Selectboard and Board of Sewer Commissioners Meeting

Attendees: Ivan Beattie (chair), Wayne Bell (vice-chair), Carol Lattuga, Lisa Souls. Absent: Steve Nichols.

Other Attendees: John O'Keefe (Town Manager), Lee Krohn (Town Planning Director), John Ringwood (Planning Commission chair), Michael Nawrath, Berta Maguinness and others.

Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:10PM. 

Approve Minutes from April 24, 2012

Lattuga moved, seconded by Souls, to approve the minutes from April 24, 2012. Motion carried 4-0.

Other Business - Possible Solar Power Project on Airport Land

Paustine and Guerin stated that they were interested in pursuing an agreement with the Town to lease some property at the so-called Airport Land for a solar power project. Board members stated that they would be open to pursuing some agreement. The Board took no action.

Other Business - Car Show Vending Permit (weekend event)

Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to approve the vending permit for the Car Show, located at Dorr Farm on Bonnet Street. Motion carried 4-0.

Town Plan Hearing

Hearing was opened at 7:20PM. Ringwood and Krohn explained the Commission's process and effort, as well as the organizational and informational changes, in the plan. Overall, this is a refined version of the present plan, not a radical change.

Krohn stated that it has been reviewed by the Regional Planning Commission and found consistent with statutory requirements. Public input received during the Planning Commission's hearing is reflected in the document, and both the citizens who proposed changes and the Commission itself were happy with the outcome. 

Lattuga moved, seconded by Bell, to close the hearing. Motion carried 4-0.

Beattie noted that the second hearing has been scheduled for May 15 at 7PM.

Other Business - Stream Restoration

Ringwood stated that he'd like to see the Town contact the Vermont fish and wildlife agency about work done in rivers and streams in Manchester after Tropical Storm Irene. Beattie and O'Keefe stated that the Town did not perform much river and stream work, but that they'd be happy to contact the agency. 

Roundabout Update

O'Keefe and Krohn updated the Board on the Roundabout project. O'Keefe stated that the Notice To Proceed was issued on May 1. Board took no action.

Park House Design Contract - award

O'Keefe noted that he was still negotiating with Bread Loaf. The Board agreed to table the issue until May 15.

Agreement with Mark Skinner Library

O'Keefe and the Board discussed the pending memorandum of understanding relative to the Library's relocation to Cemetery Avenue.

O'Keefe noted that the agreement would require the Town to pay approximately $2,500 to re-design the intersection of Main Street and Cemetery Avenue, and that the Library would contribute $2,500 to the design and pay all costs related to the installation of sewer on Cemetery Avenue and paving of Cemetery Avenue. 

Lattuga moved, seconded by Souls, to approve the MOU. Motion carried 4-0.

Other Business - Nawrath Complaint

Nawrath addressed the Board under Other Business with a series of complaints about the conduct of a Town employee, Lee Krohn, and the Habitat for Humanity project on Jennifer Lane. Nawrath also stated that he had been used as a "pawn" by Habitat. Krohn and Beattie responded to Nawrath. Nawrath stated that he had a list of complaints. 

O'Keefe raised the questions about a conflict of interest that Nawrath might have, since he represents the Town's Water Board and part of the pending agreement with Habitat involves the Water Department. Nawrath agreed that he had a conflict of interest, would be stepping down and will help the Town find another attorney.

Board took no action on this matter. Beattie agreed to follow-up on the complaint.

Executive Session - contract negotiations

Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations, the premature disclosure of which may place the Town at a significant disadvantage. Motion carried 4-0. O'Keefe was invited to attend the Executive Session.

Beattie stated that the Board would not be making any decisions after Executive Session.

Adjournment 

After emerging from Executive Session, Bell moved, seconded by Souls, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0.