September 26, 2022

MINUTES

JOINT INFORMATIONAL MEETING

SWANTON BOARD OF VILLAGE TRUSTEES

SWANTON TOWN SLECTBOARD

Village Municipal Complex

120 First Street, Swanton, VT 05488

Monday, September 26, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m.

 

Present: Reg Beliveau, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Neal Speer, Board of Village Trustees President; Adam Paxman, Eugene LaBombard, Christopher Leach, Village Trustee Members; James Guilmette, Chair; Mark Rocheleau, Vice Chair; Earl Fournier, Nicole Draper, Ed White, Members; Brian Savage, Town Administrator; Joseph Cava, Administrative Assistant; Sandy Kilburn; Hank Lambert; Molly Lambert; Betsy Fournier; Joel Clark; Darci Benoit (ZOOM User)

 

*All motions carried unanimously unless specified otherwise.

 

1. Call to Order

 

Mr. Leach called the Board of Village Trustees Joint Informational Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Guilmette consecutively called the Selectboard Joint Informational Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence – Mr. Guilmette led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. Agenda Review

 

Mr. Leach asked if there were any questions or revisions? Mr. Paxman said there was business to discuss during executive session.

 

4. Public Comments

 

Ms. Fournier thanked members of the joint boards for their input and support.

 

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 8, 2022 as Presented

 

Mr. Paxman made a motion to approve and accept the minutes from 9/8/22, seconded by Mr. LaBombard. Motion carried.

 

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, September 22, 2022

 

Mr. LaBombard made a motion to approve and accept the Village Warrants through 9/22/22, seconded by Mr. Paxman. Motion carried.

 

7. Discuss Joint Issues and Projects with Town Selectboard

 

1. Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) Trailhead / Community Center / Fourth Street Property

 

Mr. Clark gave the joint boards an update on the southern LVRT trailhead. Right now the services of Cross Consulting Engineers are being contracted to put together a site plan for parking, picnic area, and included delineation of wetlands.

 

Mr. Leach asked about long term care and maintenance of the site? Mr. Clark explained that the State of Vermont has a management plan to assist with ongoing maintenance. Mr. Clark then proceeded to bring a map up to the members of the Board of Village Trustees to share the site plan that has already been presented to the Town Selectboard. Mr. Paxman asked about pushback from area residents on Leduc Dr.? Mr. Clark explained that a letter was sent out to explain the project. Mr. Fournier asked for clarification on future lighting for the site? Mr. Clark explained that lighting was part of the long-term project goals.

 

Mr. Clark continued by exploring the opportunities of the Fourth Street site and its relationship to the recreational fields. As part of communications with the Selectboard, Mr. Clark explained that the lower pit of the recreational fields is a desirable location to build a community center. This portion of the recreational property is owned by the Village. Ms. Fournier added that recreational opportunities in Swanton are growing, and the site would allow a future community center to grow and expand.

 

The Selectboard approved funding at the last meeting from the ARPA funds to begin the design phase of the project. Mr. Clark stressed the importance of getting the design process to 80-90% completion should the remainder of funding needed to come from a bond vote. Mr. Leach responded that this type of venture is good for Swanton, but asked whether the Elementary School could also be used? Ms. Draper answered by saying that recreational opportunities already utilize the exterior recreation fields surrounding the school.

 

Mr. Paxman asked who Mr. Clark was referencing when he mentioned they? Mr. Clark explained that this is a Swanton project that has input from the joint board in addition to community citizens that take part in the public hearings. Mr. Clark added that the activity rooms within the community center could be rented out to offset the operational costs of the building. Mr. LaBombard asked about public utilities on the site? Mr. Beliveau mentioned that there is water and sewer wastewater capacity in addition to existing storm water drains on site.

