 | MINUTES COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD April 10, 2018 @ 5:45 PM Colchester Town Offices 781 Blakely Road Outer Bay Conference Room, 3rd Floor __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order / Roll Call
At 5:45 PM the meeting was called to order by Chair Nadine Scibek.
Selectboard: Nadine Scibek, Chair; Tom Mulcahy; Jeffrey D. Bartley; Herbert Downing; Jacki Murphy
Staff: Dawn H. Francis, Town Manager; Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager/CFO; Bryan Osborne, Director of Public Works; Chief Jen Morrison, Glen Cuttitta, Director of Parks and Recreation
Others in Attendance: Tim Moran, P. Bryden, Lew and Ann Wetzel, Pam Loranger, Dick Pecor, Jim Neary, Theresa Carroll, Jim and Mary Ann LeClair, Joanie Mallory, Rick and Bonnie Bartlett, Jesus Caldron, Ralph Perkins, Adriane Martin, Jeanette Berry, Kiki Colgan, C.R. Nagelschmidt, Michaela Halnon, Tom Raub, Glenn Wilkins, Vickee Crocker, Scott Crocker, Melissa Cate, Sarita Austin, Yvonne Zietrow, Cyndi Haselton, Laura Martindale, Ruth Blauwinkel, Ed Thautes, Rebecca Sofferman, Marcie Crocker, Peter Rowan, Bobbie Holzel, Murray Thompson, James Thompson, Dale Turner, Scott Wood
2. Possible Executive Session (5:45 PM)
a. Interview: Colchester Representative to CSWD
b. Personnel Evaluation and Contracts
At 5:45 MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to find that premature general public knowledge of personnel contracts would clearly place this Selectboard at a substantial disadvantage because the Selectboard risks disclosing its negotiation strategy if it discusses the contracts in public.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to enter into executive session to discuss personnel evaluation and for an interview for consideration of appointment of the Colchester representative to Chittenden Solid Waste District, as authorized under 1 V.S.A. Section 313 (a)(2)(b) Executive Sessions; and to discuss personnel contracts under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a)(1)(A) of the Vermont statutes, Executive Sessions.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
At 6:05 PM Dawn Francis, Sherry Labarge, and Aaron Frank entered the executive session. At 6:15 PM Chief Jen Morrison joined the executive session.
At 6:35 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to exit executive session.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Nadine Scibek led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Citizens to be Heard
5. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of March 27, 2018
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to adopt the Consent Agenda as it may have been modified by the Board and to take the actions indicated for each item:
a. Approval of Selectboard Minutes of March 27, 2018.
b. Amend Agenda to include item 06e: Appointment of Colchester Representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Board of Commissioners.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
6. Special Business Items (6:40 PM)
a. Action: Endorse Bayside Park/Hazelett Property Master Plan – A. Bishop, Design Concepts; G. Cuttitta
Axel Bishop of Design Concepts and Glen Cuttitta, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave a final presentation on the Bayside Park Master Plan. Comments and questions included:
· Are there plans to connect the various bike paths?
· Transient docks vs. rented slips.
· Off leash dog area would encourage people to mingle.
· The Town lacks a big indoor area for winter months.
· A tunnel or bridge is needed for foot and bike traffic.
· Prioritize building the Community Center. Winter lasts half the year and there is no place for indoor winter recreation. Add an indoor swimming pool.
· A Colchester resident of two years opined that the community did not have adequate input in creating the plan and the interest of all residents was not being represented; not enough residents in attendance at meeting. Thinks the plan is too much; it will bring too much traffic and too many non-residents into town and will raise taxes. Town roads are in terrible condition; there is no access to the lake and the water and beaches are filthy. Non-residents are the ones leaving the trash and the park and bay area should not be made any more inviting to them. The Town should clean up the lake and garbage instead. Town traffic is too dangerous and crowded already. Thinks the schools’ facilities should be adequate for residents’ recreation; use those. Where will there be parking to accommodate all the people that will be attracted to the park?
· How will people without cars get to the park? Parks need more restrooms.
