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).

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

December 9, 2019

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, December 9, 2019

7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Leonard “Joey” Stell, Chief of Police; Elisabeth Nance, Economic Development Coordinator; 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.

 

  1. Agenda Review:

 

None.

 

3. Public Comment:

 

None.

 

4. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, November 25, 2019 Meeting:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from the Monday, November 25, 2019 meeting as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked if Reg heard back from Champlain Housing Trust yet. Reg Beliveau stated he hasn’t but would reach out to him. Motion carried.

 

5. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through December 6, 2019:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through December 6, 2019 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

6. Swanton Village Police Department Update:

 

Chief Stell stated the Swanton Village Police Department responded to 161 complaints in the month of November. He said they issued 10 traffic warnings and 2 traffic citations totaling $382.00. He said there are more warnings and tickets but because those were done with their new E-ticket the data isn’t available yet.  He said the police investigated a rash of vandalism calls because a group of individuals used BB guns to damage several businesses, homes and vehicles in the Village. He said his officers spent several hours investigating this and are ready to wrap up the case this week. He said most of the BB guns used have been recovered and the individuals involved range in age from their early 20’s to almost 30 years old. He said this is not typical behavior for this age group. Adam Paxman stated he noticed there were more “crash damage” calls listed. Chief Stell said this is directly related to the weather and said the first couple of snow falls there are several more crashes to investigate. Chris Leach mentioned the home invasion incident on Blake Street. Chief Stell stated this was an isolated incident where the juveniles involved knew the victim. He said in the process the juvenile and his grandmother were assaulted by a 15 and 16-year old. He said the two juveniles are now at Woodside Juvenile Detention Center. Chief Stell said there was no threat to the general public. Neal Speer asked if the individuals being charged with the BB gun vandalism would have to pay restitution. Chief Stell said that would be up to the court system but said none of them have jobs so it would be a struggle to get restitution out of them. Chris Leach stated they would be working on budgets soon and asked if the police budget was going to be level funded this year. Chief Stell stated the only increases so far with his budget are workman’s comp, liability insurance and health care, all which are out of his control. He also asked if the elementary school planned on having a student resource officer (SRO) like the high school does. Chief Stell stated Lt. Kachajian has been working on that with the school because there are going to be federal funds available which would pay for a SRO officer for three years. He said the school would have to agree to pay for the fourth year. He said they are in the early talks and stages of this at this time. The Board thanked Chief Stell for  his update.

 

7. Close US Bank Account – Fire Truck:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton to close US Bank Account – Fire Truck as requested. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

8. Close US Bank R&C Fund ’89 Account:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton to close US Bank R&C Fund ’89 Account as requested. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

9. Close US Bank Bond Fund ’89 Account:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton to close US Bank Bond Fund ’89 Account as requested. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

10. Withdraw Funds from US Bank R&C Fund 2010 to Pay Current Expenses:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to withdraw funds from the US Bank R&C Fund to pay current expenses as requested. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

11. Update on Highgate Airport Water/Sewer Feasibility Study:

 

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that Aldrich & Elliott have been working on the feasibility study to bring water and/or sewer services to the Highgate Airport. He said they sent out surveys looking for potential new customers in that area. He said they need to find out if the State of Vermont can contribute to this project or not. He stated there are a lot of opportunities for state funding as well as local and they are looking at both options. Chris Leach stated it is disappointing that the State didn’t follow through on their upgrades they talked about to entice businesses to come there. He said there isn’t much room for growth left in the Village but there is at the airport. Elisabeth Nance stated they don’t want to overbuild like they did in Milton, but they want to put in just enough for growth. Reg stated this is progressing and Aldrich & Elliott gave Highgate their preliminary numbers on what it would cost them. He said they now need to find the money to do this.

 

12. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Chris Leach asked if Reg had heard anything more on the Morrisville flow issue. Reg stated he heard they were back in environmental court appealing the Supreme Court’s decision. Chris stated the state wants green power but would decide something that would reduce Morrisville’s production. He asked if this decision could be an issue for other hydro plants. Reg stated he thought this issue was strictly for Morrisville.

 

Any Other Business: Chris Leach mentioned the letter he received about the electric system and how solar credits are higher than anticipated. He stated there should be caps in place so that existing rate payers aren’t negatively affected because they don’t have solar panels. He said there should be a class action lawsuit about this. Reg Beliveau stated he has worked with VPPSA over and over on this topic and said he would keep his eyes open. The Board agreed this is very concerning.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated they had a pretty good turnout for Christmas in the Park even though it was very cold. He wanted to thank Mark and Leslie Rocheleau for all their work decorating the park this year and said the Chamber still needs volunteers to help with this. Reg Beliveau stated Swanton Village used to help with the lights but the Chamber wanted to take it over. Adam also asked when the next budget meeting would be held. Eugene LaBombard stated healthcare is going up approximately 9% so be prepared about that. Neal Speer asked if VLCT recommended a healthcare company. Reg stated the State has their own health insurance. Adam also asked about the sewer plant and if we need to do anything there yet. Reg stated their land application is going good and said Jim can reduce the phosphorus levels there but needs to add more alum. He said his chemical budget has doubled and the Village has Aldrich & Elliott working on a phosphorus reduction plan. Adam also asked if the Village could install some “EV Charging Station” signs so that people know about the car chargers at the park and ride.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer stated the Christmas decorations downtown look good. He said the new ACE Hardware store is coming along nicely too. Chris Leach stated he would like to have a drive through mailbox in the downtown area placed somewhere. Dianne Day, Village Clerk, stated she would ask the Postmaster about this.

