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).

Thursday, October 30, 2014

October 14, 2014

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

7 PM

 

PRESENT: Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reg Beliveau, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Kyle Bouchard and Jeff Austin, Fairpoint Representatives.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

Chris Leach, VillageTrustee, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

 

1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 22, 2014 Meeting:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, September 22, 2014 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked if the Merchant’s Row signs have been ordered yet. Reg Beliveau stated he would check into that and talk to Mike Menard about it. Eugene LaBombard also asked if he could check signs that were blocked by trees. Reg also stated that he found out what the vendor VT Electric Power asked about at last meeting was for and it was to purchase power. Motion carried.

 

2. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, October 10, 2014:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, October 10, 2014 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Eugene LaBombard asked what Millennium Power Services for $94,093.70 was for, Reg Beliveau stated that was to purchase a butterfly valve at the Hydro Plant. He stated that regular maintenance from now on will be much less expensive. Adam Paxman asked what AW Chesterton for $4618.23 was for, Reg stated he wasn’t sure on that on but would find out for next meeting. Adam also asked about Prime Electric for $24,470, Lynn Paradis stated that was for a repair on a breaker at the Hydro Plant that Al Mosher needed. Adam also asked about the Department of Taxes warrant, Lynn stated they now pay the taxes separate like this because it’s a cleaner entry for the auditors. Motion carried.

 

3. Visit from Fairpoint Regarding Pole Ordinance:

 

Jeff Austin stated he has been working closely with Daren Plouff and Duane Couture in our Electric Department as well as with other engineers from Fairpoint. He said their relationship goes way back. He said Kyle Bouchard has gone out with Daren and Duane looking at old poles looking to see when they can do transfers and remove the old poles that have become an issue in Swanton. He stated they plan on removing some on Route 78, Spring Street and First Street and plan on having bi-monthly meetings with Swanton Village to make sure progress is being made. He said they wanted to meet with the Board, come up with a plan of reporting and address the issue of dual poles. He said they have a vested interest and want to take care of these transfers in a timeframe that works for both Swanton Village and Fairpoint. He would like to propose bi-monthly phone calls with himself or Kyle, Daren, Duane and Reg to see what they have accomplished and what needs to be done. He said they feel they can reduce this by 25-30 poles relatively quick and will continue on until completed. Chris Leach asked if they could ask Fairpoint where to prioritize their work first and said Swanton Village is very flexible. Reg Beliveau stated that since there has been a change of hands at Fairpoint progress is being made but wondered if Swanton Village could trust that work would get done and questioned whether or not to put an Ordinance in place. Adam Paxman stated he strongly feels Swanton Village needs a Pole Ordinance. Eugene LaBombard asked if a pole could be easily removed in the winter, Jeff explained yes and how they did it. Eugene asked if all three entities could transfer their services all at the same time. Kyle stated it’s possible but not likely because it’s a lot of work and very hard. More discussion took place about setting poles and what’s involved in that. They also discussed Burlington’s Pole Ordinance and Jeff said it wasn’t enforced all that much. Adam stated in some places there are dual poles that have been there for six years and they don’t know what else to do. He feels an Ordinance will stop this from happening in the future and this will protect the Village whether it’s enforced to the max or not. Jeff asked if the timeframe could be changed from 45 days to 90 days. They discussed putting language in the Ordinance that stated the Village Manager would have discretion on extending timeframes on pole transfers if needed. Jeff and Kyle stated they just wanted the Board to know they are more than eager to work with the Village of Swanton to get these dual poles removed and to continue to have a good working relationship with the Village of Swanton. Chris Leach stated the Board understood their technical difficulties and would be willing to work with Fairpoint when necessary and said their goal is to beautify the Village of Swanton and feels this Ordinance will help do that.

 

4. Electric Cost of Service Update:

 

Lynn Paradis advised the Board that Swanton Village was granted an extension to file their Class Cost of Service Study and said she had until November 3rd to get it done. She said one of the biggest changes they are looking at is the residential demand tariff. She said they will keep the 1800 kwh range for violation but it will go on a rolling 12 months average. She said this will result in approximately 140 residential customers coming off demand rates but those customers who use an average of 1800 kwh per month will remain on demand rates. She said farmers and sugar makers are more likely to remain on this rate. She also stated instead of staying on demand for 11 months if the customer can prove they can go under these numbers in 3 months they can get off demand. She said this is a work in progress but wanted to update the Board with what she had so far. She said it also looks like they may go in for another rate increase in February. She said she would update the Board further at their next meeting.

 

5. Financial Policies:

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, handed out a Financial Policies Handbook that she would like the Board members to take home and review. She stated she would like the Village of Swanton to adopt this handbook before the end of the year. She said this covers setting purchasing limits, accounting, auditing and financial reporting policies. She feels it’s necessary to have these policies adopted and set in place and would like the Board to review them and go over it at their next meeting.

