Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/20/1973SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 20, 1973 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting in the City Hall Conference Room, Williston Road, on Monday, August 20, 1973 at 8:00 P.M. Chairman Nardelli opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Walter Nardelli, Catherine Neubert, Michael Flaherty and Paul Farrar. MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT William J. Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator, Capt. James W. Gaudette, George S. Smith, Fire Chief Monell, Frank McCaffrey, J. McCaffrey, Ann M. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Chittenden, Mildred Huelan, Ernest Huelan, Albert Audette, Arleen Krapcho, Charles Bolton, Ray Danis, Paul Poquette, Ronald Blondin, John Kruger, William Cimonetti, Charlotte Marsh, Lorna Lecker. Before the meeting was started, Mrs. Neubert wanted to commend the Fire Department for receiving an award at the 196th anniversary of the Battle of Bennington on August 19th, South Burlington was first runner-up for the best appearing fire company with apparatus. READING OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 1973 COUNCIL MEETING On Page 4 of the August 6, 1973 minutes, Mr. Farrar made a correction. The correction is in the motion made by Mr. Farrar which corrected, reads as follows: "Mr. Farrar made a motion to accept Mr. Szymanski's report and also to take action to implement the changes in the operating budget, where necessary." Mr. Farrar made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 6, 1973 meeting as corrected. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. SANCTION USE VARIANCES APPROVED AT ZONING BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 1973. a. Ernest Auclair, 2000 Hinesburg Road. Convert dwelling unit into a tack shop and riding stable. A petition was received by the Zoning Board in favor of the proposed tack shop and riding stable. The Zoning Board feels it is an asset. Mr. Farrar had explained in the minutes that one of the Board could not vote because of a conflict of interest. Based on the findings of fact of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Mr. Farrar made a motion to grant the use variance to convert the dwelling unit into a tack shop and riding stable at 2000 Hinesburg Road. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. b. Take-Ten Catering Service, Paul Poquette, 1908 Airport Parkway. Operate a catering business in Industrial Zone. The Zoning Board of Adjustment would grant the use variance with the stipulation that Mr. Poquette will have his own driveway. Mr. Ward stated that there are three property owners involved: the Dumonts, Griswold and the Gordons. A petition signed by all the neighbors (10 Mr. and Mrs. names) was submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment against the granting of the variance. They think it will generally destroy the neighborhood. As the area is zoned Industrial A., the Zoning Board of Adjustment felt the catering business would be a lesser use than a warehouse or small manufacturing business. Mr. Nardelli asked if the Zoning Board had visited the area. Mr. Ward stated that the business is shy of the required 40,000 square feet, but that they are not converting but just adding an accessory building. Mr. Nardelli asked if there were many children in the area. There was a motion made at the Zoning Board meeting that a stipulation be made about the driveway being put in. Mr. Nardelli suggested that the Couldil take a ride down to the area if they are in doubt about the situation. Mr. Farrar made a motion to table action on the Take-Ten Catering Service request for a use variance until the next City Council meeting. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. c. Thomas and Nicole Chittenden, 1620 Dorset Street, Convert dwelling unit to contain efficiency apartment. This dwelling was built about two or three years ago and is a large house. The zoning in the area now is Residential A, only allowing single families. This will be the second variance in effect in the area if approved. They intend to rent the apartment to help defray property taxes. The neighbors have been contacted and no objections came forth. Mrs. Neubert made a motion that the request for a use variance to convert dwelling unit to contain efficiency apartment at 1620 Dorset Street be granted. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. CONTRACT WITH BURLINGTON FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE The new agreement for Ambulance Service with Burlington was presented. The agreement is for three years. The City of South Burlington shall pay the City of Burlington the following soms: July 1, 1973 to June 30, 1974, $9,000.00; July 1, 1974 to June 30, 1975, $9,500.00; July 1, 1975 to June 30, 1976, $10,000.00. The present contract is for $9,000.00. Mr. Szymanski stated that last year, the City had 114 calls. The parties receiving the service are billed $40.00. In the last year $2,405.00 was collected by the City. In the budget it is estimated that $3000.00 will be collected. Mrs. Neubert thinks the $40.00 rate is a heavy charge. It was stated that the cost is covered under Blue Cross, but only partly under Medicare and Medicaid. There was further discussion re: renewal of contract, fees, whether the ambulance service is in the City budget, which it is. Mr. Farrar made a motion to approve the contract and give the power to the Chairman as agent of the City to sign the contract after it has been approved by the City Attorney. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. The City Manager has been asked to research the number of calls using ambulance service. APPOINTMENTS TO CITY COUNCIL AND SIGN REVIEW BOARD Mrs. Neubert made a motion that William Cimonetti be appointed to the City Council to fill the unexpired two-year term of Brian Gee. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. Charlotte Marsh swore in Mr. Cimonetti as the new City Councilman. Mr. Flaherty made a motion to appoint five members to the Sign Review Board. They are: William Wright and Albert Beaudoin - three year term Paul Graves and Gordon Wright - two year term Peter Matta - one year term Mr. Farrar seconded said motion which passed unanimously. BIDS FOR BATH HOUSE AT RED ROCKS At the City Council meeting on August 6, 1973, the Council approved the bid of Senesac Const. Co., Inc. Since that time, Mr. Szymanski stated that Senesac has been unable to obtain a bond. Mr. Szymanski now recommends that the second lowest bid of Gauthier Const. Co. in the amount of $61,975.00 with Alternate #4 in the amount of $250.00, totalling $62,225.00 be approved. This second lowest bid was also recommended by the City Attorney and Architect for the Bath House. Mr. Farrar made a motion to follow the City Manager's recommendation for the second lowest bid from Gauthier Const. Co. in the amount of $62,225.00 with Alternate #4. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski stated at this time that this was a firm bid. CONSIDERATION OF TELEPHONE COMPANY'S PETITION TO INSTALL BURIED CABLE AT TIMBERLANE MEDICAL CENTER Mr. Szymanski stated that this is an extension of existing cable up to the Medical Center and to the new building. It is a distance of 375 feet and is located along the east side of Timberlane. Mr. Farrar made a motion that the Council approve the City Manager's recommendation to install buried cable at Timberlane Medical Center. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. REMOVAL OF OVERHEAD WIRES ON SHELBURNE AND WILLISTON ROADS BY TELEPHONE COMPANY AND OTHER UTILITY COMPANIES Mr. Szymanski has researched this subject and has called Green Mountain Power. A Mr. Blanchard informed him that the biggest problem was who is to pay for this. If a large project like this is undertaken, there would have to be a rate adjustment. There was a communication from William Wessel. He stated the cost would be in the millions of dollars, it could be borne by a surcharge and he suggested that there be a surcharge. Mr. Farrar suggested this will require far more discussion. The City Manager has been instructed to follow through on this. HIGHWAY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION CONTRACTS POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT: There was discussion as to corrections in the contract. They are as follows: On Page 4, under "Holidays" - Bennington Battle Day be added. On Page 5, under "A. UNIFORMED PERSONNEL - t. new shirts every year u. new pants every two years also, "Replacement of the above issued items shall be at the discretion of the Chief of Police." On Page 6 under Section 3. - Cleaning and maintenance of uniforms shall be paid for by the City up to the amount of $2.50 per week. On Page 7, under Section 3. - Not in excess of three (3) days to any employee whose absence is caused by the death of a member of the immediate family, to include mother-in-law and father-in-law unless special permission is granted by the Police Chief. On Page 7, under Section 4. To be added is the following sentence: He shall be paid the difference between his military pay and the City pay, provided that the City pay shall be greater than his military pay. On Page 10, under Section 2. HOSPITALIZATION POLICY - It should be corrected to read After three months waiting period. Mr. Blondin stated there are several members of the Police Department who will not receive the 5% pay raise. Mr. Szymanski stated that they are fairly new employees and after they are here a year, they will get their pay raise. Mr. Szymanski stated that two raises are never given in a year, that it was unfair to the other City employees. Mr. Blondin stated that he thought every man should be included in the pay increase. Mr. Szymanski stated that people being in the employ of the City for less than two years, should be covered in any future contract. Mr. Flaherty suggested that in the next contract a date should be specified as to when a policeman started re: pay increase. There was a further discussion re: contract, resolving differences with City Manager. Mr. Farrar made a motion that the Police Department Union Contract with changes noted by the City Manager be signed by the Chairman as Agent of the City. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CONTRACT: There was a correction on Page 12, under Section 2., to read as follows: B. When the employee has been with the City one year and had dependants covered, etc. Mr. Flaherty made a motion that the Council accept the Highway Department Contract with the change, and that the Chairman of the Council sign as Agent of the City. Mr. Farrar seconded said motion which passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ON ORCHARD SCHOOL WALKWAY IN LAUREL HILL SECTION This discussion was requested by Mrs. Neubert. She would like a review of how and why and what action has been taken. Mr. Szymanski stated it went back a long way. He had been instructed by the Council that something should be done to get a walkway down there to the Orchard School. A parcel of land was purchased, a ten foot strip is in the process of being made into a walkway, the house on the parcel of land is being repainted and drainage problem corrected and then the house will be resold. The walkway goes from Laurel Hill Drive to Duchess Avenue. Mrs. Krapcho raised the question of putting stop signs on some of the streets in Laurel Hill South as more children are walking to school. Another point to be looked into is where Laurel Hill Drive comes into Andrews Avenue. Mr. Flaherty made a motion to adjourn the Meeting at 9:35 P.M. Mr. Farrar seconded said motion which passed unanimously. Approved Paul Farrar, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.