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Trustees Meeting 5/23/22

  • Monday, May 23, 2022
    7 PM – 9 PM

Village Trustees

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SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, May 23, 2022

7:00 PM

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk and Ch.16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

  1. Call to Order:

Neal Speer, Village President, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

  1. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

  1. Agenda Review:

None.

  1. Public Comment:

None.

  1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, May 9, 2022 as presented:

Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, May 9, 2022 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

  1. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, May 19, 2022:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #45-#49 through Thursday, May 19, 2022 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

  1. Discuss Removal of Trees in the Village Green:

Adam Paxman stated he reached out to Hank Lambert who advised him that Frank Shumway is now the new tree warden for Swanton. Adam said there are two to four trees in the Village Green that really need to come down now because they are very dangerous. He said he would talk with Duane in the electric department and if the electric crew can’t take them down they will talk to Gabree’s Tree Service to do so. He said he will work on a plan to remove and replant trees in the park. He also wanted to thank Hank Lambert for his input over the years. Reg Beliveau also suggested Adam talk with Dean Ryan in public works as well. He said he would come up with a plan and will keep the Board updated.

  1. Discuss and Approve Missisquoi Water Line Crossing Revolving Loan Increase Application:

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that more boring needs to be done on the Missisquoi Water Line job and it will increase the application by $47,400. Chris Leach asked if an assessment was done beforehand. Reg said it was but because it’s so shallow they need to change locations. Chris Leach made the motion to increase the Missisquoi Water Line Crossing Revolving Loan Application by $47,400 and also authorized Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, to sign application. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

  1. Any Other Necessary Business:

Adam Paxman stated the swans are now in the park and said Sam and Betty hit it off right away. Neal Spear stated that the beautification committee planted flowers on Saturday and put pots on Merchants Row too. Adam said the Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 30th at 2 p.m. He said the fire department will hold a free community BBQ after the parade and will accept donations for Joshua’s House. This program helps veterans with PTSD issues and Adam said they hope to make a difference for somebody. Reg said Joel Clark will be planting flowers around the Veterans Memorial Park sign as well. Adam also said the Veterans’ flags will go up in the park on May 27th and will be left up all week.

Any Other Business: Neal Spear asked if there was an update on the Riveria Hotel property. Reg said he had a meeting with NWRP and he urged them to come up with some funds soon or the building will come down on its own. Neal also said they have donated the pool table in there to the VFW. He said they will work on getting it out this weekend.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said the bridge repair job is still on schedule for August. He said the expansion joints will be repaired. Reg said he would give Adam Paxman a copy of the work schedule for the Chamber office. He also said a Ride and Drive event will be held at the Village Complex on June 1st. He said this will feature electric vehicles and Barrette Ford and Handy’s will both be here. Chris Leach stated he’s concerned that repairs on electric vehicles could be very costly.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that he and Brian Savage met with Janet Savoi regarding the Gathering of the Realms event and said she is doing a great job getting everything organized for this event. He said she’s been in contact with Chief of Police Matt Sullivan as well. He said they’ve been working on their Part 12 dam safety at the Hydro Plant and they have some follow up things to do this week. He said the Village has had some job openings that were put on Facebook. He said it cost approximately $400 to $600 to run ads in the local papers. He said because of Scott Mueller’s death they made some changes in the maintenance department. He said everyone at the Village has stepped up and they even had an employee come back from retirement to help out. He said there’s been a great effort and a lot of shuffling, but things are getting done. The board discussed their upcoming Channel 15 interview with Richard Copperthwait and said they will discuss the cannabis vote, FERC relicensing, the hotel riveria and the swans. Reg also said the meeting on May 25th at 6 p.m. here at the Complex with the Highgate Selectboard will be executive session only.

  1. Executive Session If Necessary:

None.

  1. Adjournment:

Chris Leach made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 7:28 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried.

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Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date