greg Stutey, Mike Moore, Shawnnalea Young, Shawn Hayden, Mike Regina, Joe Mooney, Paul Lawson, Dan Oberlander, Brice Simon CALL TO ORDER Chair Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. Selectboard Orders were signed. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Lackey requested that the Police Dept. update discussion be withdrawn from the agenda. Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Marron. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS A. Hiring of Part Time Employee – Lister’s Office B. Hiring of Paramedic Mgr – Rescue Dept. C. Water & Sewer Connection Applications D. FY 07 Chemicals Contract E. Special Event Application – Stowe Marathon, 9/10/06 F. Carry Forward to FY 07 – Fire Dept. G. Minutes of 7/24/06 Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. STOWE LAND TRUST A. Review/Approve Grant of Development Rights, Conservation Restrictions & Public Access Easement for Adams Camp: The Board reviewed copies of the documents provided by the Stowe Land Trust /VT Housing & Conservation Board for the 513 acres of land adjacent to Mt.Mansfield. Mr. Drury advised that the documents have been reviewed by attorneys for both the Town and the Stowe Land Trust/VHCB. The $1,750,000 purchase will be split accordingly - $450,000 Town of Stowe; $600,000 VHCB and $700,000 Stowe Land Trust. During discussion, Mr. Lackey expressed his concern over the Derby and Catamount Trail System and stated that they should be maintained through the Management Plan. Mr. Riley asked that all language be made more consistent within the document and asked that the section on arbitration be defined more clearly. He also requested that the there should be a limit to the Grantors right to shut down the protected property referred to on page 8 of the Grant of Development Rights. Mr. Riley expressed concern about signage and the definition of skiing. After further discussion, the Board requested that a final document and recreation management plan be brought back to the Board at a later date for the Board final review and approval. There was no further discussion. LAMOILLECOUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION A. Discuss Barnes Camp Proposal: Bill Rossmassler explained that the Lamoille County Planning Commission (LCPC) has obtained two Federal grants for the Smugglers Notch area including Barnes Camp as a visitor center. In order to secure the grants, a 10% match is required. Mr. Rossmassler said the Barnes Camp was currently being appraised and anticipated that its value would be close to the 10% match required. Another condition of the grant was that the visitor center be owned/operated by a public agency or non profit. Barnes Camp is currently owned by the Mt. Mansfield Company. Mr. Rossmassler asked the Board if the Town might consider a long term lease or take ownership of the building. He noted issues to be considered were costs to operate and maintain the facility. He added that LCPC had approached the Dept. of Forest and Parks to see what interest they may have in the facility. He noted that they did not have an interest due to a lack of fund for the department. He said it was anticipated that MMC would either donate the building or provide a long term lease. After discussion, the Board asked Mr. Rossmassler to return at a later date with a full proposal addressing all the issues including cost and who would operate and maintain the building. Mr. Rossmassler said he would do so. There was no further discussion. GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Discuss Request to Locate West Branch Schoolhouse Adjacent to Bloody Brook Schoolhouse: (A site walk had been conducted at 4:45 pm.) The Board reviewed a letter from the Stowe Historical Society explaining the purchase of the church/schoolhouse and a request of the Board to consider placing the structure on the land adjacent to the Bloody Brook Schoolhouse and Helen Day Art Center/Stowe Library. Ms. Baraw spoke about creating a cultural campus in the area where the Historical Society, historic schoolhouse, library and art center would co-exist. Ms. Baraw said the Historic Society would move to the new location but maintain a presence in its current location at the AkeleyMemorialBuilding. During discussion, Mr. Lackey stated that he had a number of questions that he had forwarded to Mr. Drury and requested that Ms. Baraw develop a full business plan that addressed those questions. Ms. Scheuermann asked that Ms. Baraw return at a later date with a full proposal and business plan for the Boards review. There was no further discussion. B. Discuss Transfer of Public Facilities from Ampersand Inc.: Mr Biedermann explained that over the past number of years Ampersand has extended and added to the infrastructure of the Town as part of Ampersand’s village development. He said the Town has never accepted these improvements although the Town has been plowing and paying the cost of street lighting. Mr. Bidermann said at this time Ampersand is ready to ask the Town to accept these additions to