Trustees Meeting 4/22/24

Web version

 SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, April 22, 2024

7:00 PM

PRESENT: David Winchester, Village President; Eugene LaBombard, Trustee; Adam Paxman, Trustee; Suzie Kelleher, Trustee; William “Bill” Sheets, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Dianne Day, Village Clerk; Matthew Sullivan, Chief of Police; Gordon Winters and Ch. 16. Via Teams: Cody, Darci Benoit, Al Mosher, Debbie Winters.

To watch this meeting in its entirety, go to Northwest Access TV on YouTube. 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 7:00 p.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance:

Everyone in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Agenda Review:

Adam Paxman stated he needed to add Executive Session to discuss personnel to be held immediately. Suzie Kelleher made the motion to enter executive session for the Trustees to receive confidential personnel information for which the premature disclosure of it to the general public would clearly place the Trustees & others at a substantial disadvantage at 7:05 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

Eugene LaBombard made the motion to exit Executive Session and re-enter Open Session at 7:20 p.m. Adam Paxman seconded. Motion carried.

ACTION TAKEN: Adam Paxman read the following statement:

It has come to the attention of the Swanton Village Trustees that Swanton Village President Dave Winchester has expressed many of his personal views regarding Swanton Village that do not align with the collective vision set forth by the Village Trustees.

Mr. Winchester recently stated… “It should in theory help some. But the thriving downtown days are long gone. Retail is very much gone mostly compared to the glory years. Most buy what they need at Costco or the internet. As far as entertainment value St. Albans is the only place. We will never be able to compete with that either. The only business I need on a regular basis that operates there is The Parts Store. Everything else no longer exists”.

Let’s be clear, the views expressed above by the Village President regarding the Downtown stores and downtown “not existing”, are NOT the views of the Swanton Village Trustees.

The Swanton Village Trustees have consistently emphasized the importance of a vibrant downtown area for the prosperity of Swanton Village. The presence of businesses within our village is a testament to the vision the Trustees uphold. The Trustees have long advocated that a strong downtown is vital to Swanton Village. New businesses continue to arrive, with two new businesses coming in later this summer.

The Swanton Village Trustees, along with our valued employees, look forward to the many numerous projects that will continue to transform our community. The Swanton Village Trustees extend our gratitude to every business operating in Swanton Village for their invaluable contribution to our community and a prosperous future.

Respectfully submitted,

Eugene LaBombard       

Adam Paxman                 

Suzie Kelleher

4. Public Comment:

Gordon Winters thanked the Board for the above statement and said he would like to read one of his own. Gordon read the following letter to the Board of Trustees:

Swanton Village Board of Trustees—

I appreciate you allowing me to read my comments into the public record tonight.   I have read for years many public comments on social media about our downtown and about my store specifically, but I have always refrained from responding, instead trying to concentrate on things I can control like creating and building a successful business that provides what our customers need. Considering the recent posts about our downtown I thought it appropriate to come tonight.

Although our downtown is not perfect, there are many hard-working, locally owned businesses that have made the decision to invest in the success of our downtown by opening there. These owners work long hours, employ many local people, and donate their money and time to community events.   I believe that no matter what a trustee’s individual feeling may be about a business, it is your job as elected officials to promote and wish for the success of all downtown businesses.   Like it or not, any successful town has a vibrant downtown.  You as trustees have the tools here in Swanton to make that happen.

Remember that it was not long ago that St. Albans had many vacant store fronts, crumbling sidewalks, retailers that were closed on weekends and restaurants that were struggling to attract customers. That all changed when the City officials supported a revitalization of the downtown core.  Instead of saying, “downtowns are dead” and “the glory days are gone”, they removed the obstacles standing in the way of attracting good business, and they invested in the supporting infrastructure.   

For my business, specifically - Memorial Hardware, I would like to share a few quick statistics that some people may not know. The building was not a community center when we renovated it.  It was a boarded-up warehouse that brought several tractor trailer trucks downtown every day and was not adding any meaningful value to the grand list of Swanton.

The building had a contaminated basement, a leaking roof, and failing brick façade. The grand list on the building was close to 0. It is now $1.2 million making it the 3^rd largest property taxpayer in the village. When the Champlain Theater is complete, it will bring even more value to the grand list. 

When the warehouse was downtown there were 0 customers that shopped there. Last year we had 60,000 people visit our store.  Since we opened in 2020 our business has increased on average 30% every year.   Although some people will say our store is not relevant or is not a draw to downtown, I would say these numbers say otherwise.

The Champlain Theater block will soon open with a new locally owned bakery, and a locally owned 70-seat restaurant. This will add to the already opened locally owned Bees on Broadway.  In 5 years, this area of downtown has gone from a blighted block to 4 locally owned small businesses.   I would have to say most towns in Vermont would welcome that in their downtowns and would be wishing for their success.

I will end with the hope that with the new board of trustees we can make a fresh start, use your power of your seat to promote our downtown, see what you can do to attract businesses, and do what you can to invest in the downtown to keep the businesses that we have. As I said earlier, although we may not have everything for everyone, every business is trying their very hardest to give the people of Swanton what they want. Let’s find a way to help them thrive and succeed.

Thank you for your time.

Gordon Winters

Memorial Hardware

Darci Benoit who was in attendance via Teams, also wanted to read something she wrote and read the following letter to the Board:

As a business owner in Swanton, I wanted to touch on what Mr. Winchester had to say on the Swanton Community Facebook page about the “glory days” being gone. Yes, of course, times have changed. The world has changed. Of course, Swanton will as well. Change is inevitable. 

We may not have the old ways, but what we do have and are trying to maintain is community. 

