GREENSBORO – The Wednesday evening select board meeting, November 13, had a packed agenda, with various grant projects dominating the discussion. In contrast to last month’s meeting, there were far less interruptions after the board implemented new basic parliamentary rules of procedure.
The meeting began with the announcement of a new Municipal Energy Renewal Program (MERP) for the Greensboro Free Library. The library has been awarded $121,000 to complete a variety of weatherization projects. The grant will cover insulation for the basement, crawl space and corridors, as well as a new ventilation system and windows.
Town Clerk Kim Greaves announced Treasurer Brett Stanciu has taken an immediate medical leave. Stanciu’s duties will be spread out among other town employees. The board thanked Josh Karp and Jennifer Lucas in particular, for their help in recent weeks as the town prepares the budget.
Absent from the meeting was Road Foreman Tom Cammera. Board member Bobbi Nisbet thanked him for putting up the new 25 mph signs by the school within a day or so of being asked. “I really appreciated him doing that,” Nisbet said, noting the increased traffic in the area due to the Hardwick bridge being out.
Nisbet said she recently confirmed with one of the deputies that The Bend area is regularly patrolled, saying “They mix it up, so it doesn’t become predictable.”
Greaves proposed the board hire Chuck Hill to remove dead and damaged limbs from a dying maple on the Village Green. She said Hill gave an estimate of $800 and there are “approximately 12 that are dead, that are gonna come down.” The board voted unanimously to hire Hill for the project
Greaves provided an update to the board regarding the town offices, saying, “We are completely done with mold remediation; they’ve done a huge amount of work, and it is infinitely better.” She said they are planning on moving back downstairs, as access to the vault is important, but they are “just juggling a lot of balls right now.”
Blue Cross/Blue Shield was retained for town employees, with the town paying 10 percent of the premium. The board emphasized the growing cost of insurance, which is rising by 15 to 25 percent nationally.
Nisbet presented the board with a new sign policy to be adopted after much discussion and debate at last month’s meeting.
She elaborated further on the new policy, and why it was necessary. “I didn’t feel comfortable having no signs, there needed to be a third way.” Signs first appeared on the Village Green with no contact information. According to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, these signs fell into the political category, violating state policy. Nisbet said the town has designated them as informational, however.
The new policy applies to town property, which includes the town hall and green, the Grange Hall, Historical Society, the green across from Willey’s and the Community Park in Greensboro Bend. The policy applies to the Town Highway Right of Way, which is designated as 24.5 feet from the center of the road.
A permit from the town clerk is needed before signs are placed on town property. Signage there cannot be located within 100 feet of a polling place during polling hours.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the new policy. Further information on the policy is available at greensborovt.gov.
Board member David Kelley provided an update to the ongoing Glover property encroachment issue. Kelley recommended an indefinite easement for the garage and spring, until use of the spring ceases. Kelley said alternatives could force the family to purchase their own spring to replace the one they have been using for roughly 50 years. Kelley also noted that only a corner of their garage is on town property. The board agreed that the family should retain their water access and the garage should not be at risk for demolition.
Kelley encouraged community members to attend the upcoming Wake Boats Hearing on December 12 in Montpelier. “I’d like as many people as we can there in person. Four bodies of water are being considered, including ours and somehow, Joe’s Pond.” Meeting information is available at: dec.vermont.gov/watershed/lakes-ponds/lakes-and-ponds-rulemaking/121224meeting
Kelley said results on the Perron property will be coming soon, regarding the new wastewater system. They will decide the capacity when the results are available.
The board discussed the wastewater system at length, with some community members expressing frustration at RuralEdge’s involvement with the project. According to the board, select wastewater grants are specific to Rural Edge’s purchase of the town hall. Additionally, if a feasible site is not determined and confirmed soon, select grants will no longer be available.
Greensboro resident Jennifer Ranz said in response, “I am shocked at the rushing; I am just appalled at how we are put in this position of such urgency. The select board is ill informed.”
A special meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, at 2:30 p. m., to decide whether the new wastewater system will include the RuralEdge property.
David Kelley provided an update on the RuralEdge sale, saying “We have a handful of challenges. We’re struggling with septic. We’re struggling with purchase price.”
Kelley said the town has agreed to retain the green, but the purchase and sale agreement is not yet ready, in part due to two conflicting appraisals.
In other business, Liz Steel from the Communications Proposals Board presented the select board with several suggestions, recommending the board conduct two meetings a month, allow voting for town meeting via mail-in or Australian ballot and potentially reschedule Town Meeting Day to increase accessibility. The board discussed her suggestions at length, but did not vote on the matter.
ed. note: An earlier version of this article referred to Jennifer Lucas, who did not attend the meeting, instead of Jennifer Ranz who did attend and made the comment now attributed to her.
Raymobda is a VTSU - Castleton English Major interning with The Hardwick Gazette.
