Letters to the Editor
February 25, 2010, pages 2 - 4

Dottie Waller Recognized

I want to publicly express my appreciation to Dottie Waller for her 12 years on the CVU school board representing our Charlotte community.
Dottie has been a fair, compassionate, articulate and extremely thoughtful advocate for Charlotte’s young people. She has consistently been realistic about rising tax burdens in our town, while simultaneously striving to preserve and advance excellence at our high school.
Dottie has been active on several committees for years, including the CVU facility committee. The fruits of her efforts can be seen in the newly renovated auditorium, a project that greatly enhances CVU’s performing arts programs and provides a wonderful space for community groups as well. This project was accomplished without raising taxes.
Though the CVU board is relatively off the public radar screen, it is incredibly time-consuming and involves intense hard work. For 12 years, Dottie has been there—constantly working to make our community high school an extraordinary school.
Thank you, Dottie!

Lorna Jimerson

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LeBoeuf Proposal Unworthy of Support

In the years since I served as editor of The Charlotte News, I have felt reluctant to voice my opinion in this forum; however, with apologies to Richard LeBoeuf, I feel it is now vitally important for me to say I will be voting AGAINST Article 12 for these reasons:
1. There was no public discussion of the proposal prior to the Selectmen’s agreeing to buy this land.
2. There has been no appraisal of the land to determine fair market value.
3. The land is currently taxed at a value approximately one quarter of the agreed purchase price.
4. The land’s development will be significantly controlled by its lack of septic capacity. Any developer would have to purchase septic capacity elsewhere, perhaps from the town, which owns that capacity on the Burns property, allowing the town to make, not spend, money.
5. I feel our Town Plan and our Planning and Zoning Regulations allow the town adequate control of the land should pressure for commercial development evolve.
6. The purchase will remove the land from the tax roll, increasing our tax burden beyond the cost of buying the land.
7. I don’t feel it is appropriate for the town to assume the role of commercial developer.
In short, I feel the Selectmen’s signing a purchase and sales agreement was both precipitous and unconscionable, and that the proposal is unworthy of our support.

Abby Sheldon-Dean
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Support for Dick Hess for CVU School Board

Perspective. Its one of those things in life that you sort of know it when you see it. Having known Dick for over 7 years, I have come to appreciate the perspective he brings to issues. He is thoughtful, deliberate and brings a healthy perspective to the discussion. Dick is an advocate for the school as a community. He is able to put aside his personal biases and spend the time necessary to listen to all sides, consider the merits of each matter, and make a decision based on the best interest of the school and the community in which we all live.
I am glad to have Dick as a friend and proud to support him for the CVU school board.

Tom Gorman
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Variety Show a Magical Night

I am spending my Saturday before Valentines Day with a big smile on my face, but not in anticipation of the chocolates and flowers I may (or may not) be receiving tomorrow. My smile today comes from remembering what a great Variety Show we had last night! Josie Leavitt, once again, did a great job in moving the show along and keeping everyone distracted as we fumbled with the various props and setup. Ben Chartrand made every act feel professional with his skilled lights and sound. It was a truly magical night, thanks to all of the energetic, brave and enthusiastic performers who got up on stage and entertained us all. All of those in attendance were host to a dazzling night filled with excited kids and proud parents. Thank you to everyone who either supported their “star”, came to the show, or helped out along the way. Thanks to my family for their patience and support (and the idea). Most importantly, a big “Thank You!” goes to the children who make the show spectacular every year! I cant wait to see what you’ve got cookin’ for next year!

Sue Thibault
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Opposed to Town Purchase of LeBoeuf Property

The primary justification for the proposed purchase is that the “Town can control its future development.” However, we already do. We have a Town Plan and Land Use Regulations that are very specific about the future use of the property….
The second justification is that the “price is right.” Unfortunately, the price is wrong, very wrong. The town currently appraises the property for about $260,000 as part of the larger LeBoeuf property, and the listers have estimated that the lot as a free-standing lot would be valued at about $350,000. So why is the town agreeing to pay 3-4 times its assessed value?
The primary justification is that you could easily put 10 houses on the property and each could be sold for at least $120,000…. However, ...to net the $120,000 retail value, a developer would first have to purchase and finance the acquisition, then pay tens of thousands of dollars for engineering and other studies, then wait 1-4 years to get approvals, then pay for and construct the infrastructure of roads, septic, water, electric, etc….
Second, the property has no septic capability…. The argument that the town has septic capability on the Burns property to provide to the LeBoeuf property is ludicrous—what that means is that the town would be giving LeBoeuf our valuable septic rights so that he can make his property more valuable to sell to the town at a high price….
What the town should be doing is to offer to sell septic capability to LeBoeuf at a reasonable price and for the land around the Town Hall and other community buildings. This proposal would make the town money, get the town the land it wants, keep the property on the tax rolls and allow the development of the property in accordance with town regulations.

