SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, March 13, 2023
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; William “Bill” Sheets, Village Manager; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Jason Starr and Dillon Dupont, Village Wastewater Plant; Shawn Cheney.
Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.
- Call to Order:
Neal Speer, Village President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
- Pledge of Allegiance:
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Agenda Review:
None.
- Swear in elected officials for 2023: Neal Speer, Village President (one-year term); Adam Paxman, Village Trustee (three-year term) sworn in March 9, 2023. Dianne Day, Village Clerk (one-year term) and Betty Cheney, Delinquent Tax Collector (one-year term) were sworn in on March 8, 2023 to perform duties:
Village Clerk Dianne Day swore in Neal Speer as Village President for a one-year term. Adam Paxman was sworn in on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Dianne Day and Betty Cheney were sworn in on March 8, 2023
- Appoint a Treasurer for the Village of Swanton for 2023 and swear in:
Chris Leach made the motion to appoint Dianne Day as Village Treasurer for a one-year term. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried. Neal Speer, Village President, swore her in.
- Motion that the Swanton Village Board of Trustees Adopt Robert’s Rules of Procedures for the rules of procedure for Village Trustees for the upcoming year through March 2024:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adopt Robert’s Rules of Procedure for the rules of procedure for Village Trustees. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.
- 2023 Official Voting Results:
Village President Neal Speer read aloud the following results:
Official Return of Voting Results
OFFICIAL RETURN OF VOTES
ANNUAL SWANTON VILLAGE MEETING BUDGET VOTE
MARCH 7, 2023
BALLOT ACCOUNTABILITY
Number of Voters on Checklist 1604
Number of Ballots Counted (including absentees) 291
Number of Absentee Ballots Counted 67
I, Dianne Day, Swanton Village Clerk, hereby certify that the results of the BUDGET VOTE by AUSTRALIAN BALLOT at the ANNUAL SWANTON VILLAGE MEETING held in the Swanton Village Complex in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont on the 7th day of March A.D. 2023 were as follows:
ARTICLE II, General Fund, $138,985
Yes Votes 251
No Votes 39
Undervote 1
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE III, Highway Fund, $575,035
Yes Votes 264
No Votes 27
Undervote 0
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE IV, Fire Department, $87,861
Yes Votes 266
No Votes 24
Undervote 1
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE V, Police Department, $852,990
Yes Votes 213
No Votes 76
Undervote 2
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE VI, Surplus Police Funds, $61,200
Yes Votes 201
No Votes 89
Spoiled/Overvote 0
Undervote 1
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE VII, Surplus Gen Funds, $11,900
Yes Votes 224
No Votes 65
Undervote 2
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
ARTICLE VIII, Surplus Fire Funds, $10,250
Yes Votes 248
No Votes 43
Undervote 0
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
Attest: _________________________ Dianne Day
Swanton Village Clerk
Official Return of Voting Results
OFFICIAL RETURN OF VOTES
ANNUAL SWANTON VILLAGE MEETING ELECTION OF VILLAGE OFFICERS
MARCH 7, 2023
BALLOT ACCOUNTABILITY
Number of Voters on Checklist 1604
Number of Ballots Counted (including absentees) 291
Number of Absentee Ballots Counted 67
I, Dianne Day, Swanton Village Clerk, hereby certify that the results of the ELECTION OF OFFICERS by AUSTRALIAN BALLOT at the ANNUAL SWANTON VILLAGE MEETING held in the Swanton Village Complex in the County of Franklin and State of Vermont on the 7th day of March A.D. 2023 were as follows:
VILLAGE PRESIDENT, for one-year NEAL SPEER 262
Write Ins 9
Spoiled/Overvote 1
Undervote 19
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
VILLAGE CLERK, for one-year DIANNE DAY 271
Write Ins 1
Undervote 19
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
COLLECTOR OF DELINQUENT TAXES, for one-year
BETTY CHENEY 277
Write Ins 2
Undervote 12
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
VILLAGE TRUSTEE, for three years ADAM PAXMAN 266
Write Ins 5
Undervote 20
TOTAL BALLOTS COUNTED 291
Attest: _________________________ Dianne Day
Swanton Village Clerk
- Approve and accept Minutes from Monday, February 13, 2023 and Minutes from the Informational Meeting Tuesday, February 28, 2023:
Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from February 13, 2023 and February 28, 2023 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
- Approve and accept Village Warrants through Thursday, March 9, 2023:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #15-#25 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.
