Board of Selectmen May 13, 2002

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

MAY 13, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Charles Russell

Paul Arthaud

Ellie Russell

Jennifer Steele Cole

OTHERS: Tom Moreau

James Ticehurst

Robert W. Chutter

David Mullin

Sylvia Sprigg

Marion Paris

Janet Foster

Susan Pegton

Doug Pegton

Richard LeBoeuf

Shirley Bean

Stephen C. Brooks

Paul Bruhn

Martha Perkins

Gil Livingston

Tricia Coleman

Peter Coleman

Carol Hanley

Toby Goldsmith

Walter Gates

Mary Beth Freeman

Frances Foster

Jim Donovan

Clark Hinsdale, III

Allen Karnatz

Nancy P. Sabin

John Hammer

Marty Illick

Robert Mack, Jr.

Robin Reid

Eva Aladjem

Note: These are unapproved minutes only. For corrections and

approval of minutes, look to future meeting minutes.

________________________________________________________________

Chairman Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the

Charlotte Town Offices.

CSW FY 03 BUDGET - TOM MOREAU

Tom Moreau and Jim Ticehurst reviewed their handout on the

Chittenden Solid Waste District budget proposal for fiscal year

2003. Moreau reviewed the process for approval of the budget

with Charlotte and the 16 other towns in the District. Moreau

explained the CSWD was looking to lower the cost of and

encourage more recycling. Chairman Russell asked where the

biohazardous waste facility was and Moreau said in South

Board of Selectmen -2- May 13, 2002

Burlington. John Hammer said he is the town's Solid Waste

Commissioner and said he thought the staff working for the

District keep the costs down and are enthusiastic and

hard-working.

E. Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Cole:

* "TO APPROVE THE CHITTENDEN SOLID WASTE DISTRICT

FISCAL YEAR 2003 BUDGET PROPOSAL."

Vote: All in favor.

ADJUSTMENTS TO AGENDA

There were no adjustments to the agenda.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Stephen Brooks said adjustments to the agenda should be the

first agenda item.

AUDITOR INTERVIEWS - NANCY SABIN & MARION PARIS

Chairman Russell noted there was no candidate for Auditor on the

last ballot, so one has to be appointed until the next election.

E. Russell asked Nancy Sabin why she wanted to be an Auditor and

Sabin replied that accountability and credibility issues have

bothered her with the way previous Selectboards have "played

games" with town money and while the Town Clerk does a good job,

a citizen watchdog is necessary to make sure the town is

accountable to its residents. E. Russell asked if an elected

Auditor was necessary and Sabin answered the professional

auditor has asked not some of the questions that should have

been asked because of the way the information was presented.

Arthaud asked Sabin if she would have any problems working with

Hazel Prindle and Jane Peter (the other Auditors). Sabin said

Prindle has always answered her questions. Arthaud said he had

spoken to Peter about Sabin's candidacy for the position and

Peter said Sabin would be a welcome and colorful addition.

E. Russell asked Marion Paris why she wanted to be an Auditor

and Paris responded she had been asked to run for the position

when she was helping the Town Clerk at the last election. Paris

said she was interested in running for School Board some day and

this would be a good opportunity to see if she and the town can

work together and she believed in the town government system.

E. Russell asked what experience Paris had that would be

applicable to the position and Paris answered she works for

Social and Rehabilitative Services (State of Vermont) and is

responsible for budgets and making sure money is spent

appropriately and she reports to the state accounting office.

The board decided to wait until Ramsdell was back to make a

decision on candidates as a full board.

Board of Selectmen -3- May 13, 2002

EVA ALADJEM - INTERVIEW FOR HEALTH OFFICER POSITION

Eva Aladjem said she is a Pediatric Nurse Anesthesiologist at

Fletcher Allen and has been "an attending" for 8 years. E.

Russell asked how long Aladjem had lived in Charlotte and

Aladjem answered 11 years. E. Russell asked Aladjem why she was

interested in the position and Aladjem said her neighbor,

Jonathan Fisher suggested she would be a good Health Officer.

Arthaud asked Aladjem her position on cell phone towers in town

and Aladjem said she had been researching the issue, but had yet

to find enough good data to make a decision on the matter.

Arthaud asked Aladjem about her availability and Aladjem said

she wears a beeper. E. Russell asked Aladjem if she had any

emergency medical training and Aladjem said she had spent 3

months in the Emergency Room as a resident.

TONY STOUT - HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT ON BURNS

Tony Stout said he and Bob Chutter were both members of

Charlotte Community Church which wants to help in building

Habitat for Humanity houses in Charlotte on the former Burns

property. Stout introduced David Mullin, a representative from

Habitat for Humanity. Stout said his church group originally

wanted to build one house, but is now interested in building 5

houses behind the Health Center. Chairman Russell asked how

many bedrooms these houses would have and Stout responded 3 each

on an average and about 1100 sq. ft each, but added the group

has no sketch plan yet, but just didn't want any surprises for

anyone in town about their plans. Stout added his church will

vote on Sunday to raise $200,000.00 to build the houses and the

project would be faith-based, but open to anyone interested in

volunteering.

