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.