Select Board Meeting Minutes - October 22, 2012

TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SELECTMEN’S HALL – 96 MAIN STREET – THIRD FLOOR
PUBLIC HEARINGS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012 (Amended 11-13-12 dh)
7:00 PM
Zoning Bylaws
“DRAFT” Town Plan

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BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Immediately following the Public Hearings

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MINUTES

A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:

Chairman, Kristi Morris, called the meeting to order at 9:10 PM.

Board Members Present: Chairman, Kristi Morris, Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, Stephanie Gibson, and David Yesman.
Peter MacGillivray Absent

Also present: Town Manager, Robert Forguites, Comptroller, Jeffrey Mobus, Police Chief, Douglas Johnston, Public Works Director, Harry Henderson and Town Attorney, Stephen Ankuda.

B. MINUTES:

1. Regular Board Meeting, Monday, October 8, 2012

Chairman, Kristi Morris, asked if there were changes to the Regular Board Meeting, Monday, October 8, 2012. There were none.

MOTION: Michael Knoras motioned to accept Regular Board Meeting Minutes of Monday, October 8, 2012. David Yesman seconded, 3 Yes & 1 Abstain (S. Gibson was not at the 10-08-12 Meeting).
Peter MacGillivray Absent

C. ANY REQUESTED ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: - None

D. CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: - None

E. PRIORITY BUSINESS:

Town Manager, Robert Forguites, wanted to personally acknowledge and thank Public Work Director, Harry Henderson, for all the years he served the Town of Springfield as the Public Works Director. Harry has officially retired as of Friday, October 19, 2012. Everyone in the Town Hall stood and applauded Harry Henderson and wished him the best of luck.

Chairman Morris said as long as we were all handing out congratulations and best wishes, we should congratulate Town Manager, Robert Forguites. Bob recently received an award for Distinguished Town Manager from his peers, the Vermont Municipal Managers Association. Mr. Forguites said he was surprised and appreciated the acknowledgement.

Mr. Forguites also thanked Mr. & Mrs. Morris for covering his volunteer duties at the VFW Volunteer Dinner so he could attend the Vermont Municipal Managers Association Annual Meeting.

F. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: - None

G. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTAL MINUTES AND REPORTS:

1. Springfield Fire Department – September 2012
2. Springfield Airport Commission – September 12, 2012
3. Springfield Senior Center – October 2012
4. Springfield Housing Authority – October 9, 2012

Chairman, Kristi Morris, acknowledged the above minutes and reports from the Springfield Fire Department – September 2012, Springfield Airport Commission – September 12, 2012, Springfield Senior Center – October 2012 and Springfield Housing Authority – October 9, 2012. Chairman Morris noted that copies could be obtained from the Town Manager’s office.

H. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: None

I. OLD BUSINESS:

1. Citizen Concerns – Update - a. Police Activity

Mr. Forguites confirmed with Stephanie Gibson, that she and Peter MacGillivray have met with Chief Johnston and Lieutenant Fountain a couple of times to discuss the Police Activity Sub-Committee. Ms. Gibson confirmed. She also stated, she and Peter have met to set objectives for the sub-committee. Ms Gibson and Mr. MacGillivray will also be meeting with a facilitator in the near future.

1. Citizen Concerns – Update - b. Ordinance Review

Mr. Forguites asked Stephen Ankuda to speak of the updates. Mr. Ankuda updated the Board of a proposed Rental Property Ordinance. The proposed ordinance would require Landlords to register their rental properties yearly and be open to safety & fire inspections. Landlords would be encouraged and educated how to perform background checks for new tenants.

MOTION: Michael Knoras motioned to present the proposed Rental Property Ordinance to the Planning
Commission for review. Stephan Gibson seconded.

David Yesman stated the last thing he wanted was for other people to tell him what to do with his property.

Michael Knoras explained this was only a “Fact Finding” discussion. Mike stated the Planning Commission was being asked to only review the proposed Rental Property Ordinance. He also stated there is no point of having ordinances without enforcing them.

Wendi Germain said she came to the meeting on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is working hard on a class for Landlord Education.