infrastructure currently owned by them which includes the following: Depot St & Depot St extension; Park Place; a short section of Park St; street lights on Depot St, Extention & Thomas Lane; sanitary sewers on Depot St extension and Thomas Lane and waterlines on Thomas Lane. Mr. Biedermann also indicated wet lands in the area and other land use issues in the area. Mr. Lackey asked what other obligations the Town may have. He also asked to have all agencies sign off on any conditions attached to the properties to be transferred. He said he would like to know what permit conditions were open and what if any would apply in the future. Mr. Marron said he would like to see minutes of all Ampersand discussion over the years regarding this issue at a later date. After discussion, Mr. Biedermann said he would return at a later date with complete documents, maps and answers to all the concerns for the Board review and approval. There was no further discussion. C. Discuss Rotary Barn: (On June 12, 2006 the Board approved a proposal to dismantle the Rotary Barn.) Mr. Reilly made a motion to reverse the previous decision of the Board and reconsider for a period of six months, seconded by Mr. Marron. Discussion took place during which Tim Meehan representing the Stowe Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) spoke in favor of saving the building. After further discussion, the Board gave SHPC the charge to develop a plan to find a use for the building. If no plan was developed in six months, Richard Anderson Inc. would be given right of first refusal to see if he was still interested in the building. The Board requested that staff secure the building. Motion passed. There was no further discussion. D. Review/Authorize Application for Broadband Grant: Mr. Lackey recused himself. Mr. Drury requested the Board’s approval to work with Stowe Cable to obtain two grants to provide NebraskaValley and Stowe Hollow with high speed internet cable access. Mr. Riley voiced his concerns that the cable company would be by-passing homes with no service and said he would like further information from the cable company who was not in attendance. After further discussion, Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the request to apply for the grants as presented, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried with Ms. Scheuermann, Mr. Marron, Mr. Aumand voting in favor. Mr. Riley opposed. MAYO FARM A. Discuss Mayo Farm Bike Park: (A site walk was conducted at 4 pm). Mr. Drury explained that the purpose of the discussion was for the Selectboard to review the plans and progress of the construction of the BikePark and address the concerns of the neighboring property owners and mountain bike club. A discussion with Board, concerned citizens and member of the Stowe Mountain Bike Club followed mainly around the design of the park and whether it was constructed according to the plans presented and approved by the Board last September. Mr. Drury advised the Board that the BikePark was substantially constructed in accordance with the agreement. Other issues discussed included visual impact, possible movement of jumps, use by the community of town owned property, signage, safety and supervision. Mr. Drury advised that the tall jump had been painted green. Mr. Radford said a major concern of the neighbors was the big jump, its visibility and asked that it be moved. Mr. Sokoloff explained that any movement of jumps at this point would mean that the entire back of the park would have to be rebuilt. Mr. Marron suggested the addition of more grassed areas to make the jumps more attractive and that additional signage was a must. Staff responded that these items were in progress. The Board agreed that the park was according to the plan and what they thought it would look like. The Board requested that staff confirm insurance coverage and develop a risk management plan for the area. Mr. Drury stated he would bring back to the Board the BikePark issue prior to the Agreement’s expiration date of 9/27/06. There was no further discussion. B. Review/Approve Mayo Farm Rec Fields Site Plan: The Board reviewed site plan information for Field K. Mr. Drury presented a plan developed by staff and consultants for the Town. Mr. Radford presented a plan proposed by the neighboring property owners. Mr. Drury compared the plans for the Board and pointed out the differences. Mr. Riley asked that the plan be sent directly to the Development Review Board (DRB). Mr. Lackey responded by saying that the Town is acting as the owner of the project and therefore the Board should take the time to review the plans before sending them to the DRB. Mr. Marron concurred. Mr. Marron made a motion requesting staff to compare the plans to see what aspects could be incorporated into one site plan for the Board to consider, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried. SEWER & WATER COMMISSION A. Review/Approve Sewer & Water Proposed Rate Change: Mr. Drury gave an overview of the review process of the sewer and water enterprise funds