Trustees Meeting 11/1/22

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SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

7:00 PM

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Wayne Elliott and Mike Mainer, Aldrich & Elliott; Jenn Yandow and Ch.16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

1. Call to Order:

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

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Water Bond Public Hearing:

Mike Mainer started the discussion by saying there will be a bond vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Village Complex from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. along with the General election. He said this project includes construction of a new water main crossing the Missisquoi River. The existing water main is over 45 years old and is at risk of flood and ice damage. This water main also connects the Village’s water treatment plant, water reservoir, and customers on both sides of the river, so it is critical to the Village’s ability to provide potable water. Of the estimated $1.2 million dollar cost, approximately $402,500 is provided for subsidized funding by the State of Vermont. However, voters must approve the bond to access this money.

He said this job will include:

• Installation of 800 linear feet of new 12” PVC water main and appurtenances on Foundry Street.
• Installation of 1,400 linear feet of new 12” PVC and HDPE water transmission main, including 580 linear feet under the Missisquoi River to connect the two halves of the Village’s water system.
• The new water main crossing under the Missisquoi River will be constructed in bedrock 15 feet below the river bottom where it is protected from flooding, freezing and ice.
• New curb stops, water services and fire hydrants on Foundry Street.

They discussed why this new water main crossing is needed:

• The existing river crossing is attached to the upstream side of the Depot Street bridge, where it is at risk from flood and ice damage and freezing.
• The existing river crossing was constructed in 1976. Aerial crossings such as this one have a typical lifespan of 50 years, so this will need to be replaced in the near future.
• Since it connects both halves of the system as well as the Village’s water treatment plant and reservoir, it is a critical connection. Failure of this section of piping could result in prolonged water service outage across large parts of the Village’s water system.

What is the project cost and bond amount?

Construction = $830,000

Construction Contingency (15%) = $124,500

Engineering = $214,700

Other Costs = $38,000

Total Project Cost = $1,207,200

Total Bond Amount = $1,200,000

The Project Cost includes: construction costs, 15% construction contingency, engineering, legal, short term interest and other costs. The project schedule is planned for the summer of 2023.

What are the available funding sources? Funding through the State of Vermont Drinking Water SRF Program is anticipated for a 40-year term at a 0% interest rate, with loan forgiveness of approximately 35% of the project cost. Total savings with this funding package (principle + interest) is approximately $675,000.

This loan forgiveness is available with bond vote approval through May 1, 2023, so it is important that this project passes a bond vote within the next few months. The expected funding sources are state subsidy of $402,500 and a DWSRF loan (40 years, 0% interest), in the amount of $797,500.

They then discussed what the projected impact on the current water rates would be. The annual loan payment will be approximately $19,900 (0%, 40 years). A typical Village residential water customer who uses 160 gallons per day currently pays $475 annually or $40 per month. The same typical customer is anticipated to see their base rate increase by approximately $18 per year ($1.50 per month). The debt retirement for the proposed water project will be paid by the water system customers only.

Mike said there will be a few water service interruptions near Foundry Street, Canada Street and Webster Terrace. The project design minimizes these interruptions and requires advance notice to users. He said residents who live on Foundry Street, Webster Terrance and Canada Street will have access to their properties during construction.

4. Public Comment:

Jenn Yandow asked if it was feasible to do the water line job along with the airport job. Wayne Elliott stated they were two separate projects with separate funding sources so he didn’t think it was a good idea.

5. Adjournment:

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Public Hearing meeting at 7:33 p.m. Eugene LaBombard  seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Motion carried.

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Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date