Board of Selectmen May 10, 1999
TOWN OF CHARLOTTE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MAY 10, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marty Illick
John Rosenthal
Jim Sheldon-Dean
Robert Mack, Jr.
Clark Hinsdale, III
OTHERS: Stephen C. Brooks
Nancy Sabin
Sylvia Sprigg
Sandy Mayo
Eric Stone
Billy Coster
Hugh Lewis, Jr.
John Hammer
Wendy Schroeder
Richard LeBoeuf
Mary Beth Freeman
Alison C. Lockwood
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Chairman Illick called the meeting of the Board of Selectman to
order at 7:00 p.m. in the Charlotte Town Offices.
APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1999 & AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
Chairman Illick asked if the board wished to approve the minutes
of the Town Meeting and the Selectboard meeting of April 26,
1999 and the Selectboard retreat of April 7, 1999.
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Illick:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES APRIL 7, 1999
SELECTBOARD RETREAT."
Vote: All in favor.
The following changes were suggested by board members: on page
3, to change the first and second paragraphs to read:
Eric Van Vlandren said that concepts similar to transferable
development rights between towns is not incorporated in Regional
Plan, but Regional Planning was very positive about the concept.
Van Vlandren said that Regional Planning was preparing a video
to come out in May or June and that a public hearing
presentation would be planned soon to view the video and answer
questions on the new draft Regional plan. Illick said that the
board was interested in exploring the concept of inter-town
transfers of development rights. Illick noted a notice from
Gloria Warden that the Planning Commission meetings would
heretofore be scheduled on the first and third Thursdays of the
month to accommodate Dean Bloch's work schedule.
Board of Selectman -2- May 10, 1999
Moe Harvey reviewed the interest by the Charlotte Land Trust in
purchasing the Earl Burns property situated between Greenbush
Road and Route 7. Harvey said that there had been proposals by
developers for the land and that the Land Trust felt the
property had potential for many municipal uses including a
school site, a water source, septic capacity and recreation
fields. The property is also close to the town property on
Ferry Road. Harvey said the Charlotte Land Trust was paying to
have a 1 year option to buy the property and acknowledged that a
Town Meeting would be necessary to take advantage of the
opportunity. Harvey discussed the possibility of breaking up
the property and to have the west side of Greenbush Road stay in
private ownership thereby offering the town have use of the land
on the east side of the road.
Also, in the third paragraph on page 3 to change "costs" to
"cost analysis." On page 4 to change under Other Business the
word "addressed" to "suggested the board adopt" and change both
references of "NPO" to "MPO."
Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by
Mack:
* "TO APPROVE THE MINUTES APRIL 26, 1999
SELECTBOARD MEETING WITH THE ABOVE CHANGES."
Vote: 4 in favor 1 abstained due to absence at the
4/26/99 meeting (Hinsdale).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Sandy Mayo asked about the Land Trusts role in negotiating the
Burns property acquisition and Hinsdale explained where the
proposal was in progress, noting that the property was currently
being appraised. Illick added that the town had been interested
in the Burns property for some time for sewage usage. Wendy
Schroeder reviewed some of the history of the town's interest in
a portion of the Burns property and the seller's interest
selling the whole property at once. Illick said there would be
a public meeting on the proposal when appropriate.
JUNIOR LEWIS - TOWN ROADS
Illick noted a letter from Dick Hosking of the Vermont Highway
Department on roads funding for the town's files. There was a
discussion on inconsistent speed signs at Demeter Park.
Hinsdale suggested that the board wait on the outcome of a bill
in the legislature relating to the issue before taking action
and board member agreed that was a good idea.
Hugh Lewis, Jr. said he still putting down gravel and shale on
Bingham Brook Road, the intersection of Guinea and on Converse
Bay Road. Lewis said he had been scraping roads and putting
down chloride.
Illick showed Lewis a mailing she had received and asked if he
would be interested in attending a "Free Seminar on Funding
Opportunities for Local Transportation Projects" to be held on
May 21, 1999.
Board of Selectman -3- May 10, 1999
Illick asked John Hammer to outline the plan the Conservation
Commission had for building river banks and Hammer went on to
explain the plan to anchor and trench willow trees along river
banks.
Mack asked Lewis to sweep road intersections and Lewis agreed to
do so.
CHARLOTTE LAND TRUST FARMLAND INVENTORY UPDATE
Billy Coster and Eric Stone outlined the inventories of
agricultural lands they were working on in Charlotte. Coster
and Stone said they had been working on the project for 3 months
and were still waiting for some information from Robert Turner.
