Town of Charlotte

Board of Selectboardmen

Minutes

Monday, June 23August 25, 2003

67:00 :30 PM, Charlotte Town Hall

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellie RussellCharles Russell, Chair

Jennifer Cole

EllieCharles Russell

Paul Arthaud

Debbie Ramsdell

OTHERS: Dan Senecal-Albrecht (selectboard assistant)

Stephen Brooks

Peter Coleman

Dana Farley

Marty Illick

Sylvia Sprigg

Martha Perkins

Tony Stout

Jake Callery

Sylvia

Stephen Brooks

Sheila Braun

Marshall

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

The items on the agenda were as follows:

Approve Minutes for August 11Highway access permits: Applicants- 1. Estate of Marietta Palmer, 2. Alma T. Clark June 29, 1995 Revocable Trust, 3. Champlain Valley Cohousing Development Company, LLC. / Public Discussion / Approve Conservation Fund Expenditure for Knowles Farm PreservationAdjustments to Agenda / Public Discussion/ Appointments (member & alternate) to CCMPO-TAC/ Approve appointment of Zoning Administrator, Tom Mansfield, as recommended by Planning Commission / Peter Keating, Executive Director, CCMPO: Report to Town of Charlotte / Adjustments to FY04 Town Budget / Parking issues at Old Brick Store (Michael Frost) / Report by Clark Hinsdale, III on proposed new barn at Nordic Farm / Presentation of Recommendation by Rec. Cmsn. On Town Intramural Program / Open Bids for Brushhogging of certain Town lands / Approve permit request by Waitsfield Telecom to repair utility pole on Thompsons’ Pt. Rd./ Potential acquisition of Varney Farm by Town / Appointemtsn to Town Trails Committee / Approve minutes of May 12^th, May 20^th, June 9^th and June 11^thLewis Creek Association Grant Proposal / Varney Farm: Update and Decision on conceptual Purchase and Sales agreement / Appoint new Selectboard member to serve in Ms. Ramsdell’s place until the next town meeting / Selectboard Updates / Adjournment

Highway access permits

Estate of Mariette Palmer – Erick Farrell, respeting the estate asddressed the meeting. Cmikgn off existing cut and proposeing to sweep it – curfren road serves existing house – Jauily 2^nd going in fron tof CPC. Road commissioner has been there already in answer to Ellie’s question if he had been on site yet. He had no problems. Chrales askedf or culvert. Ther eis a culvert – enterie road needs to be upgraded, Eric said. 18 foot wide road in twon spec, but Dan suggested at intersection it may be wider than that. Planenrs will determine that. Ellie said usually see peole after planning, but she sees no problem with it. 7 lots. Planloloks good to Selectboard. Come bafckd after preliminary. Charles asked for comments by neighbors. Tehre were none. No big objection now.

Alma T. Clark – Tony Stout addressed the PC. He showed wehere site was on ortho map. Plan is to have driveway be at top of long grade that goes down Spear St. eextension. Scrfeening on ____ he asked for a low screening, Mr. Claflin asked for. Charles said that is a planning commission item. Dan asked if PC had reocjmmmendaiton on curb cut. Yes, this is final approved. Tony will talk with Jean to see if she would put screening in, but up to purchaser of lot. Dan asked for dcomments relative to the driveway.

Charles asked for application from Junior of Dan. Site distance 550 fee to the north and 1300 fee t oithe south – it has been flaggedk Dan read from the appolicationl.

Champlai Vallye cohousing – Dave Marshall from CEA showed map of location of project. Locvasytred between Mr. Larwane’c epondand Doug Cole’s place. Aploication creates new curb cut. Serve 26 units – had sketpch plan and prleiniahnry plat approval form lpaning ocmmisons – appolicatoin in for ifinal approval to CPC. CVCH formalize enrance with paving, no curb. Ellie asked if any culver t- Dave said no culver tnecessary there. Sitge distandces in nrotherlyd ireciton 510 rfeetk, southerly 1230 feet. AOT recommendatdiokns site distances – road posted at 35 but could use additional signs, but wen tup to 40 and 45, at 45 mph, dite sitancde is 495 feet. Can get 550 feet of distance if cut some vegetation in front of Mr. Lawrence’ slot. He recomjmends that. Buildign drifveway in another otwn’s right of way, Charles noted. Dan asked for reposnbiloityh of mowing – it would be the applicatnt’s responsibilty, Dave Marshall said.

Charles asked for concerns of neighborfs. There were none.

7:20 – regular meeting – Charles called to order.

Adjustments to Agenda

None. Syhlvia ____ raise questions about issues listed at the end – can we raise issues during the public disucssiojhn comment and subjmit at that point about VELCO? Charles said you can brin it up briefly then or leave something that can read later. Move to close hearing on 2 driveway acdcess request (Clark and COHOUSIGN – Elloie, Jenn second. All in favor.

Public Discussion

Sylvia Knight, studied VELCO ducments and looked at Charlotte Town plan, which appears to contain no olanguage about tulitelsi and rights of way inrelation toh et values the Tonw antes to rptoect and belives tha that situation can be remedied. Next poin – VELCO proejfct must comply with 30 VSA Section 248 in reard to protedcting pubolic heath, natural resoures and other values covere din town doucmeetsn and must show that power needs can not be addressed in any other way. Material from velco do not demonstrate to this point that preojct won’t cojmply withpreoovisn sof the law – hopikng that Selctboard nad CPC will work together rto jmaybe amend town plan to include language about tiltiutelsi and rihts of way and inp ut from CCC that it beocm ea prat to VELCO petition and maybe set up adhoc group to help them int eh process. Nothing in comments so far that address the issue of tocins used in chemically treated poles. No recognition of natural communities that CCC has idneified in the town. Some probelmes around economics and lack of full o regard for alternative measures. She gave written comments. Ellie asked if referrihng to chemicallyh treatedw oooden polesl. Yes, Syvloia said.

