DRAFT MINUTES
 | COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD November 14, 2023 @ 5:30 p.m. (Public portion beginning at 6:30 p.m.) 781 Blakely Road 3rd Floor Conference Room __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order | Executive Session I | 5:30 p.m.
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to find that premature general public knowledge of pending or probable civil litigation 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 Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to enter executive session to discuss pending or probable civil litigation under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a)(1)(e) of the Vermont Statutes, Executive Sessions, and for the purpose of conducting interviews for consideration of appointments to the Colchester Cemetery Advisory Commission and the Library Board of Trustees as authorized under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a) (3) of the Vermont Statutes, Executive Sessions.
The MOTION carried.
2. Roll Call | Pledge of Allegiance | 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Pam Loranger, Chair; Tom Mulcahy, Vice Chair; Charlie Papillo; Maureen P. Dakin
Staff Present: Aaron Frank, Town Manager; Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager; Bryan Osborne, Public Works Director; Pete Hull, Acting Police Chief; CPD Lieutenant Roger Fisher; CPD Police Officer Meviudin Bahonjic; CPD Animal Control Officer Stephanie Gingras; Karen Adams, Technical Services Manager; Julie Graeter, Town Clerk
Others Present: Toni Josey, Jeff and Maureen Schake, Karen “Kaomi” Taylor, Pierre Pepin, Patti Wehmal, Shawn Enterline, Mark Bove, Jill Evans, Hannah Toof, Jeff Schake, Rex Cur, Alisa Rosenhouse, Ashley Adams, Kristen Bischof, Leo Carroll, Wanda Morin, Chris and Glory Golver
3. ACTION | Public Hearings
a. Potentially Vicious Dog Hearing |6:30 p.m.
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to hold a public hearing regarding a petition for a potentially vicious dog. All information included in the packet related to such petition 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 written decision setting forth its findings of facts and conclusion of law and order for the domestic pet or wolf-hybrid to the owner of the domestic pet or wolf-hybrid by certified mail, return receipt requested via staff through the US Mail and will share the outcome publicly by placing the outcome as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger explained the process for the hearing, swore in witnesses, and took testimony from Maureen Schake, Jeff Schake, Karen “Kaomi” Taylor, Rex Cur, Alisa Rosenhouse, Ashley Adams, Kristen Bischof, Leo Carroll, and CPD Animal Control Officer Stephanie Gingras.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger closed the public hearing.
b. Hearing requested to Reconsider Town Clerk Decision Related to Town Cemeteries |7:00 p.m.
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to hold a public hearing, requested by Pepin Memorials, 28 Goodsell Pt., Colchester, VT 05446, to reconsider the Town Clerk's decision related to Town Cemeteries. All information included in the packet related to such petition 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 written decision via staff through the US Mail and will share the outcome publicly by placing the outcome as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
Selectboard Vice Chair Tom Mulcahy respectfully asked to be excused, and Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger approved.
Pierre Pepin of Pepin Memorials and Chris and Glory Golver provided testimony for the reconsideration of the request for the discontinuation of Pepin Memorials’ Colchester cemetery services.
Town Clerk Julie Graeter outlined the process for approval of cemetery work and installations and provided testimony regarding concerns with Colchester cemetery work completed by Pepin Memorials.
Wanda Morin recalled an incident with Pepin Memorials when she was the Sexton of the Colchester cemeteries.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger closed the public hearing.
c. Amendments to Chapter 18: Stormwater | Karen Adams, Technical Services Manager
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to open a public hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18: Stormwater.
The MOTION carried.
Technical Services Manager Karen Adams summarized three amendments to Chapter 18, two of which included clarifying stormwater fees charged by the Town and redefining what surfaces are considered impervious in order to become in compliance with new State statutes after recent legislative changes that exempts agricultural properties from stormwater fees, and one which included housekeeping edits.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger closed the public hearing.
4. Citizens to be Heard*
There were no citizens to be heard.
5. ACTION | Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of 10.24.2023 Selectboard Meeting
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy 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 October 24, 2023.
The MOTION carried.
6. ACTION | Adjourn to Meeting of Board of Sewer Commissioners
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo 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.
7. Special Business Items
a. ACTION: Approval of Amendments to Chapter 18: Stormwater | Karen Adams, Technical Services Manager
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to adopt amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances Chapter 18: Stormwater, after a public hearing held November 14, 2023, and as recommended in a memo from Karen Adams, Technical Services Manager for Public Works dated October 21, 2023.
The MOTION carried.
b. ACTION: Appointments to Boards and Commissions
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to appoint:
Jamie Balch as member to the Cemetery Advisory Commission for a 3-year term that will end February 28, 2026.
Shabnam Saini as youth member to the Library Board of Trustees for a 1-year term that will end September 30, 2024.