 

The Board moved to item #8

 

8. Transco Equity Purchase:

 

Lynn Paradis advised the Board that Swanton Village receives dividends quarterly from Velco and Transco in the form of a check. She stated she was notified that the equity purchased through Velco last year on behalf of Swanton Village will be assigned to VPPSA and that VPPSA will also refinance the units that were purchased in 2012. Lynn stated that VPPSA needs authorization from the Village to move forward with these items.

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to authorize Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager, to sign the Notice of Intent on behalf of the Village of Swanton for the 2013 Membership Units Previously Assigned to VELCO and for the 2014 Membership Units Offered by VT Transco. Eugene LaBombard seconded. VPPSA is expected to finance these purchases for a term of 7 years at a fixed interest rate (approximately 4.4%), with principal paid based on a 20 year amortization. Motion carried.

 

The Board moved to Item #10

 

10. Hydro Improvement Line of Credit:

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, advised the Board she received three quotes from area banks for a line of credit for the purchases needed for the Hydro Plant repairs, and for the new utility truck and digger truck in the Electric Department. She said the rates came in fairly close but Peoples United was the lowest with a rate of 1.05% as a line of credit, 1 year note due next year and it’s renewable. Merchants Bank came in at 1.29% as needed for a line of credit and Union Bank also came in at 1.29%. Lynn stated Peoples United came in lowest and it would be easiest setting it up online with them since we already do business with them. She recommends the Village go with People’s United for this line of credit.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, to open an $850,000 line of credit at People’s United Bank with a rate of 1.05% for Hydro Plant Improvements, a Utility Truck and a Digger Truck. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

The Board moved to Item #11

 

11. Water Line Project Line of Credit:

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, advised the Board that the $500,000 line of credit due on the water project came due last week and the Village paid that off. She said she got in touch with Union Bank to renew it for another $500,000 and they gave her a rate of .97%. She said she doesn’t have the paperwork in hand yet for the Board to sign but will have it for the next meeting.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, to open a $500,000 line of credit with Union Bank with a rate of .97% for the Water Line Project. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

The Board moved to Item #12

 

12. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, presented the Board with her new and revised Depreciation Schedule. Reg Beliveau stated this is what the Public Service Board wanted the Village of Swanton to have in place and abide by. Lynn stated they didn’t like how she was depreciating some of her items and now she has this new schedule to abide by. She said this was just for their information only and this is something the Village now has to go by.

 

The Board moved to Item #6

 

6. Copier Lease:

 

Reginald Beliveau stated the Village looked at a new color copier and will save approximately $160 per month on a new lease. He just wanted to keep the Board updated on this information.

 

The Board moved to Item #7

 

7. Utility Truck Bids – Electric/Vactor Bids – Sale of Old Vactor:

 

Reginald Beliveau stated they received two bids for the old vactor, one for $20,000 and one for $26,001. The Board agreed to award the bid to the highest bidder which was Cyrus Marsano for $26,001. The Village will notify them Wednesday morning. Drummac offered the $20,000 bid. Reg also notified the Board that the Electric crew also received bids to build their Utility truck from EJ Barrette and Champlain Chevrolet. He said Champlain Chevrolet came in $3,000 less so they will go with that bid if the Board agreed. All agreed to this so the new Utility truck in the Electric Department will be purchased through Champlain Chevrolet.

 

The Board moved to Item #9

 

9. Advertise for Lineperson:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, advised the Board that Swanton Village never filled Gordy Ledoux’s position after he left the Village and he said they have two guys in that department over 60 years of age. He feels they should get another lineman in there and trained. The Board of Trustees agreed to go ahead and advertise to hire for a new lineman in the Electric Department.

 

The Board moved back to Item #12

 

12. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau advised the Board he received a letter from the Downtown Enhancement Committee thanking Mike Menard and his crew for all they have done in helping with the flower planting enterprise.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman said he wanted to compliment the Police Department for all their hard work they did for the speeding trucks on Spring Street.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked if the Village has installed anymore LED streetlights this year. He said Canada Street doesn’t have any. Reg Beliveau stated the first round was done with an ARRA grant.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated the Hydro Plant was back online as of today.

 

13. Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

None

 

ADJOURN: Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:03 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Chris Leach, Village Trustee, adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m. Motion carried.

