Present: Selectboard Members: Paco Aumand, Larry Lackey, Norm Williams; Town Mgr Charles Safford; PW Director Justin Rabidoux; Finance Mgr Karla Spaulding; Zoning Administrator Rich Baker
Absent: Heidi Scheuermann, Richard Marron
Others Present: Barbara Allaire, Skeeter Austin, Gerry Scott, Lisa McCormack; two students, Fred Duplessis
Call to Order
Chair Paco Aumand called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.
Selectboard Organization
-Election of Officers – Chair, Vice Chair
Mr. Williams made a motion to appoint Heidi Scheuermann as Chair and Larry Lackey as Vice Chair. Mr. Aumand seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approve the Agenda
Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried.
Consent Items
A. Special Use Permit – Tree Tapping
B. Safety Policy
C. Public Safety Bldg Clerk of the Works
D. Engineering RFQ Selection – Rt 100 Sidewalks
E. Minutes
Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the Consent Items as presented, seconded by Mr. Williams Motion carried.
Liquor Consent
A. Request to Cater – Brandon Harvest Group at HDAC
B. Second Class Liquor – Austrian Tea Room
C. List of Annual Renewals
Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the Liquor Consent Items as presented including the List of Annual Renewals dated 3/9/09, seconded by Mr. Williams Motion carried.
-Appt. of Selectboard Clerk
Mr. Aumand made a motion to appoint Susan Moeck as Selectboard Clerk, seconded by Mr. Williams Motion carried. Ms. Moeck thanked the Board for the opportunity to work with them.
-Designate Regular Meeting Schedule
Mr. Williams made a motion to designate the regular meeting schedule as the 2nd and 4th Mondays beginning at 5:30 pm, seconded by Mr. Aumand. Motion carried.
-Designate Official Newspaper
Mr. Aumand made a motion to designate the Stowe Reporter as the Town’s Official Newspaper. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Sullivan & Powers
A. Review of FY 08 Audit: Fred Duplessis of Sullivan & Powers reviewed the Audit dated 6/30/08.Issues of concern addressed by Mr.Duplessis were the enterprise funds especially the water fund; rink fund deficit and the building back up of a general fund balance between 5-10%.
Ms. Spaulding noted that some of the recommendations identified in the audit had already been cured and systems were in place and that the other recommendations were currently being addressed.
Mr. Duplessis told the Board that there will be more and more financial controls put in place for audits in general.
Mr. Safford thanked Mr. Duplessis and his staff and the Finance Department and their cooperative effort through the auditing process.
Official Business Directory Sign Program
Mr. Safford described the State of Vermont sign program which the Town has administered and managed for many years.VTrans had recently surveyed the sign assemblies and found deficiencies in many assemblies and signs which require repair or replacement. He said the Town can continue to administer the program or turn it back to the State to administer. Mr. Safford added that the Stowe Area Association was in favor of the Town maintaining the program.
Following discussion, Mr. Aumand made a motion seconded by Mr. Williams to correct deficiencies and return the administration of the program back to VTrans. Motion carried.
Mr. Lackey noted that there were zoning regs in place to control where new assemblies are placed.
There was no further discussion.
Sewer Line Extension Request
The Board reviewed information provided by staff regarding Gerry Scott’s letter requesting the Town consider extending the sewer district north on Route 100. Recommendations from staff on the request included conditions of an expansion which included any developer paying for all costs involved in the sewer line extension.
The Board discussed the larger questions of reserve capacity and how it should be used; and where and if it should be used.There was concensus that a future discussion was needed to determine densities and areas to define but not it should not be done on a case by case basis.
Mr. Scott said his situation may be changing and said the project would not be economical to take on at this time.
There was no further discussion.
Other Business
Mr. Safford said that due to the muddy conditions of the parking area at the Quiet Path, the parking area had temporarily been closed unless the Board objected. The Board agreed.
There being no further business to conduct, Vice Chair Larry Lackey adjourned the meeting 6:45 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, March 23, 2009
AkeleyMemorialBuilding – Banquet Room 5:30 pm
Present: Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Paco Aumand, Norm Williams, Dick Marron by phone; Town Mgr Charles Safford, Planning Dir Tom Jackman
Others Present: Michael Cullen, Reporter Jesse Roman, Tessa Eisenberg
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.
APPROVE THE AGENDA
Mr. Safford asked to add a discussion regarding OBDS signs to Other Business.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board approved the agenda as amended.
CONSENT ITEMS
A. AnnualBridge Inspection Summary – bridge 5, bridge 53
B. Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board approved the Consent Agenda items.
LIQUOR CONSENT ITEMS
A. List of Annual Renewals (continued)
B. 1st Class, 2nd Class & Outside Consumption – Destination Stowe Hotels, Inc.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board approved the Liquor Consent Agenda items. Mr. Marron recused himself.
MOUNTAINBIKERIDECENTER
A. Approve RFQ – Mr. Lackey asked about adequate parking and whether a trail map would be available in connection with the RideCenter conserved Adams Camp property specifically.
Mr. Jackman explained that those items were part of the planning process and would be reviewed. He noted that the level of terrain would be more suited towards intermediate and above riders.
On a motion by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Williams the Board approved the Request for Proposals for the MtnBikeRideCenter.
SELECTBOARD PRIORITIES
A. Mr. Safford reviewed requests previously indicated by the Board as priorities as follows: Implement the construction of the public safety facility; develop a 3 to 5 year capital plan; work with our insurance company to reduce our loss experience rating on workman’s compensation and resolve audit findings and recommendations. He also pointed out that the Planning Commission will be presenting the Town Plan for the Board’s approval. He added that staff is always working on way to minimize property tax increases while maintaining quality services.
Mr. Aumand provided his priorities which included the continued progress on the list of capital projects to be complete especially paving; including feedback from the Village Center Committee and other committees on long term strategies; and taking another look at the Town’s Charter.
Both Mr. Marron and Mr. Williams also emphasized working on the list of capital projects that are in the works and those upcoming.
Mr. Lackey indicated that it was important when looking at the Town Plan to tie it in with capital planning.
Ms. Scheuermann agreed with Mr. Lackey and added the Memorial Park planning process; further study of the Mayo Farm Events Field; and keeping an eye on the economic climate especially people’s ability to pay property taxes, delinquencies etc and what our town budget looks like for the next couple of years and whether or not there are service cuts that have to be made but it is something that we need to keep a close look at in case we have to make difficult decisions.
Mr. Marron added including keeping in ongoing communication with the Listers Office and grand list projections.
Mr. Safford said the overall goal is to maintain the tax rate and if that doesn’t look possible he will bring it to the Board’s attention.
There was no further discussion.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Regional Selectboard meeting – A meeting was set for April 23rd at 6:30 pm. Mr. Aumand, Mr. Lackey and Mr. Williams indicated that they would attend. Mr. Marron said he was in favor of the meeting but offered a word of caution.
B. OBDS Program – The Board previously decided to return the Program back to the State. Mr. Safford said that staff had learned since that the State has the control of placing signs in the right of way outside the village limits. Mr. Safford asked the Board if they would like to change their previous decision and the answer was “no”.
There being no further business to conduct, Ms. Scheuermann adjourned the meeting at 6:45 pm.
