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Monday, April 15, 2013

Trustee Meeting Minutes - April 15th, 2013

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488


REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013
7:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Ronald Kilburn, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Leonard Stell, Chief of Police; Kristine Stell; Greg Stell; Denise Smith, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain (FNLC); Paul Madden, FNLC; Julie Moore, FNLC; and Ch. 16.

Ron Kilburn welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, March 25, 2013 Meeting:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, March 25, 2013 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

2. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, April 12, 2013:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#547-#555) through April 12, 2013 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked about a payment to Kevin Lothian for $900. Reg stated it was for a boat purchase in the Fire Department. He also asked about the $12,346.03 payment to the State of Vermont. Reg stated he would find out but believed it was for first quarter taxes. It was determined that was for purchase power.

3. Wayne Elliott, Water Transmission Project:

Wayne Elliott, Aldrich & Elliott Engineering, informed the Board that they have passed the 30 day appeal period regarding the Bond vote for Contract #2 and Contract #3 for the upcoming Water Transmission and Distribution Project. He said he is working on finalizing the necessary documents for Contract #3 for the Application for Drinking Water Revolving Loan Funds and needs the Board to approve and sign the necessary documents. He also stated that he would need the Board to designate Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, as the primary contact representative. Wayne stated that the loan on Contract #3 is for $49,500.00.

He said the State hasn’t issued a priority list yet but he is hoping for a summer bid and fall construction for this project. He said pricing is very competitive right now and stated the permitting process is very straight forward as well. Chris Leach asked Reg if he reviewed these documents and asked if he had any concerns. Reg stated he had reviewed them and is satisfied with the loan application documents.

Chris Leach made the motion to name Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager, as authorized representative in connection with this project. Eugene LaBombard seconded. He also made the motion to authorize the Village to apply for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds (DWSRF) necessary to finance and construct Contract #3 and authorized the filing of the application. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

4. Friends of Northern Lake Champlain -- Storm Water Project:

Julie Moore, FNLC, explained to the Board that during the spring and summer of 2012, Stone Environmental staff identified and evaluated storm water problem areas in Swanton Village and Town. She stated she would like the Board to look over these recommended projects because the Agency of Natural Resources will be doing another round of grant money for these types of projects. She stated the Village could apply for and potentially receive some of these grant funds. She stated some of the areas that need attention are the Swanton Village Complex, Taylor Drive, Route 78 and Brooklyn St., the Swanton Elementary School, Thibault Parkway and Spring St., Greenwich St., Grand Avenue and Marble Mill. Reg stated that the rain garden project started 18 months ago at Marble Mill has been nixed due to the 100 year flood plan.

Adam Paxman stated that the residents on Taylor Drive already deal with water in their basements from time and time and definitely didn’t want to add to that problem. Eugene LaBombard stated that if you dug down 6 inches on Spring Street you would get water and agreed with Adam. They don’t want to add ground water to the Village residents’ basements.

Paul Madden stated that some of these mentioned areas and projects could be done by Village employees. He stated the main focus of these projects is to remove as much phosphorus as possible before reaching the river.

Chris Leach asked if they could review the projects given them and then FNLC could check back with the Board to see if they want to move forward. Ron Kilburn asked about the dates on the documents and stated he was disappointed they were just receiving them now. Julie explained the project timeline and also the printing of the documents. She stated they just wanted the Board to look these projects over and if they are interested they would help them apply for grant money or she said the Village could apply on their own. Eugene asked if there was a timeframe or mandate to get these projects done. Julie said there isn’t a mandate as of yet.

Denise Smith stated that FNLC is a non-profit group that was started 11 years ago to help clean up the lake. She said for the last six years Paul Madden has done a lot of ground work and has brought awareness and educational programs to the community. She said FNLC will be having a plant sale in the Village Green on Saturday, May 11th and urged everyone to stop by. They thanked the Board for listening and reviewing these projects and said they would keep in touch with the Board. They said they would be presenting the Joint Legislative Body with the Town projects as well next week. The Board thanked all FNLC members for their information.