Chalrfes asked for nother public disucssino., Stephen Brooks asked 1) did slectman provide inforjmaiton regaridn his attendance this evening (Arthaud) – ellie said back in saddle in July –she ahd emjail form him 2) has Chalroetet vlUtnerere fire and rescue provided radft of corporate bvylaw syet – Ellie said no – they have been working othem, gone out to membership and haven’t come back form membership yet – 3) following up the Ploof Farm road discussion at last kjmeeting, has town ocucnil been consuldte dgarding wMr. Belmont’s comments? Charles said yes. Some of Beldex’s comments cmae out of lease bwetteen shelburen and charlotte and cease to esist when sale went thorugh. The lates word from town attorney is that the row that was liad out originally inMay of 65 still exsistgin addition tohe oradway tha tno exists and right of way was never extinguished. Beldar

Also fences when road was widended to y60 fee tform 50 fee int eh 90s, Charles said, the requirements for fences on both wsides didn’t go away – so still reuqireimetns for gates at end of road, but no reuqiremetn to lock or close the gates at any given time. Is it SB’ intention to sumarmize lalt hese thing sin wriign and if so, when, steve asked. Ellie said end of summer. Thank kyou very much< Steve said.

CCMPO TAC – appoint Dan fo r2-year term, Chalres asaid. Move aponitDan S_A, Elli to 2-year term as our represntaitnve to tehCCMPO – TAC. Jenifer seconded. All in favor. PASSED. Also, Elli moved to apopinte Debbie Ramsdell aslatenrate to same orgnaizaiton for eh reuqireiste term. Jenny seconded. All in favor. Passed.

Appoikntgemtn of Zoning adminsitriator – CPC recolmmedned – Elli moved to approve CPC apopintmetn. Jenny seconded. All in favo r – PASSEDl.,

PETER KEDATING – Susan Smichenko in polace of Peter Kearting. Addresssed th PC – to talk about 2025 Metropolitan Transporation Plan and give explanation. Did just handouts. She gave brief overview of CCMPO – established by federal law, locally contgroleld in 1982. Long-range plan, maintain TIP, project scooping, planning studies and technical assistance. Plan required by law. Has to be updated every 5 years. Some new information is freight study, bike/ped plan, corridor studies, new population and emloyemtnrpoejctoins, transit studies and palns fo rinteliigent transporatoin systems. Last update was in 1997. Exlained the phases of devleping the plan. Looked at existing conditions, existing public tarnsporation, rail and bike;ped facilities. Looked at county travel patterns. Trend analyhsis looked at population and employemtn preojctiosn devleopd for the county and spreading jobs and households and relating to traffic and transporation and coming up with a 2025 planl. That was Phase 1. SHE WENT THROUGH POWER POINT PRESENTATION ATTACHED. By fall, have draft plan for Selectboard to read. Goal is to have people not use their cars – stgaggared work hours, bike/ped planning, increase transit, CIRC highway. Trying to balance money – interstae aned arterials. Lots of time in public outreach. Made presentations to selctobards, workshops. Now finalizing the preferred latenratigve in tersm of what projects CCMPO wil lbe recommending. Iiimportant to be in MTP to secure federal fudnign for them – hope to have draft plan readyh in July 03. Hoe to adopt plan in late 2003. Sylvia Sprig asked what is official line of CCMPO about Bulringotn’s proposed mujltmodal downtown transit center. Susan said they have always support multijmodal transit center; belive important component to continuing rowht of transit in the county. Syhlvia asked the location. Susan had never heard any ojbectoin to the location – it is near the lake and they are promjting lalke front devleopmtn; downtown and accessible – she has heard that bad thing to have near lake cuz bus stations are bad places. Bulringont wants to create a nice place near ECHO center, she said. They encourage public transportation. IT is a city of bulrington project. Nancy asked if 1.5 milllin for building and that’s noneof yoru funds?? Susan said a lto of it is federal funds. Wantg it near the railroad tracksf or the train, Nancy confirmed with Susan. Sylv a____ good to have in one placek,m – main disavnatgne is away from shopping center (Church Street). Sylvia ___ -concerned about ejmphasis on highways and very littile emphaspiss on alternative tarnpsort. Susan said strive for balanced approach and plan does have signaitincint dollars for bike paths, sidewalks. Syhlvia ____ said weidneign tends to increase speed, she voiced her concern. Susan said most fcirttical elrmeent was land use. If sprawl, congestion will get worse, she said. Sylvai Sprig said January roundtable workshop was a very good acitity. Clark Hindasale asked future of reailroad. Susan said they are evaluating a number of things (federal transit amdihnsitraiton – we had gotten al to fomeony for rail and it was costing goto much money) and there are no immeidat eplans to start up again – they said if traffic during congstructoin on route 7 gets bakck, the=y will consider startin git upagain. Sylvia ____ concern that VELCO preojct may take its new expanded tarnsmision line irhgt on top of rr station so may have tow rk out coorfdination with that. Syhlvia ____ - said all reprairs mad eon rr for passenger service were jmade on understanding that service be resumed or continue, so hope that those epxneditgures are not in vain (the building of the station). Susan considers passenger rail to be an important ocmponetn of transporatin system. When Flyer was operatingk, wasn’t used by enough people – tghey are also loking at bringing tarisn to Misddlblour; St. Albans. Rfail is imporatn to CCMPO and part aof the future. Clark asked if bed able to afford the multmodall. Suean said City of Burlington rpeojct being paid for by federal dollars. Clarfk asked if it will be adfforfdable. Susan said doesn’t know if got any teantn. Nancy asked costs $15 milino for whole preojct, Susan said. Ellie surpised that CCMPO Board support CIRC highway from end to end.

