SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
120 FIRST STREET
SWANTON, VT 05488
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REGULAR MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING
Monday, September 10, 2018
7:00 PM
MINUTES NOT YET APPROVED BY
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PRESENT: Neal Speer, Village President; Chris Leach, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Reginald Beliveau, Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; John Lumsden, MVUHS Athletic Director and Ch. 16.
Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried unanimously.
1. Call to Order:
Neal Speer, Village President, welcomed all to the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and Public Hearing and called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Neal asked for a moment of silence to recognize when our country was attacked on 9/11. He asked that everyone keep those families in their prayers and to never forget.
2. Agenda Review:
None.
3. Public Comment:
None.
4. Public Informational Hearing – Swanton Village Police Department Applying for Federal Grant:
Neal Speer, Village President, read aloud the Public Hearing Notification that ran in the St. Albans Messenger: The Swanton Village Police Department, along with the Swanton Village Board of Trustees, will hold a Public Informational Hearing on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7 p.m. This meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Swanton Village Complex, 120 First Street, Swanton, VT 05488.
The purpose of this Public Informational Hearing would be to acquaint the citizenry about the Swanton Village Police Department applying for a federal grant through the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office to help purchase a new police cruiser for their K9 Program, and answering any questions the public may have. Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, stated that the Swanton Village Police Department has decided to apply for a Rural Development Grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist them in purchasing a new Ford Explorer police cruiser for their recently established K9 Unit. The targeted purchase time for the cruiser would be for fiscal year 2019. The grant covers up to 15% of the cost of a new cruiser and would incur no cost to Swanton Village to apply for the grant. The grant is designed for smaller rural communities, such as Swanton Village, and is determined by population and average medium income of the residents. The amount of money that the Village of Swanton would be eligible for through this grant is $7458. Eugene LaBombard made the motion authorizing the Swanton Village Police Department to move forward with this grant application. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.
5. Approve and Accept Minutes from the Monday, August 27, 2018 Regular Meeting:
Chris Leach made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from the Monday, August 27, 2018 regular meeting. Adam Paxman seconded. Discussion: Chris Leach stated he wanted more clarification on Adam Paxman’s statement about net metering and how the $40,000 in lost revenue affects the existing ratepayers. He also wanted it made clear that the offset between the taxpayers and ratepayers doesn’t come close to the loss. Motion carried with changes.
6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Friday, September 7, 2018:
Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants through Friday, September 7, 2018 as presented. Chris Leach seconded. Discussion: Adam Paxman asked about Warrants #81 and #83. Village Manager Reg Beliveau stated these were pay down payments on a line of credit. Motion carried.
7. Athletic Director at MVUHS John Lumsden Requesting Parade on September 21 to Celebrate Homecoming Week with Band, Athletic Teams and Clubs:
MVUHS Athletic Director John Lumsden was present for this request. He informed the Board that in honor of celebrating Homecoming Week the MVU Band, Athletic Teams and Clubs would like to show their support by marching through the Village on Friday, September 21st from 5:45 to 6:45. He said the parade route would be on York Street onto First Street and ending at the Village Complex. Chris Leach asked if they thought First Street was wide enough for a parade. He also wondered where people would park. The Board discussed this and thought residents could park on Canada Street or side streets and walk over to First Street to watch the parade. Mr. Lumsden thought this parade was a good idea to show community spirit and give a positive environment at the school. He said he has talked with Don Gilbert from the Swanton Village Police Department and they are aware of the parade and would give a traffic detail. Mr. Lumsden stated if it rains the parade would be cancelled and not rescheduled. He said they are having a homecoming outside dance that evening as well as fireworks. Adam Paxman made the motion to approve MVUHS’s request to hold a parade on September 21st from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. from York Street onto First Street and ending the Village Complex. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.
8. Swanton Elementary After School Crossroads Program request Coin Drop for June 22, 2019:
Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, informed the Board that he contacted Kathy Kneebone regarding whether or not the After School Crossroads Program was funded by tax dollars. Kathy informed Reg that part of the program was funded by tax dollars but also stated that they are required to do fundraising in order to keep their budget. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve the Swanton Elementary Crossroads Afterschool Program request to hold a coin drop on Saturday, June 22, 2019 (June 29, 2019 rain date) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried with two yays, one nay.
9. Request to Hold Halloween in the Park Saturday, October 27, 2018:
Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, informed the Board that Rich Kelley is requesting to hold Halloween in the Park on Saturday, October 27. Reg said this is a multi agency event and said they have several vendors who will participate. The Board of Trustees stated they are in support of having Halloween in the Park on Saturday, October 27th.
10. Any Other Necessary Business:
Neal Speer, Village President, asked how the cylinder repair went at the Hydro Plant. Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, said it went well and everything is ready to go, they just need water. He said Unit #5 is running at 80% and Unit #2 is running at 50%.
Any Other Business: Adam Paxman asked about the coin drop procedure and suggested adding if an organization was approved in 2018 to hold a coin drop then they shouldn’t be allowed to hold one the following year. Chris Leach stated no one has been rejected and Eugene LaBombard stated he understood Adam’s request but said he wouldn’t support it at this time. Adam also asked about the striping on Canada Street and asked if that was something the Village could do themselves. Reg said he would look into that. Adam also asked if the Village had anything in writing about yard sales needing a permit. Eugene stated the Zoning office would have that information. Adam also stated the Chamber of Commerce would like to hold Christmas in the Park on Saturday, November 24th. Eugene LaBombard made the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce’s request to hold Christmas in the Park on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Chris Leach seconded. Motion carried. Adam also stated he would like to give kudos to Reg Beliveau, Village Manager, for being named Emergency Management Director of the Year for all his work and leadership during the flood of January 2018. Reg stated that Dianne Day, Tim Girard and Joey Stell were also recognized for their effort as well.
Any Other Business: Eugene LaBombard asked Adam Paxman if he has had any more feedback regarding the speeding issue. Adam stated he is still getting responses and will address it at the next board meeting. Chris Leach stated the speed limit on Village side streets can be reduced to 20-25 mph. He also asked if the word “Slow” could be sprayed on dead end streets in the Village. Reg stated he would see if they could find a stencil for that. Neal Speer stated his comment on getting a speed gun with a camera on it was taken out of context. He said this could free up an officer. Reg stated the Police Department was looking into that option. Adam Paxman asked residents to please slow down.
Any Other Business: Elisabeth Nance stated she is still looking for input on the Design Downtown campaign she is running along with AARP. She said the deadline is September 21st and she is interested in hearing your ideas. She said so far the most popular idea is installing a roundabout. She said a meeting will be held on October 12 and this is one step in a long process to fix this area.
11. Executive Session If Necessary:
None.
12. Adjournment:
Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Board of Trustees meeting and Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. Chris Leach seconded. There being no further business at hand, Neal Speer, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion carried.
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Neal Speer, Village President Date
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Dianne Day, Village Clerk Date