Art. 1-3:

Discussion regarding Australian Ballot Articles as follows (final vote tally in parentheses):

Art. 4:

Shall general obligation bonds and/or a twenty-year loan from the State of Vermont in a total amount not to exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000) be issued to the Town of Stowe for the purpose of supplementing the costs of expanding the capacity of the Stowe Wastewater Treatment Plant to one million gallons per day and constructing new sewer lines and pumping stations within the Town of Stowe Sewer District?  Said supplemental costs, including engineering fees, are estimated to be five million dollars ($5,000,000) and are the result of time delays and increased levels of the treatment process.  Payback is to be from user fees and guaranteed by the town.  (YES 1011;  NO 342)

Patricia Healy-Sullivan stated she was against development. She feared that if a sewer line were to be built, it would spawn secondary growth, and she felt that Stowe might not be able to handle it.

Ken Strong informed the assembly that the septic systems up and down the Mountain Road were constantly failing.

Richard Marron stated that construction costs had increased approximately 15% since 1995.  The Ripple Lawsuit and ACT 250 process costs totaled nearly $500,000. The need to use advanced treatment levels with emergency generators, double filtration, disinfectants, etc. can easily increase the cost by $3,000,000.  In summary the revised cost estimate for the expansion is as follows: Inflation, %1,7 M; Legal Fees and Experts, $ 500,000; Advance Fees, $2,000,000; Accruals, $300,000; Contingency, $500,000. The State Capital Budget which is expected to be approved by the Legislature will contain a $2.25M septage grant. In addition, there is also a $1.5 million economic development grant.

Marion Baraw stated that users fees will pay the expenses, but she also felt it wasn’t about additional growth that it was as much about failed sewer lines up and down the Mountain Road. It was about the Mount Mansfield Company pumping sewage off the top of the mountain and taking it in trucks to the sewer plant. The greatest issue was taken care of by Zoning, and this is about what we do with our sewage and what we do for our community.

Barbara Allaire asked what it meant when the warning said that “Payback is to be from user fees and guaranteed by the Town.” Did that mean the Town would ultimately pay the bill?

Richard Marron confirmed that was the case if the current system could not support itself.

Ted Teffner stated that he was not about to sell the bonds until there was enough confidence that the Town could service those bonds. A memorandum of understanding had been reached between the Selectmen, and the Conservation Law Foundation, and Ripple. The Selectmen would need to have a high level of confidence before making any commitments.

Art. 5:

Will the Town in Town Meeting approve the user of approximately 2.5+/- acres of adjacent Mayo Farm land for the expansion of the Riverbank Cemetery?  (YES 1186;  NO 183)

Gar Anderson explained there would be potential a conflict with the proposed events field should an event be held during such time as a burial. He added that he would hope that the people planning the event would find a solution such as finding another location.

Art. 6:

Will the Town Meeting Authorize the relocation of the Mayo Farm Community Events Field from its current location to the field to the south of the Mayo Farm Road bounded by the West Branch of the little River and West Hill Road, provided that approval be conditioned the following items: (1) the Town will be subject to applicable land use permit processes; (2) the current use of the existing events field by the Recreation Department for youth athletic activity shall remain the same, and (3) the so-called Polo Field shall revert back to agricultural use?

Bruce Nourjian stated that although some events such as the dog show and horse show first came to Stowe, they now find the events field deficient and have moved the events to other communities. Some businesses in Stowe need and want these events. Mr. Nourjian asked if it was too much to ask that 50 out of 47,000 acres of Stowe be kept in green grass with an occasional event held on it?

Jack Daggitt was recognized as being opposed to this Article. The Mayo Farm management guidelines were such that 70% of the land is to be kept as agricultural; some of the best fertile land will be taken for the events field. He felt that it had been overlooked that there already was an events field. He indicated the State of Vermont, about six months ago, had removed the drainage swales, and now it seemed to him that the events field could be drained, which would solve the problem. He went on to educate the assembly saying the impact of cars would be 3 times that of the Mt. Mansfield parking lot. He asked that they imagine the Car Show held closer to downtown, being held 7 times a year as opposed to just one weekend a year. His group was willing to work with the Stowe Area Association or anyone else to find an appropriate all-weather events field. He asked that the rural flavor of Stowe not be compromised.

