STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, April 9, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron (by phone); Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Larry Lackey; Norman Williams; Town Manager Charles Safford; PW Director Justin Rabidoux Others Present: Electric Commissioners Ed French, Ted Teffner, Denise Gutstein; Reporter Scott Monroe, Lyn Francis, Neil Van Dyke, Ed Andrus, Mark Walker, John Schnee, Wendall Mansfield, Ken Peer, Don Ramos, Scott Noble, Lucy Howard, Sam Scofield CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Paco Aumand called the meeting to order at 5 pm. Selectboard Orders were signed. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Aumand asked to pull the Purchasing Policy and the Bridge Inspection Report from the Consent Items. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS C. Arbor Day Proclamation D. Minutes of 3/26/07 Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. LIQUOR CONSENT A. Annual Renewals – see attached B. Catering Permit – 10 Gems dba Black Door Bistro: 4/21/07 at JCOGS WELCOME NEW TOWN MANAGER Mr. Aumand welcomed Stowe’s new Town Manager Charles Safford. STOWE ELECTRIC A. Review Pending Litigation – Ms. Scheuermann made a motion for the Board to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and a Personnel issue at 5:10 pm with Mr. French, Mr. Teffner, Ms Gutstein and Mr. Safford in attendance. Mr. Marron seconded the motion. Motion carried. At 5:55 pm the Board came out of executive session. No action was taken. CEMETERY COMMISSION A. Review/Approve Minor Revisions to Bylaws: The Board reviewed revisions to the Cemetery Rules & Regulations. Mr. Williams asked that Civil Unions be added to Section III #7 and the other Board members agreed. On a motion by Ms. Scheuermann, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board approved the revisions to the Rules & Regulations and Fee Schedule. STOWE LIBRARY/HDAC A. Review/Award Consultant Contract for Bldg. Inspection: Mr. Rabidoux explained that the Town issued an RFP on February 12, 2007 for consultant services to conduct an investigation and survey to determine the condition of the Helen Day Art Center/Stowe Free Library building. Mr. Rabidoux said he and the committee reviewing the proposal received recommended Arnold & Scangas. Mr. Marron made a motion to award the contract to Arnold & Scangas in an amount not to exceed $8,400, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried. 2006 Bridge Inspection Report – (This item was pulled from the Consent Items.) Mr. Rabidoux explained that he would be meeting with VTrans regarding the bridge report. He asked that the Board acknowledge receipt of the report so that it could be returned to the State. Mr. Marron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann to sign the form. Motion carried. PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY A. Meet with Reps from Rescue, Fire, Police: Members of public safety were in attendance to discuss with the Board on how to move forward after the defeat of the public safety facility March bond vote. Mr. Aumand stated that there was the need to continue to highlight the necessity for new facilities and to provide an affordable solution. Mr. Marron agreed and said there was a real need for the facility and said they needed to go forward by forming a new committee to review what was proposed for the bond vote and see if it can be done for less money although he didn’t think it could be built for less. He said this would not mean hiring another design firm. Mr. Lackey said the public safety groups were in need of more space and people don’t see this or think of it when they are providing the great services that they provide. He said the committee will need to look at all the options and provide comparative information using the existing structures which will show in the end that the plan proposed is superior to the alternatives. Both the Board and public safety representatives concluded that a formation of a citizens group in conjunction with public safety representatives would be the next step. The Board asked staff to provide the following information for the Board’s review at the next meeting – brief history of the project; makeup of the committee; draft a charge. Mr. Safford he would pull all the information together for the next meeting. POLICE A. Review/Award Bid for Police Cruiser: The Board reviewed responses to the Chief requests for proposals in providing a 2007 Ford Expedition which was approved as part of the FY 08 Police budget. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to award the bid to Lamoille Valley Ford for the 07 Ford Expedition in an amount not to exceed $24,564.32 payable after July 1, 2007. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Review/Approve Hiring of Part Time Officer: Mr. Aumand noted that the hiring of the part time officer was now the responsibility of the Town Manager. He referred this item to Mr. Safford. There was no further discussion. SELECTBOARD A. Discuss Goals & Priorities: Mr. Aumand asked that each Board member identify their goals and priorities. Mr. Aumand started off first by identifying his as follows: a comprehensive review of the Police department as well as all departments as it relates to the size of the departments and the services they provide – are they adequately staffed; village plan as it relates to the historical society, recreation building and playground and how it all fits in together possibly looking at a master plan for the area; public safety building and renovations to the Akeley Memorial Building. Mr. Aumand added a comprehensive of all town policies by the Town Manager. Ms. Scheuermann identified the following goals and priorities: water and sewer rates and the structure; village sustainability, viability; Akeley building vault and town offices; public safety facility; economic development – is there a role for town government to play. Mr. Marron said his priorities were the following: working cooperatively with the Electric Department and the upgrade; public safety facility; water and sewer adequate rate structure which is fair and equitable and will support the debt service; review the town ordinances and in particular the ordinances incorporated with the merger to make sure they are all necessary, in proper form and enforceable. Mr. Marron added he would want the next budget to be considered within the growth of the grand list. Mr. Lackey added the following: understanding the role of the town manager and the Selectboard and share philosophies; labor contract negotiation; zoning bylaw revision; Akeley building; Jackson Arena; historical society building; next steps for the public safety facility; skate park; repairs to HDAC; Rotary Barn; planning process for recreation. He added review of the Town Plan action items possibly with individual departments; update and adopt a revised Capital Plan; keep the process of LOTAC; see earlier review of the proposed budget; further discussion of the local option sales tax and impact fees. Mr. Williams identified the following: start budget process early and set direction; staffing issues and organizational structure and how it is working; look at local option tax issues; viability of the local economy; more participation in town meeting. There was no further discussion. The Board agreed to move their next meeting to April 30th. Mr. Williams said he would not be available for that meeting. Mr. Marron said he would be back for the April 30th meeting. Mr. Marron left the meeting at this time. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS A. Interview Candidates for Various Vacancies: At 7:20 pm, Ms. Scheuermann made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams, for the Board to go into executive session with candidate Ken Peer, Commissioners Ted Teffner, Scott Noble and Town Mgr. Charles Safford in attendance. Motion carried. The Board also met with Don Ramos and Lucy Howard and Historic Preservation Chair Sam Scofield. The Board came out of executive session at 8:20 pm. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Paul Reed to the Historic Preservation Commission and Donald Ramos to the Development Review Board effectively immediately. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Aumand welcomed Mr. Safford again. There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 8:25 pm.
