STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING Monday, December 14, 2009
Akeley Memorial Building 5:30 pm
Present: Selectboard Members: Heidi Scheuermann, Larry Lackey, Norm Williams, Richard Marron, Paco Aumand; Town Manager Charles Safford; Parks/Rec Director Marge McIntosh, Park Supt. Bruce Godin,
Absent: Paco Aumand
Others Present: Michael Diender, Chuck Baraw, Ken Strong, Leighton Detora, Cam Page, Barbara Allaire, Reporter Lisa McCormack, Cap Chenoweth, Pascale Savard, Kitty Coppock, Barbara Baraw, Biddle Duke, Marina Knight, Carolyn Ruschp, Connie Bull, Scott Noble, Sonny Davis, Megan Rivera, Helen Beckerhoff, Pat Householder, Steve Lambert, Lynn Altadonna, David Hosmer, Eric Smith
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Scheuermann called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.
APPROVE THE AGENDA
Mr. Williams asked to add under Other Business before Executive Session discussion of Money Market account, cupola repair and a Resolution.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board approved the Agenda as amended.
CONSENT ITEMS
A. Emergency Management Plan update
B. Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board approved the Consent Items as presented.
LIQUOR CONSENT ITEMS
A. Outside Consumption Permit – Blue Donkey
B. First Class Hotel License – Timberholm
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board approved the Liquor Consent Items as presented. Mr. Marron abstained.
PUBLIC HEARING – Solid Waste Ordinance
Ms. Scheuermann opened the public hearing for comment. It was noted that the Solid Waste Ordinance adopted in 1982 pertained to when the Town operated a transfer station. There being no comment from those in attendance, Ms. Scheuermann closed the hearing.
Mr. Lackey made a motion to repeal Stowe’s Solid Waste Ordinance, seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.
Stowe Recreation Path
A. Proposed Plowing of section of Recreation Path for use as winter sidewalk –
The Board received a request from Chuck Baraw of the Stoweflake to plow the Recreation Path from the Rusty Nail to Cape Cod Road. This section of the path runs in proximity to Rt 108 and has been envisioned as a sidewalk connector to the newly installed Mountain Road sidewalk to the proposed Mountain Rd Village sidewalk. The Board also reviewed requests from Pascale Savard of Stowe Derby opposing the plowing and the Hosmer’s supporting grooming of the entire length of the Path.
The Board listened from those in attendance who spoke in support and opposition of the request to plow.
Mr. Williams made a motion to plow the Recreation Path from the Rusty Nail to Cape Cod Rd limiting the use of sand and salt and to allow the Stoweflake to groom the trail next to it on a trial basis with the understanding that it will be revisited if this is not found to be a workable solution. Also, that the Town will provide assistance in preparation of the area to the Stowe Derby before the Race. Mr. Lackey seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Town Meeting Schedule Discussion
School Board Chair Cam Page and the Selectboard discussed the scheduling of March Town Meeting. It was proposed that the meeting begin a 8 am (a change from 9 am) with the Moderator presenting awards etc followed by the School District Meeting at approx. 8:30 am and Town Meeting following.
There was concensus to follow that plan and to warn the start time of the meeting as 8 am with no other specific times set for the remainder of the meeting. The School District business would be first after presentations.
VT Ski Museum
A. Request for Town to pay utilities – The Board reviewed a request from the Vermont Ski Museum asking that the Town begin “to absorb the fuel and sewer/water costs for the building - approximately $4,000 per year.” Staff noted that the HDAC does not pay a share of the utilities and that the utilities for the Stowe Historical Society building are included in the FY 11 proposed budget.
Mr. Lackey expressed concern about supporting the request of another non-profit organization and asked what would be requested next year. Mr. Williams said he looked at the request differently and that it was a reasonable request because the Town owned the building.
After further discussion, Mr. Marron made a motion to have staff arrange to pay the bills for the remainder of this year at the discretion Town Manager out of Selectboard Contingency and place the request for $4000 in the budget for FY 11. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried.
FY 11 Proposed Budget
The Comparative Budget Summary showed a net budget decrease of $90,789 (-1.30%) and a projected tax decrease of $.0045 from $.3506 in FY 10 to $.3460 in FY 11.
During further review of the proposed budget, the following items were proposed: an increase to the Community Affairs budget from $3000 to $5000 for the Lamoille County Food Share and an increase of $465 from $2010 to $2475 for Maple Leaf Farms; include a one-time request of $2000 for furniture fixtures & equipment in the Cultural Campus budget for the Historical Society and a reduction of $2000 for heat & electricity resulting in no impact on that budget; a new line item for the Ski Museum town owned building was added to the Cultural Campus budget for $4000 previously not budgeted; the General Government budget decreased $1513 for LC Court Tax. The Board did not make a decision on a request from the Children’s Garden who for $300 and an increase requested from the American Legion from $350 to $450 for flags.
Further budget review will take place at the January 11th meeting.
Proposed Charter Changes
The Board reviewed the proposed draft and warned for public hearings on January 11 and January 25, 2010 on a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Williams. (Note: it was later determined that the public hearings should take place on January 25 and February 8.)
SED $1.1 Million Debt Issuance
The Board reviewed the letter of commitment from the Union Bank to provide financing for the 20-year loan and other financial documents.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey the Board approved the Union Bank Letter of Commitment, General Obligation Resolution and Certificate and other associated documents to obtain financing for the purpose of acquiring additional equity ownership interest in Vermont Transco, LLC. Mr. Marron abstained.
OTHER BUSINESS
Akeley Cupola – Staff indicated that a specific motion from the Selectboard regarding the use of unallocated capital reserve for the cupola removal process was required.Funds for the construction/replacement of the new cupola will be included in the proposed capital budget for FY 11.
On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Williams the Board approved the use of $38,224 from unallocated capital reserve to remove the Akeley cupola.
Money Market Account – On a motion by Mr. William, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board authorized the Treasurer to open a MMA with Merchants Bank at the current interest of 1%. Mr. Marron abstained.
Resolution – On a motion by Mr. Marron, seconded by Mr. Wiliams the Board approved the draft Resolution to the LC Assistant Judges requesting them to reconsider giving themselves a 15% pay raise.
Executive Session
A. Personnel
B. Legal
The Board went into executive session at 7:40 pm on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey.
The Board came out of executive session at 8:10 pm.
On a motion by Mr. Lackey, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board confirmed the termination of Ed Sandshaw of Stowe Electric Department. Mr. Marron abstained.
On a motion by Williams, seconded by Mr. Lackey, the Board approved the Stipulation to PVR as presented.
There be no further business to conduct, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm.