Liam Murphy
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Please vote “yes” for Affordable Housing in Charlotte

Article 6 on Town Meeting Day seeks approval for $40,000 per year for the next five years for the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund. Three years ago Charlotte voters approved an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with a total contribution of $120,000 over three years. During 2007 the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee developed policies and procedures for management of the fund that were approved by the Selectboard in early 2008. The first grant application for $5,000 for a feasibility study for 4 units was approved in 2008. In 2009 four applications were received, two for feasibility studies and two for construction. These requests, totaling $47,325 for 16 new units, were approved in December 2009.
If the approved feasibility studies are successful, we can anticipate a second round of applications for construction grants for these proposals of up to $60,000. The Trust Fund also anticipates a continued increase in new grant requests as the existence of the program becomes better known. If no additional monies are added to the fund, only $12,675 will be available for new grants (beyond the anticipated $60,000 mentioned above).
Affordable housing continues to be desperately needed in Charlotte. It is needed for our long-time residents in their later years. And it is needed for people who live and work here in a variety of essential jobs and for their children or their parents.
The Trust Fund Committee is very encouraged by the interest in building more affordable units for Charlotters that has been engendered by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund so far. Please vote “yes” on Article 6 so that we can continue to support affordable housing in Charlotte.

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee
Allan Jordan; Ted Montgomery; John Owen, chair; Ellie Russell; Carrie Spear

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Thinking Strategically

I am delighted to hear that the Selectboard is thinking strategically regarding land. We should be looking at land that can benefit residents by being Town owned, in the east and west Villages. As the Duke of Wellington said, “I want the biggest map possible; the enemy might just be off the page.” Undertaking an inventory of the land currently owned by the town that is not of strategic importance should be part of any land proposals. If it is developable, it could be sold for market rate, providing capital for town projects and property taxes in perpetuity.
Development of the LeBouef parcel has been difficult. I believe past proposals for the property were not viewed favorably by the town. The town has shown that it can control development of land in the Route 7 corridor without owning it: Planning and zoning regulations control the use of land. There are mechanisms to achieve what the town wants, without being a landowner.
Those who invest, successfully, in real estate rarely pay speculative prices for property. This land is not approved for the development of 10 units. The maximum allowable number of units is not always approved by the Planning Commission. The proposed sale price does not reflect current use. I believe an appraisal using the income approach would yield a significantly lower number.
The LeBouef property is strategically important. We can encourage appropriate development of the site, without owning it. Could the town sell septic to encourage beneficial development of the site and gain funds for other strategic investments? There may be more options than we are currently considering.
Robin Pierce

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Tax Tidbits and Town Meeting

Thanks to Vermont Commissioner of Taxes Rich Westman for coming to Charlotte with his presentation on “The Tax Trainwreck” – very informative. Thanks to all who attended on a Thursday evening! Big thanks to Charlotte’s four stores for providing food and drink: The Old Brick for pizza; Little Garden Market for shrimp cocktail, carrots and dip; Spear’s for soda and The Family Deli for coke and cups! You made it happen at the five o’clock hour!
Rural Route Today will invite Commissioner Westman to present his follow up and we are planning a date for his presentation at CVU. Stay tuned for the announcement. Although not “feel good” information, understanding the tax structure is helpful. Check ccsvt.us to see if these presentations have been posted.
Plan ahead for Town Meeting and do not miss it! This fine tradition only works when many people attend. As for the ballot votes, please inform yourselves. Personally, I think $1.2 million is a lot to ask for the LeBoeuf property. And schemes of using Conservation Fund money outside of the proper protocol for such an allocation must be avoided. This plan is very last-minute and, in my opinion, not very well thought out.
Also on the ballot is a contest for the CVU board member slot. We are lucky to have two fine candidates – choice is good. I respect Marilyn Richardson’s years of service to the educational community and her willingness to serve, but I really like the frugal approach that Dick Hess is putting forward. His children are students at CVU and he seeks to uphold the quality of education there while exploring alternative and creative funding mechanisms. I believe we need someone whose service is dedicated to those ends.

