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Trustees Meeting 9/27/21

  • Monday, September 27, 2021
    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 27, 2021

7:00 PM

PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Chris Leach, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau Jr., Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Adam Noel; Spencer and Lisa LaBarge; Mark Rocheleau and Ch. 16.

Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.

  1. Call to Order:

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

  1. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

  1. Agenda Review:

None.

  1. Public Comment – Adam Noel to Discuss Sidewalk on King Street:                                     

Adam Noel stated he lives on King Street and is requesting a sidewalk be installed because his four children have to walk over to Canada Street each morning to catch the school bus. He said he drives bus and has to go down King Street but isn’t allowed to stop and pick up his kids. He said his biggest worry is in the winter time when the snow will be on the side of the road and they will have to walk in the road. He brought in a letter of support signed by three residents that live on King Street. Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, stated he asked Dean Ryan to put together a rough draft as to what it would cost to install a sidewalk on King Street. He said it would cost approximately $20,556 for the sidewalk and that doesn’t include hot mix, the curbing or any labor. He said installing a new sidewalk and crosswalk on Canada Street would cost approximately $25,556 and doesn’t include hot mix, curbing or labor either. Eugene LaBombard stated he thought when a resident requested a sidewalk they were required to pay for half of it. Dianne Day, Village Clerk, stated she would check the Ordinances to see if that is in there. Reg stated he thought it would be a good idea if he talked with Julie Regimbal at the Supervisory Union to see if Adam could stop on King Street and pick up the kids. Mark Rocheleau stated having the kids walk over to Canada Street is dangerous because of the speeding and there being no crosswalk. He said he feels they should do what is safest for the area children. Spencer LaBarge stated that Adam Noel wrote a very nice letter but said he was against having a sidewalk installed on King Street. He said the safer place to have a bus stop would be on First Street because the sidewalks and crosswalks are all up to code. It was decided that Reg Beliveau would contact the Superintendent of Schools and ask why the bus couldn’t stop on King Street. It was also decided that the Village Clerk would check the Ordinances and Policies to see if residents would have to pay for half of a sidewalk installation if they are requesting one. Adam Noel thanked the Board for their time and consideration.

  1. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 13, 2021:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Minutes from Monday, September 13, 2021 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

  1. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, September 23, 2021:

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #88-92 through Thursday, September 23, 2021 as presented. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

  1. Any Other Necessary Business:

Adam Paxman stated that one of the Chamber’s swans, Sam, has passed away. He said he was having seizures and after consulting with two vets it was determined that he needed to be euthanized. He said they are looking for another one for Betty. Reg Beliveau stated that in the wild swans only live for about one year. Mark Rocheleau stated he had taken Sam to the vets three days before he died for medical reasons. He said Sam had a real bad foot and his health was compromised when they got him. Adam said the State of Vermont is pleased with the care these birds get and said they are monitored and checked frequently by the State. He said they commend them for the care they get.

Any Other Business: Chris Leach stated the vote in Highgate regarding the Airport passed. He asked what the next steps are. Reg stated nothing as of yet, he said they are looking for more grants and then they will move forward with water and sewer. Chris asked when they will extend their runway. Reg said not until 2023 or 2024. Chris also said it was nice that St. Albans Town came in and offered their support as well.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau informed the Board that he will be posting Village owned property for hunting, fishing and trapping. He said residents will be allowed to hunt with permission only on these properties. He said he will only allow hunting with bow and arrow and muzzleloader at the Project 10 site. He said the other properties can use rifle, bow and arrow and muzzleloaders. He said “baiting” at their Johns Bridge property caused this to happen.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he had a meeting with VTrans regarding the Route 78 bridge (see Minutes below):

DISCUSSION OF SWANTON VILLAGE RT 78 BRIDGE 6

9/27/21

Attendees:

Reg Bellevue, Village of Swanton Manager

Elisabeth Nance, Economic Development Coordinator

Bethany Remmers, Assistant Director/Transportation Planner, NRPC

Kristin Higgins, Bridge Program Manager, AOT

James Lacroix, Bridge Program Project Manager, AOT

Jim Cota, District Project Manager, AOT

Pam Thurber, Asset Management, AOT

Jacqui DeMent, Planning Coordinator, AOT

Regional Priority/Significance of Bridge:

