August 8, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, August 8, 2016

7:00 PM

 

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Joel Clark; Ronald Kilburn; Kevin Parah and Ch. 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1.      Call to Order:

 

Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

2.      Agenda Review:

 

Reg Beliveau advised the Board that Katelin Brewer-Colie was unable to attend tonight’s meeting and would come to a September meeting. The Board decided to move #7 to #5.

 

3.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, July 11, 2016 and from Thursday, July 28, 2016:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, July 11, 2016 as well as Thursday, July 28, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

4.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, August 5, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#80-#88) through Friday, August 5, 2016 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Eugene LaBombard asked what the vendor Nortrax was for. Reg Beliveau stated that was for the new backhoe in the Public Works Department. Adam Paxman asked about the St. Albans Police Department bill for $59,256.94. Reg Beliveau stated that was for dispatching services and said Missisquoi Valley Rescue and the Fire Department pay a portion of this bill. Motion carried.

 

5.      Katelin Brewer-Colie, Local Motion, Bike Lane Update:

 

Katelin Brewer-Colie was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. She will attend the next Board meeting in September.

 

6.      Public Comment:

 

Joel Clark, Swanton Town Selectboard member, presented the Board with some electronic sign proposals. The first one is from Stewart Signs and is a 2’6”x8’ monochrome sign. That cost $6865 if purchased before May 31^st and $7515 if after. The second quote is from Vermont Display and is a 2’9”x7’10” monochrome sign. That one cost $7949. He said neither of these quotes includes the electrical connections or the pillars. He said the Swanton Enhancement Committee has a $2500 donation to put toward the cost of this sign. He said Vermont Displays sent some new quotes which range from $11,420 to $16,481. Joel stated the Town Selectboard has voted to purchase the sign from Vermont Display for $7949. Joel said they can choose amber or red lettering and they will be able to put multiple messages on the board. He said they will also help with the setup and have a salesperson in Vermont. Eugene LaBombard asked Joel if this was discussed with Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager/Controller for the Village of Swanton. Joel said he has not because the funds will be coming out of the Town of Swanton’s general fund, which both Village and Town taxpayers pay for. Adam Paxman and Eugene LaBombard both agreed to the same option as the Town of Swanton Selectboard members.

 

 

Public Comment: Ron Kilburn advised he was here tonight to discuss how fed up he is with the recent vandalism in Swanton and said they need to do something about this. He said it affects everyone as well as Swanton’s image. He said people who have invested time and energy are hurt and he doesn’t want them feeling diminished. Ron said he would like to implement a Clean Up Day – a community response to vandalism. He said they will hold a Community Forum on September 28^th at the Village Complex to discuss what can be done about this. He said this could be only five or six individuals doing this but it’s very discouraging. He said he encourages people to call the Police Department if they see or hear anything but he’s been told by people that they didn’t want to bother the police department. He said make sure you call it in if you see anything because they need the reporting of this. Adam Paxman agreed with Ron stating people need to report what they are seeing. Eugene LaBombard said the graffiti aimed at the Police Department is hurtful and uncalled for. Reg Beliveau said they almost need to implement a Neighborhood Watch program and have a zero tolerance for this. Ron stated that the Police Department is gathering data and putting notes and slides together for the Community Forum and he hopes everyone can attend this. The Board of Trustees stated they support this Community Forum and urge residents to attend. Ron Kilburn stated he is available if they need anything and people can look him up at the Chamber of Commerce’s office if they need to. The Board thanked Ron for coming in and addressing this issue.

 

7.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau stated that David Jescavage contacted him and said the Board of Trustees need to make a motion regarding the sidewalk study presented by Peter Cross at the Town Selectboard meeting.

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to proceed with a sidewalk from Hannaford’s to Missisquoi Valley Union High School as a priority and to also widen South River Street from the bridge to the intersection. He said the Village Trustees support the Town Selectboard’s decisions. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he would like to sell the old bucket truck and asked the Board to give him the authority to do so. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, to sell the used bucket truck in the Electric Department on behalf of Swanton Village. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard made the motion to keep the Village of Swanton’s electric wages competitive to Vermont Electric Coop and other neighboring utilities. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked the status of the rate increase in the electric department. Reg Beliveau stated the Public Service Board had some questions for the Village today. He said they are anticipating September 2016 before they implement the rate increase. Reg also said the Board needs to decide whether or not the Village should replace the rubber bag at the Hydro Plant or repair the existing rubber bag. He said he is leaning towards replacing the bag. Eugene LaBombard said they have a bond being paid off soon, maybe they could use those funds to purchase a new bag. The Board asked to have this put on the next agenda for discussion.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he would like to thank everyone for attending the Car Show. He said they put 241 cars in the park. He said the vendors had an awesome day and they had great weather for the event. He said he is hoping for bigger and better next year and said he appreciates all the support.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated National Night Out was held last week and they had a great night, great weather and new groups attending this year. Adam read a letter of support that was posted on Facebook from Voices Against Violence regarding National Night Out. He said Dr. Fred Holmes talked about substance abuse and he hopes he can next year too. Adam stated the recent vandalism doesn’t take away all the good, they just need to work a little harder.

