Selectboard Close to Monument Decision
by Robbie Stanley

The April 27 Selectboard meeting agenda was lengthy, but several pending items were resolved and progress was made on those that couldn’t yet be completed.
Shoring up the monument
The WWI monument at the West Charlotte four corners reappeared on the agenda. Jenny Cole, Beth Merritt and Mary Lighthall, representing the Monument Committee, affirmed that the monument was not going to be moved from its present location. They presented estimates for new eight-inch-tall concrete or granite curbing (costing an estimated $4,500 or $9,000, respectively). The overall shape will be streamlined into a tear-drop design to help protect it from vehicles. After discussing the barrier height, board member Cole will get an estimate for 18-inch-tall granite curbing; the board will make a final decision next meeting. A donation has been made to the town that may be applied toward the costs of sprucing up the monument.
Franchising carriers
Tom Moreau, General Manager of Chittenden Solid Waste District and Charlotte’s representative Stephen Brooks appeared to discuss the renewal of the CSWD budget. Board member Winslow Ladue questioned the efficiency of multiple trucks servicing the same geographical area. Moreau agreed, stating that the “economics of franchising are very good.” He explained that franchising requires that a town decide on one carrier for all the town’s residential pickups. Multiple carriers are inefficient, increasing costs and air pollution, he said. Carriers’ bids would be voted on by the town at Town Meeting. Bids would be renewed every few years to keep prices down and open to more than one carrier. The proposed budget was approved.
Town Hall systems analyzed
Representing the Charlotte Energy Task Force, Suzy Hodgson asked the town for $1,000 toward a $12,000 grant application to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to reduce energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions in Charlotte’s Town Hall. Selectboard member Ed Stone questioned the need for the project, pointing out that the wrong system was originally installed in the Town Hall building. He added, “We need to take the system out and put in a new system.” But the board was persuaded to agree to the expenditure by anticipating that the grant would allow the Charlotte Energy Committee to measure and document the current system and generate design suggestions for a new system.
Appointments
Howard Verman was appointed to serve out the rest of Linda Hamilton’s term on the Conservation Committee, which expires in 2011. Carol Clay and Gary Franklin were reappointed to the Trails Committee for two-year terms.
The next Selectboard meeting is May 11 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall and will include a discussion of Charlotte’s ancient roads.