Board of Selectmen October 11, 1999

TOWN OF CHARLOTTE

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

OCTOBER 11, 1999

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Marty Illick

John Rosenthal

James Sheldon-Dean

Clark Hinsdale, III

Robert Mack, Jr.

OTHERS: Martha Perkins

John Hammer

David Miskell

Betty Ann Lockhart

Don Lockhart

Brad Miller

Stephen Kiernan

Paul Arthaud

Brenda Temple

Shirley W. Allen

Mary Lighthall

Kate Lampton

J. Wollum

Sandy Mayo

Art Ridge

Laura Cahlers-Ford

Nancy P. Sabin

Rolf Sennhenn

Richard LeBoeuf

Shirley LeBoeuf

Margaret White

Lewis White

Wallace Smith

Carol Steele

Edward Melby

Dean Bloch

Harley Allen

David Woolf

Laurie Stavrand

Fred Ziegler

Bill Lockwood

Richard Grundler

David V. Carr

Wally Scott

Moe Harvey

Sue Patenaude

John Patenaude

Doris Claflin

Nelson Claflin

Shirley Bean

Frank Thornton

Linda Radimer

Charlie Russell

Robert Heilferty

Spin Richardson

Jackie Baker

Sylvia Sprigg

Wendy Schroeder

Board of Selectman -2- October 11, 1999

Chairman Illick called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to

order at 6:35 p.m. in the Charlotte Town Offices.

BURNS LAND PROJECT

PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF PRIVATE SECTOR PROPOSAL

Spin Richardson asked to do a half hour presentation and then to

take questions from the board and the audience thereafter.

Richardson said the Saturday after the Special Election to

acquire recreation fields and municipal septic (September 21,

1999); he and some interested parties, Joel Wollum, Paul Arthaud

and Steve Kiernan sat down with Richard and Shirley LeBoeuf and

discussed how the private sector could help the town achieve its

goals to obtain municipal septic, locate a senior center in the

village and look at land use in the village. Richardson showed

a drawing of the properties in question, including the Earl and

Mary Burns property, noting it had already been subdivided into

5 parts, the LeBoeuf property and their relations to municipal

lands. Richardson reviewed LeBoeuf's offer to donate some of

his land to locate a senior center in the village and Steve

Kiernan's interest in one part (parcel #3) of the Burns property

to build a home and Kiernan would be willing to allow municipal

septic from the town on his property in exchange for tax credit.

Richardson also noted that LeBoeuf was willing to donate the

right to run septic from the town through his property to

Kiernan's parcel #3. Richardson discussed the possibilities of

having recreation fields and trail systems on the LeBoeuf and

Kiernan properties, cautioning that liability issues had to be

worked out for the landowners. Richardson added the town would

get septic usage and easements at no other costs but tax

deductions to the landowners and there was a buyer interested in

the Old Lantern on the Burns property, a parcel of about 5

acres.

Richardson discussed parcel #1, the section of the Burns

property furthest to the west and subdivision boundary

adjustments that needed to be made. Richardson said Joel Wollum

would be talking to abutting land owners to that parcel; some of

whom had expressed interest in acquiring more land from that

parcel. Richardson said he didn't see any other use for parcel

#1 beyond residential and his group had discussed developing 3-5

home sites on that land, all of which would be pre-sold at

market-value and none of which would be visible from the road.

Richardson said his group wished for any profits from the sale

of the land would go in a trust fund toward the operation of a

senior center for the town. Richardson stressed the building of

a senior center in the village and taking advantage of Walter

Irish's bequest to build a senior center were crucial to the

plan.

Richardson reviewed parcels 4 & 5, where a flea market is

located in the summer months. Richardson said his group saw

parcel 5 as a possible site for a school and was willing to

reserve that parcel for 3 years and either sell it to the town

then, or opt to sell it to another party. Richardson said his

group was unsure what would happen with parcel #4 beyond perhaps

some trail access and his group would try to move some tax

benefits to any prospective buyers.

Board of Selectman -3- October 11, 1999

Richardson said the group would need the Selectboard's option to

buy the Burns property and monies the town has paid on the

option would be returned to the town. Richardson stressed his

group's plan wouldn't cost the town anything as the principals

were using developmental rights to achieve their and the town's

goals.

Illick asked if Richardson had a time line in mind for these

projects and Richardson said no, but the town would have to work

quickly or the option on the land and the money from the Irish

request could be lost and suggested the town not wait until Town

Meeting.

