Trustees Meeting 8/8/16
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Monday,
August 8, 2016
7PM – 9 PM
Minutes
Web version
SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, August 8, 2016
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Joel Clark; Ronald Kilburn; Kevin Parah 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 7:00 p.m.
2. Agenda Review:
Reg Beliveau advised the Board that Katelin Brewer-Colie was unable to attend tonight’s meeting and would come to a September meeting. The Board decided to move #7 to #5.
3. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, July 11, 2016 and from Thursday, July 28, 2016:
Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, July 11, 2016 as well as Thursday, July 28, 2016 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.
4. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, August 5, 2016:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants (#80-#88) through Friday, August 5, 2016 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Eugene LaBombard asked what the vendor Nortrax was for. Reg Beliveau stated that was for the new backhoe in the Public Works Department. Adam Paxman asked about the St. Albans Police Department bill for $59,256.94. Reg Beliveau stated that was for dispatching services and said Missisquoi Valley Rescue and the Fire Department pay a portion of this bill. Motion carried.
5. Katelin Brewer-Colie, Local Motion, Bike Lane Update:
Katelin Brewer-Colie was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. She will attend the next Board meeting in September.
6. Public Comment:
Joel Clark, Swanton Town Selectboard member, presented the Board with some electronic sign proposals. The first one is from Stewart Signs and is a 2’6”x8’ monochrome sign. That cost $6865 if purchased before May 31st and $7515 if after. The second quote is from Vermont Display and is a 2’9”x7’10” monochrome sign. That one cost $7949. He said neither of these quotes includes the electrical connections or the pillars. He said the Swanton Enhancement Committee has a $2500 donation to put toward the cost of this sign. He said Vermont Displays sent some new quotes which range from $11,420 to $16,481. Joel stated the Town Selectboard has voted to purchase the sign from Vermont Display for $7949. Joel said they can choose amber or red lettering and they will be able to put multiple messages on the board. He said they will also help with the setup and have a salesperson in Vermont. Eugene LaBombard asked Joel if this was discussed with Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager/Controller for the Village of Swanton. Joel said he has not because the funds will be coming out of the Town of Swanton’s general fund, which both Village and Town taxpayers pay for. Adam Paxman and Eugene LaBombard both agreed to the same option as the Town of Swanton Selectboard members.
Public Comment: Ron Kilburn advised he was here tonight to discuss how fed up he is with the recent vandalism in Swanton and said they need to do something about this. He said it affects everyone as well as Swanton’s image. He said people who have invested time and energy are hurt and he doesn’t want them feeling diminished. Ron said he would like to implement a Clean Up Day – a community response to vandalism. He said they will hold a Community Forum on September 28th at the Village Complex to discuss what can be done about this. He said this could be only five or six individuals doing this but it’s very discouraging. He said he encourages people to call the Police Department if they see or hear anything but he’s been told by people that they didn’t want to bother the police department. He said make sure you call it in if you see anything because they need the reporting of this. Adam Paxman agreed with Ron stating people need to report what they are seeing. Eugene LaBombard said the graffiti aimed at the Police Department is hurtful and uncalled for. Reg Beliveau said they almost need to implement a Neighborhood Watch program and have a zero tolerance for this. Ron stated that the Police Department is gathering data and putting notes and slides together for the Community Forum and he hopes everyone can attend this. The Board of Trustees stated they support this Community Forum and urge residents to attend. Ron Kilburn stated he is available if they need anything and people can look him up at the Chamber of Commerce’s office if they need to. The Board thanked Ron for coming in and addressing this issue.
7. Any Other Necessary Business:
Reg Beliveau stated that David Jescavage contacted him and said the Board of Trustees need to make a motion regarding the sidewalk study presented by Peter Cross at the Town Selectboard meeting.
Adam Paxman made the motion to proceed with a sidewalk from Hannaford’s to Missisquoi Valley Union High School as a priority and to also widen South River Street from the bridge to the intersection. He said the Village Trustees support the Town Selectboard’s decisions. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he would like to sell the old bucket truck and asked the Board to give him the authority to do so. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, to sell the used bucket truck in the Electric Department on behalf of Swanton Village. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard made the motion to keep the Village of Swanton’s electric wages competitive to Vermont Electric Coop and other neighboring utilities. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked the status of the rate increase in the electric department. Reg Beliveau stated the Public Service Board had some questions for the Village today. He said they are anticipating September 2016 before they implement the rate increase. Reg also said the Board needs to decide whether or not the Village should replace the rubber bag at the Hydro Plant or repair the existing rubber bag. He said he is leaning towards replacing the bag. Eugene LaBombard said they have a bond being paid off soon, maybe they could use those funds to purchase a new bag. The Board asked to have this put on the next agenda for discussion.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated he would like to thank everyone for attending the Car Show. He said they put 241 cars in the park. He said the vendors had an awesome day and they had great weather for the event. He said he is hoping for bigger and better next year and said he appreciates all the support.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman stated National Night Out was held last week and they had a great night, great weather and new groups attending this year. Adam read a letter of support that was posted on Facebook from Voices Against Violence regarding National Night Out. He said Dr. Fred Holmes talked about substance abuse and he hopes he can next year too. Adam stated the recent vandalism doesn’t take away all the good, they just need to work a little harder.
8. Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate:
Adam Paxman made the motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:08 p.m. to discuss Real Estate. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
ACTION TAKEN: None.
9. Adjournment:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:41 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Motion carried.
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Neal Speer, Village President Date
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Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date