Present:        Selectboard Members: Paco Aumand, Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Richard Marron, Norm Williams; Town Manager Charles Safford; PW Director Justin Rabidoux

Others Present:       Ed Stahl, Phil Scott, Scott Noble, Valerie Rochon, Doug Barry, Brian Hamor, Andrea Hamor, Evelyn Frey, Jesse Roman, Lynn Paparella, Jane Weaver, Tom Hubbs, Jed Lipsky, Bruce Nourjian, Kate Carpenter, Cliff Johnson, Tim Meehan, Tom McLinden, Peggy McLinden, Scott Moriarty

Chair Aumand called the meeting to order 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders

were signed.   Mr. Aumand asked the Board if they were in favor of adding the the Stowe Derby application to the Agenda. He also noted that one item for executive session had been removed.

Mr. Marron made a motion to add the Stowe Derby application to the Consent Items, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.

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

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

A.      Personnel – The Board determined that an executive session was not required.

On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board approved the hiring of a Stowe Electric Department apprentice lineman Adam Forunati at an hourly wage of $19.34 per hour with full benefits.

Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting at 5:35 pm and called the meeting back to order at 5:54 pm.

The Board received a letter from several organizations in Town regarding a proposal for the possible retention or replacement of the existing Jackson Arena along with the building of a new ice arena. In the letter the organizations recommend that the Town consider two buildings as part of the Memorial Field Master Plan request for proposals. The RFP for Memorial Park is due to be advertised in the Spring.

Jed Lipsky speaking on behalf of the organizations summarized the reasons for the groups support of two separate facilities and the uses those facilities would provide.  He said that the group felt that it was very important having these uses and these facilities in the village. He said that their request was quite simple and that it was to have the Town consider this in the master planning effort.

There was discussion of the RFP and the uses of the area and how the consultant would receive input and who would represent the project advisory group.   Other issues discussed were adequate parking, timing of the projects and the outcome of the natural resource assessment of the area.

Mr. Williams stated that during the master planning process he would not want to “tie any ones hands” and that the planning should be open for discussion.   He said he wanted all options to be considered. Ms. Scheuermann agreed.

Mr. Aumand clarified that the RPF for the master plan is still in draft form. 

Mr. Safford said the RFP has evolved to something more general now taking into consideration traffic & circulation, uses of facilities, lighting and parking to maximize the resource. It will be an evolutionary process.

There was a concensus of the Board that the language that the ice rink remain in its current location be taken out of the RFP and also add that there should be focus on uses and take in as much testimony as possible and collaborate with as many of the groups interested.

Mr. Lackey added that the RFP consultant should consider a balance of the interests in the area and that the interests of one group is not the only element of this planning process.

Mr. Aumand thanked those in attendance and said it was always good to see public interest.

Mr. Aumand opened the public hearing at 6:37 pm and stated that pursuant to Section 2-52 of the Town of Stowe Animal Control Ordinance, the Selectboard will conduct a dog hearing regarding Andrea Hamor’s dog “Bailey”.

Mr. Aumand stated that the Board was sitting as a quasi judicial group to review a Municipal Complaint. He identified the Animal Control Officer who was in attendance as well as the owners of the dog. He read Section 2-52 of the Ordinance and reviewed the Ordinance definition of vicious and domestic animal. 

The Hamors admitted that the dog “Bailey” had “run at large” and had killed one cat. Mr. Hamor said he had been in contact with the owners of the cat and had sincerely apologized; and further agreed to pay for any damages as a result of Bailey’s actions.

The Hamors agreed that by definition of the Ordinance the dog would be considered vicious. Mr. Hamor gave history of their move to Stowe and gave examples of how they in the past had hired a dog walker to help and have recently tried to contain the dog on their property by installing a fence and then by increasing its height. He said that Bailey had been able to get out of the fence on occasion and also by people accidentally leaving an exterior door open. Mr. Hamor said they had been trying their best to remedy the dog running at large and working diligently to remedy the situation.

Animal Control Officer Elizabeth Rankin reviewed her history with the dog and spoke of a couple of specific incidents. Her recommendation was to have the dog restrained at home or when out in public by a tether and muzzled.

The cat’s owner, Scott Moriarty, said he would not want the dog destroyed but also does not want someone else’s cat attacked or killed.

Ms. Hamor asked that the dog not be muzzled and said that tethering should be a sufficient solution. She asked for time to see how that works.

Ms. Rankin agreed to this request as she did not identify the dog as vicious towards other dogs or people.

Mr. Aumand summarized the hearing and said that the Board had a resolution presented to them to have the dog restrained or tethered when it is out of doors. 

