GREENSBORO – At its January 10 regular meeting, the Greensboro Select Board heard an update on the library’s participation in an energy resilience program, decided to ask Stannard to contribute more to the fire department budget and discussed the petition to close Lakeview School.
Beth Meachem, a trustee for the Greensboro Free Library (GFL), updated the board on the library’s involvement with the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP). As part of the program, the library will be working with Albany, Glover, Craftsbury, Stannard and Hardwick to offer energy efficiency information to residents of those communities. A weatherization workshop will be held on February 3, and an energy efficiency panel on March 19. In the future, the library will be applying for a MERP implementation grant to address energy needs at the GFL, including a new boiler, basement insulation, and window replacement.
It was noted there was a large multi-department fire in Greensboro on Route 16, resulting in the complete loss of a house and barn.
Stannard has paid a percentage of the Greensboro Fire Department’s (GFD) operating expenses for many years in exchange for GFD providing coverage. The cost to operate the GFD has increased significantly recently. Board chair Peter Romans said the board is proposing that Stannard start paying a portion of GFD capital expenses, not including costs related to the firehouse. The board agreed to send draft of the proposed contract to the Stannard Select Board.
It was reported that the town’s main FEMA contact is going on leave and that Greensboro will soon be assigned a new contact. Hopefully, this personnel change won’t delay the FEMA reimbursement process.
Vermont Emergency Management notified towns that a contractor is available to preemptively clear storm drain infrastructure, helping to ensure drains work properly during future storm events. No action was taken by the board.
The board reviewed the treasurer’s monthly report, the FY24 budget report, and the December check warrant reports. Treasurer Brett Stanciu reported that she has been communicating with town auditor Nathan Hawley about his future availability. While Stanciu is hoping that Hawley will stay on with the town, he has indicated he may not be available to audit the town’s financials’ in FY24 and beyond.
Separately, the federal government requires that a single audit be undertaken if the town receives more than $750,000 in federal funds within a fiscal year. If the FEMA reimbursement process goes as expected, the town will receive significantly more than this amount, but the funds may be spread out over multiple fiscal years. Stanciu is looking into the single audit process, which could cost at least $10,000.
On the topic of the Community Wastewater Project, it appears that both St. Michael’s Church and Gerard Fontaine have decided against selling portions of their properties for the wastewater system disposal field. This means the project is unlikely to move forward as envisioned.
Finally, board member David Kelley brought up the petition to close Lakeview School. He said that the Mountain View Elementary School District Board was presented with the petition to close Lakeview School but determined that the petition was non-binding and did not act on it. Instead, the school board decided to warn a special ballot vote in March to canvass the electorate’s thoughts on closing Lakeview. There was discussion about holding an informational meeting before town meeting.
