Stowe Selectboard Meeting                                                         Monday, June 9, 2008

Main Street Light Project Ribbon Cutting – Members of the Board and others said a few words and threw the switch to light the 11 new lamps on Main Street.

Present:        Selectboard Members: Paco Aumand; Richard Marron; Larry Lackey; Norm Williams; Town Mgr Charles Safford; PW Director Justin Rabidoux; Rec Superintendent Rick Farnham;

Others Present:        Phil Scott, Scott Noble, Matthew Pierce, Jesse Roman, Susan Spera, Stephen Fishman, Evelyn Frey, Tyler Williams, Heidi Fisher, Greg Lachtrupp, David Matthews, Ed Stahl, Ed Izzo

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

Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the agenda with the removal of 3B and the addition of Other Business, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

G.       Water Application – 1976 Mtn. Rd. Fire Sprinkler System

Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the Consent Items as amended, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

A.       Request to Cater Application – Topnotch - Mr. Marron recused himself. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Liquor Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

The Board reviewed a Letter of Transmittals outlining the current status of the funds and the FY 09 proposed budgets and proposed rates effective July 1. Both water and sewer rates were projected to increase of 3%. 

Mr. Marron reviewed some the historic information regarding rates and other issues affecting the funds.  

Mr. Marron made a motion to warn a Public Hearing at 5:35 pm. at the June 23 meeting for review and adoption of the FY 09 Water & Sewer budgets and rates, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

A.       Priorities – Rec Superintendent Rick Farnham representing the Rec Commission summarized the Commission recommendations for priorities developed by Crane Associates 10-Year Recreation Master Plan.   Those priorities outlined: explore & develop a planned extension of the recreation path; development of dedicated playing fields at the Mayo Farm fields; develop attention to physical resources within the community; enhanced programming; proceed with the Jackson Arena restoration/construction; develop a recreation master plan for facilities; enhance the in town hiking trails to include signage, grooming and maintenance plan; establish the rec path as a year-round use area; support the efforts of local, private/public owned and operated organizations to develop facilities as important recreational assets within the community; build restrooms at the Tobe Reed Park; and explore the redesign of the Moscow Riley field area into a family park. 

The Board made several comments regarding the priorities and Mr. Farnham clarified some of the recommendations.

Mr. Farnham also asked the Board to accept the “recreation vision” for Stowe presented by the Rec Commission and the Board edited several points in the vision statement.

Mr. Lackey made a motion to adopt the vision statement of 11/07/05 with the deletion of undeniably, outstanding and meaningful; and to receive the recommendations by the Recreation Commission presented, seconded by Mr. Williams.   Motion carried.

Mr. Aumand thanked Mr. Farnham and the Commission for all their hard work.

B.       Village Center Park Draft Ordinance – Mr. Farnham said there were no written guidelines or protocol for the area and fields so the proposed ordinance was drafted for the Boards review by the Town Mgr., Rec and Parks Superintendents. 

The Board brought up several issues and concerns including should this ordinance cover all town fields; is behavior an issue; organized assembly; enforcement issues and parks and the open container law.

Mr. Safford stated that ordinances of this type give policy guidance and developing local law is setting a community standard. 

After further discussion, Mr. Marron made a motion to table the ordinance discussion until the next meeting, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

The Board asked for feedback from the Police Chief.

There was no further discussion. 

A.       Personnel – The Board went into executive session at 6:55 pm on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Marron.

The Board came out of executive session at 7:30 pm. No action was taken

A.       Committee Update – The Board reviewed information prepared by the Village Committee including a progress report and short and long term projects/tasks with Mr. Noble summarizing the presentation. The committee asked that the Board approve a short term project of hanging flower baskets on Main St. from the new lamps. The project will cost approximately $385 with a weekly maintenance cost of $30 with funds coming from the Parks Dept. budget to cover the expense.  

The Board agreed to the suggested project and instructed staff to make it happen.

B.       Use of Public ROW on Main St. Sidewalk Sale: Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the use of public ROWs for the July 4-July 6 tent sale on Main Street in accordance with the information presented. Mr. Williams seconded.

Mr. Lackey pointed out that use of the greenspace on the corner of Park and Main would be used. Ms. Spera said it would be used by either the PTO or the Recreation Dept. for face painting but not retail necessarily. 

Mr. Safford said clean up of the areas should be entrusted to the retailers. Mr. Fishman agreed.

Mr. Aumand applauded the Committee’s energy and enthusiasm. 

Motion carried.

Mr. Aumand asked the Board for their approval to present the 2008 StoweMiddle School students with a Resolution on their accomplishments at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. 

Mr. Williams made a motion to present a Resolution on June 12, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.

Others Present:     Scott Monroe; Ken Biedermann, Barbara Allaire, Larry Jones, Scott Noble, Mark Walker, Barbara Pfitzenmayer, Ken Libby, Lynn Altadonna, Alan Thorndike, Ed Izzo, Rachel Chevalier, Helene Martin, Robert Dimario, Mila Lonetto, Sam Scofield, Mitzi Speer, Paul Reed

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

Board members asked to remove Ampersand Conveyance; Line of Credit and Investment Policy from the Consent Items.

Mr. Marron made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams to approve the Agenda as amended. Motion carried.

