SELECTBOARD MINUTES
November 1, 2022
Board Members: Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Jan Nolan, Laurie Kunz, Greg Cutler via Zoom
Town Staff: Janet Hurley via Zoom (Planning/Zoning Administrator), Anita Sheldon (Town Clerk)
Attendees: Joanie Burns, Rita Wright, Ed Surjan, Steven Henry, Steven Henry, Catherine Stewart, Margaret Donovan, Greg Sukenik, Sylvia Jolivette, Phil Peterson, Stephen Drunsic, Bill Drunsic, John Clark
Attendees via Zoom: Brian Benson, Mike Nawrath, Doug Kilburn
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Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.
Jolivette lead the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes from October 18, 2022
Nolan moved, seconded by Kunz to approve the minutes from October 18, 2022. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Manchester Community Library - Ed Surjan, Deb Hansen, John Clark
Ed Surjan introduced himself to the Board and audience and provided information regarding the Library. John Clark also presented information on the community use and growth of the library.
Manchester River Walk
Stephen Drunsic spoke to the Selectboard about the importance of the Riverwalk for the downtown area. They have already raised $500,000 in private donations. Donors feel there needs to be a commitment from the town to show, skin in the game. This will be a substantial improvement to community assets. The total project cost is about $800,000. They River walk Committee is requesting $80,000 from the ARPA funds and then an additional $80,000 from CIRC to be voted on at Town Meeting. They are hoping to be in the ground in the spring. This would only be 10% of the total construction cost.
Brian Benson feels this project is not a good use of town funds and questioned if the town should take on the maintenance of the bridge in the future.
Chamberlain motioned we commit $80,000 from the ARPA funds to support the Riverwalk. Seconded by Cutler. Motion failed 2-3-0.
Beattie stated he supports the project and that we will be revisiting this once we get through the budget process. At this point he is not willing to commit those funds yet. This is in no way a slap at the project. We need to get through the bigger picture, budget and staffing, before we can commit the funds.
Short-Term Rentals - Doug Kennedy Study Proposal
This study would be performed by Doug Kennedy. This is a study that encompasses the Village and Center. Total cost of the study is $5,300. The Village cost is 27% or $1,431. Janet Hurley stated the Planning Commission did not want to propose regulations on short-term rentals without understanding what the impacts are, both positive and negative. Phil Peterson, Chair of the Planning Commission, stated the Planning Commission wanted additional information regarding support and concern from the STR market. We are looking at the economic impact. This would not address the housing supply, transition from home to STR or STR to home, neighborhood issues or noise issues.
The study would assess the impact of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in Manchester from two primary perspectives: Overall Housing Supply in the context of housing demand; and local economic and financial impacts of STRs - both from public and private perspectives.
Chamberlain motioned that we authorize the expenditure of funds from the general consulting fund to hire the Douglas Kennedy Advisors to do a study of the short-term rentals in Manchester VT, subject to the approval of the Village of Manchester to contribute their share. Seconded by Kunz. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Cemetery Fee Schedule
Doug Kilburn presented the current cemetery rates and proposed new cemetery rates. The current rates were last increased in 2016, which was minimal. They compared the rates for the Factory Point Cemetery, Dorset Cemetery and Dellwood Cemetery.
Kunz motioned to approve the proposed revision to the cemetery fee schedule. Seconded by Nolan. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Manchester Dorset Town Line Issue for Parcel #11-20-08.00
Beattie noted the various boundary line discrepancies for this parcel, and the vicinity around this parcel. The Parker's have owned this property for years, have paid taxes in Manchester, and their children went to Manchester schools. This issue came to light when the Parker's sought a Zoning permit to make improvements to their property and this discrepancy in boundary line prevented them from being able to move forward. We have had conversations for Dorset in an attempt to resolve this issue. We believe we have come to an agreement on this, that would define the property as part of the town of Manchester until such time as the town boundary between Manchester and Dorset is determined, according to state statute. We believe we have come to a reasonable conclusion for this. It will serve the towns well and the landowners well. This was drafted by our council.
Chamberlain motioned that we approved the agreement that was drafted for the land owned by Chriss and Lori Parker (#11-20-08.00), conditional upon the Dorset approval, and authorize the Interim Town Manager to sign the agreement. Seconded by Kunz. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Other Business
Discussion about how town meeting appropriations are voted.
Next Selectboard Meeting is Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
Executive Session
Nolan motioned entered into executive session for the discussion of contract negotiations and personnel matters that the disclosure with would put the town at a distinct disadvantage. Kunz seconded. Perra will be in attendance. Motion passed 5-0-0. No action will be taken out of Executive Session.
Entered into executive session at 8:41 p.m.
After exiting Executive Session at 9:25 no action was taken.
Adjournment
Nolan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Kunz seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
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Approved by the Board, Board Clerk Jan Nolan