Present:        Selectboard Members: Richard Marron, Paco Aumand, Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Norm Williams; Town Mgr Charles Safford; Zoning Director Rich Baker; Planning Director Tom Jackman; SE Gen Mgr Ellen Burt; Fin. Director Karla Spaulding; Asst. Fin Dir. Linda Kelly

Others Present:       Lynn Altadonna, Helen Beckerhoff, Barbara Pfitzenmayer, Barbara Allaire, Larry Jones, Jacqui    Ken Biedermann, Ken Libby, Paul Reed, Evelyn Frey, Mark Walker, Ed French, Reporter Jesse Roman, James Askew, Leo Clark, Kyle Walker, Ted Teffner, Pat Householder, Mila Lonetto, Richard Hennessey, Charles Lusk, Arthur Lloyd

Chair Richard Marron called the meeting to order at 5 pm and  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.

a.       Continue Review of Proposed Changes to Zoning Regs – Selectboard continued review from page 121 through page 152 with a continuation scheduled for Feb. 11.

a.       Deliberate Proposed Capital & Operating Budgets:  The Board reviewed the revised draft of the operating and capital budgets (specific items were addressed in the Agenda Summary) and agreed to fund an allocation of $3000 from the FY 09 Administration budget Contingency to assist the proposed broadband and cell committee. They also acknowledged the draft RFP for master planning of the Memorial Fields and asked staff to tweak some of the items and bring it back for further review by the Board sometime after Town Meeting. 

On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Williams the Board approved increasing the capital budget by $20,000 for the master planning of the village recreation complex.  

Mr. Clark said he wanted to bring to the attention of the Board that there were conditions being considered for the ice arena during the Development Review Board process that could result in additional costs for the Town as owner facility.

Both Mr. Marron and Ms. Scheuermann said they understood the situation and that the arena committee may come back in the future but they were not inclined at this time to add contingency funds to the proposed FY09 budget. 

There being no further comments from those in attendance, Mr. Marron closed the hearing. 

Mr. Lackey noted that the revised budget did not include an $4000 increase requested by the Stowe Land Trust and asked the Board to consider this or a portion of the requested increase. He also asked the Board to consider removing the Zamboni from the capital budget.

Ms. Scheuermann said would like to stick with level funding of the Stowe Land Trust community affairs appropriation. She added that it was important to stay with the equipment reserve guidelines and not defer the Zamboni request. Mr. Safford added that once you start deferring it catches up with you and becomes a factor in the first couple of years until you have time to build up reserve.

Ms. Scheuermann reiterated that FY 09 expenses decreased $685,235 or 6.78%; revenues decreased $1,777,640 or down 44.84%; net budget increased 7.81% with the tax rate increasing 4.67%; the tax rate is .3463 or .0154 cents from last year.

Mr. Lackey asked what procedure is required for the funding of the playground. Mr. Safford stated that the project would be subject to fundraising with the Town and school working together. He said it was agreed that the Highway Dept. would remove the old playground equipment.   

Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the FY 09 proposed operating budget and capital budget as presented with the addition of $20,000 to the capital budget to fund the recreation complex master plan. Ms. Scheuermann seconded the motion. Motion carried.

a.       Finalize/Approve Town Meeting Warning & Australian Ballot Articles: The Chair reviewed each Article including the school budget; bonding of the public safety facility; Stowe Electric bonding and borrowing in connection with the Lamoille County 115kV Line project.  

The Board amended Article 5 to include the word “design”. 

Ms. Burt explained that more details of the electric project will be released to the newspaper when they become public. Details of the settlement are required to be release simultaneously by Stowe Electric and the Public Service Board.

Mr. Teffner stated the fiscal impact on the rate payer if the Articles are passed would be under 5%. 

Mr. Lackey made a motion to approve the Stowe Electric Australian Ballot Resolution Certificate and Declaration of Intent as presented at the meeting, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Australian Ballot Warning as amended and Town Meeting Warning as presented, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried.

Mr. Aumand asked Mr. Libby how he felt about the increase to $7.2 million construction cost for the public safety facility. Mr. Libby responded that the review by the Historic Preservation Commission prompted additional significant design recommendations and the committee felt it necessary to follow their recommendations and add the additional cost especially since the building’s location at the gateway into the village.

BOARDS & COMMISSION – Executive Session

a.       Meet with Candidate(s) – On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board went into executive session at 7:22 pm with Mr. Safford and Mr. Jones in attendance.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:10 pm. Mr. Lackey made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams to appoint Charles Lusk to the DRB. Motion carried. The Board asked staff to thank those who were interviewed. 

A.      Vermont Education Finance & Property Tax Reform                                                    Resolution – This item was tabled for discussion at a future meeting.

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

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.