This page is maintained by Swanton Village, Inc and is intended to be the official online posting of public meetings and minutes in accordance with Vermont’s Open Meeting law (Amended July 1st, 2014).

Monday, June 24, 2013

Trustee Meeting Minutes - June 24th, 2013

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


REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2013
7:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Frank Bellrose, Wayne Elliott, Aldrich & Elliott; and Channel 16.

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

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, June 10, 2013 Meeting:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, June 10, 2013 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None.  Motion carried.

2. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, June 21, 2013:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#576-#581) through June 21, 2013 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

3. Water Ordinance Discussion:

The Board decided that this item would be heard in Executive Session because they would be discussing customer accounts. Moved to item 4.

4. Sign Approval of Loan Amendment No. 1 for Construction on Contract No. 3:

Wayne Elliott informed the Board that he received a letter from the State of Vermont stating that they had funds available and they are requesting the Village of Swanton execute their construction loan form for Contract #3. Wayne stated this is for the distribution job on Fourth, Second and Canada Streets and the loan is in the amount of $928,300. Wayne also said he met with the Village and State of Vermont last week and said everything is on track and going good. Adam Paxman asked if the July 1, 2014 completion date was realistic. Wayne said it was and said they would probably have some spring clean up to do. Eugene LaBombard asked if they were working on the transmission phase yet. Wayne stated they were and had a timeframe of next year. The Board members signed the necessary loan documents.

5. Swanton Village Fire Department Coin Drop Request:

The Swanton Village Fire Department is requesting to hold a Coin Drop on Saturday, August 10, 2013 with a rain date of Saturday, August 17, 2013. Chris Leach stated the Fire Department has done this in the past and said it benefits Star Hose. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve the Fire Department’s request to hold a coin drop on August 10, 2013 (rain date August 17, 2013) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

6. Any Other Necessary Business:

Eugene LaBombard stated he would like to talk about the Letter to the Editor that ran in the St. Albans Messenger regarding parking by the Post Office. He said he would like to talk to the Chief about it. Adam Paxman stated if there is a parking ordinance it needs to be enforced. Reg Beliveau informed the Board that the Police Department did another traffic study there today and said no one is parking beyond the time limit. He also said if an individual has a handicap tag in their vehicle the two hour parking limit does not apply to them, they have unlimited parking. Adam Paxman stated it’s frustrating when older residents need to circle three or four times before they can find a parking space there. He also said it’s not always taxpaying residents who are using the spaces and said he called the landlord of one of the buildings but can’t reach him. Reg stated maybe they should talk to the Zoning office about this issue. Adam suggested the downtown parking issue be added to the next JLB meeting. Eugene LaBombard stated he met a tractor trailer filled with woodchips driving very aggressive through that area as well. He asked what they can do about that. Reg stated the Police Department was working on one of their officers being on the road more dealing with the trucks. Chris Leach stated one of the cars parked in front of the Post Office everyday has special circumstances and cannot be ticketed. He said the Police Department is enforcing it to the level it can be enforced. The Board stated they would like the three local representatives to attend one of their meetings in the near future to discuss the heavy truck traffic on First Street. They would also like to talk to them regarding the Public Service Board.

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated the new Fire truck is on its way to Swanton and said it looks great. He said he is looking forward to seeing it here at the station.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated the Public Service Board is still looking at their rate case and he said it is not going smooth. Reg also stated that Paul Nolan from FERC was here last week to hold the Public Hearings regarding the Downtown Dam. He said they now have to wait the 60 day waiting period for comments and concerns. Eugene LaBombard asked if there were any issues at the second meeting and Reg stated there were not.

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard stated a resident called him and asked when people or organizations hold an event for charity do we ask how much of the money earned is going to the charity. Reg stated we haven’t in the past but understood why they are concerned given the organization in Arizona where the money went to the family instead of to the charity. Eugene said the resident also asked about the solar panels in Sheldon and asked if that would affect Swanton Village’s rates. Reg stated no it would not and said they would keep a watch on it.

7. Executive Session to Discuss #3 Water Ordinance Discussion:

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session as Water Commissioner’s at 7:32 p.m. to Discuss the Water Ordinance. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session and Water Commissioner’s Meeting at 7:55 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: Water Ordinance was reviewed and no changes will be made to the Ordinance.