Stone said Charlotte was next on the list for aerial photos from
Regional Planning and were looking at specific land use for this
season. Stone said when the project was finished they would be
looking for public feedback. Illick asked if the project was in
sync with the town plan and Stone answered yes, and added that
they had worked with the listers and expected to be finished in
two weeks. Coster and Stone showed their maps in progress to
the board. Mack asked Coster and Stone to discuss their project
with Shirley Allen and they agreed to do so.
STEPHEN BROOKS REQUEST FOR ZONING FEE REIMBURSEMENT
Stephen Brooks provided board members with a handout outlining
the reasons for his request for reimbursement of $85., plus a
$7. filing fee for a finding of facts concerning the Zoning
Board of Adjustment's denial of his appeal on land use of his
business on Route 7 since he was not satisfied with what he
received as a response. Brooks claimed he could not find any
findings of fact in the response from the ZBA that he paid for.
Illick said she had consulted with the town attorney and
Jonathan Fisher, the Chair of the ZBA, and that the town stands
by its previous decision and there are enough findings of fact
in the response Brooks had received.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO REFUND THE $92. FEE TO STEPHEN BROOKS FOR THE
APRIL 7, 1999 APPEAL OF LOUIS COX'S DECISION."
Hinsdale said although he was interested in hearing more, he was
not interested in doing so in the middle of a case that is being
litigated, as the case was currently in Environmental Court.
Sylvia Sprigg said she thought most town boards do a good job
and refunding fees sets a bad precedent. Rosenthal amended his
motion:
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO POSTPONE THE MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION
INDEFINITELY"
Vote: 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Mack).
Board of Selectman -4- May 10, 1999
ROUTE 7 RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Sheldon-Dean said he has received a message from Bob Shattuck
from the state and the Route 7 underpass will be installed as
the board requested.
WIZN - APPROVE CONSULTANTS FOR NONIONZING RADIATION
Illick said she received a letter from Dr. Richard Bernstein
citing experts in nonionizing radiation for a study on the WIZN
situation as required in a health order by the town for WIZN.
The experts cited in Bernstein's letter are Drs. Kathleen
Thurmond and Henry Lie. Sheldon-Dean asked if resumes and
references were available for the doctors recommended and Mary
Beth Freeman offered to get more information. Board members
agreed to put the matter on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Rosenthal:
* "TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS."
Vote: All in favor.
The Selectboard began the recess at 8:35 p.m. Upon returning
from recess, Hinsdale asked if the remaining agenda items could
be taken out of order and board members agreed.
SENIOR CENTER/HOUSING UPDATE
Rosenthal said that he had talked with Dick LeBoeuf on concerns
he had in working with the town on the proposed senior center.
LeBoeuf discussed his concerns in keeping control of the project
as the land involved has been in his family for a long time and
he wanted to keep the project "country and nice." Board members
discussed with attendees their need for going into executive
session on th matter. There was a discussion on what would be
defined in the project as "affordable housing."
It was decided by board members to table the senior center
executive session until later in the meeting.
TOWN APPOINTMENTS
Illick noted town appointments that needed to be addressed.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO APPOINT CAROL CLAY TO THE RECREATION COMMITTEE."
Vote: All in favor.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO REAPPOINT WADE WEATHERS TO THE ZONING BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT."
Vote: All in favor.
Board of Selectman -5- May 10, 1999
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO APPOINT JEFF MCDONALD TO THE ZONING COMMISSION."
Vote: All in favor.
Hinsdale noted that Ed LeClair was interested in being on the
Zoning Board and was available on Thursdays.
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Hinsdale:
* "TO REAPPOINT JONATHAN FISHER TO THE ZONING BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT."
Vote: 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Mack).
RECREATION FIELDS COMMITTEE UPDATE
Illick said the Recreation board meets every Tuesday and is
looking at locations for CCS recreation fields. Alison Lockwood
suggested a partnership with other committees and looking at
land utilization. Illick said she was planning on talking with
Dan Rosen, Mary Ann Gatos and Charlie Russell, who had voiced
concerns on recreation fields at the Town Meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Illick noted a request from Linda Hamilton for money for
conservation that was not available until the next fiscal year.
Mack said he would work with Mary Mead on the matter.
Hinsdale suggested looking at the budget status at every meeting
until the next fiscal year. Illick said she agreed and that the
capital budget is already on the next agenda and she will add
general ledger items to future agendas.
Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Hinsdale:
* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION"
Vote: All in favor.
Executive Session began at 9:10 p.m.
Mack moved and the motion was seconded by
Hinsdale:
* "TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION"
Vote: All in favor.
Executive Session ceased at 9:35 p.m. Board members reviewed
and signed bills.
Board of Selectman -6- May 10, 1999
Rosenthal moved and the motion was seconded by
Sheldon-Dean:
* "TO ADJOURN THE MEETING."
Vote: All in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 P.M.
Minutes submitted by:
Debby Flynn