Robin Reid
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Vote NO on LeBoeuf

The recent Selectboard presentation of the LeBoeuf purchase solidified my vote against the Town purchasing it for the following reasons:
PRICE - The Town Listers’ assessment of the property is $285,000. The Selectboard did not get an appraisal prior to signing a contract for $1.2 million. An appraisal would have said don’t pay such a high price?
SEPTIC – There is no septic on the LeBoeuf property. At one time Dick had a septic easement on the Mack Farm, but Dick’s rights to that easement are gone. When the Burns property was affordably purchased by the town, one very valuable resource for the town was septic… The Selectboard initiated a study of the West Village septic needs, which is far from completed. Why should the town purchase LeBoeuf for an inflated price and benefit LeBoeuf by sucking up a large portion of town-owned affordable septic when there might be a better use of such septic on Burns or within the West Village?
CONTROL – The Selectboard says that this purchase allows the town to control what happens on the LeBoeuf property…. I have confidence that citizen and professional input at Town Plan and Subdivision Regulation hearings provide enough direction and rules to any private developer so that we will have a positive outcome. Besides the Town controls the nearby septic. Guess who is in the driver’s seat?
TAXES – The recent Vermont Tax Commissioner’s presentation on the dire straits of the Vermont Property Tax system showed that we are in for a tax disaster in 2012 and probably in 2011. No one can predict our future local tax rate.
DO VOTE NO ON THE LEBOEUF PURCHASE SO AN OVERPRICED LAND PURCHASE THAT WE DON’T NEED TO BUY WON’T END UP ON OUR TAX BILLS.

David Miskell
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Deal of the Decade or Swamp Gas?

The Charlotte Selectboard is hot and eager to buy the LeBoeuf swampland for $1.2 million, although the market value of these 51 acres is only $268,000, according to the assessment by the Town Listers. The Selectboard does not want to conserve the land, but merely gain more control over its development than they already have by the town plan and the permit process. Maybe they are afraid that a crematorium designed by Frank Gehry might rise behind the Town Hall, but I suspect that there is something else about this deal they are not telling us. The only thing that could justify the purchase of this swampland at a price far above market value is hidden treasure. Could it be that the swamp contains a high concentration of heavy water ($400 a pound)? Or could it be that the swamp is a prehistoric rhinoceros cemetery whose horns could be exported to China ($5,000 a pound)? Several other highly profitable ventures come to mind, which might well justify a purchase price of 2, 5, or even 10 million. Let’s go for it.

Hans Ohanian
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Hess Committed to Excellence

I understand that Dick Hess has made the decision to run for the position of CVU School Director representing Charlotte. The past years I have had the opportunity to witness Dick’s involvement as a budget buddy to the board.
As a member of the CVU board for the past seven years I have enjoyed the energy and commitment of many very good board members. But with every board it is imperative that we embrace new insights, ideas, and critical evaluation and thinking. I am confident that Dick will bring to the table a fresh and new perspective along with the ability to consider the views of the administration and board members while learning the various aspects of the challenges at hand.
I have been impressed that, along with his commitment to the budget process, he has shown concern in providing the students with life lessons outside of the classroom when voicing his opinion at non-budget-focused board meetings. He understands the classroom is just one aspect of our role in providing our children with the skills and experience necessary to go on to the next chapters of their lives. He is committed to excellence in education for all students.
Dick has shown the ability to be an engaged and active participant in the oversight role critical to successful board service. He has shown the willingness to volunteer and dedicate the time to become prepared for the challenges ahead. The best boards are composed of individuals who bring with them diverse backgrounds, relevant experiences, independence, and dedication. I believe Dick has demonstrated those characteristics.
Jeff Parker

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Let’s Invest for the Future

Congratulations to the Selectboard for offering several public meetings to discuss the proposed purchase of the LeBoeuf property. (If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of these meetings there will be one at the Mt. Carmel Church Parish Hall on Spear Street in East Charlotte at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 25…if you are reading this paper promptly, that’s today!... and a final one at 7:30 p.m. on March 1 in the multipurpose room at Charlotte Central School.) The issues that have been raised at the meetings regarding the price, the effect on our tax rate, wetlands, available septic and the Town’s future use of the septic on the Burns property are all pertinent and important in our decision-making. The discussion has been good.
In weighing all of that in my mind, I have come to the conclusion that town ownership of the property will prove to be a wise investment, invaluable to the future of our town. It is the best way to shape growth and meet future needs for the town center and its municipal facilities. We need to take advantage of this window of opportunity, especially with interest on the bond at 2.7%. Shall we gamble that we might get a better deal in the future? I believe that this is a piece of property that we should not risk losing. The LeBoeuf land is the ideal site for future municipal needs, needs that would not be of particular interest to a private developer. Town ownership gives us a wonderful opportunity to plan for both the West Village and the town’s septic assets in the context of the adjoining Town-owned Burns parcel and the land now owned by the Town on Ferry Road. It is almost impossible to do this while the LeBoeuf parcel, so integral to the Town center, remains a great big question mark.
Let us eliminate that question mark by voting yes for the bond on March 2.