ADJOURN: Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 7:55 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried. There being no further business at hand, Chris Leach, Chair, adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.



_____________________________________          _______________________________________
Ronald Kilburn, Village President                    Date


_____________________________________          _______________________________________
Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date



Monday, June 10, 2013

Trustee Meeting Minutes - June 10th, 2013

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


REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 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 “Joey” Stell, Chief of Police; and Channel 16.

Ron Kilburn welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

1. Plaque Presentation – Certificate of Commendation for Three Local Youths:

The Swanton Village Police Department presented Dustin Machia, Nick Palmer and Tyler Cooper with a Certificate of Commendation Plaque for their superior judgment in recognizing a hazardous situation and for taking decisive and direct action to relieve the problem and avert a possible tragedy.

Ron Kilburn welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Ron stated that the meeting was preceded by a plaque presentation by the Police Department.

2. Approve and Accept Minutes from Tuesday, May 28, 2013 Meeting:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Tuesday, May 28, 2013 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Adam stated that he hopes to have information from a traffic study within the next four weeks. Chris Leach asked if Unit #5 was up and running yet. Reg Beliveau stated it was as of Thursday. Ron Kilburn stated that the Milton group that attended the Depot Station is called the Milton 250 VT Automobile Enthusiasts Inc. – Antique & Classic Vehicle Tour.  Motion carried with correction.

3. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, June 7, 2013:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#573-#575) through June 7, 2013 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked why the Village paid Pat and Martha Guarino $1692.80. Reg stated that was a refund because they decided not to connect to the Village water system on Maquam Shore Rd. and we also refunded them their water meter purchase. Adam also asked about the State of Vermont payment of $18,887.59. Reg stated he believed that was sales tax in the electric department. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into a Water Commissioner’s meeting at 7:14 p.m. to hear the following request. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

4. David Reissig Requests Water Connection at 145 Maquam Shore Rd:

Mr. Reissig is requesting permission to connect his camp at 145 Maquam Shore Rd. to the Swanton Village Water System. His letter states that this camp is used occasionally throughout the summer for family and guests and he requests a water allocation of 100 gpd. Chris Leach stated that the Village has the capacity for this request as long as Mr. Reissig is aware of the fees he has no problem with it. Chris Leach made the motion to approve Mr. Reissig’s request to connect to the Village Water System at 145 Maquam Shore Rd. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit the Water Commissioner’s meeting at 7:16 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.





5. Any Other Necessary Business:

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that Attorney Paul Giuliani sent the loan documents for the Village of Swanton Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan for $4,210,560.48 for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade. He stated the Board members and Village Clerk and Treasurer needed to sign the documents. All documents were signed.

Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn asked about the Public Hearing to be held on June 18 regarding the Lower Downtown Dam issue. Reg stated that Paul Nolan will hold a brief meeting here at the Complex at 1 p.m., a site visit at 2:30 p.m. and then another hearing here at 4 p.m. for any additional questions. Chris Leach asked who will benefit from this hearing. Reg stated that people who have concerns regarding removal of the dam and generation there.

Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked about the Village tax bill and Town tax bill and asked what a Village resident pays for and what a Town resident pays for. Reg stated he would get that information for him. Chris also asked if the whole Village was surveyed for this upcoming water distribution job. Reg stated that only the streets being done were surveyed.

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he received a call from Denise Juaire asking permission to hold a Flea Market in the Village Green on June 29th or July 13th. I checked the schedule and both dates are open. Adam stated he would let the Village know what date she chooses. Adam also asked Village residents to be careful of pedestrians in the streets.

Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn asked what the impact would be from the Solar Array in Sheldon if any. Eugene stated he believed the cost would affect the entire state. Chris stated there were individual contracts and individual companies that pay a certain premium for electricity. Reg stated they haven’t discussed it yet at VPPSA but said he would ask at their next meeting. Ron stated the market is changing quickly and he wondered what affect this may have.

6. Executive Session (If Necessary):

Chris Leach made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 7:46 p.m. to Discuss Real Estate. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:06 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: None.

ADJOURN: Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:06 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried. There being no further business at hand, Ronald Kilburn, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.



_____________________________________          _______________________________________
Ronald Kilburn, Village President                    Date


_____________________________________          _______________________________________
Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date