· The Town needs to pay attention to demographic trends and address retired people and millennials’ desires to live close to amenities. Research shows people want opportunities and community places to gather. We need to attract businesses to reduce property taxes. Build Community Center first.
· Project is way too expensive. Money and staff time spent on park planning is not a good way to spend tax payer dollars. Even though property taxes have not been used, fees from recreation programs and impact fees are still using residents’ money.
· A resident commented that there has been plenty of opportunity for citizens to participate in planning meetings and surveys. The plan was not being presented tonight for the first time. Community surveys and planning began two years ago with several community meetings with consultants being held to receive public opinion.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve the conceptual master plan for the Bayside Park and Bayside/Hazelett Property as outlined in a memo from Parks and Recreation Director Glen Cuttitta dated March 30, 2018; to approve the phasing approach within that plan, and to approve future development of the projects within the plan, subject to voter approval to access local property tax or local option tax, and understanding that additional funding could come from grants, fees, fundraising and the Park Capital Plan, including possible increases thereto.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
b. Information on Emergency Preparedness Activities – Seth Lasker
Seth Lasker, Emergency Management Coordinator, gave an update on theTown’s Emergency Operations Plan activities that are ongoing and have been completed.
c. Action: Local Emergency Operations Plan Update – Seth Lasker
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to adopt the updated 2018 Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) as required by the State of Vermont Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management and as authorized by the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Colchester, Section 16-2 (b) and Section 16-4 (a), per a memo from Seth Lasker dated March 21, 2018.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
d. Action: Capital Transportation Plan – Major Amendment – B. Osborne
Bryan Osborne, Director of Public Works, made a request to move most of the Town’s FY20 paving projects into FY19, due to the significant effects of the extremely cold winter on the roadways. The funds for the paving projects will be temporarily borrowed from other funds, which are carrying balances for future debt and capital projects, and the funds will be repaid by FY21. The Town’s auditor reviewed the proposal and has no concerns.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to amend the FY19-FY24 Capital Budget Program as approved on November 28, 2017, by moving $595,185 from the FY20 Capital Transportation Program into the FY19 Capital Transportation Program for additional paving in FY19.
The MOTION carried 5-0
Item 09b, Action: Approval of Private Roads Policy was taken up out of order of the agenda.
Ralph Perkins said that he is concerned about plow weight limit relief being at the discretion of the Town. He wanted to know if there was a conflict in allowing private plows on public roads with weight limit restrictions to access private roads. Bryan Osborne stated that private roads are not subject to the same weight regulations as public roads, however the Town needs to have discretion so that overweight vehicles do not damage public roads on their way to private roadways. Bryan Osborne believes the policy is adequate to the purpose and an exception has been made as requested. The exemption can’t be so broad that any private contractor would be given the latitude to damage public roads. Bryan says he does not expect it to be an issue.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve the Selectboard Findings and Policy Relating to Winter Maintenance of Private Roads per a memo dated April 6, 2018 from Dawn H. Francis, Town Manager.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
e. Action: Appointment of Colchester Representative to Chittenden Solid Waste District Board of Commissioners
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to appoint Tim Moran as Colchester’s representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Board of Commissioners for a two year term beginning June 1, 2018 and ending May 31, 2020.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
7. Financial Report - A. Frank
a. Report for April 2018
Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager/CFO gave the April 2018 financial report.
8. Approval of Petitions & Licenses
a. Action: Peddlers License for Brian Billings d.b.a. Brie’s Fries
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve a Peddler’s License for Brian K. Billings d.b.a. Bri’s Fries located at 100 E. Lakeshore Drive, Colchester, Vermont.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
9. Old Business
a. Action: Solar Project (Tabled from meeting of March 13, 2018)
Aaron Frank stated that the Airport Park project has been put on hold so that Planning and Zoning and the Planning Commission can develop standards for siting solar projects. In the meantime circumstances that prohibited the Shipman Hill project have been alleviated and that location for a solar array is now viable.