 

Ms. Kilburn echoed support for this project by citing the year-round activities that enriches the community’s youth. Mr. Leach asked about the plans for Marble Mill Park? Ms. Fournier said that there are grant opportunities available for this venture, but she hasn’t been as heavily involved with this plan as she has been with the Fourth Street property. Mr. Paxman asked about the estimated price tag of the community center project? Mr. Clark responded that the current estimate is $1.6 million.

 

Mr. Beliveau added that plans for Marble Mill Park are stalled because it is an active flood zone. Mr. Fournier stressed the importance of how these projects benefit Swanton as a whole and encouraged the support of the Board of Village Trustees. Mr. Speer asked about staffing for the proposed facility? Ms. Fournier mentioned the overwhelming amount of volunteer help through Swanton Rec. Ms. Draper added that the facility would also be staffed by paid Swanton Rec staff as well in addition to volunteers.

 

2. Downtown / Economic Development

 

Mr. Beliveau mentioned a scoping study being conducted by the Federal Energy Review Commission (FERC) to determine hydroelectric generation through Swanton Hydro. Mr. Beliveau stressed the importance of Village businesses being able to operate on 100% renewable energy. Mr. Fournier agreed with Mr. Beliveau adding to the importance of relicensing the existing hydro facility to keep energy rates in Swanton low.

 

Mr. White made a motion for Mr. Savage to draft a letter of support for members of the Selectboard to sign, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

 

3. New Swanton Website

 

Mr. Savage raised the importance of creating a new user-friendly website that the community can access. Conversations have been had with Mr. Beliveau in the Village to have a joint venture between the Town and Village for a conjoined website. Following this, Mr. Savage shared figures concerning the costs and ongoing maintenance associated with a new website. The end goal would be to have a new website up and running by the end of 2023.

 

Mr. Fournier spoke about seeing other opportunities in the new website including marketing, community groups like the public library, and recreational opportunities and schedules. Ms. Kilburn stated how beneficial it is to see the joint boards working together for the advancement of Swanton.

 

4. Economic Development (Executive Session)

 

Mr. Paxman made a motion to enter executive session at 8:15 p.m., seconded by Mr. LaBombard. Motion carried.

 

Mr. Rocheleau made a motion to enter executive session at 8:15 p.m., seconded by Mr. White. Motion carried.

 

Mr. Rocheleau made a motion to exit executive session and adjourn the Town Selectboard portion of this meeting at 8:49 p.m., seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

 

Mr. Paxman made a motion to exit executive session at 8:50 p.m. and re-enter Open Session, seconded by Mr. LaBombard. Motion carried.

 

No motions taken.

 

8. Any Other Necessary Business

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; informed that Board that she has been working with Primmer &Piper on the new waterline that will cross the Missisquoi River. She said they have determined that there is enough time to warn a public hearing and go ahead and hold a Village bond vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, along with the General Election. She said this new waterline will cost approximately $900,000 but the Village qualifies for a 50% disadvantage subsidy on that amount. This will amount to $450,000 in loan forgiveness so she feels this is definitely the route to pursue to benefit the Village taxpayers.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Dianne Day, Village Clerk, to sign the Resolution Certificate stating that it was determined that the public interest and necessity demand certain public water system improvements, namely to construct a second water line from the water plant crossing the Missisquoi River to the Village at an aggregate estimate cost of $900,000. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and adopt the Warning and Ballot to be used on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and adopt the Declaration of Official Intent of the Village of Swanton to reimburse certain expenditures from proceeds of indebtedness. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he met with the local tree warden and they are going to work on planting four hardwood trees. He said they would work on an invoice to see what this is going to cost and also worked on future planting. He said there are about 11 more trees that need to come down.

