Town of Manchester
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes for 9/19/2023
Call to Order by Beattie @ 7:00
Pledge of Allegiance – led by Jolivette
Selectboard Attendees: Ivan Beattie, Greg Cutler, Heidi Chamberlain, Lauri Kunz,
Jan Nolan
Town Employees: Town Manager, Scott Murphy.
Public Attendees: Sylvia Jolivette, Victoria Silsby, Ken McGraw, Martine Victor, Bill Drunsic, one other.
Zoom Attendees: Nick Bernardino
Public Comments: Silsby spoke about the Barnumville and Beech roads intersection combined with the railroad crossing make it a dangerous situation and needs to be addressed. Beattie gave a history of the intersection and agreed that it can be dangerous at times. Murphy mentioned that the Police Chief has reviewed the traffic accidents history and not found many reported accidents. Murphy will check on the possibility of having a traffic study done at the intersection.
Approve Minutes from September 5th Selectboard Meeting, motioned by Kunz, second by Cutler, All in Favor 4-0, one abstain (Nolan). .
Set Date for Verizon Cell Tower Public hearing
The Selectboard chose Wednesday October 25th at 6:00 to hold the Public Meeting to discuss the Verizon Telecommunications Facility proposal for Hunter Park. The meeting will be held at the Community Library.
Victor spoke against cell towers being located near where kids would be playing such as the proposed Hunter Park location.
Manchester Community Library Update by Ed Surjan, Executive Director
Ed Surjan gave a presentation on the Manchester Community Library and mentioned that visits have doubled and Programs have tripled in the past year. They have added 800 new members, 2/3rd of which are Manchester residents. They focus on families and children and are “patron-driven”. They have joined the Catamount Library Network which allows members to access a half million books/materials. Beattie made some budget observations and Chamberlain asked about the BBA café. Cutler thanked Surjan for his informative presentation.
Strawberry Fields Lane sale of Town-owned land.
Murphy explained the process of selling the town-owned land and the one bid received from the Request For Proposals. If the Selectboard agrees to sell at the price that was bid ($5,000), then we have to post the proposed sale in three locations and publish it in the paper of record until 30 days have passed, at which time the sale can be consummated.
Jolivette questioned the location and Beattie explained that it is land-locked and adjacent to Route 7 just after the overpass from Winter St. Chamberlain motioned to sell the property at the price that was bid, seconded by Nolan, all in favor 5-0.
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Town Manager Updates
a. National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) ongoing projects for stream restoration at Rootville Rd and Bourne Brook.
b. Regarding Bourne Brook, McGraw questioned why the State would not allow the Project to drive pilons into the bend where the river naturally flows to protect the properties of Green Mountain Estates. Murphy mentioned that the Town and State Representative Bongartz, along with the Stratton Foundation, will be holding an on-site meeting with Green Mountain Estate residents on October 4th at 5 pm to discuss possible funding to help relocate indoor utilities above the flood elevation level.
c. Storm damage at Factory Point Cemetery.
d. The terms of the Green Mountain Estates Agreement for the sale to the Town has been agreed upon and will be presented to the Selectboard at the next meeting on October 3rd for approval.
Other Business (Selectboard Members)
Drunsic brought up Short Term Rentals (STR) and the recent study that was completed for the Town and Village. He feels the Selectboard should address this issue and encourage the Planning Commission to take up the topic.
Next regular meeting 10/4/2023
Executive Session: Cutler motioned to go into Ex Session for Contracts 1. VSA 312(a)(g), and Evaluation of a Public Officer/Employee 1 V.S.A. 312(a)(3). seconded by Nolan All in Favor 5-0. The Selectboard entered into Executive Session at 8:34 PM.
Selectboard exited Executive Session at 9:18 PM No action taken.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:19 PM