Selectboard Considers Non-Solar Issues

by Ellie Russell, December 1, 2011, page 1.....Following the solar tracker discussion at the November 21 meeting, the Selectboard took up several more town matters.

Affordable Housing Grants
The Selectboard approved the recommendation of the Charlotte Affordable Housing Trust Fund Committee to award a $30,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity toward construction of five units of affordable housing on the former Gecewicz property on Spear Street. There will be three houses and one duplex.

Budget Discussions
The Charlotte Affordable Housing Trust Fund requested $500 to cover the expenses of printing and distributing a brochure describing the trust fund and for other expenses to improve public awareness of the fund and its purpose.
Road Commissioner Junior Lewis presented his plans for the next fiscal year. He and his crew plan to finish dirt road upgrades this year, install No Parking signs on Deer Point Road on Thompson’s Point as well as the new 35 mph speed limit signs on dirt roads, and complete some bridge repairs and the ditching on Lewis Creek Road. Junior reported that salt is available for the coming winter at a good price and the gravel pit is covered and will no longer be used by the town.
Representatives from the Energy Committee stated that their plans for next year include a Dark Sky Initiative, working on the “Energy” section of the Town Plan and on the PACE Program. They will look at heating issues at the library (a new furnace is needed there) and the viability geo-thermal possibilities for the town. They requested funding for possible grant matches.
Marty Illick discussed the Lewis Creek Association programs and funding. The major focus was on the Charlotte/Shelburne Water Quality Program, which is a new combined effort between Charlotte and Shelburne to continue the removal of invasive plants at Town Farm Bay in Charlotte and at the mouths of the McCabe Brook and LaPlatte River in Shelburne. The conservation commissions in each town will assist in program oversight. A paid coordinator will lead these on-going volunteer projects.

Health Insurance
The Selectboard approved a new high deductible, low premium plan for Charlotte employees (the existing plan is being discontinued). The Selectboard also voted to approve the present 10% contribution by employees toward the premium and the deductible. The total cost will remain essentially the same as last year at $134,000. For employees the new plan is similar in cost to the existing plan and the benefits are better. In addition, the new plan provides better coverage for out-of-network providers.

Waitsfield/Champlain Valley Telecom
The selectboard voted to approve their request to replace a 100-foot section of cable near the intersection of Guinea Road and Spear Street.