Selectboard Undertakes Marathon Session

by John Hammer

The Selectboard met in regular session on May 12 for almost three and a half hours. But that was not all. The regular meeting was preceded by a half-hour site visit and a one-hour work session on improving its processes and communication.

Perkins resigns as Chair of Thorpe Barn Committee.
In a contentious session, Martha Perkins resigned from her position as Chair of the Thorpe Barn Committee. Citing her feeling that there was no commitment from the town or Selectboard for the idea of a Thorpe Barn museum, she said she felt her efforts and those of the committee were of no further use. She and the committee submitted a draft, two-page plan for using the Thorpe Barn as an agricultural heritage museum. The plan addressed the hours, funding, parking, access and security of the site.
A group of neighbors attending the meeting made the argument that parking access from Route 7 contradicted federal ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) restrictions and the conditions of use agreed upon with the Demeter Fund and Vermont Land Trust (VLT). Perkins, with support from Selectman Cole, argued that the Demeter Fund and VLT had been in contact on the issue for a long time, suggesting implicit agreement. When the discussion came to a head, the Selectboard discussed making a direct query to the Demeter Fund. If the reply was negative on the proposed use with its conditions as listed above, then the project would be scrapped. The neighbors argued for participation in the query, citing the need to be a greater part of the process. After a short, and sometimes contentious discussion, Perkins resigned.
The issue was closed with Chair Russell’s thanking Perkins for her hard work and reassuring her of the Selectboard’s appreciation of her efforts.

Beach fees to rise.
Fees for the use of the Town Beach have been raised for the first time in many years. Some guesses from the Selectboard put the last time beach fees were raised at almost 20 years ago. The fees were raised as follows: the daily fee for residents will be $2, with the fee for the season increasing from $10 to $15; non-residents will pay $4 per day and $30 for a seasonal pass. These fees pay for the salaries of the beach attendants, whose work ensures the safety, cleanliness and security at the beach.

CCRPC makes its annual visit.
Officers of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) made their annual visit to the Selectboard. Their primary news was that the commission will have a new Executive Director at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Greg Brown, who has occupied the position for five years, will be replaced by Charlie Baker. Baker, who comes from a similar position in Newcastle, Delaware, is highly qualified in programs regarding land use in an urban, suburban, and rural environment. The chairperson’s position, so ably filled by Garret Mott, will also change.
Brown described the CCRPC 2008 and draft 2009 Work Plans for the commission. These documents set forth the strategies and associated tasks for the year. Among the major tasks being considered are studies on open spaces in the county and a master program among regional planning commissions and others in how to best coordinate the intermodal connections between highways within the Route 7 corridor and the parallel railroad.

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Marty Illick, Charlotte’s CCRPC representative, is a key member on its Natural Resources Committee and is happy to respond to Charlotters’ requests for information. Chairman Mott noted that all meetings are open to the public (schedule at ccrpc.net) and that visitors are always welcome.

Open space agreement made.
Grosse Point, Michigan, resident Henrietta Fridholm and the St. Clair Group have made an open space agreement for 25 ¼ acres in a parcel that nestles within the Ferry Road curve near Wings Point Road. The parcel is part of a plan to develop a residential parcel on the north side of Ferry Road. Part of the overall discussion was the agreement for a road cut and the issuance of a license agreement to drill a force main crossing under Ferry Road just east of the curve. All agreements are contingent on the Town Attorney’s review.

Marty Illick, Charlotte’s CCRPC representative, is a key member on its Natural Resources Committee and is happy to respond to Charlotters’ requests for information. Chairman Mott noted that all meetings are open to the public (schedule at ccrpc.net) and that visitors are always welcome.

Open space agreement made.
Grosse Point, Michigan, resident Henrietta Fridholm and the St. Clair Group have made an open space agreement for 25 ¼ acres in a parcel that nestles within the Ferry Road curve near Wings Point Road. The parcel is part of a plan to develop a residential parcel on the north side of Ferry Road. Part of the overall discussion was the agreement for a road cut and the issuance of a license agreement to drill a force main crossing under Ferry Road just east of the curve. All agreements are contingent on the Town Attorney’s review.

Miscellaneous
• Holly Sullivan was appointed to a four-year seat on the Charlotte Conservation Commission and a one-year membership as the town representative on the Champlain Scenic Byways Council.
• The Selectboard, meeting as the Liquor Control Board, renewed the Class II Liquor License for Spear’s Corner Store. The Class II license allows an establishment to sell beers and wines.
• The board approved a petition from Green Mountain Power to install a pole within the right of way of Greenbush Road near the railway underpass. This is part of an action that will allow GMP to bury the cable under the bridge and thus reduce pole heights in the area.
• A long-running court dispute between Mary Beth Freeman and the town has been settled out of court, and the Selectboard officially recognized the outcome by signing a stipulation and dismissal order. This eliminates the need for a fire pond associated with a subdivision on Popple Dungeon Road.
• The next Selectboard meeting will be on Monday, June 2.