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SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, June 25, 2018

7:00 PM

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Betsy Fournier, Swanton Recreation;  Debbie Winters, Hank Lambert, Tree Warden; and Ch. 16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

1.      Call to Order:

Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

2.      Agenda Review:

Eugene LaBombard stated he needed an Executive Session to discuss personnel.

3.      Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, June 11, 2018 Regular Meeting:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from the Monday, June 11, 2018 meeting as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

4.      Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, June 22, 2018:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, June 22, 2018 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach asked about the SS VT Solar LLC for $4643.49. Chris stated this is loss revenue for our existing rate payers. Motion carried.

Betsy Fournier wasn’t present yet so the Board moved to Item #6 first.

5.      Betsy Fournier – Discuss Marble Mill Survey Results:

Betsy Fournier and Debbie Winters were present for this item. Betsy stated she received 108 responses from her survey she recently circulated regarding Marble Mill. She presented the Board with the following results:

1. What would you like to see?

This comment really summed it up for me – “A safe place to enjoy time with family”

Specifically people listed:

• Playground/natural play area/things for kids to climb on
• Better Water access
• Fishing pier
• Walking path
• River walk
• Larger more welcoming sign more visible
• More visually appealing
• Artwork
• Flowers/shrubs-
• Better lighting – I think this could be light fixtures but also improving the natural light
• Pavilion –
• Indoor bathrooms
• Picnic tables
• Community events/Food trucks/ice cream trucks
• Better parking
• Place for sports – This one was interesting because people were torn on whether it is the right place for basketball and tennis, but there is no doubt that people want access to basketball and tennis. People were also torn on the skatepark. Some seem to want a skatepark, but is Marble Mill the right place for it?

• Basketball
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• T-ball fields for Rec
• Ice Rink
• Shuffleboard
• Tetherball

2. What would you NOT like to see?

Not surprisingly, the majority of the comments said DRUGS, LOITERING, NEEDLES, TRASH, GRAFITTI. People were also torn on the skatepark and tennis.

3. If you go to Marble Mill, WHY?

• Beautiful, quiet
• Access to river
• Playground
• Basketball/tennis

3. If you don’t go to Marble Mill, WHY NOT?

These 2 comments summed it up for me:

“Not much. Can seem creepy, like someone could jump out and no one would see. It is pretty though. Nice to go down there, but not alone.”

“Not much, it's very rundown and there are too many signs of drug use and vandalism. I like that Swanton has a local park that is within walking distance of the village.”

Specifically people listed:

• Local hangout for the wrong crowd
• Not safe
• Drugs and alcohol
• No place to sit
• Not enough lighting
• Nothing to do
• “Too much concrete. Not enough flora.”

4.Would you attend events?

Overwhelmingly YES!

Ideas included:

• Rec Dept. Events
• Concerts
• Food Trucks
• BBQ’s

5. Would you be interested in attending a community forum to discuss the future of Marble Mill Park? If so, please provide your contact information.

10 people gave contact information

NEXT STEPS –

            Community Forum – building a community connection –

• SEP
• Arts Council
• Swanton Recreation
• Library
• Chamber
• Businesses
• Local Government
• Schools

Deb Winters stated it would be nice if there could be some site work done such as grading, pavilion, water and sewer, add a bathroom facility etc. Eugene LaBombard stated this is a location that could be flooded yearly so they need to keep that in mind if anything develops there. It was suggested that they contact Northwest Regional Planning for assistance with this project. Adam Paxman stated this is a great first step and he would like to keep the public informed. They said they would contact Regional Planning and then possibly hold a public forum for more input. Betsy said there are so many great ideas and said she is excited to have more discussion on this. The Board thanked Betsy and Debbie for their input on Marble Mill.