 

9. Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate and Personnel

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate and Personnel at 9:09 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:46 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

 

 

ACTION TAKEN: Adam Paxman made the motion to offer the Swanton Village Police Department Group D retirement benefits, effective July 1, 2023 and all employees Group C retirement benefits, effective July 1, 2023. He also made the motion to authorize Village President Neal Speer to sign the letter of intent. Eugene LaBombard seconded both motions. Further discussion took place stating any existing police will be administered an election by the VMERS office to remain in their present group of B or C or transfer to Group D effective July 1, 2023. Any newly hired Police after this approval date, will not be given this election and will automatically be enrolled in Group D effective July 1, 2023. The Trustees also elect to offer Group C to all non-Police employees, effective July 1, 2023. Any existing employees will be administered an election by the VMERS office to remain in their present group of B or transfer to Group C effective July 1, 2023. Any newly hired non-Police employees after this approval date, will not be given this election and will automatically be enrolled in Group C effective July 1, 2023. Motion carried.

 

10. Adjournment

 

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:47 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:47 p.m. Motion carried.

 

Respectfully Submitted,                                 Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Joseph Cava                                                    Dianne Day

Administrative Assistant                                Village Clerk

 

 

September 8, 2022

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING

Thursday, September 8, 2022

7:00 PM

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Matthew Sullivan, Chief of Police; and Ch. 16. Via Zoom: Gordon Winters.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1. Call to Order:

 

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

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

 

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. Agenda Review:

 

Add Police Department update after #6.

 

4. Public Comment:

 

None.

 

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, August 22, 2022 as presented:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, August 22, 2022 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, September 8, 2022:

 

7. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #80-#85 through Thursday, September 8, 2022 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked about the payment made to SD Ireland for $1940.12. Reg Beliveau stated that was for concrete for the sidewalk on Fourth Street. Reg also mentioned the MacFarland Johnson invoice for $41,025.46. Motion carried.

 

8. Swanton Village Police Department Update:

 

Chief Matt Sullivan stated that in the month of August the Village responded to 127 calls for service. He said out of those calls the top ten calls were for 10 calls for citizen assist; 12 calls for motor vehicle complaint; 10 calls for suspicious person/circumstance; 7 calls for agency assistance; 7 calls for citizen dispute; 12 calls for traffic stop; 6 calls for theft; 2 calls for theft of automobile; 9 calls for welfare/suicide checks and 4 calls for service abuse prevention order. He said there were 2 tickets issued and 8 warnings and 7 arrests. He showed the arrest analysis for August which consisted of 2 Operation Without Consent; 2 Stolen Property Receiving; 1 Driving Under the Influence; 1 Aggravated Assault; and 1 Negligent Operation. He said the officers responded to 205 incidents in the Town and Village combined. The top ten calls for service were 6 calls for community outreach; 31 traffic stops; 19 for agency assistance; 18 motor vehicle complaints; 18 calls for supsicious person/circumstance; 15 for citizen assist; 11 welfare/suicide checks; 9 citizen disputes; 8 calls for theft; and 6 calls for information reports. He said in addition to that they’ve been very busy and tied up most nights. They executed a search warrant on Gallup Court for an aggravated assault that occurred. He said they’re also looking at a new part time hire who is a very experienced officer. He said he’s also an EMT trainer and will be a great hire. He said his budget is looking good so far and another accomplishment this month was they were able to secure the SRO contract with the school district. He said this SRO will mainly focus on the high school but will also serve the elementary school as required. Eugene asked if the SRO officer would work in the other schools within the district. Chief Sullivan stated it was specific to MVU and the Swanton elementary school. Adam Paxman asked if they’ve seen a decrease in their total incidents. Chief Sullivan said he didn’t and said it’s been pretty steady. He said he was looking at traffic data and they’ve exceeded so far this year what Burlington Police has done. He said they are on pace for 3,000 incidents by the end of the year which is pretty typical. Eugene LaBombard said he’s noticed a lot of ATV traffic in the Village. He said he's seen young boys riding ATV’s in the Hannaford parking lot and on Canada Street. Adam said he’s seeing it also and wondered if it was because of the change with the Town. The Chief said most likely it was and said they are going to try and address the ATV traffic but said it’s difficult. He said they are allowed in the Town but not the Village. Neal Speer said the ATV traffic on South River Street has decreased. Reg Beliveau said if done right the ATV traffic is very good for commerce.

