SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, March 13, 2017
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Brad Aldrich, Aldrich & Elliott; Tim Smith, FCIDC; Judy Paxman, Heather Buczkowski; 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 7:02 p.m.
2. Agenda Review:
Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, stated he would like to move Item #10 to #8 and said the Board would need to go into an Executive Session to discuss contracts and real estate. Neal Speer also stated that Dianne Day, Village Clerk and Betty Cheney, Delinquent Tax Collector, have already been sworn in so that they could conduct business on a daily basis.
3. Swear in elected officials for 2017: Neal Speer, Village President (one year term); Adam Paxman, 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 8, 2017 to perform duties:
Neal Speer, Village President, read aloud his Oath of Office and was sworn in for a one year term; Adam Paxman, Village Trustee, read aloud his Oath of Office and was sworn in for a three year term.
4. Appoint a Treasurer for the Village of Swanton for 2017 and swear in:
Chris Leach made the motion to appoint Dianne Day as Village Treasurer for a one year term. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried. Dianne Day read aloud the Village Treasurer Oath of Office and was sworn in for a one year term.
5. Motion that the Swanton Village Board of Trustees adopt Robert’s Rules of Procedures for the rules of procedure for the Village Trustees for the upcoming year through March 2018:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adopt and follow the Robert’s Rules of Procedures for the ensuing year for the Swanton Village Board of Trustees procedures. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.
6. Approve and Accept Minutes from Informational Meeting Tuesday, February 28, 2017:
Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Tuesday, February 28, 2017 Informational Meeting. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.
7. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, March 10, 2017:
Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, March 10, 2017. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.
8. Brad Aldrich, Elliott & Aldrich, to Discuss Settlement on River Crossing Job:
Chris Leach made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss contracts and real estate at 7:15 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session and re-enter Open Session at 7:32 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
Chris Leach made the motion to authorize Village Manager Reginald Beliveau Jr. to sign and close all documents necessary for the river crossing contract. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach stated that all costs pertaining to this issue came in under the bond authorization. Motion carried.
9. Tim Smith, FCIDC Update for 2017:
Tim Smith advised the Board of Trustees that he wanted to give them an update on what FCIDC has been working on and what they are looking forward to. He said they’ve expanded the VT Precision Tools multi-tenant building by 17,000 feet and chose to take four acres adjacent to the building. He said they combined both and permitted the four acre lot for a 40,000 square foot building. He said there is no desire to build in the near future but it’s permitted and ready to go. He told the Board that FCIDC paid $17,000 to the State of Vermont for the wetland permit and $24,000 to the Federal government. He said that fee is a mitigation fee so they will be paying Ducks Unlimited the $24,000. He said this mitigation fee is for loss of wetlands. He also said VT Precision Tools is expanding and are one of the top five employers in the county. He said they have 242 employees and have been adding approximately 10 jobs per year locally. He said the skill level has changed there because the production level has changed from hands on to more computer operated machines. He said this takes more training and has been a good thing for their business. He also said this expansion will be just under $3 million dollars and they now have more say in hiring local contractors and that’s a good thing.
Tim said this expansion project is great for the county but overall there will be over $100 million dollars in expansions going on. He said Peerless Clothing, Ben & Jerry’s and Mylan are also expanding. He said the new hotel in St. Albans is under construction and there are numerous smaller projects going on. He said this will create approximately 150 jobs in the county. The unemployment rate is at 3.4% and unfortunately there are approximately 10,000 commuters on the interstate each day heading to Chittenden County for work. He said on the upside there is an influx of 4,500 coming into the county for a net loss of 6,000. He said there will be dozens of sub-contractors working on all these expansion projects which will in turn create jobs. He said he tells people all the time they can always be better as far as the economy goes but there are a lot worse off places that are not doing close to what Franklin County is doing. He said we have great leadership in towns that know what it’s like to work and attract business and be partners and not hinder what we need to move forward in growing the economy. He said the 17 towns he works with are very supportive of economic development and that speaks volumes to where they are as a county. He said they are growing in population, low in unemployment, have a lot of capital investments in buildings and roads, and are fortunate to have that support. He said Kathy Lavoie continues to work with the Workforce Investment Board and he said over the next 10 years they will be spending a lot of time educating students about career opportunities and training trying to fill the void of all the baby boomers who will be retiring from the workforce here. He said they are not prepared for that and a lot of effort will be spent on that.
Reg Beliveau asked Tim about his recent trip to Canada. He said I-35 is completed to the Pike River area. He said they have a commitment from the Federal government for half of the project, which is $350 million dollars, to go 13 kilometers. He said they have reached out to FCIDC for support and will then go to the Provencial government for the other half of the project, wrap it up and try and finish the 13 kilometers. He said 30% of the traffic would then choose to go through the Highgate Border Station and this could be huge for the State of Vermont. He said all they are asking for from FCIDC is a couple MOU’s and Resolutions saying they are in support of the project. Tim said this was a promise that was made way back when the Interstate was built in 1966. He said they are passionate about having that promise come to fruitition. Neal Speer said the Village Trustees would support this project as well and Tim said he would send the Resolution here for the Trustees to sign as well. Tim said they’ve made an effort to get over the border and that’s why they have reached out to FCIDC. He said they are making maps of the St. Jean-Richileau area, one regional map that will show events going on in both areas. He said he’s noticed most maps stop at the border and they want to change that. He said it will be bi-lingual and he’s hoping it will be a huge success. He said it’s a lot of work to grow these relationships because everyone is busy but he said they try to meet at least four times per year and they hope to continue to make strides. Tim said the Town of Swanton has put up some money for an economic development position and FCIDC may have some money to augment the hours of that individual. They are looking for someone who can do grant writing and grant applications. He said they are hoping to work together with Swanton on this idea. He’s hoping the opportunity to mesh this position is there and said if they have the grant writing skills they may be onboard with it. He said the Workforce Investment program could use that, FCIDC could and so couldn’t Swanton Village and Town. He feels this could pay dividends in the long run.
