MANAGER’S REPORT

February 9, 2010

 

 

Efforts are underway for one or two experts to attend Tuesday’s meeting.  The information presented will regard the Town of Shelburne supported studies that have been done concerning the LaPlatte River.  Information presented will be in support of conserving land adjoining the river.

 

I have yet to receive the proposal from Mary Illick, President of the Lewis Creek Association.  The proposal will be to develop an educational piece that will use the data collected from the Shelburne financed studies of the LaPlatte River.  Marty may also be presenting a project that was begun last year financed by the State’s Clean and Clear Program.  An invasive species has been discovered in the bay where the Charlotte Ferry docks.  While in Charlotte, Marty will make a case that if the plant can be eradicated in Charlotte, the chances that it will invade Shelburne will be reduced.

 

For Gary and Al, as well as an update for others, the Town was fined $83,250.00 in 2005 for overflow events in the wastewater collection system.  Rather than pay the State Treasurer, the Town was allowed to establish an escrow fund with the fine proceeds and use the money to fund Supplementary Environmental Projects.  The fund cannot fund projects that would normally be budgetary responsibilities and must be endorsed by the Town and approved by ANR.  Projects completed have included trail improvements at Shelburne Pond, stream bank stabilization (Commons School), geomorphology studies (Lewis Creek Associates), and Water Quality Monitoring (Bill Hoadley and Lewis Creek Associates).  About $40,000 is still available.

 

The Agreement with ANR called for any remaining funds to be paid to the State after June 1, 2009.  ANR has agreed to allow the Town to continue to solicit SEP.  I expect that this year will be the last extension.

 

Enclosed is a copy of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Innovative Financing Report for your review.  Michelle Boomhower is requesting that the Board consider adopting a resolution in support of the findings of the Commission.

 

Brian Precourt has requested a sewer allocation for two lots of Point View Drive.

 

            Applicant:                   Bay’s End LLC

             Location                     Lots 1 & 2, Point View Drive

            Allocation                   Plant #1

 

            Beginning 3 yr. Allocation                  10, 563 gpd

            Allocated to Date                                     420 gpd

                                                                        10,143 gpd

Allocation Requested                              437 gpd

Remaining 3 Year Allocation               9,706 gpd

This request meets all requirements of Shelburne’s Ordinances pertaining to the payment, quality and eligibility for this allocation.  A motion would be in order to approve a sewer allocation of 437 gpd for lots 1 and 2 on Point View Drive.

Cherie Schrader is a member of the Shelburne Rescue Squad.  She volunteered to join the medical teams going to Haiti from Fletcher Allen and was approved to go.  The Rescue Squad voted to request that the Selectboard consider approving up to $600 to support the costs of her travel.  If the Board agrees to this request funds would come from the fund balance that the Squad has accumulated from donations and billings for service rendered.

 

During budget discussion, the Board agreed to include a small increase in the fees charged for use of the Town Hall and Meeting Rooms 1 and 2.  Enclosed you will find a proposal from Judy Lance for your consideration.  The proposed fee structure is consistent with what has discussed with and budgeted by the Board.

 

           

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Robert Roesler (Chairman); Bill Smith, Tim Pudvar, Al Gobeille, Gary von Stange.

ADMINISTRATION:          Paul Bohne, Town Manager; Peter Frankenburg, Finance Director.

OTHERS PRESENT:          Gail Albert, Lisa Godfrey, Chris Boget, Jim Dudley, Michele Boomhower, Bill Hoadley, Marty Illick, Danielle Frawley (Shelburne News).

 

Robert Roesler, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

There were no changes to the agenda.

 

There were no comments from the public.

 

Gail Albert (Shelburne Natural Resources Committee), Chris Boget (Lake Champlain Land Trust), and Lisa Godfrey (researcher) presented the proposal to conserve the LaPlatte River corridor and the opportunity to secure a key section of the larger LaPlatte River greenway by the Zen Center. There are prime agricultural soils, a large forested block (hemlocks), and a working sugar bush in the designated area. There will be permanent public access to trails (and parking) to promote education about the land and river. Lisa Godfrey reported geomorphic assessment of the stream condition is complete. The assessment looked at the streambed, floodplain, erosion, and sediment. With an active floodplain, explained Ms. Godfrey, sediment is deposited and good agricultural soils result, but with the LaPlatte River by the Zen Center the stream has incised in its bed which means the streambed has eroded down leaving the floodplain elevated. Deeper river flows stay in the stream banks and the water moves quickly carrying sediment to the lake rather than depositing the sediment as agricultural soil on the floodplain. The erosion is continuing. Geomorphologically speaking the waterway working as a river is in poor condition. Also, what happens upstream affects what happens downstream. Ms. Godfrey further explained the sediment load into the LaPlatte River, erosion and transport, altered floodplain access, and sediment spilling into Lake Champlain. The purpose of conserving stream/river corridors is to allow the waterway to function as it should to protect water quality, wildlife habitant, and the watershed into the lake, said Ms. Godfrey. Steps that can be taken to preserve the corridor include allowing vegetation to grow along the banks, allowing the stream to recreate the floodplain area and store sediment rather than be a source of sediment (will take a long time to see these results), and keeping “investments” (buildings, rip-rap, and other types of development) away from the river. Short term options for sediment control include sediment traps to collect sediment (one drawback is sediment is trapped in one location then the river will pick more up and carry it downstream). The area under discussion is key being above the falls and before the lake, noted Ms. Godfrey. Plantings for stream stabilization should be native riparian vegetation on the outer edges of the corridor and less expensive plantings closer to the channel because the stream center is constantly changing as the stream tries to recreate floodplain area. Rip-rap or stones cause the river water to flow faster downstream.

