Town of Manchester Selectboard
Meeting Minutes for 4/18/23
Selectboard Attendees: Ivan Beattie (Chair), Laurie Kunz, Jan Nolan,
Greg Cutler. Absent: Heidi Chamberlain
Town Employees: Scott Murphy (Town Manager), Brian Vogel (Treasurer)
Public Attendees: Donald Brodie, Phyllis Liu, Ralph Liu, Sylvia Jolivette, Steve Nichol
Zoom Attendees: Anita Sheldon (Town Clerk), Brian Benson, Greg Sukiennik
Meeting called to order by Beattie @ 7:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance led by Ivan Beattie
Minutes from April 4, 2023
Nolan motioned, seconded by Kunz, to approve the 4/4/23 Selectboard minutes. All in favor 4-0
Financial Update Presentation – Brian Vogel, Treasurer
Vogel briefed the Board on the overall financial status of the Town’s Capital investments. Beattie commented on the Board’s reasoning and the history of the Capital accounts and their effect on the current budget. Vogel said that the Town is doing pretty well and the portfolio is up + 4.9% year to date. Nichols questioned the Local Option Tax revenue. Brodie remembered the historical start of the Town’s financial policy and felt it was in the best interest of the Town.
Liquor Licenses
Murphy reviewed the list of Liquor License renewal applications.
Firinji, Inc., d/b/a Depot Café -1st Class LL (renewal)
Sushi Boat, LLC - 1st Class LL Application (new)
Nolan motioned, seconded by Kunz, to approve the Liquor Licenses as listed. All in favor, 4-0.
Murphy questioned whether the Selectboard wanted to address an application for the commercial use of Town owned sidewalks. Beattie said to put it on the next Agenda.
Amendment to the Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance (BCSWA) Solid Waste Implementation Plan (SWIP)
Cutler motioned, seconded by Nolan to approve the amendment to the Bennington County Solid Waste Alliance SWIP Plan (Solid Waste Implementation Plan). All in favor, 4-0.
Food Cupboard Lease
Nolan mentioned, seconded by Kunz to approve the Community Food Cupboard Lease as presented. All in favor, 4-0.
Nolan motioned, seconded by Cutler to authorize the Town Manger to sign the Lease on behalf of the Board. All in favor, 4-0.
Town Manager Updates
Consolidated Communications install of fiber optics in Town is ongoing and will continue through September.
Invitation to Foundation Pouring Ceremony at Hildene – May 8th.
WW Project Bid Opening
The Town received two bids on the wastewater line extension project and the bids were tabulated by Chrissie Haskins, the Town Engineer of the Dufresne Group. The apparent low bidder was S.U.R. Construction West, Inc with a bid of $2,853,856.25. The Selectboard set a Special Meeting next Tuesday (4/25) to award the contract and to set the connection fees (acting as Sewer Commissioners).
Sweeney Property Update
The Town’s attorney, Merrill Bent, has petitioned the Probate Court for an Emergency Order to allow the sale to proceed as the bank with a mortgage lien is moving to foreclose on the property which would nullify our Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Other Business
Nichols questioned the water availability at the Rec Park. Jolivette expressed her displeasure with the truncated domes used by VTrans at the ADA crosswalks.
Executive Session
At 8:51 p.m. Cutler motioned, seconded by Nolan, to go into Executive Session to discuss contracts. All in favor 4-0.
The Selectboard Reopened the Meeting at 9:11
Cutler motioned, seconded by Kunz to extend the current meeting beyond the 2 hour limit. All in favor, 4-0.
Nolan motioned, seconded by Kunz to approve signing the Emergency Medical Services Agreement with Manchester Rescue Squad, inc dba Northshire Rescue Squad. All in favor, 4-0.
Adjournment
Cutler motioned to adjourn. Kunz seconded. All in favor. 4-0
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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Approved by the Board Date