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.
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Neal Speer, Village President Date
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Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date