 

Gail Albert noted Shelburne Natural Resources Committee holds as a priority protection of the river greenway. The acreage by the Zen Center goes a long way to that end. Request for use of Open Space money balances with the promised grant from the Vermont Conservation Board for the project. Chris Boget reviewed the budget ($626,000) which includes money for plantings and vegetation. The purchase price is $435,000 and the grant from Vermont Conservation Board is $318,000. Shelburne is being asked to contribute $180,000 from the Open Space Fund.

 

Paul Bohne briefed the Selectboard on use of escrow funds from the fine paid by the town for an overflow event of the waste water collection system. The state is allowing the town to use the funds for supplementary environmental projects. In addition to the request for funding from the Lewis Creek Association, other requests are anticipated for trail improvement and such, said Mr. Bohne. The Nature Conservancy has requested opportunity to make a presentation to the Board.

 

Marty Illick and Bill Hoadley with the Lewis Creek Association gave a brief history of the work by the organization and explained the water quality project involving water sampling, analysis and reports. Mr. Hoadley stated data collection on four areas on Monroe Brook, the LaPlatte River, and McCabe Brook will look at sediment and phosphorus counts into the lake. Analysis reports and educational outreach materials will be produced. Shelburne is being asked to provide $15,788 in funding. Another project is eradication of invasive species (four year project) and the requested amount from Shelburne is $20,000. An invasive species has been found near the Charlotte ferry docks. There is concern about spread of the species to Shelburne.

 

Gary von Stange asked about the hourly fee ($50/hour) noting in the project description. Ms. Illick stated the fee is for the analysis work by professionals. Volunteer work is being solicited for the data collection tasks. Mr. von Stange asked if Charlotte has contributed to the invasive species eradication. Ms. Illick stated the Town of Charlotte will be approached for a contribution to help fund the four year study.  There was discussion of the impact on the watershed in Shelburne by towns located upstream.

 

The Selectboard will take the request for funding under consideration and make a determination at the next meeting after the presentation from The Nature Conservancy.

 

Michele Boomhower referred to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Innovative Finance Report and the resolution of support of the findings. The recommendations cover three areas: intergovernmental cooperation, funding, and project delivery. The state is focused on maintaining the existing transportation system and not making new investments, said Ms. Boomhower, adding per the state’s 20 year transportation plan, funding will be four to eight billion dollars short to maintain the current system and the longer the delay in repairs the higher probability of increased costs. The Blue Ribbon group discussed regionalization of service delivery as well as efficiencies identified in harmonizing administrative structures of the regional planning commissions and metropolitan planning organizations, noted Ms. Boomhower. Private sector investments in the funding mix for projects and how to use transportation services to leverage economic development and job creation was also discussed as was closer tracking of federal earmark opportunities and increasing efficiencies and cost savings in project development (permit process, right-of-way process, design/build process). Jim Dudley, Shelburne’s representative on the CCMPO board, explained his vote in support of the resolution and efficiencies, noting establishment of a regional transportation authority will have further discussion.

 

Bill Smith expressed concern the resolution and findings lay the groundwork for a regional transportation authority and regional taxation. Gary von Stange highlighted language in the recommendations that specifically refers to a regional transportation system and regional tax. Mr. von Stange spoke with emphasis against another organization levying another tax on the community. Michele Boomhower assured it was recognized by the members representing their towns that this is not the right time for regionalization of service and the document was amended to defer consideration at this time. Bob Roesler summarized if the resolution is endorsed the town is telling regional planning and the MPO to continue dialogue with the state on how to be more efficient in Chittenden County, and that establishing a regional transportation authority or a regional tax district is beyond the scope of the resolution. Ms. Boomhower clarified the resolution indicates commitment to understanding Chittenden County is facing a transportation investment crisis and how this is to be addressed needs to be discussed.

 

Al Gobeille expressed concern about momentum for regionalization due to misinterpretation of discussions by various groups (CCTA, Blue Ribbon Committee, CCMPO). Mr. Gobeille said he would like to have a conversation with Tom Torti, Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce. Jim Dudley stated there was lengthy discussion of the Blue Ribbon Report. The report contains good information and is not a negative to the town, opined Mr. Dudley. Michele Boomhower urged the Selectboard to contact members of the committee for additional information and clarification of elements in the report. Al Gobeille observed at every layer of government, towns never see a return for as much as was contributed. It is questionable that townspeople will want to pay more and receive less. Jim Dudley said in his view the resolution does not imply this, but there is agreement to be cautious about further taxation.

 

The Selectboard will take the information under consideration and determine support of the resolution at the next meeting.

 

Paul Bohne explained the request for 437 gallons per day of allocation by Brian Precourt is to replace an allocation that expired.

 

 

Paul Bohne explained the funding request is to defray travel expenses to Haiti for Ms. Schrader. There is money in the rescue squad fund collected through billing for services. Gary von Stange asked about the rescue squad fund balance going into the town’s general fund. Peter Frankenburg explained the operating budget for the rescue squad is funded by revenue received. Taxpayer dollars are not used. Excess funds are rolled over each year. The money is applied toward equipment purchases. The money is part of the town’s fund balance portfolio, but dedicated to rescue squad expenditures.

 

 

Paul Bohne explained the fees have been revisited regularly and are very reasonable. The increased fees will help to cover the cost of redoing the floors. There is a difference in fee for residents and non-residents.

 

 

The Board signed the associated documents.

 

 

Paul Bohne briefed the Selectboard on the following:

 

Bill Smith and Al Gobeille indicated they will not be able to attend the Selectboard meeting on 2/23/10 so the Board may want to consider postponing the presentation from The Nature Conservancy and discussion of the CCMPO Blue Ribbon report.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m.

 

 

 

Accepted,