 | COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD May 23, 2023 @ 6:30 PM 781 Blakely Road 3rd Floor Conference Room __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order
Roll Call: Pam Loranger, Chair; Tom Mulcahy, Vice Chair; Jacki Murphy, Clerk; Charlie Papillo; Maureen P. Dakin
Staff Present: Aaron Frank, Town Manager; Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager; Bryan Osborne, Public Works Director
Others Present: Paul Simon, Nick Smith
Pledge of Allegiance
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Citizens to be Heard*
There were no citizens to be heard.
3. ACTION | Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of 5.9.2023 Selectboard Meeting
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Charlie Papillo to adopt the Consent Agenda as it may have been modified by the Board and to take the actions indicated for each item:
a. Approve the Selectboard Minutes of the meeting of May 9, 2023.
The MOTION carried.
4. ACTION | Adjourn to the Board of Sewer Commissioners
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to temporarily adjourn the meeting of the Selectboard and convene a meeting of the Board of Sewer Commissioners.
The MOTION carried.
5. Special Business Items
a. Information: Town Project Capacity | Bryan Osborne, Public Works Director
Public Works Director Bryan Osborne presented information on the Town’s capacity to take on more capital projects or acquire grants. He reviewed current project management limitations, noting that capital projects and grants consume a significant amount of staff time, regardless of project size, and that currently, staff are managing 24 capital projects, totaling $43.6 million. He explained that going forward, staff will continue to apply for grants to fund currently active and immediately upcoming projects, but not for new projects or to accelerate projects, as to do this, new administrative staff would be needed.
Selectboard Vice Chair Tom Mulcahy stated that the Town has been facing the challenge of project management and being understaffed for some time, and, wondered what financial resources the Town might have to address the issue.
Town Manager Aaron Frank added that the Town is in a different place than two years ago because the Malletts Bay Sewer Project and the Colchester Recreation Center are two very large capital projects totaling about $33M, and while the Town can manage them, he reiterated that the Town cannot take on more and decisions regarding adding resources will have to be made during budget discussions.
Selectboard member Charlie Papillo expressed his concerns with continual understaffing, and Public Works Director Bryan Osborne clarified that the overcapacity that he is referring to is the original organization of project management of one full time staff member in the Town and that we now have several individuals in the department of public works managing projects consuming a total of two full time employees versus one.
Paul Simon requested that grants relating to the development of the new Town Center and Growth Center continue to be pursued.
6. Public Hearing | Licenses and Petitions
· Sandra Gauthier, D.B.A Jasper Mine Hall
· Bowl New England, Inc. D.B.A Spare Time
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to hold a public hearing regarding Amusement Licenses for:
· Sandra Gauthier, D.B.A. Jasper Mine Hall, 1251 Jasper Mine Rd., Colchester, VT 05446
· Bowl New England, Inc. D.B.A Spare Time, 215 Lower Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT 05446
All information included in the packet related to such applications is considered part of the public hearing, and, whereby the Colchester Selectboard shall enter a deliberative session later in the meeting to consider the matter and then issue a permit or denial in writing to each applicant via staff through the US Mail and will share the outcome publicly by placing the permit or denial as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger closed the Public Hearing.
7. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations
a. Pictures of Progress
Town Manager Aaron Frank presented Pictures of Progress depicting Colchester Police Department car seat safety checks, Green Up Day participation, Public Works’ culvert work, paving projects, the site for public EV charges, a new oil/water separator installed at Rescue, Touch-a-Truck turnout, and Colchester Emergency Services involvement in Colchester High School’s Mock Crash.
8. Informational Items
Selectboard Clerk Jacki Murphy noted she has served on the Selective Service Board and encouraged interested individuals to reach out to the contacts provided in order to get involved.
Town Manager Aaron Frank highlighted that the Town’s expenses are right on budget.
Town Manager Aaron Frank added that the Causeway Cooperative Agreement and Deed have been recorded by both the Colchester and South Hero Town Clerks.
9. Announcements
Town Manager Aaron Frank shared that the Vermont Downtown Board unanimously approved the new Town Center and Growth Center delegations.
Town Manager Aaron Frank announced that Colchester Police Chief Doug Allen has given notice of his retirement effective September 28, 2023. He explained that, as of August 10, 2023, Doug will have served as Colchester’s fourth Chief of Police for five years, and has 42 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a police officer in Wilmington, VT for three years before joining Colchester’s Police Department in 1984. He elaborated on Chief Allen’s many accomplishments and shared his gratitude to have worked with Doug the past ten years; sincerely thanked him for continually serving the community with respect, honor, and humility; and wished him an enjoyable, well-deserved retirement next fall.
Town Manager Aaron Frank additionally welcomed three Community Services Officers who will be patrolling the community bike paths and recreation areas to inform residents of ordinances and polices and serve as ambassadors for busy areas of Town, such as the Malletts Bay Fishing access. He noted that they are funded by the Town and the State of Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, and named this year’s officers: Sam Crowley, a Colchester High School graduate; Addison Cook, a Saint Michael’s College rising senior; and James St. Cyr, a CVU senior.
Town Manager Frank congratulated Officer John Larose for completing his year-long field training, which allows him to serve on his own.
Since last week was National Police Week and on behalf of the Selectboard, Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger extended her sincere gratitude and appreciation to the officers in Colchester’s exemplary Police Department who everyday ensure the safety of the community.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger shared that on May 10th she attended a ceremony hosted by the Vermont Interfaith Action to celebrate the 110 municipalities who have adopted a Declaration of Inclusion, and noted that along with 109 sister communities, Colchester was acknowledged and received a plaque affirming the Town’s commitment as a community to inclusivity.
10. ACTION | Warrants
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve Warrant #23-33 in the amount of $440,248.50.
There were no questions on the warrant.
The MOTION carried.
11. Deliberative Session | Licenses and Petitions
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to meet in deliberative session under the authority of 1 V.S.A. § 312(e) for the purpose of considering licenses and petitions which were specifically noted on the agenda and for which a hearing was held earlier in the meeting. The Selectboard will issue a permit or denial in writing to each applicant via staff through the US Mail and will share the outcome publicly by placing the permit or denial as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
12. Executive Session
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to find that premature general public knowledge of contracts, pending or probable civil litigation, and personnel issues would clearly place this Selectboard at a substantial disadvantage because the Selectboard risks disclosing its negotiation strategy if it discusses these topics in public.
The MOTION carried.
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to enter executive session to discuss contracts, pending or probable civil litigation, and personnel issues under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a)(1)(a)&(e) and (a)(3) of the Vermont Statutes, Executive Sessions.
The MOTION carried.
13. Adjournment**
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and seconded by Charlie Papillo to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.