Akeley Memorial Building Banquet Room                                      5 pm

 

 

PRESENT: Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann, Richard Marron, Steven Riley, Larry Lackey; Interim TA Sonia Alexander; PW Director Justin Rabidoux; Planning Dir Tom Jackman; Rec Superintendent Rick Farnham;

 

Absent:        Paco Aumand

 

OTHERS PRESENT:           Reporter Scott Monroe, Philip Scott, Rudy Laine, Michael Crane, Jeff Carr, Jack Daggitt, Chip Percy, Paul Percy, Barbara Baraw, Barbara Allaire, Skeeter Austin, Marina Meerburg, Paul Reed, Lynn Altadonna, Bruce Harmon, Carol Loysen, Sam Scofield,

 

 

Chair Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.  

 

Ms. Scheuermann noted that a discussion regarding the Town Manager search would be added to the agenda under Personnel. 

 

Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. 

 

A.      Petition for Redetermination –Sign Stipulation

B.       Stowe Derby Special Event App

Mr. Riley made a motion to approve the consent items, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried

 

A.      MMC – 2/23/07

B.       MMC – 3/14-3/18/07

C.       Hilary’s – 2/23/07  

Mr. Marron recused himself due to statutory restrictions.

Mr. Rilely made a motion to approve the liquor consent items, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

 

A.      Presentation of Draft Study by Crane Assoc./Economic & Policy Resources. Inc.: Crane Associates was hired by the Town to prepare a draft impact fee program for the Board’s consideration. Michael Crane reviewed the process and the contents of the study. He explained that it was their charge to provide the Board with the clear facts on what a practical application of impact fees in Stowe would entail. Items covered by Mr. Crane included capital items eligible for impact fees; the need to determine appropriate levels of service; scenarios to help answer questions; the need to develop appropriate formulas for determining impact fee rates; estimate the potential revenues generated; cost of administering the program and the provision for the process of developing an impact fee program.   Mr. Crane explained that it would be up to the Board and further discussions to determine if the Town was ready to move forward with an impact fee program.   When and if the Town decides to move forward, Mr. Crane explained that they would refine calculations; get estimates of other costs on items that may change; refine or edit assumptions and provide language for an ordinance. 

 

During discussion there were those in attendance that spoke both in favor and those not in favor of impact fees. Issues raised included cost to developers; impact on property values; collection of fees vs spending. 

 

Mr. Riley spoke in favor of impact fees and asked that the Board consider further discussing and making a decision on the issue at the next meeting on February 26^th. 

 

Chair Scheuermann noted that the full Board would not be in attendance at that meeting. She added that after town meeting there would be a new member of the Board and said the discussion should wait until after that time. 

 

Paul Percy said impact fees would ultimately cause property values to rise which would have us sending more dollars to the State through increased property tax payments. He said this would represent more dollars than the Town would ever collect by imposing impact fees on the developers.    

 

Mr. Marron stated that the Town already had impact fees in the form of water and sewer fees which are already a burden.   He said considerable thought and concern needs to be given to the subject of impact fees.   Would impact fees be imposed to raise more money to spend or to lower property taxes. 

 

Mr. Riley stated that the days of living within our limits by the grand list have gone by and the way to proceed should be done by imposing fees not increasing taxes. 

 

Mr. Lackey stated that the study helped him understand the mechanics of impact fees and said he would like to further review the capital plan to look at growth driven items.

 

The Board agreed that they found the study to be very useful and informative. Ms. Scheuermann thanked Mr. Crane and Mr. Carr for their efforts.

 

 

 

A.      Discuss Additional Audit Charges re: Stowe Electric: The Board asked to table the issue and requested that Ms. Alexander discuss the additional $970 invoice with the Electric Dept. Manager. There was no further discussion.