6.      Hank Lambert, Tree Warden Update; and Beautification Committee Update. Also Discuss Removal of Trees in Village Green:

Hank Lambert stated he was recently appointed Tree Warden for Swanton and he wanted to offer some information regarding the trees in the Village. He also said he is part of the Beautification Committee and they circulated a survey recently. He offered the following information about the committee and detailed their 5 year plan. It is as follows:

Beautifying Swanton

A Strategic Plan

by the Beautification Committee

of the Swanton Enhancement Project

February 2018

Purpose of the Beautification Committee:

            To elicit from citizens a strong sense of place and community pride

                  To increase property values

                 To attract investments

     To improve the community's image. According to community leaders across the       country, beauty is one of the most influential factors in community attachment and loyalty to one's town or village. A nice-looking neighborhood even promotes good behavior. Beautification is a key to community vitality.

Our Mission:  Enhance the visual beauty of the landscape and structures in Swanton by promoting and implementing beautification projects and other visual improvements.                                                                                                          

Goal # 1: Achieve a twenty percent increase in community appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us and beauty that is possible.  

Action Steps

• By March 1, 2018, ascertain citizens’ current views about the beauty / environment we live in and what could change as a result of our efforts by compiling results of the Swanton’s Visual Appeal surveys distributed in late 2017 to residents, students, business owners and others for beautifying Swanton, especially question #5 (Is Swanton visually appealing?) and #6 (Can Swanton look better?).
• By June 1, 2018, identify opportunities in the Swanton town plan, zoning bylaws, site plan review guidelines and other policies for addressing beautification. 
• By November 1, 2018, in order to collaborate and expand community-wide efforts, identify and meet with people interested or active in beautification initiatives to include Green Up Day (alleys, river clean up), the Swanton Arts Council (public art, focal points), landlords (abandoned, unsafe or unsightly buildings), public officials (sign and lighting regulations, abandoned or unsafe buildings, streetscape, zoning, sight-plan-review standards, creation of parks, and other).
• By December 1, 2018, develop or acquire an inventory of publicly-owned land in Swanton that could serve as potential parks.
• By June 1, 2018, gather ideas for implementing beautification efforts through discussions with at least five other communities.
• By February 1, 2019, develop a plan to increase public awareness of efforts to beautify the community to include awards, public outreach, formal reports, hands-on workshops, lectures, identification of new partners and other.
• By March 1, 2021, conduct a new survey to measure citizens’ attitudes.
• At each bi-monthly meeting of the SEP Steering Committee, report on beautification activities by the committee and others, including the status of these action steps.

Goal #2: Develop tools and protocols for increasing, sustaining and managing beautification activities.

Action Steps

• By April 1, 2018, solicit the support of Village Trustees and the Town Selectboard to formally adopt the recently developed Swanton Urban Forest Management Plan.
• By September 1, 2018, determine criteria and apply for designation as a “Tree
  City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation.
• By November 1, 2018, study and draft a list of recommendations for changes to existing municipal ordinances, policies and guidelines pertaining to beautification, such as signing, lighting and others, and work with Town and Village leadership to enact changes.
• By October 1, 2018, determine plans, costs and feasibility for building a greenhouse to propagate flowers.

Goal #3: Plant trees and flowers.

Action Steps 

• By June 1, 2018:
• replant existing flower beds and boxes
• plant new beds at key downtown points; at triangle by  Canada and Spring Streets
• add two more flower boxes on the bridge
• plant seven new street trees in the Village downtown (at Canada and Spring Streets, the Village office building and possibly the Swanton Public Library).
• By September 1, 2018, identify at least 100 potential locations for the planting street trees on the six entrances to the Village: 
• First Street (Grand Avenue to I-89)
• Canada Street (Merchants Row to Dunning Street)
• Grand Avenue (Village Green to Platt Street)
• North River Street   (Depot Street to Brooklyn Street)
• South River Street (Depot Street to the Railroad Museum and Rail Trail)
• Lake Street (S. River Street to Middle Road).
• By October 1, 2018, record new plantings in town tree plan & inventory
• August 1 of each year, order thirty dry-root trees to nurture for future years.