- Jason Starr, Update on Wastewater Plant:
Jason introduced himself as Chief Operator of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and also introduced his Assistant Chief Operator Dillon Dupont. He said their backup operator is Tod Jones from the Water Treatment Plant and said the three of them cover both the water and wastewater plants for the Village. He said they take turns covering weekends, holidays and vacations. Jason said Dillon recently passed his grade one wastewater test and is working on his grade two. He said he received his grade two and with the recent grade change of the plant they are now working under his licenses.
Jason showed the following 2022 improvements to the plant:
- We installed a Barns chopper pump at Bells. He said disposal wipes that say they are flushable are not flushable and cause lots of issues. He said this new chopper pump will help with that.
- We purchased a 20KW backup generator for Bells Pump Station.
- Got a new refrigerated sampler for free through the CDC ($6500)
- Installed a new 30HP motor on the Centrifuge (The old one went bad)
- Fixed two aerators had to run new power cords to them. (22,16)
- Building a new aerator to replace #17 shafts went on it $6000 to replace which is too much. He said because of this costing $6,000 they decided to try and fix it themselves. He said they did and also installed new floats so they are able to work on them if necessary.
- Replaced polymer pump on the centrifuge with Watson Marlow.
- Renewed WWTF discharge permit.
- Installed backup generator at the Bell pump station. He said when the power went out they had to come in to the Village garage, get the generator, fire it up and tow it over to Bells. He said usually by the time they did all that the power was back on. He said this will save them time and money.
- Cut and chipped the trees along the road.
- Had lime auger mixer arms fixed.
Jason then talked about the improvements they’ve accomplished so far this year. They include the following:
- Painted the garage.
- Removed the stand in the storge barn and installed cables to hold shoot.
- Dillon passed the grade one test.
- Got tractor for plant. He said this will save Public Works from having to come down to their plant and plow. He said they also got a brush hog attachment and that will save the Town guys from having to come down once or twice a year to do.
- Got a pusher blade/ finish mower.
- Taking the water class.
- Purchased Two new pumps for Foundry.
- Purchased a new chopper pump for Bells.
- Purchased back up Watson Marlow pump.
- Cut trees off the fence line around the lagoons. He also showed the tree line they’ve been cutting and trimming recently.
Jason showed that his future improvements will be installing new pumps at the Foundry Street Pump Station and also putting a new roof on the building. He said they’ve also been discussing their wastewater plant upgrade because the system is 27+ years old. Village Manager Bill Sheets said that once ready they will have Aldrich & Elliott come in with actual figures. He said they hope to have a bond vote in November 2023. He said they may be looking at $5 million dollars and that depends on whether or not sludge removal from the lagoons will be included. Bill said the cost for this sludge issue could cost as much as $2 million dollars. Jason said they’ve looked into alternatives of sludge removal and that item came up in their inspection last year. He said they have also been working on reducing the amount of phosphorus that enters our lakes and rivers. He said they are able to reduce it with chemicals but it’s very expensive. He said they will be able to lower the chemical usage with a plant upgrade. The Board thanked Jason for his report.
- Appoint Representative to Northwest Communications Union District Legislative Body:
This item was tabled until further information could be gathered.
- Appoint Representative to Northwest Regional Planning Commission Board/Transportation Advisory Committee:
Chris Leach made the motion to appoint Reginald Beliveau Jr. to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission Board/Transportation Advisory Committee. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
- Approve the following Coin Drops: MVU FFA Chapter 5/6/23, rain date 5/20/23; Swanton Village Fire Auxiliary 6/17/23, rain date 6/24/23; and Star Hose Company 9/10/23, rain date 9/17/23:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve all coin drops as listed above. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.
- Village Manager Update:
Village Manager Bill Sheets stated that the asbestos abatement is now complete at the Hotel Riveria. He said they did a walk thru today and it has been done properly. He said the week of March 20th public works needs to go in and remove a list of items such as paint cans, etc. The week of March 27th the demolition crew will be on site to install fencing and get things ready to go. He said in April the building will come down. He said they will meet with the neighbors and advise them of what’s happening. He said he has already talked with all the neighbors, so they are aware of this. He said once the building is down the State will do soil testing and once any remediation is needed and complete the Village will be able to sell the property.
