 | COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD November 12, 2024 @ 6:15 P.M. 781 Blakely Road 3rd Floor Conference Room __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Executive Session I – 6:15 P.M.
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin for the Selectboard to enter Executive Session for the purpose of an interview of a Get Engaged youth member candidate, as authorized under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a)(3) of the Vermont Statutes, Executive Sessions.
The MOTION carried.
3. Roll Call | Pledge of Allegiance – 6:30 P.M.
Roll Call: Pam Loranger, Chair; Tom Mulcahy, Vice Chair; Jacki Murphy, Clerk; Charlie Papillo; Maureen P. Dakin
Staff Present: Town Manager Aaron Frank, Deputy Town Manager Renae Marshall, Chief of Police Peter Hull, Rescue Chief Scott Crady, Assistant Rescue Chief Becky Alemy, Finance Director Lara Alemy, Economic Development Director Kathi O’Reilly
Others Present: Tonie Josey, Scott A. Wood, Gayle Pezzo, Doug Bishop, Theresa Carroll, Judith Morris, Shabnam Saini, Dylan Tompkins
4. Citizens to be Heard*
Doug Bishop shared that he has taken the opportunity to attend the Selectboard meetings over the past several months and expressed appreciation to the Selectboard and staff for the work that they do and looks forward to continuing to work with everyone going forward in his role as a Colchester State Representative.
Scott Wood felt that the a representation of the Colchester Recreation Center provided in a brochure prior to voting wasn’t an accurate representation of what was being constructed.
He noted that he had expressed concerns at the last Selectboard meeting regarding light pollution from the rec center and expressed appreciation for Aaron Frank’s quick response to his concern. However, he claimed that the Town removed more trees and more trees closer to his property than what the picture in the brochure indicated and He noted the 6ft chain link fence that was installed between his property and the Recreation Center, doesn’t mitigate the light pollution to his property. The Selectboard Chair directed the Town Manager to follow up with Mr. Wood...
5. ACTION | Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of 10.22.2024 Selectboard Meeting
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin 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 22, 2024
The MOTION carried.
6. Special Business Items
a. Information | Get Engaged Youth Board Member Update | Kathi O’Reilly, Economic Development Director
Kathi O’Reilly began with a brief presentation on the Get Engaged program and how it provides a way for students to be involved in their community, learn about local government, civic volunteerism, and provides them valuable experience to include on employment or college applications.
She talked about students that are currently serving on various boards, and the boards that have open youth seats, and the investment this program provides to Colchester for future citizen engagement.
Toni Josey shared the positive experience the Library Board of Trustees have had with the youth members that have participated through the Get Engaged program.
Shabnam Saini, the youth member for the Library Board of Trustees talked about her experience and how valuable it has been for her. She stated that participating in the Get Engaged program has given her an opportunity to serve as a connection with the Library Board of Trustees to the students in Colchester. She shared this has been a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience that she will carry with her beyond high school.
Theresa Carrol with Conservation Commission feels it is very beneficial to have students serving on town boards and commissions which can be an investment with the goal of having some of them return to town government as an adult, either as a volunteer or staff member. She really tries to pull each youth member out of their shell and make them feel comfortable. She wishes we had the opportunity to follow these students in to their future experiences – college, military, careers, and how this experience may have helped them.
Dylan Tompkins who currently serves as a youth member on the Conservation Commission, shared that he has always been interested in politics and the environment. Since joining the Conservation Commission through the Get Engage Program, he feels he has been able to really contribute to the town and help keep it beautiful. He feels his contribution has helped bolster town pride in the beautiful town we live. He shared that through this experience, he has grown and developed as a person.
The board expressed sincere appreciation to Shabnam and Dylan for what they have done, and the contributions they have made to the town.
b. ACTION | Appointment to Colchester Conservation Commission Youth Seat
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Charlie Papillo to appoint Hannah Carlson to the Colchester Conservation Commission
Get Engaged youth seat for a one-year term that begins October 1,
2024 and ends September 30, 2025.
The MOTION carried.
c. ACTION | Appointment to Development Review Board Youth Seat
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to appoint Maddox Chamberlain to the Colchester Conservation Commission Get Engaged youth seat for a one-year term that begins October 1, 2024 and ends September 30, 2025.
The MOTION carried.
d. Information | Colchester Police Department Update | Peter Hull, Chief of Police
Chief Hull provided an update since last November regarding the number of sworn officers and civilian positions within the Department, the current number of positions that are filled, and the remaining number they are continuing work to recruit. He shared the tremendous value to the Department with the addition of the Support Services Manager, that was included in the current year’s budget.
Chief Hull reviewed the General Orders that have been updated since last November, the continued prioritization on training and personnel development, as well as promotions that have occurred over the past year. He reiterated that the Department has high standards for the officers that are selected to become part of the Colchester Police Department and they will not compromise those standards just to fill positions.
The Selectboard shared their sincere appreciation for Chief Hull and the department and the work they do for this community.
e. Information | Rescue Update | Scott Crady, Rescue Chief and Becky Alemy, Asst. Rescue Chief
Assistant Rescue Chief Alemy provided an update of Rescue operations over the past year. She noted there continues to be a steady increase in call volume, currently on target to be in 2200 range for current year. She reviewed the education and types of training for volunteer members of Colchester Rescue, and outreach and public education opportunities Colchester Rescue provides to the community. Assistant Chief Alemy stated that all five career captains are paramedic certified, and they are currently onboarding four new volunteers.
She shared the recent updates to the building and new ambulance that will replace the 2016 ambulance, has an expected delivery of late spring/early summer 2025, and noted they will be reusing the Powerload and Powercot in the current ambulance. They are purchasing video laryngoscopy scopes and IV medication pumps as the current setups are obsolete, and pushing out purchase of cardiac monitors as they are still in good working condition.
The Selectboard shared their sincere appreciation for Assistant Chief Alemy’s presentation and update on the department, and for the great work and service to the community by all members of Colchester Rescue.
f. ACTION | Warn December 10, 2024 Public Hearing for Amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances Chapter 10: Sewers Related to Sewer Allocation within the Malletts Bay Sewer Service Area
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Charlie Papillo to warn a public hearing that was previously intended for November 12, 2024, to a new date of December 10, 2024, for the consideration of proposed amendments to the Colchester Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 Sewers.
The MOTION carried.
g. Information | FY 25 Year to Date Financials through September | Lara Alemy, Finance Director
Lara Alemy provided an update on the financials through the end of September or 1st quarter of FY25, noted expenses were 1% under budget and revenues were 2.1% percent over budget at this point in fiscal year. She reported on the Local Option Tax revenue by fiscal year, and the current balance as of September 30, 2024.
h. ACTION| Approve Goals for the Town of Colchester| Aaron Frank, Town Manager
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve Goals of the Town of Colchester for 2024-2025 and Priorities, as outlined in an October 30, 2024 memo and attachments from Town Manager Aaron Frank.
Aaron stated the goals for the Town of Colchester are responsive to the Town’s mission statement to provide its citizens the highest quality municipal services possible with the resources available, and provided a summary of the goals achieved and future goals. He shared the importance for Town staff and the Selectboard to review, align and set goals on an annual basis, how these goals are originated, how they are influenced, and that they can be dynamic based on unforeseen challenges and opportunities that may supersede or delay goals.
The Selectboard shared appreciation to staff for the work they do and Vice Chair Mulcahy requested that the goals from last year and this year become an addendum to the Heritage Plan so that these goals are referenced as part of this plan.
The MOTION carried.
i. ACTION | Resolution to Authorize the Conveyance of Surplus Property 0 Macrae Road
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve a resolution for the Conveyance of Surplus Property located on 0 Macrae Road, Colchester, VT 05446
The MOTION carried.
j. ACTION | Resolution to Authorize the Conveyance of Surplus Property 0 Mercier Drive
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve a resolution for the Conveyance of Surplus Property located on 0 Mercier Drive, Colchester, VT 05446
The MOTION carried.
k. ACTION | Cancel Meetings and Warrant Authorization
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to cancel the Selectboard meetings on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 and Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and to authorize Aaron Frank, Town Manager, to sign the end-of-month warrants.
The MOTION carried.
7. ACTION | Adjourn to Meeting of Liquor Control Commission
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to temporarily adjourn the meeting of the Selectboard and convene a meting of the Liquor Control Commission.
The MOTION carried.
8. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations
a. Pictures of Progress
Town Manager Frank noted that in the interest of time, he would suggest postponing the Pictures of Progress until the next meeting, and the Selectboard agreed.
9. Informational Items
There were no questions on the informational items.
10. Announcements
There were no announcements.
11. ACTION | Warrants
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve Warrant #25-13 and #25-14 in the amounts of $1,207,338.37 and $2,404,963.40. All Warrants have been reviewed by the Selectboard, Finance Department and the Town Clerk & Treasurer's Office and are available for in-person inspection by request.
The MOTION carried.
12. Executive Session II
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Charlie Papillo 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 Charlie Papillo 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.
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to exit executive session.
The MOTION carried.
13. Adjournment**
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:14p.m.