  • The Village of Swanton has been trying to get this bridge, which is on Class 1 TH, programmed for 10 years. The Village Trustees have started to consider closing the bridge as they are hesitant to have a vote to bond for needed repairs.
  • Bridge 6 has been ranked by the NRPC TAC as #1 priority 5 times in the last seven years. It was ranked as #2 priority for 2 of those years, due to another bridge that was closed.
  • 10,800 AADT (2018) and likely to see increase in volume with completion of Canada’s Autoroute 35, which is planned for construction in 2022.
  • Important trucking route connecting NY and Canada to I89

Village repairs & concerns

  • The village has spent several thousand dollars per repair for several expansion joint repairs that have not lasted more than a few months due to the condition of the bridge.
  • The village has received a quote from a consultant, McFarlane Johnson, for joint replacement at $300,000 or a more significant rehabilitation at $550,000.
  • The bridge also has deck issues, scaling, substandard railings, and other issues that need to be addressed that are beyond the scope of the repairs quotes by the consultant to keep the bridge operations.
  • The village has secured a $175,000 Structures grant from AOT which will help offset repair costs, but the village will still need to hold a vote to bond for the remaining repair costs, which could be rejected.
  • The village discussed the bridge with legislators; an earmark is a possibility, but programming the bridge through existing AOT programs is most likely.
  • The village trustees are interested in the possibility of a bypass route

Considerations for programming:

  • Once programmed, bridge would take a minimum of 4-5 years to be constructed.
    • A scoping study could help expedite construction once programmed; NRPC does not typically assist in scoping projects of this magnitude, but may be able to assist if there was funding available.
  • RT 78 is scheduled for paving in 2022.
  • Bridge is downstream from a dam.
  • There is considerable pedestrian and bicycle use of the bridge.
  • The bridge is an important connection for interstate and international traffic.
  • A full closure would likely not be possible due to limitations of detour and trucking use.
  • Would it be possible to build the bridge near the existing bridge?
    • Marble Mill is a possible site for this

Next steps:

  • Reg to work with Jim Cota to develop a plan for extensive cleaning and oiling to help buy time and keep the bridge operational.
  • Jim Lacroix will review repair quite from McFarlane Johnson and speak with the consultant directly about balancing the repairs needed to keep the bridge operational with the potential timeframe for a larger scale replacement of rehabilitation project.
  • Village/NRPC to consider opportunities to pursue project scoping.
  • Asset Management to consider bridge programming as more information becomes available about federal funding.

Adam Paxman said he wanted these Minutes attached to this meeting and said there are concerns about the lack of progress at Marble Mill. He said the bridge repair needs to be done first before they can begin work on Marble Mill. Neal Speer stated a temporary bridge may need to go in there and they can expand the parking lot at Marble Mill. Reg said they will have another meeting on Monday to show them how to clean and oil the bridge. He said this is very important to the maintenance of the bridge. He said he will be recommending the Village do the $550,000 repair list to the bridge.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau stated he would like to have a joint meeting with the Town of Swanton to discuss how they will use their ARPA funds. He said he’s been talking with Kathy Lavoie about this. Reg said the Village received $124,316.71 in August and another $230,657.95 in September. He said they have several projects in mind such as the new water line on Upper Ferris Street, installing new valves or using it for the new water line across the Missisquoi River. He said the Town Fair will be held next week and there will be discussions on how these funds can be spent. He said once they have a project in mind they will hold a public hearing to inform the public.

Any Other Business: Reg Beliveau said the hiring committee for the new Police Chief is himself, Mark Rocheleau, Adam Paxman, former Police Lt. Leon Begnoche, Crystal Lampman and Lynn Paradis. He said so far they have received 7 applications for the position.

Any Other Business: Neal Speer said there has been requests for the Town and Village to hold more Joint Board meetings. He said VLCT will be discussing the Best Practices for the ARPA funds and they suggest holding a public hearing to discuss where the money can be spent.

  1. Executive Session If Necessary:

None.

  1. Adjournment:

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of the Trustees meeting at 7:52 p.m. Eugene LaBombard seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Motion carried.

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Neal Speer, Village President                            Date

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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date