SELECTBOARD MINUTES
February 28, 2023
Board Members: Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Jan Nolan, Greg Cutler, Laurie Kunz
Town Staff: Anita Sheldon (Town Clerk), Leslie Perra (Interim Town Manager), Gordon Black (Assessor)
Town Staff via Zoom: Bonnie Jamieson (Executive Assistant), Michael DeCubellis (Finance Director), Kathleen Yanez (Ast. Operations Manager)
Public Attendees: Willaim Beideman, Vedanta Dumas-Griffith, Sylvia Jolivette, Paul Carrocia, Phil Peterson, Larry Foragazzo, Bill Drunsic
Attendees via Zoom: Greg Sukienik (Manchester Journal), Greg Boshart, Robin Verner, Scott, Scott Moore
Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Minutes from February 7, 2023
Nolan moved, second by Kunz, to approve the minutes from February 7, 2023. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Business License Approval
Cutler moved, seconded by Nolan, to approve the license for Hound Dogs through April 30, 2023 until the permanent refrigerator can be addressed. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Nolan moved, seconded by Kunz, to approve the license for Nan-Z and Marketplace on Main. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Bond Documents (Signatures)
Bond documents signed by the selectboard.
Municipal / Walgreens Parking Lot
Perra recommended the sidewalk be extended the full length of the MEMS field. Cutler recommended this be added at a future date, if necessary.
Chamberlain moved, seconded by Cutler, to approve the design for the renovations of the Municipal/Walgreens parking lot as permitted and to use ARPA funds, in addition to the parking mitigation funds, approximately $122,800. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Depot Street RFP
Black provided a brief update on the Depot Street RFPs. He noted it was a very broad proposal. He presented the proposals as received. Shires Housing would purchase the back land and have the parking beneath the building. Kyle Murphy presented a design concept for apartments, however not builder is recommended. The other proposals are for the purchase or lease of the buildings. The town would condominiumize the land/buildings. Beattie stated any real-estate transaction would be handled by the selectboard and in executive session. Discussion by Black and the audience about having a flood zone study of the area.
Peterson asked that the RFPs be handed over to the Housing Task Force, with the Selectboard handling any negotiations. Peterson mentioned that Black is a part of the Housing Task Force along with Cat Bryers, who would have to recuse herself as she works for Shires Housing.
Beattie stated we want the input from the Housing Task Force and that the Housing Task Force should report to the selectboard, as it was appointed by the selectboard, specifically because it is a town committee. Beattie mentioned they may want to review the organizational structure of the Housing Task Force and that the appointments should have come from the selectboard, not the Planning Commission. Chamberlain made a proposal to work with Black and Kunz to continue moving along the RFPs and present the information to the selectboard to keep things moving in the correct direction. Carrocio recommend that the selectboard check on the Lake Paran Shire's projects for issues that could involve the tenants. He does not believe the downtown section of town is the best location for workforce housing and should be put in other locations the town owns. He proposed the Depot Street properties be used for higher revenue stands and maybe stick to retail on the entire property.
Purchase and installation of cameras in the town.
Chamberlain moved, seconded by Nolan to authorize the expenditure of $39,250 for the police department to purchase safety camera' from Flock Safety. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Other Business:
Perra provided an update on the Main Street Sewer Extension.
Perra stated the finances were printed incorrectly in the town reports. The revised pages have been printed and inserted in the remaining town reports and will be provided at the town meeting on March 4, 2023.
Selectboard assigned articles to each member in preparation for the town meeting on March 4, 2023.
Nolan requested to be the first item on the next selectboard meeting to present the Unsung Hero Award.
Next selectboard meeting is scheduled for March 14, 2023.
Bill Beideman thanked Perra for all she has done.
Carrocio stated he attending the Planning Commission meeting on February 27, 2023 and questioned the Planning Commission stating the planning re-write was put out for bid. Perra clarified that the grant has not been awarded and has not been put out for bid. Carrocio also stated the Planning Commission commented that they would be seeking a proposal from Janet Hurley at BCRC. He wants to go on record recommending that we seek other proposals to get outside of our vacuum of people. Perra stated when we send it out for bid it will go out for bid to other people/organizations. Carrocio also noted that the 2017 Town Plan recommended that sewer extension be a main priority on Richville Road.
Adjournment
Nolan motioned to adjourn the meeting. Chamberlain seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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Approved by the Board Date