MINUTES SUBJECT TO CORRECTION BY THE WILLISTON SELECTBOARD. CHANGES, IF ANY, WILL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD.

Transcription

1 MINUTES SUBJECT TO CORRECTION BY THE WILLISTON SELECTBOARD. CHANGES, IF ANY, WILL BE RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD. MEMBERS PRESENT: ADMINISTRATION: OTHERS PRESENT: TOWN OF WILLISTON SELECTBOARD MINUTES OF MEETING June 21, 2016 APPROVED July 5, 2016 Terry Macaig (Chairman); Jeff Fehrs, Ted Kenney, Joy Limoge [arrived 7:05 PM]. (Debbie Ingram was absent.) Rick McGuire, Town Manager; Ken Belliveau, Planning Director. Jeff Atwood, Kim Coleman, Cate LaMar, David Saladino, Mark Currier, Megan Scribner, Brent Gillam, James Brace, Andre Morrie, Lynn Blevins, Stephen Schmidt, Philip Ketton, Jess Wiswell, Joe Duncan, Scott Moody (Channel 17). [Note: The minutes reflect the order of the published agenda.] 1. Call to Order Chairman Macaig called the meeting to order at 7 PM. 2. Minutes June 7, 2016 MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Jeff Fehrs, to approve the June 7, 2016 minutes with the following correction(s)/clarification(s): Page 1, Item #4, Appointments note that no appointments were made following the interviews; Page 3, Item #7, Ag Grant Policy, 7 th bullet delete rather than 10%, and in the 8 th bullet insert of the storm water policy after Section 5, and in the bullet reading: The product the town has. put quotation marks around the word product (i.e. product ); Page 4, Item #9, CWD Report list CWD seeking retraction from The Guardian as a separate bullet. 3. Public Comment General Issues Interest Payment on Impact Fees A gentleman requested the town pay him 12% interest for 621 days the town held his payment of impact fees for the permit that was denied on October 15, The Selectboard will refer the matter to the Town Attorney. Affordable Housing Jeff Atwood, North Williston Road, spoke of the lack of affordable housing in Williston and the lack of support by the town to allow him to build affordable units on North Williston Road. Jeff Atwood said the information in the affordable housing report is the same. The project proposed for North Williston Road had the highest score yet was not

2 WILLISTON SELECTBOARD June 21, 2016 PAGE 2 allowed to proceed. There has just been a bunch of political lip service and it is time to make changes with town staff and on the Selectboard. Mark Currier, resident, spoke of having to live with a relative because he cannot find affordable housing and eventually may have to leave the state to find housing that he can afford. Another young man echoed the comments on the lack of affordable housing which necessitates still living with his parents two years after graduating from high school because there is no housing he can afford even after taking a new job that pays more money. There should be more affordable housing in the state so people do not have to leave. Megan Scribner, resident, said affordable housing is important for the younger generation because there are no jobs to pay the $1,700 per month rent at places in town. More low income housing is needed. Kim Coleman, Lefebvre Lane, speaking to issue of affordable housing in Williston mentioned the advanced degrees and good jobs held by herself and her husband that still would not allow them to afford rent of $2,000 per month which is significantly more than their present mortgage. Terry Macaig noted there is an affordable housing task force led by Debbie Ingram who is an affordable housing advocate. 4. Annual Appointments/Interviews for Town Boards The Selectboard interviewed Kim Coleman and Lynn Blevins for a position on the Conservation Commission. Appointment to the Conservation Commission will be made following the interview of the final applicant at the next meeting. David Saladino and Catherine LaMar were interviewed for a position on the Development Review Board. All the candidates briefly reviewed their professional backgrounds and interest in serving the community. Following discussion Lynn Blevins withdrew her application for the Conservation Commission. The following appointments were made: Rec Committee MOTION by Joy Limoge, SECOND by Ted Kenney, to appoint Nicole Morris to the Rec Committee for a term ending June 30, VOTING: unanimous (4-0); motion carried. HAAC MOTION by Joy Limoge, SECOND by Ted Kenney, to appoint Gregory Jacobs to the Historical & Architectural Advisory Committee (HAAC) for a term ending June 30, 2019.

3 WILLISTON SELECTBOARD June 21, 2016 PAGE 3 DRB MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to appoint David Saladino to the Development Review Board for a term ending June 30, DISCUSSION: Comment was made that both candidates were exceptional, but there is only one opening on the DRB. There is an opening on the Planning Commission. 5. Water Tank Replacement Rick McGuire noted the joint project with CWD for a new water tank to replace the old water tank in Williston. The license agreement and inter-local agreement were signed by CWD and the project will be put before the voters. Williston legal counsel has reviewed the documents. MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to authorize the Town Manager to sign the Inter-Local Agreement and Licensing Agreement between the Town of Williston and Champlain Water District for construction of a new water tank on Mountainview Road. 6. Water and Sewer Connection Fees Rick McGuire reported water and sewer rates are unchanged for FY17 because there is no change in the CPI. The rates are based on the CPI. MOTION by Jeff Fehrs, SECOND by Ted Kenney, to set the water connection fee at $6.65 per gallon per day for residential and commercial accounts, and $3.33 for affordable housing effective July 1, 2016, and to set the sewer connection fee at $7.55 per gallon per day for residential and commercial and $3.80 for affordable housing effective July 1, Water and Sewer Use Rates Rick McGuire said the water and sewer budgets are based on the rates as proposed. MOTION by Jeff Fehrs, SECOND by Ted Kenney, to set the rates as follows: Water use rate at $4.55 per 1,000 gallons effective July 1, 2016 starting with the 2 nd quarter billing date due on December 30, Sewer use rate at $6.48 per 1,000 gallons effective July1, 2016 starting with the 2 nd quarter billing date due December 30, Base user charge rate for water at $5.38 per quarter effective July 1, Base user charge rate for sewer at $14.80 per quarter effective July 1, Base user charge rate for commercial at $10.77 per quarter effective July 1, Sewer Allocation Rate

