March 24, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING

Thursday, March 24, 2016

4:00 PM

 

 

 

 

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

 

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 4:00 p.m.

 

2.      Executive Session to Discuss Personnel:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session to Discuss Personnel at 4:03 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session at 5:35 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

3.      Adjournment:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Special Board of the Trustees meeting at 5:35 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

 

March 7, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING

Monday, March 7, 2016

7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

PRESENT: Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day and Ch. 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

 

1.      Call to Order:

 

Chris Leach, Village Trustee, welcomed all to the Special Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

2.      Agenda Review:

 

None.

 

3.      Swear in elected officials for 2015: Neal Speer, Village President (one year term); Eugene LaBombard, Village Trustee (three year term); Dianne Day, Village Clerk (one year term) and Betty Cheney, Delinquent Tax Collector (one year term) were sworn in on March 2, 2016 to perform duties:

 

Dianne Day, Village Clerk, was sworn in on March 2, 2016 for a one year term by Notary Public Katie Judd. Dianne then swore in Betty Cheney, Delinquent Tax Collector, for a one year term so both could carry on with their respective positions and conduct business. Dianne Day swore in Eugene LaBombard, Village Trustee, for a three year term. Village President Neal Speer was out sick so will be sworn in this week at the Village Office.

 

4.      Appoint a Treasurer for the Village of Swanton for 2016 and swear in:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to appoint Dianne Day as Village Treasurer for 2016. Adam Paxman seconded. Adam Paxman then swore Dianne Day in as Treasurer. Motion carried.

 

5.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Informational Meeting Tuesday, February 23, 2016:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Tuesday, February 23, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Dianne Day explained that on page 3 under the Highway Department she wrote that Lynn Paradis said there were a couple of workman compensation cases in that department. That should have stated the cases were in the Electric Department. Motion carried with correction.

ice rescues.

6.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, March 4, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#17-#23) through Friday, March 4, 2016 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked about the payment to Kittell, Branagan & Sargent for $5480. He asked if that was for the annual audit. Reg Beliveau explained that was a partial payment for the audit. He also asked about the payment to the VT Correctional Industries. Reg explained that was for our Annual Village Report being printed. Chris asked if the Village saved a lot of money having them print the book. Dianne Day stated the Village saved about 50% having them print the book. Adam Paxman asked about the Blue Cross & Blue Shield payment for $50,114. He wondered if that was an annual charge. Reg Beliveau stated that payment was made quarterly. Motion carried.

 

 

 

7.       Review Approved Coin Drops for Fire Department; Fire Ladies Auxiliary and Lions Club. They are requesting permission to change dates:

 

Dianne Day, Village Clerk, explained to the Board that the Fire Department is requesting to change their coin drop date to Sunday, September 11, 2016; the Ladies Auxiliary would like to change their date to Saturday, June 11, 2016 and the Missisquoi Lions Club would like to change theirs to Saturday, May 14, 2016. The Board of Trustees agreed to all these changes.

 

8.      Sign Annual Financial Plan – Town Highway:

 

Dianne Day, Village Clerk, explained to the Board that this report shows what it cost to maintain the Village streets. She said the Village receives State Aid for Highways each quarter and Lynn Paradis needs to show that it costs more to maintain our streets that what we receive in State aid. Eugene LaBombard made the motion for the Board to sign this Annual Financial Plan for Town Highways. Adam Paxman seconded. The Board signed the Financial Plan. Motion carried.

