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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/19/1967BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 1967 The South Burlington Board of Selectmen held a public meeting at the Town Office Building, 555 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont on Tuesday, September 19, 1967 at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Vincent J. D'Acuti, Chairman, called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT Mr. Vincent J. D'Acuti, Chairman; Mr. Frederick G. Blais, Mr. Augustus T. Stannard and Mr. Stephen M. Whittlesey. MEMBERS ABSENT Robert K. Ashley. OTHERS PRESENT Henry N. LeClair, Town Manager; William J. Szymanski, Town Engineer; Edgar Myers, Free Press Reporter; George Silver, Town Appriaser; John Ewing, Town Attorney; Robert Lincoln, Treatment Plant Operator; Peter Piche, Attorney; Howard Cranwell, Contractor; Barbara Bull, League of Women Voters; Richard Kostka, Traffic Consultant; John J. Dwyer, Aetna Insurance Co.; T. A. Selfridge, R. J. Danis and Charlotte Marsh. READING OF THE MINUTES The minutes of the September 5, 1967 and September 7, 1967 meetings were approved as read. DISCUSSION ON SNOW PLOW PURCHASE Mr. LeClair stated the basic problem is that the Town needs a plow. He said his only suggestion is to buy a new truck. He said the 186 could be used as a trade-in or if the Town could not get enough money for a trade-in they could keep the truck and use it for general maintenance. DISCUSSION ON SNOW PLOW PURCHASE continued Mr. Szymanski said the Town has the personnel for the equipment. He also said the Town will also have some problems with rentals this year because Mr. Hoose is not going to plow this year. Mr. Blais asked if State specifications could be obtained and Mr. LeClair said they could. The Board unanimously agreed to send out the bids. DISCUSSION ON PLAN FOR NEW TOWN GARAGE Mr. LeClair stated that a 40' by 80' building was originally planned. A general discussion followed concerning the use of the building and Mr. LeClair stated the building could accomodate the Town equipment for at least the next five years. The Board unanimously agreed to put the building out for bid as proposed, on land located at the rear of the Antone lot. DISCUSSION WITH THE NEW APPRAISER There was a general discussion with Mr. Silver, the new, full-time, Town Appraiser. The Selectmen discussed the proposed work schedule and Mr. LeClair pointed out the definite need for the installation of a modern map and parceling system designed for mass appraising. The maps suggested are the basic tax maps, land value maps, lease land map, and a sales ratio study map. Mr. Silver said the maps are costly to make and keep up to date but he feels it would be extremely beneficial to the program. Mr. Silver said he had just learned that the state tax department may be of some assistance because they are interested in starting a pilot program, therefore, it may not cost the Town anything. The Selectmen agreed that Mr. Silver should look into the matter further. DISCUSSION ON ZONING ADMINISTRATOR Mr. D'Acuti read a letter from the Zoning Board of Adjustment stating that they think Mr. Silver, Town Appraiser, should also be made Zoning Administrator. They feel that Mr. LeClair has done a very good job but it is taking up a great deal of time. They feel that Mr. Silver works closely with zoning laws etc. and he would be in a position to do the work. Mr. Whittlesey suggested that Mr. Silver be made assistant administrator. The Board agreed to make Mr. Silver assistant zoning administrator providing it wouldn't interfere with his work of appraising. MEETING WITH TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR There was a general discussion concerning the sewer treatment plant. Mr. Lincoln, treatment plant operator, reported the plant is operating and everything is running the way it is supposed to run. Mr. Lincoln explained that the Bartlett Bay Plant is to be inspected on Thursday to check a physical problem. FIRST READING ZONE CHANGE – ZAJCHOWSKI Mr. D'Acuti read the proposed ordinance for a zone change from Planned area to Residential B on Shunpike Road. The Board unanimously approved the first reading. REQUEST TO REMOVE TREES ON TOWN LOT After a general discussion the Board granted permission to remove trees on the town lot to receive fill from sewer project in