Charles aksed about freight. Susan said athere was a freight study that looked at oppouirthies for freight in Chitten dCounty but have recongiezd that it is outdated and freight is very much a focus riht now – loking to update study next year. What types of freight, Charles asked. Susan said ther ei snot an emphasis at this point – certainly rail is better altanritev, keeps truck soff raod, but it is expensive and they arelooing at. Draft plan didn’t address that at all, so that was added in January as necessary cojnpoeont. They are talking about moving rr yard – and now trucks on highway – therea reno warehouses – it’s all on the road. Nancy asked how legally can use rrs for service eand storage yards of rr cars? Jeff said part of it is to get a handle on it for staff. Sylvia ____ if talking about rr, more consideration of more sustainable methods of manaignag weeds on right of way and less toxic way and rrs need support of community in order to buy tehcnolgoy and have personnel to do that work. Susan said ANR would be helpful for that, but Sylvai ___ said been down that route. She just wanted to put that in in a genarel way. Cloark asked if CCJMPO fourc eof udnign for trails. Suesan said yes, ChamplainPath comes down through Charlotte.

Charfles and Susan sked any other questions. There were none.

Charles Russell, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Russell said that Clark Hinsdale, III will be coming in around 8:30 p.m. to give an update on his application.

APPROVE MINUTES FOR AUGUST 11, 2003.

Ms. Russell moved to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2003 meeting with corrections noted. Ms. Cole seconded. Corrections were briefly discussed. Mr. Russell asked for public comment. There was none. All were in favor and the motion was unanimously APPROVED.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Debbie Ramsdell has a revised job description she wanted to put in the agenda.

Peter Coleman asked about the survey that the Selectboard recently send out. He noted that he had sent an email about his objection to it but wanted to state tonight for public record that it was a terrible map that was used. Mr. Russell said his feedback is well taken. Mr. Coleman added that there is still public confusion about where the Burns property is and who owns it.

Debbie Ramsdell wanted to discuss some housekeeping issues:

· Need to appoint a new TAC representative and alternate due to her absence and Dan Senecal-Albright’s departure.

· Also she has been informing the Burlington Free Press when the SB havehas meetings. She said that the new person will need the address to continue doing this and she gave it out:: jpeters@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com

Ms. Russell reminded the SB that Ms. Ramsdell also represents the SB at the senior center meetings on the first Thursday of the month. Ms. Russell offered to fill this void on a temporary basis. Ms. Russell has the draft of the senior center coordinator job description and will circulate it.

Ms. Russell thanked Debbie Ramsdell for three and a half years of service. She also thanked her for her guidance.

Peter Coleman asked if the Selectboard put up approved minutes on the web site. Mr. Russell said that they hope to put them up, as well as draft minutes, when they get a new assistant.

Mr. Russell asked Peter Coleman about the Old Lantern application. The town is an abutting neighbor of the property and they received notification of the application. Mr. Coleman said that when the original property was subdivided, the Old Lantern was previously 5.1 acres and as it ended up, the farmhouse got the leftover land (9.53 acres). They are proposing to sell the farmhouse and want to move 4.52 acres. The farmhouse property wraps around The Old Lantern presently; the current 9.53 acres would decrease to 5.02 acres for the farmhouse and the Old Lantern would be 9.53 acres. He explained it is just putting more of the land with the Old Lantern. He further said that a bed and breakfast could be built on this property as long as it is pertinentappurtenant to the Old Lanternas long as there is an operating pertinence to the Old Lantern. This subdivision modification is proposed to be discussed at the September 4, 2003 Planning Commission meeting. Ms. Russell said she could not be present at that meeting. The Selectboard agreed that they had no opposition to this proposed modification.

VELCO

At this time, Ms. Russell asked Ms. Cole about the hearing schedule for the VELCO transmission line matter. Ms. Cole said there is a September 30 public hearing at the Charlotte Town Hall. Others scheduled are September 4 in Barre and September 29 in Brandon. This information is advertised in The Charlotte News. Party status groups are the Potash Water Shed, ISO New England, VPIRG and Conservation Law Foundation. AIV has moved to intervene as well, Ms. Cole reported. The VELCO Committee is trying to schedule another site visit with VELCO and should be hearing on some details soon. She said that the VELCO Committee has not met since early August. Mr. Russell asked how this site visit will differ from the previous one; Ms. Cole responded by saying it would be in a different location.

Martha Perkins asked Ms. Cole about the situation as well and the status. Ms. Cole said she thinks there is a lot of information and a lot of process to go through. They were interested in changing the design and there were things they were interested in looking into which would benefit both parties. She said they have been good to work with. The changes would be around The Waldorf School and it would benefit all three parties and VELCO is also willing to move the substation to the other side of the road. Ms. Perkins asked if Ms. Cole had seen the design of the poles. Ms. Cole said she would find illustrations in the book for her and said that they are single poles and lines come off one above the other and some of the poles are 70 feet tall in areas where there are distribution lines but most are 61 feet tall but they might consider making them shorter than that. There are 3 lines on the pole. There is a 50 foot50-foot right-of-way on each side. Ms. Cole showed Ms. Perkins pictures in the VELCO book.

Peter Coleman asked what the suggested changes were and Ms. Cole said that they have worked on different issues and located areas where there were problems or concerns, like FortThorpe Brook area – what would be the most suitable types of poles there. Also use of treated wooden poles is a concern. There was a suggestion made, she said, that lower poles could be used and VELCO said they might do that – VELCO said maybe 52-foot poles in some locations, but more and closer together. Ms. Cole also said that VELCO will be looking into underground lines near The Waldorf School. They are aware that in the town plan it references that the Town prefers that power or transmission lines are put underground but it also says to use existing routes. Steven Brooks asked if the committee has a position about whether the line should be buried or not. Ms. Cole said that feeling is that it would be good if they can be put underground, except in some areas. She also said that the committee hasn’t taken a position yet, but rather their role has been to gather information and inform VELCO about concerns and the philosophy of the Town. Mr. Russell asked if the cost of burying the line had been looked into. Ms. Cole said that they are doing that. Mr. Brooks asked if the committee would take a position and Ms. Cole said that the committee will need more discussions but thinks that there are some areas where they make a stronger case than others for putting it underground and there are others where it might be better to have aboveground (like wetlands). She said that there are areas where the committee can make a recommendation but this issue is one that for some areas it will be more for public good to have the line underground but not through the whole town.

