STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, August 13, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5 pm Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron; Heidi Scheuermann; Norm Williams; Larry Lackey. Absent: Paco Aumand. Also present: Charles Safford, Town Manager and PW Director, Justin Rabidoux. Others present: Electric Commissioners: Ted Teffner, Arthur Lloyd, Denise Gutstein; Stowe Reporter Jesse Roman; Darrow Mansfield, Gary Bourne, Lynn Altadonna, Scott Noble, Bob Evans, Sal Vespa, Michael Bard. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ricahrd Marron called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Selectboard orders were signed. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Lackey moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann with all in favor. No discussion. CONSENT ITEMS A. FY 08 Paving Contract B. Mayo Fields A & B Contract C. Marshall & Swift Cost Table License D. VLCT Voting Delegate E. Sewer & Water Connection Application(s) F. Errors & Omissions G. British Invasion Event Application H. Minutes Ms. Scheurmann moved to approve the Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams with all in favor. Mr. Aumand was not present. LIQUOR CONSENT ITEMS Mr. Marron recused himself due to statutory restrictions. A. Catering Permit request for Mt. Mansfield Co. – 8/24, 9/7 & 9/14/07 B. Trapp Family Lodge- 9/1/07 C. Olives- 9/18/07 Mr. Williams moved to approve the liquor consent items, seconded by Mr. Lackey. All in favor except Mr. Marron who had recused himself. 5:05 STOWE ELECTRIC A. Executive Session- Legal Ms. Scheuermann moved to go into executive session for the Stowe Electric with Ted Teffner, Arthur Lloyd and Denise Gutstein present as well as Charles Safford, Town Manager. Ms. Scheuremann moved to come out of executive session at 5:40 P.M. with no decisions being made. Mr. Williams seconded the motion with all in favor. 5:40 GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Review/Approve potential participation in Rt 100 Scenic Byway Project Present was Michael Bard, Chairman of the Waterbury Conservation Commission who stated the process is to designate a specific road (Rt 100) to bring resources to a community with cultural, historic, recreational qualities along the highway. He felt the Waterbury/Stowe link is critical. Mr. Bard stated economic development is important such as having a kiosk, signage, bring out the history of communities etc. Forming a nominating committee who has a broad base interest. This will not replace or circumvent zoning. Ms. Scheurmann asked if there are negatives and Mr. Safford responded saying, time, will involve staff time and community time. Ms. Scheruemann asked if there are potential negatives for property owners and Mr. Bard responded saying not that they are aware of. Mr. Marron stated Stowe has zoning and we already have land preserved, i.e. Nichols field etc. Mr. Bard stated this is not meant to stop any current use of property. Mr. Bard again reiterated it would not stop zoning but to be used more as a promotional tool. It will help bring in state and federal monies. Mr. Lackey asked if there would be conditions attached and how the group would be made up? Mr. Bard said he did not feel it would be restrictive in any way saying different communities have different purposes. The function is more to promote what already is in the community with state and federal monies. Mr. Bard said each town will have their own committee and suggested different representations within the different communities with plans to merge all. Ms. Scheuermann moved to select one (1) member of the Planning Commission, Stowe Area Association, Stowe Land Trust, Stowe Historical Society and Conservation Commission. Mr. Lackey seconded the motion with all in favor. Mr. Safford will contact each group to see if they choose to participate. B. Review/Approve Revise Purchasing Policy Mr. Safford stated he had comprehensively looked at the purchasing policy which has been redrafted and is suggesting removing line items amendments, no more purchasing orders and those types of things. Have now established a purchasing document and a procedures document with policies coming back to the Selectboard. Mr. Safford stated he felt the time spent is disproportionate to the value of the process with the line item issue. He stated he will be in a position to track the budget items on a regular basis and three-quarters of the way through each year will meet with department heads. By doing this, future budgets can be more accurate and each department will have a better idea of what they spent and for what each year, stated Mr. Safford. Mr. Marron agreed with the plan but his concern is departments going over budget and felt if that happens, the Selectboard needs to know. Mr. Safford commented his expectation is that department heads stay within budget. Mr. Rabidoux agreed with Mr. Safford’s reasoning and felt it will alleviate time and make for a truer budget process. Mr. Lackey had made suggestions, one of which refers to the section in the policy on gifts and suggested Selectboard members be notified of any significant gifts. Mr. Safford will make the suggested changes for the Board’s review at the next meeting. 6:10 WATER & SEWER COMMISSION A. Meet with Gary Bourne re: connection fees. Present were Gary Bourne, Darrow Mansfield and Justin Rabidoux. Mr.Rabidoux referred to the policy and said it does not read that changes will occur at the end of the year. He suggested changing the policy to read: “prior to” in order to raise rates. Ms. Scheuermann moved to amend the water rate schedule to read: for applications received prior to 7-1-07 connection fees to be $5.00 per gallon , seconded by Mr. Williams with all members in favor. B. Connection Fees- Mr. Rabidoux stated it is staff’s opinion that at the time of submission, the rate was $5.00 p.g. and should be the prevailing rate. The request to from the applicant was that they be charged $1.50 p.g.which it was prior to 4-1-07. Mr. Bourne stated he has hooked up to both buildings and done the engineering, zoning approval etc to allow for the conversion into apartments. He stated their present sewer system is working fine and plan to continue to use it, but at some future time , may wish to hook up to the town. Mr.Marron stated if the system should fail, Mr. Bourne would be required to hook up. Mr. Mansfield said he thought the building was presently connected and the issue did not come about until the owner asked for the extra gallonage for the conversion to apartments. He said they are using water tap-ons for the sprinkler system. Mr. Rabidoux stated the applicant is paying for what they are using. Mr. Safford stated they have not been using the lines. Members were concerned they would be setting a precedent if they were to amend the policy for this property. Mr. Williams moved to apply the connection application with the rate of $5.00 per gallon which was established at the time the application was submitted. tape 1 side 2 Mr. Lackey seconded the motion with Ms. Scheuermann, Mr. Marron, Lackey and Williams voting in favor. Mr. Aumand not present. Robert Evans Resigns from the Planning Commission Mr. Marron presented Bob Evans with a plaque from the Town of Stowe, thanking him for his many years on the Commission and in appreciation and for his services and dedication to the Town. Applause!!! 