 

A.      Review/award Contract for Design/Engineering Services for Akeley Memorial Bldg. Addition: Mr. Rabidoux reviewed the process to date. At the Jan. 22, 2007 the board appointed a committee to review proposals for the building addition. Eight proposals were received and reviewed by the committee with interviews conducted on Feb. 6, 2007. The committee unanimously selected Freeman French Freeman as the candidate for this project. Mr. Rabidoux explained that their price was within the $105,000 allocated to the project and said he would return with contract documents for the Boards final approval at the next meeting.

 

On a motion by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Marron, the Board awarded the design contract to the team of Freeman French Freeman. 

 

B.       Review/Approve Administrative Revision to Mayo Farm Grant of Dev. Rights – Schedule C: The Board reviewed information explained that when filing the “Grant of Development Rights” (Grant) in August of 2003, Schedule C was omitted from the filing. SLT now needs to record Schedule C reflecting the information as it is stated in the Grant. No information within the Grant is being revised.  

 

On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board approved Schedule C and authorized the Selectboard Chair to sign as duly authorized agent. 

 

 

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (Possible Executive Session)

A.      Meet with Candidates for Historic Preservation & Conservation Commission: At 6:52 pm the Board went into executive session on a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Riley to meet with candidates for the Conservation Commission and Historic Preservation Commission.   Ms. Alexander, Mr. Harmon and Mr. Scofield were in attendance. 

 

The Board came out of executive session at 7:25 pm.

 

Mr. Lackey made a motion to appoint Marina Meerburg to the Conservation Commission effective immediately. Mr. Riley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

The Board asked that the other candidates interested in vacant positions be invited to attend the next meeting.

 

PERSONNEL (Possible Executive Session)

A.      Review/Approve Hiring of Custodian: At 7:30 pm, Mr. Lackey made a motion for the Board to go into executive session, seconded by Mr. Riley to discuss the Custodian position.   Motion carried. Mr. Rabidoux and Ms. Alexander were in attendance.  

 

The Board came out of executive session at 7:57 pm. 

 

Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the hiring of Robert Hoadley to fill the Custodian position at a Grade 4, Step 4 $12.93 per hour for the first six months with an increase to Grade 4 Step 5 $13.83 per hour upon the successful completion of the six month probationary period plus benefits in accordance with the IBEW agreement.

 

Mr. Marron seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

B.       Review/Approve Hiring of Creative Learning Program Instructor: On a motion by Mr. Lackey seconded by Mr. Marron, the Board approved the hiring of John Civitello as CLP instructor at a rate of $13.00 per hour. 

 

C.       Review/approve Hiring of Electric Dept. Controller: On a motion by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mr. Marron, the Board concurred with the Electric Commission & Electric Dept. Manager recommendation and approved the hiring of J. Patrick Housholder as Controller/senior accountant. 

 

 

A.       Discuss Draft LOTAC Funds Expenditure Protocol: The Board reviewed a draft

Protocol procedure. 

 

Mr. Riley asked to revise the language of items 2 & 3 regarding matching funds to

indicate the balance of project funds.

 

Mr. Lackey asked why the LOTAC Committed required that the feasibility study by

Pearson & Assoc. be updated prior to the installation of street lights. He also

asked that the protocol indicate that the Stowe Mtn Bike funds were not to be used for

“labor” costs. 

 

Ms. Alexander said she would make the changes requested and research the street light

feasibility question.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

West Branch School House – Ms. Alexander asked for clarification from the Board

regarding the project. She asked if the Board will consider the project as a Town

operation once the committed funds are raised by the Historical Society. 

 

The Board said further discussion was required and would consider it at the next

meeting. 

 

Stanley Szyndlar Luncheon – The Board agreed to the use of funds from the

Selectboard budget for Mr. Szyndlar’s luncheon.

 

B.      Discuss/sign Morrisville By Pass Letter: On a motion by Mr. Riley, seconded by

Mr. Marron the Board supported the letter of support addressed to VTrans Policy and

Planning Division regarding the Morrisville alternate truck route. 

 

Ms. Scheuermann asked staff to email the letter to Mr. Aumand for his comments.

 

Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 8:20 pm. 

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.