 

9. Discuss Hydro Rubber Dam Bond Unspent Proceeds:

 

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, stated that when they did the bond to replace the rubber bag it was for $2.2 million dollars. She said they currently have $92,700 in unspent bond proceeds and there are two avenues they could go. She said they could use the money to pay down the number of payments or it could be used on a project. She said she talked with the Vermont Bond Bank and they suggest the cleanest way to go is to just have it applied to the bond itself and get it cleaned up. Adam Paxman made the motion to approve the Village of Swanton applying $92,700 in unspent bond funds to the principle on the rubber dam bond. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

10. Discussion on ARPA Funds:

 

Reg Beliveau stated he’s been getting phone calls and emails asking about when the Village is going to hold a public hearing on ARPA funds. He said he’d like to hold one the first week in October. The Board agreed that October 3^rd would be a good night to hold the meeting on. Reg said this will be a good time to get ideas and suggestions on what people are thinking about using these funds for. He said the Village will also be able to present some of their projects as well. Adam said they want to make the best decisions possible for the community while following VLCT guidelines.

 

11. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Adam Paxman said he’s been able to gather information on the property owners of the parking lot next to Merchants Row. He said he would call them next week. He also said he’ll be reaching out to the tree warden regarding planting 4 trees in the park this fall. Adam also said the Chamber of Commerce is requesting use of the park on October 29^th from 5 to 8 p.m. for their Halloween in the Park event.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said the Village will be holding a joint board meeting with the Town of Swanton on September 26^th to discuss items of mutual interest and will also hold an executive session to discuss real estate.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer asked about the Village Manager job ad notice. Lynn Paradis said she will advertise in NEPPA, VLCT, the St. Albans Messenger, the County Courier and the Burlington Free Press.

 

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said the Village will hold a Zoom meeting next week on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office to give a demo on heat pumps. He said GMP will host this meeting and they will have a Q&A session. He said Bourne Energy will also be there.

 

12. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter Executive Session to Discuss Personnel at 7:35 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

 

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

 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

 

13. Adjournment:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Special Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:46 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m. Motion carried.

 

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

 

_____________________________________    ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date

 

August 22, 2022

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

 

 

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, August 22, 2022

7:00 PM

 

 

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; and Elisabeth Nance, FCIDC and Ch. 16. Via Zoom: Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager and St. Albans Messenger.

 

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

 

1. Call to Order:

 

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

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

 

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3. Agenda Review:

 

Add an Update on Riveria Hotel after #6.

 

4. Public Comment:

 

None.

 

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, August 8, 2022 as presented:

 

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, August 8, 2022 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

 

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, August 18, 2022:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #75-#79 through Thursday, August 18, 2022 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked about the payment made to SS VT Solar LLC for $6,949.34. He wanted to know if that amount has decreased. Reg Beliveau stated he would need to look at previous payments and compare. Motion carried.

 

7. Elisabeth Nance – Update on Riveria Hotel:

 

Elisabeth said the dirt that is out front will be moved some time next week and paid for by the clean up fund. She said they’ve talked about not using the sub grant for the asbestos abatement. She said at that time they thought it would cost approximately $30,000. She said that was a low figure and it is actually going to cost at least $50,000. She said there is a sense of urgency making a decision regarding this so they’ve made an application for the sub grant to do this instead of having the Village pay for it outright. She said the good news is this shouldn’t slow things down and they are on target. She believes the building will come down mid-October or November. She said they met with a contractor last week and want to get on their radar because everyone is busy. She said they will need to get three bids and will do that. Elisabeth said there is a 20% match for this grant but that will cost less than what they anticipated. Reg said he needed to put together a Scope of Work for the contractors. Neal said the good news is this project is moving forward.

