Present: Selectboard Members: Larry Lackey, Norm Williams, Adam Davis, Neil Van Dyke; Town Manager Charles Safford, PW Director Harry Shepard, Planning Dir Tom Jackman, Parks Superintendent Bruce Godin
Absent: Paco Aumand
Others Present: Chuck Baraw, Paul Reed, Barbara Allaire, Chuck Ebel, Donna Adams, Billy Adams, Scott Noble, Reporter Lisa McCormack, Evelyn Frey, Leo Clark
Call To Order
Chair Larry Lackey called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.
Approve the Agenda
Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the Agenda but with the removal 3A and 3B from the Consent Items, seconded by Mr. Van Dyke. Motion carried.
Consent Items
C. Capital Project Closeout
D. Employee Holidays FY 11
E. Sewer & Water App
F. Minutes
Mr. Williams made a motion to approve Consent Items as amended, seconded by Mr. Van Dyke. Motion carried.
Liquor Consent Items
A. Request to Cater – Green Mountain Inn
B. Relocation of GM-KM to 37 Depot St.
C. 1st Class Hotel License – TRG Vermont Mgmt.
Mr. Williams made a motion to approve Liquor Consent Items, seconded by Mr. Davis. Motion carried. Mr. Van Dyke abstained.
A. Cemetery Commission Rules & Regs
The Board discussed the wording regarding the limitation of other organized uses in cemeteries and the restriction of dogs in cemeteries. Staff said they would work with the Commission and Ms. Adams and bring back revisions for the Board’s approval.
PVR Redetermination Appeal
The Board reviewed a letter from William Johnson, Director of Property Valuation and Review indicating “on April 26, 2010, I heard Stowe’s petition for redetermination of its equaliz3ed education property value and coefficient of dispersion.” He denied Stowe’s request for redetermination.
The Board also reviewed a memo from the Board of Listers stating in part, “It is our belief (after consulting with a statistician) that the procedures used by PV&R are faulty and have created a false read of the market by indicating that Stowe is experiencing an increasing market, when, in fact, the market is declining.”
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Van Dyke, the Board moved to appeal to the Valuation Appeals Board of Stowe’s 2010 equalized education property value and coefficient of dispersion (derived from Grand List 2009) and authorized the Chair of the Board to sign the letter of appeal to VAB.
River Road
Invitation to bid from six local contractors were received on June 10, 2010. Including a 10% construction cost contingency (approx. $8,500) and an allowance of $2,500 for materials testing during construction , the total estimated project cost will be $93,000 with work to begin on or before June 21, 2010 and completion by July 2, 2010.
Mr. Van Dyke made a motion to award the contract to Walker Construction in an amount of $82,000 and authorize the Town Manager to sign the Agreement with funds to cover the cost coming from unallocated capital reserve.
Downtown Designation
Leanne Tingay from the Vermont Downtown Program gave an overview and explained benefits of becoming a Designated Downtown. Stowe Vibrancy recommended to the Board that the town submit an application to become designated.
The Board requested that staff work with Stowe Vibrancy to prepare an application for future review by the Board.
Stowe Vibrancy Update & July 4 Events Application
Scott Noble, Chair of Stowe Vibrancy reviewed the summer and fall events planned by SV including the review of the 4th of July Special Events App. In addition, there was discussion regarding the $10,000 allocation in the general fund budget for SV.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Van Dyke, the Board approved the 4th of July Special Events App and authorized the Town Manager to release the $10,000 as of July 1 with the understanding that SV will cooperate with the Town in meeting the requirement for applying and maintaining Downtown Designation and they will provide a financial report.
Scenic Roads
There was discussion regarding scenic roads in Stowe. Stowe has 13 of the 25 locally designated scenic roads in the state.
There was concensus of the Board to have the Planning Commission review the Ordinance and scenic road inventory for further review by the Board in the fall.
Capital Policy Amendments
Amendments to the Capital Policy included a change to replace the Capital Advisory Committee with the Planning Commission. Letters of support were provided by the Planning Commission and Stowe Area Association. The change will provide the PC the opportunity to provide their perspective on how projects relate to the Stowe Town Plan.
Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the amendments to the Capital Policy, seconded by Mr. Van Dyke. Motion carried.
B. PSF Meeting Room
The Board discussion minor changes to the Meeting Room Policy and on a motion by Mr. Van Dyke, seconded by Mr. Williams approved the Policy and Use Agreement as amended.
Executive Session
A. Personnel
The Board went into executive session at 7:40 pm with the Town Manager and Mr. Godin in attendance.
The Board came out of executive session at 8:00 pm. No action was taken.
Mr. Lackey adjourned the meeting at 8:00 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Susan Moeck.