and how it evolved since 2003. In particular it was determined that rates and connection fees would not be adequate to cover operating costs and debt service cost of these enterprises unless changes were made to the rate structure. Mr. Drury explained that after a year of committee meetings, debates and analyzing various scenarios the committee concluded its work on July 24th, 2006 and is now recommending to the Selectboard new rates for 2006-2007 as well as a financial plan for the next 20 years. During discussion by the Board, both Mr. Drury and Mr. Johnson as well as Mr. Mooney described how the committee arrived at the proposed rates and 20 year financial plan. Mr. Riley and Mr. Lackey discussed having an independent financial review of the plan. Mr. Mooney offered his services for one dollar. Mr. Drury reminded the board that two independent CPAs had done comprehensive studies for the Board that this plan was built upon. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Board requested that staff advertise (post) the proposed rate changes in the Stowe Reporter, conduct public hearings as soon as possible and mail letters to everyone not connected within 100 feet of a water or sewer line. Mr. Drury said he would do so. There was no further discussion. LIQUOR COMMISSION A. Review/Approve Outside Consumption Permit – Topnotch Inc.: Mr. Marron recused himself. The Board discussed the request for outside consumption located in the wedding tent area at Topnotch on the west side of Route 108 and the hours of operation. The Board was not in favor of extending the consumption permit to 12 midnight as presented. Representatives of Topnotch explained that there were four remaining weddings for the season that had been contracted with ending times up to midnight. Mr. Riley made a motion to approve on an individual basis to Topnotch Inc. outside consumption permit for the dates of 9/2, 9/3, 9/17,10/7/06 with ending times as requested with a blanket permit for outside consumption til 10 pm for all other events. Seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion passed. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (Possible Executive Session) A. Meet with Candidate for Rec Commission: Mr. Marron made a motion for the Board to go into executive session with Mr. Scott and Mr. Lawson in attendance, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. The Board came out of executive session. Mr. Marron made a motion to appoint Paul Lawson to the Recreation Commission effective immediately to fulfill the vacancy left by Mr. Cullen. Mr. Aumand seconded the motion. Ms. Scheuermann also asked staff to send a letter of apology for the delay in responding to any other candidates. OLD BUSINESS Velco Update: Mr. Riley updated the Board on recent activities regarding Velco and handed out a memorandum from the Town’s attorney. Al Coppock – Mr. Riley asked staff to develop a plaque for Mr. Coppock for presentation by the Board. There being no further business, Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 10:30 pm. Minutes submitted by Susan Moeck.
AkeleyMemorialBuilding – Banquet Room 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Steven Riley; Larry Lackey; Town Administrator John Drury; PW Director Cliff Johnson; Zoning Director Rich Baker; Town Clerk Alison Kaiser; Stowe Electric GM Ellen Burt; Elect. Comm. Ed French Absent: Selectboard Member Richard Marron Others Present: Reporters Scott Monroe, Cindy Olsen; Barbara Allaire, Lynn Altadonna, Chip Percy, Barbara Baraw, Barbara Pfitzenmayer, Biddle Duke, Sonny Davis, Ken Libby, Rick Carrick, Ed & Evelyn Frey, Heather Furman, John Merrill, Charlie Berry, Lanie Nichols, Tim Meehan CALL TO ORDER A. Chair Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:03 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Riley asked to remove the Minutes from Consent Items. Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS A. Minutes – Removed from Consent Items. LIQUOR CONSENT ITEMS A. Festival Permit Application – Oktoberfest 8/22-24/06 B. 2nd Class License Application – Snow’s Store & Deli C. Tobacco Liccense Application – Snow’s Store & Deli D. Request to Cater – MMC 9/16 & 10/14 Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the Liquor Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion carried. GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Velco Information Update: After discussion with Stowe Electric GM Ms. Burt and Electric Commissioner Ed French, the Board decided that if individual members of the public seek assistance from Town government on the VELCO project they should be directed to the Town's Electric Department for assistance as they are intimately most familiar with the project. Mr. French said the department has historically dealt other issues such as ROWs etc. and were prepared and ready to answer the public’s questions regarding VELCO. No further action was taken. B. Personnel – Review/Approve Hiring of Electric Department Acctg. Administrator: On a motion made by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Riley