Steven Riley was called upon to speak in favor of the article. He asked everyone to turn to page 66 of their annual reports and pointed out that commercial ownership was at 20%. He went on to say that 20% does pay its share of taxes. He felt that everyone benefited from the conservation lands through the tax dollars. He felt the land was central near the village and not out in Sterling Valley where 2000 acres were put aside.

Sonny Davis argued that spending money on something like this was not feasible. He asked that some people stop and think for a minute. The Mayo Road got paved and now it will be clogged up with more traffic so the local taxpayer won’t be able to drive.

Art. 7:

Shall the Voters of the Stowe School District approve a budget with a total expenditure of six million forty eight thousand, eight hundred eight dollars, ($6,048,808)), for the support of its schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000?

Becky Graddock reminded everyone that Act 60 had been passed three years ago and it threatened to dismantle the Stowe School System or drive the taxpayers under, or both. She further indicated that the Stowe students continued to be ranked in the top of the state testing, SAT scores, percentage going to college, etc. She went on to say that one third of the school’s budget was made available by private donations towards the fund. She indicated the budget was up by 2.3%, most of that being due to health insurance costs. The cost-per-student had declined 17% over the last (5) years. The Boards goal continues to be to provide the best quality education for all students in Stowe at the same time keeping the tax rate down. She stressed that the school tax rate cannot be any lower than $1.14.

Art Gleiner thought the budget had been well thought out and he complimented the Board for its hard work. He also stated he had moved from a town which had a school ranked one of the top ten in the country, and he felt Stowe was heads above that school. He asked what would happen if the budget was to be funded entirely through local-share property taxes versus the money raised by the Education Fund.

Terry Dwyer indicated that $1.00 would have to be added to the tax rate making it $2.14.

There was no further discussion regarding the Australian Ballot Articles.

The legal voters present acted upon the following questions:

Art. 8:

MOTION made by Charlie Lusk, seconded by Don Post to accept the annual reports of the several Town Officers as presented. Steven Riley pointed out that Selectman Richard Marron’s name had been omitted as having won the three-year position in the Selectmen’s race.  MOTION PASSED.

Art. 9:

MOTION made by Don Post, seconded by Steven Riley to accept the annual reports of the School Directors as presented.  MOTION PASSED.

Art. 10:

MOTION made by Steven Riley, seconded by Ted Teffner, to adopt the provisions of 32 VSA Chapter 133, providing for the collection of taxes by the Town Treasurer.  MOTION PASSED.

Art. 11:

MOTION made by Don Post, seconded by Ted Teffner to authorize the School Directors to borrow money to pay current expenses and debts of said District, in anticipation of the collection of taxes and returns from the state for such purposes and the same shall be done by notes of the District. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 12:

MOTION made by Becky Graddock, seconded by Don Post to authorize the School Directors to establish a reserve fund for the purpose of defraying future educational expenses, utilizing all carry-forward from the 1999-2000 school year.

Art. 13:

MOTION made by Ted Teffner, seconded by Steve Riley to have the Town in Town Meeting establish the following amounts as annual wages for elected officials during the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001:

Frank Kellogg asked if all the elected officials had gotten a raise this year.

Mr. Teffner answered the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Listers, and the Moderator will all level-funded. The Auditors had been given a raise of 25 cents per hour.

Mr. Kellogg asked why there wasn’t an increase in the Town Clerk’s salary?

Mr. Teffner answered that the Town Clerk is an elected Official and does not work for the Selectmen. They do, however, get to recommend a pay amount at Town Meeting. It is the responsibility of the Selectboard to provide an office, providing equipment, and providing additional help to make that office work. It has been the Selectboard’s observation that over the last 2 to 3 years that the Town Clerk has had difficulty putting in 40 hours a week. Marie is not 100% well and is having some difficulties in fulfilling the job. He, and the other Selectmen, felt it was also their responsibility to see that the Town’s money was well spent. Since Marie had acknowledged that she was not able to give 100% to the job, the Selectmen had proposed not to give her an increase, just in the interest of Town Meeting running its business properly, the Selectmen had proposed level funding.

Mr. Kellogg proposed and yielded to Leighton Detora an AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION to give the Town Clerk a one percent (1%) raise retroactive to July 1, 1999, and to give the Town Clerk a 1.5% raise for the fiscal year July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001. Marion Kellogg seconded the AMENDMENT to the motion.

