Town of Manchester
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes for 7/25/2023
Call to Order by Beattie @ 7:03
Pledge of Allegiance – led by Sylvia Jolivette
Selectboard Attendees: Ivan Beattie, Greg Cutler, Jan Nolan, Heidi Chamberlain, Lauri Kunz
Town Employees: Town Manager Scott Murphy.
Public Attendees: Sylvia Jolivette, Cat Bryars of The Shires Housing, Joanne O’Connor, Davey Quesnel, Wilbur Rice, Paul Carroccio, Greg Sukiennik of the Manchester Journal, Karen Geriak, Wayne Bell
Zoom Attendees: Matt Moore of Evernorth, Brandon
Public Comments Jolivette updated the Board on the trees near Stewarts, Cutler mentioned a dead tree limb near the Shaws’ roundabout.
Approve Minutes of 7/11/2023 (Regular meeting). Motioned by Nolan, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor 5-0
Approve Liquor Licenses (if any) None
Shires Housing and a Possible Development of Town-Owned Depot St Properties
Cat Bryars of Shires Housing discussed their preliminary plans for a possible housing development using the rear section of the Town-owned Depot St property and the need for a Purchase Option from the Town. They have submitted a Memorandum of a Proposed Option Agreement, which has been forwarded to Town Atty Merrill Bent for review. Bent is on vacation through Aug 7th. Beattie reviewed the process from the Town’s prospective. Bryars agreed with his comments and felt that they can work together to make this successful. O’Connor asked about the need for flood insurance since the property is in a floodplain. Moore (via Zoom) explained that they will need to address the flood-related requirements when they get further along in the Project but will build all of those into the proposed design when appropriate. Jolivette spoke out against the Housing Project being located in the downtown area. Rice asked about the public being able to see a detailed plan and about the timeline of the Project. Beattie and Bryars explained the various public hearings that will be held before final approval is granted for the proposed Project. Chamberlain mentioned that the Purchase Option would be an interim agreement to allow The Shires to complete due diligence to see if the Project is feasible. Nolan mentioned that the draft proposal for the Option did not include an “opt-out” clause. O’Connor asked about the type of heating system being included in the design and suggested they look at Geothermal. Carroccio asked about whether the project would be paying the full assessed amount of property taxes. Moore explained that the State sets a reduced rate for these types of state and federally funded housing projects and they would pay around 75% of the assessed value. Carroccio asked if the Selectboard would do the same for other developers in town. Rice questioned whether the Town was going to charge or donate the land for the Project. Chamberlain spoke about the timing of the project.
Property Tax Due Date
Murphy explained that the Selectboard does not have to act on extending the first property tax due date as it is already in State Statute that “if the tax collector does not mail the notice 30 days before the date set (by the voters at Town Meeting), then taxes are due 30 days from the date of mailing the notice to the taxpayers”. Gordon Black is set to finalize the Grand List by Monday and submit to the State. After receiving the State Education Tax Rate in approx. 7-10 days, we can hold a Special Meeting to set the Town tax rate and then mail out the property tax bills. Therefore, the first due date will probably be around mid-September rather than September 1st.
Bond Bank Drawdown for WW line Extension
Motioned by Chamberlain, seconded by Kunz, to authorize the Town Manager to sign the necessary documents to drawn down the remaining funds from the Vermont Bond Bank for the wastewater line extension project, All in Favor 5-0.
Town Manager Updates
a. WW line extension project construction to resume on Thursday 7/27
b. Update on the flooding and repair work at Green Mountain Estates.
Public Comment (allowed)
Karen Geriak discussed her parking situation for her business at Nippers/Cold Cow and asked the Selectboard to overturn a DRB decision. Beattie explained that the Selectboard doesn’t have the authority to overturn a DRB decision but that he would talk with the Chair of the DRB to learn more about the issue.
Other Business (Selectboard Members)
Cutler asked about Highland Ave and possibly installing speed bumps. Murphy reiterated Chief Owens comments from the last meeting where the issue is not speeding (the average speed is
25 mph) but traffic volume. The police have been monitoring the road more actively recently. Cutler asked about having the State paint yellow center-lines and Murphy said he would ask them to do so.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Nolan, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:29 (PM)