| | MINUTES COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD Colchester Town Offices 781 Blakely Road, COLCHESTER, VT Outer Bay Conference Room, 3rd Floor __________________ |
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Chair Nadine Scibek called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM.
Selectboard: Nadine Scibek, Chair; Herbert Downing, Tom Mulcahy, Jeffrey Bartley. Absent: Marc Landry
Staff: Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager/CFO; Warner Rackley, Public Works; Stephanie Gingras, Animal Control Officer; Lt. Jeff Barton, CPD, Kathi Walker O’Reilly, Economic Development; Glen Cuttitta, Director Parks and Recreation
Others in Attendance: Raymond Giroux, Jacki Murphy, Patrick Volz, Brian Costello, Pam Loranger, Lisa Halvorsen, Steven Locke, Jan Wright, Charlie Baker, Kevin Dorn
2. POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session was not held.
3. RECONVENE MEETING / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Ray Giroux of Milton, Vermont related that while attending a birthday party held at 214 Prim Road his eleven year-old daughter was bitten by the party host’s dog in residence. He asked that the incident be investigated by the Selectboard. The Selectboard expressed their sympathy and assured him the Town would look into the matter.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting on January 24, 2017
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to approve the minutes of the Selectboard meeting of January 24, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Auditor’s Presentation – Tabled from meeting of January 24, 2017 – F. Duplessis
Mr. Duplessis presented the FY 2015-16 audit to the Selectboard and reviewed the financial statements, notes, and management’s discussion and analysis. He explained that the Town received a clean audit with no findings.
b. ACTION: Acceptance of FY 2016 Audit Report
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to approve the Town of Colchester Audit Report dated June 30, 2016.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
7. SPECIAL BUSINESS ITEMS
a. ACTION: First Reading of Amendments to Chapter 12 Traffic, Jen Barry Lane - W. Rackley
Warner Rackley reviewed the proposed amendments to include posting a 25 mph speed limit; No Parking on the east side of the street; and placement of a stop sign.
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Herbert Downing to approve for First Reading amendments to Chapter 12. Traffic, per a memo from Warner Rackley dated January 25, 2017 and an Engineering and Traffic Investigation and a Stop Warrant Analysis by O’Leary-Burke Civil Associates and warn a public hearing for March 14, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
b. ACTION: First Reading of Amendments to Chapter 12 Traffic, Colchester Pond Road - W. Rackley
Mr. Rackley presented the amendment to extend the No Parking zone on Colchester Pond Road another 200 feet. This area is used for parking by visitors to Colchester Pond and the current No Parking Zone has many violations with destruction of signage and illegal parking on the shoulders.
Herb Downing asked about impact of change on use of Winooski Valley Park District.
Mr. Rackley explained WVPD is trying to address impacts to neighbors.
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to approve for First Reading the amendment to Chapter 12. Traffic: to extend southward another 200 feet the No Parking Zone on Colchester Pond Road and to warn a public hearing for March 14, 2017 per a memo and traffic study from Warner Rackley dated February 6, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
c. ACTION: St. Gelais Overlook on Water Tower Hill Future Use Proposal – A. Frank
Mr. Frank presented a proposal to declare the property known as the St. Gelais Overlook as surplus and begin a Selectboard process of disposition which would involve soliciting prospective buyers’ financial and non-financial proposals for development that incorporated conservation elements.
Patrick Volz, Vice Chair of the Conservation Commission drafted a letter detailing the Commission’s views regarding the overlook and noted the Commission supports the project as proposed.
Kathi Walker O’Reilly conveyed her appreciation of the Conservation Commissions welcoming the proposal.
Herb Downing asked whether the conservation elements and proposed development were compatible.
Glen Cuttitta pointed out the benefits the overlook development could bring to the Town.
Herb Downing expressed concerns that he envisions Water Tower Hill evolving into a residential and commercial community and explained he would prefer to see a lease, rather than a sale of the lot.
Brian Costello explained that he was conducting an evaluation of Town surplus properties with an eye to their highest and best use. He said he would prefer that St. Gelais Overlook remain under the Town’s ownership and suggested leasing instead of selling, but if sold to make conservation easements a requirement if the parcel is sold.
Jeff Bartley said he understood the Town’s fiscal challenges and would like to move forward with disposition.
Aaron Frank said he would explore whether leasing was a viable option.
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to declare interest in drafting a resolution to declare LotB-28A- St. Gelais Overlook surplus in accordance with State statutes and relevant Surplus Policy knowing that any sale proceeds will be used to improve the Town’s Parks and Recreation facilities, further that staff shall develop a detailed process for Selectboard consideration prior to surplus declaration.
The MOTION carried 3-1, with Herb Downing opposed.
d. ACTION: CCTA Agreement Renewal – A. Frank
Aaron Frank reviewed contract terms.
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Herbert Downing to authorize the Town Manager to enter a three year contract with Green Mountain Transit, providing for continued bus service on the Rt 7 corridor to Creek Farm Plaza, Severance Corners, and Water Tower Hill per a memo from Aaron Frank dated January 23, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
e. ACTION: Regional Dispatch –Vote to Appoint Survey Committee Member – A. Frank & C. Baker
Jeff Barton, Colchester Police Lieutenant; Steve Lock, Burlington Fire Chief; Janine Wright, Burlington Deputy Police Chief; Charlie Baker, Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Exec. Director, and Kevin Dorn, South Burlington City Manager all spoke in favor of the regional effort and encouraged Colchester’s continued participation.