Herbert Downing wants to also vote on Airport Park Solar project to go forward. He does not think waiting for standards from Planning and Zoning is beneficial.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to authorize an additional or replacement solar project to place solar collectors on Town owned land off Malletts Bay Avenue near Shipman Hill to reduce energy costs to the Town over the next twenty-five years; and to authorize the Town Manager to enter an agreement for the engineering, procurement, and construction of said project with Aegis Renewable Energy, subject to the approval by the Town Attorney.
Tom Mulcahy asked what it would cost to remove the project at the end of its life and asked about financial projections of 25 years vs. inverter warranty of 20 years. Mr. Frank said that the plan included in the board packet included the replacement of the inverters just after the warranty period so there would be no problem in the inverters lasting the life of the project. Mr. Mulcahy asked about the tax rate remaining flat for that many years. Mr. Frank acknowledged that taxes may be subject to change. Mr. Frank stated that he Local Option Tax will not be used for the solar projects and that a bank will own the array until the equipment lease is paid off.
Jeffrey Bartley asked about the lease term and how Selectboard can borrow $495,000 without voter approval. Mr. Frank explained that it is because it is a lease and a year-to-year appropriation, which either the Selectboard or the voters can choose not to fund, which is therefore not considered debt.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
Tom Mulcahy would like to see whether the Munson Road site is viable before considering Airport Park. The assessment can’t be made until the ground thaws. Herb Downing likes the Airport Park project and that it is ready to go now. Chair Scibek decided to table Airport Park discussion until information is available on the Munson Road Solar arrays site, which would possibly be the second meeting in May.
b. Action: Approval of Private Roads Policy
This item was taken up out of order; see above.
c. Action: Signing of Brickyard Settlement
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve the settlement agreement reached between Brickyard Limited Partnership and the Town of Colchester dated April 6, 2018.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
10. Additional Business – Manager’s Recommendations
a. Action: AFSCME Ratification
Ms. Francis stated that the AFSCME contract will be voted upon by the union members and the terms will be revealed after final vote.
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to ratify and authorize the Town Manager and Selectboard Chair to execute a contract with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1343 for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021, subject to:
1) Approval of the Town Labor Attorney and
2) The prior ratification by AFSCME Local 1343.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
Herb Downing wants to know if there is an alternative to plowing the bike path between Windemere/Winooski since Town sidewalk equipment is too heavy for the bridge. Can the cost be figured out as to what appropriate equipment/labor would cost? Jacki Murphy and Tom Mulcahy agree it would be a good idea to do it if at all possible.
Mr. Frank and Mr. Osborne said the next step will be finding funds for structural analysis for the weight limit for plow equipment.
Herb Downing would like to go forward with the analysis and see if it we can possible make it work.
11. Informational Items
a. Week Ending April 6, 2018
12. Future Agenda Items (Subject to Change)
April 24, 2018
· Town Manager’s Annual Reflections: Issues, Expectations and Opportunities
13. Announcements
· Karen Richard, Town Clerk will be retiring after 30+ years with the Town.
· Congratulations to three Colchester businesses winning Vermont Business Magazine’s 2018 Best of Vermont Award: Bevo Caterers, Paydata, and Vermont Awards and Engraving.
· Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission is hosting a Housing Summit on April 30. Jacki Murphy, Sarah Hadd and Pam Loranger will attend.
14. Warrants
a. Action: Warrants #18-28 and #18-29
MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Jacki Murphy to approve Warrant #18-28 in the amount of $822,374.25 and #18-29 in the amount of $178,491.09.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
15. Adjournment*
At 10:00 PM MOTION was made by Jeffrey Bartley and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Linda Gustainis, Recording Secretary.
* Select Board Meetings may be viewed on Channel 17 on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.
Attendance in an executive session shall be limited to members of the public body and at the discretion of the public body, its staff, clerical assistance and legal counsel and persons who are subject of the discussion or whose information is needed. If the Agenda items are not complete at 10:00 p.m., the Select Board shall take a vote as to whether to continue or recess the meeting until the following Friday at 6:00 a.m. for the purpose of reconvening and completing the remaining business items.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requiring accommodation for this meeting should notify the Town Manager’s Office at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at (802) 264-5500, TDD 1-800-253-0191 (text/telephone), 1-800-253-0195 (voice).