| | MINUTES COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD Colchester Town Offices 781 Blakely Road, COLCHESTER, VT Outer Bay Conference Room, 3rd Floor __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order / Roll Call
Vice-Chair Tom Mulcahy called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM, in the absence of Chair, Nadine Scibek.
Selectboard: Tom Mulcahy; Jeffrey D. Bartley; Herbert Downing; Jacki Murphy. Absent: Nadine Scibek
Staff: Dawn H. Francis, Town Manager; Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager/CFO; Bryan Osborne, Director and Warner Rackley, Town Engineer, Public Works; Sarah Hadd, Director of Planning and Zoning; Karen Purinton, Planner; Sherry LaBarge, Director Human Resources; Robin Parry, Facilities Manager
Others in Attendance: Representatives Curt Taylor and Maureen Dakin, Lisa Liotta, Pam Loranger, Dan and Lois Newton, Sarita Austin, Richard Hamlin, Ann Hart, Julie Smith, Ernie Pomerleau, Murray Thompson.
2. Possible Executive Session
Executive session was held after conclusion of regular business.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. Citizens to be Heard
Lisa Liotta came forward to voice her support of banning plastic bags. She would like the Selectboard to put a non-binding resolution before Colchester voters.
Note: Lisa Liotta is a member of the Colchester Conservation Commission, but was speaking as an individual, not on the behalf of the Commission.
5. Public Hearings (6:35 PM)
a. Update of DPW Manual of Specifications and Standards– W. Rackley
Warner Rackley gave an overview of the Manual updates. No comments were received from the public.
b. Stormwater Ordinance – B. Osborne
Bryan Osborne and Karen Purinton presented an overview of the proposed stormwater utility ordinance amendments.
There were questions from the audience about billing for condominiums and mobile home parks. Condominium owners would be billed individually and the fees for mobile home parks would be sent directly to the park owner and likely divided evenly among park residents. Concern was expressed about larger lot acreages as well as high value homes versus lower value homes and their fees.
Ernie Pomerleau spoke in favor of the Stormwater Utility and said that Colchester has done an exemplary job of developing the utility and presenting analytics in support of the various fees.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to close the public hearing.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting on April 11, 2017
b. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting on April 14, 2017
c. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting on April 18, 2017
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve the Selectboard minutes of the meetings of:
a. April 11, 2017
b. April 14, 2017
c. April 18, 2017
The MOTION carried 4-0.
7. Special Business Items (7:05 PM)
a. ACTION: Adopt DPW Manual of Specifications and Standards Update
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve as outlined the proposed amendments to the Department of Public Works Specifications and Standards, which is included by reference in Chapter 14 Section 6 of the Town Ordinance:
"Adoption of public works specifications and standards.
To protect the general public, health, safety, and welfare, and to establish a uniform level of quality for all public improvements subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Town of Colchester, the Chapter incorporates by reference, Public Works Specifications and Standards, Town of Colchester, Vermont, effective February 2, 2010, as may be amended from time to time."
per the recommendation contained in a memo from Warner C. Rackley, Town Engineer/Assistant
Director of Public Works to Bryan Osborne, Director of Public Works dated January 11, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
b. ACTION: Adoption of Stormwater Ordinance
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to adopt the Amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18, Stormwater, per the attached Certificate of Amendment, which would allow the creation of a Stormwater Utility, following a public hearing on April 25, 2017 per the recommendation contained in a memo from Bryan K. Osborne, Director of Public Works, dated April 20, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
c. Health and Wellness Committee Update – S. LaBarge and R. Parry
Sherry LaBarge, Director of Human Resources and Robin Parry, Facilities Manager, gave an update of activities by the Health and Wellness Committee and the resulting employee wellness data. The Selectboard complimented the staff on their work and the overall improvements made to employee health.
Item h. was taken up next, out of the order of the agenda.
h. ACTION: Resolution in Recognition and Appreciation for Pam Loranger
Active Colchester Volunteer, Pam Loranger, received the 2017 Citizen Planner of the Year Award from the Vermont Planners Association and the Selectboard acknowledged Pam’s contributions to the community via a resolution and on-screen pictures of the award presentation.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to adopt the Resolution of Recognition and Appreciation for Pam Loranger per the attached document.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
d. ACTION: Town Offices Conference Room Use Policy – R. Parry
Robin Parry, Facilities Manager, presented a policy for the use of Town Office Conference Rooms.
MOTION was made by Herbert Downing and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to adopt the attached Town Office Conference Rooms Policy per the attached policy and memo from Robin Parry and Dawn H. Francis dated April 25, 2017.