Reg Beliveau said he is working with Kathy Lavoie and Burlington Electric about trying to get a linemen school up here. He said NEPPA is on board as well and they have an upcoming meeting soon. He said rather than having to travel to Massachusetts they are trying to get the schooling here so it will benefit all the local utilities in the northern territory. Tim said there is also a need here for manufacturing classes. Tim said Kathy has placed at least 500 students and adults in jobs and it’s an invaluable resource to have. Tim thanked the Board for their time.
10. Heather Buczkowski and Judy Paxman to Discuss Swanton Teen Center:
Heather Buczkowski stated that she has been walking by the Teen Center lately and can’t help but notice what an eyesore it is. She said the Chamber of Commerce sits right next to it and is focused on welcoming people to Swanton and then there is this pit of despair. She said there is paint falling off the door, boarded up windows and bricks falling off the building. She said she feels the Teen Center is an asset to Swanton and it should be in nicer condition. She said it’s nice to take pride in our community because it has so much to offer. She said Swanton has a lot going for us and is wondering if they can spruce up the Teen Center. Judy Paxman stated it’s a very sad looking building that looks abandoned. Reg Beliveau stated the teens could take pride in their building and paint it themselves. Neal Speer asked if they’ve talked to anyone at the Teen Center about this and both ladies said they have not. They said they are asking permission to do some painting and sprucing up on that building. Eugene LaBombard suggested they work with Reg Beliveau on this. The Board agreed that they were ok with the girls working on the Teen Center. They said they could look for grants and would rally up some support to take this project on.
11. Review Public Notice Regarding Non-Profit Signs:
Village Clerk Dianne Day explained to the Board that back in 2007 Brian Savage made the motion that the only locations for non-profit signs will be at the intersection of Grand Avenue and First Street and the island at Canada and Spring Streets. Nothing can be on the utility poles, signposts, Village right-of-ways or any other Village property. Signs can go up two weeks before the event and must come down the day after. Chris Leach seconded. The Board agreed that the Electronic Sign Protocol is very similar to this but they want to make sure so asked Dianne to contact David Jescavage and see if this can be discussed at their next JLB meeting.
12. Review Requested Coin Drops for Missisquoi Valley Lions Club and Swanton Village Fire Auxiliary:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve Missisquoi Valley Lions Club request to hold a coin drop on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon with a rain date of Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. He also made the motion to approve Swanton Village Fire Auxiliary’s request to hold a coin drop on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon but declined their rain date of July 29, 2017 because of the Annual Car Show. Discussion: Adam Paxman stated he would like to draft the rules and regulations pertaining to coin drops and bring it to the next meeting. He said he would like to make some changes to the existing rules and regulations. Chris Leach stated they voted on this topic and the voters passed it. He said this is a good way for local organizations to fund raise and he supports that. This will be added to the next agenda. Chris Leach seconded both motions. Motions carried with two yays, one nay.
13. Review Emergency Communications and Dispatch Services Contract from City of St. Albans:
Reg Beliveau advised the Board that the Village of Swanton has received the dispatching contract from the City of St. Albans and the annual cost is $11,851.39. This is dispatching services for the Swanton Village Fire Department.
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Village Manager Reginald Beliveau Jr. to accept and sign the City of St. Albans Dispatching Contract for $11,851.39 for the Swanton Village Fire Department. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
14. Any Other Necessary Business:
Neal Speer, Village President, read aloud the Official Return of Voting Results for the budgets and for the Village Officers. Results can be viewed on the Village’s Facebook page.
Any Other Business: Chris Leach mentioned that there’s an article in the St. Albans Messenger about Dean Ryan, Swanton Village Public Works employee, who helped John Winters who had a heart attack while shoveling snow a couple of weeks ago. The Board agreed that it was a great article and Dean deserved to be acknowledged for his great effort.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman asked about the tree replacement schedule for trees in the Village park for this year. Eugene LaBombard stated that there is one in very bad shape and should come down. Adam said there are 3 or 4 that definitely need replacing and he would like this item placed on the next agenda to discuss further.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he is the co-chair for the Memorial Day Parade and they are requesting permission to block off Grand Avenue this year for the parade. He said last year they had vehicles trying to pass the parade and it was very dangerous. He said they would put signs out and it would only be for a half hour. Adam stated he would coordinate this with the Chief of Police.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated that this year during the Annual Car Show the Chamber of Commerce would like to use the 6 or 7 parking spaces in front of the Lady Liberty statue for vendors. He said they would cone off the area so vendors could set up. The Board agreed to this.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman asked about the Swanton Wind project and VEPPI taking some of the power generated. Reg Beliveau stated that was not true. Tom Benton, St. Albans Messenger reporter, stated that this was mentioned on their Public Service Board application by the developer not VEPPI.
Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked about the downtown street lighting on Merchants Row saying a couple of the lights were out. Reg Beliveau said he would mention this to Duane Couture because he has been working with the owners regarding this. He also mentioned the traffic study they were given. He said he would like a better explanation on this issue.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that Dave Jescavage contacted him regarding holding a JLB meeting on April 4, 2017 at 7 p.m. so that they can meet with Peter Cross on the sidewalk study issue. The Board agreed to this date.
15. Public Comment:
None.
16. Executive Session (If Necessary):
None.
17. Adjournment:
Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:49 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried.
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Neal Speer, Village President Date
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Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date