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

Sunday, October 19, 2014

September 22, 2014

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, September 22, 2014

7 PM

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reg Beliveau, Village Manager; and Channel 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

Neal Speer, Village President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 8, 2014 Meeting:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, September 8, 2014 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked if there was any progress made with getting Unit #2 back on line at the Hydro Plant. Reg Beliveau explained that Al Mosher was still working on it. Chris Leach stated the Minutes said an expert was coming in. Reg stated he couldn’t figure it out either and said Al Mosher has ordered a part and it will be in this week. Eugene LaBombard asked how long it has been down. Reg stated it has been down for several different reasons lately but this last one is a certain part they are trying to figure out. More discussion took place regarding this Unit and the Board stated they were disappointed this wasn’t up and running by now. Motion carried.

 

2. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, September 19, 2014:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, September 19, 2014 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked what Three C Electric payment for $42,000 was for. Reg Beliveau stated that was for breaker work and testing at the Hydro Plant during the shut-down. Adam Paxman asked what ECI was for? Reg stated that was for paving Second St. and Fourth St.  Adam Paxman also asked about VT Electric Power, Reg stated he wasn’t sure on that one but would find out for them and let them know. Motion carried.

 

3. Electric Cost of Service Update:

 

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that after the first round of going in for a rate increase of 10.69% they were intending on going in for a Class Cost of Service update with the Public Service Board. He said the Village is filing for an extension for that update for November 1, 2014. He said this is just time consuming and requires a lot of work so they need this extension. Chris Leach said he agrees because there appears to be some inequities with the demand metering. Reg stated they wanted to raise those numbers some and the Board stated they would like to make it easier for customers to be able to get off demand metering if they get their numbers below the proper numbers. Eugene LaBombard also stated this will bring them up to date on other issues as well. Reg stated he would keep them up to date on this issue.

 

4. Interfund Borrowing Resolution:

 

Reginald Beliveau stated this is part of the 108 filing that the voters recently approved regarding interfund borrowing in the Electric Department. He said this was the Resolution drawn up by the Village Attorney and he needs a motion as well. Adam Paxman made the motion to adopt the Village of Swanton Interfund Borrowing Resolution for $1.3 million dollars to be signed by Village Clerk Dianne Day. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

5. Transco Equity Purchase:

 

Reginald Beliveau stated the Village of Swanton purchased some equity last year but did so directly through Velco. He said this year VPPSA would purchase our equity from Velco and finance it for a term of seven years with a fixed interest of approximately 4.4% with a principal paid balance over a 20 year amortization. Chris Leach asked when does Swanton Village see the fruits of our labor here? Reg stated he believed it was yearly we receive dividends from Transco from this. Adam Paxman stated it looks like we have a little bit of time here before we have to make a decision. Reg stated we had a month to decide. Chris stated he had a lot of respect for John Morley and his work. Chris Leach made the motion to table this item until they found out what the pay-out schedule was and what form it is in. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

6. Swanton Enhancement Project Update:

 

Adam Paxman stated he wanted to update everyone that things are looking up. He said MVU and Swanton Schools are now on board with the head of the Supervisory Union Mr. Wynn Goodrich as well. Reg stated they have endorsed the Enhancement Committee partaking in the community visit. Adam said they are still looking for people to help support them but are still plugging away getting ready for the community visit hopefully at the end of January. Reg stated they will have another public meeting at the end of October and they encourage people to attend. He said they are informative and gives people the opportunity to see what’s going on and see what they need help with.

 

7. Utility Pole Ordinance:

 

Reg Beliveau stated this Ordinance has been in the works for some time now and they are trying to figure out the correct spot in the Ordinances to put it. He said they could put in under Traffic Ordinances or Miscellaneous. Chris Leach asked where is it stated you aren’t allowed to attach anything to any of Swanton Village’s utility poles. Reg stated that is something they could add to this Ordinance. He said he has a video from NEPPA showing what would happen to a lineman if his glove were to get punctured from something as small as a needle. When people post signs to utility poles with staples or nails they are endangering our linemen who climb these poles. Eugene LaBombard stated this is a State law and we should find the language on that. More discussion took place regarding the language of the Ordinance and making it clearer and easier to understand. The basic rule of this Ordinance is so that old poles are being removed in a timely manner and that utility companies are switching over to the new poles in a timely manner. Reg stated he would work on the language a bit more and would bring it back before the Board for approval.

