Trustees Meeting 10/2/23

Web version

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, October 2, 2023

7:00 PM

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; William “Bill” Sheets, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Karen Sentoff, VHB; Kyle Grenier, Northwest Regional Planning Commission; Brian Benoit and Timothy Carty, Northwest VT Riders Association; Damon Broderick and Ch 16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried, unanimously.

1. Call to Order:

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

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda Review:

None.

4. Public Comment:

None.

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 25, 2023 meeting as presented:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve Minutes from the September 25, 2023 meeting as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, September 28, 2023:

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #96-#98 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None.  Motion carried.

7. Discussion with Karen Sentoff, VHB, Regarding RT 78/I89 NB Intersection:

Karen Sentoff stated she was here tonight to discuss the northbound I89 ramp that intersects with VT Route 78. She said it has been a slow project up to this point but said they are working very closely with the Agency of Transportation to help fill in any gaps and get it plugged in to the prioritization process.

Part of her presentation included the following information:

VPSP2 is a mechanism to identify, prioritize, and select state transportation capital improvement projects on the federal aid system. VPSP2’s Vision: Develop a performance-based, data driven project selection & prioritization framework that maximizes the “transportation value” delivered to Vermont taxpayers. This will be done through:

▪ Providing a defined, consistent, and transparent process for selecting and prioritizing projects that make up VTrans’ Capital Program,

▪ Providing a mechanism for input from the RPCs and communities in the selection and prioritization of transportation projects,

▪ Utilizing criteria that delineate the “transportation value” that potential and planned VTrans' projects will provide to the statewide transportation network.

▪ VTrans is evaluating regionally identified projects for consideration in the Capital Program

▪ May not have been identified prior to the VPSP2 process

▪ May not have all the supporting documentation in place

▪ Collaborative process (VTrans + RPC + Community) to refine projects and fill any gaps in project development to date

▪ I-89 Exit 21 NB / VT 78 identified by issues of queuing on I-89

▪ No Prior Scoping Study

▪ Pedestrian improvements at Exit 21

▪ Explored in the 2017 Swanton Sidewalk Scoping Study

▪ Preliminary design plans in 2023 - STP BP 19(5)

She said they are trying to hone in on what project really needs to get done and how do they help in this process. She also said this has become a safety concern because there have been 6 crashes with 2 injury crashes associated with the I-89 Exit 21 NB Ramp / VT 78 intersection - greater than similar Exits on I-89 and categorized as Primary Risk for left turn crashes at minor stop-controlled intersection. She said they took a look at the 2016 data that is available for that location and looked at the capacity analysis and queuing for am and pm. She said they may revisit the growth patterns for this location.

She read the following purpose statement to the Board:

PURPOSE: The purpose of the project at the intersection of the I-89 Exit 21 NB ramps and VT-78 is to improve traffic operations and safety by reducing queuing and spillback onto I-89 in current and future traffic scenarios. NEED The need for the improvements at this location are identified by the higher than-average crashes relative to similar Exits on I-89 and observed queuing on the interstate off-ramp.

Chris Leach stated Exit 20 doesn’t get the same amount of traffic yet it has a traffic light and dedicated lanes. He said this seems like a bare minimum for the fix needed here. He said the airport is beginning to upgrade and says there is a need here to make this more efficient during high use.

Discuss Local Concerns:

▪ Refine Draft Purpose and Need

▪ Public Meeting #2

▪ Confirm Purpose and Need

▪ Envision Potential Improvements / Alternatives for Evaluation

▪ Identify Project Constraints / Challenges

▪ Endorse Advancement of Project to Scoping / Alternatives Evaluation

▪ Draft Refinement Report

▪ Program Project through VPSP2 Process

The Board thanked Karen and Kyle for coming in and presenting this information to the Board. Karen said they would be meeting with the Town again in November. It was suggested that maybe the Town and Village hold a joint meeting for this topic.

8. Brian Benoit of the Northwest Vermont Riders (VT ATV Sportsman’s Association) Request Permission to Create Trail on Village Property:

Brian Benoit and Tim Carty were present for this request. Brian stated their riding club, Northwest Vermont Riders, would like permission to use the dirt road and create a trail on the Village’s Route 7 stump dump and Beebe Road property. He said this would eliminate riders from going down Route 7 and would increase their overall safety. He also said they would be willing to build a wooden bridge over the brook that runs behind the Route 7 property if allowed.

Chris Leach made the motion to allow the Northwest Vermont Riders ATV Sportsman’s Association permission to create a trail on the Route 7 and Beebe Road Village owned property as proposed. Adam Paxman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

9. Approve and Adopt Wastewater Treatment Plant Bond Vote Warning for the November 7, 2023 Vote:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and adopt the Resolution Certificate, Warning, Letter of Intent and Ballot for the upcoming Bond Vote to be held on November 7, 2023 for $8 million dollars, subject to reduction from available state and/or federal grants-in-aid, appropriations and reserve funds, for the purpose of financing the cost of making public wastewater system improvements. Adam Paxman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

10. Village Manager Update:

Reminder:  WWTF Tours/ID meeting for November Bond Vote:

Important dates to remember: 

Open House at our Wastewater Treatment Facility, 33 North Street.

Saturday October 14^th:  10 AM and 2 PM

Thursday October 19^th:  10 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM

Monday October 30^th:  Public Forum at the Swanton Municipal Complex (7PM)

Bond Vote:  November 7^th

Dam Safety:  State of Vermont Rapid Inspection Report:  Following the July flooding the Governor requested that the State of Vermont Dam safety program inspect all dams, including the Lower Swanton Dam and the Fairfield Pond Dam. Both inspections did not identify any new deficiencies.  Both dams continue to be rated as being in Fair condition.

Foundry Street Boat Access:  We have had some recent reports of trespassing in this area, to include overnight camping. We will be doing some additional signage and will continue to do enforcement and consider installing cameras in this area if problems persist. 

Public Safety Proposal update:

124 First Street:  Our Site Plan and Variance request was denied by the DRB. The Civil Engineer and Architects are working diligently to find a solution where we can elongate the building to avoid a variance request.  We hope to be on the agenda at the next DRB meeting on October 26^th.The CM continues to work on cost estimates, and they have provided us with a mid-November cost estimate.

11. Any Other Necessary Business:

Neal Speer stated he was approached by a business owner downtown, and they would like all businesses listed on the Village’s website. Adam Paxman said the Chamber of Commerce’s new website will be up and running before Thanksgiving and that’s where all businesses will be listed. Dianne Day said there is a link on the Village’s website to the Chamber’s website.

Any Other Business: Chris Leach stated the artwork at the Swanton Beach is very nice. Adam Paxman also said the flags for the veterans will be going up in the Village Green for Veteran’s Day.

12. Executive Session to Discuss Personnel, Customer Accounts and Real Estate:

Adam Paxman made the motion to enter Executive Session at 8:09 p.m. to discuss Personnel, Customer Accounts and Real Estate. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to exit Executive Session and Re-Enter Open Session at 9:53 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: Chris Leach made the motion to enter Water Commissioner’s meeting at 9:53 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve the Village of Swanton to write off $1,135.05 in the water department and $849.94 in the sewer department for a total of $1984.99. Eugene LaBombard seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Water Commissioner’s meeting at 9:54 p.m. Chris Leach seconded the motion. Motion carried.

13. Adjournment:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:55 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Motion carried.

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

__________________________ ________         ____________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date