Mr. Aumand cautioned the Hamors that they have agreed to the Board’s decision and if the dog is involved in another incident they run the risk of a more serious outcome if they come before the Board again.

Mr. Marron made a motion that owners of Bailey, Andrea and Brian Hamor, be ordered to physically restrain their dog when it is outside. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Mr. Aumand closed the hearing at 7:03 pm.

Mr. Marron asked staff to check with the farmer at the Mayo Farm regarding the storing of manure. Mr. Safford said he would do so.

There being no further business, Mr. Aumand adjourned the meeting a 7:05 pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.

Stowe Selectboard Meeting                                       Monday, February 23, 2009

Present:        Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Richard Marron, Norm Williams; Town Manager Charles Safford; Animal Control Officer Elizabeth Rankin

Others Present:       Jane Weaver, Lynn Paparella, Moriarty Family – Scott, Jessica, Hattie, Ellie; Sporty ell, Kathleen Schwartz, Willard Pfetzfelder III, Claudia Stauber, Eve Lepcio, Karen Akins, Lynn Jeffery, Bobby Roberts, Bob Russell, Jessica Russell, Gina Zytko, Dean Lyon, Doug Kellogg, Hanyin Leung, Coco Dowley, Ellen Riemschneider, Ruth Hay, Kathleen Nann, Joyce Hulse, Linda ____, Peg Wadds, Bob Wadds, Elise McKenna, Barbara Allaire   

Ms. Scheuermann called the meeting to order and Selectboard Orders were signed.

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

B. Transfer of Easement Deed to VELCO on Nichols Field & transfer of Velco compensation of $5941.90 to Stowe Land Trust -

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

A. Frida’s Taqueria and Grill - Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the First Class Restaurant License application as presented, seconded by Mr. Lackey. Motion carried.

Letter of Concern Regarding Dogs on Mayo Farm Quiet Path -The Board reviewed a letter

from Scott and Jessica Moriarty, property owners on Cemetery Road adjacent to the

parking area for the Quiet Path which is used by many people to walk their dogs. The

Moriarty’s expressed a number of issues including the killing of their cat by a dog running

at large, dogs running on their property and people not picking up after their dogs. They

suggested a number of ideas to remedy the situation. 

Animal Control Officer Rankin described the dog walking area to the Board and some of

the issues she has encountered stating that since 2006 there had been an increase in

complaints regarding the area. She made recommendations including more specific

signage; placing barriers or indicating boundaries at the Quiet Path; increase patrol and

education; volunteer monitoring and reporting and the posting animal control information.

Ms Scheuermann opened up the discussion to those in attendance. There was a

concensus from those attending that they felt this area was a valuable asset for the town

and a number of suggestions were made to help control the area and keep dogs away

from both the Moriarty’s property and the Cemetery. Some of the suggestions included

designating the parking lot and the area out from the lot as a leashed area. This

designation would be added to the Ordinance and subject to fines if not obeyed. The

group also agreed that adding more signage and boundaries was a good idea and all dog

owners needed to be more responsible for their animals. Increasing fines was another

In conclusion, Mr. Safford said he would work with the Parks Director, Planning Director,

Animal Control Officer and Paul Percy to determine how some of these suggestions

(signage, boundaries, on leash area) could be put in place noting that some items would

have to be done in phases. He said he would return to the Board in the future with a

Selectboard Discussion Regarding the Presentation of Annual Meeting Articles – The Board

reviewed the procedure of handling questions on the articles and motions necessary. 

Ms. Safford said he would prepare a brief description of each capital project and provide it

Mr. Williams said he would send a letter to the Editor regarding Article 8.

The Board went into executive session with the Town Manager in attendance at 6:33 pm on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey.

The Board came out of executive session at 6:50 pm.

Personnel - Mr. Marron made a motion to grant Andre Adams-McKnight up to 60 hours of additional unpaid leave time beyond what she is eligible to receive under the Family Medical Leave Act eligible purposes between now and September 2009 when she is credited additional earned time off. Mr. Williams seconded the motion which was approved.

Mr. Williams made a motion to pay Tom Vickery additional compensation in the amount of $12,175 plus applicable Social Security, Medicare and retirement benefits not to exceed $14,396.94 in recognition of the payment from Waterbury to Stowe for the purpose of providing additional compensation to Mr. Vickery for additional services he provided them during their appraisal. Mr. Marron seconded the motion which was approved.

No further action was taken.

There being no further business to conduct at the regular meeting, Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting to attend the public information meeting in the Auditorium.

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING –

2009 Annual Meeting Articles including FY’10 Proposed General Fund Budget &

The School Board presented their budget followed by a question and answer session.