Dana Farley asked if there are any criteria on which VELCO or the towns base the decision on whether a line should be underground, e.g. health, environment, visual, etc. Ms. Cole said she doesn’t know because it seems like expense is a big thing and health issues can be argued either way and where they were put underground it was more to protect the view but also protect property values or development potential of an area. In a place out of state, where some lines were put near a golf course, it was more for the visual impact or impact on development than health issues. Waldorf School is one where it is an issue of potential development AND health because lines would be so close. Ms. Farley asked if VELCO had guidelines in their regulations as to what they consider when they decide to underground or not. Mr. Russell said that these kinds of questions should be asked at the next VELCO meeting. Ms. Cole said that the next site visit will be along the tracks north on Greenbush Road. The site visit with VELCO will be within the next couple of weeks. Ms. Cole said that the next meeting will be posted. Ms. Perkins wanted to remind people that public hearings are just for input so it would be good to have a meeting ahead of time to ask questions.

KNOWLES FARM

Michael Hardy, representing Charlotte Land Trust, came before the meeting. He said that there has been an application to conserve the farm and the applicants are looking for $10,000 from the Conservation Fund with a total cost of $387,000. The Committee will raise $5,000 and $5,000 will come out of Charlotte Land Trust’s own fund. The real value to the Town, he said, is to conserve because 1) the Town would get an easement along Ferry Road which would be a valuable connectorRoad, which would be a valuable connector, and 2) in terms of view, one way to access the Town of Charlotte is from the ferry and that’s the first farm that visitors see.

When asked about the money, he said that $5,000 was coming from the Charlotte Land Trust budget, not the line item in the Town budget. He said that $5,000 already has been raised from Charlotte Land Trust and an additional $5,000 from the neighborhood has been raised and they are asking for $10,000 from the Conservation Fund. Ms. Russell said it has been approved by all 3 (Recreation, Conservation and Conservation Fund Advisory Committee). They had a meeting to discuss this a few weeks ago. Mr. Hardy said both Recreation and Conservation unanimously approved this. Mr. Arthaud asked that Mr. Hardy’s handwritten note stating so be typed out and given to the Selectboard for the record.

Ms. Russell made a motion to approve the $10,000 from the Conservation Fund for the preservation of the Knowles Farm. Ms. Ramsdell seconded. There was no discussion or input from the public. Three (3 ayes) Selectboard members were in favor and two (2 abstains) members abstained (P. Arthaud and D. Ramsdell).

LEWIS CREEK ASSOCIATION

Marty Illick addressed the meeting. She reported that she has already been talking with the Planning Commission about the municipal planning grant idea and she is sharing it with the Selectboard because they would be signing the application.

She explained that there are two applications you can use (consortia which is by more than one town and a single town application). They plan on doing the single town option, which would be simpler. $15,000 is the cap for one municipality and $25,000 is the consortia cap. Mr. Russell asked her to describe what it was and she passed out a description to Selectboard members. The concept is to map impervious/hard surfaces in the Town to in order to plan for stormwater management. Anything above 9% for hard surface is degrading the stream so if a town is not compensating for land use pattern, they are in deep trouble, she said. Mr. Russell asked what the percentage was for Charlotte and she answered that it is at 3.4%, which includes a little piece of Monkton and a little piece of Hinesburg. Martha Perkins said that one thing to do would be to recommend dirt driveways instead of paved, she offered. Ms. Illick further explained that when calculations are performed, there are formulas that are used and proven what constitutes hard and degrees of hard. Based on the recent analysis of percent imperviousness conducted by Lewis Creek Associates last year, “a portion of the Lewis Creek watershed … is 3.4%…” she read from the report. Ms. Cole asked for the definition of impervious used here. Ms. Illick said that it was the a mountn of surface that was hard beyond what would be a natural land cover (such as a forest or grassland field whether water can get into the ground). This includes rooftops. Ms. Perkins asked if, when water goes onto a rooftop and comes off, there was contamination. Ms. Illick said yes and it depends on the roof. Ms. Russell asked if imperviousness of soil differs from sand and clay? Ms. Illick said yes. Dana Farley asked if this kind of request is a requirement of the state regulations or federal regulations on stormwater discharges? Are all towns having to do this, she further asked. Ms. Illick said yes if you are in a cap for needing a stormwater permit. Ms. Farley asked if Charlotte was not one of those towns, would it want to do it anyway? Ms. Illick said yes to be ahead of the game. The State has a threshold of one acre now when you need to get a stormwater discharge permit, so if greater than one acre, you need to go to the state to figure things out in terms of drainage. Ms. Russell asked what this grant seeks to do. Ms. Illick said the grant is wanting to map the percent imperviousness in whole town of Charlotte. She said they would like to merge it with build-out data against the settlement pattern. Mr. Russell asked if it will get updated as things get developed. Ms. Illick said they would have to talk about what the interval would be in terms of updating. Dean Bloch is supportive of this and Greg Brown in Chittenden County is supportive of this. They are trying to link together buildoutbuild out and percent imperviousness data. Ms. Russell asked if there was a downside. Ms. Illick said the challenge is to do it in way where the results can get the Town to something useful. Steven Brooks asked if there was any need not to make a motion to support her application. Ms. Russell asked who did the work. Ms. Illick said that the work is done by Kristin Underwood and Chris Davis. She said that Planning willwould get the benefit of more data whichdata, which they will have to learn how to use.