 

Any Other Business: Elisabeth Nance, Economic Development Coordinator, asked everyone to save the date of January 28th for the 50th anniversary of the Merchants Row fire. She said there will be a ceremony on January 28th at the Village Complex.

 

 

13. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel and Real Estate:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate at 8:03 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

14. Adjournment:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:22 p.m.  Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________    ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date

 

 

 

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

November 25, 2019

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, November 25, 2019

7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Amy Brewer and Crystal Lampman, Franklin County Caring Communities; 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.

 

  1. Agenda Review:

 

Adam Paxman stated Item #7 can be taken off agenda as the Police Chief has a prior commitment.

 

3. Public Comment:

 

None.

 

4. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, October 28, 2019 Meeting:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from the Monday, October 28, 2019 meeting as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked when the Stop Sign Ordinance would take effect. Reg Beliveau stated in January 2020. Motion carried.

 

5. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through November 22, 2019:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through November 22, 2019 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked about the payment made to the Town of Highgate for $373,590.12. Reg Beliveau stated that was for property taxes and that figure is based on generation at the Hydro Plant. He also asked about the payment made to Paul Nolan for $10,620.78. Reg stated he is the attorney working on relicensing the Hydro Plant. Motion carried.

 

6. Crystal Lampman & Amy Brewer – Franklin County Caring Communities Presentation:

 

Amy Brewer from Franklin County Caring Communities and FGI Tobacco Prevention Coalition explained to the Board that they are working on Healthy Communities for Healthy Kids. She said according to recent surveys alcohol and tobacco use is up in Franklin County and this is a problem because an adolescents brain isn’t fully developed until approximately age 25. She said adolescents who use alcohol during adolescence, are 5 times more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder. Crystal Lampman, Executive Director at Franklin County Caring Communities, stated they have been working on looking at local retailers in the area looking at advertising placement. She also mentioned the vaping problem and how the assorted flavors entice young people to try it. Chris Leach mentioned all the negative ads against smoking but said they should try using someone kids can identify with to say don’t smoke and don’t drink. He suggested maybe an athlete or music star. Crystal stated they met with the surgeon general last year and said they really enjoyed his message. Amy talked about a kid walking to school along First Street and said they walk by 8 stores. She said the sign placement is a real problem and said some communities are putting restrictions on businesses as to what and where they can place ads. Neal Speer stated that may be a good idea but said area business owners are trying to make a living and he wouldn’t want to place anymore restrictions on them. They also discussed the Iceland program that will be introduced to MVUHS. Crystal said they started this program 20 years ago and have had a 90% reduction in substance use. She said participants have family dinners together, spend time together and do recreational activities together. Adam Paxman stated they’ve talked about students and the community having an affect on substance use but said what kids see at home is more powerful than that. Crystal and Amy continued to provide the Board with information on alcohol and tobacco use. The Board thanked them for their presentation.

 

 

7. Swanton Village Police Department Update:

 

Tabled until next meeting.

 

8. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Chris Leach asked if the Village had any more information on Champlain Housing Trust. Reg Beliveau stated he and Lynn gave them recommendations, background and history information on the property but haven’t heard anything back as of yet. He also said he received the latest financials from Lynn and asked how the electric department was doing. Reg stated their generation is catching up. Chris said he would like to see a graph on the generation so he could track it daily. He said people don’t realize how important the electric department is to this community. He said he would like to be able to set their own rates because there are no breaks for high users. Chris also stated the flags in the park are beautiful and wished they could do more than the 110 flags there now. Adam Paxman said it was a lot of work to put up the 110 flags and said volunteers are needed for this job. Chris also asked about the BB gun issue shooting windows at local businesses and also asked about Butch Patch’s river wall issue. Reg said he believed that was taken care of.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that the new F350 being purchased for the electric department will come from EJ Barrette Ford. He also said relicensing is progressing at the Hydro Plant but he is concerned with the issue Morrisville is having with the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Reg said during their relicensing ANR and DEC wanted to increase Morrisville’s minimum flows to protect fish and also for canoeing. Morrisville said these minimum flows wouldn’t make them any money so appealed this to the Supreme Court. He said the court upheld the original request by ANR and DEC and now Morrisville doesn’t know what they’re going to do.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board he has been working on the general permit for their storm water permits because they need to conform to the new storm water rules. He said he had a meeting with Pomerleau regarding property management and wetlands. He said they will need to do something with the Hannafords parking lot and they are trying to work together with Pomerleau, the Town of Swanton and the Village. Chris Leach stated the state should be more concerned with farmers fields and how they drain. Eugene LaBombard said manure spreading is supposed to stop the first of November but the state has relaxed the rules this year. Reg said the Green Mountain Water Environment Association (GMWEA) has put together a brochure explaining to people what can be flushed down the toilet and what can’t be like drugs and personal care products. He said this was done thanks to a grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, with project support from VLCT. He said wastewater treatment plants can only handle the three P’s: Pee, Poop and Paper!

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that he received a letter from Northwest Access TV stating they’ve had an 8% decline in revenue and they are asking for $1193 yearly for filming the Board meetings. He said he would split this amount amongst the electric, water and sewer departments. The Board agreed to this.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau read a thank you letter from Vermont Electric Coop for the mutual aide they received during the latest wind storm. The letter stated Daren Plouff and Brendan Hurley were a tremendous help to them. Reg Beliveau stated he would need an Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer, Village President, said he attended the Swanton Town Selectboard meeting last week and said there was a presentation on the Town purchasing the Teen Center which is located in the old Wayside Furniture building. He said the Village of Swanton supports this as well as Betsy Fournier. He said the Town has his support for this because the community needs it and they don’t want to let it go by.

 

9. Executive Session if Necessary:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate at 8:21 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

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

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

10. Adjournment:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:40 p.m.  Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________    ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date