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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/10/1969BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1969 The South Burlington Board of Selectmen held a joint meeting with the Planning Commission at the Town Office Building, 555 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont on Monday, February 10, 1969 at 7:30 P.M. Mr. D'Acuti, Chairman, called the meeting to order. MEMBERS PRESENT Vincent J. D'Acuti, Chairman; Robert K. Ashley; Charles H. Behney; and Walter Nardelli. MEMBERS ABSENT Augustus T. Stannard. OTHERS PRESENT Henry LeClair, Town Manager; William J. Szymanski, Town Engineer; Planning Commission Members: William D. Kellner, Chairman; Frederic G. Sargent; Joseph L. Allard and Lester E. Ravlin; John McKenzie, Berard Construction Company, and Randy Munson. Mr. D'Acuti suggested that the Selectmen give precedence to Item 3 of the Agenda, (Ramada Inn Sewer Line), so that Planning Commission Members would not be detained. RAMADA INN SEWER LINE Mr. D'Acuti gave a recapitulation of the Ramada Inn Sewer Line problem for the benefit of Planning Commission Members. Investigation by Webster- Martin, Incorporated resulted in two alternate proposals: 1) Reroute the Sewer Line to Dorset Street at an approximate cost of $18,250.00; or 2) Excavate and expose the existing line for approximately 200 feet and surround the pipe with concrete as a protective encasement at an approximate cost of $5,500.00. Mr. Parkers of Webster-Martin did not recommend the second alternate method because of the possibility of a blockage occuring which could be reached only by excavating. Mr. D'Acuti suggested that erecting the building over the sewer line might be considered if Ramada Inn were to accept the liability, giving us the right of way. The Board of Selectmen determined at their meeting of February 3, 1969 that this was a Planning Commission decision. Because of the possibility that the local Ramada Inn representatives might lose their Franchise if prompt action was not taken, the Planning Commission was asked to attend this meeting and submit their recommendation. Mr. Nardelli asked the Town Engineer for his opinion on the alternates proposed and asked what it had cost the Town for the existing line. Mr. Szymanski stated he was not in favor of enclosing the pipe with concrete and building over the sewer line. A million dollar building on top of 200 feet of sewer line presents a severe obstacle insofar as maintenance is concerned. The present line was installed in 1966 at a cost of approximately $14,000. Mr. D'Acuti reiterated that he felt Ramada Inn could be built on the land if they assumed the liability. RAMADA INN SEWER LINE (CONTINUED) Mr. Nardelli stated that the meeting was out of order since the Planning Commission had no recommendation. Mr. Kellner said that they have not reviewed the plan as a Commission and therefore could offer no recommendation. Mr. Ravelin suggested that the Planning Commission meet elsewhere while the Selectmen were discussing other business in order to discuss the plan and return at the end of the meeting with their recommendation. The Planning Commission Members, Mr. LeClair and Mr. Szymanski adjourned to another location for this purpose. Mr. D'Acuti then proceeded with other business on the Agenda. READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 1969 The minutes of the meeting of February 3, 1969 were approved with the following addition to the last paragraph of page 3: "A bar chart will be formulated by Mr. Silver which will specifically outline how he intends to meet the Reappraisal Program Schedule by April 1, 1970". CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION BUDGET REQUEST Mr. D'Acuti read a letter from Mr. Fonseca, Executive Director of the CCRPC in which he remonstrated the Board of Selectmen's action of reducing the CCRPC Budget request from $2,710.00 to $1,300.00 for Fiscal Year July 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971. Mr. Fonseca pointed out that the ramifications of this budget reduction would affect the financing of our future sewer and water projects. Mr. D'Acuti pointed out that their request is for the calendar year; consequently, a letter of intent stating that the Town of South Burlington would provide for the additional $1,410.00 in next year's budget should fulfill their budget request. Mr. Nardelli requested that a copy of the letter be forwarded to Representative Hackett as he felt the letter was out of line. Selectmen were also given a copy of the letter. SUIT - THOMAS BONO AND WALTER M. BAKER d/b/a NORTHERN VERMONT SECURITY SERVICE vs RICHARD G. CARTER AND TOWN OF SOUTH BURLINGTON Mr. D'Acuti presented a copy of "Motion To Discontinue" subject suit as the present whereabouts of Mr. Baker was unknown. A copy of this Discontinuance is attached to these minutes and made a part thereof. At this point the Planning Commission Members, Mr. LeClair and Mr. Szymanski rejoined the meeting. RAMADA INN SEWER LINE (CONTINUED) Mr. Kellner stated that the Planning Commission unanimously agreed it is not good policy to locate the Ramada Inn building over the existing sewer line. The Planning Commission recommendation was to relocate the sewer line. RAMADA INN SEWER LINE (CONTINUED) Mr. Behney