Ms. Ramsdell made a motion to approve the study of increased percent imperviousness in the Town and its implication for stormwaterstorm water management. Mr. Arthaud seconded. Ms. Illick said there are 2 pages that the Town needs to fill out and Lewis Creek will do all the rest. All were in favor and the motion was APPROVED.

VARNEY FARM

Mr. Russell said the Town has been given another month to work on this issue and respond back to the Demeter Fund (deadline is October 1, 2003). Ms. Farley said that the Demeter Fund recognizes that the Town needs more time to do feasibility work and feasibility work includes water, septic and traffic and the legal aspects of the density if used for affordable housing units. Overall, the Demeter Fund wants to communicate to the Town to not panic; they recognize that the Town is moving forward in good faith and needs more time to figure out some of these issues. Ellie Russell and Mr. Russell met with the sustainable agriculture people at the UVM Extension Service at the Varney premises. They walked around the house and barns and they were very serious about using the house for office space and possibly the barns for farming. They’re very interested and they met today the 3 parties (Center for Sustainable Agriculture at UVM, Vermont Fresh Network, NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont) and Intervale Foundation). They all need to get approval from their boards and they will get back to the Town in preparation for the September 15 Selectboard meeting. Ms. Russell said she willwould continue her due diligence for the Selectboard on the issues.

It is important for a qualified traffic engineer to determine what are safe levels of traffic turning in and out of the property in various times of the day. Charles Russell also talked with Tim Hustis about density issues and how they might be solved. Ms. Russell said the Town’s legal representative and Vermont Land Trust are searching for ways that might achieve enough density on the Varney property to allow for affordable housing. Steven Brooks asked about commercial use – office use. Ms. Russell said they are all nonprofits, so commercial use is not an issue. non profit so not commercial use. Mr. Arthaud asked if the Town could use traffic studies that they already have in their possession. Mr. Brooks offered to give the name and phone number to the Selectboard of an engineer at the Agency of Transportation whose only job is maintaining the traffic formats and counters and she’ll send a map on where the counts are, etc. Peter Coleman said that there are extensive surveys of the Berry Farm property that have been done. Ms. Farley said that a project cannot be denied because of traffic (under Act 250) and there is always some way to mitigate an adverse traffic impact; the issue is who is willing to pay for it. Ms. Russell said that a traffic study would have to be based on a potential use.

Ms. Illick said that when the park was put together and all dollars were spent, there was a large amount of money put into an equestrian loop on top of the hill and it is not realized because it is just a piece ofpiece of a larger picture that hasn’t been realized so fully support any work helping to realize that past investment that Steven Rockefeller has already made and regionally there are equestrian trails, Shelburne Farms, and so much potential in that area to be an equestrian center. She said that it is important to keep this past vision in mind. Ms. Russell said that she and Charles Russell discussed that today with the group and that it is part of the future there. Ms. Farley suggested checking the traffic impact if conditions stayed the same (capacity).

Debbie Ramsdell left the Selectboard table.

Paul Arthaud made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the appointment of a new Selectboard member. Ms. Russell seconded. All were in favor and the motion was APPROVED. The Selectboard went into Executive Session at 8:21 p.m.

Paul Arthaud made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Ms. Russell seconded. All were in favor and the motion was APPROVED. The Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

Ms. Cole moved to appoint Francis J. Thornton as fill–in Selectboard member until March 2004. Mr. Arthaud seconded. There was no discussion. FourThree Selectboard members were in favor and one objected (E. Russell). (43 ayes and 1 nay). Debbie Ramsdell abstained.

Mr. Russell went back to the VELCO discussion. Ms. Cole said the VELCO Committee has not taken a stand and that there will be more information gathering and discussion. They will bring back anything that the Selectboard talks about. Mr. Russell said that if the committee finds research about burying the lines, it would be valuable for the Selectboard to hear recommendations; independent analysis of what it would cost to bury them, etc. for logical areas (where town plan had identified scenic corridors at least). Mr. Brooks asked if it was a foregone conclusion then that the lines should not be buried in the wetlands and if so what is the qualified basis. Mr. Russell said it is only based on what Sylvia Knight said about not wanting to disturb the wetlands to bury them. Ms. Cole said the committee needs to gather more information. VELCO documents talk about the impact on wetlands and the impact of putting them underground in wetlands. Mr. Brooks said that if ideally the line is buried, then why doesn’t the discussion take off from the point of that point of view (why shouldn’t the line be buried, because the Town Plan says lines should be buried. Ms. Cole said for him to look at the article that she gave him earlier (information on underground lines off the website) from the Public Service Board from Wisconsin - talking about different ways to put lines underground). Mr. Coleman asked who the VELCO Committee members were – Ms. Cole said they were Linda Radimer from Planning, Eric Finely from Conservation and herself.

Mr. Brooks asked about any new legal matters. Mr. Russell said that the Town is being sued by Steven Brooks.

