Stowe Selectboard Special Meeting Tuesday, March 06, 2007 Living Arts Room, Stowe High School 8:15 a.m. Present: Selectboard members Heidi Scheuermann, Chair; Richard C. Marron, Vice Chair; Steven N. Riley, Francis A. Aumond, and Larry F. Lackey, Sonia Alexander, Interim Town Administrator and Scott Monroe, Stowe Reporter (departed at onset of executive session). Minutes Heidi Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. Dick Marron made a motion seconded by Steve Riley to go into executive session to discuss a candidate for the town manager position. Their being no further business to conduct, Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 8:40 a.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Sonia Alexander
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building –TA Office 5 pm Present: Selectboard members – Heidi Scheuermann; Richard Marron; Larry Lackey; Paco Aumand; Norman Williams; Interim TA Sonia Alexander Others Present: Scott Monroe, Susan Moeck CALL TO ORDER Ms. Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. SELECTBOARD ORGANIZATION The Board members welcomed Mr. Williams. Election of Officers – Chair, Vice Chair: Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Richard Marron as Chair and Paco Aumand as Vice Chair, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Appointment of Selectboard Clerk: Mr. Williams made a motion to appoint Ms. Moeck as Selectboard Clerk, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried. Designate Official Newspaper: Mr. Marron made a motion to designate the Stowe Reporter as the Town’s official newspaper, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried. Designate Regular Meeting Schedule: The Board agreed to keep their regular meeting schedule the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month beginning at 5 pm. OTHER BUSINESS Charter Change – Town Mgr: Since the change had been signed by the Governor on Feb. 20, 2007, Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Sonia Alexander as Interim Town Manager, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Mr. Marron asked Ms. Alexander to draft a contract with the change to Town Mgr. under the contract’s interim TA current terms. There was a brief discussion regarding the public safety building and town meeting. PERSONNEL Town Manager Position – Mr. Aumand made a motion for the Board to go into executive session with Ms. Alexander in attendance to discuss the TM recruitment, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried at 5:25 pm. The Board came out of executive session at 5:48 pm. No action was taken. Mr. Marron adjourned the meeting. Minutes respectfully submitted by S. Moeck.
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, March 12, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron (by phone); Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Larry Lackey(arrived at ); Interim TA Sonia Alexander; TC Alison Kaiser Others Present: Reporter Scott Monroe, Joe Farnham, Steve Stitzel, Jason Sicart and employee, CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Paco Aumand called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm. He explained the process regarding approving the agenda and consent items. APPROVE THE AGENDA Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS A. Special Event Applications – Stowe Performing Arts; International Choral Festival B. Collector of Delinquent Tax Resolution Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried. GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Meet with Town’s Attorney Regarding Pending Litigation: At 5:15 pm, Ms. Scheuermann made a motion for the Board to go into executive session with Ms. Alexander, Mr. Farnham and Mr. Stitzel in attendance. Mr. Lackey seconded the motion. Motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at 5:50 pm. Mr. Scheuermann made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lackey, to allow Town counsel and VLCT’s counsel to enter into mediation on behalf of Officer Webster in the case of Green vs Webster. Motion carried. B. Adopt Revised Fire Department Bylaws & Rules: Mr. Marron made a motion to adopt the revised Fire Department Bylaws & Rules with a revision to Article 6 to use the statutory language, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. C. Review Town Meeting Assembly Resolution: The Board instructed the Town Clerk to send the March 6, 2007 Resolution to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Senate President Pro Tempore, and the Clerks of both the House and Senate and Committee chairs as well as the Revolt and Repeal Organization. It was determined that the Organization is on the Secretary of State’s political action committee list. Therefore the $200 allocation voted on at Town Meeting would not be sent. There was no further discussion. LIQUOR COMMISSION Mr. Marron recused due to statutory restrictions. A. Review/Approve Annual Renewals: Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the list of 1 1st class cabaret licenses dated 3/12/07, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the list of 12 1st class hotel licenses dated 3/12/07, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the list of 15 1st class restaurant licenses dated 3/12/07, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the list of 14 2nd class cabaret licenses dated 3/12/07, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the list of 10 tobacco licenses dated 3/12/07, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. B. Review/Approve 2nd Class Application & Tobacco Permit Jolley Assoc. dba Stowe Go-Go Mart: Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the application as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. C. Review/Approve Catering Permit – MMC 3/17 & 3/31: Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the catering permit as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. D. Review Stowehof Outside Consumption Request: The Board reviewed a 2/3/07 letter from Chris Grimes of the Stowehof asking for permission to extend the hours of their outside consumption permit until 11 pm on the dates of 7/28, 8/1 and 9/29/07 for weddings starting later due to religious reasons. Mr. Grimes indicated that they would commit to minimizing the effect of outside music. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the request to extend the hours of the consumption permit to 11 pm on the dates of 7/28, 8/1 and 9/29/07. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS Minutes – The minutes of 2/12, 3/6, 3/7/07 were approved. Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve – Mr. Marron made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams asking staff to obtain a revised Resolution with the correct Secretary of Defense’s signature so that Chair could sign in support on behalf of the Town. Motion carried. PERSONNEL The Board went into executive session at 6:12 pm with Ms. Alexander in attendance on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann to discuss the following personnel and union contract issues: A. Review/Approve Revised InterimTown Mgr Contract B. Discuss Emergency Closing Procedures The Board came out of executive session at 6:48 pm. The Board agreed to allow Ms. Alexander to resolve the emergency closing issue of February 14th. There was no further discussion. Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 6:49 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Town Manager’s Office 5 pm PRESENT: Selectboard Member: Norman Williams; By Phone – Heidi Scheuermann, Richard Marron; Interim TM Sonia Alexander; Reporter Scott Monroe Absent: Paco Aumand, Larry Lackey Mr. Marron called the meeting to order at 5:10 pm. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the employment contract of Charles Safford effective April 9, 2007 and further motioned to appoint Charles Safford Town Manager for the Town of Stowe effective April 9, 2007. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Ms. Scheuermann said the Board was very pleased with the selection of Mr. Safford and thanked Ms. Alexander for all her assistance during the search process. Motion carried. There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Marron adjourned the meeting. Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, March 26, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron by phone; Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Larry Lackey; Norman Williams; Interim TA Sonia Alexander Others Present: Dave _____, Will Bradford, Reporter Scott Monroe, Kelley Karhuke, Barbara Baraw, Scott Noble, Lynn Altadonna, Grace Clement, Don Post, Dave Pelletier, Tim Meehan, Chip Percy, Phil & Roberta Scott, Evelyn Frey, Kurt Hanson, George Agnew, Michael Kane, Elizabeth ____, Kurt Jergensen, Micheala Hutchins, Joe Gianelli CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Paco Aumand called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Aumand asked that the Minutes be placed under Consent Items. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda as revised, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS A. Sewer Connections – Carpenter, Morrison/Beck, TarwoodNV B. Special Use Permit – Burt Spring Lot C. Revised InterimTown Mgr Contract D. Validation Resolution E. Minutes of 1/22/07, 3/14/07, 3/12/07. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Consent Items as presented, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried LIQUOR CONSENT A. Annual Renewals (see attached): Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the Liquor Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. Mr. Marron abstained. HIGHWAY A. Review Request by JP Sicard re use of Town Gravel Pit: The Board reviewed a letter from JP Sicard requesting permission to use the town gravel pit for soil screening associated with the Sylvan Woods Housing project. After brief discussion of concerns regarding the number of truck trips, condition and possibility of damages to Nebraska Valley Rd and precedence setting, Mr. Marron made a motion to deny the request unless a benefit can be articulated for the LHP project, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion to deny carried. The Board noted that if the contractor had ideas for another location etc. they would be willing to consider it. Presentation to William Kelk: Chair Aumand thanked Bill and presented him with a plaque in honor of his 11 years of service to the Town of Stowe as Town Moderator. PLANNING A. Review Bike Ped Plan w/Dave Pelletier, LCPC: Mr. Jackman explained the history of the Plan with the Planning Commission overseeing the development with review by VTrans Bike Ped coordinator. The Plan was a task identified by the Town Plan. Dave Pelletier of LCPC Mr. Williams made a motion to accept the Bicycle Pedestrian Improvement Plan and for staff to be cognizant of the plan when working on future projects. Ms. Scheuermann seconded the plan. Motion carried. B. Review/Approve Consultant for Village Center Marketing Plan: Mr. Jackman explained that the Town received a Municipal Planning Grant in the amount of $15,000 to develop a Village Center Markeidng Plan. Three proposals were received and evaluated by a committee. The committee and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended hiring Crane Associates for the project. On a motion by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann, the Board approved the hiring of Crane Associates to develop a Village Center Marketing Plan for an amount not to exceed $15,000. C. Discuss Stowe Trolley Contract (Possible Executive Session): The Board went into executive session at 5:42 pm on a motion by Ms. Scheuermann seconded by Mr. William with Tom Jackman, Dave Pelletier and Sonia Alexander in attendance. The Board came out of executive session at 6:05 pm. