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Trustees Meeting 9/14/20

  • Monday, September 14, 2020
    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, September 14, 2020

7:00 PM

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

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

  1. Call to Order:

Neal Speer, Village President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 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, August 24, 2020:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from Monday, August 24, 2020 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

  1. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, September 11, 2020:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve Village Warrants through Friday, September 11, 2020 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Eugene asked about the payment of $51,256 made to Hungerford Construction. Reg Beliveau stated that was for the paving jobs in the Village. Chris Leach asked about the payment made to Chevalier Stoneworks. Reg stated that was for work done at the Wastewater Treatment Plant after the chimney collapsed. Motion carried.

  1. Sign VT State Revolving Fund for $172,900 for 20-year evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Facility:

This VT State Revolving Fund loan for $172,900 will be for the 20-year evaluation of the wastewater facilities and development of the phosphorus reduction plan as required by the Discharge Permit. This project was amended to cover costs of conducting mapping of the collection system and is now being amended to cover the costs of pilot testing treatment as part of the plant evaluation. Adam Paxman made the motion to authorize Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager, to sign the VT State Revolving Fund loan documents for $172,900 for the 20-year evaluation project at the Wastewater Facility and also made the motion for the Board of Trustees to sign where necessary on loan documents. Eugene LaBombard seconded both motions. Motions carried.

  1. Approve and Sign 2020 December Transco Equity Offer/Purchase:

Reg Beliveau informed the Board that VT Transco will issue equity in December of this year and he is suggesting the Village of Swanton purchase the equity directly instead of going through VPPSA. He said the Village’s share will cost $182,120. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to authorize Reg Beliveau to sign the 2020 December Transco Equity Offer/Purchase for $182,120 and to have the Village purchase this equity directly. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach stated these equity purchases have made the Village money over the years and said this is beneficial to the ratepayers. Motion carried.

  1. Andre Blouin Request to Connect to Village Water System at 1 Madison Drive:

Adam Paxman moved to enter Water Commissioner’s meeting, seconded by Eugene LaBombard. Motion carried.

Andre Blouin is requesting permission to connect to the Village Water System at 1 Madison Drive for his single family 3-bedroom home. He is aware of the $1500 water connection fee and is also aware he needs to purchase a water meter. Adam Paxman made the motion to approve Andre Blouin’s request to connect to the Village Water System at 1 Madison Drive. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried.

Adam Paxman moved to exit Water Commissioner’s meeting and reenter Open Session, seconded by Eugene LaBombard. Motion carried.

  1. Any Other Necessary Business:

Chris Leach asked if the new composting rule would have an adverse effect on the wastewater treatment plant. Eugene LaBombard stated he didn’t think it would but suggested they keep an eye on it. Chris also said he hasn’t heard anything back from the Post Office yet about a drive-up window. He also asked if the Village planned to move forward with the Complex upgrade. Reg said because of COVID-19 those plans have been put on hold but said they discussed maybe moving forward in segments and not doing everything all at once.

Any Other Business: Adam Paxman said they had a real good turnout for the picnic and music in the park on September 4th. He said hopefully they will have more to come next year.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated the Downtown Swanton Scoping Study virtual meeting will be held on September 17th at 6 p.m. He said this will be a zoom meeting and he is urging everyone to log on and voice their opinions about the downtown traffic pattern. Reg also stated he has received more complaints about roosters and chickens in the Village and asked the Board to maybe consider an ordinance on farm animals in the Village. Adam Paxman suggested this be put on the next agenda.

Any Other Business: Neal Speer stated the downtown area looks great and said Bees on Broadway has done a real nice job with her storefront. He said Ace Hardware has finished their paving and their storefront looks great too with all the fall decorations. He said they are still looking to fill the old theater building. Reg Beliveau mentioned the Restart VT project where gift cards would be sent for local businesses. He said Debbie Winters and Betsy Fournier are working on this as well.

  1. Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to enter Executive Session to discuss real estate at 7:23 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

Chris Leach made the motion to exit Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: None.

  1. Adjournment:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 8:30 p.m.  Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried.

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Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date