Mr. Arthaud made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Russell seconded. All were in favor and the motion was APPROVED

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

O:\Selectboard minutes\2003\aug25.docBudget Adjjustmetns

Due to motion passed at town meeting, looking to reduce $34,0p00 from budget, Charles said ($33,906). Ellie said this is a propsal only. Suggest that cut 2%from senior center ($800), she went down the list. Chalres elpxaiend the $15,000 from listers – state gives extra money for administering that. Sylvai __ -asked why cuts are nexesarry. Town voted to lower budget at town meeting, Ellie said. Chalres asked for motion. Ellie move that we adjust the budget as just indicatged. Jennifer seconded. Stephen Broooksasked what, of any of the nine deaptmental areas, do anyh of them have income or revenue sourceds other than appropriations form the taxpayers? The firs t3 do and the berry farm does, the library. – so yes, Chalres said a good portion does. Jujniro said highway gets grants usually every year. Stevephn asked grant sitguation regards roads presently. Junior said got $35,000 in grants for the coming year. Stephen said seniors can raise funds int eh ocmmunitiy and it seem slike be reasonable to expect thej mto do more fundraising and Fire & Rescue wonder what’s ocme into the secret special fund so far this yedar and all they provided at budget tije for discusiosn was preoivus year’s beignignand ending blanace and then can Fire & Rsecue to danya fudnrfaing:? Ellie said talked to hem abou tthose things – one reason didn’t cut more is some real concern abou tstaffing that town may have to support for rescue – cut their reuests ocndciedrably, Ellie said. Stephen said also that Fire & Resuce beqaeuwsted $1jmillino that get income off from forever and that is according to public records. Probate is almost finished so check s will stat ocmign soon. Elli agreed, but at the tiem we did this, still not final thing and view budget as living document. Charles said in cas eof highways, if there is really $20,000 more in grants, and cutting $85,00 it won’t impact greatly. Charles said if Charlotet Land Trust iddn’t use their full $9,650 hnext yaer, that lefet over could be used to fill in Berry Farm or Library. Nancy asked when berry farm came in for that, they made I clear that they wree ogin got fundraise and this si the maximum the y eneeded. Have they come back in or has anybody checked tgo see hoe much money they have raised to amintainteh their project? Ellie said, not but they have bigger cut than anybody else. Allin favor of motin for custs. APPROGVED.

Parking ISSUES at Old Brick Store

Michael and Karne Frost, neighbors of BrickSTore, - ask Town to make decisions about aprking in front of house. Become serious issue of how people park, Michael said – people park randomonly and not out of the flow of traffic. Issueds are erosion; many leagve cars running and diesel fume comes into house (Health hazard cuz its’ on a dialy basis) Ask perfmission or to in a way possibly eliiante parking in front of thei rhouse in such a way – Karen shoed photos. Parking isn’t really estalibshed there. Concner is danger cuz of kids in town that bike down the street. Seroius safety issue and concerned about liabiloity, hapahzed parking related issues. Edllike asked if tried signs. Micahel said no. Karen said that unless something that prevents them, it won’t work. Micahel suggests afer metin gwith Jujnior to try a curb that could be pladced there that would take site lien of het raod and conitnue it up straight and mad eout of a temporary type of curbing and they wiould fill in and dirt. They are not 100\% set on knowing andswer – looking to get a buffer on their frontdoor. Michael talked with store owners and said not wanting to creat ea problem – just want parking – they undrefstand store needs parking. ____ from store said at the crunch hour, there isn’t enough room. They dohn’t even park around the store. Karen said volujme is different and size of trucks is considrealbey more. ___om store said nobody does the 25 mph. Charles asked how majhny aprkgin spots lose if do the curb thing. 2 parking spots would be lost. Karen said give them the alleyway. Junir said otpoinwould be to paint some lines and have no parking painted there. ___ folrm store said no one would take any notice of it. Michael said that if people angle park along then gget more parking. Jujjhior said not enough room there. Junior said just put lines in front of their house. Ellie suggested putting a planter there to detour. Stephen Broks said what is the I jmpact if create a barrier – what is the precedent that you create and then also in doing that what new liability exposures does the mucjhnipality have to face because of creatihg that new other ? Dcharles said no libality –soergein imjmunity because it is in town right of way. Charles said low curbing good. Issue to this is that town has on 2w separate ocations hired LA to get a fix – there are some plans somewhere in the town offices –Julie Campoli did one – there is federal grant money out there – issues were robertgs farm vehicles that iddnt’[ ijpede accedss for and some concedrns about suburbaniation (didn’t want ot look like Shelburen), so she think sit would be great charge to CPC and Slectobard to ask them to revisit the idea nd staff to hutn down funding (Dana Farley). Karen said they have patienatoly waited and problem has gotten worse. Solution could be temporary and moveable. Micahel said they are wiling to pay for it. Chalres askedffor Rlpho’s impression of curb idea. No rpboem with it he said. SB in favor of tyhring cur bidea out. Jenny wants to hutn up old plans. Chlres said Junir supervise this preojct. SB charged Juniro to put in some kind of temporary curbin with Frosts to the point where Frosts hosue ends ot het west. John Hammer asked who payhign – the Frosts are paying.

CLARK HINSDALE III and CLARK HINSDALE JR approached the SB to talk about barn stariting to building oNordic Farm. CH III give brief update on how things are prorfgtessng. Manure pit appeale ddto Supreme Court and that is not reovled yet, so over winter plans have been to look at putting milking fialcity at Nordic and end result of anlayssis is a buidig that will milk 280 cows. New technology – milking cows with robots – cows go when readyk, not on a set schedule. Also, working with Dept of Ag on a methane digester that would create elecricty out of methane generated by themanure and that has side enefit – cuz that what causes odor. Decision to addon to barn – barn is icon – so footgprint and aspect and look of it won’t be hcanged- needs to be reroofed and renovate into facility for heffersl. It is beign designed to education and ag tourism int eh future, not just milking. Facility doesn’t use entire land base and hope that can idnetifyh oung farmers that might want ot utilize existing barns when vacated in faor of Nordic barn. Showed 2 exhibits which showed layoutProposd to building newfaicality sqauarely ehind existing uildlings. – (New barn behind exising barn in other words). Brining feed in to facility – very earsy to turhn riht with truck ihnto farmk ut hard to leave with a truck. So plan to improve road along the pasture meadow fence and bea ble to go to Lije Kilna dn abdk to Mt. Philo Road. Not near rec path. Comosting reduces need for manure pit by half. The proosd (250 x 150) new barn. Charlies asked roof line - ridge runs paralle with exising ridge line – typical square irhgrta ngel farm lijne, III said. Visibility – III said best view of new facility is going to be when stop on stop sing going on old Route 7. Sylvia asked if vegetationalong fence line on either side of Pizagalli line. III said no gap in vegetation – ther is Pizagglis’ woods and driveway tgreses and jmaples along Route 7 but fence line frojm Rte 7 to woods is open. III will begin to develop concept sand plans and come back and visti more about that. Showed map that barn is divided into 4 quadrants. Robots live in area where cows are (this is new barn). Robt company has indatleld 1800 robots in 25 countires and most are single installoations. No particularbenefit of size – you need 1 robot for eery 70 cows. Ellie asked if cows went outside –no not with this sytem. III said though to raise good quality cows, outside is a very important compoentn. If given a choise, preer not to go outside when they arfe full. IN the 9mos cycles, they will be in the barn.
There are open sides and frans for ventilaitoin. Maternityh pen angled off in back corfner for calving cows. Move from facility to facility without trucking them. Dana asked about nutrient jmanagmeent plan. III said same protocols as before –p still tesing eery fieldk, esetalibsign a rate of application. T\wo cohise expor manure back to valley or to compost it because amt of manure produced her somewhate larger. Thankfor trail eastmetn – Hindales asigend taril easement which is finalized.

