Selectboard: Paths, poles and lots of pink

The agenda for the October 14 meeting of the Selectboard included discussion with Trails Committee members on the proposed construction of the State Park Road path and budget reviews of several groups. Routine procedural agenda items such as approval of repairs to the Thorpe Barn and contract with P&P Septic for maintenance of the town wastewater disposal were dealt with quickly as the night progressed.

Proposed State Park Road path
Laurie Thompson, co-chair of the Trails Committee, and John Limanek were present to discuss the results of their Front Porch Forum trails survey and take questions from the Selectboard on the proposed construction of the State Park Road path. Their request is to release $30,000 of available funds for materials and construction of the path, using volunteer labor. From a previous meeting, the committee indicated they hope to complete the project by November. The Selectboard asked committee members to provide more information about the project, including a project manager and a list of volunteers, and to meet with interested landowners affected by the project.

Residents Josh Golda of State Park Road and Jonathan Couture of Vineyard View Drive raised separate concerns about the project. Golda purchased his property in June and requested more time to review information, saying he only learned about the project on Front Porch Forum a few days ago. “I was under the assumption we’d be contacted as landowners,” he said. “I am not saying I am against the plan, I feel like a postponement is necessary given, as a landowner, I haven’t been formally notified.” Couture asked if there was any budget for trails maintenance and asked about signage. After a bit more discussion, Selectboard Chair Matt Krasnow said, “It’s not realistic for the town to rush into this big of a project this quickly.” No action was taken and the item will be on the October 28 agenda.

Other business
Co-chairs Jenny Cole and Susan Smith of the Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge Oversight Committee presented several items to the Selectboard. The board approved the committee’s five-year agricultural lease request-for-proposal, approved $600 of repairs to the Thorpe Barn and appointed Braxton Robbason to a three-year term on the committee.

Fiscal Year 2021 budget requests from six groups followed, with representatives of each group asking for level funding or slight increases from the previous year.

This included The Charlotte News, the Charlotte Little League, the Lewis Creek Association, the Conservation Commission, town constable and canine control officer.

The Selectboard heard from Erich Finley, project manager of the Pipestrelle Trust property located at 1030 Hinesburg Road. The owners have moved the house to a new location on the property and are converting their secondary power (landowner maintained) to primary (maintained by GMP). They asked for the town’s input on the location of a new pole. After a bit of discussion, Krasnow said while the location of the pole is not within the town’s jurisdiction the preference is to have fewer poles and overhead power lines, which is supported by the town plan.

The Selectboard authorized the town attorney to enter an appearance in the appeal by Andrew Zins of a denial of a two-lot subdivision, designated Vice Chair Frank Tenney as the Selectboard liaison for mediation and authorized the Planning Commission to select a designee to participate in mediation. Planning Commission member Marty Illick asked the Selectboard for a representative who is familiar with town regulations and for the Planning Commission to be involved in the decision.

The Selectboard authorized the drilling of a well at Thompson’s Point Lot 151, 228 North Shore Road, and approved a contract with P&P Septic Service Inc. for maintenance of the Town wastewater disposal system.

After brief Selectboard updates, the board went into executive session to discuss a town zoning permit and attorney-client communications. Krasnow said no actions were expected.

The next Selectboard meeting is Monday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m.