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

ADMINISTRATION:          Paul Bohne, Town Manager; Peter Frankenburg, Financial Officer.

OTHERS PRESENT:          Thomas and Kathleen Easton, Danielle Frawley (Shelburne News). 

Chairman Robert Roesler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Gobeille and Mr. Pudvar were not in attendance.

 

 

The Board exited Executive Session at 6:58 p.m.

 

Mr. Roesler reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

Additions to Agenda:

 

There were no comments from the public at this time.

 

The public hearing was opened at 7:07 p.m. Peter Frankenburg summarized the capital improvement plan which is a six year rolling plan of town projects. There are 104 projects on the list ranging in cost from $5,000 to $2.5 million. Only projects that are approved in the budget or by a special bond vote will be done (in the year specified). The remaining projects on the list are there for planning purposes. The CIP includes the current year and provides a long term view of capital needs in the next five years. With the CIP the town can prioritize and implement projects, plan for tax, water and sewer rates if applicable, determine if impact fees can be charged, and apply for grants.  Mr. Frankenburg reviewed CIP projects by category and cost, including the bike/ped path (segments 3, 4, 5 and shoulder widening), highway infrastructure (storm drains, road improvements, LaPlatte Bridge replacement), fire/rescue facilities, sewer(upgrades to treatment plant and collection system), highway building/equipment (dump truck replacement, storage building, bypass road to Waldorf School), fire (pumper, ladder truck and air packs), public works (Longmeadow and Hullcrest storm water work), water (line reinforcement and repainting the water tank), police (cruiser and other equipment replacement), rescue (ambulance and defibrillator replacements), recreation (beach seawall repair, playground upgrades, tennis court resurfacing), town offices (building repairs, records automation), cemetery (re-gravel road and drainage), library (roof replacement and potential building expansion), and village infrastructure (loop road).  Funding sources include grants, outside resources (e.g. trade-in of equipment, bonds), and current year funding (reserve/sinking funds and taxes). Significant changes in the CIP since January 2008 include the bypass road on Turtle Lane for $55,000 (FY10-11), fire/rescue buildings, roadside mower and attachment replacement for $93,000 (FY12-13), highway department equipment storage building for $100,000 (FY13-14), Davis Park tennis court resurfacing and lighting improvements for $22,000 (FY10-11), repainting the water storage tank for $350,000 (FY14-15), and village plan infrastructure improvements (loop road) for $1 million (FY12-13). A pie chart showing the breakdown of capital plan projects (total of $16.2 million) was reviewed. Major portions are highway infrastructure equipment buildings (28%), paths/sidewalks (20%), and emergency services (29%). Mr. Frankenburg reviewed the General Fund debt service with the CIP.

 

Paul Bohne briefly reviewed potential layouts of the loop road in the village relating to an  EDA plan, but Chittenden County must be an eligible county in order to secure funding. The loop road will essentially parallel Route 7 going through the north end of the Shelburnewood project and the shopping center lot, continuing on to Falls Road. The road can only happen if proper development circumstances are in place. The Shelburnewood proposal and the fact that the shopping center is now for sale provide potential for the loop road. The road could be developer funded, grant funded, and possibly town funded. Tim Pudvar observed the loop road will benefit the developer and questioned inclusion in the town’s CIP. Mr. Bohne explained to be eligible for EDA grant funds a project must be on the town’s approved CIP. As well, to support planning grants sought by the developer for engineering of the road the project needs to be in the CIP.

 

Bill Smith suggested the fire/rescue facility be included in FY10-11 rather than FY11-12. Peter Frankenburg pointed out the timeframe coincides with the ladder truck purchase. Mr. Smith noted there is already a design for the facility, a vote was held, and need for the facility is demonstrated. Also, it may be possible to get discounted engineering and construction costs at this time. Paul Bohne stated staff can have a detailed design in October for review by the Selectboard and then presentation at the March 2010 town meeting. Mr. Smith asked about the ambulance replacement (there are two town ambulances, which are replaced every ten years) and the cost figure for the bike path. Peter Frankenburg stated Segment 5 costs are based on a scenario referred to as “Alternate 5” recently presented to the Selectboard. Mr. Smith asked about the work at the town center. Paul Bohne explained the project involving improvements to the sewer connection in the police department.

 

There were no further comments. The public hearing was closed.

 

 

Paul Bohne explained a grant for $158,000 has been received for the Mt. Philo sidewalk and the town has the matching funds (part of the bond issue). VTrans requires a cooperative agreement if the town is managing the project. Once the cooperative agreement is in hand the project can go out to bid and construction. If the cooperative agreement is not received from VTrans in a timely manner construction may be delayed until next year.

 

 

Paul Bohne reported the Town Assessor and the Yacht Club are in agreement on the assessed value of $985,000.

 

 

Paul Bohne noted the single family home is in the sewer assessment district for Bay Road. The previous owner (Bishop) did not request sewer allocation. Allocation of 210 gallons per day is the state standard for a single family dwelling.

 

 

Paul Bohne explained the utility pole is being moved due to the sidewalk project from McCabe Circle to Athletic Drive. The easement is for the anchor pole.

 

 

Paul Bohne stated there is $9.5 million available to municipalities for energy projects. Shelburne has been working with Green Mountain Power for over a year considering a project to replace the mercury vapor streetlights with higher efficiency LED lights. Shelburne resident, Terry Kennaugh, has been very helpful in the process and involved in rewriting Shelburne’s lighting standards.  Staff is investigating having the town purchase and install the fixtures rather than Green Mountain Power which will charge a 34% excise tax. Preliminary cost estimate to purchase the lights is approximately $86,000. It is hoped to get grants and rebates to cover the cost. Efficiency Vermont will help the town through the grant process. As yet there is no application or application date. Efficiency Vermont will rebate the town $100 per fixture. The town has 220 mercury vapor 100-watt streetlights and five high pressure sodium streetlights. Staff will research the payback and energy savings with the new lights. The town pays $30,000 per year for the streetlights presently ($12.44 per month for the 100-watt mercury vapor lights up to $22 per month and $28 per month for the larger lights). The goal is to cut costs and use significantly less energy, said Mr. Bohne.

 

The Selectboard received specifications on the LED fixtures. Examples of the LED lights can be seen on streets near the Green Mountain Power corporate office in Colchester and near Essex High School.  Bill Smith requested projected savings and payback information on the lights.

 

Peter Frankenburg explained the Eastons declared 135 Covington Lane as their primary residence and filed the Homestead Declaration with the state on March 25, 2009 via the state website. The deadline for filing is April 15^th after which the state forwards a list to the town and the tax bills are updated. When the Eastons received their tax bill in July the property was still classified as nonresidential. Mr. Easton contacted the state and was told the form was not properly submitted and the state has no record of the declaration. The Eastons resubmitted the form in July and the state notified the town. A revised tax bill was generated with a penalty for late filing. Mr. Frankenburg noted the Eastons were confident they met the April deadline and did not realize there was a problem until the tax bill was received. Mr. Frankenburg mentioned when he contacted the state about the matter it appeared there were similar incidents of not properly submitting the form on-line. The state will not waive the penalty. The penalty accrues to the town. The Selectboard can waive the penalty.

 

Tom Easton said he and his wife arrived back in Vermont in November, 2008 after a 43 year absence and wanted to be responsible citizens so the town was contacted in terms of what needs to be done to re-establish residency. The issue is not the late fee, but the principle of the matter, said Mr. Easton. The state indicated there should have been a confirmation number issued when the form was filed on-line, however, review of the regulations did not reveal any mention of a confirmation number. Mr. Easton suggested the state add a note to the webpage to inform people. Peter Frankenburg interjected the state said the website will be modified to remind people to click the “submit” button.

 

 

Peter Frankenburg reported in 2009 the Sutton Farm was assessed $500,000 for five taxable lots ($100,000 each), but it was discovered one of the lots is common land (not buildable) so there are actually four buildable lots valued at $100,000 each (total of $400,000). The Town Assessor is recommending an errors and omission adjustment from $500,000 to $400,000. Paul Bohne noted the value of the lots was already adjusted by the Board of Civil Authority by stipulated agreement considering the carrying cost of the lots and consistency with how other approved lots are treated..

 

 

Paul Bohne reported on the following:

 

There were no comments.

 

 

The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

The Board exited Executive Session at 9:20 p.m.

 

 

 

Accepted by,