SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013
7:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Ronald Kilburn, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard,
Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; and Dianne
Day, Village Clerk.
Ron Kilburn 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, May 13, 2013 Meeting:
Chris Leach made the motion
to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, May 13, 2013 as presented. Eugene
LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Village
Clerk stated that vendor Rodney Hunt was for maintenance to the Hydro Plant.
Chris Leach asked if the flower boxes were going to be installed on the bridge.
Ron Kilburn stated they were installed tonight. Chris Leach stated the
residents of Gallup Court were happy because the “Children At Play” sign was
re-installed. Motion carried.
2. Approve and Accept
Village Warrants through Friday, May 24, 2013:
Adam Paxman made the motion
to approve and accept Village Warrants (#567-#572) through May 24, 2013 as
presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked about Burlington
Communications for $64,795.80. Reg Beliveau advised that was a grant for the
Police Department in which 99% would be reimbursed. He said it would cost the
Village approximately $2500.00 when complete. Reg stated that Mountain Air was
for work being done at the Foundry Street Pump House. Motion carried.
3. Sign New Fire Truck
Loan Documents:
Reg Beliveau advised the
Board that the loan documents for the new fire truck needed to be signed by the
Board. He stated Lynn Paradis ended up going with People’s United Bank with a
rate of 2.20% for 5 years. He said the loan amount is $274,000 and each annual
payment is $54,800 each. The Board, Village Clerk and Treasurer signed all
necessary documents.
4. Any Other Necessary Business:
The Board discussed the
10.69% increase in the electric rates and also discussed Efficiency Vermont
charges and programs. Ron Kilburn asked Reg if he expected a report from the
Public Service Board regarding the investigation into the rate increase. Reg
stated he received an email today stating there were no inquiries filed. He
also stated it was good to see at their Public Hearing residents asking
questions of the Board members.
Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked if there was any feedback from the Town regarding
the downtown dam. Reg stated he had some information for them that needed to be
discussed in Executive Session. Chris also asked if Lynn was going to borrow
money in anticipation of taxes this year. Reg stated that she is working on
that and he would let them know if that needs to take place. He stated the
purchase power bill from VPPSA was a bit lower this past month so they may not
need to but are working on it and would get back to them.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that Unit #5 at the Hydro Plant
flooded during the heavy rains. He said each operator now takes a tour of the
entire plant before beginning their shift and that’s how the flooding was
found. He said there was so much water pressure it blew a rubber cap off a pipe
and flooded the room. He said the sump pump couldn’t keep up with the water and
there ended up being 4 feet of water in the room. He said because of this they
will put a sensor in the floor and they will re-modify their plan of action in
case this occurs again. Reg stated that
the Sewer Plant may have treated excess discharge coming up. He said they
drained the lagoons as low as possible before the storm and they are expecting
more rain tonight and this weekend. Ron Kilburn asked if they have recorded the
volume of water going over the dam. Reg said since the dam has been installed
they have recorded the volume. He said this storm there was 5’ of water going
over and the highest recorded is 6’ of water.
Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked if the Dental coverage went through. Reg advised
yes it did. Chris also stated he noticed a huge limb in the park. Reg said
H&B Greenhouse is coming up to see if one of the trees can be saved.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman asked if the next JLB meeting has been scheduled yet. We
advised no not yet. He also stated the Chamber of Commerce would be holding two
concerts in the Village Park on June 22nd and July 10th.
He said the swans Sam and Betty are back in the park and doing great. He said
they have a person in charge of feeding them and cleaning the pond this year.
Adam also stated he has mentioned parking in the Village square in the past and
said for their next meeting he would have something in writing as to his plans
on that issue. Chris Leach stated that Hamlen engineering had done a study on
that issue in the past. Ron Kilburn said he had a copy of it in his office and
would get Adam a copy of that.
Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn stated that on May 29th himself, John Lavoie,
Reg Beliveau and David Jescavage would be doing the “Swanton Today” show with
Channel 15. Reg stated there are numerous projects to talk about.
Any Other Business: Ron Kilburn stated that they would be hosting their fourth 250th
program on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Wildlife Refuge. He said Adam Kane would
be presenting “Shipwrecks of Lake Champlain” He also said on Saturday, June 8th
the Milton 250 VT Automobile Enthusiasts Inc. Antique & Classic Vehicle
Tour would be taking a tour at the Depot Station. He said on Sunday, June 23rd
Vince Feaney will discuss Ira Allen. He said the audiences are getting bigger
and better. Eugene LaBombard stated that Highgate put up their 250th
banner already.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau advised that Elizabeth Malone from Channel 15 asked the
Village if they would be interested in installing a traffic cam in Swanton. He
said Channel 15 pays for the installation of the cam they just need a location
and are working on finding one. He said he told her yes the Village would like
one installed and said that he would present it to the Board.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau advised the Board that there will be a Public Hearing
and Site Visit regarding the Proposed Small Hydroelectric Project on the
downtown dam on Tuesday, June 18th and said this is open to all
interested parties. He said the first meeting begins at 1 p.m., the site visit
is at 2 p.m. and the second meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be
held at the Village Complex and site visit will be at the lower Swanton dam
site, right abutment across from River Lane. He urged everyone to attend.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he notified the insurance company about Unit #5 and said he doesn’t know when it will be back up and running. He said the main thing is that no one got hurt. He also stated that Denise Smith from Friends of Northern Lake Champlain stopped by and reviewed some rain garden projects with him. She informed Reg that John Fournier is selling his property on Webster Terrace and he is not interested in doing anything there.
5. Executive Session (If
Necessary):
Adam
Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:09 p.m. to Discuss
Real Estate and a Customer’s Account. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion
carried.
Adam
Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:42 p.m. Chris Leach
seconded. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN: None.
ADJOURN: Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular
Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:42 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion
carried. There being no further business at hand, Ronald Kilburn, Village
President, adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m.
_____________________________________ _______________________________________
Ronald Kilburn, Village
President Date
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Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date