Tentative long-term Action Steps to be assessed each January

• In CY 2019, plant thirteen new street trees and establish three new flower beds.
  Estimated Cost: ???   Record by October 1.
• In CY 2020 plant twenty new street trees and establish three new flower beds.
  Estimated Cost: ???   Record by October 1.
• In CY 2021 plant thirty new street trees and establish three new flower beds.
  Estimated Cost:  ??? Record by October 1.
• In CY 2022 plant thirty-five new street trees and establish three new flower beds.
  Estimated Cost: ???   Record by October 1.

Goal # 4: Increase resources sufficient to implement beautification efforts.

Action Steps

• By April 1, 2018, hire a person to water and weed selected flowers and trees during the 2018 summer months.
• By May, 1, 2018, increase membership on the Beautification Committee by three people.
• By January 1, 2019, raise $5,000
• By April 1, 2018, sponsor a fund-raising dinner
• By June 1, 2018, sponsor a perennial plant sale.
• By January 1, 2019, identify and apply for at least one grant.
• Solicit donations
• In 2019 – 2021, sponsor two events each year
• By July 1, 2018, determine the value and cost of retaining the services of an arborist for maintaining trees in public lands and rights-of-way as recommended by the Swanton Urban Forest Management Plan.
• By March 1, 2018, provide municipal leaders with a suggested list of expectations for an appointed tree warden to perform to support planting and maintenance of trees.

Summary of Action Steps

CY 2018

March 1                       Compile results of Swanton Visual Appeal Survey

                                    Suggest to Selectboard expectations of an appointed Tree Warden

April 1                         Adopt Swanton Urban Forest Management Plan

                                    Hire part-time person to maintain flowers and trees

                                    Sponsor a fund raising dinner

May 1                          Increase committee membership by three people

June 1                          Review municipal documents

                                    Discuss experiences with five other communities

                                    Plant seven trees, new and existing flower beds

                                    Sponsor a perennial plant sale

July 1                           Assess value of and cost for services of an arborist

August 1                      Order thirty dry-root trees

September 1                 Apply for designation as a Tree City USA

                                    Identify 100 potential locations for new trees

October 1                     Record new plantings in town tree plan & inventory

                                    Determine feasibility of building a greenhouse

November 1                 Meet with Green Up, SAC, public officials and others

                                    Recommend enhanced municipal policies

December 1                 Identify publicly-owned land for potential parks

                                    Evaluate achievement of goals.

CY 2019

January 1                     Apply for beautification grant            

February 1                   Develop plan to increase public awareness

                                    Evaluate achievement of 2018 goals

June 1                          Plant thirteen street trees

August 1                      Order thirty dry-root trees

October 1                     Record new plantings in municipal tree plan & inventory

November 1                 Sponsor two fund-raising events

CY 2020

June 1                          Plant twenty street trees

                                    Record new plantings in municipal tree plan & inventory

August 1                      Order thirty dry-root trees

October 1                     Record new plantings in town tree plan & inventory

November 1                 Sponsor two fund-raising events

CY 2021

March 1                       Conduct new citizen survey to assess achievement of goal #1

June 1                          Plant thirty street trees                         

August 1                      Order thirty dry-root trees

October 1                     Record new plantings in municipal tree plan & inventory

November 1                 Sponsor two fund-raising events

CY 2022

June 1                          Plant thirty street trees

                                    Record new plantings in municipal tree plan & inventory

                                    Sponsor two fund-raising events

August 1                      Order thirty dry-root trees

October 1                     Record new plantings in municipal tree plan & inventory

Chris Leach stated this is a very well organized committee and 5 year plan. Hank stated trees and flowers in the community promotes community pride, the visual beauty attracts visitors and investments and visual beauty is key to community vitality. He said the following information is the survey results:

2018 SWANTON BEAUTIFICATION SURVEY

RESULTS SUMMARY

Project Description

During the winter of 2018, the Beautification Committee of the Swanton Enhancement Project (SEP) developed and distributed a survey to Swanton residents.  1100 copies of the surveys were distributed through the schools and places of business in the community. The committee received 421 responses from Swanton residents.

The purpose of the survey was to assess the visual appeal of Swanton from a community member’s perspective.   The committee then used the results of the survey as a tool in developing a 5 year plan to enhance the beauty of Swanton.

