Special Organizational Meeting 3-6-24

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SELECTBOARD

SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

Draft Minutes

Swanton Town Office Building     

1 Academy Street, Swanton, VT 05488

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m.

Present: Earl Fournier, Steve Bourgeois, Cody Hemenway, Nicole Draper, Joel Clark, Brian Savage-Town Administrator, Cathy Fournier-Town Clerk, Christina Candels-Administrative Assistant, Christopher Caster, Lindsy Hunn

1. Call to Order

Mr. Savage called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Mr. Savage led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda Review

Mr. Savage reviewed the agenda. Mr. Savage updated that VTrans will not be in attendance but that he has email conversation to share with the board.

4. Public Comments

None

5. Reorganization of Selectboard & Appointments:

1. MOTION TO ELECT JOEL CLARK AS CHAIR OF THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to Elect Mr. Clark as Chair of the Swanton Selectboard for the year of March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Fournier. Motion carried.

          Mr. Clark assumed roll as Selectboard chair.

2. MOTION TO ELECT EARL FOURNIER AS VICE CHAIR OF THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025.   

Ms. Draper made a motion to Elect Mr. Fournier as Vice Chair of the Swanton Selectboard for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.   

3. MOTION TO APPOINT CHRISTINA CANDELS AS CLERK FOR THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025 

Ms. Draper made a motion to Elect Christina Candels as Clerk for the Swanton Selectboard for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

4. MOTION THAT THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD ADOPT ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER FOR THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025

Mr. Bourgeois made a motion to ADOPT ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER for the Rules of Procedures for the Swanton Selectboard for year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2026, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

5. MOTION THAT THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD SCHEDULE ITS REGULAR MEETINGS ON THE FIRST (1^ST) AND THIRD (3^RD) TUESDAYS OF EACH MONTH at 6:00p.m., AND THAT THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD SET THE MEETING AGENDA AND EACH SELECTPERSON MAY ADD TO IT AT THEIR DISCRETION IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6,2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025.

Mr. Hemenway made a motion that the Swanton Selectboard Schedule its REGULAR MEETINGS ON THE FIRST (1^st) AND THIRD (3^rd) TUESDAYS OF EACH MONTH at 6:00 pm and that the Town Administrator should set the meeting agenda and each Selectperson may add to it at their discretion in accordance with State law for the year March 6,2024 to March 4,2025, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

6. MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING LIST OF TASK REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE SELECTBOARD, AS FOLLOWS, FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025.  

• Highway Commissioner Joel Clark

• Police Representative Cody Hemenway

• Recreation Representative Cody Hemenway

• Economic Development Representative Steve Bourgeois & Earl Fournier

• Personnel Representative Nicole Draper

• Legal Representative Steve Bourgeois

• Animal Control Representative Cody Hemenway

Ms. Draper made a motion to APPROVE to the List of Task Representatives for the Selectboard for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4,2025, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

7. MOTION THAT THE SWANTON SELECTBOARD APPOINT FRANK SHUMWAY AS TREE WARDEN FOR THE TOWN OF SWANTON FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6,2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025. 

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to APPOINT FRANK SHUMWAY AS TREE WARDEN for the Town of Swanton for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Bourgeois. Motion carried.

8. MOTION TO APPOINT HAROLD GARRETT AND NICOLE DRAPERAS THE TOWN OF SWANTON’S REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025. 

Mr. Bourgeois made a motion to APPOINT HAROLD GARRETT & NICOLE DRAPER as the Town of Swanton’s REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BOARD OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMIDDION for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

9. MOTION TO APPOINT HAROLD GARRETT AS THE TOWN OF SWANTON’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025. 

Mr. Fournier made a motion to APPOINT HAROLD GARRETT as the Town of Swanton’s representative on the TRANSPORTAION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION for the year of March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

The Selectboard agreed that in this appointment the include the request that Mr. Garrett provided an update to the Selectboard at Selectboard meeting quarterly.

10. MOTION TO APPOINT EARL FOURNIER AS THE TOWN OF SWANTON’S ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6.2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025. 

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to APPOINT EARL FOURNIER as the Town of Swanton’s ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE on the TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Ms. Draper. Motion carried.

11. MOTION TO APPOINT CARLO MICHELI AS THE TOWN OF SWANTON’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE NORTHWESTERN SOLID WASTE DISTRICT FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025.    

Ms. Draper made a motion to APPOINT CARLO MICHELI as the Town of Swanton’s REORESENTATIVE on the NORTHWESTERN SOLID WASTE DISTRICT for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

12. MOTION TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING PERSONS TO SERVE AS THE TOWN’S RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR MARCH 6, 2024 TO MARCH 4, 2025.