Mr. Kellogg felt it was mean-spirited on the Selectmen’s part not to give the Town Clerk a raise.

Attorney Rick Hubbard had 25 years working with the Town Clerk’s Office in Stowe. He felt it was efficient and well-run, and Marie had a lot of responsibility for that. We shouldn’t w3hittle away at someone’s benefits and should treat her fairly.

Patricia Healy-Sullivan felt the way the Town Clerk had been treated, opening the floor to personal and medical issues was inappropriate.

An unidentified female voter felt it was quite awkward, but she felt that the Town Clerk was an elected official, and further felt it was appropriate to discuss an employee of the town and maybe the Selectboard should consider a mediator. If she is on the job and doing a good job, then she should be given a raise yearly.  Everyone in the community should be happy.

Charlie Burnham MOVED THE MOTION.

Mr. Marron asked the Moderator for a POINT OF PRIVILEGE. He did not feel it was mean-spirited; it could be perceived as such, but he wanted that cleared up. The Selectmen make a recommendation, but the salary was voted on by the Assembly in Town Meeting.

MOTION TO DEBATE PASSED.

Mr. Kelk could not discern the voice vote so a Division of the House was called for. The results of the Division of the House, on the Amendment were (183) in favor of the AMENDMENT with (74) against. On the main motion as amended, MOTION PASSED.

Art. 14:

MOTION made by Terry Dwyer, seconded by Becky Graddock to authorize the District to pay its directors and other elected officials for th ensuing year, and in what amount.

Herb O’Brien stated, that since this was a joint meeting, he asked if the Moderator got paid by both the school and the town?

Moderator Kelk said yes. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 15:

MOTION mad by Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Hutchins to fix the time and manner in which funds voted in Article 7 shall be payable as follows:

          BE IT RESOLVED THAT The School taxes will become due and payable in two equal installments pursuant to Sec. 901, Chapter 9, of the Town of Stowe Charter; with 1/2 due no later than 5:00 PM on November 10^th, 2000, without discount; and 1/2 due no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 10^th, 2001, without discount; taxes received bearing a postmark from a governmental postal service which is no later than the date due shall be accepted as timely payment. Interest at the rate of one percent (1%) per month, or fraction thereof from the due dates shall be added to all school taxes unpaid after each due date.

          FURTHER, that there be assessed a collection fee of eight percent (8%) on all taxes unpaid after each due date, and all taxes assessed as above shall be collected by the Treasurer of the Town of Stowe School District in the same manner provided by law for the collection of taxes by treasurers of towns. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 16:

MOTION made by Dick Marron, seconded by Peter Beck to appropriate a sum not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) toward the operation of the Stowe trolley service.

Ken Schumann from the Woodchip Inn, stated that he felt the funding was unfair. Stowe Area Association assessed its members, unfairly at $25 for the retail shops, $50 for the restaurants and $100 for lodges, Inns, motels. Also, the trolley goes to Morrisville. He had been trying to get people to deal with this fair share item and he hoped it would be soon.

Richard Marron stated the Trolley had been in operation for quite some time. Stowe had been very lucky of late to get transportation moneys to help pay for these trolleys. Most of the international guests use it. Since the Stowe Area Association has figured out a way to bill its membership through an assessment, if there is a problem with that assessment, it should be taken up with SAA. He hoped that the SAA Trustees could help Mr. Schumann resolve this matter.  MOTION PASSED.

Art. 17:

MOTION made by Peter Beck, seconded by Charles Lusk to appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), to be used for a fireworks display for the July Fourth celebration, 2001.

Sam Kaiser gave Gar Anderson a vote of thanks for the many years of managing the fireworks.

Gar acknowledged his crew (Al Coppock, John Steel, Dr. Poulton from the University Anesthesiology Dept. and his son, Stu Baraw, Richard Collins, Etc.)

Bruce Nourjian asked if $5,000 would be enough.

Sam Kaiser answered he did not know. He thought they would fall short, but were fund raising.

He would know better next year. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 18:

MOTION made by Peter Beck, seconded by Steven Riley to authorize the expenditure

of a sum not to exceed five hundred thirty-two thousand, one hundred forty-five dollars

($532,145) to pay for capital projects as follows:

Herb O'Brien asked the Selectmen if they had looked at the price of oil lately as $300,000 of the

above would be using hot pack.