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, April 30, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron; Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Larry Lackey; Town Manager Charles Safford; PW Director Justin Rabidoux Absent: Norman Williams Others Present: Ted Teffner, Reporter Jesse Schloff, Larry Jones, Arthur Lloyd, Steven Riley, Donna Adams, Joy Fagan, Brian Leven, Rich Delier, Rich Drill CALL TO ORDER Chair Richard Marron called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. APPROVE THE AGENDA Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. CONSENT ITEMS A. Arbor Day tree location B. Sewer Connection Application – K2 Realty LLC 78 Strom Farm Rd 720 gpd C. FYO8 Holiday Schedule D. Minutes of 4/9/07 Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. LIQUOR CONSENT A. 2007 2nd Class Renewal – Go Go Mart B. Catering Permits @ Trapps Wedding Meadow – 5/19;5/26; 7/7; 7/14; 9/2; 9/15; 9/29 4 pm-11 pm Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the liquor consent items as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Mr. Marron recused himself. CEMETERY COMMISSION A. Review/Approve Request for Use of Trust Funds: The Board reviewed information regarding the Cemetery Commission who through the efforts of Patricia Haslam is preparing to publish a second book detailing unmarked gravesites researched and documented by Ms. Haslam, Certified Genealogical Record Specialist. The book will be a record of Ms. Haslam’s four-year search resulting in 323 newly found burials in Old Yard, West Branch and RiverbankCemeteries. Ms. Haslam is donating her research and publication rights to the Town. Ms. Adams explained that the Commission was seeking approval from the Selectboard to borrow $9,795 from the Trust Fund to cover the cost of publication of the second book. (The first book was published in 1998 using $10,000 of the Trust Fund.) Ms. Adams requested that the Board give the Commission is little leeway in the amount of funds to be borrowed. After a brief discussion, Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the borrowing of up to $11,000 by the Cemetery Commission from the trust fund for the purpose of the publication of “The Annotated Cemetery Book II, Stowe, Vermont 1798-1915: Four Burial Record Books”. Mr. Lackey seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Lackey added that Ms. Haslam’s efforts were to be commended and thanked her for the documentation. BOARDS & COMMISSION A. Meet with Candidates for Various Bds & Commissions: At 5:16 pm, the Board went into executive session on a motion made by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Lackey with Mr. Safford, Mr. Teffner and Mr. Riley in attendance. The Board also met with Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Leven and Mr. Jones during executive session. At 6:15, the Board came out of executive session. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Brian Leven to fill a vacancy on the Development Review Board effective May 15, 2007 (vacancy left by Mr. Coppock), seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to appoint Arthur Lloyd to as Electric Commissioner effective immediately for a three year term ending in 2010. Mr. Lackey seconded the motion. Motion carried. B. Review/Approve Annual List of Appointments: Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the Certificate of Annual Appointments effective May 1, 2007 (see attached). Mr. Lackey seconded the motion. Motion carried. FINANCE A. Review March Finance Report: Mr. Lackey indicated he had several questions and said he would speak with the Town Manager directly. There was no discussion. OTHER BUSINESS A. Public Safety Facility: The Board reviewed a draft “charge” for the proposed Public Safety Facility Committee. Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to approve the charge as presented, seconded by Mr. Marron. Motion carried. Mr. Aumand instructed staff to advertise for the volunteers for the Public Safety Facility Committee. Mr. Safford said he would do so. B. Request for Display on Dave’s Mobil Greenspace: The board reviewed a letter from the Stowe Area Association requesting to use the greenspace for a temporary display during June in conjunction with VT Birding Month Wings Over Stowe. Richard Drill, representing the event, described the display as a small display with a birdbath, six perennials or shrubs and a bird house or feeder on a display hook with a small sign identifying EvergreenGardens and the purpose of the display. He said the materials will be removed at the end of June. Mr. Aumand indicated that it was important for this display to be temporary and that the area was a protected greenspace. He added that the request was with in keeping with the overall intent of the area. Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the SAA request in connection with VT Birding Month that the commercial sponsorship is no larger than the small plaque 4”x8” described and that the materials be removed at the end of June. Ms. Scheuermann seconded the motion. Mr. Marron added a condition that the Town Manager have the authority to make sure the project is installed as described by Mr. Drill. Motion carried. C. Rec Path Request: The Board did not have any issues with the request by Northeast Disabled Athletic Assoc. to use the Stowe Rec Path for a handcycle clinic. At 6:45 pm, Ms. Scheuermann made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aumand to go into executive session to discuss Personnel and General Government items with Mr. Safford in attendance. Motion carried. PERSONNEL A. Discuss IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Discuss Possible Real Estate Transaction The Board came out of executive session at 7:20 pm. No action was taken. There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Marron adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
|