REC COMMISSION

Robin Reade addressed the PC, as well as Ellen ____. Robin sadi given prior recommendations abou tprogram. Tonight – more speifci thing –oted that slary should be
”$1,500 per sport for total OF $4,500 PER YEAR.. That jmoney cojes out of budget and moenbhyhf or euiqapmetn and things be in fee – also voted to charge $30 per kid for soccer – set fes only for soccer. $60 per fajiliy. Fee includes t-shirts. Also voted that should expand addretisng beyhond charlottee news because just in case somje good applicants are people that don’t look at – so go in Burlignton Free Press they would like and/or Seven Days. Deadline for application sto bei n by July 1wstk, Robin set it. Final jmotion was that 3 reps from rec be aviable fo rhiring ocmittee, Bernie Balen, EleN Rusllea nd Jessy Bradley are 3 volounteers. Had a request that need to go to school board or sometboydh from SB go to school board – need equipment inenveotry so have all sprots eqauipoemtn alviabale for intramural rpogram from CCS. Secure safe storage for sporst equipemtn because sometimes gets in Quonest Hut and gets damaged. Ellie askd aboutfunding – most is in salaries. Presonpaid per sport, like a stipend. Jenny asked what sport – soccer, basketball, lacrosse, Robin answered. Ellie will put Ellen’s job descirpoitin in town forma tthis week. Chalres askae dabout amitneanne of fileds; upgrade fields. Robin said come in future. Ellie asked who make dontact with shocol. Robin suggested SB make contact with school board about reqauest to get equipoejmtn inveontry and talk abou tsafe sstorage and ocnfifmirtn numbers of those involved. SB direted Dan to work on how paying new position, stipend, town employee?

OPEN BIDS FOR BRUSHHOGGING

Dan said two bids submitte idnt imely maner verifying that they are sealed. First bid from Kurt Fischer – Dan opened it – he read bid aloud – $3,300

Second bid from Robert Mack, Jr. - $1550,050 and foiur refences.

Ellie move to accept Robert bill and Jenny seconded as descirfb ein the bid fro $1,550 for brushhonggin as appeared in an aanoucnemtn dated May 27 announcement. All in favor – PASSED.

WAITSIFELD TELEDCOM Dan read in to the record – peitiotn of Waitfield Teelconm.

Elli moved to approve 0Jenny seconded. All in fovar – APPROVE.

POTENTIAL ACUWISITION FO VANRY FRAM BY TOWN

Offered it to town for $1 the Varney Farm. Ellie got responses on this subject – 100% felt should accept offer to acquire fram for $1 – BIGGER QUESTION WAS WHAT DSHOULD DO WITH IT – ONE PERSON FELT THAT SHOJLUD NTO KEEP IT IN TEHL ONG RUN – SEERL PEOLE HTOUGHT should keep it and condisedr moving eth building – discussion about possible uses including equestraincetner, business center, contihneu to rent it (but some thought town shodjnt’j bbe lalnldrdos) – apoitn a comjmittee to disucss uues, lok for garnts for upkeepk, determine cost of town to amitnain ti, affordable housing, need to find out resrcitions (Dana reprsertning meter fund int his case) – no pressure on us to decide any time soon. David wants memorandu mof understanding, though. Dana said need to read conservation easetmetn first to see about afforfdalbe housing – Davdi sen d conservation easement to her in the meantinme – he will – site visit needs to be shceudled this week. House has y6 bedrooms,k not being rented by 3 idnivdiuals – been apinted inerior and exterior, wriging been redone. Barn needs roof. Reaonslbe to pursue ths, Ellis said, but need study to explore all possobiile ramifications of the optential uses. We can make agreement without having decision on use. Stephen has offered an unspeicfia mnoutn of moneyh to et a ptoentai lpreojct off the ground, Dana said. When Dand raise dthat issue with Davis, that is entirely put oth e town to propose. Dana said another point future mainjteancne of the park at or near standards wto which Stephen estalibshed is a facto rin MOU. Davdi sadi $30,000 a year would be reqruied for burshohngin, landacpingk replacmetn of roof, etc. to Ellie. Step[en said the owenr of het proepryt has proposed to sell to the Town foR $1 p is it far to say that the point SB is at now is to try and figure out whether they would like to consider tha offer? Yes. Chalres said need to do site visit first. Stegphehn said if did that and felt afoarlbek would you send owenr a letter – yes considering it please send a draft agreement. Edllie said yes, something like that. Dana said Stpehen is looking for a very thoughtful plan with $ attachae to it and teimfarmes and implemenmtatino. Nancyasked could it beA plan instead of options? Danda said stephne is interested in A plan, not options. Jenny added to list – acfcess to risidng rials on deetter park, and also about barnsa nd housek, there is optential for mixed use – and mgith be incropreod itn athwa ever the use is (affordable housing) – Noonanosuje in sheubren will have 2 affordal bedhousing units in that hosue with thrift shop downstairs and that is possible because connected with rpeojftd futher out of village behind Gecewiz. So shouldn’t’ be smoothing disjmissed (affrodabh housing) might be incoproated what’s going on in other preopty (maybe Burs property). Dana suggested writing al etet to Stephen acknowelodging that this meeting has taken place and a very friendly letter saying could we have an extension – theAugsut q1 date was menteiond and the town culd use more time. Maybe suggest begnning of September. John _____ said logical thing to do is to hagve some sort of a plan; put down what you intend to do and the process. Dana said Stephen doesn’t want to encumer the Town, so town could write al tter tomorrow. Stephen Brooks said concern that here’s a person willing to give the Town something and seems like nice opportunity and would be unfoutante if opoprutniyu runs scrfage because of lack of ability to get it toegher. Regardless of how much tiejm is nessary, big enough h proejcft that the SB could identify imemdialtey a group of appropriate people hat can make it happen. Ellie said need to bring in extra peple from town. Elli asked if any suggestiosn of people in town who would be good to let them know now. Dana – Peter Richardson and Andy Roderick. Jenny said Peter might be interested. Dan noted this is property consistin gof buildings and the key thing is that jayb want to be cedratin that whatever do might want to et town vote, set on 4 options, but in end, mayh want to put to town vote. Danda said should be fcareful because Stpehn is wrapping up one part of his life and moving into another and this is par tof it and the town vote thing may take too long and he’ll throw uphis hands. Dan thinks feasible in the nxt coulpe of motnhs to think up 4 options and by Janayury have a vote and easily relay to Spehn Rodfcfekeller to settle on 3 or 4 otpions – as logn as he has sense of finality. Charles said could have tonw vot ein edalry fall as well.

