GREENSBORO – In keeping with its recent decision to hold a second monthly select board meeting, the board decided it will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
At the August 13 regular meeting, Chair Macneil suggested the first monthly meeting be structured as usual, with mostly housekeeping items. The second meeting will serve as more of an open discussion. Board member Mike Metcalf suggested issues that come up at the first meeting could be researched and further discussed at the second meeting.
Liz Steel suggested the second meeting could include rotating town committee presentations. Board members thought this was a good idea.
The board signed an Error and Omissions form, in relation to the Caspian Lake Beach education tax bill. The Caspian Lake public beach is owned by Hardwick. According to the board, years ago the legislature exempted the beach from education taxes. The town thought this also meant an exemption for municipal taxes. Now, the state has informed Greensboro that in order to exempt municipal taxes there must be a public vote. Since there hasn’t yet been one, Greensboro was forced to send a tax bill to the town of Hardwick. Further complicating the matter, the state’s new tax software used by listers and assessors wouldn’t let Greensboro’s assessor remove the education tax from the bill, so she asked the board to sign the Errors & Omissions form that will permit her to remove the education tax. Once rectified, Greensboro can work through a series of statutory and legal issues with the goal of ultimately keeping the status quo; not charging Hardwick any municipal tax for the beach property.
Chief Brochu was present to deliver his regular Greensboro Fire Department report. Recently, Andrew and Doug Casavant traveled to Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, in Alabama, to inspect a fire truck. The purchase was approved by the board during the July meeting, contingent on financing. The Casavants verified specifications, performed a pump and road tests, reporting the truck looked fine overall. The fire department is requesting that a pump heater be installed and will be receiving a quote soon for that upgrade. Additionally, the purchase price includes delivery.
Several financing options were presented by board member Tim Brennan. The town needs voter approval to borrow funds for the truck purchase. Options include holding a special town meeting meeting to get voter approval to borrow the funds; taking out a short-term loan; making a deposit to hold the truck until the 2026 town meeting, or simply not buying the truck at this time. The board noted the downside of waiting is that truck prices will continue to increase.
The town is considering reclassifying a number of very short roads that once led to former dairy farms. As daily access to the milk-house was critical, the town maintained these roads. Currently, the town is obligated to maintain Class 3 roads to a certain standard, while the roads are utilized as single residence driveways. As such, Chair Macneil said the town is considering reclassifying some of these roads to Class 4. The town would still be obligated to maintain culverts and bridges on those roads, and they would be added to the driveway plowing list. A specific process must be followed to reclassify roads. The board must first get approval from VTrans, notify landowners, and schedule site visits and final deliberations.
Beth Meacham informed the board a ventilation system and heat pump are being installed in the Greensboro Free Library, funded by MERP (Municipal Energy Resilience Grant Program). An open house will be scheduled to showcase the work.
Meacham also said she recently had a close call with a large farm truck on the hill above Gebbie Farm and requested the town consider widening the road there.
Kent said the planning commission is beginning work on updating the town plan, and trying to build consensus on ways to increase housing in town. Hansen suggested this work is more difficult after the contentious Rural Edge proposal for housing at the town hall.
A housing workshop took place, August 23, to gather public input and make recommendations on ways to move forward. Board member Ellen Celnik thanked Kent for following through with the Habitat For Humanity project in Greensboro Bend. While it’s not going to solve the overall housing shortage in town, it’s a great project and a good start, Celnik said.
Road foreman Tom Camarra said grant work on Lakeview Road has been completed, and all winter sand has been put up. Camarra expects a quote soon from the John Deere dealership for a used 2023 skidsteer in stock. Chuck Hill is almost finished trimming trees on Blacks Point Road, after which the road crew will begin maintenance.
The board accepted Mark Colburn’s bid of $22,490 for FEMA work on North Shore Road.
A contract was signed with Vermont Appraisal Co., based in Plainfield. For $1,458 per month, the company provides an assessor who fulfills the former duties of town listers; will assign values to properties, inspect properties, keep listers cards up to date and perform maintenance of the grant list. Town Clerk Kim Greaves noted she’s happy with their work. Their fee remains unchanged from last year.
Dehumidifiers have been installed in the town office, coming in under budget. Humidity is now being kept at a safe level. Two new outlets will be installed to eliminate temporary extension cords powering the new units.
The board approved catering permits for The Tack Room and 802 Cocktails.
Career EMT Karl Stein was appointed town health officer for a term of three years. Emma Palumbo was appointed to the Greensboro Conservation Commission, after longtime member Clive Gray stepped down.
A one-percent local option tax was approved for rooms, meals and served alcohol.
The board will engage Sullivan, Powers and Co. for the FY25 audit, including the requisite single audit, for a maximum fee of $40,000. Cash versus accrual accounting will be further investigated.
FY27 budget meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., starting September 16.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
