STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING              Monday, December 8, 2008

AkeleyMemorialBuilding Banquet Room         5:30 pm

Present:        Selectboard Members: Paco Aumand, Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Richard Marron, Norm Williams; Town Mgr Charles Safford

Others Present:      Mike Smullen, Bill Kelk, Marc Segal, Charlie Berry, Heather Furman, Lainie Nichols, Alan Thorndike, Barbara Allaire, Lisa McCormack, Biddle Duke, Tom Kearney, Glenn Callahan

At 5:30 Chair Aumand called the meeting to order and Selectboard Orders were signed.

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Marron. Motion carried.

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the Minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

Recognition of 50 years – Mr. Aumand presented Biddle Duke with the Town’s recognition of the Stowe Reporter’s 50^th Anniversary. Mr. Duke thanked the Board. 

At 5:35 pm, the Board went into executive session with Mr. Safford in attendance on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann.

The Board came out of executive session at 6:18 pm. No action was taken.

Discuss Proposed Budget: The Board reviewed information provided by the Stowe Land Trust regarding their request for an increase of $4000 to the FY 10 Community Affairs budget by the Land Trust. Executive Director Heather Furman asked the Board to consider the following when making their decision whether to increase the SLT appropriation: the SLT is a community service organization; the current appropriation of $6000 has remained level for 11 years; recent PC survey revealed overwhelming support for land conservation; Board has generously supported ballot initiatives; SLT is primary steward for conservation easements; SLT has done more to increase support of operational costs; and town voters should be allowed to make the appropriation decision at town meeting.

The Board thanked SLT representatives for their information and said they would deliberate at a future meeting. 

Closing of Non-Emergency Mgmt/Bldgs on December 26, 2008: On a motion by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board approved the closing of non-emergency offices on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008 with the understanding that employees voluntarily used earned leave time.

At 6:55 pm, the Board went into executive session on a motion by Ms. Scheuermann, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

The Board came out of executive session at 7:19 pm. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Bill Kelk to the Recreation Commission to fill a term expiring in 2011 and to change the date of current member Dave Matthew’s term to expire in 2009 filling a vacancy left by Grady Vigneau. Mr. Marron seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Their being no further business to conduct, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 7:19 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.

STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING            Monday, December 22, 2008

Present: Selectboard Members: Selectboard Members: Paco Aumand, Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Richard Marron, Norm Williams; Town Mgr Charles Safford

Others Present:       Evelyn Frey, Ken Biedermann, Anne Marie & Sal Vespa, Michael Diender, Susan Spera, Valerie Rochon, Scott Noble, Ed Stahl, Barbara Allaire, Lynn Altadonna, Michael Coughlin

Chair Aumand called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

A.     VT Ski Museum Bldg Alteration – front door

D.      Appeal Letter to Property Valuation & Review re: CLA calculation

Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried.

A.      Festival Permit – 09 Oktoberfest – Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the Liquor Consent item as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

A.      Committee Report: Village Center Committee Chair Scott Noble introduced the 31 page report and reviewed the charge and process the Committee followed to this point to present its findings and recommendations to the Board.   The 12 member VCC was appointed in April 2008 consistent with the Crane Associates “Stowe Village Vibrancy Report”. Their charge was to determine which of the Reports recommendations should be acted upon, establish priorities and timetables for action, costs and recommendations of who should act upon them. Mr. Noble explained that a guiding standard was used comparing it against the Vision Statement of “Stowe village will be a place where residents live, work, and socialize and will forever retain its original and authentic functions as a true Vermont community.” Mr. Noble concluded by stating that the Committee found that one of its conclusions to achieve greater vibrancy should be accomplished by first enhancing and coordinating many existing organizations, involving talented residents, and fostering the more efficient use of our current resources and capabilities. The Committee also recommended establishing a new permanent public/private coordinating entity lead by a broad based group of volunteers and community leaders who would focus on the continued health and vibrancy of the village and Town. 

The Board members thanked Mr. Noble and the Committee for their hard work and commitment to the project noting their common sense approach and realistic recommendations. 

On a motion by Mr. Marron seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board accepted the Report of the Committee and renewed its charge to the end of May 2009.

A.      Continue Deliberation: The Board was given updated budget information and agenda summary information.

Community Affairs – Michael Coughlin of the American Red Cross Northern VT Chapter described benefits to the Stowe community by the Red Cross and requested that the Board consider first time funding of $1,000. 

No action was taken by the Board.

The Board acknowledged a letter from Ann Mallett of Lamoille Home Health & Hospice withdrawing their request to increase their allocation in the FY 10 proposed budget.

Accounting Dept.- The Board briefly discussed the request of increase in hours for the part time position. No action was taken.

Mr. Aumand emphasized the need for the Board to continue to whittle away the proposed budget and to look for ways to reduce spending. 

Further deliberation on the proposed budget will take place on January 12, 2009.   

A.      Legal – At 7:25 pm, Mr. Williams made a motion for the Board to go into executive session with Mr. Safford in attendance, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried.

The Board came out of executive session at 7:50 pm. 

Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the Agreement between the Town of Stowe and Ampersand Properties to settle an appeal to the Jackson Arena Act 250 permit. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried.

There being no further business, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 7:53 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.