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion for the Board to send a letter to GMTA withholding payment for now while discussions are had about having some representation on the Board – one from Stowe, one from LamoilleCounty at large and having discussions about a possible contract between the two entities – Town of Stowe and GMTA. Mr. Marron seconded the motion. Motion carried. JACKSON ARENA A. Update on Ice Rink Plans: Mr. Rabidoux updated the Board regarding the project. At the March 7 rink committee meeting the architect Truex Cullins & Partners outlined three options for consideration in moving forward – A - renovate the existing arena; B - demolish/reconstruct the existing arena and rebuild; C - keep the existing arena as a three season recreation space and build a new arena on a new site. Mr. Rabidoux explained that the committee discussed the pros and cons of each option with most committee members in favor of Option B being the most practical and doable and consistent with the bond vote mandate. The design and planning of the new rink would occur during the next year with the goal of the building the rink in 2008 so that it will be ready for as much of the 08-09 winter season as possible. Mr. Marron made a motion authorizing the committee to move forward with Option B, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried. SEWER COMMISSION A. Discuss Request for Credit from Inn Association: Mr. Rabidoux explained that there is a long standing open item between the Town and MMC Inn Association which requires closure. He explained that when the Inn restaurant hooked up to the municipal sewer system a meter was placed on the service line to the restaurant’s walk-in cooler/freezer as per agreement with PW Director Cliff Johnson. The unit uses roughly 600 gallons a day that does not discharge into the Town’s sewer. The Town did agree at that time to give the Inn Association a credit on their sewer bill for the metered water that doesn’t go into the sewer. It was originally thought that an amount of approximately $1,000 was being credited to their monthly sewer bill. Mr. Rabidoux said this has not been done but that an interim credit of $3,000 was applied with in the past calendar year. He said no formal agreement but that it was a long standing unwritten policy that the Town give credits for water that is not going to the sewer. He added that when the Town was originally approached the Inn Association had said they would probably be converting to electric refrigeration but apparently has not done so. Mr. Rabidoux said he believed that the customer was entitled to a refund. The Board agreed. Mr. Lackey recommended that staff develop a policy for giving partial credits against sewer bills for water that is metered but not discharged into the sewer system and incorporate it into the sewer ordinance. Mr. Williams made a motion to credit the Inn Association the amount that they are due, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann said the updating of the ordinance was a priority. Mr. Lackey made a motion for the Town Manager with support of staff prepare a proposed policy for implementation by the Sewer Commission that describes the circumstances in which credit will be given to customers or meter readings be adjusted for municipal water that is consumed but not discharged into the municipal system. Mr. Marron seconded the motion. Motion carried. SOLID WASTE A. Stowe Transfer Station - Discuss Proposed Change in Hours of Operation & Holiday Schedule: Chip Percy was in attendance to discuss the request by the Solid Waste District to amend the Agreement with the Town as it relates to changing to an eight hour work day and a 5 day work week. He also explained that he would like to discuss with the Board the possibility of closing the station on Sunday rather than Tuesday. The Board immediately voiced their concerns over closing the station on Sunday noting that the information provided by the District indicated that Sunday was the busiest day of the week. Mr. Marron also pointed out that many second homeowners use the station on Sunday on their way out of town. Mr. Lackey said he would not be in favor of closing on Sunday since it would be a loss of convenience to Stowe’s customers. Mr. Percy explained that in the future due to space constraints etc it may be more costly for the station to be open on Sunday. Mr. Williams said if the cost becomes prohibitive then it would be time for the Board to reevaluate. Ms. Scheuermann said that the discussion at this time was premature. Kurt Hanson said he was not in agreement with Mr. Percy’s comments regarding Sunday operations at the station. Mr. Lackey made a motion for the Town Manager to sign on behalf of the Town an amendment to the operation Agreement between the Town and the Solid Waste Management District to 1) incorporate the revised staff schedules for the hours of operation as presented and 2) adopt the holiday schedule as presented for the station. Ms. Scheuermann seconded the motion. Motion carried. ROTARY BARN A. Discuss Proposed Plans for Future Use of Bldg: On August 14, 