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| COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD September 24 @ 6:30 PM ____________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order | 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call | Pledge of Allegiance
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; Julie Graeter, Town Clerk & Treasurer; ACO Stephanie Gingras, Colchester Police Lieutenant Roger Fisher
Others Present: Jameson Williams, Desiree Fisher, Loretta Fisher, Coles Hayes, Arielle Vincelette, Doug Bishop, Andy Julow, Clint Walker, Jess Valente
3. ACTION | Public Hearing
a. 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 vicious dog. All information in the packet related to this matter 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 conclusions 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 U.S. Mail, and will share the outcome publicly by placing the written decision as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
Selectboard Chair explained the procedures of a vicious dog hearing and testifying individuals were sworn in. Those who testified included: complainant Jameson Williams, owner of the dog Desiree Fisher, Clint Walker, Jess Valente, Loretta Fisher and ACO Gingras. Mr. Williams first confirmed his status as a Colchester resident. He alleged that on September 4, 2024, Ms. Fisher’s dog, “Bear,” attacked his dog, “Yoshi,” while out for a walk. Bear was said to have run from Ms. Fisher’s property and attacked Yoshi unprovoked. Yoshi was injured, necessitating medical attention. In the process of trying to separate the dogs, Mr. Williams stated he was bitten by Bear and that this injury required medical attention as well. He estimated the vet bills at approximately $1400, but could not provide the cost of his own medical care since he had not been billed yet.
Ms. Fisher testified that she had been at work that day, and Bear was being dog-sat by a friend. Per Ms. Fisher’s testimony, Bear was possibly scared upon seeing Yoshi, and perceived Mr. Williams’ dog as a threat. She stated that Bear is usually well behaved. Clint Walker testified and stated that he and Ms. Fisher have taken extra precautions to prevent this from happening again, such as putting up a temporary gate inside the house that prevents Bear from going out the front door.
ACO Gingras noted that she met with Ms. Fisher and Bear after the incident and shared her recommendations to the Selectboard which were to utilize a more permanent gate in the doorway to prevent Bear from exiting the home, contain Bear in a fenced-in area or wear a basket muzzle and be on a leash when outside or off the property. Ms. Fisher was also asked about another reported incident involving Bear, which occurred in Burlington in June. Jess Valente and Loretta Fisher testified in support of Bear. Mr. Williams added that he is not seeking harm come to Bear, but accountability.
The hearing was then concluded. Pam Loranger moved to close the hearing, seconded by Tom Mulcahy. Ms. Loranger informed Mr. Williams and Ms. Fisher that the Selectboard will issue an order that will be sent by certified mail.
4. Citizens to be Heard*
Selectboard Chair Pam Loranger called for citizens to be heard. Mr. Cole Hayes, who was present at the last Selectboard hearing on 9.10.2024 for a Potentially Vicious Dog hearing requested of the Selectboard a clarification on the Potentially Vicious Dog Hearing Order issued to him as owner of the dog involved.
5. ACTION | Consent Agenda
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo 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 September 10, 2024.
The MOTION carried.
6. Special Business
a. ACTION | Colchester Cemetery Fees | Julie Graeter, Town Clerk/Treasurer
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve the changes to the Colchester Cemetery Fees as outlined in the memo from Town Clerk/Treasurer Julie Graeter dated September 9, 2024 and to be made effective January 1, 2025.
Town Clerk and Treasurer Julie Graeter presented a proposed fee increase for cemeteries and invited questions from the Selectboard.
The MOTION carried.