Cole asked whether the driveway to the Health Center would be

shared with the housing project and Stout answered it could be.

Mullin reviewed how the project would be funded. Sylvia Sprigg

said the former Burns property is an expensive site to build on

and Stout said his group came to the conclusion that they were

not going to find cheap property in town and that they wanted to

buy the property at a reduced price from the Charlotte Land

Trust while it is still on the market. Mullin noted Habitat for

Humanity has received 2 applications to date from Charlotte

residents requesting housing.

Martha Perkins presented her resignation from the Planning

Commission to the board.

SENIOR CENTER - LANDSCAPING, PAINTING CONTRACT, CONSTRUCTION

FUND DEFICIT

Chairman Russell asked about the landscaping at the Senior

Center and Trish Coleman and Jim Donovan said they were on the

landscaping committee. Donovan said the committee has decided

on the shrubs to be used and the locations for the trees and

they were looking to coordinate plans with the Fire and Rescue

Board of Selectmen -4- May 13, 2002

Department and get a sign off on their plans with the Planning

Commission. Chairman Russell asked if the parking spaces were

set and Donovan said yes. Stephen Brooks noted there were 2

dead trees by the library and Frances Foster said the Post

Office needed landscaping. Donovan responded his committee had

not looked at other locations yet and Martha Perkins suggested

the landscaping in the area be coordinated and not piecemeal.

Nancy Sabin suggested that trees on the Demeter property should

be used for landscaping instead of blocking the views.

Arthaud discussed coordinating the Senior Center landscaping

with the Fire and Rescue Department and Donovan responded that

David Wolfe has been working with the Department and he's been

working with Wolfe, but there is not one single plan in place.

Chairman Russell asked where the trees were coming from and

Walter Gates said they have been donated. Arthaud asked who was

on the committee for planning the Senior Center landscaping and

Donovan answered himself, Trish Coleman, Charlie Prout and Norm

Pellett. E. Russell suggested giving the committee the

authority to go forward with their plans.

Gates reported to the board that the Friends of the Senior

Center have selected by bid, Pale Shades Painting to paint the

Center at a cost of $4,150.00 and they will start work in early

June. Shirley Bean noted the Friends have put $70,000.00 into

the building to date.

Chairman Russell asked about the construction fund deficit and

Gates explained about $2,000.00 has been taken from the General

Fund to cover the deficit and $6,000.00 was due to contractors.

Bean said they have had revenue starting to come in and the

Friends had expenses they did not anticipate, but she was proud

of what the Friends had achieved and people really like the

Center. Trish Coleman added since March there have been 44

events at the Center and 500 people have used the building.

Bob Chutter asked when the paving would be done by the Center

and Chairman Russell said he did not know. Shirley Bean noted

that all the materials to build a deck on the south side of the

Center have been donated and asked for volunteers to build it.

VERMONT LAND TRUST/PLANNING COMMISSION - BURNS PLANNING - GIL

LIVINGSTON

Gil Livingston with the Vermont Land Trust and Paul Bruhn with

the Vermont Preservation Trust reviewed with Jim Donovan, a

member of the Planning Commission, Donovan's draft for an

outline for the West Village and Burns property Planning

Process. Chairman Russell and Donovan discussed hiring a

facilitator to help with the planning process. Donovan reviewed

the make up of a Task force to plan the west Village and

Livingston asked what the relationship between the Task Force

and the Planning Commission would be and Donovan responded the

Task Force ties it all together and one member of the Task Force

will be a Planning Commission member.

Bruhn reviewed the history of how he and Livingston came to be

involved in the project. Bruhn offer that he and Livingston

Board of Selectmen -5- May 13, 2002

could help the town with task and umbrella groups, stating there

needs to be an effort to build consensus of what the townspeople

want. Livingston suggested considering the proactive things the

town might do and keeping the process creative. Arthaud

suggested a central place where people could write there

comments and thoughts down on the planning process.

Livingston discussed the Habitat for Humanity request to build 5

houses on the former Burns property, noting the agreed plan had

been to build 2 houses. Bruhn added the town should review the

Memorandum of Understanding agreed to with the VLT and VPT, and

if it wanted to proceed it would need to make a clear case why

the houses couldn't be built on the east side of Greenbush Road.

Arthaud asked when the Village Master Plan would be ready and

Donovan responded by the end of May or the first part of June.

CHARLOTTE LAND TRUST - PIERCE PROPERTY - GIL LIVINGSTON AND

ALLEN KARNATZ - VLT TO DISCUSS THE TOWN CO-HOLDING THE

CONSERVATION EASEMENT

E. Russell said she was an adjoining landowner to the property

being discussed and recused herself from the board for this

agenda item.

Allen Karnatz said he and Livingston had talked about the town's

wish to co-hold the Pierce property was so it would be apprised

of and then and oversee any changes to the easements on the

property. Livingston stressed the importance of the VLT

maintaining consistency in the easements it holds across the

state and outlined that the VLT cannot amend or transfer an

easement and must visit the property every 2 years to be sure

there are no violations of the easement and if an easement is

violated the town would become the co-holder.

