Town of Manchester Selectboard
Meeting Minutes for 5/9/23
Selectboard Attendees: Ivan Beattie (Chair), Laurie Kunz, Jan Nolan,
Greg Cutler, Heidi Chamberlain
Town Employees: Scott Murphy (Town Manager)
Public Attendees: William Drunsic, Sylvia Jolivette, Verdanta Dumas-Griffith, Robert Griffith, Tory Rich.
Meeting called to order by Cutler @ 7:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jolivette
Addition to the Agenda
Murphy asked the Board to add an item to the Agenda (Re-Adoption of the Local Emergency Management Plan). The Board allowed the addition. Murphy explained that the Town has to file the emergency contact list with the State through our Regional Planning Commission annually. The LEMP has been updated with new contact information and is ready for adoption. Chamberlain motioned to adopt the LEMP as presented, seconded by Kunz, all in favor 4-0 (Beattie absent).
Approval of Minutes
Nolan made a motion to approve Selectboard minutes of 4/18/23 (regular meeting), 4/25/23 (Special meeting), and 5/2/23 (Joint w/ Planning Commission). She noted that the 4/25/23 minutes were listed on the Agenda as 4/23/23 and should be 4/25/23, seconded by Kunz, all in favor 4-0 (Beattie absent).
Approval of Liquor Licenses
(Beattie joins the meeting) Kunz motions to approve both applications: renewal for Frisky Squirrel Enterprises, LLC dba “Bonnet & Main”, a new 2nd class liquor license for Main St Décor, LLC dba “Marketplace on Main St”, seconded by Nolan, all in favor 5-0.
Vendor license application
Kunz motioned to approve the Vendors application for the Manchester Farmers Market, seconded by Nolan, all in favor 5-0.
Sidewalk Ordinance and application
During Covid, the Selectboard allowed variances to occur regarding the Town’s Use of the Town’s Sidewalks Ordinance for public dining. Jolivette spoke against allowing outside dining on sidewalks. Chamberlain liked the ordinance but wants the Planning Commission to review the Ordinance. Dumas-Griffith said that as a restaurant owner, she sees that outside public dining brings more people into the downtown area and believes allowing outside dining to be an asset. Cutler believes it also increases the vitality of the downtown. Beattie talked about pedestrian circulation and the pedestrian environment. Drunsic added that the first question he hears is “can we eat outside?”
Motion to continue to allow variances to the Use of Town Sidewalks for outdoor dining made by Chamberlain, seconded by Kunz, all in favor 5-0.
Cutler motioned to approve the Outdoor Dining application from Parthenon, Inc dba Christos Pizza, seconded by Nolan, all in favor 5-0.
Sewer Commission Meeting
Beattie opened the Sewer Commission meeting. Chamberlain motioned to approve the wastewater capacity application from Orchid, LLC for a proposed hotel development in the new wastewater district, seconded by Kunz. Cutler questioned the capacity and the fees. All in favor 5-0.
Beattie reconvened the Selectboard meeting.
Town Manager Murphy updated the Board on several items. A request was made by the homeowners at Donald Lane to have the Town help pay for a failed water storage tank used for firefighting. The Board declined. Murphy asked the Board if they wanted to pursue the Municipal Planning Grant that was recently approved to rewrite the Town Plan. It was noted that the current Town Plan is not in bad shape and that we can easily get the same MPG award next year. Murphy updated the Board on the start date of the ww line extension project (starting Monday May 15th) and will continue until winter shutdown on Dec 10th.
Beattie mentioned that we need to get letters out to adjacent property owners and Murphy said the staff will be getting those out shortly. Chamberlain asked if the Town was going to connect its’ properties along the extension and it was agreed to do so.
Adjournment
Nolan motioned to adjourn the Selectboard Meeting, Kunz seconded. All in favor. 5-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 23rd.
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Approved by the Board Date