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

L.       Ampersand Conveyance to Town – Infrastructure; Opening of Public Highways – Mr. Marron made the following motion: “To accept title to and dedication as public improvements, on behalf of the Town of Stowe, certain streets, roadways and related improvements, sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, and stormwater facilities (collectively, the “Improvements”) being conveyed and transferred to the Town by Ampersand Properties LLC, all as more particularly described in the documents entitled: Warranty Deed; Wastewater Easement Deed; Water Easement Deed; Stormwater Easement Deed; accompanying Property Transfer Tax Returns; Infrastructure Conveyance & Indemnification Agreement Certification Regarding Installation of Infrastructure Improvements: and Agency of Natural Resources Stormwater Management Program application for Transfer, provided the Town Manager with the advice of legal counsel, is first satisfied that such documents are improper form and order, and that all actions and things necessary to enable the Town to take all of Ampersand’s right, title and interest in and to the improvements free and clear of all claims and encumbrances. In furtherance hereof, the Town Manager shall have authority to execute (as necessary), accept and record all such documents and take all other actions necessary to implement this Motion.” Ms. Scheuermann seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Marron made another motion as follows: “To accept on behalf o the Town of Stowe the transfer and conveyance of title to a 10.55 acre parcel known as the Eastern Wetland Lot from Ampersand Properties LLC said transfer and conveyance to be made by Warranty Deed and related documents in substantially the same form as presented to this Board at their meeting on June 23, 2008, with such adjustments and changes thereto as the Town Manager, with the advice of counsel, may deem to be in the best interests of the Town of Stowe. In furtherance hereof, the Town Manager is herby authorized to execute as necessary and record all documents and take all other actions necessary to effectuate the contemplated transfer and conveyance.” Ms. Scheuermann seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Mr. Safford explained that the documents to be signed would be presented at a later date once the attorneys have completed their review. There was no further discussion.

A.       Festival Permit – 9/26-27/08 Oktoberfest – Mr. Marron recused himself.

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

K.       Capital Projects Close Out – The Board reviewed information from staff on capital projects either completed or determined to be no longer viable with recommendations for closing out those projects. Only projects closed out during the past year were identified. 

Mr. Marron made a motion to approve the list of Capital Project Closeouts with the removal of Field K improvements from the list, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

I.       Line of Credit Award – After a brief discussion, Mr. Lackey made a motion to award the line of credit to Citizens Bank at an interest rate of 2.7%. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried.   Mr. Marron recused himself.

J.       Investment Policy – Mr. Lackey suggested one minor change to the policy. 

On a motion by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board adopted the Investment Policy effective immediately as amended.

Mr. Aumand opened the public hearing as Water & Sewer Commission to conduct a joint public hearing to review and approve the FY 09 Water and Sewer budgets and the adoption of revised Water and Sewer Fee Schedules.

There being no comment from those in attendance or from the Board, Mr. Aumand closed the public hearing.

Mr. Williams made a motion to adopt the FY09 Sewer and Water budgets and revised Sewer and Water Rate Fee Schedules as presented. Mr. Marron seconded the motion.

The Board discussed the replacement of the School Street 100 year old waterline. Although budgeted in FY07, the $60,000 was never restricted in order to make it available for expenditure in a future year. Repaving of School Street was also planned after the replacement of the water line. Mr. Safford explained that with the department running a deficit, staff advises not undertaking optional projects and therefore the School Street project is not included in the FY 09 budget. He added that staff could explore the revolving loan fund for this project and the budget could always be adjusted in the future.

The motion carried.  The Board asked staff to look into the possibility of a revolving loan and provide information at a future meeting. 

At 6 pm, Mr. Aumand opened the public hearing to review proposed revisions to the Town of Stowe Zoning Regulations.

Tom Jackman gave a brief summary of the three year process in revising the regulations explaining that the original motivation was to bring the regulations into conformance with the revision to 24 VSA Chapter 117 and in addition bring the document into compliance with the 2003 Town Plan and to make it more user friendly. 

Ken Biedermann was the first to comment on the proposed changes to the regulations. One of his items of concern was the change to parking in the Village saying that he thought the change was premature and had not been thought through thoroughly. He asked that the parking language be left as it is currently in the regulations.  A discussion took place with several other people in attendance commenting regarding parking.

Other items discussed were the changes to allow retail in RR1 and density issues on the Mountain Road. 

There being no further comments, Mr. Aumand closed the hearing at 7:15 pm. 

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to retain the current language regarding parking requirements in VC 10, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

Mr. Lackey, noting that it was contrary to the district, made a motion to take out the addition of retail in RR 1 therefore, allowing retail only as an accessory use. The motion was seconded by Ms. Scheuermann and passed.

Ms. Scheuermann made a motion to retain the current language in section 3.10 (1) regarding distances from watercourses, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the proposed revisions to the Town of Stowe Zoning Regulations as amended effective July 14, 2008, seconded by Mr. Marron. Motion carried.

In conclusion, Mr. Aumand thanked staff and the Planning Commission for all their hard work and many nights spent on the revision of the regulations.   The members of the Planning Commission thanked the Board for their attention and time spent in review. 

Real Estate & Personnel – at 7:47 pm, the Board went into executive session with the Town Manager in attendance on a motion by Ms. Scheuermann, seconded by Mr. Williams. 

The Board came out of executive session at 8:15 pm. 

On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board approved a 5% increase in salary which included a 3.1% cost of living increase for the Town Manager effective July 1, 2008. 

There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.