Trustees Meeting 10/13/26

Web version

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

6:00 PM

PRESENT: David Winchester; Village President; Suzie Kelleher, Trustee; Damon Broderick, Trustee; William “Bill” Sheets, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Dillon Dupont, Chief Water Plant Operator; Avery Mitchinson, Water Plant Operator; Heidi Britch-Valenta, Village Grant Specialist; and Ch. 16. Via Teams: Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager and Michael Miller.

To watch this meeting in its entirety, go to Northwest Access TV on YouTube. The video will also be posted on the Village’s website once it is available. Unless otherwise noted, all motions carried, unanimously.

1. Call to Order:

David Winchester, Village President, called the Village Board of Trustees meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda Review:

None.

4. Public Comment:

None.

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, September 28, 2026, as presented:

Damon Broderick made the motion to approve the Minutes from Monday, September 28, 2026, as presented. Suzie Kelleher seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, October 8, 2026:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to approve Village Warrants through Thursday, October 8, 2026, as presented. Damon Broderick seconded the motion. Discussion: Suzie asked if the check made payable to Jakob Kelleher for $577.60 was for mileage? Lynn Paradis said yes it was. Motion carried.

7. Review Swanton Village Water and Wastewater Rates with Aldrich & Elliott:
8. Review Asset Management Plan for the Water Department with Aldrich & Elliott:
9. Swanton Village Water Department Update with Chief Operator Dillon Dupont and Avery Mitchinson, Operator:
10. Update from Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) on Opioid Settlement Fund:
11. Grant Update on Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC):
12. Swanton Village Manager Update:
13. Any Other Necessary Business:
14. Proposed Executive Session if Necessary:

Jason Booth and Nate Pion from Aldrich & Elliott were present for this discussion. Jason said Aldrich & Elliott looked at the current rates Swanton Village is charging and said his goal was to get an understanding of whether or not the rates were in line with other communities. He said they are in range, maybe even a little lower but in range. Jason’s report is attached to these minutes for your review on our website.

Nate Pion from Aldrich & Elliott provided the Board with his report on the Asset Management Plan for the Water Department. That report is also attached to these Minutes on the website. Nate said the Village should start planning ahead for future projects and assets at the plant. He said they should do a risk management assessment and capital improvement plan.

Dillon Dupont, Chief Operator and Avery Mitchnison, Operator, came in front of the Board to give them an update on the Water Department. The power point presentation is attached to these minutes.

Bill Sheets, Village Manager, read the following flyer information that was sent to the Village from NCSS. This is a snapshot of the programs and activities they’ve hosted and paid for with the opioid settlement funds.

Opioid Settlement Fund Review -- Creating safe spaces. Building connections. Supporting healthy choices. Funds supported community events and programs that gave children, teens, families, and community members positive, substance-free opportunities to connect, create, learn, and build resilience. 

There were 33 events and programs, 600+ participant engagements and 31 events with attendance.

What did the funds support?

Creative Expression -- Art camps, painting, crafts, creative classes, and community art activities created welcoming opportunities to explore creativity. 

Connection & Belonging -- Programs encouraged communication, collaboration, relationships, and connection with peers, families, schools, and community partners. 

Social & Emotional Wellness --Many activities incorporated active listening, coping skills, mindfulness, positive communication, problem-solving, and resilience. 

Safe, Substance-Free Space -- Teen nights, camps, after-school programs, and family events offered positive alternatives and places to gather, learn, and connect.

What We Heard:

Social & Emotional Wellness -- Respondents identified continued demand for summer supports, creative programming, teen opportunities, and smaller community spaces where young people can feel comfortable and connected. 

Partnerships Make the Work Stronger -- Respondents identified opportunities to continue collaborating with schools, community organizations, local businesses, and other partners. 

Sustainability is Priority -- Many respondents identified fundraising, grants, and sponsorships as important next steps for continuing or expanding successful programming. 

Community Engagement Takes Many Forms -- From creative camps and teen nights to mindfulness activities and conversations about technology and substance use, funding supported diverse ways to build healthy connections.

Heidi Britch-Valenta, Swanton Village Grant Specialist, was present for this discussion. Her report is also attached to these Minutes on the website. Heidi explained how she has been working with the Regional Planning Commission to address the shortfall for the TAPS grant. See her report for more information. The Board decided to table this topic until they start discussing budgets in November of this year.

Fire Department: The Mini pumper is on schedule to be delivered in March of 2027. At that time, the FD will sell the Utility truck as discussed at previous meetings. The design has been finalized. We have tours for FD and PD on the 15^th and 19^th, with three MVU classes.

HYDRO Operations: We remain in significant drought conditions at this time and production has been significantly reduced as a result. We have a rain event for the next two days and all units, except unit 2, are in service and ready to go. We are waiting on the final report from Velergy, which was grant funded, that will assist us in prioritizing required upgrades.

On September 15th at 1:00 the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, will be holding a Public Hearing related to our application for a Clean Water Quality Certification. This meeting will be held here, with both an in-person or online option to attend. Details for the online option may be located on our Facebook page.

Building Update: The project is on time, with all trades hard at work in the interior. The skim coat of paving has been completed; the exterior has been buttoned up. All windows, except for one, have been installed and all garage doors are in place. We have installed a temporary fire alarm panel that will be on the Elm Street side of the building, which will have audible and strobe lights. If anyone sees or hears this going off, please contact the Fire Department.

All trades are hard at work on the interior, and the exterior teams are trying to button up for winter. Final paving and dirt work will occur next spring. 

Public Works: This evening at 10 PM Village employees will be conducting limited hydrant flushing around Brown Avenue and Elm Street. At 10 AM on Wednesday morning the Village will be conducting flow testing on Elm Street. Both events may have an impact on water pressure and coloration for a brief period.

The team completed 60 feet of curbing and will begin work on the last 100 feet next week. They will also be completing insertion valves next week. This is the final week for our temporary summer mowing crew. We are fully stocked for sand, and at this point are ok on salt and liquid depending on how the winter goes. Due to the increase in the price of salt, we will cut back slightly on usage concentrating on intersections and known problem areas. 

Water Open House: The Water Department will hold an open house on October 14th. The team will work a split shift, so no overtime is incurred and offer open-house opportunities from 1 to 3 and then 6 to 8 PM. We will get the word out on social media. 

Wastewater: The remaining siding work is scheduled for this week. 

None.

None.

ACTION TAKEN: None.

13. Adjournment:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7:18 p.m. Damon Broderick seconded. There being no further business at hand, David Winchester, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried.

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David Winchester, Village President                              Date

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Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                             Date