Village Manager Bill Sheets handed out a flyer stating that an agricultural luncheon will be held here. Reg Beliveau said this is being hosted by the Energy Committee for our local farmers and growers and will be expanded to Grand Isle county as well. He said there are a lot of grants for bio diesel equipment and crops. He said himself along with Andy Larocque and Jenn Yandow are on this committee as well.
Bill also stated the Outdoor Market is confirmed again to be held on the Village green the third Sunday of each month May through September. He said there will also be food trucks again this year.
He also said the Scott Mueller Scholarship now has three final candidates from MVU who are graduating seniors. He said they will be getting ready to hold interviews this month and himself along with Reg Beliveau, Chris Leach, Dan Chevalier and Mr. Barden from MVU will be on the panel. He said he’s been told they are great students with great interest in this program. Chris Leach also said he’d like to have another Open House event held at the Hydro Plant in the fall of the year. Bill thought this was a good idea and would like an open house to be held at all our plants.
Bill also asked about the Inclusion Statement that the Board of Trustees and Town Selectmen approved a few months back. Dianne Day, Village Clerk, stated some selectboard members were out of state but now that everyone is back signatures can be gotten.
Bill said last Wednesday the Village posted an advertisement for a grant writer position. He said that will run until March 20th and interviews will be held after that.
- Any Other Necessary Business:
Bill Sheets said Reg has a letter that needs to be signed. Reg said there is a USDA grant opportunity available that can be used to build a public safety facility and needs to be applied for by March 16th. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Village Trustees and/or Manager to sign documents to apply for a USDA grant to be used for a new public safety facility. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.
Bill Sheets said he also needs a replacement for a new board member to NEPPA since Reg Beliveau has retired. He said they don’t necessarily get to vote but he would like to have the Board submit Lynn Paradis to be considered for this board position with NEPPA. Reg said Vermont members will nominate someone for this position and they’ll vote on it. He said this doesn’t necessarily guarantee Lynn getting it but she can be nominated for it. He said Lynn has 28 years of experience with utilities.
- Public Comment:
Shawn Cheney stated he was interested in helping the Swanton Beautification group with putting a shed on the edge of the parking lot by the VFW and river. He said this would be used to store their shovels, rakes, etc. for their work on putting flowers on the bridge and throughout the Village. Village Manager Bill Sheets said he talked with Hank Lambert and they are putting their shed here at the Village Complex so they are all set.
Shawn Cheney also stated his displeasure with one of his liens not being sent to a collection agency. Village Clerk Dianne Day stated that no liens have been sent to National Recovery since covid happened and said the Village has been collecting more so are debating whether or not they should continue to use this agency. He stated minutes from the February 28th informational meeting were incorrect. He said Lynn said she has asked the Board to write off tens of thousands of dollars in the past but Dianne typed $40,000. He continued to inform the Board of his displeasure about liens being placed on landlords for unpaid electric bills left by tenants. He said he feels like every agency including the court system is against landlords. Bill talked about some safeguards that are in place for landlords to use with their tenants but Shawn said they don’t work. Eugene LaBombard said as a ratepayer he supports the lien process. He said he doesn’t want to pay for someone else’s unpaid bills. Chris Leach said Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric are privately owned so can’t place liens. He said there has to be a way to be able to legally make tenants pay their utilities. Dianne Day stated Section 8 Housing requires their clients to keep their utilities paid or they would lose their funding. Bill asked Dianne to research the figures and see who is being impacted the most financially by this. Shawn said he’s paid two thirds of his liens off but not all of them. Dianne stated she would do some research and would let the board know.
- Executive Session to Discuss Legal Matters and Real Estate:
Chris Leach made the motion to enter Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. and re-enter Open Session. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN: Chris Leach made the motion to allow Village Manager Bill Sheets to sign a design schedule for a proposed new construction of a Swanton Public Safety Facility designed by Wiemann Lamphere Architects for the amount of $137,312 to be paid for by ARPA funds. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to allow Village Manager Bill Sheets to sign a design schedule for a proposed renovation of the existing Swanton Village Municipal Complex designed by Wiemann Lamphere Architects for the amount of $38,000 to be paid for by ARPA funds. Chris Leach seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Adjournment:
Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:36 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:36 p.m. Motion carried.
_____________________________________ _______________________________________
Neal Speer, Village President Date
__________________________ ________ ____________________________________
Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date