SELECTBOARD MINUTES
January 17, 2023
Board Members: Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Jan Nolan, Greg Cutler, Laurie Kunz
Town Staff: Anita Sheldon (Town Clerk), Leslie Perra (Interim Town Manager)
Town Staff via Zoom: Gordon Black (Assessor), Michael DeCubellis (Finance Director
Public Attendees: Margaret Donovan, Joanie Burns, Kimberley Bina, Colleen LaChac, Eileen Braherey, Sylvia Jolivette, Megan Amundson, Tory Rich (Manchester Journal), Michael Cooperman, Stephen Drunsic, Kimberleigh Weiss-Lewitt, Bill Drunsic, Norman Favor, Johanna C. Albreu-Dunigan, Angela Theiss, Ruth Corbett, Tim Waker
Attendees via Zoom: Mike Nawrath, Paul Hansen, Angela Theiss, Gigi & Ion Freeman, Dick
Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Minutes from January 5, 2023; January 6, 2023; January 9, 2023; January 10, 2023; January 11, 2023; January 12, 2023
Nolan moved, second by Kunz, to approve the minutes from January 5, 2023; January 6, 2023; January 9, 2023: January 10,2023; January 11, 2023; January 12, 2023. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Form PVR-4155 - Certificate - No Appeal or Suite Pending
Chamberlain motioned, seconded by Cutler to authorize Selectboard Chair Ivan Beattie to sign the PVR-4155 Certificate. Motion carried 5-0-0
Manchester Riverwalk Advisory Request
The Riverwalk members have asked that the town to put an advisory non-binding article on the ballot for town meeting requesting $95,000 towards the construction of the Riverwalk Bridge. This would be a floor vote.
Chamberlain motioned, seconded by Cutler to include a request from the Riverwalk Organization for funding from the Town of Manchester in the amount of $95,000 as a non-binding advisory article on the warning for Town Meeting subject to the approval of the language by our town attorney. All in favor of the motion to insert by selectboard order say aye. The motion passed 4-1-0
Other Business
Megan Amundson presented to the Selectboard the concerns about the lack of sidewalks within the Walgreen's parking lot. She feels the parking lot is not usable and functional and incredibly problematic. A portion of this is town owned property. She requested that the selectboard not appropriate any money to this project until this design includes safe and protected pedestrian access to Memorial and Main Street. She would like to have this a public works project where this is done professionally by the town and if the town doesn't have staff to do this to contract it with BCRC and to have an engineer in pedestrian and bike safety be a part of this solution. She feels this could be a beautiful parking lot. Chair Beattie spoke about the history of planning and projects. He also stated we are a part owner and that we have very little authority to mandate improvements to another property that is not town owned. Bill Drunsic spoke to the comments. When designing the sidewalk to Memorial, foot traffic was monitored to see where the sidewalk should end. The length was doubled what the foot traffic showed. A lot of the property is private, pre-existing and pre-permitted. Beattie mentioned the selectboard cannot overturn the decision of the DRB. Other members of the audience were concerned that the sidewalk in the municipal parking lot along the MEMS field should extend to the charging stations for the safety of the students that use this for MEMS. Further discussion regarding public vs. private parking lots and sidewalk access. Tim Waker, Chair of the Development Review Board, provided information on the hearings and having the town attorney review the decision against our ordinance to ensure we have met the ordinance. A member of the audience asked that the town review the Complete Streets Act 34.
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Discussion
Continued discussions on the budget. Goal is to get the budget increase to 12%
Cutler motioned, seconded by Chamberlain to extend the meeting at 9:02 p.m. Motion passed 5-0-0
Executive Session
Cutler motioned, seconded by Chamberlain, to enter into executive session for the discussion of personnel matters that the disclosure with would put the town at a distinct disadvantage. Motion passed 5-0-0. No action will be taken out of Executive Session.
Entered into executive session at 9:16 p.m.
After exiting Executive Session at 9:45 p.m. no action was taken.
Adjournment
Nolan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Cutler seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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Approved by the Board Date