Arthaud reviewed the terms of the Conservation Fund application.

Chairman Russell said he thought the contract the VLT had

prepared satisfies what the town wanted. John Hammer suggested

having the town attorney review the contract and Arthaud said he

wanted to read the contract first. Chairman Russell said he

wanted to close the matter up at the next meeting of the board

on June 3, 2002.

CLARK HINSDALE III

Clark Hinsdale, advised that a recent change to Act 60 relating

to the Current Use Program provides that when land is withdrawn

from the Program the money from penalties incurred now reverts

back to the town instead of the state. Hinsdale suggested the

board address the ramifications of the change, possibly

developing a policy to put the money in the Conservation Fund

and put the issue on the next Town Warning.

Board of Selectmen -6- May 13, 2002

Hinsdale advised in the Carol Aube-Hinsdale case in

Environmental Court that the town through its attorneys asked

for nearly 3 years of fines at $100.00 per day, legal fees and

the removal of a kitchen and bathroom, which represents half the

value of the real estate parcel involved.

Hinsdale proposed a 4-way stop at the intersection of Mt. Philo

and State Park Roads as there have been a number of close calls

there.

Hinsdale noted he would be coming back to speak to the board

about Thorton's Trace, concerning his father's property.

Hinsdale described the setting, noting his interest in having

the town throw up the road.

Nancy Sabin asked about the town's liability issue at the Berry

Farm entrance and Hinsdale said he would be preparing the

surface and then have the Road Commissioner pave it.

REPORTS FROM SELECTBOARD MEMBERS

Arthaud reviewed the new Flea Market lease and gave the Chairman

a copy. The issue was tabled to the next meeting.

Arthaud discussed the widening of Route 7, noting he had

prepared letters to the landowners granting easements for the

proposed underpass. Arthaud reported a new map had been

prepared for Phases II and III of the Recreation Path and the

state had recommended going to the construction part of Phase I.

Arthaud noted the Vermont Land Trust has deeded land to the town

for the Path. Arthaud also noted Curtis Johnson with the state

needs a letter from the board designating him as the Project

Manager for the Recreation Path.

E. Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Cole:

* "THAT ARTHAUD BE DESIGNATED AS THE PROJECT MANAGER

FOR THE RECREATION PATH."

Vote: All in favor.

Chairman Russell said he would write the letter to Curtis

Johnson.

Arthaud discussed with Robert Mack, Jr. rock on the trail at

Charlotte Park. Arthaud and Mack agreed to go look at the site

together.

Cole reviewed her discussion with the caretaker at Thompson's

Point and his plans to level out and seed where the brush pile

was. Cole discussed leased land at Thompson's Point and the

need to sort out some issues with leases ending at different

times and lessees not carrying insurance.

Chairman Russell discussed finishing the municipal sewer project

and that he had met with Roger Parker and then Steve Denton and

recommended the town hire Steve Denton for the work as he

charges less money and board members agreed.

Board of Selectmen -7- May 13, 2002

Richard LeBoeuf said his stone walk in front of his house had

been disturbed with the sewer installation and Chairman Russell

suggested he, LeBoeuf and Denton visit the site and decide what

to do.

Arthaud and LeBoeuf discussed the cars for sale on LeBouef's

property and LeBoeuf said he had no knowledge of other people

parking there.

Cole said she was working on the unlicensed dog issues, she had

spoken with the Town Clerk, and ad was put in the Charlotte News

and posters were put up around town on the issue. Cole advised

the Dogcatcher would follow up with anyone who was still not in

compliance.

There was a discussion of whether or not to accept Martha

Perkins's resignation and it was decided to table the matter to

June.

SIGN WARRANTS AND BILLS

Board members signed warrants and bills.

Arthaud discussed the invoice from the Charlotte Land Trust for

the expenses incurred in the Galbreath property deal, saying he

thought it was a surprise. E. Russell said the bill was for

administrative costs associated with the land deal.

E. Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Cole:

* "TO PAY THE $2,500.00 TO THE CHARLOTTE LAND TRUST

FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GALBREATH LAND

PURCHASE."

Vote: 3 in favor, 1 opposed (Arthaud).

E. Russell moved and the motion was seconded by

Arthaud:

* "TO APPROVE THE CHECK WARRANT DATED MAY 13, 2002 FOR

PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,890.37."

Vote: 3 in favor, 1 opposed (Cole).

Cole moved and the motion was seconded by

E. Russell:

* "TO APPROVE THE CHECK WARRANT DATED MAY 13, 2002 IN

THE AMOUNT OF $53,071.71."

Vote: All in favor.

There was a discussion of a cell phone questionnaire that had

been mailed to the board.

Arthaud left for the meeting at 10:45 p.m.

Board of Selectmen -8- May 13, 2002

Chairman Russell and Robert Mack, Jr. discussed the end of the

year budget.

Having no further business, Chairman Russell

moved:

* "TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:53 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn