1. Call Meeting to Order | 6:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call | Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call: Pam Loranger, Chair; Tom Mulcahy, Vice-Chair; Jacki Murphy, Clerk; Maureen P. Dakin, Charlie Papillo

Staff Present: Aaron Frank, Town Manager; Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager; Norm Baldwin, Public Works Director; CPD Animal Control Officer Stephanie Gingras; Mike Nosek, CPD Support Services Manager; Sophie Feldman, Communications Coordinator

Others Present: Tenylle Critchlow, Caitlin Briggs, Andy Julow, Charlie Baker (CCRPC), Doug Bishop, Cole Hayes, Emma Hayes, Joanna Rankin

Pledge of Allegiance: Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ACTION | Public Hearing

a. Potentially Vicious Dog Hearing | 6:30 p.m.

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin 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, identified the individuals and dog involved, swore in witnesses, and took testimony from Tenylle Critchlow, Cole Hayes, and Caitlin Briggs. Mrs. Critchlow maintained that the dog exhibited threatening behavior and asked that the Selectboard implement the appropriate measures to prevent harm. Mr. Hayes testified that they have taken steps to “prevent further issues,” namely by reinforcing the fence on their property. Animal Control Office Stephanie Gingras stepped up to the mic to answer questions; the Selectboard did not have questions. Mrs. Critchlow returned to the mic to offer her proposed remedies. Caitlin Briggs briefly testified to the dog’s good nature.

Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger moved to close the hearing, seconded by Maureen P. Dakin. Hearing was thus concluded.

4. Citizens to be Heard

Joanna Rankin of Burlington requested that the Colchester Selectboard sign on to a resolution passed by Burlington City Council, requesting that the Vermont National Guard be given a different flying mission on the basis of the disruption caused by F-35s.

5. ACTION | Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of 8.27.24 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 August 27, 2024.

The MOTION carried.

6. ACTION | Special Business Items

a. Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Annual Report and related issues | Charlie Baker, Executive Director

Charlie Baker, summarized the contents of the annual report noting technical assistance provided to improve safety at the US 2/Clay Point Road intersection, review of the Town’s Act 250 and Section 248 Applications, an overview of the Future Land Use Map and covered Housing Targets. The targets are aspirational and do not carry penalties for not being met. Tom Mulcahy inquired about where the money for construction would come from. Charlie noted that the State expected the private sector to expand to meet housing needs as the market demand for homes vastly exceeds supply, but cautioned it would take years. He assured the Selectboard that the Housing Targets take into account the individual nature and needs of towns around Vermont. Charlie r cited research that indicates that over-regulated housing markets tend to have worse housing issues. CCRPC is seeking feedback from towns on these matters and he asked the Selectboard for input on how CCRPC can best approach these conversations with other towns and whether there are any other organizations in Colchester that CCRPC should be in contact with.

b. Action | Signature Authority on Malletts Bay Sewer Construction Easements | Norm Baldwin, Public Works Director

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to authorize both Norm Baldwin, Public Works Director, and Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager, to execute documents related to temporary construction easements for the Malletts Bay Sewer Project, on behalf of the Town, as recommended in a memo dated September 5, 2024 by Norm Baldwin, Director of Public Works.

The MOTION carried.

c. Action | Update to Public Records Policy | Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager and Colchester Police Department Support Services Manager Mike Nosek

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to approve the amendments to the Town of Colchester Public Records Inspection, Copying and Transmission Policy, as outlined in a memo dated September 5, 2024 from Deputy Town Manager Renae Marshall and Colchester Police Department Support Services Manager Mike Nosek.

Deputy Town Manager Renae Marshall and CPD Support Services Manager Michael Nosek presented a proposed amendment to the Town’s policy on Public Records to update the fee structure, and to includer records requests made to the Colchester Police Department. The amendment would introduce flat fees for requests, which will enable the Colchester Police Department to provide clear information to the public and improve the efficiency of processing these requests.

The MOTION carried.

7. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations

There were no further recommendations.

8. Informational Items

Maureen P. Dakin noted an item of concern may have been resolved. Town Manager Aaron Frank explained that a request to temporarily store contaminated soil at 181 E. Lakeshore Drive, as part of a Soil Management Plan for the former McLaughlin’s Site (Simon’s Winooski) had been withdrawn following a letter from the Town Attorney.

9. Announcements

Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger reminded residents of the upcoming Autumn Fall Market at Severance Corners on September 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

10. ACTION | Warrants

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Charlie Papillo to approve Warrant #25-07 in the amount of $1,245,335.71 and Warrant #25-08 in the amount of $1,13,867.89.

The MOTION carried.

11. Deliberation Session

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 testimony provided, both written and oral, related to the potentially vicious dog hearing, specifically noted on the agenda and for which a hearing was held earlier in the meeting. The Selectboard will issue an order (decision) in writing to the owner of the dog, through the U.S. Mail, and will share the outcome publicly by placing the decision (order) as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.

The MOTION carried.

12. Executive Session

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy 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 Jacki Murphy 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.

The Selectboard entered into deliberative/executive session at 7:43 p.m.

13. Adjournment

MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Tom Mulcahy to adjourn the meeting.

The MOTION carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

DRAFT MINUTES