Ellie thinks need core of people to get together. Jenny thnks group of peole can look at list. Nancy says that anyh prosal that comes in its very imporatn to let taxpayer know the cost to the town and the other issue is that charlotte has been luckiyh with things – does the town have to cdcept this for tehsmelves or dfcan it be something as radical as a hospitce hospital and an adult day care center combined; can it be a total non-profit? Charles thinks go for month extensin – on Jly 14 have barnwstorming session in our meeting and come up with 4 ideas, identify people – chalres said in public meeting have anyone whoe intested to say ideas , narrow down to 4, etc. July 14 have it down to 4 ideas. Dana said invite Jeffrey Glassberg to come and take look at building and give town some idedas on what is feasible and what isn’t and take him on the site visit. He’s from Vergennes. Dana said Stephen’s ]most ideal outcome to conitneu to grace and respect the integrit and elgance of original plan and is ocncnred that what ahappens tehr will continue to lok the way it does today. Charlesasked for special meeting before July 14 to discus it – proposed JUEN 30 and worked for everyone. – Juen 30 – brainstorjming meeting – public thing – posters around town, e.g. Dana recommended SB to send letter to Sephen telling him what was decided tonight. Letter will talk about june 30 special meeting. Juen 30 7:00pm

TOWN TRAIL COMMITTEE

Dan said he circulated a list for trail committee members (potential). Jenny moved to appoint this adhoc ocmmittee list. Ellie seconded. APPROVED.

MINTUES

Move June 11 to next meeting

May 12– Move to accept minteus of May 12 – Elli 1, Jenny 2^nd. Stephen rooks had changes. All in favor with Stephen Brooks’ changes. PASSED

Mayh 20 – jmvoe to approve minteus of May 20 – Ellie. Jenny seconded. All in favor with changtes as noted. APPROFVED

Juen 9 – Jenny move approve minteus – Elil e2nd – Stpehn Brooks ahd a minoir change - approved with changes as noted.

June 11 – postponed

UPDATES

VELCO work – Ellie talked to CPC about VELCO – they suggested small group (1 person from SB, 1 CCC, 1 CPC) whou would coorfdinate public input to have full discussion that needs to take place about VELCO. Chalres asked Jenny to be that person. Fine.

Ellie also mentienod that our auditor has notified us that he is cutting back on workload and wil lnot e serving charlotte in the coming year, so mayry is in the procedss of calling a couple of other firms to see if they will take our account and costs, etc. Also did hedar from state grading comno lelve of appraiser they di dhear us and they increased our commonwealth of appraisal to 84.6% from 79%.

MOVING O F RR CARS – Dan talkead with rr guy who is in change of cars and omvign around and he said, ypu that happens at night because cusojrs call us during the day and say they want cards int eh morning and doesn’t think it will be happening too much in the nareterm future and Dan said we have no legal hammer ove ryou, just want yhou to know neighborhsare concerned to try and call ahead and ehll do the best he could.

THORP BARN

Dan said reuest – dan awrote article to chalrote new s- garnt getitn daley eunti Janayruy – ackonwelodge work by 10th graders from Wlakfodr shocol to calen oru basement –

Jenny said dict st. goeg wil lcall and get back to us to get work done to rpevent vandalism.

PAITNINOF TOWN AHLL

This weekend pressure wash and hope to be here onmodany or Tuesday. Trevor Mack trail ben published – advedrisimetn for bid jUne 19 open bids July 10 – awared july 18 – alld one by Sepberm 18

TOWN PARTY

Next Monday talk about that. JuNE 30 meeting. Make sure SB have display and have rep there from SB.

Sign bills

Jennymoved to agre with letter for cojmpuer appraisal services with State of VMEornt Deapt of Taxes – Ellie 2wnd. APPROVE

ADJOURNMENT

Ellie move to ajourdn. Jenny 2^nd 10:27 p.m.APROVED>