November 14, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, November 14, 2016

5:00 PM

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Joey Stell, Chief of Police and Ch. 16.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1.      Call to Order:

 

Chris Leach, Village Trustee, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.

 

2.      Agenda Review:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, advised he needed an Executive Session to Discuss Personnel.

 

3.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, October 24, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, October 24, 2016 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

4.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, November 11, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#120-#128) through Friday, November 11, 2016 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Eugene LaBombard asked about the $389,944.85 payment made to the Town of Highgate. Reg Beliveau explained that that was for the taxes based on generation paid to the Town of Highgate. Motion carried.

 

5.      Health Insurance Update:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, explained to the Board that him and Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, sat down with the Village employees and went over the options as far as health care coverage. He said Blue Cross Blue Shield went up more than MVP for this coming year and if you compare the coverage packages they are identical. Reg said they are recommending the Village switch to MVP for the year 2017 and see how it goes. Chris Leach asked if the employees could keep their same doctors and Reg stated yes they could. Chris stated this sounded like a win to him and agrees that the Village should switch to MVP which is comparable to BCBS and cost less money. Adam Paxman asked if the employees have approved this. Reg said yes they are ok with it. The switch will take place for January 1, 2017. Chris said he knows Reg and Lynn do their due diligence in researching something so he is happy with their decision

 

6.      Net Metering Tariff:

 

Reg Beliveau explained that next year net metering tariffs are changing. He said there is a huge influx of developers getting into solar development and the subsidies are going to be less than what they were. Eugene LaBombard stated that the Public Service Board is changing their goals and making this less attractive to developers. Chris Leach asked how long before this takes effect. Reg stated that a project would have to have a valid Certificate of Public Good before the end of 2016 so a lot of them will not pursue their projects. Eugene LaBombard said that projects done on or after January 1, 2017 are not eligible for net metering credit. Chris Leach stated he feels this is a good move on the State’s part. Reg Beliveau said this won’t alleviate the customer service charge so that’s still in there. Reg said Steve Farman needs to present this tariff to the Public Service Board on the Village’s behalf. Adam Paxman made the motion to approve the draft net metering tariff as written by VPPSA. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Chris Leach stated that he’s encouraged that the State is having some empathy on small utilities. Reg Beliveau stated that Green Mountain Power’s bottom line is being impacted by this too. Adam Paxman asked about the project on the Frontage Road and Reg stated that this project is already approved. He said the school, as well as the Village of Swanton, have signed a contract with the Frontage Road project. Reg said this will benefit some of the Village’s properties but will also impact the rates. Motion carried.

 

7.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Adam Paxman stated he wanted to remind everyone about Christmas in the Park on Saturday, November 26 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. He said there will be ribbons for sale for the memorial tree and all proceeds will go to charity. He said the ribbons will be $1 and will be hung on the tree in the bandstand. He encouraged everyone to come out and enjoy the family fun.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard said he heard the Village was addressing the lighting issue downtown and were placing a light pole in front of the Post Office. Reg Beliveau stated that was for the new flashing crosswalk. He said they have discussed Merchants Row lighting and are debating whether or not to take it over.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said the paving project is continuing and he said they have been fielding a lot of complaints. He said unfortunately the paver broke down in front of Merchants Row today so that has delayed things. He said once they’re done at Merchants Row they will be hitting some of the side streets. He said they understand the Village’s disgust and the State is voicing their dissatisfaction also. He said hindsight is 20/20. He said it’s been uncomfortable but it’s getting done.

 

Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked if the Village was still picking up leaves. Reg stated yes they are and have been extremely busy with it. Chris asked if the Village has received the FERC inspection report yet and Reg said no not yet. He said they are taking their time with it. Chris said it’s important because if they are going to replace the dam he wants to know they have every duck in a row so they can get re-licensed. Reg said that’s the State of Vermont that would do that.

 

8.      Public Comment:

 

None

 

9.      Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session to Discuss Personnel at 5:47 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session at 6:26 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

10.  Adjournment:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 6:27 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Chris Leach, Village Trustee, adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date

 

 

 

October 24, 2016

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, October 24, 2016

7:00 PM

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Tom Benton, St. Albans Messenger; 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 7:04 p.m.

 

2.      Agenda Review:

 

Village Clerk Dianne Day advised the Board that the FERC Inspection Report wasn’t available yet. Reg Beliveau advised he would let the Board know as soon as he gets it.

 

3.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 26, 2016:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, September 26, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Eugene LaBombard stated the word “ban” in paragraph #5 should be changed to the word “band”. Motion carried with correction.