Steve Riley indicated the Town's engineer, Clifford Johnson, indicated the Town was covered.

Cliff was also introduced as the Town's Director of Public Works.

Tom Corcoran brought up the matter of the School Parking Lot.

Don Post answered the whole lot would have to be taken up, and more gravel brought in. Mr.

Post did not see the repairs being made in the foreseeable future because of the budget.

Jack Jones did not see anything in the budget for paving Maple Street, after all the work that had been done.

Dick Marron stated a Town had to stand in line in order to get state aid.

Barbara Baraw wondered why $26,000 was allocated for the current year and $27,000 was being

asked for again for Pond Street.

Cliff Johnson informed the assembly that last year the Town had anticipated to put a water line

down Pond Street and pave it. That work didn't happen so this year this project should be done,

along with a new sidewalk along Pond Street leading to the Helen Day Art Center.

Dick Marron informed the assembly that whenever funds are not used, they revert to the fund

balance and used to reduce the taxes for the following year.

Bernie Nissenholtz questioned $25,000 for an underground utilities study. He questioned why

this had not been done last summer when everything had been dug up.

Peter Beck answered the Town would be spending $25,000 to find out just what it would cost to

place the utilities underground. There was a possibility that the lines could be put behind the

businesses which this study will tell us. The study would also set out the time frame to do this

project.

William Moore asked whether any money was being spent on the old Electric Building.

Steve Riley answered that the Town had applied for grants to fix this building.

Charles Merten asked if there will be additional parking on Pond Street.

Cliff Johnson answered no, as the street is very narrow now.

Paul Hansel asked if $83,000 for a new Highway truck was for a new truck or a replacement.

Peter Beck answered it was a replacement.

Steve Riley indicated the Town takes its oldest truck, very rusty, with lot of miles and about 12

years old, to try to sell it. That income is calculated into the cost of the new truck.

Lynn Baumrind asked that since some of these roads which were being paved could the utilities

be put underground at the same time.

Peter Beck indicated the process was more complicated. The question was called to cease

debate.

MOTION PASSED to approve the Capital Budget in the amount of $532,145.00.

Art. 19:

MOTION made by Mr.Teffner, seconded by Mr. Beck to appropriate the sum of fifty

thousand, two hundred fifty-one dollars ($50,251) for the following purposes:

Herb O'Brien asked if there was duplication; if some of these organizations could combine their

efforts.

Mr. Teffner answered these requests had all been investigated. They do serve people in Stowe.

Barbara Baraw asked about the $12,000 to the Land Trust.

Charlie Berry answered that the Land Trust had (11) projects In Stowe, $12,000 is for the

operating account.

George von Trapp asked Charlie Berry about grants from donors.

Charlie Berry indicated the Land Trust asks its donors tor stewardship funds so that the

properties can be taken care of in perpetuity.

MOTION TO AMEND made by Kitty Morrissey, seconded by an unnamed voter to change the

amount tor the Children's Aid Society from $500 to $1000.

Steve Riley stated the amounts listed are the amounts they have asked for. He felt the Assembly should not start adding to these amounts.

Herb O'Brien it had always been a tradition that nothing was added on to the budget at Town

Meeting.

MOTION TO AMEND WAS DEFEATED.

Stu Baraw called the question to end debate.

MOTION TO END DEBATE PASSED.

MOTION ON THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE PASSED for the sum $50,251.

Art. 20:

MOTION made by Steven Riley, seconded by Don Post to authorize the Selectmen to

lease a 5+/- acre parcel 0 land to Stowe Swimmers Foundation, Ltd., a VT non-profit

corporation, for the purpose of construction and operation of a community indoor pool facility

that will be open for public use. Said 5+/- acre parcel of land is situated between Stowe Hollow

Road and the easterly end of Jackson Arena. Construction and operation of the facility shall be

governed by a proposed lease agreement between Stowe Swimmers Foundation Ltd. and the

Town of Stowe on terms and conditions acceptable to the Board of Selectmen.

Jake Carpenter felt that the kids of the Town would benefit greatly from a pool, as well as adults

for fitness. It will be financed solely by the Foundation; the Town will be asked to plow. It will

be located near the hockey rink and the school.