Sheldon-Dean asked about the market value of parcels 4 & 5 and

Richardson said he didn't know them, but the plan of the

principals was to rely on the money from the sales of the other

Burns property parcels. Richardson and Wollum added this plan

was contingent on all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together

at once and the deal would not in any way be on speculation.

Art Ridge asked about what would happen with Earl and Mary

Burn's house and Richardson said it would be sold.

Shirley Allen said she thought that the plan was better than

previous proposals; with town residents involved than to risk

carpetbaggers.

Linda Radimer said the Conservation Commission was interested in

preserving one small geographical area of volcanic rock on the

Burns property and had spoken with the Charlotte Land Trust on

making the site more accessible to students. Richardson said

the area didn't sound like a good place to site a home anyway

and felt there would be no problem with preserving the site.

Martha Perkins asked about the availability of the group of

principals during working hours and Richardson said Joel Wollum

would be available 9-5.

Nancy Sabin asked about how much profit from sales of the Burns

property would go to the senior center and Wollum replied he

didn't know exactly, but the amount could be sizable.

Moe Harvey said he thought the principals had done an admirable

job on their proposal and Illick agreed. Illick requested the

principals submit their proposal in writing.

Rosenthal asked for a 5 minute recess and board members agreed.

SENIOR CENTER PROJECT

DISCUSSION OF PROJECT AND FEASIBILITY STUDY

Shirley Bean discussed the work of the Steering Committee, a

group of volunteers working to take advantage of the money

offered in Walter Irish's will to the town to build a senior

center. Bean discussed an interior design the Steering

Committee had planned and showed it to the audience.

Board of Selectman -4- October 11, 1999

Woolum said the terms of Irish's will require a building to be

(Act 250) permitted by July 1, 2000, and the deadline to take

advantage of the offer was approaching. There was a discussion

on the feasibility study the town was planning for the senior

center and Illick said although a feasibility study was not a

requirement of Irish's will, it would show the executor of the

will the town had done its homework to show the senior center

was necessary and viable. Illick offered that permits must be

in hand, by July 1, but there is some flexibility on building

the center.

Art Ridge said most of the window of opportunity to fulfill the

terms of Irish's will had been used up and if the town doesn't

get moving it could lose out on the $500,000.00 bequest. Ridge

suggested submitting multiple proposals and or having a back-up

plan were options.

Rosenthal asked how many people the center would serve and

Shirley Allen said there were 600 people in Charlotte 50 years

or older. Rosenthal said he had no particular experience in

planning a senior center and Mack suggested putting the seniors

in charge and letting them plan the center. Rosenthal said a

specific group had to be empowered to go forward.

Shirley Bean said the current Steering Committee which has been

meeting consisted of Lewis White, Frank Thornton, Sandy Mayo,

Joel Woolen, Nancy Sabin, Dick LeBoeuf, Trish and Peter Coleman

and herself, and offered the next meeting was on Thursday.

Spin Richardson said he thought some people were confusing

feasibility with desire and suggested the group address goals

and their purpose in the best interest of the town. Richard

Grundler said he wished to reinforce what Richardson said and

discussed the increasing elder population in the country and

that financial instability of elder housing in the area.

Nancy Sabin said she felt Rosenthal didn't understand the need

for the senior center in town and noted their was only 9 months

left to take advantage if Irish's will. Rosenthal explained

that he never felt it fell to the Selectboard to do this

entirely, if anything he felt it was only to "jumpstart" the

project and have it be taken from there.

Bob Heilferty said he thought the town needed professional help

to fulfill the request and make sure the right questions are

asked and suggested everyone start working on the goal together.

Frank Thornton said he thought the senior center was needed and

time was of the essence and offered that if the town in the end

decides not to build a senior center it could always return the

money to Irish's estate.

Mack said he felt the biggest problem the town faces with the

senior center is finding property that is buildable and

suggested the process be in motion by December 1, 1999.

Board of Selectman -5- October 11, 1999

Sandy Mayo said the Steering Committee has been working

diligently on planning a senior center and suggested she and

Joel Woolum be consultants to the committee.

Sylvia Sprigg suggested substituting "work plan" for feasibility

study as it better fit the town intentions.

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by

Sheldon-Dean:

* "TO NOMINATE THE STEERING COMMITTEE (ubi supra) AND

APPROPRIATE UP TO $3,000.00 FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP IF

THEY DECIDE THEY NEED IT."

Vote: All in favor.

Rosenthal said he would make plans to attend the next Steering

Committee meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL

Mack moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL

ISSUES."

Vote: All in favor.

Executive Session began at 8:44 p.m.

Sheldon-Dean moved and the motion was seconded by

Rosenthal:

* "TO ADJOURN."

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Debby Flynn