Town Hall Needs Extensive Repairs
by Ellie Russell
July 15, 2010, pg 1

At the July 12 Selectboard meeting, Dick St. George reported finding during his inspection of the Town Hall severe rotting of the gable end facier, rot in the north and south outer facing trim and sheathing, and rotting windows throughout the building. He estimates that the cost to make the necessary repairs would be about $24,000 not including the windows. All of the 24 windows need to be fully replaced at a cost in the vicinity of $1,000 each. Moe Harvey said that when the Town Hall was built almost 15 years ago inferior materials were used because the voters put a cap of $190,000 on the cost. The Selectboard believes there is sufficient money in this year’s budget to proceed with the repair work with the exception of most of the windows, which will need to be budgeted for in the future and replaced a few at a time.

Some of St. George’s recommendations to prevent future problems will be helped by the grant work that the town Energy Committee is planning that include improvements to the ventilation system for better air circulation and a ceiling air barrier and added insulation. The energy committee grant will also provide for additional wall insulation, replacement of light fixtures in the vestibule, replacement of exit signs with LCD, and HVAC upgrades.

Town web-site

Jenny Cole has been pushing for upgrades to the town web-site, while some members advocate instead for spending the money on Wi-Fi in the Town Hall. The most recent proposal was approved on a 3-2 vote (Charles Russell and Ed Stone being the naysayers) to provide “rollover navigation” which means that as one scrolls down the site, drop-down menus will appear making it easier to find information.

Aquatic weed control

Marty Illick reported that the Lewis Creek Association (LCA) has a $14,000 grant for the removal of European Frog Bit in the Thorp-Kimball wetland area. The grant is from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to the Town of Charlotte. LCA manages the grant, which is now in its second year (of five). The Selectboard approved this pass-through arrangement unanimously, contingent on board member Winslow Ladue’s review of how the grant is managed with the other grantee participants (Shelburne and Basin Harbor).
Where are the cruisers?

Ed Stone reported receiving many complaints regarding the lack of visibility of police. He advocated for 30 hours per week of coverage by the Shelburne Police instead of “up to 30 hours” now in the contract. The added cost would presumably be offset by income from tickets. This change will be discussed with Shelburne at the next Selectboard meeting.

Flea Market camping

Tom Mansfield, Zoning Administrator, has reported that a campground is not permitted in the Village Commercial District on which the Flea Market is located. A campground is defined in the Charlotte Land Use Regulations as a parcel of land upon which three or more campsites are located. Charlotte allows only tenting on a campsite plus one recreational vehicle for use by campground staff or a host. Under state statute, water supply and wastewater system permits are required. This information will be sent to Daniel Jones, lessee of the flea market, for response. The question whether overnight parking amounts to “the storage of vehicles,” forbidden in the lease, remains unresolved. Jones said at an earlier meeting that up to ten out-of-state vendors have spent the night at the flea market property.

Pease Mountain Lease

According to Town records, the Town of Charlotte owns 158 acres on the top of Pease Mountain. George Pease held a 999 year lease with the Town for $17 per year. Mr. Pease gave the lease rights to the University of Vermont in the 1940’s. There is no record of UVM ever paying the town the $17 per year. Accordingly, UVM owes Charlotte approximately $1,000. Payment of interest due is under discussion with UVM authorities.

In other business the Selectboard unanimously approved:
• Conveyance of Lots 1, 2 and 3 and associated wastewater disposal easements to Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and the sewage service agreement, waiver and easement. The Selectboard designated John Owen as town representative at the closing.
• A petition from Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity to locate a telephone line under Greenbush Road by directional bore.
• A Roadway Agreement and Waiver for North Pasture Lane for Joe and Martha Keenan .