 

8. Merchants Row Signs:

 

Adam Paxman stated the Chamber of Commerce office has been open quite a bit more this summer and he said he had someone come in and ask him where Merchants Row was. Adam stated he pointed across the street and said it is right there. The customer said “I’m from out of town, how would I know that? There are no signs.” Adam asked if there was any way they could have a sign made stating “Merchant’s Row”? The Board agreed this was a good idea, just having street signs made and placing one by Ferry Street and placing one at the top of Merchants Row by the VFW. Adam stated he could work with Mike Menard on this. Chris Leach asked if Mike Menard could do a street sign survey at some point and put it on next year’s budget plan and fix them as they come up. Eugene LaBombard asked who’s responsibility it was to clean Merchant’s Row. Chris stated he thought the Mason’s cleaned the front of theirs. Eugene asked if anyone agreed with him that it needed cleaning. The Board all agreed it did. Eugene thought maybe the Downtown Enhancement Committee group could contact them and take an interest in cleaning it up. Reg stated he’s had complaints from business owners about the smoking taking place outside and when they open their doors they smell smoke. He said he’s ordered three signs and hopefully that will help. Adam said he would like to see better store front signs there, he said there’s a couple that could be replaced. Eugene stated if you looked above your head on Merchants Row it’s terrible and needs repair. Adam said it’s getting the store owners to buy in and want to help clean it up. Adam said maybe there are some grants available to help with the lighting there but said the store owners need to take some responsibility there as well.

 

9. Discussion of a Building Inspector Position:

 

Adam Paxman stated he brought this up at the JLB meeting and the more he thought about it the more he feels they need to seriously consider having someone do building inspections in the Village and in the Town. He said this has become a necessity and he said in St. Albans City the Fire Chief is currently doing it. He said was hoping to hear back from some people he contacted in the south to see who’s doing it there or if they actually hired someone to do it. He said if they really want to clean up some of the areas in the community they need to take a step forward and consider this. He wanted some feedback from the Board. Chris Leach asked to what standard are you inspecting to and who is going to enforce what you want to do? Adam stated it should be State standards like fire safety and building inspections. Chris asked if this applied to single family homes, does it apply to only businesses in manufacturing and rental properties? Chris asked what would the enforcement be? Reg Beliveau stated first they would do an inspection and give a certain number of days to fix any infractions. If not you would then be fined for whatever the violation would be. Chris asked what would be the penalty and who gets the money and what happens if they don’t pay. Reg stated if it was a local person the fines would go to the community and you could condemn the property if was deemed unsafe. Eugene LaBombard asked what’s the property owner’s recourse? Reg stated if it’s life safety you need to fix it. Reg stated if a landlord doesn’t have smoke detectors or has junk blocking fire escapes that’s a life safety issue. He said a building inspector could help a landlord evict a tenant for issues like these. He said if you have a good tenant but a bad landlord and they’re not willing to come and make repairs then you would fine the landlord. Eugene stated there wasn’t much response to this at the JLB. Adam stated that was because he didn’t come prepared and said he still didn’t have all the information he wanted to have. Neal Speer asked if this would be another full time employee of Swanton Village. Adam stated it could be the Village or the Town. Chris asked why couldn’t it be for a bunch of towns, he didn’t feel it would be a 40 hour position. Reg stated there were 220 rental properties in Swanton. Adam stated if the municipalities got together and hired a building inspector for Franklin County that would be great. Reg stated there’s only two building inspectors working for the State right now. Reg said he could put Adam in contact with the State inspector for more information. Eugene LaBombard stated this sounded like more of a zoning issue responsibility within the community. Reg stated in some municipalities the inspectors salary is actually paid by the fines generated. Adam said he would reach out to the State inspector for more information and would like to get the ball rolling on this. He said there is a great need for this. Eugene stated there are a lot of eye sores in the Village that should be cleaned up. Adam said he would report back to the Board when he had more information. Chris Leach also stated he would need to report the financial plan on what this would cost and who would pay for it.

 

10. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Chris Leach asked how Dianne Day was doing. Reg stated he brought her a plant and she was doing better. He said the next meeting they have she is going to Facetime the meeting. Chris also asked about the Maintenance Position. Reg stated the new guy has been hired and is working out well.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he had a meeting with the State today regarding paving First Street in 2016. He said they are going to do 1.6 miles of Route 7 and Route 78. They are going to start on Route 78 by North Country Bait & Tackle and come in to the Village right where they started paving by the Complex and the other is on Route 7 on Grand Avenue up to the Town line on Spring Street. Eugene LaBombard asked Reg to make sure he mentions the intersection at North and South River Street because he feels the asphalt there isn’t of very good quality. Reg stated he was told the Town of Alburg used the same asphalt as they did on First Street and theirs is already starting to ripple up as well. Adam stated the intersection by Route 207 is doing the same thing also. Chris Leach asked if they should consider using concrete on those intersections. Reg stated that was mentioned and they are going to look into it. He said they have some paving money left over and he said Mike Menard is going to get some heavy duty aggregate and fill it in to help with plowing this winter. Reg stated he would need an Executive Session for Personnel.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer asked who is cutting trees down by the dam? Reg Beliveau stated Mike Menard went in and cleared out some small shrubs.

 

 

11. Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

Chris Leach made the motion to enter into Executive Session to Discuss Personnel at 8:00 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

ADJOURN: Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:25 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date