the Board went into executive session at 5:20 pm with Ms. Burt, Mr. French and Mr. Drury in attendance. The Board came out of executive session at 5:37 pm. Mr. Riley made a motion to approve the hiring of Lily C. Burgess as Accounting Administrator with a salary of $32,000 to $35,000, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. FINANCE A. Review/Approve Adams Camp Bond Anticipation Note: Mr. Lackey made a motion to award the $450,000 bond anticipation note to Banknorth at an interest rate of 3.87% to provide interim financing for Town’s portion of the purchase of the conservation easement on the 513 acres known as Adams Camp, seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion carried. B. Review July Financial Report: Mr. Lackey noted that he had requested of Mr. Drury and Ms. Spaulding a June year end analysis of the budget which would be forthcoming. After a brief discussion, Mr. Aumand made a motion to accept the July Financial Report as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. C. Review/Approve Proposed FY 08 Budget Review Schedule: The Board discussed the schedule and asked to include Monday, December 18 on the schedule as a regular board meeting. A discussion followed regarding the budget preparation process. The Board was in general agreement that department heads needed to be very careful this year when preparing their operating budgets holding the line to the extent possible and keeping requests for expanded services in check. Ms. Scheuermann stated that the budget review process went well last year and a good budget was presented to the voters and passed. Mr. Riley said he would like to determine a way of not sending $20 million to Montpelier and would be willing to hear anyone’s proposal. He added you can only beat up the local budget so much. He recalled that past Selectboards tried to keep the growth in the budget equal to the growth in the grand list. PERSONNEL A. Discuss Public Works Director Position: At 6:37 Mr. Aumand made a motion for the Board to go into executive session to discuss the PW Director position with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Drury in attendance. Mr. Lackey seconded. Motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at 6:47 pm. On a motion by Mr. Aumand and seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board directed the Town Administrator to begin the recruitment process for the PW Director position and present three candidates for the Board’s review when ready. Motion carried. B. Discuss Staff Support Work Sched. for Boards/Commissions: At 6:47 pm, Mr. Aumand made a motion for the Board to go into executive session with Mr. Drury in attendance to discuss a personnel issue, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. At 7 pm the Board came out of executive session. Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the request by the Zoning Director as a pilot project to permit a four day work week Monday through Thursday 7:30 am-6 pm effective immediately and direct the Town Administrator to report back to the Board within three months with problems or benefits along with a proposed policy for consideration to provide similar arrangement for other department heads that qualify, seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion carried. SOLID WASTE A. Review/Approve Transfer Station Upgrades: Chip Percy reviewed the site plan including site design for widening the road slightly and increased parking, vehicle circulation and the construction of a new garage building on an existing foundation adjacent to the compactor. The building is to be 27’x16’x9’ and will shelter equipment and tools. Mr. Lackey asked if there was any possibility of providing screening or a picket fence on the embankment area adjacent to the recreation path and asked Mr. Percy to consider screening the area. Mr. Percy said they were trying to keep the cost of the project down. Mr. Percy said they have spoken with the Parks Superintendent regarding providing plantings for the embankment. He said at some point a storm water retention plan will be required by the State for the area. Ms. Scheuermann agreed that plantings on the embankment would be a good idea to provide screening of the area from the recreation path. Mr. Riley made a motion to approve the plan of the Lamoille County Solid Waste District as presented subject to a planting plan to be submitted that meets the approval of the PW Director. Mr. Aumand seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Percy asked the Board if these improvements would be honored as part of the Agreement already in place which was created at the time of the last addition to the transfer station. Mr. Riley stated that the Town would stand behind its agreement. STOWE LAND TRUST A. Review/Approve Adams Camp Conservation Easement & Management Plan: Ms. Scheuermann thanked those in attendance representing Stowe Land Trust for their work on all the documents. Mr. Lackey noted that the attached map was not accurate indicating that some