STOWE SELECTBOARD MEETING
Monday, June 28, 2010
Akeley Memorial Building – Banquet Room
Present: Present:Selectboard Members: Larry Lackey, Norm Williams, Adam Davis, Town Manager Charles Safford, ZA Rich Baker,
Absent: Neil Van Dyke
Others Present: Nathan Sutter, Barbara Allaire, Reporter Jesse Roman, Lou Lertola, Ed Izzo, Ellen Burt SED, Dick Marron, David Hosmer, Trina Hosmer, Kitti Coppock, Ed Miller, Moira Anderson, Mitzi Anderson, Bill Kelk, Alan Thorndike, Pascale Savard, Tom Sequist, A. Howard
Call To Order
Chair Lackey called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm and Selectboard Orders were signed.
Approve the Agenda
Mr. Aumand requested that Consent Items J & K and Liquor Consent Item B be removed from the Consent Agenda.
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Davis, the Board approved the Agenda as amended.
Consent Items
A. PSF CD Rollover
B. Ethics Policy Amendment
C. Taxi Stand Property Lease
D. 2010 Paving Plan
E. Delinquent Tax Collector Resolution
F. Stowe 8 Miler Special Event App
G. LC Sheriff’s Agreement FY 11
H. HDAC Art Exhibits
I. Akeley Vault Design Proposal
L. Minutes
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Davis, the Board approved the Consent Items as presented.
Liquor Consent Items
A. Request to Cater – Midway Base Lodge
On a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Davis, the Board approved the Liquor Consent Items as presented.
Executive Session
A. Contracts – On a motion by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board went into executive session with Mr. Marron and Town Manager Charles Safford in attendance.
The Board came out of executive session at 6:05 pm. No action was taken.
Rec Path Winter Grooming Request
The Board met with the RPGG group and reviewed their proposal to groom the Recreation Path for winter recreational use. Per the RPGG, the Town’s 5.5 mile long Rec Path that follows the scenic West Branch of the Little River is one of Stowe’s most popular non-winter season attractions. The Town’s guests and residents use it as a place to walk, run and bike during non-winter months. Currently, the Rec Path is not actively managed for winter use and as such its use numbers do not approach anything like summer use. In the RPGG’s opinion, the Rec Path could, with a program of regular grooming throughout the winter, become nearly as popular for multi use recreation in the winter as it is in the summer.
Grooming would be accomplished via snowmobile and tow behind a groomer with a track setter. The Parks & Recreation Department would oversee the grooming operations. For winter 2010-2011 (FY11), RPGG will fund raise and give the money to the Town earmarked for Rec Path grooming. For future years, it is proposed that funds be included in the Town budget for equipment and operating expenses.
Mr. Aumand made a motion to approve the use of the Recreation Path as described in the RPGG proposal and to instruct the town treasurer to open a special account to accept donations from RPGG to fund the grooming of the Rec Path commencing with winter 2010-11. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried.
The Board thanked the group for their preparation and enthusiasm.
Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption Request
The Board reviewed a letter from Cmd Sgt Major Lou Lertola (Retired) requesting that the Selectboard warn a vote to see if the voters want to increase the property tax exemption form $10,000 to $40,000. Cmd Lertola summarized his involvement over the years in requesting municipalities increase their property tax exemption for disabled veterans in Vermont. He said at this time there are only 72 communities out of 260 in VT that do not have the $40,000 exemption. There are eight eligible properties in Stowe.
On a motion by Mr. Aumand, seconded by Mr. Davis the Board moved to include on the 2011 Annual Meeting Warning an Article asking if the voters if they were in favor of increasing the property tax exemption for veterans with a 50% or more disability from $10,000 to $40,000 in accordance with 32 VSA (11)(A).
The Board thanked Cmd Lertola for his involvement and dedication.
Sewer/Water Commission
J. Sewer/Water App – 504 Mountain Rd
K. Sewer App – 676 Stowe Hollow Rd
Acting as Sewer and Water Commissioners, Mr. Aumand made a motion, seconded by Mr. Williams to approve the Applications as presented. Motion carried.
Liquor Commission
B. Requests to Cater – Topnotch Inc. - Special Event – Taste of Stowe Arts Festival – on a motion by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Davis the Board approved the Request to Cater as presented.
Executive Session
A. Legal
B. Real Estate
C. Personnel
On a motion by Mr. Davis, seconded by Mr. Williams, the Board went into executive session at 6:50 pm with ZA Rich Baker and TM Charles Safford in attendance.
The Board came out of executive session at 7:15 pm. No action was taken.
Other Business
Mr. Williams made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davis to set a Special Meeting for July 2, 2010 at 7:30 am to set the FY 11 tax rate. Motion carried.
There being no further business to conduct, Mr. Lackey adjourned the meeting at 7:16 pm.