b. ACTION | Board and Commission Appointments
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen Dakin to appoint the following Board and Commission members, all to begin on October 1, 2024 and end on September 30 of the years stated:
To the Board of Ethics:
•Scott Perren for a three-year term to expire 2027
To the Colchester Conservation Commission:
•Theresa Carroll for a four-year term to expire 2028
•Patrick Volz for a four-year term to expire 2028
•Dylan Tompkins for a one-year term as a student Get Engaged member, to expire in 2025
To the Development Review Board:
•Angela MacDonald for a four-year term to expire 2028
•Evan Fitzgerald for a two-year term to expire 2026
•Bert Severin for a one-year term to expire 2025
•Chris Gendron for a one-year term to expire 2025
•Kathy Cawley for a two-year term to expire 2026
To the Recreation Advisory Board:
•Dick Pecor for a two-year term to expire in 2026
•Jim Neary for a two-year term to expire in 2026
•Inge Schaffer for a two-year term to expire in 2026
To the Planning Commission:
• Sarita (Sarah) Austin for a two-year term to expire 2026
• Wendy Critchlow for a two-year term to expire 2026
• Rebecca Arnold for a two-year term to expire 2026
To the Library Board of Trustees:
• Shabnam Saini for a one-year term as a student Get Engaged member, to expire 2025
For Green-Up Coordinators:
• Theresa Carroll for a one-year term to expire 2025
• Pam Loranger for a one-year term to expire 2025
The MOTION carried.
a. ACTION | CCRPC Representative Appointment
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen Dakin to appoint the following person as a representative to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC): Cathyann LaRose as the Alternate Colchester Representative for the Board of Directors of the CCRPC for a term of two-years to commence October 1, 2024 and end June 30, 2026.
The MOTION carried.
c. ACTION | Voting Delegate for VLCT Insurance (VERB and PACIF) and VLCT Board 2024 Annual meetings | Aaron Frank, Town Manager
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to select Aaron Frank, Town Manager as the voting delegate to represent the Town of Colchester Selectboard at the Vermont League of Cities and Towns' 2024 Annual Business Meeting, the VLCT PACIF Annual Business Meeting, and the VLCT VERB Annual Business Meeting, per a memo dated September 17, 2024 from Aaron Frank, Town Manager and the informational letter from VLCT.
The MOTION carried.
7. ACTION | Adjourn to Meeting of Liquor Control Commission
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 Liquor Control Commission.
The MOTION carried.
8. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations
a. DISCUSSION | Selectboard Input on FY 26 Municipal Services Budget | Renae Marshall, Deputy Town Manager
Deputy Town Manager explained that she was seeking initial input from the Selectboard on the FY 2026 Municipal Services Budget. She provided background information including a review of the labor force; inflation, employment cost, and producer price increases; resource needs of the Town; external pressures and constraints; approach and process; and recommendations. Deputy Town Manager Marshall advised that if the Selectboard wishes to develop a budget that prioritizes lower tax rate increases, it will require a reduction from the current level of Town services.
The Selectboard provided guidance, not desiring a decrease in the level of services provided and that the budget increase proposed to the Selectboard should not exceed 5.7% but the half time staff to be added to the Assessor’s office could be in addition to this.
9. Informational Items
Selectboard Chair Loranger asked for clarification on the Memo from Public Works related to U.S. 2 and Clay Point Road safety. Town Manager Frank explained that a copy of a recent email sent from Town Engineer Amanda Clayton to interested members of the public explaining that study was being initiated and that there would be opportunities for public input.
10. Announcements
Selectboard Chair Loranger made the following announcements:
Last Thursday an appreciation event for Town employees was held. Chair Loranger noted that the Town Manager highlighted Town employees Adam Cohen, Julie Graeter, Mike West, and Roger Fisher, who had achieved milestones in years of service to the Town along with descriptions of their contributions.
Ballots for the November election will be sent to all residents by mail.
Colchester Police Corporal Jaime Bressler was named as Vermont Child Passenger Safety Law Enforcement Technician of the Year! Megan Severance completed her certification course in child passenger seats and is Colchester Police’s newest technician.
The Town hosted the 3rd Annual Autumnal Market and achieved its biggest turnout yet.
11. ACTION | Warrant
MOTION was made by Charlie Papillo and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to approve Warrant #25-09 in the amount of $1,806,269.23.
The MOTION carried.
12. Deliberative Session
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 testimony provided, both written and oral, related to the 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 a copy of the decision (order) as an informational item in the next Selectboard packet.
The MOTION carried.
13. Executive Session
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.
14. Adjournment**
MOTION was made by Tom Mulcahy and SECONDED by Maureen P. Dakin to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.