There were 6 questions on the survey:

• Age
• Are you a resident of Swanton?
• What do you like about the Village and Town?
• What would you like to change?
• Do you think Swanton is visually appealing?
• Do you think Swanton could look better?

Results

Age

54% of the respondents were under the age of 15

16% were between the ages of 16 and 19.

11% were between the ages of 20 and 35.

17% were 36 and older

What do you like?

The largest number of responses across all ages focused on the culture of the community, specifically its small and quaint feel. 

Swanton’s physical infrastructure was the next on the list with the Village Green, parks and bridges at the top of list.

The overall appearance of the community received a high ranking with a particular emphasis on the swans in the park, the holiday décor and the flowers and trees. 

Many comments also highlighted our recreation and environmental assets as well as some of our economic attributes.

What would you like to change?

Again, the cultural aspects of our community received the most attention across all age groups. 

The highest number of comments emphasized the desire for more community activities for individuals, families, kids and a separate category of social activities for teens. 

The next largest concern identified as detrimental to our community was that of drugs and related issues.

The appearance of our community was the second area of importance in addressing changes that our respondents would like to see. Above all else, our community members want to see more flowers, color, trees and planters. Several comments related to a cleaner Marble Mill Park, as well as house and building repair.

Do you think Swanton is visually appealing?

Our respondents were given 4 choices in answering this question about Swanton’s visual appeal – 1) A little 2) I haven’t paid much attention 3)Yes and 4) No.

Of the 421 responses only 9 responded that Swanton was not visually appealing. An array of additional comments related to the flowers, trees and old houses. In addition, throughout our survey, the arts and art boards were mentioned several times as being beautiful and positive additions to our community.  There were also many favorable comments sprinkled throughout about the addition of the “Swanton Lumber” park.

Do you think Swanton could look better?

The surveys provided three choices in response to the question. They were 1)No 2)Yes  and 3) Don’t Know.

183 responders replied YES to this question and provided several specific areas for improvement. The top four mentioned were 1) facelifts for older buildings, homes and businesses; 2) more color, flowers along the sidewalks and curbs; 3) more beautification and 4) clean up Marble Mill.   

For a full and detailed copy of the survey results contact:  Hank Lambert, of the Beautification Committee of the Swanton Enhancement Project:  hanklambert@ comcast.net.

Adam Paxman said he would like to discuss removal of some trees in the Village green. He said there are at least 8 conifers that need to come down. Reg Beliveau said the Village has the equipment to do the work. Hank stated they should identify what trees need to come out and what trees will be going in. Adam said he would like to work with Hank on that. Hank then provided the Board with the following Tree Warden information.

Vermont Tree Warden Statutes

Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation

Shade and ornamental trees within the limits of public rights of way are under the control of the tree warden. The tree warden may plan and implement a town shade tree preservation program for the purpose of shading and beautifying public ways and places by planting new trees and shrubs; by maintaining the health, appearance, and safety of existing trees through feeding, pruning and protecting them from noxious insect pests and diseases; and by removing diseased, dying or dead trees which create a hazard to public safety or threaten the effectiveness of disease or insect control programs. 24 V.S.A. § 2502.

A municipality may appropriate a sum of money to be expended by the tree warden or, if one is not appointed, by the selectboard. 24 V.S.A. § 2503.

The tree warden may not remove trees when the owner or lessee of abutting real estate annually controls all insect pests or tree diseases on trees within the limits of a highway or place abutting such real estate.

The tree warden shall enforce all laws relating to public shade trees and may prescribe rules and regulations for the planting, protection, care, and removal of public shade trees pursuant to the ordinance adoption procedure in 24 V.S.A. Chapter 59.

The tree warden may enter into agreements with the owners of land adjoining or facing public ways and places for the purpose of encouraging and carrying out a community-wide shade tree planting and preservation program.

Only the tree warden, deputy tree warden or someone with his or her permission may cut a public shade tree. Healthy public shade trees in the residential part of a residential neighborhood shall not be felled without a public hearing by the tree warden.