questioned as to whether it was realized when the Title Search was performed that there was a 20 foot right of way. Minutes of previous meeting indicate that Ramada Inn was aware of the sewer line. Mr. D'Acuti requested the Town Manager to forward communication to Ramada Inn representatives advising of the recommendation of the Planning Commission plus the estimate from Webster-Martin for relocating the sewer line. Mr. Behney made the MOTION that we follow the recommendation of Webster-Martin, Inc., the Planning Commission Board and the Town Engineer to allow Ramada Inn to relocate the sewer line at their expense, as drawn by Webster-Martin, and to refrain from building over the sewer line. Seconded by Mr. Ashley. Unanimously accepted. Mr. Allard noted that a Site Plan has not been submitted to the Planning Commission as yet. He suggested they submit one as soon as possible for the Planning Commission to review. CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION BUDGET REQUEST (CONT'D) Mr. D'Acuti requested comments from Planning Commission members on the letter received from Mr. Fonseca. Mr. Kellner commented that the Selectmen should not have cut the requested budget without first obtaining all pertinent data. CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION BUDGET REQUEST (CONT'D) Mr. Ravelin asked what constituted membership in the Regional Planning Commission. Must we comply with their request for financial aid or can we formulate the amount of our contribution ourselves? Are we jeopardizing planned utilities if we do not comply? Mr. Kellner explained that the requirement for participation in the Regional Planning Commission is a Federal requirement. In order to quality for HUD funds we must be participating. He said that the original formula was on the basis of 1% of the Grand List and was not a population factor. It was set-up on a 3 year plan and if left up to individual towns to use their own formula for contributing it would be impossible to fulfill the overall plan. He further elaborated by explaining that Burlington had contributed $10,189 for the first year; that a letter of intent was received that they would meet the $7,500 commitment for the second year; and that after March the Commission will request $7,700 for the third year. Mr. Behney asked if the money requested is a fee or a contribution. Mr. Allard asked that the letter received from Mr. Fonseca be referred to the Town Attorney for his opinion. Mr. Ravelin noted that the Town had two appropriation periods to meet the request for $2,710.00, but questioned whether it was a good thing when the Regional Planning Commission can tell a Town what they must give. The amount of contribution should be a judgement of elected Town officials. Mr. Behney again asked if it was a "Fee" or "Contribution". CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION BUDGET REQUEST (CONT'D) Mr. Kellner said these are the running rules of the Federal Government and pointed out that the Town had received a bonus of $52,000 for participating in the Regional Planning Commission - comprised of 3% Federal Aid for the Sewer Plant. Mr. Behney stated that he would like to discuss the matter with the Central Planning Office, Town Attorney and Legislatures as he did not like the manner in which it was presented. Mr. Allard stated that he did not feel that it was fair to commit a future Board of Selectmen with a letter of intent. He strongly feels that we should run the Town as we see fit. GLEBE LAND Mr. Nardelli said that the Vermont Legislature had passed a Law July 1, 1968 stating that Glebe Land was taxable and could be evaluated at Fair Market Value. Also, that the Leasee is liable for the tax bill. He questioned why this taxation has not been implemented in South Burlington and why we have not gone after the money. Mr. LeClair explained that he had corresponded with the Attorney General's office requesting a legal opinion of the law, but to no avail. He also said they were unable to get an answer from the Bureau of Taxation in Montpelier. In the meantime Mr. Silver's Department is working on maps to find exactly where the Glebe Lands are located. He said the estimated value of Glebe Land to be added to the Grand List in April is $500,000 which would reduce the tax rate from $2.41 to $2.39. SURPLUS SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUNDS At the request of Walter Nardelli the Board discussed Sewer charges with respect to lowering same by way of applying Phases 1, 2 and 3 surplus. The Town Manager showed a chart that reflected a reduction from $1.12 to $.98 in the Area List and from $.32 to $.28 in the General Tax. After a brief discussion the Board decided by general consensus that it might consider such a move possible after the proposed Budget Hearing Meeting. DANIEL O'BRIEN EASEMENT - WILLISTON ROAD Mr. LeClair, Town Manager, informed the Board of Daniel O'Brien's request to have the Town accept a drainage easement on Williston Road, East of the new Mobil Station on Kennedy Drive. The Selectmen accepted the easement. Mr. Nardelli made the MOTION that the Planning Commission be advised of this easement. Seconded by Mr. Ashley. Unanimously accepted. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. ACCEPTED: Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.