STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING                             Monday, December 17, 2007

Present:  Selectboard Members: Richard Marron; Heidi Scheuermann; Paco Aumand; Larry Lackey; Norman Williams; Town Manager Charles Safford; Zoning Director Rich Baker; Planning Director Tom Jackman; Police Chief Ken Kaplan

Others Present: Barbara Allaire, Barbara Pfitzenmayer, Reporter Jesse Roman; Lynn Altadonna, Ken Biedermann, Paul Reed, Paul Percy, Chris McHugh, Nancy Kaplan, Michael Diender

Chair Richard Marron called the meeting to order at 5 pm. Selectboard Orders were signed.

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

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

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

A.      Continue Review of Proposed Changes to Regulations: The Board continued the review of the zoning regulations starting at page 43 and ending at page 68. Review will continue on January 14, 2008. 

A.      Review/Approve Seasonal Closing of Waterworks Road: Mr. Marron reviewed the history of the closing of Waterworks Rd. which is a Class 4 road and is not maintained by the Town in the winter. He acknowledged that a petition was received asking that the road be kept open.   Chris Walton of Stowe and Mike Queveda of Waterbury Center said that they would plow the road and keep it open if the Board decided not to close the road.  

A.      Continue Review of Proposed Operating & Capital Budgets: The Board received minor changes to a couple of the department budgets and several changes to the Police Department budget. A draft Equipment Reserve Fund Policy was included for discussion purposes. 

Mr. Safford also explained that the Board needed to make a decision regarding the replacement of the vacant patrol officer position. Selectboard members Lackey and Aumand said that they did not feel it was necessary to fill the vacant position and that the department could get by with fewer officers. Ms. Scheuermann said she supported the budget presented and recommendation of the Town Manager to fill the position with a level entry patrol officer. Mr. Williams and Mr. Marron agreed and added that it would be difficult to replace the service in the future if it were taken away at this time.

Mr. Williams made a motion to authorize the Town Manager and Police Chief to fill the position of police officer, seconded by Ms. Scheuermann. Motion carried with Mr. Williams, Ms. Scheuermann and Mr. Marron in favor. Mr. Lackey and Mr. Aumand opposed. 

Capital Budget – Mr. Diender said he was concerned that local option tax dollars were not being used for specific purposes as intended. He said he would like to see a reserve fund set aside for projects coming up and be used for the original intent of benefiting both tourists and residents. Mr. Biedermann said he would like to funds set aside for necessary vs. discretionary projects.

Ms. Scheuermann stated that she supported the intent of the original LOTAC resolution but would not support incorporating it into the capital plan now. She said it should not be looked at as two pots of money.   

Mr. Aumand said he did not want to see the Town over commit resources and lose the ability to effectively implement projects in a timely manner.

Mr. Lackey said that it is a basic math issue and that tax dollars and local option tax dollars are together going towards all projects which benefits residents and tourists.    

Public Safety Committee – The Board agreed to allow the Committee to produce an educational piece to educate the residents about the proposed public safety facility and directed the Town Manager to review it prior to distribution.   Mr. Marron asked the Town Manager to see if $4000 was available from DEA funds to cover the cost of production.   Mr. Safford said he would check with the Police Chief. He cautioned that printed information paid for by tax dollars was to be factual and not include the opinions of the Committee members. 

Equipment Fund Policy – The Board agreed with the proposed concept and policy and directed staff to include an Article for the establishment of an equipment reserve fund for voter approval at March town meeting. 

Mr. Marron stated that the Board would deliberate the budget at their January 14, 2008 meeting, old a public hearing on January 28, 2008 and adopt the budget on that date. 

A.      Contracts: At 7:54 pm the Board went into executive session with the Town Manager on a motion by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Williams.  

The Board came out of executive session at 9 pm. No action was taken.

There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Marron adjourned the meeting. 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.