 

 

9.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau stated the Water Transmission Line job was almost complete. He said they are testing the water quality this week and then will have the line up and running. He said when this job is complete the Village may have approximately $300,000 left over and he is asking the Board if they would like to go ahead and do the Canada Street project that already has voter approval. He said that project will cost approximately $425,000 but the Board has the authority to borrow $75,000 more dollars without having to get voter approval for a bond. He said Aldrich & Elliott is asking if they should go out to bid for this project. Eugene LaBombard stated they should go ahead with the bids because they may come in lower than anticipated. They discussed Canada Street being deemed a priority back when the street study was done. Chris Leach made the motion to authorize Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, to go out to bid for the Canada Street Project with a right to refuse contingency. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Chris Leach stated this will complete Phase III of the water projects. Adam Paxman stated that the archaeological study cost $318,000 and that took money that was designated for this street as well as others. He said they could have done more if they didn’t have to pay so much for this study. Reg Beliveau stated that JP Sicard was a very good company to work with and said they have done an excellent job. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard stated he wanted to thank all the voters who came out and supported the Village and the Village candidates on March 1^st. Chris Leach read the results of the votes so people knew how much everything passed by. The Village had a record number of votes this year with 560 people voting.

 

Any Other Business: Chris Leach stated the new Health Center is now open and looks very good. Eugene LaBombard said he went in and it’s very nice and rebuilt from the floor up. Chris Leach asked if there were any comments on the Art boards. Village Clerk Dianne Day stated a lot of customers come in and say how much they like them.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he has three quotes on hand for a new backhoe in the Highway Department. They are from Nortrax John Deere for $65,700 which includes a $30,000 trade in for their old backhoe; one from Beauregard for $74,855 which includes a $21,400 trade in and one from Milton Cat for $85,900 which includes a $30,000 trade in. Chris Leach made the motion to authorize the Village of Swanton to purchase a new backhoe in the Highway Department with the lowest bid from Nortrax John Deere for $65,700.  Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that the Town of Swanton helped the Village with their water line break last week offering their excavator. Reg said he sent the Town a thank you letter for that.

 

10.  Public Comment:

 

None.

 

11.  Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

Chris Leach stated he needed an executive session to discuss personnel and real estate. Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 7:39 p.m. to discuss Personnel and Real Estate. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

 

12.  Adjournment:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Special Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:45 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Chris Leach, Village Trustee, adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

 

February 23, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

 

INFORMATIONAL MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

7:00 PM

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Joey Stell, Chief of Police; Tim Girard, Fire Chief; Jason Cross; Jason Butler; Betty Cheney, Delinquent Tax Collector; Glen Gurwit; Suzanne Washburn; Elizabeth Nance; Louise LaBombard and Ch. 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1. Call to Order:

 

Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Informational Meeting and Public Hearing and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

2. Moment of Silence:

 

He requested a Moment of Silence for all Military, Past, Present and Future and also for all our community members who are sick or have passed away.

 

3. Pledge of Allegiance:

 

Neal Speer led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

4. Agenda Review:

 

None.

 

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, February 8, 2016:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, February 8, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, February 19, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, February 19, 2016 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

7. Informational Meeting & Public Hearing – 2016 Village Annual Warning:

 

Neal Speer read the Village Annual Warning to everyone present. Chris Leach wanted to recognize Jerome Duffy for all his years of service as a Village Trustee. He said the Village has dedicated their Annual Report to him and his many years of service.  Neal stated they had a real busy year and a very enthusiastic year. He said they started it off with the Community Visit and set up Task Forces and the Town and Village are working together. Reg Beliveau thanked everyone for coming tonight and said the Town and Village had common Report covers about the Community Visit. He said the Arts Council is doing great work. He said they postponed their Community Visit Celebration but will get it rescheduled soon. He said the Boards have grown strong and together they all work hard. He then began a slideshow presentation.