The vote was 2-2 with Jeffrey Bartley and Herbert Downing opposed due to concerns about it limiting the use of the space from use by political caucuses/parties. No action was taken due to a lack of a majority voting yes.
e. ACTION: Employee Handbook Update – Social Media Policy; Technology; Computer and Cell Phone Use Policies – A. Frank and S. LaBarge
Aaron Frank and Sherry LaBarge presented a technology use update to the Employee Handbook.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy approve an update to the Employee Handbook with the IT and Telephone Policy, to update and add the Social Media Policy to the Employee Handbook and to eliminate the Social Media Policy as a stand-alone policy as described in the memo and attachments from Aaron Frank, Sherry LaBarge, and Kelly McCagg dated February 14, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
f. ACTION: Final Town Meeting House Use Policy – D. Francis
This item was tabled until the next Selectboard meeting on May 9, 2017 for the same reason in Item d.
g. ACTION: Disposition of Roosevelt Hwy Property
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to authorized Nadine Scibek, Chair of the Selectboard, as Town Agent, to sign the letter in support of Vermont Fish and Wildlife purchasing the 6.38 vacant parcel on Roosevelt Highway. The parcel will become exempt April 12, 2018. It is currently assessed for $10,600.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
To adhere to stated time for the Meeting of the Board of Sewer Commissioners, it proceeded here, out of numerical order of the agenda.
10. Meeting of Board of Sewer Commissioners to Review Stormwater Budget (8:00 PM)
At 8:00 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to temporarily adjourn the meeting of the Colchester Selectboard and convene a meeting of the Colchester Board of Sewer Commissioners.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
See separate Minutes.
The Selectboard reconvened the regular meeting with item 7i.
7i. ACTION: Resolution in Opposition to the Legalization of Marijuana
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Herbert Downing for the purposes of discussion to adopt the Resolution of Opposition to the Legalization of Marijuana in Vermont per the attached document.
No vote or action was taken.
Herb Downing stated he was opposed to the resolution. He felt it was inappropriate for a Selectboard to adopt a resolution on a state-wide issue. He also stated his opinion that marijuana should be legalized, heavily regulated and taxed. Jacki Murphy agreed with Herb.
Jeffrey Bartley opined that this is not the right time to legalize marijuana in Vermont.
Item was tabled.
8. Monthly Financial Report
a. For March 2017 – Aaron Frank
Aaron Frank gave the financial report for the month of March.
9. Approval of Petitions & Licenses (7:55 PM)
a. ACTION: Amusement License for MSDD, Inc. d.b.a. Spanked Puppy
b. ACTION: Amusement License for 275 Lakeshore Drive Inc.
c. ACTION: Amusement License for O’Shaw’s Bar & Grill, LLC
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve Amusement Licenses for:
a. MSDD, Inc. d.b.a. Spanked Puppy located at 116 Main Street, Colchester,
Vermont
b. 275 Lakeshore Drive, Inc. located at 133 Broadacres Drive, Colchester, Vermont
c. O' Shaw's Bar & Grill, LLC located at 831 College Parkway, Colchester, Vermont
The MOTION carried 4-0.
10. (See above)
11. Additional Business – Manager’s Recommendations
Ms. Francis recommended Selectboard members save June 9 for an all-employee Turning our Vision into Reality Summit.
12. Informational Items
a. For the week ending April 21, 2017
13. Future Agenda Items
May 9, 2017
· Winchester Place CDBG Project Update and Final Public Hearing - CHT
· S.D. Ireland – Severance Corners Growth Center Plans update
· Joint meeting with Colchester Community Development Corp. re: Community Priorities
· Planning and Zoning Quarterly Report – S. Hadd
· ACTION: Adoption of Hazard Mitigation Plan
· ACTION: Resolution in Opposition to the Legalization of Marijuana
· ACTION: Final Town Meeting House Use Policy
· ACTION: Town Offices Conference Room Use Policy
· Review draft of Selectboard Operating Guidelines
May 23, 2017
· Board of Sewer Commissioners: Public hearing and proposed FY18 Stormwater Budget and Stormwater User Fees - B. Osborne
· CWSD Budget Presentation 6:30 PM - Sarah Reeves
· Update on Regional Public Safety Dispatch Implementation Initiative – A. Frank
June 13
· Proposed revisions to Animal Ordinance
14. Announcements
· Tom Mulcahy read business awards and expressed congratulations and appreciation to the recipients.
· Mr. Mulcahy also called attention to the Law Enforcement Recruiting Event that would be held on Friday, April 28.
15. Warrants
a. Warrant #17-30
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve Warrant #17-30 in the amount of $228,207.71.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
16. Executive Session
At 9:05 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Herbert Downing to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
At 9:34 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to exit executive session.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
17. Adjournment
At 9:35 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Linda Gustainis, Recording Secretary.