4 WILLISTON SELECTBOARD June 21, 2016 PAGE 4 MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to set the sewer allocation charge at $10 per gallon effective July 1, VOTING: unanimous (4-0); motion carried. 9. Ambulance Service Rates Postponed to the next meeting. 10. Planning Fees Ken Belliveau, Planning Director, reviewed his memo on proposed fee changes to help cover costs associated with issuing permits. Fees cover approximately 30% of the cost. Fee increases are shown for administrative permits, extension of time, certificates of zoning compliance letters, pre-application, discretionary, and final plans, copying/printing of materials, color maps, and plotter sheets. Mr. Belliveau also review fee exemptions for the school system, town, and State of Vermont. Jeff Fehrs suggested considering a cap on the number of units charged the $100 per unit fee in large scale developments since it takes the same amount of time to permit one unit and subsequent units. There was discussion of the exemption of the school and state from fees. The reason for the exemption for schools is because school fees would be paid by the same taxpayer. There are town facilities on school property and vice versa. Fees were not collected for Allen Brook Park or the new public works garage. It was noted Williston schools are now part of the consolidated school district. Regarding exemption for the state, staff will research if the state is exempt per state statute. Ted Kenney asked for an estimate of the amount of money that would have been collected in fees if the cost of services were covered. Ken Belliveau estimated as much as $10,000, but more typically $5,000 which is 5% of the Planning Dept. budget. Mr. Kenney asked if the fee increases will impact the desirability to develop in Williston. Mr. Belliveau cited the $7,000 school impact fee on single family houses that has since sunsetted that did not deter people from building in Williston. Mr. Kenney asked if exemptions or modifications depend on the type of housing. Ken Belliveau said 50% decrease in the transportation fee can be given for perpetually affordable housing as well as a decrease in water and sewer connection fees. Rick McGuire added changes in development standards were made based on the report on affordable housing. MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to adopt the proposed fee schedule for the Planning & Zoning Department effective July 1, DISCUSSION: Ted Kenney expressed hesitation in increasing the fees for town planning and zoning services, but the fees are lower than the surrounding towns. There were no further comments. 11. Annual Employee Wage Adjustments

5 WILLISTON SELECTBOARD June 21, 2016 PAGE 5 Rick McGuire explained non-union and police union employee wage adjustments are based on the cost of living index which had no increase this year so staff is recommending no increase. 12. Maple Tree Place Stephen Schmidt and Philip Ketton, potential buyers of Maple Tree Place, explained the proposal to add up to 225 parking spaces (10% increase to the existing 1,980 spaces) in the area between Shaw s and the storm water pond to address the lack of parking around the green. Activating the green is a catalyst to filling the retail space, but there is a perception of a parking shortage. Other plans include capitalizing on the sign package that was approved, upgrading pedestrian ways through the center, and doing upgrades to the green itself (possible ice rink/splash pad, more landscaping). The summer concert series will be retained. Rick McGuire mentioned the underground parking that was part of the theatre project was never built by the previous owner of Maple Tree Place. Success of the site is important to the town. Maple Tree Place is a major asset in the community. There is potential to gain income if land dedicated to the town is used (irrevocable offer of dedication). There will be several agreements to sign. MOTION by Joy Limoge, SECOND by Ted Kenney, to authorize the Town Manager to enter into negotiations with the prospective buyer of the Maple Tree Place development for the purpose of leasing town dedicated land to the developer for a parking lot. DISCUSSION: It was noted there are restrictions on what can be built on the land. The discussion is for a negotiated lease though the prospective buyer would be interested in a sale. There were no further comments. Joy Limoge disclosed an attorney in her firm is doing the title search for Maple Tree Place. 13. Town Manager s Report Rick McGuire reported: Talcott Road culvert will be complete in the next day or two. The town anticipates the state will cover 90% of the cost. According to the finance report tax collections are down somewhat. One large account owes over $90,000 though $30,000 was recently paid and a plan worked out for the remainder. Police Department continues to be under budget and under staffed. Two new officers have been hired, but must attend the Police Academy. There are still two positions not filled. Storm water fund is $30,000 under budget on the expense side which relates to operations. It is anticipated there will be $16,000 less in the capital reserve fund for the year.

6 WILLISTON SELECTBOARD June 21, 2016 PAGE 6 Trader Lane grid street is moving forward. The town is still acquiring easements. The town will manage the intersection project funded by the state so there will be coordination with the roadwork. The project is out a couple of years. A report on internal financial controls from Deb Beckett, Town Treasurer, has been provided for review. [Staff will find out the origin of the questions and the report.] 14. Other Business Catering Permit MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to grant a catering permit to McGee Enterprises d/b/a McGee Pub &Grill for a wedding event on July 16, 2016 at 2738 North Williston Road from 2 PM until midnight with the stipulation that amplified entertainment end by 10 PM. VOTING: unanimous (4-0); motion carried. National Guard Event Joy Limoge mentioned the press will be present at the National Guard event. 15. Maple Tree Place Negotiations & North Country Sportsman Club v Town of Williston MOTION by Ted Kenney, SECOND by Joy Limoge, to go into Executive Session to discuss negotiations with Maple Tree Place and legal strategies concerning civil action involving North Country Sportsman Club v Town of Williston where premature public knowledge would place the town at a disadvantage, and to invite the Town Manager to attend. Executive Session was convened at 9:14 PM and adjourned at 9:55 PM. No action was taken. 16. Adjournment With no further business and without objection the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM. RScty: M.E.Riordan