 

2015 Year in Review:

 

Projects: Reg mentioned the Marble Mill Park grant for $74,880. He also mentioned:

 

• Community Visit – 5 Task forces focused on improving Swanton
• Mark Fenton Visit – A review of a walkable/bikeable Swanton
• Storm Water Grants – Marble Mill Park Grant for $74,880
• UVM Preformed a Public Tree Inventory Study of the Village – Developing an Urban Forest Management Plan
• Town/Village Grant to study a sidewalk to MVU and the Depot to join the sidewalk on Lake Street – Cross Consulting is reviewing a feasibility study now
• Healthy Work Place Grant for $3000 – Monthly health screenings, employee garden, FitBits, and the Village purchases fruits and vegetables weekly
• EV Car Charging Units in the Municipal Park and Ride – The Village received a $24,000 grant for two stations which can charge four cars
• Additional Parking Downtown – Church parking lot and next to Merchants Row. The Village and town share the maintenance on the Church parking lot and the Village leased the lot next to Merchants Row

Public Works Department

 

• Water Line Break – The crew spent over two days repairing a water line break under the Interstate Overpass
• Construction of the Transmission Lines – Construction complete, last stages of the river crossing being tested now; may be able to complete the Canada Street project too
• Early Spring – Frozen Water Lines
• Paving Project 2016 – VT 78 (First Street) and US Route 7 (Spring Street) and Grand Avenue; Bike Lanes/Share the Road Bike Lanes, and Village Square traffic changes
• Grant for Flashing crosswalk Signs/Adding Cross Walks Part of Safe Routes to School Program – First and Liberty Street, Grand Avenue and Railtrail, Canada Street
• Merchants Row Traffic Re-Design – Need to improve Merchants Row traffic, new plan increases parking by 5 spots, shifting the road closer to the Chamber of Commerce
• Bad winter so far with very cold temperatures, freezing water lines, and lots of snow

 

Electric Department

 

• Continue to keep up on Tree Trimming – Proven to eliminate outages during snow/ice storms
• Received the Utility Truck
• Ordered the Bucket Truck, expecting a June Delivery
• Took Delivery of the Digger Truck – All part of the 108 PSB request for financing
• Many estimates for large solar projects within our service territory

 

Waste Water Plant

 

• Refurbished the UV system was in-service retrofitting the 20 year old system (Jim Irish saved the Village hundreds of thousands of dollars on this UV system). They were quoted a system for over $400,000 and Jim did some research and was able to get it retrofitted for approximately $68,000
• House Draft Bill H35 – will be a concern to our operations; sharply reduces our discharge limits for phosphorus; reviewed proto-type Phosphorus removal methods
• Many repairs and upgrades to the plant

 

Water Treatment Plant

 

• Plant continues to operate well
• We are monitoring point for Blue-Green Algae
• E-Maintenance Plan – preventative maintenance plan for all assets of the Village

 

Hydro Plant

 

• General repairs continue preparing for re-licensing in 2023 (7 years out)
• This is a minimum of a 5 year process before license is due
• Improved Control Room for the Operators – VPPSA paid for this because the Operators dispatch for their P-10 site
• FERC visit and Inspection of the Rubber Dam – need to investigate repair or replace

 

Reg then went on to explain the Tax Rate. He showed the 2015 Actual vs. the 2016 Proposed Tax Rate. General was 0.0725 to 0.0718; Fire Dept. was 0.0391 to 0.0440; Police Dept. was 0.3404 to 0.3641; Highway was 0.2887 to 0.2938. The 2015 Actual Tax Rate was 0.7407 and the 2016 Proposed Tax Rate is 0.7737 with a change of 0.0330 cents. The increase on a $200,000 home with the proposed tax rate is $66.00.

 

Reg then introduced the 2016 candidates for this year which are Neal Speer for Village President, Eugene LaBombard for Village Trustee, Dianne Day for Village Clerk, and Betty Cheney for Village Delinquent Tax Collector.

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, proceeded to go over the budgets. She started with the General Department stating that this covered the Village Complex. She said this budget has gone down by about $1500.

 

 

 

Fire Department: Lynn stated this department is up this year due to an increase in salaries, FICA expense and Workman’s Compensation. She said they have VLCT for their insurance and the fire department is in a pool with other fire departments. If workmens compensation numbers are up, everyone will see an increase. Tim Girard, Fire Chief, stated that 2015 was a very busy year and they are thankful there was no loss of life. He said the weather was very hard on their equipment. He said they meet every Monday evening and have a very aggressive training officer. He said they have great personnel that take care of their gear and equipment. He introduced Jason Butler and Jason Cross and said they are the backbone of the department.