5. Greg Stell -- Eagle Scout Project at Flat Iron Park:

Greg proposed to the Board of Trustees that he would like to raise funds to have a 4’x3’x8” marble monument constructed with a sundial on top to honor the past, present and future servicemen for his Eagle Scout project. He said he would like to have this located in Flat Iron Park. Chris Leach stated he has been working on this and likes his idea. He said he went to Champlain Monuments and they have a drawing and quote on the monument already there. Greg said he spoke with Plouff Monuments but said he would check with Champlain also. Chris also stated the VFW may help with the project. Greg stated he would use Barre granite and was told that was the granite used in the monument already in Flat Iron Park. The Board thanked Greg and supported his effort. Greg stated he would need a project beneficiary to send to the Scout Council.

Chris Leach made the motion to appoint Reg Beliveau as beneficiary for Greg Stell’s Eagle Scout Project. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried. The Board stated Greg could call on them with any questions he may have. Greg stated he would keep the Board updated on his project.

6. Revisit Public Notice Policy:

Chris Leach stated that utility poles throughout the Village had nails in them and he mentioned how dangerous that is for the electric department. He said he would like garage sale notices properly located on a Message Board but that didn’t get voter approval. He said he is irritated by all the signs in inappropriate places. He doesn’t want to burden the Police Department but said something needs to be done about this. Reg Beliveau suggested maybe doing an insert in the utility bills notifying people about where to post signs/notices. Chris Leach said he would like to visit this issue from time to time.

7. Any Other Necessary Business:

Chris Leach asked what caused the power outage last week. Reg thought it was a motor vehicle accident. Chris wanted to thank the Highway crew for a job well done sweeping Gallup Court. He asked what the policy was on picking up brush piles from a resident’s home. I told him I thought if there was a wind or snow storm the Highway crew would pick up brush, other than that they would if it’s from a tree trimmed in the right of way. If not a Village resident can bring their brush to the burn pile on Lafar Street.

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman reminded resident’s that the Winter Parking Ban ends on April 15th. He also stated the Chamber of Commerce will be holding their Annual Car Show on Saturday, July 27th from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On behalf of the Chamber he is requesting use of the Park on that date. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce’s request to hold their Annual Car Show on Saturday, July 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Village Park. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn said that a group of citizens got together on March 30th regarding a movement to pay more attention to downtown Swanton Village. He said he hopes it leads to better things and more businesses in Swanton. He said they will meet again on April 11th and the group has grown to over 20 people. He said they are requesting permission to install three flower boxes on each side of the bridge. He asked if the Board and Reggie supported that. Chris stated he was concerned about vandalism. Eugene stated he has seen this in other communities and they look very nice. Ron said this was a small but positive gesture. He said they would also like to illuminate the dam at night. Eugene asked who would care for the flowers. Ron said the group along with Swanton Village employees would take care of them and said they would be anchored to the bridge railing. The Board members agreed to this. Ron said the group is called “Our Community, Our Downtown.”

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard stated that when the leaves come out it may cover some of the street signs. Chris said he would keep an eye out for that and would let Mike Menard know if he see’s any.

Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn asked if there was any interest in putting up a digital speed sign that tells the speed of a passing car. Chief Stell stated that he tried getting one through grant money but there were none available. He said he would look into it again.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau asked Ron Kilburn if he was upset with him for not getting the Board the Storm Water Report in a timely manner. Ron stated he thought it was a lot of information to present and he said the Board wasn’t able to ask intelligent questions. Reg stated that what they presented tonight was the first he saw of it.

Ron Kilburn stated the Board would need an Executive Session to discuss Real Estate.

8. Executive Session (if necessary):

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate at 8:47 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:12 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: None.

ADJOURN: Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:13 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Ronald Kilburn, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.



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Ronald Kilburn, Village President                    Date


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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date