6:30 BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Executive Session—Meet with Candidates A. At 6:30 pm, Ms. Scheurmann moved to go onto executive session with Mr. Williams seconding and all in favor. Also present were Lynn Altadonna, Scott Noble, Bob Evans and Charles Safford. The Board came out of executive session at 6:50. Mr. Marron moved to appoint Sal Vespa to serve on the Planning Commission through 2009 and that C. Paul Reed fill out the term of the vacant position. Ms. Scheuermaann seconded with all in favor. Executive session-Legal & Real Estate. B. Mr. Lackey moved and Mr. Williams seconded the motion to go into executive session at 6:58 P.M. to discuss legal and real estate. All in favor. At 7:10 P.M. Ms. Scheuermann moved to come out of executive session, seconded by Mr. Williams with no decisions being made. All in favor. There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Marron adjourned the meeting at 7:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Barbara S. Allaire
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, August 27, 2007 Akeley Memorial Building 5:00 P.M. Present: Selectboard Members: Richard Marron; Heidi Scheuermann; Norm Williams; Larry Lackey and Paco Aumand. Also present: Charles Safford, Town Manager and PW Director, Justin Rabidoux. Others present: Jessie Roman, Stowe Reporter; Stephanie Chase, Librarian; Fritz Momsen, Stowe Free Library; Rich Delier, Stowe Rescue and Nathan Suter, HelenDayArtCenter. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Richard Marron called the meeting to order at 5:05 P.M. Selectboard orders were signed. APPROVE THE AGENDA Mr. Lackey moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Mr. Aumand with all in favor. No discussion. CONSENT ITEMS A. Sewer and Water Application(s) B. Award Fuel Bid C. Minutes of August 13, 2007 Mr. Lackey moved to approve the Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Aumand with all in favor. LIQUOR CONSENT ITEMS Mr. Marron recused himself due to statutory restrictions. A. Request to Cater- Ye Olde England Inne- British Invasion at Mayo Event Field 9/14-9/16. Mr. Williams moved to approve the liquor consent item, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann with all in favor. Mr. Marron recused himself. 5:05 STOWE RESCUE A. Review/Approve Policy Regarding Provision for Emergency Medical Services Revised changes to the policy submitted. This policy will make it clear that the hiring committee will assure Stowe Rescue has a voice in any decision, which the Town Manager will make. Mr. Delier stated he was pleased how the policy evolved and reads. Mr. Williams moved to accept the draft dated 8/27/07 to include a signature page, seconded by Ms. Scheurmann with all Board members in favor. Mr. Lackey recognized the benefit to the town having a core of active, skilled and motivated people serving the community and this policy will clarify who is responsible for what and can be revised overtime. All members agreed. Mr. Safford thanked the Board for their time and cooperation. 5:25 LIBRARY/HDAC A. Update on Proposed Renovations Mr. Rabidoux gave a report on the analysis of the repairs, which was done by Arnold & Scangas for the Helen Day building. Any specific repairs, which will be addressed in future meetings, will be brought to the Selectboard in the future for their approval. Mr. Safford stated the challenge will be how to finance any repairs in cooperation with other buildings, which need repairs. It was suggested in the future the possibility of hiring a facilities manager to take care of all the public buildings the town owns. Mr. Safford supports the idea of having a capital plan in place. Mr. Marron suggested at budget time preparations start to be made for the repairs and the manner in which they will be financed. All agreed the building is of primary importance to maintain. Mr. Rabidoux stated there is presently $50,000 in the capital budget. Ms. Scheuermann said the Board will look for recommendations from Mr. Safford and Rabidoux. Mr. Aumand encouraged Mr. Safford to continue working on creating a functional capital plan. 5:45 JACKSON ARENA A. Project Update - Mr. Rabidoux stated the committee is working with Truex Cullins and now has chosen a pre-engineered structure which is fully insulated and will bring the costs down along with other revisions. Projected budget to be approximately $6,000,000. Plans are to start demolition/site work by March 17, 2008. Ms. Scheuermann stated the committee needs to make tenants aware of the proposed time frame. Mr. Lackey suggested the committee give thought to energy costs etc.and suggested a management plan for the building as well as considering the construction impact on the elementary school. B. Review/Award Construction Manager Proposal- Mr. Aumand moved to recommend awarding the Pre-Construction Construction Manager contract to DEW Construction Co. and authorizes the Town Manager and staff to enter into contract negotiations with DEW Construction and return to the Board with a final contract for the Board’s approval. Mr. Williams seconded the motion with all voting in favor. 6:10 GENERAL GOVERNMENT A. Review/Approve Purchasing Policy- After discussion, Mr. Aumand moved to approve the Town of Stowe Selectboard’s Purchasing Policy with the amended changes, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. All members voted in favor. There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Aumand moved to adjourn at 6:20 P.M., seconded by Mr. Williams with all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Barbara S. Allaire
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