Ellie Russell
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Dick Hess for CVU School Board

I’ve known Dick Hess for almost five years. Our daughters are both in sixth grade at CCS, and I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him in and out of school. Dick is a dedicated and loving father and husband. His concern for the Charlotte community is immense. His greatest asset is his willingness and ability to listen and understand all sides of an issue. He is tough but always fair. Dick Hess would make a great addition to the CVU school board.

Sam Pugliese

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LeBoeuf Process Gives Pause

The offer of Dick LeBoeuf to sell the Town of Charlotte 51 acres in the center of town is a rare opportunity that we need to seriously consider. As a participant in the public process for use of the Burns property a few years ago, I could see how the two parcels could be planned together, should the LeBoeuf property ever become available. However, the process undertaken by the Selectboard in this current case gives me pause.
To date, the Selectboard has acted on its own without an appraisal of the property or input from the town Planning and Conservation Commissions. They initially ignored the established application procedures for the town Conservation Fund, instead proposing to reduce the yearly allocation to the fund as a means to help partially pay for the LeBoeuf purchase. While the Selectboard has backed off on this proposal for 2010, it still appears to be under consideration for future years.
Furthermore, I am concerned about who will get to decide the future use of this land. After purchase of the Burns property, a town-initiated public process that included many meetings and the able assistance of a consultant resulted in a recommendation for 9 units of affordable housing to be built directly south of the houses along Greenbush Rd. After the voters approved a town advisory motion on this recommendation, the Selectboard reduced the number of units to three and moved them down the road.
Given the experience with the Burns property, the current lack of input from other town agencies or the presentation of a thoughtful proposal for the LeBouef property, along with an attempt to reduce the voter-approved allocation to the Conservation Fund, I am not reassured the Selectboard will act to protect the interests of the whole town if they purchase this property.

Ann Owen
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Thanks from Shirley Bean

There are not enough words to express my feelings to all my friends for the kindness, thoughts and prayers during my recent illness. The cards are read often and I think of you. The meals were delicious and a nice reprieve from frozen meals.
A special thank you to Dr. Cameron Brown for discovering the problem and solving it at the hospital in New Millford, Connecticut, and who took such good care of me.
Deep appreciation to my children for getting me there and back, running errands and much more.
A special thanks to friends at the Charlotte Senoir Center, Charlotte Library, Charlotte Grange and many, many more friends for the calls and prayers.
I am well on my way to recovery and can walk straighter. Thanks!

Shirley Bean
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Price for the LeBoeuf Property Completely Out of Line

I am out of town and have not been able to attend the last 2-3 special Selectboard meetings regarding the Leboeuf potential purchase.
I have spoken to Mr. Russell and Mr. Stone on my feelings pertaining to this potential purchase. In the long term, it would seem a logical move by the board. It is a very valuable property if used for very specific purposes, namely, some senior housing and conserved land, plus the added control the town would have over what happens on that land. I have also talked to a person who develops this type of land and so has Mr. Russell. That person (quote) “the land should be only as valuable as open farmland, maybe $1,000.00 or $2,000.00 per acre.” The reason: there is no infrastructure (water & sewage) in place. Assuming $2,000/acre, we should be offering $102,000. Not $1,200,000. The price is completely out of line, and on that fact alone, I would urge Charlotte voters to turn down this proposal.
The larger issue, which I have discussed with them, is the tax burden issue. As the proposed town budget is presented to the voters, a 13-cent-tax increase is being proposed. This is the total of the Town portion, the Charlotte Central portion and the Chittenden South portion. Based on the average price of a house in Charlotte, $632,000, the taxes are going to rise $842 this year! That is before any discussion of the Leboeuf purchase! I believe the boards, which are elected to represent us citizens, need to step back and stop this crazy increase. The residents of Charlotte have had enough!

Moe Harvey
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Internet Cloak-and-Dagger

It is astonishing to consider the designs and techniques of Internet fraud / identity theft / hacker operators who may be able to reach even the tender heart of Our Town, The Charlotte News computer. What other explanation could there be for language in Edd Merritt’s piece published in the previous issue describing the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s “...wishes for a second drop-off center in southern Chittenden County...?” Everyone following the many related discussions during the last year at Selectboard and Planning Commission meetings knows the truth. CSWD is seeking a new home for the only Community Drop-Off Center south of Burlington, presently located at the end of a long, treacherous drive into Hinesburg with limited services 8-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. CSWD is being kicked out because of development plans for the property. After it is created electronically, each issue of The Charlotte News is transported over the Internet, to the New Hampshire printer. Thankfully, the people in charge at The Charlotte News changed the website version of the story to language as assumedly written in Mr. Merritt’s original submission to the Editor.

Stephen C. Brooks
Charlotte Commissioner, CSWD