trails were not identified etc. Ms. Furman said she was aware of this and that they were in the process of obtaining a revised GIS map. Mr. Riley made a motion to approve the Grant of Development Rights, Conservation Restrictions and Public Access Easement for the land known as the Adams Camp parcel as presented with changes shown, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried. Mr. Lackey noted two concerns regarding the Recreation Management Plan which included the lack of a specific date for the annual stewardship meeting and concern over possible vehicular access to Ranch Brook. Ms. Furman said the access to Ranch Brook could be designated a pent road if necessary but it was not planned at this time. Mr. Riley pointed out that the agreement did not provide an option for a connector road through the parcel. Mr. Riley made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lackey to approve the Recreation Management Plan for the Adams Camp property as presented with minor changes and revised Map. Motion carried. Mr. Riley made a motion to authorize Mr. Drury as Agent to Convey Real Estate to sign documents on behalf of the Board, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Review/Approve Moscow Shop Lease: Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the 5-year Lease as presented, seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion carried. B. Review/Approve Akeley Bldg. Space Committee Proposal: Mr. Meehan gave an overview of the process the Committee underwent and steps taken to arrive at their conclusion. He said the concensus of the Committee was that an addition to the AkeleyMemorialBuilding was the best solution in achieving additional record storage and vault areas. It allows municipal offices, the Stowe Historical Society (for the time being) and Stowe Theatre Guild to remain and does not harm the interior of the existing building. Mr. Meehan said the proposed 64’ x 20’ conceptual plan provides for an additional 2,560 square feet for municipal use there by increasing town office space/use by 70%. Several other members of the Committee spoke on behalf of the group in support of the plan. Mr. Davis handed out a letter opposing the plan. Both Mr. Aumand and Ms. Scheuermann thanked the Committee for all their efforts. Mr. Lackey said he was ready to support the recommendation. Mr. Drury pointed out that there are grant preservation agencies interested in supporting projects where communities pull together on projects. Mr. Libby stated that the Committee was hoping for a November bond vote in the amount of $105,000 to allow for the engineering and design of the proposed expansion. Ms. Scheuermann said she felt it was important that the Board is in support of the bond issue. Mr. Aumand made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lackey directing the Town Administrator to prepare an article for a bond vote in the amount of $105,000 for engineering and design for the proposed expansion to be voted on November 7. Ms. Baraw said it would be important for the engineer and state preservation people to be a part of the process in the future. She said it may help in obtaining preservation grants. Mr. Riley said it was good to see the “Committee process” work and thanked the group for the plan that was presented. Motion carried. C. Discuss Proposed Real Estate Transaction: Mr. Lackey made a motion for the Board to go into executive session at 8:35 pm to discussion a real estate transaction with Ms. Nichols and Mr. Drury in attendance, seconded by Mr. Riley. Ms. Nichols left the session at approximately 8:45 pm. The Board came out of executive session at 9:03 pm. No action was taken. D. Continue Town Mgr. Charter Change Discussion: The Board made several more revisions to the draft. After discussion, Mr. Aumand made the motion to approve the proposed charter amendments as revised with grammatical corrections and resolution of the zoning administrator question and directed staff to warn the amendments for a public hearing in September for an Australian Ballot article to be voted on November 7 and to file a copy with the Town Clerk by September 1. Mr. Riley seconded. Motion carried. The Board thanked Mr. Aumand for compiling the information. REMOVED CONSENT ITEMS The minutes of 8/14/06 were approved with changes. OLD BUSINESS Public Safety Facility – The Board discussed possibly presenting a bonding proposal to the voters at the November election but said they needed to hear a proposal from the committee before proceeding. Mr. Drury said he would notify the committee. Rotary Barn – Mr. Aumand asked if the investigation of saving the Rotary Barn was an appropriate project for the Stowe Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Riley said they were interested in this project and should be given the opportunity to investigate options. There being no further business to conduct, Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 9:58 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
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