Emmett Morton agreed with the concept but had a serious question about the location as he was

concerned with the parking area. He has had experience in that spot.

Sam Kaiser indicated the Recreation Commission had worked closely with the Foundation and

felt the parking issue had been addressed.

Ann Spearing had a few questions She asked if the lap would be in yards or meters; meters being more preferable to serious swimmers.

Chuck Baraw felt this would be a great facility and supplement the lodges.

Leighton Detora asked why the land would be leased instead of sold.

Dick Marron indicated that it was the feeling that all recreation lands stay under Town

ownership.

John Black expressed his concern that the facility stay available to the locals.

Peter Beck stated that it will be privately owned.

Mr. Teffner stated that the Foundation had given the Selectmen a proposed lease which will

require some work. There will be an opportunity to discuss the setting of fees. It will not be a I

short-term lease.

Charles Merten expressed a concern as to who this Swimmers' Foundation was; their capability

to pay their bills, etc.

Jake Carpenter indicated his group had gone ahead very conservatively and were assured of the

Foundation's position.

Barbara Allaire asked if she had understood correctly that after (3) years, the facility would

revert back to the Town to maintain.

Jake Carpenter stated the Foundation had put $2M aside to cover the first three years' operations.

MOTION PASSED.

Art. 21:

MOTION made by Peter Beck, seconded by Dick Marron, to authorize the Board of

Selectmen to expend all unexpended FYOO General Funds to pay for debts and current expenses

of the Town for the fiscal year of July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 22:

MOTION made by Mr. Teffner, seconded by Mr. Beck, that the Town vote to raise

money on its Grand List for the fiscal year of July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001 to pay debts and

current expenses of the Town on the budget system as follows:

FURTHERMORE, that pursuant to Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 17, Sec. 2664, the

Selectmen shall set and assess the tax rate on the Grand List consisting of real property of

the Town of Stowe for the period July I, 2000 through June 30, 2001 to defray the

indebtedness and current expenses of the Town of Stowe herein voted.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the property tax shall become due and

payable in two equal installments pursuant to Sec. 901 and 902, Chapter 9 of the Town of

Stowe Charter, with one-half (1/2) due no later than 5:00 P.M. on November 10, 2000

without discount, and one-half (1/2) due no later than 5:00 P.M. on May 10, 2001 without

discount. Taxes received bearing a postmark from a governmental postal service which

is no later than the due date shall be accepted as timely payment. Interest at the rate of

one percent (1%) per month or fraction thereof, from the due dates, shall be added to all

property taxes unpaid after each due date.

FURTHER, there shall be assessed a collection fee of eight percent (8%) on all unpaid

taxes after each due date; and all taxes assessed as above shall be collected by the

Treasurer of the Town of Stowe in the manner provided by law for the collection of taxes

by the treasurers of towns. The unexpended balance of this appropriation to the several

departments shall, at the end of the period, be conveyed back into the treasury of the

Town.

Art. 23

MOTION made by Herb O'Brien, seconded by Peter Beck to authorize the collection of

impact fees and the acceptance of offsite mitigation measures in accordance with the provisions

of 24VSA Chapter 131.

Mr. Marron advised the assembly that this was not a prudent thing to do at this time.

MOTION DEFEATED.

Art. 24

MOTION made by Mr. Riley, seconded by Mr. Teffner to authorize the Selectboard to

grant an easement to the Grace Bible church to allow the continued use of a portion of the

Moscow Field as a septic system wastewater disposal area.

No discussion was held. MOTION PASSED.

Art. 25:

MOTION made by Dick Kilburn; seconded by Bill Hagget to direct the Selectboard to cease burning operations at the Moscow Dump and to seek an alternative method for disposal of

logs and stumps, such as grinding into wood chips, and to appropriate a sum not to exceed

$6,000 for disposal operations during the ensuing year.

Paul DeCelle read a history of the problems that lead up to this action.

George Rigby suggested that the Selectmen not do anything until an alternative way to dispose

Of the logs was found.

There was no further discussion. MOTION PASSED.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12: 15 p.m.

Attest:  /s/Marie N. Betterley

                    Marie N. Betterley, Town Clerk

Witness: /s/Peter J. Beck

                    Peter J. Beck, Selectman