preparation for future building, but the Selectmen told the Town Manager to leave selected trees standing. SEWER EASEMENT - AMORY SMITH Mr. LeClair explained that there may be a new alternative and obtaining the Smith easement may not be necessary as he and Mr. Szymanski have discovered another possible easement. Mr. LeClair, in talking with Mr. Smith found that he could probably obtain an easement from another resident a few houses down the road and he said this would be a better situation because there is no ledge on the property concerned. DISCUSSION ON HINESBURG ROAD LIGHT Mr. LeClair explained that Mr. Kostka, traffic consultant, installed the light systems at Dorset Street and at Gaynes and at the time Mr. Kostka suggested putting an actuator at Hinesburg and Williston Roads on a trial basis. Mr. LeClair agreed and the light was installed around July 26, 1967. Mr. LeClair said the light has been working very well but that it is supposed to be on a time trial and he would like to be able to compare prices before buying the light. Mr. Kostka said the light has been up for a 60 day period and he thinks the Town should decide if they are going to buy the light or not. Mr. D'Acuti said the Board would give its decision at their next meeting on October 3, 1967. DISCUSSION ON BOND FORECLOSURE - HOWARD CRANWELL Mr. Piche, attorney for Howard Cranwell, pleaded his case for Mr. Cranwell. Mr. Piche said that good progress has been made in the last two days and it is their intention to keep the work going at that rate. Mr. Piche said they are putting their money where their mouth was and showed the Selectmen an agreement with Engineers Inc. for work to be done through this week and with payment in advance. Mr. Piche suggested that the Town Engineer assess the situation on Friday, stating what has been done and what is to be done. Mr. Piche said the Town has a leverage over Mr. Cranwell because foreclosure of the bond would ruin his credit. Mr. Piche stated that the town could assess on a day-to-day basis if they felt it necessary. Mr. Piche said he felt they could get the work done faster than if the Town foreclosed and had to go out for bids and hire contractors etc. Mr. Piche said the fact is the work is being done and they can do the work faster than the Town could have it done, therefore, it is to both interests that Mr. Cranwell continue the work. The Selectmen were very cautious and stated the work would have to continue at a rapid rate and inspections would be made by the Town Engineer to insure quality. It was pointed out to those present by Mr. Ewing that at this time, and in the future, the Town was looking to the Insurance Company for completion or cash. DISCUSSION ON PATCHEN ROAD SIDEWALKS Mr. Danis and Mr. Selfridge asked the Board when Patchen Road was going to have sidewalks. Mr. D'Acuti explained that the Town doesn't have the funds. Mr. Danis and Mr. Selfridge told the Board that the money was appropriated at one time, and Mr. D'Acuti said the money was used for something else that was given priority. Mr. D'Acuti said if they felt the street should have sidewalks, they should bring it up at the budget hearing so the money could be put into the budget again. ZONING MAP Mr. Whittlesey suggested that the zoning map be kept up to date. He said people should know the changes that have been made. The Board agreed that at least one copy of a map with changes should be available. LAUREL HILL AND SHELBURNE ROAD ZONING APPEAL Mr. D'Acuti read the minutes of the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, whereby Nicholas Zontas was granted approval of a use variance for parking. MISCELLANEOUS Gus Calkins - The Selectmen agreed to back up the Zoning Board in its refusal to approve the building under construction by Mr. Calkins on Williston Road. The Selectmen agreed it is definitely out of line. Carrol's Restaurant - The Selectmen instructed Mr. LeClair to keep an eye on Carrol's Restaurant on Shelburne Road. Mr. D'Acuti said the building under construction looks like a drive-in rather than an 84 seat restaurant. Zoning violations - The Selectmen agreed that a watchful eye should be kept on various places that go against the zoning laws and action should be taken against them. There being no other business the meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M. APPROVED Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.