Betsy Fournier, Alicia Bourdeau, Joseph Raleigh, Jason Guyette, Jesse LeClair, Jon Nielsen, Sophie Vibert, and Lisa Wilda

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to APPOINT BETSY FOURNIER, ALICIA BOURDEAU, JOSEPH RALEIGH, JASON GUYETTE, JESSE LECLAIR, JON NIELSEN, SOPHIE VIBERT and LISA WILDA to serve as the Town’s RECREATION COMMISSION for the year March 6, 2024 to March 4, 2025, seconded by Mr. Bourgeois. Motin carried. Ms. Draper abstained.

               F. Minutes

                          a) February 20, 2024 Special Selectboard Regular Meeting

                          b) February 26, 2024 Selectboard and Village Board of Trustees Special Budget Info

                               Meeting

Mr. Bourgeois made a motion to approve February 20,2024 Selectboard Meeting & February 26, 2024 Selectboard & Village Board of Trustees Special Budget Info Meeting minutes as written, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

              G. Town Business

                          a) Announce Election Results

                        * Please see attached document.

All Selectboard members thanked Swanton Voters for involvement and voting on Town Meeting Day.

Swanton Town has 3158 registered voters.

935 Town voters cast their ballots.

Of the 935 (29.6% of registered voters) votes 636 were in person & 299 were absentee voters.

                        b) Representatives of Vermont Agency of Transportation to discuss District 8 Garage

No representative from Vermont Agency of Transportation was present. Mr. Savage shared email conversation the explained they do intend to pave the access road to State of Vermont specs once finished. The board discussed the future of Sholan road where the new State garage is being built.

The board agreed they would like in writing from Vermont Agency of Transportation an agreement to maintain the road as a class 4 road, the transfer of easement after construction with no restrictions on use of road.

                        c) Town plans and projects for 2024

                          *Please see attached document.

Mr. Clark has started a Facilities Maintenance & Preservation Plan that is a working document the board can develop together. This will help better plan for maintenance of Town owned assets.

             H. Any Other Necessary Business

                         a)  Liquor Control Board

Ms. Draper made a motion to exit the regular Selectboard meeting at 6:55 pm and enter into Liquor Control Board Meeting, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

Ms. Cathy Fournier stated there is one new location request and 4 renewal requests.

Iron & Ale at the Club is requesting First Class, Third Class and Outside Consumption Permit. This is a new license.

The restaurant at Champlain Country Club was previously leased. They have hired a Lindsy Hunn to run it for them now.

Weso Inc/Champlain Farms is requesting renewal of Second-Class Liquor, Tobacco License & Tobacco Substitute Endorsement. No Violations.

North Country Bait & Tackel is requesting renewal of Second Class and Tobacco License. No Violations.

Caitlin’s Creations LLC is requesting renewal of Second Class, Tobacco License and Tobacco Substitute Endorsement. No Violations.

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to approve all license requests, seconded by Mr. Fournier. Motion carried.

Ms. Draper made a motion to exit Liquor Control Board Meeting at 7:01 pm and enter back into regular Selectboard meeting, seconded by Mr. Hemenway. Motion carried.

b) ARPA update

Mr. Savage shared the undated information on obligation of ARPA funds from Vermont Leagues of Cities and Towns and Towns auditor AM Peisch. Selectboard members will review this information before signing resolution at the next Selectboard meeting.

1. Economic Development

Mr. Savage updated that he has met with the individuals whom are going to open a restaurant in the Champlain Theatre building they plan to open in May.

Mr. Savage has reached out to Cathedral Square to see if they have interest in Swanton.

Ms. Draper asked where we are with the Revolving Loan Fund? Mr. Savage will add this to regular updates to the Selectboard. Mr. Savage also updated that this loan is from housing funding anyone whom takes these loans must not make more than 80% of Swanton median income. Mr. Savage was not made aware of this previously and will complicate the process. These Revolving Loans are really a pain and not worth the trouble.

Mr. Fournier stated maybe we should forgo them and send the money back. Mr. Savage will look into this.

Mr. Savage stated they still have not heard anything form the State.

              J. Public Comments (Reprise)

              K. Upcoming Events

                          a)  Sunday, March 10, 2024 @ 2 a.m. Daylight Savings Time Begins (Spring Ahead)

                          b) Wednesday, March 13,2024 @ 6:30 pm Planning Commission -Town Offices

                          c)  Tuesday, March 19, 2024 @ 6:00 pm Selectboard Meeting Town Offices & Zoom

                          d) Wednesday, March 27, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission – Town Offices

                          e) Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – DRB Meeting – Town Offices

                          f) April 1, 2024 – Dog Licenses Due – Available at Town Clerk’s Office

            L. Adjournment

Mr. Hemenway made a motion to adjourn at 7:12pm, seconded by Mr. Fournier. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted by

Christina Candels-Administrative Assistant