 

Police Department: Chief Stell stated the increase in his department comes from an increase in salaries due to investigations, workman’s compensation and training requirements. Suzanne Washburn asked how the Town contract was going and Chief Stell said it was going good. Reg Beliveau stated that Chief Stell also attends the Substance Abuse programs as well.

 

Highway Department: Lynn stated this department was up a bit due to workman’s compensation. She said there were a couple of cases in the Electric Department last year but that the rates from the state increased across the board. She said it was up about $20,000 this year for all departments. Lynn said Mike Menard didn’t do any paving in 2015 and is going to do two year’s worth in 2016. She said they have also received bids on purchasing a new backhoe. She said this piece of equipment is approximately 15 years old and rolls every day. Lynn said now is the time to replace it because they can still get a good price for trade in and she said they have money set aside for this purchase. She said the next piece of equipment to get replaced will be the sidewalk plow.

 

Electric Department: Lynn advised everyone that the Village may need a rate increase this year. She said her audit is complete and VPPSA is working on a rate increase for her. She said the Village still has the second lowest rates in the State of Vermont. Lynn said the purchase power and labor rates are over budget again. She said they are not generating great numbers at the hydro plant. They have done a lot of maintenance at the plant and are now on a maintenance routine. She said there are a lot of solar projects in the works and that is keeping the line crew very busy. She said they will get reimbursed for those by the project owners. Suzanne Washburn asked what if the Village put in their own solar project. Reg Beliveau stated they make 80% of their own power and he said VPPSA is looking into that for the Village. Chris Leach stated everyone is putting in solar or wind projects and their generation is going into the grid. He said hydro power is not considered renewable so they have to purchase power. He said regardless they are doing their best to keep the rates low and reliable. Elizabeth Nance asked why hydro power wasn’t considered renewable. Reg stated because it’s not “new” renewable and their plant is too old. Lynn also stated that one of the electric bonds will be paid off this December and that will free up about a half a million dollars. She said the other two bonds are scheduled to be paid off in 2019 and 2023. She said the Village paid off about $1.2 million dollars in bonds in 2015 and they are now beginning to see some debt paid off.

 

Water Department: Lynn said the Village paid their first bond payment on the water plant this year and they will pay their first payment on the water transmission line in 2017. She said it was a rough winter last year and they incurred a lot of expenses with frozen pipes. She said the plant is working well and the Village’s rate increase is set to begin in March.

 

Sewer Department: Lynn advised everyone that the Village paid off a CSO bond in this department and is scheduled to pay another one off next year. She said this department hasn’t seen a rate increase since 2014 and this department will also have one in March. She said they have done a lot of their upgrades through depreciation funds. They are waiting to see what happens with the phosphorus issue and she said that may cause another rate increase.

 

Reg Beliveau stated he just started his 5^th year working for the Village and said he appreciates the support given to him. He also thanked his staff for everything they do.

 

Neal Speer stated it was a breath of fresh air working with Reg and said the Village has a great team, either elected or with the workforce. He said it’s very gratifying to work with a team to get things done. He said the Village has a great leader, a great workforce and also said the Town and Village are working great together. He said he is running again for Village President and appreciates everyone’s support. The other candidates on the ballot this year are Eugene LaBombard, Village Trustee, for a three year term; Dianne Day, Village Clerk, for a one year term; and Betty Cheney, Village Delinquent Tax Collector, for a one year term.

 

 

 

 

8. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

None.

 

 

9. Public Comment:

 

Suzanne Washburn said she’d like to commend the Village and Town. She said it’s very encouraging and she hopes they keep up the good work.

 

10. Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

None.

 

11. Adjournment:

 

 

ADJOURN: Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Informational Meeting and Public Hearing at 8:28 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date