 

 

8.      Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:08 p.m. to discuss Real Estate. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

 

 

9.      Adjournment:

 

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:41 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

 

July 28, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING

Thursday, July 28, 2016

5:00 PM

 

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; and Bill Scully, Swanton River Hydro.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1.      Call to Order:

 

Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Special Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m.

 

 

2.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

None.

 

 

3.      Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate:

 

 

Chris Leach made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 4:52 p.m. to discuss Real Estate. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 6:18 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

4.      Adjournment:

 

 

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Special Board of the Trustees meeting at 6:20 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

 

July 11, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, July 11, 2016

7:00 PM

 

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Amanda Holland, Northwest Regional Planning Commission and Ch. 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1.      Call to Order:

 

Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He also asked for a Moment of Silence for all the shooting victims all over the United States.

 

2.      Agenda Review:

 

Reg Beliveau advised that he would discuss the Electric Rate Case under Any Other Business. He said he would need an Executive Session to discuss Real Estate and Legal Matters.

 

3.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, June 27, 2016:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, June 27, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

4.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, July 8, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#77-#79) through Friday, July 8, 2016 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

5.      Amanda Holland, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Water Quality Presentation:

 

Amanda Holland, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, explained to the Board that she was there tonight to explain Act 64 the Vermont Clean Water Act 2015 and Lake Champlain TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) which is phosphorus that's allowed into Lake Champlain. She said one of the things that has come about with the Clean Water Act since 2015 is the emphasis that "We're All In". She said this will affect agriculture, State and Municipal roads, developed land, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Municipal Separate storm and sewer systems (MS4) permits and Natural Resources for forests and streams requirements. She said this will get actions on all fronts to help with the quality of water in Lake Champlain. She said this is called the Clean Water Fund. She said there is funding that can help fund some of these improvements. Reg Beliveau stated that the Village received a $74,000 grant to install swirl basins in at Merchants Row. He said there is more grant money available but they are still in negotiations with a landowner where they want to install a filtration system. He also said that he and Jim Irish have looked at prototypes for filtration systems to reduce phosphorus and they are very interested in one of them. He said they will remain proactive with this.  Amanda said she wanted to talk about Stormwater Management: Municipal Roads Purpose of the Municipal Roads General Permit. She said

 Municipalities would need to bring priority or "connected" road drainage systems up to basic maintenance standards by the end of the year. She said this is based on proximity to streams.  She said they would have to implement additional corrective measures necessary to reduce erosion to meet Lake Champlain Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of phosphorus. The following information was part of her slideshow presentation given to the Board of Trustees:

Road Permit Framework

•       Draft permit in 2016

•       Final permit by end of 2017

•       Phase in permit coverage across state

–      all municipalities regulated under the permit by 2021

 

Municipalities would need to develop a Road Stormwater Management Plan which would entail inventory, prioritize and implement. She said an example of this would be:

Town has 50 total local road miles

•       25 miles are 'priority' road segments

•       25 miles not considered 'priority', no BMP work is needed

•       15 miles currently meet the MRGP standards

•       10 remaining miles to be brought up to MGRP standards over 20 years, .5 miles per year

àEquates to 0.5 miles of road per year would need to be brought up to standards for 20 years

Amanda said key factors in identifying and prioritizing projects would be:

•       The area of concern is near a stream or other surface water

•       Sediment from the road is reaching surface water

•       Degree of impact (function of topography, road condition, and length of ditch runs)

 

Amanda stated that Support for Roads – Educational, Technical and Financial Assistance, would come from:

VTrans: Local Roads Program, Better Roads Grants, VTrans District staff

 

DEC: Ecosystem Restoration Program Grants

 

OTHER:

•       Regional Planning Commissions,

•       Watershed groups, and

•       Natural Resource Conservation Districts

More of Amanda's slideshow presentation included:

Stormwater Management: VTrans – New TS4 Permit (Transportation Separate Storm Sewer System)

•       Entire state transportation network and facilities

•       Requires prioritized impervious surface retrofits

•       New permit requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

•       Only designated Cities and Towns

Amended MS4 permit requirements will include:

•       Long-range Phosphorus Control Plans (PCPs)

•       Municipal Road permit requirements

•       Entire municipality will be designated (including areas outside of the UA & SW impaired watersheds)

Existing Development >3 Acres. She said the goal here is to treat stormwater runoff from existing impervious surfaces.