 

4.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, October 21, 2016:

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#111-#119) through Friday, October 21, 2016 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked about vendor Decatur Electronics in the amount of $7469.00. Reg Beliveau stated he couldn’t remember that one and would check on it. Eugene LaBombard asked about vendor Tapco for $25,331.88. Reg stated that is for the crosswalk signs and there is grant money for that item. Eugene LaBombard asked the $70,695.53 payment to VMERS. Reg Beliveau stated that is the quarterly payment made for retirement plans. Chris Leach asked about the MMWEC payment of $9396.00. Reg explained that is for purchase power. He also asked about Bob Electric’s for $24,000.00. Reg stated he would have to look that one up as well but thinks it’s for the installation of PLC’s for generators at the Hydro Plant. Chris also asked about the $71,950.88 payment to the Town of Swanton. Reg stated that was for the Village’s taxes. Motion carried.

 

5.      Review FERC Inspection Report:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, advised the Board of Trustees that the Village of Swanton has not received the FERC report yet. He said he would review it with them as soon as he receives it. He said they did end up going inside the rubber bag when they were here and didn’t find anything significant. Chris Leach stated the Village plans on replacing that rubber bag in 2018 and said it would be nice if the Village could get something in writing from FERC stating they plan on relicensing the Hydro Plant. Reg stated he doubted they would do that but said he would ask. He said they are up for renewal in 2024.

 

6.      Renew Hydro Plant Line of Credit:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, advised the Board that the $500,000 dollar line of credit for the Hydro Plant needed to be renewed through People’s United Bank at an interest rate of 1.3% and the necessary documents signed. He also advised the Board would need to authorize an “authorized individual” to request line advances and stated Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager and Dianne Day, Village Clerk and Treasurer should be named. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to renew and sign all necessary documents for the $500,000 Hydro Plant line of credit and also named Lynn Paradis and Dianne Day as authorized individuals. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

 

7.      Renew Water Department Line of Credit:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, advised the Board that the $500,000 line of credit for the Water Department needed to be renewed through the Union Bank and the necessary documents signed. He stated the initial interest rate of .97% will change to .87% and all other terms and conditions remain the same. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to renew and sign all necessary documents for the $500,000 Water Department line of credit. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

 

8.      Sign Police Department Cruiser Lease:

 

Reg Beliveau advised the Board that the Police Department Cruiser Lease was complete and ready for signatures. He stated this cruiser was budgeted and voted on in March 2016 and is ready to be purchased at EJ Barrette Ford. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, to sign all necessary lease documents for the new 2017 Police Department cruiser. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

9.      Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, stated he met with the State and with the paving project contractor this week and has authorized them to begin paving during the daytime instead of at night. He said the night time temperatures are getting too low to lay asphalt. He said the majority of the crosswalks are complete and driveway cuts are going to be done by a smaller company. He said he believes they will begin paving by Merchants Row, Canada Street and in front of the Post Office after 2 p.m. He said Mike Menard will begin notifying local businesses on what to expect and residents can expect delays. He said there are alternative routes that can be taken to avoid construction and advised that people take those routes. Neal Speer asked about the street lights on Merchants Row. Eugene LaBombard stated that he received a complaint stating the lights are inadequate from People’s United Bank to Merchants Row and in front of the Post Office. Reg Beliveau stated he would take a look at the lighting and see if there is a problem area.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he is working with VT Alert which is a link that will send text messages about closed road notices, bad storm information as well as Amber Alerts. He said people can get these notifications on their mobile devices and said he is doing a class with Highgate and Enosburg so they can start sharing this information with their residents. He said this link can be found on the Village’s website at www.swanton.net.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that Halloween in the Park will be held this Saturday, October 29^th from 5 to 9 p.m. He said the Village also has a Calendar of Events on their website with lots of local notices. Reg also stated there will be a forum on Underage Drinking on November 14 here at the Village Complex. He asked the Board if they wanted to hold their meeting on November 15^th instead. Chris Leach stated to wait and see what the Board had for business that week and could reschedule then.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated his electric crew helped VT Electric Coop in Franklin and Richford over the weekend because of the wind and snow. He said he had two crews out for about 11 hours.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer asked if Reg has heard anything about the electronic sign. Reg stated they are going ahead with it and said it will not sit in the State’s right of way so there won’t be any issues. Chris Leach asked if the Village was picking up bags of leaves. Reg stated they are and said Village residents can pick up leaf bags at the office. Chris also asked how the Village’s tax collection went this year. Village Clerk Dianne Day explained it went good and that the Village handed over a little less than last year to delinquent tax collector Betty Cheney.

 

Reg Beliveau stated he would need an Executive Session to discuss Legal Matters pertaining to client/attorney privilege.

 

10.  Public Comment:

 

None.

 

11.  Executive Session (If Necessary):

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss Legal Matters at 7:43 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:54 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

12.  Adjournment:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:54 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date