Town of Manchester
Selectboard Meeting
Minutes for 10/17/2023 – (draft)
Call to Order by Nolan @ 7:03 pm
Pledge of Allegiance – led by Sylvia Jolivette
Selectboard Attendees: Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Lauri Kunz, Jan Nolan
Absent: Greg Cutler
Town Employees: Town Manager, Scott Murphy, Town Clerk, Anita Sheldon
Public Attendees: Katie Vandale, Patti Cody, Kim Johnson, Ken McGraw, Debbie McGraw, Sharon Conway, Gene Dupree, Richard Hom, Elizabeth Sheldon, Gail Colgan, Dom Penge, Maryam Zenali, Austin Felis II, William J Ekelund, Kathleen James, Ben Weiss, Paul Bogossian, Mark Towslee, Anita Sheldon, Amber Leslie, Ben Leslie, Seth Bongartz, Sylvia Jolivette, Joe Charbonneau, Mary Fran Charbonneau, Bill Drunsic, Scott Carey, Tom Dailey, Brenda Jones, Shawn Harrington, Jerrid Cobb
Zoom Attendees: None
Public Comments Jolivette said the Town should bury more overhead power lines and Beattie responded by agreeing with her but highlighted the great expense to do so. Drunsic announced the completion of the municipal parking lot behind Walgreen with the exception of the lights.
Approve Minutes from September 19th Selectboard Meeting, motion to approve by Nolan, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor 4-0.
Approval of Liquor License Applications:
The Selectboard discussed the possibility of extending the Outside Consumption hours at Haigs/Seasons from 11PM to 1AM. Murphy confirmed that it would require a change to the existing Ordinance which limits Outside Consumption to 11PM. The Board agreed to put this question on the next Selectboard Agenda for discussion and possible approval.
Owner Austin Felis spoke about his company’s request for a Liquor License for Dorset Maple Reserve Farm, LLC. He spoke of the growing business located on Main St next to Christos Restaurant. Kunz motioned to approve a First Class and Third Class liquor license for the applicant, seconded by Chamberlain, All in Favor 4-0.
State Representatives Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz updated the Selectboard on the upcoming Legislative session and answered questions.
Bongartz spoke about key upcoming items including the ongoing drug use crisis, independent school funding, and housing needs. James spoke about private school funding, assisting developers to build housing for middle income homeowners, and addressed the recently passed Payroll Tax to fund the Child Care Law. Drunsic asked about the Payroll Tax and if it would be paid for by all employees or just the ones above a certain pay level. James did not have the information available but promised to provide it to him later. Bongartz spoke about the efforts to amend Act 250.
Introduction of Katie Vandale, incoming Director of the Northshire Rescue Squad
Ben Weiss, Vice President of the Northshire Rescue Squad Board, introduced Katie Vandale as the incoming Director of NRS. Vandale spoke of her background and that she will be
co-directing with Mike Casey until his retirement in December. Everyone gave her a warm welcome.
Donation request for used ambulance by the Northshire Rescue Squad.
Ben Weiss spoke of the original history of the depreciated ambulance and the ownership questions. Beattie reminded him that it had been legally determined to be owned by the Town of Manchester but he was not opposed to the donation. Chamberlain said that this could be a sign that the two organizations have been working more cooperatively together. Nolan questioned why the Town should donate to one non-profit and not the others such as the Fire Dept.
Chamberlain motioned to donate the ambulance to Northshire Rescue Squad, seconded by Kunz, motion approved 3-1 (Nolan opposed).
Green Mountain Estates Agreement
Beattie spoke about the long history of getting to this point in reaching an Agreement for the Town to take over the roads, water and sewer systems of the Green Mountain Estates development. Drunsic questioned the terms of the Agreement and Beattie explained the issues surrounding the Agreement. Nolan motioned to accept and approve the Agreement as presented, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor 4-0. Beattie thanked the many people in attendance for their patience and Penge thanked the Selectboard for getting the Agreement completed.
Possibly Approve new Town Purchasing Policy
Murphy discussed the Town’s Procurement Policy, which is outdated and confusing. He has drafted a new Purchasing Policy with many of the same basic terms but modified it to make it more understandable and functional. Chamberlain motioned to approve the Purchasing Policy as presented, seconded by Kunz, All in Favor 4-0.
Town Manager Updates
a. NRCS Projects update
b. FEMA stormwater projects
c. Police Communications System for body-cams and in-vehicle systems.
d. FY 2025 Budget
e. Walgreens Parking Lot completion and costs.
f. Verizon balloon test for cell tower application tomorrow (10/18).
Other Business (Selectboard Members)
None
Next regular meeting 11/7/23
Executive Session: Nolan motioned to go into Ex Session for Contracts 1. VSA 312(a)(g), seconded by Chamberlain, All in Favor 4-0. The Selectboard entered into Executive Session
At 8:42 PM.
Selectboard exited Executive Session at 9:01. No action taken.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:02 PM