•       Current target: Parcels with ≥ 3 acres of impervious surface

•       Require stormwater retrofits of existing impervious surface

•       New Stormwater Standards developed as part of permit development process

•       ANR to adopt a general permit by January 2018;  Parcels in Champlain Basin must have permit by 2023

 

She showed examples of what Impervious Surface on >3 Acres would be:

BFA High School – St. Albans

•       Parcel = 7.08 acres

•       Impervious = 5.67 acres

•       Grass/Trees = 1.41 acres

 

St. Albans Town Educational Center

•       Parcel = 11.02 acres

•       Impervious = 5.89 acres

•       Grass/Trees = 5.13 acres

 

Swanton Elementary/Middle School

•       Parcel = 16.08 acres

•       Impervious = 5.69 acres

•       Grass/Trees = 10.39 acres

 

Swanton Village Office Area

•       Parcel = 4.51 acres

•       Impervious = 3.53 acres

•       Grass/Trees = 0.98 acres

 

Tactical Basin Planning – Clean Water Implementation

•       15 Planning Basins & 5 Staff

•       Basin Plan stages :

•       Monitoring + Assessment

•       Planning

•       Implementation

•       Plans revisited every 5 years

•       Plan Implementation table updated continuously

 

Amanda then showed what the requirements for Agriculture would be:

Agricultural Water Quality

•       Accepted Agricultural Practices (AAPs), to be referred to as "required agricultural practices (RAPs)

•       Past spring 2^nd draft comment period

•       Proposed rule released May 13, 2016

•       RAPS are working to define "Small farms" which would need to be certified for RAP compliance annually after 2017

Revisions to the RAPs:

•       Reduces the "tolerable soil loss" from field erosion

•       Increases restrictions on manure stacking near water

•       Increases nutrient management planning on ALL farms, including small farms

•       Increases vegetative buffer standard for:

•       Surface waters − 25 feet**

•       Ditches −10 feet**                              (**Noted Minimums)

•       Require standards for:

•       Livestock exclusion from waterways

•       Soil conservation such as cover cropping in critical areas

•       Tile drainage by January, 2018

•       Eliminates requirement that AAFM pay for water quality BMPs on farms

•       Enhances the AAFM's authority to bring enforcement actions against persons that violate RAPs and other WQ protections, including

•       Emergency orders

•       Ability to remove land from the Use Value Appraisal program;

•       Requires farmers to receive training on agricultural water quality practices

•       Requires training and certification of commercial manure applicators

 

Wastewater Treatment Facilities

•       Reductions from currently permitted phosphorus loads at 25 of 59 facilities in the Lake Champlain Basin

•       Discharge permits issued according to five-year tactical basin planning schedule (2016-2020).

 

Amanda then talked about the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and how much money is available. Currently there is $83.4 million dollars available.

STEPS:

Planning/Feasibility à Design à Construction

LOAN OPTIONS:

S  CWSRF Planning- 5, 10, 15 years/0%

S  CWSRF- up to 30 years/2%

S  Subsidy

S  Delayed Repayment

S  Technical Assistance and Project Oversight

Amanda informed the Board that the role of Northwest Regional Planning Commission is to offer Municipal Technical Assistance, Clean Water Advisory Committee by designating a volunteer member, to offer education and outreach and help with tactical basin plans. The Board thanked her for her slideshow presentation and all of her information.

 

6.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that they are working on another rate case and it looks like there may be a 4.5% increase in the electric rates. He said purchase power costs are up significantly and the wholesale market price is down. He also said workman's compensation rates went up across the board as well as benefits and insurance costs and this is what is driving this rate increase. He said they may file this in a couple of weeks. Chris Leach stated Swanton Village has been known for having the lowest rates in the State of Vermont but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.  The Board advised Reg to move forward with this rate increase.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he has been doing research on the rubber bag issue at the Hydro Plant. He said to replace the bag it would cost approximately $620,000 and to repair it would cost approximately $778,000. He said the cost of the rubber bag itself is around $1 million dollars and it would be cheaper to replace the bag instead of repairing it. He said he still needs to talk to an engineer about concrete vs. rubber and would also need to get permits in place beforehand. He said the initial rubber bag has a lifespan of approximately 30 years and it has already been 25 years since it was installed. He said they have been monitoring it very closely and will continue to do so.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said he stated at the last meeting that the basketball nets were fixed. He said they were not, they had just received some parts to fix them. He said they are now fixed and ready to be used.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman asked the public to have patience while exiting I89 because of the backed up traffic. He said if people continue to get stuck there they should call the State of Vermont. Adam also stated the Chamber of Commerce will be holding their Annual Car Show on Saturday, July 31^st in the Village Green. He said they are expecting a great show and urged everyone to come out and support their community.

 

Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked if there will be a National Night Out this year. Reg stated there is and it's going to be held on August 2^nd in the Village Green. Chris said the park looks great, the flowers are real nice and the flags and flag poles look great also.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked if the training manual for the power plant operators was in place. Reg said the manual is done now they just need to implement it.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard stated an ATV woke him up Saturday evening because it was very loud and driving up Spring Street with no lights on. Reg said he would talk to the Police Department about that.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated there was an article in Fridays St. Albans Messenger about the lower Swanton Dam. He said it's aggravating that the State doesn't contact the Village and ask what they can do to help with the situation rather than contact the media with their concerns. He said the Village is working with a developer whose company shows river improvements. He said they will continue to work on this issue until it's resolved. He said it's not only the State working against the Village it's also the Walleye Association. Reg said it's disturbing they use the media instead of calling the Village and offering to help. Adam Paxman said he was not surprised by this.

 

 

7.      Public Comment:

 

None.

 

8.      Executive Session (If Necessary)::

 

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:27 p.m. to discuss Real Estate and Legal Matters. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:58 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

9.      Adjournment:

 

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:58 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date