The MOTION carried.
Selectboard member Maureen P. Dakin commended the Town for their outreach efforts that have helped bring new members to Town Boards and Commissions.
c. Information: Small Business Saturday | Kathi O’Reilly, Economic Development Director
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger, on behalf of the Selectboard, endorsed Small Business Saturday on November 25, 2023, and encouraged the community to shop small on that day and throughout the year.
d. ACTION: Update to Colchester Police Department General Order #1 | Acting Police Chief, Peter Hull
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to authorize the Colchester Police Department’s General Order #1, which outlines employee requirements, organizational structure, a written directive system, and authority of Department personnel.
The MOTION carried.
Acting Police Chief Pete Hull introduced Lieutenant Roger Fisher. He then summarized the purpose and process of updating the department’s General Orders and noted the proposed amendments, which include clarifications in language, the definitions of new positions being filled by civilians, and outlines for community partnerships.
Selectboard member Maureen P. Dakin suggested edits to these proposed amendments, including clarifying the department’s agency, adding or adjusting language regarding laws and ethics, and other housekeeping edits. She also asked for clarification around the process of appointing an Acting Chief.
Acting Chief Police Pete Hull clarified that these appointments are made by referring to the chain of command and consulting with the Town Manager, and Town Manager Aaron Frank noted he will work with Acting Police Chief Pete Hull to address these proposed edits regarding defining the department’s agency and ethics policy, along with the other language-related suggestions.
Selectboard Vice Chair Tom Mulcahy, on behalf of the Selectboard, shared their support for the Colchester Police Department and their services.
e. Information: Police Department and Essex Community Justice Center Update| Acting Police Chief, Peter Hull; Essex Community Justice Center Director, Jill Evans; and Howard Center for Human Services, Outreach Team Lead, Hannah Toof
Outreach Team Lead for the Howard Center for Human Services Hannah Toof reviewed the organization’s collaborations with and services offered to the Town and the Community Outreach data from their collaboration with the Colchester Police Department from the past year.
Selectboard member Charlie Papillo asked about services in communities where language barriers may be present, and Hannah Toof noted a live translation app resource is utilized by their members.
Jill Evans from the Essex Community Justice Center outlined the organization’s services and collaborations with the Town and shared referral data collected from collaborations with the Colchester Police Department from the past year, noting a slight decrease in this program and encouraging future conversations on why this might be.
Selectboard Vice Chair Tom Mulcahy, on behalf of the Selectboard, shared their support for these organizations’ work and collaborations with the Town.
Town Manager Aaron Frank commended both organizations for their work and contributions towards modern policing.
8. ACTION | Adjourn to Meeting of Liquor Control Commission
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to temporarily adjourn the meeting of the Selectboard and convene a meeting of the Liquor Control Commission.
The MOTION carried.
9. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations
There were no further recommendations.
10. Informational Items
There were no comments on the informational items.
11. Announcements
Selectboard Member Maureen Dakin shared that this will be the thirteenth year of the Friends of the Library holiday appeal. Over that thirteen-year period, they have raised over $175,000 to support the library, not including the book sales.
Town Manger Aaron Frank shared that, after approval by the Town attorney and solar engineer, the Town executed a contract with Aegis Renewable Energy for $1,173,830 for the solar portions of the Recreation Center, and that the Town can expect to be reimbursed by a federal grant for approximately $400,000. He noted that the Town is pleased to continue its partnership with Aegis to implement the Selectboard’s goal of producing local, affordable, renewable energy equal to that consumed in providing municipal services.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger noted that this past Saturday the Colchester-Milton Rotary honored the community’s veterans and first responders on Senator Mazza’s lawn next to the General Store, around the Operation Flags for Heroes Display that honors veterans and community members who have made a difference. Additionally, she congratulated State Commissioner of Public Safety and former Colchester Police Chief Jennifer Morrison and retired Colchester Police Chief Doug Allen who each received the Rotarian Paul Harris Fellows Award, an award for those who have made outstanding contributions to the community.
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger also congratulated the Colchester Lakers Girls Soccer team who took home the State title against Essex.
12. ACTION | Warrants
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve Warrant #24-13 in the amount of $851,145.81 and Warrant #24-14 in the amount of
$594,104.10.
The MOTION carried.
There were no questions on the warrants.
13. Deliberative Sessions
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to meet in deliberative session under the authority of 1 V.S.A. § 312(e) for the purpose of considering petitions which were specifically noted on the agenda and for which hearings were held earlier in the meeting. The Selectboard will issue written decisions via staff through the US Mail and will share the outcome publicly by placing the outcomes as informational items in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
14. Executive Session II
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin 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 Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin 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.
15. Adjournment**
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES