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

Other Attendees: John O'Keefe (Town Manager), Lee Krohn (Planning Director), Ron Mancini (TIC chair), Rob Woolmington (legal counsel), Marshall Witten (legal counsel), Michael Chenette (engineer with Stantec), Greg Edwards (engineer with Stantec), Joel Perrigo (VTrans), Rob White (VTrans) and others (see attached).

SITE VISIT

Beattie called this portion of the meeting to order at 5:15PM. 

Attending Selectboard members, town employees, town contract engineers and public inspected the area at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 7A (Main Street) and Route 11/30 (Depot Street) owned by Vanderbilt Properties. Earlier in the day Stantec employees marked the areas affected by the project using markers and chalk. 

NECESSITY HEARING 

Beattie called this portion of the meeting to order at 6:10PM. 

Beattie offered introductory remarks. He discussed the previous necessity hearing and the technical flaws in notifying affected parties. 

Mancini spoke about the process and the efforts of the Transportation Initiative Committee (TIC).

Krohn presented the arguments for the project (see attached presentation) and reviewed the nine alternatives previously considered by the community, including the so-called Drunsic alternative and Morrow alternative and highlighted why each alternative was rejected by the community.

Krohn displayed both an overall plan of the project, and a more detailed, close-up plan of the property owned by Vanderbilt Properties, including the easements for signs, lights and other roadway-related items.

Beattie stated that the hearing is really about the necessity of the easements required on one specific property to complete the roadway project, but that he would allow some latitude to speakers regarding the project as a whole.

Residents and business owners spoke for and against the project. Some attendees asked that the project be delayed, while others asked that the project start as soon as possible. Topics included the timing of the project, rerouting of traffic during the construction, and general economic development comments. Bell stated that the Town recently created an economic development position and was actively working on economic development issues.

Beattie stated that the Town received many emails and letters about the project and that the emails were "running about 50/50" for and against the project. 

Attorney for Vanderbilt Properties (Langrock) stated that his client is not conceding necessity for the project at this point.

O'Keefe and Mancini talked about the need for the Town to communicate effectively with the motoring public and town residents during the construction project. Treat asked about the Junction Fund balance. Krohn responded on behalf of the Town. 

Krohn and Edwards discussed the turning radii, specifically for trucks, and the necessity of the easements on the land owned by Vanderbilt Properties to accommodate safe and adequate truck turning movements. A close-up of the property as well as a visual showing proposed turning radii (see attached) were displayed and discussed in detail. 

Morrow stated that he owns a business directly impacted by the project and supports the project. Hauben stated that he was concerned about the timing of the project and the economy in general. Beattie stated that he viewed the project not as a roadway project but rather a town center revitalization project. Beattie also stated that the intersection of Main Street and Depot Street has long been used as a reason not to approve development in the downtown core even though the town wants development downtown. 

The Board, O'Keefe and the public discussed the risks of delaying or not doing the project. Beattie stated that the Town's current financial exposure was approximately $1.4 million to the State of Vermont for engineering services and right of way payments. 

Lattuga made a statement that she had received notice from the Town relative to an easement that she owns, but no longer exercises. Further research indicates that the property and easement are not affected by the project but that she is disclosing this information regardless and believes that she can act in an unbiased manner. 

At 8:47PM, Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to close the hearing. Motion carried 4-0. 

COMPENSATION HEARING 

After a brief recess, Beattie called this portion of the meeting to order at approximately 8:50PM. 

Beattie stated that the value offered to Vanderbilt Properties was based on a professional appraisal approved by the State of Vermont.

Langrock asked that this portion of the hearing be recessed so that he could have more time to review the offer. 

Krohn stated that based on a fair market appraisal, the Town offered $20,400. 

Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to recess until September 21, 2010 at 7:00PM. Motion carried 4-0. 

Suspension of the Rules 

At 9:00PM Bell moved, seconded by Souls, to suspend the Selectboard Rules so that the Board could meet until as late as 10:00PM. Motion carried 4-0. 

Minutes from July 27, 2010

Bell moved, seconded by Souls, to approve the minutes from July 27, 2010. Motion carried 3-0. Beattie abstained. 

Liquor Licenses

Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to approve a liquor license for VT Spirits Distilling Co. for the Hildene Art Festival on October 1, 2 and 3, 2010. Motion carried 4-0. 

Bell moved, seconded by Lattuga, to approve a liquor license for Neshobe River Winery for the Hildene Art Festival on October 1, 2 and 3, 2010. Motion carried 4-0. 

Other Business 

Beattie stated that he expected that the Board would make a decision regarding the necessity hearing at the next Selectboard meeting.

Adjournment 

Lattuga moved, seconded by Souls, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0.