Town of Manchester

Selectboard Meeting

Minutes for 7/11/2023  

Call to Order by Beattie @ 7:00

Pledge of Allegiance led by Sylvia Jolivette.

Selectboard Attendees: Chair Ivan Beattie, Greg Cutler, Jan Nolan, Heidi Chamberlain, Laurie Kunz

Town Employees: Town Manager Scott Murphy. Town Clerk Anita Sheldon via Zoom

Public Attendees: Christina Ruggeri, Matthew Prendergast, Matt Moore of EverNorth, Bill Drunsic, Steve Nichols, Greg Sukiennik, Ed Morrow, Phil Peterson, Chrissy Carrocio, Cat Bryers of The Shires Housing, Judith McGraw, Cindy Macleood, William Simmers, Caroline and John Jopling, Eileen Brahere, Colleen Lachac, Sylvia Jolivette, Rich and Jess Sweeney, Debbie Douglass, Stephen Drunsic, Margaret Donware, Megan Amundson, Kyle Emge, David Quesnel, Dick Smith, Curan Vanderwielen, and others.

Zoom Attendees: Kiev Rattee, Paul Hansen, Wayne Bell, Melanie Johnson, Kyle Murphy

Public Comments Rich Sweeney asked about the status of the Town’s purchase of the Sweeney property. Jolivette complained about tree cutting near the Stewarts store in the Village.

Approve Minutes of 6/27/2023 (Regular meeting). Motioned by Nolan, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor 4-0, 1 abstain (Cutler).

Approve Liquor Licenses (if any) None

Discuss Vehicles Speeding on Highland Ave.

Town officials have received several complaints by residents of speeding on Highland Ave and want to discuss the situation with the Selectboard. The following people spoke about the speeding on Highland Ave and other town streets: Debbie Douglass, Judy McGraw, Kyle Emge, John Trembly, Liam Freeman, Penny Simmons, Caroline Jopling.

Police Chief Owens said it was a highly trafficked road and showed tracking data to the SB members from the speed box installed on Highland Ave. Some of the information included: approx. 74,000 vehicles traveling in one direction since January 2023, the average speed was 25 mph, the highest speed recorded was 71 mph, the Police Dept had conducted 64 traffic stops. Ongoing comments were received from: Steve Nichols, Phil Peterson, Megan Amundson, Chrissy Carrocio, and Debbie Douglass. Beattie commented on the type of vehicular traffic that uses Highland. Byers suggested using BCRC for ongoing assistance, B. Drunsic talked about a sidewalk-frontage tax.

Shires Housing and a Possible Development of Town-Owned Depot St Properties

The Shires Housing group introduced themselves and Cat Byers discussed the overall project. She stated that Shires already owns and manages over 400 units in Bennington County and was excited about a possible partnership with Manchester. Matt Moore explained the process and steps necessary to complete this non-profit project. Curan Vanderwielen discussed the timing and permit process. Moore explained the cost rational behind the project. Steve Nichols asked about the Town’s cost participation. Beattie talked about urban settings and designs vs a rural community like Manchester. Judd Hoffman explained the Housing Task Force’ recommendation. B. Drunsic asked about income requirements and rental rates. Moore explained the need for the Town to agree to a Purchase Option agreement for site control and to allow for the Shires to conduct Due Diligence before purchasing the property. Megan Amundson said she fully supported the project and encouraged the SB to move forward. S Drunsic asked if the town contributes the land as their cost of the project will that part of the funding go toward funding other Shires’ projects? Byers said no.

Carrocio suggested that the proposal lacks green space for playgrounds and picnic areas.

Kyle Murphy (via Zoom) said his group had submitted a proposal and wanted to know how the Housing Task Force had concluded The Shires’ proposal was determined to be the better proposal. Beattie said they would check on how that decision was made.

Riverwalk Discussion

Margaret Donavan discussed the Riverwalk Project and wanted to know when the SB would be making a decision on how much funding the Riverwalk would be receiving. She asked the Board to make a quick decision as it has been affecting their fundraising. Beattie said he felt the Board would be able to reach a consensus by August 1st. S. Drunsic commented on how price increases were affecting the overall cost of the project and that the project had already increased by 12%.

Appoint Phil “Grub” Bourn as Forest Fire Warden and Chris Towslee as Fire Warden Asst.

Motioned by Kunz, seconded by Chamberlain, All in Favor, 5-0

Possibly Increase Cemetery Rates for Weekend Burials

Murphy explained the need to increase two of the current cemetery rates and that all rates would be reviewed in November. He recommended increasing the overall conventional burial cost to $1,100 from $800 and the weekend additional fee cost to $450 from $300.

Motioned by Kunz, seconded by Cutler, All in Favor 5-0.

Town Manager Updates

a.       New staff addition: Caleb Parker in DPW

b.      Update on setting the Tax Rate for FY 2024

c.       Flooding status and Rootville Road culvert

Other Business (Selectboard Members)

Cutler motioned to enter into Executive Session to discuss a possible contract that would place the Town at a substantial disadvantage according to 1 V.S.A. 313(a)(1), seconded by Nolan, All in Favor, 5-0. The SB entered Executive Session at 9:25.

The Selectboard exited Executive Session at 10:10.

No action taken.

Motion to adjourn by Nolan, seconded by Chamberlain, all in favor, 5-0 . Meeting adjourned at 10:15.