 

8. Discussion and Update on Bridge Repairs:

 

Reg Beliveau said he talked with Dean Ryan and with ECI, the contractor who was awarded the bid. He said because of the work that is getting done on Route 78 he asked if the repairs they just made would take them through the winter and start this in the spring. Both Dean and ECI agreed to this. He said if the other plate needs to be repaired, they can do that and the bridge will be good to go through the winter. Eugene thought it was a good idea to wait for the State to be done their project on Route 78. Reg said he also needs to work on finding the additional $150,000 that is needed for the repair project. Elisabeth stated she reached out to the Agency of Transportation and said there is a meeting in September. She said because the bridge is on their list it should continue to go forward whether or not the Village puts some money into it for repairs.

 

Neal said he’d like an update on the Downtown Scoping Study for the streetscapes project. Elisabeth said they are looking at springtime before anything begins. Neal said things will be phased in and not all done at once. Neal said an interesting fact he just learned is that the Masonic Lodge owns the ally way between the two buildings on Merchants Row. He said the woman who is running the House of Pizza asked if she could put some outside seating in that ally way. Neal said they could block it off to traffic and have them go around. He also said Renee Cioffi has cleaned up the back parking lot and it is now a lot easier for trucks to enter. Neal asked if the Village is still leasing the end parking area and asked if the property owner wants to sell that or not. Adam said at this time the Village is leasing it. Adam said he would reach out to the owner. Neal said the Masonic Lodge is signing a lease agreement with a party that will go into the old Ben Franklin area. He said there will be more activity on Merchants Row again.

 

9. Any Other Necessary Business:

 

Reg Beliveau said he received a letter from Wayne Elliott regarding the new proposed water line and said that project qualifies for a 50% disadvantaged subsidy and a 0% interest loan. He said they are coordinating the subsurface investigation for early fall and will have some better data on updated costs. He said they will need to have a bond vote and will discuss it further with Wayne Elliott.

 

Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard said he wanted everyone to remember that in the future when the new bridge is closed to remember to take the old water line out and put a new one in. He said they should go take a look at that water line and see the condition of it.

 

Any Other Business: Neal Speer said he would like to announce that the whole world is experiencing a drastic change and he said the Village is also. He said they opened a new book for the Village 12 years ago when they hired Village Manager Reginald Beliveau. He said it’s with some grief that he has to announce that Reg has chosen to retire at the end of the year. He said they wish him well and appreciate him being a part of the Village of Swanton. He said times change and that’s one of the things that will change here. Reg said he’s been talking about this for a while and have been trying to prep for what steps will be taken next. He said there are several projects still ongoing and he’s agreed to stay on part-time during the transition to help with these projects. He said they’ll figure out a part-time schedule and today he announced it to the employees. He said the hardest part is the employees, each individual, he said he works for them. He makes sure they have good co-workers and all the tools necessary to do their job and take obstacles down for them. He said he thinks he has the best employees anyone could have bar none. He said that’s the hardest part, is leaving them. Chris Leach said he hates to lose him but understands life goes on. Reg said he managed 14 years at IBM and now with this it will be a total of 26 years. He said Covid took a toll on him as well as the death of his employee Scott Mueller. He said losing an employee like that is pretty tough. Eugene LaBombard said they aren’t done with him yet and he appreciates him staying on part time to help with the ongoing projects. Reg said he believes he will stay on with the DRB and with his position on Emergency Management. He said if they get another 2018 flood all bets are off though. He thanked the Board for all their support over the years and the Board thanked Reg for his commitment to the community of Swanton. Neal said moving forward they will be looking to fill Reg’s position before the start of the new year. Neal said he can’t say enough about this board, he’s been on it for 23 years and if it wasn’t a good place to be he wouldn’t have stayed for 23 years. He said they had a great team when they first started and Reggie improved that team dramatically. He said they’re planning on keeping this team together to benefit the Village of Swanton.

 

10. Executive Session if Necessary:

 

None.

 

11. Adjournment:

 

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 7:40 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Motion carried.

 

 

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

 

 

_____________________________________    ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date