Susan Smaller also stated Rental Codes encourage written rental agreements and promote access to safe and fair housing benefits to tenants and landlords.

Mr. Yesman also noted some landlords know the right steps to take.

Mr. Ankuda thought the Planning Commission should review the proposed Rental Property Ordinance

Chairman Morris asked for a vote.

Vote: 4 Yes, passed unanimously. Peter MacGillivray Absent.

2. Budget Advisory Committee

Mr. Forguites stated he had heard from Terri Benton and she is interested in serving on the Budget Advisory Committee and he recommends the Board appoint her. At this point, there are not many people interested.

MOTION: Michael Knoras moved to appoint Terri Benton to the Budget Advisory Committee. Stephanie Gibson
seconded, passed unanimously. Peter MacGillivray Absent


3. Streetlight Project Update

Mr. Forguites met with Dan Austin and David Winslow of Green Mountain Power this am. Mr. Austin reported as of October 19, 2012, 219 streetlights have been replaced with LEDs. There are 279 streetlights left to go. Mr. Austin felt strongly the replacement of streetlights to LEDs would be finished by December 17, 2012. Efficiency of Vermont has granted an extension to December 21, 2012. Mr. Forguites shared with the Board there are 55 streetlights to be disconnected. Green Mountain Power confirmed they would be disconnected by December 17, 2012.





J. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Zoning Bylaws Amendment Adoption

. Add a new Section 2.6 “Prohibited Uses”. The following are prohibited uses in all Zoning Districts:

Medical Marijuana Dispensary or Dispensaries as permitted and defined By 18 VSA
Chapter 86 and regulated by the Vermont Department of Public Safety.

2. Amended Section 5.3 by removing the struck out word and adding the underlined words:
“Section 5.3 (D) 2. (last sentence) “Proposed activities that would have an undue adverse
adversely affect impact on the character of the neighborhood, area or district shall not be
approved unless the undue adverse impacts can be avoided or mitigated through change(s)
to the location, design, scale, operation, composition and/or intensity of the proposed
development or use.”

MOTION: Michael Knoras moved to adopt new Section 2.6 “Prohibited Uses” and Amended
Section 5.3 of Zoning Bylaws. David Yesman seconded, 3 Yes and 1 No (Stephanie Gibson)
Peter MacGillivray Absent.

Mr. Forguites reminded the Board these Zoning Bylaws would be affected in 21 days.

Chairman, Morris opened the Local Control Commission at 9:52 PM

LOCAL CONTROL COMMISSION:

Mr. Forguites noted the Springfield Regional Development Corporation, (SRDC), is applying for a malt and/or vinous beverage serving permit for use at The Great Hall on Friday, November 9, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Paul Kowalski will be serving and has completed the required course. SRDC is sponsoring an Art Show entitled, “Light and Space” on November 9, 2012 located at The Great Hall, One Hundred River Street, showing will feature four, (4), Artist. This is an opportunity to meet the Artist and enjoy malt and/or vinous beverages and cheese.

MOTION: David Yesman moved to approve the serving permit for Springfield Regional Development Corporation, SRDC, to serve malt and/or vinous beverages at The Great Hall on Friday,
November 9, 2012 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Stephanie Gibson seconded, passed unanimously.
Peter MacGillivray Absent

Mr. Forguites pointed out a serving permit does not require the signatures of the Board of Selectmen. However once the Board of Selectmen approve the serving permit, the Town Clerk needs to sign the permit.

Chairman Morris closed the Local Control Commission at 9:54 PM

K. LEGISLATIVE REPORTS: - None

L. CITIZENS COMMENTS: - None

M. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

Chairman Morris asked for future agenda items. Mr. Forguites and Chairman Morris did not have any. Ms. Gibson stated she would like to report on the progress of the Police Activity Sub-Committee when Mr. MacGillivray will be present. Vice Chairman Knoras stated there should be more to report from the Ordinance Review Committee.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: - Contracts






N. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Michael Knoras moved to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting. David Yesman seconded,
passed unanimously. Peter MacGillivray Absent

Meeting adjourned at 9:55 pm.


Respectfully Submitted



Donna M. Hall
Recording Secretary