2007, the Board reversed a June 12th 2007 decision allowing the dismantling of the so called Rotary Barn and agreed at that time to give those interested six months to develop a plan for the use of the building. Tim Meehan of the Historic Preservation Commission and Phil Scott of the Recreation Commission were to come back to the Board after six months. Tim Meehan, Phil Scott and Jean Innamorati (also on the HP Commission) were in attendance and updated the Board on their progress. Mr. Meehan asked the Board to consider extending the deadline indefinitely and taking the building off the sale block. Ms. Innamorati briefly reviewed her study which was conducted with other students as part of a UVM project. She explained that the study concluded that the building had historical value. Mr. Scott noted that a fund had been set up for privately raised donations. Mr. Marron said he still questioned what the building would be used for, exactly what was needed in the area and whether it fits in with the cost and other improvements needed in the community. He said he did not know where all the funds were to come from to do all these things. Mr. Aumand said he agreed and said he was very concerned over the cost of renovation, citing and the cost of sustaining it as a workable building. He said he was not opposed to extending a stay with a caveat that he was very concerned about the cost of renovation. He thanked the UVM students for their work on the study and noted their passion for the project. Ms. Scheuermann said she would like staff to check to see that the Town was not legally bound to the original agreement with Richard Anderson Inc. Mr. Lackey thought valuable work although informal had been done over the last six months and would like to see that continue. He noted that the Capital Plan included $150,000 for the building. Mr. Meehan said that the a master plan was needed for the entire recreation area which encompasses the existing Arena, school fields, David Gale Center, tennis courts and proposed skate park. George Agnew (representing Richard Anderson Inc.) said the Board had given six months for a good plan to be developed for the building and this had not been done in seven months also with no idea of where the funding was to come from. Mr. Meehan disagreed as to the requirement for funding. Mr. Lackey made a motion for the Town Manager to coordinate an effort with support of the Recreation Superintendent and involvement of the Rec Commission and Historic Preservation Commission to continue evaluation of the feasibility of the reuse of the Rotary building at the village recreation complex with expectation that the Manager will report back to the Selectboard by June 20, 2007 with a specific proposal for a design and location of the building at least in concept; a description of how the building will be used for either cultural or recreation programs and whether it will involve replacement of the Gale Center and some estimate of cost and consideration of what funds will be used to support this. Mr. Marron asked if Mr. Lackey would consider extending the deadline date to August 31, 2007 as friendly amendment to his motion and Mr. Lackey agreed. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried. POLICE A. Review/Approve Use of DEA Funds to Purchase Mobile Data Terminals: The Board reviewed a request from Chief Kaplan to purchase mobile data terminals using DEA funds in the amount of $41,211.89. After discussion, Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the request as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann opposed. FINANCE A. Review Feb. Revenue & Expense Report: Ms. Alexander said she did ask the Police Chief to submit the necessary Budget Amendments as noted in the Feb. report. Mr. Lackey noted that the Jackson rental revenue was down. There was no further discussion. GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Review/Approve Request for Coin Drop: The Board received a request from the Manager of Maplefields in Stowe to operate a coin drop in the village on April 20. The coin drop was for the benefit of the Make A Wish Foundation. It was determined that the only time a coin drop was run was after September 11, 2001 by the high school students and after further discussion the Board decided they were not in favor and voted to deny the request by Maplefields on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Marron. West Branch School – Ms. Baraw asked for clarification as to the Town’s involvement in the project at this time. Ms. Alexander clarified that the Board had agreed to taking over the responsibility of the building when funds were raised to the satisfaction of the Board and that Town staff would have oversight of the building through relocation, construction, restoration. At the time of that decision, it was understood there was a site where the building was being moved to and the Historical Society was paying for that move. The Board told Ms. Baraw that the Town would help when needed. There was no further discussion. OTHER BUSINESS A. Selectboard Goals & Objectives: This item was postponed until the April 9, 2007 meeting. B. Meetings in April – A second meeting date in April was not determined due to conflicts in schedules. Mr. Aumand acknowledged that this was Ms. Alexander’s last meeting and thanked her for her work, efforts and guidance especially through the manager’s recruitment. He also thanked Ms. Moeck for her assistance through the transition. There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 8:53 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
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