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to appoint Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager to the Joint Survey Committee for Chittenden County Public Safety Services as the first formal step in establishing a union municipal district dedicated to regional public safety dispatch services, recognizing that the district will not be established until a public vote is held at a later date, per a memo from Aaron Frank dated January 31, 2017.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
f. Vigilant Guard Exercise Evaluation Update – A. Frank
Aaron Frank provided an overview of Vigilant Guard, a disaster readiness exercise in which 50 staff and volunteers from Colchester were involved on July 29, 2016. The thirteen hour exercise tested response to an ongoing natural disaster involving an earthquake and building collapses. The State evaluators of the exercise expressed compliments on the team's preparedness, organization, teamwork, and coordination.
The Selectboard requested that management share the resolution of findings from the State review which included:
1) Recommendation for improved retention of resources requested from the state; this was resolved by agreement to use telephones as backup to the state disaster database.
2) Note of lack of designated staffing for planning, logistics, and finance; resolved by formalizing the assignments with the understanding that even with 50 responders many will need to fulfill more than one function, just as they do in their daily responsibilities.
g. ACTION: Resolution of Appreciation for Marc Landry, Selectboard Member
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Herb Downing to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Marc Landry.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
8. TOWN MANAGER’S MONTHLY REPORT
a. Town Manager’s Report for January 2017 – A. Frank
Aaron Frank asked whether there were any questions regarding the Town Managers Report. There were none.
9. New Business
a. ACTION: Appointment of Recreation Advisory Board Youth Member
No action was taken.
10. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS – MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Upcoming Appointments – Cemetery Advisory Committee (2/28), other boards in September; advertise?
Aaron Frank noted the Town Manager wanted direction on whether to advertise as open positions all Town [appointed] board and commissions members’ expiring terms or just those of incumbents not wishing to continue on the board. The consensus of the Selectboard was to advertise only if the current volunteer was not willing to continue, out of respect for their volunteer service and they opted for Motion #2:
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Herbert Downing not to advertise or post expiring terms of Town volunteer boards and commissions members if the incumbents are willing to continue [in the appointment].
The MOTION carried 4-0.
b. WVPD Membership – Williston Membership
Aaron Frank related that Williston raised concerns about its allocation for funding of Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD) since Williston has no parks in the District. Mr. Frank noted that that Colchester contains more WVPD parks, but we also have more WVPD tax-free land that other WVPD member communities’ citizens enjoy. Therefore we are contributing, but in a different way.
c. Clean Water Fund Report Draft Comments for Selectboard Input
Chair Scibek asked for comments on the Clean Water Fund Report letter. None were offered.
d. Selectboard Member Volunteer to Present Charter Changes at Annual Meeting
Herb Downing volunteered to present the Charter Changes at the Annual Meeting on March 6th.
Ms. Scibek and Tom Mulcahy will present the proposed Town Budget for FY 2018, along with Dawn Francis and Aaron Frank, at an interview with LCATV on February 19th.
e. Town Manager Annual Review Process (Due 4/29)
Chair Scibek said the Selectboard would follow up on this after Town Meeting Day.
f. Property Tax Redetermination Letter
Aaron Frank explained that the Town had not yet reached an agreement with the State and Assessor Robert Vickery is working diligently on it as it will significantly impact Colchester’s State Education Property Tax.
11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
a. For the week ending February 10, 2017
1. VLCT Spring Selectboard Institute
2. Letter from CCTA
3. CUSI Letter
Ms. Scibek shared that Colchester Police Department Sergeant Peter Hull had been accepted to the FBI Law Enforcement Academy. She congratulated Sgt. Hull and the Police Department on the honor. She added that the training would benefit the Town.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
February 28, 2017
• Cemetery Advisory Committee New Regulations – P. Loranger
• Employee Handbook update – Technology, Computer and Cell Phone Use Policies
• Charter Amendments Informational Meeting
• LEOP
March 6 & 7, 2017
• Town Meeting and Election Day
March 14, 2017
• Selectboard Organizational Meeting
• Public Hearing on Zoning Amendments/Official Map (Supplement 40)
• Public Hearing on Traffic Ordinance Amendments (Chapter 12)
• Stormwater Utility Proposal
• Exit 16 DDI Design Overview and Disposition of Easements
• Meeting House Use Proposal and Policy – Burnham Library Trustees
• Liquor Licenses
March 28, 2018
• Joint meeting with Colchester Community Development Corp. re: Community Priorities
• S.D. Ireland?
• Health and Wellness Committee Update – S. LaBarge and R. Parry
• Employee Handbook update – Social Media Policy
13. ANNOUNCEMENTS
14. WARRANTS
a. Warrants #17-22 and #17-23
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to approve Warrant #17-22 in the amount of $733,993.17 and Warrant #17-23 in the amount of $292,155.46.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
15. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:01 PM MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Jeffrey Bartley to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Linda Gustainis, recording secretary.