Apr
24
2017

04-24-2017 Selectboard Meeting

Town Of Fairlee Town Hall
75 Town Common Road
Fairlee, Vermont 05045

Monday April 24, 2017

6:00 pm CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

  • Selectboard Members: Cathy McGrath (Chair); Peter Berger (Vice-Chair), Frank J. Barrett, Jr.
  • Town Administrator: Brian Hanson
  • Minutes Clerk: Stephanie A. Taylor (by transcription)

Visitors: Jason Bachus, Joe Cramer, Carol Stickney, David Leclerc, Renee Martin, Georgette Wolf-Ludwig, Lisa Hinsley, Noel Walker, Gary Leach, Dennis Farmer

AGENDA MODIFICATIONS:

MOTION: Frank J. Barrett, Jr./Peter Berger (moved and seconded) made a motion to accept agenda with modifications. The vote passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • Gary Leach, Principal Engineer, of Tata & Howard updated the Town of Fairlee Selectboard on the Lake Morey Road project. A physical survey has been initiated. A profile of elevations will be developed to evaluate grades. The bid documents should be available within four weeks. The project start date will be Spring 2018.
  • Cathy McGrath inquired about the duration of the construction. Mr. Leach estimated a six-eight week timeframe.
  • Mr. Leach updated the Town of Fairlee Selectboard on the water system upgrade and potential USDA grant funding. Water quality issues have been discussed with USDA and VT DNR. The goal of the project will be to improve taste, remove manganese and reduce hardness.
  • The Town of Fairlee will be applying for a USDA rural water system grant. If this grant is awarded the agency will require the installation of water meters. A water bond will need to be approved by the voters prior to any grant issuance by USDA.
  • Mr. Leach is continuing to work with the attorney Chris Calahan on the water storage tank litigation.

STAFF & PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Dennis Farmer spoke about the Town Hall renovation project and stated that he had difficulty locating current plans for the renovation project and the water storage tank from Town of Fairlee staff.

He also expressed concern about the Town of Fairlee assuming a greater debt load.

Chief of Police Jason Bachus announced that National Drug Takeback Day will be held on Saturday April 29 from 10:00am to 2pm at the Town of Fairlee Town Hall. He will be available to accept unused medicines during this time.

Georgette Wolf-Ludwig notified the Town of Fairlee Selectboard that Samurai Soul has applied for an outside consumption permit. The owners also propose to fence in an area adjacent to the restaurant to provide additional seating during the summer.

This outdoor area will be used from 3-11pm, Tuesdays thru Sundays, from May through November. The owners will be applying to the Development Review Board for site plan review. Peter Berger requested a four-foot fence around the area.

MOTION: Frank J. Barrett, Jr./Peter Berger (moved and seconded) made a motion to approve the sale of alcohol/outside consumption permit for Samurai Soul restaurant subject to review of their proposed fencing. The motion passed unanimously.

Carol Stickney asked for sources of information about the Town Hall renovation. Cathy McGrath directed Ms. Stickney to the Town of Fairlee website where documents about the water system and the town hall renovation have been posted.

PROGRESS/REVIEW OF OLD BUSINESS:

Cathy McGrath asked Town Administrator Brian Hanson for the timeline for the Town of Fairlee staff move and the start date for construction activity on the Town of Fairlee Town Hall if the bond revote passes.

Peter Berger spoke with Kevin Geiger of Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Planning Commission about the solar array proposed on the Gladstone property. Wetland mapping will be required in one area. The site near Pierson’s is buffered from the Connecticut River and is above the floodplain.

The Zoning Administrator will write a letter of support for the Gladstone solar array project on behalf of the Town of Fairlee Selectboard. He will be the contact person and will need to work with Mr. Gladstone on the wetland issues.

Frank J. Barrett, Jr. distributed a summary document with a budgetary analysis of Town of Fairlee debt including municipal expenditures (administration, fire, police, community resources) versus school expenditures.

Cathy McGrath suggested taking a look at the Town of Fairlee assets and calculating the debt load based on the ratio between debt and the value of owned assets. She requested that the state auditor get involved. The current low debt load indicates that the Town of Fairlee has underinvested in town infrastructure.

The Town of Fairlee Selectboard confirmed the retreat date. It is scheduled for Thursday May 4.

The Town of Fairlee Selectboard discussed the grant applications for the Town Hall renovation project. Two CDBG grant applications will be submitted if the bond revote is successful. The Zoning Administrator is preparing the grant applications.

The Town Administrator presented correspondence regarding the Suskind camp property and a culvert problem. Frank J. Barrett, Jr. suggested that the road agent be contacted.

BOARD ORDERS/CORRESPONDENCE:

The orders were presented to the Town of Fairlee Selectboard for signatures. These included two excess weight permits and a request to use the Town of Fairlee common in August for a tandem bicycle rally.

MOTION: Peter Berger/Frank J. Barrett, Jr. made a motion (moved and seconded) to expense the fees for the R.H. White professional services. The motion passed unanimously.

Correspondence was received regarding the composting and free hauling of food scraps. Cathy McGrath asked if the hauling could be done by a private contractor. The Town Administrator will make inquiries.

MINUTES:

MOTION: Peter Berger/Frank J. Barrett, Jr. (moved and seconded) made a motion to approve the minutes of April 17, 2017 with corrections. The motion passed unanimously.

ACTION ITEMS:

  • Progress report from Gary Leach for the water bond
  • USDA grant for water system upgrade
  • Request memo from Gary Leach regarding use of surface water for drinking water
  • Road/Highway improvement priorities
  • CDBG grant applications update for Town Hall Renovation project

ADJOURN: – Time 8:27 pm

MOTION: Peter Berger/Frank J. Barrett, Jr. (moved and seconded) made a motion to close the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Attest: Stephanie A. Taylor

Minutes Clerk