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, March 24, 2014

Trustee Meeting Minutes - March 24th, 2014

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


REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, March 24, 2014
7:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reg Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Jack Paige, Chamber of Commerce and Ch. 16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

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. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, March 10, 2014:

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, March 10, 2014 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

2. Approve and Accept Warrants through Friday, March 21, 2014:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Warrants through March 21, 2014 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

3. Ashley Johnston Water Allocation Request for 105 Maquam Shore Road, Swanton:

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Water Commissioner’s Meeting to hear this request at 7:05 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to approve Ashley Johnston’s Water Allocation Request for 400 GPD for her 4 bedroom home at 105 Maquam Shore Rd., Swanton. Adam Paxman seconded.  Discussion: Village Clerk Dianne Day explained to the Board that Ashley Johnston is currently an active water customer and stated that this allocation was necessary for her to obtain a permit to proceed with a septic upgrade. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Water Commissioner’s Meeting at 7:08 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

4. Chamber of Commerce’s Request for a Farmer’s Market to be held on the Village Green in the Summer of 2014:

Jack Paige, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, was present for this request. He stated that the Chamber has formed a sub-committee to work on a Farmer’s Market this year and they are requesting permission to hold this in the park from May 24 through October 11, 2014 except for the weekend of July 26th because of the Car Show. He stated the Farmer’s Market would be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and said there is an application process for anyone interested in becoming a vendor. He said they have very high standards. The Board asked where in the Park this would be set up. Jack stated the North end would be preferable and the Board agreed. The Board expressed concern about this being held every weekend because other organizations request the use of the Park as well. They asked Jack if the Chamber was concerned about sharing the use of the Park during their Farmer’s Market. Jack stated that would not be a concern and felt the more people using the park the better it would be for vendors at the Market. The Board referred to Item #5 and asked if this could be a conflict with the Farmer’s Market. Jack also presented the Board with a list of weekend events to be held in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market if approved. Adam Paxman made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce’s request to hold a Farmer’s Market in the Park from May 24, 2014 through October 11, 2014. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

5. Swanton Motel and Shedrick’s Martial Arts Request for a Wounded Warrior Project Fundraiser to be held August 2nd and 3rd on the Village Green:

The Board required more information on this Item and agreed to table it until their next meeting.

6. Any Other Necessary Business:

Chris Leach asked when the next JLB meeting is. I told him it was tentatively scheduled for April 23rd. He also stated that he explained further to Dave Jescavage why the Northwest Solid Waste District is not holding a Hazardous Waste Day in Swanton this year. He said it cost approximately $6,000 to hold an event and said Swanton has had one for the last four years and the waste has declined. He said there will be one held in neighboring communities and Swanton residents can bring their hazardous waste to those events.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that he needed their Annual Financial Plan for Town Highways signed stating what they spend per mile on Class II and III streets. The Board signed the Financial Plan.

Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked if the Merchants Row bridge was due for an inspection. Reg stated they are looking at resurfacing it and said the State has raised it higher on their list for replacing/repairs.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that the Swanton Committee for Downtown Enhancement will be requesting a letter of support at the next JLB meeting, stating both boards support the efforts of that committee.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that he has been working on the private Highgate/Swanton Water Line and said the State of Vermont has approved their easements. He said they are working on dissolving their association and said he would keep the Board informed.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he heard from Brian Savage regarding the Secretary of the Transportation Committee and the Water Transmission Line coming down the Rail Trail. He said they are getting nowhere on this issue and it looks like they will have to come down by H.G. Berger’s to Route 78 that way. He said they will need to put the Canada Street job on an alternate bid because of this.

Any Other Business: Neal Speer stated he has been working downtown the last couple of weeks and said it is very dark at night. He would like to bring in a light specialist to check out the lights there and make suggestions as to what can be done to make it brighter and safer in the evenings. He said there would be no charge to the Village for this and he would also work with the light crew on this issue as well.

7. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel:

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 7:47 p.m. to Discuss Personnel and Real Estate. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:45 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 8:45 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.



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Neal Speer, Village President                           Date


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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date