The tree warden may request recommendations for control of suspected infestations from the Commissioner of Agriculture, may implement recommended control measures, and may enter private land to implement these control measures. 24 V.S.A. §§ 2504–2511.

The Board thanked Hank for all the information he provided them.

7.      Michael & Dianne Begnoche Request Water & Sewer Allocation for 8 Jonergin Drive, Swanton:

Chris Leach made the motion to enter into a Water Commissioner’s meeting at 7:59 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

Dianne Day, Village Clerk, explained to the Board that Michael & Dianne Begnoche are requesting a Water & Sewer Allocation increase at 8 Jonergin Drive, Swanton. They are removing a two bedroom mobile home at 8 Jonergin Drive and are replacing it with a 3 bedroom mobile home. They are requesting 450 GPD (gallons per day) to accommodate this three bedroom mobile home. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve Michael & Dianne Begnoche’s request to increase their water and wastewater allocation to 450 GPD for their three bedroom mobile home at 8 Jonergin Drive, Swanton. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Water Commissioner’s meeting at 8:01 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

8.      Any Other Necessary Business:

Adam Paxman stated he wanted to welcome the swan Betty back to the community. He said there is an article in the St. Albans Messenger today and that’s great news that she’s back. He said the 9^th Annual Car Show is coming up and will be held on July 28^th. He said they are already working on their 10^th year. He said last year they had 243 cars in the park and 250 is their limit. Adam also stated the parking at Cody’s Restaurant is a safety concern and he wants an Ordinance in place that cover’s that. Reg stated he talked with H&B Greenhouse about placing a concrete planter there. Adam said the restaurant owner is the one who parks in that spot every day and he wants something done about it. He is also asking people to slow down when they are driving through the Village.

Any Other Business: Chris Leach asked about the concrete barriers in the Marble Mill parking lot. Reg Beliveau stated the Highway Crew is getting ready to work on the storm water project.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated that VPPSA is requesting the Village of Swanton to sign a Transco Subscription Waiver agreeing to waive their rights to acquire the Member Units available at this time so that VEC has the opportunity to purchase the equity offered. He said in September of this year VEC was expecting to purchase the units it previously assigned to VELCO but due to some further complications that may not happen. Since this was the original intent as these units were originally offered to VEC, VPPSA is recommending that the members sign the waiver as requested. Chris Leach made the motion to authorize Village Manager Reginald Beliveau to sign the Transco Subscription Waiver as recommended by VPPSA. Adam Paxman seconded. Reg Beliveau signed Transco Subscription Waiver. Motion carried.

Any Other Business: Reginald Beliveau stated he had a meeting today regarding the rubber bag installation. He said GW Tatro will be moving in some stone and machinery and will get the road put it. He said they met with residents in the vicinity of the dam to let them know what is going on and said he hopes to install a live web cam so people can watch the installation of the bag. Reg said he expects this installation to take approximately 6 weeks to complete.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that the MVUHS Waterline Replacement Job is expected to begin the week of July 9^th and is expected to be complete by mid August. He also informed the Board that he is now a member of the Energy Committee and Chris Leach stated he would join that committee as well. Reg also stated he was in Las Vegas last week for a fire conference and training. He said a lot of good data was presented to them and said the Fire Department can pass this along to local daycares and senior centers. Chris Leach also stated that Reg was recognized for teaching fire safety to local students for the last 25 years. The Board congratulated him on that. Reg said the schools have been very open and forthcoming for the last 25 years. He said there are some new procedures for school lockdowns if there were an active shooter and there is also help available if emergency service personnel have PTSD issues.

Any Other Business: Neal Speer, Village President, stated that the bridge dedication ceremony was excellent. He also said he is glad the new swan Betty is back in town with Sam and that the ducks are in a good new home.

9.      Public Comment:

None.

10.  Executive Session (if Necessary):

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel at 8:27 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:35 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: None.

11.  Adjournment:

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:35 p.m.  Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Motion carried.

_____________________________________          _______________________________________

Neal Speer, Village President                           Date

_____________________________________          ___________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                               Date