The businesses that are here in Swanton are all trying to continue to create community. 

When I rented my first space in Swanton on First Street next to the laundromat in 2018 people were thrilled. The support was fantastic for such a small spot. I quickly outgrew that space. In 2020 I met with Gordon Winters to look at my current space at 5 Canada Street and fell in love with it. I moved in during the midst of the covid shut down. No fanfare. No grand opening. Nothing. But my customers were so happy to have something new. They loved to have a gift shop after losing the long-time gift shop that used to be in the Rexall store. I also created an opportunity. I welcomed dozens of other small businesses in the way of crafter pop ups, bakers, food trucks and coffee pop ups during a time when the government told people to stay home and not travel. I did this for my community. I never charged a single business for a pop up. A few of those small businesses even went on to open their own spaces. One also chose to be right here in Swanton, Divine Treasures. 

I have given my free time, effort and energy to clean up the corner of Canada Street, with friends as volunteers and the donated paint from Gordon Winters prior to their major remodel of the Champlain Theater. I tried to do my part to make our little corner of the world attractive and welcoming to all. 

Some of us local business owners are also trying to work together to see how we can complement each other. How we can promote our community and our efforts in our respective businesses. 

I currently sit on the board for the Chamber of Commerce so I can learn how to better help our businesses. I am also part of the Swanton Enhancement Project. I volunteer for events and donate my time anywhere I can because Swanton is important to me.

I left a great-paying job in Burlington to work for myself in the town that I live. I choose to spend my money here instead of at the stores and restaurants in Chittenden County because this is my community. This is my home. This is what supporting local means. This is our home and whether or not the “glory days are gone” what we still have is our community and that is the most important part.

Darci Benoit

Bees on Broadway

Village Trustee Suzie Kelleher read the following statements she received from some local business owners regarding Mr. Winchester’s statements.

.” “….this is very discouraging as a downtown business owner who tries to fulfill a need in our town and do our best to support the community. No matter what his (Mr. Winchester) feelings are of businesses in downtown he should hope for their success. I am sorry that he doesn’t find any stores useful, but he should find a way to promote their success for the good of Swanton.”

“I was very disappointed and discouraged by Mr. Winchester’s views on our downtown businesses.”

“I wish he would be more thoughtful in the way he expresses his opinion. He makes a lot of blanket statements, many of them untrue, that reflect badly on the Village and the Trustees”

5. Approve and accept Minutes from Wednesday, April 10, 2024 as presented:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to approve and accept the Minutes from April 10, 2024 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None. Motion carried.

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, April 18, 2024:

Adam Paxman made the motion to approve and accept Village Warrants #36-#40 as presented. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Discussion: None.  Motion carried.

7. Swanton Village Police Department Update with Matthew Sullivan:

Chief Matt Sullivan was here for this presentation and handed out the statistics for the month of March 2024. The police department responded to 150 incidents in the Village. The top ten calls for service were 15 suspicious person/circumstances, 12 citizen assist, 8 welfare/suicide check, 8 motor vehicle complaint, 7 agency assistance, 4 unlawful mischief, 4 restraining order, 4 theft, 22 traffic stop and 17 directed patrol. He said they conducted 22 traffic stops issuing 17 tickets and 15 warnings, made 4 arrest with two individuals and 12 arrest charges involving 8 individuals.

Matt said they responded to 350 incidents in the Village and Town and the top ten calls for service were 123 directed patrols, 23 suspicious person/circumstances, 15 citizen assist, 9 community outreach, 15 motor vehicle complaints, 16 agency assistance, 9 welfare/suicide checks, 9 juvenile problem, 6 theft and 45 traffic stops. He said they conducted 45 traffic stops, issuing 28 tickets and 34 warnings, had 6 arrests, 19 arrest charges with 14 individuals.

Matt said the Eclipse event went very smoothly and also said the Town police contract is signed. He said their interviews are done and offers have been made. Adam Paxman asked about the suspicious person/circumstance calls. Chief Sullivan said that is a catch all category and nothing serious stands out. Adam then asked about the drug issue in Swanton and asked if it has decreased any. Matt said they’ve had some individuals get evicted but they just move around. He said he has open communication with a few property owners and that helps. He said they are proactive, and the police department is very receptive to their information and help. Suzie Kelleher said she has talked with several business owners this week and said they would like it if the on-duty day shift officer could check in with them to just see how things are going. David Winchester also mentioned businesses were installing security cameras and said that’s a good idea. He asked about the incident on Grand Avenue with the juveniles breaking someone’s security cameras. Chief Sullivan said that has been addressed. Adam Paxman again said if you see something, say something. The Board thanked Chief Sullivan for his report.

8. Discussion on Swanton Village Opening Bank Accounts at Peoples Trust Company:

Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager, explained to the Board that she would like permission to open Village bank accounts at the locally owned People’s Trust Company. She explained that it would be a lengthy process but said it would be beneficial once it’s done. Adam Paxman made the motion to authorize Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager/Controller, to move the Village’s three bank accounts to Peoples Trust Company bank. Suzie Kelleher seconded the motion. Motion carried.

9. Acknowledge and Approve 1^st Quarter SQRP Report for 2024:

Suzie Kelleher stated the board acknowledges and approves the first quarter SQRP report for 2024. It was explained that this report keeps track of all the electric bills posted, how many errors there were and how well the Village responds to their electric work orders.

10. Appoint Northwest Regional Planning Commission Village Appointments for 2024:

Adam Paxman made the motion to re-appoint Neal Spear and Heidi Britch-Valenta to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission; to also re-appoint Reg Beliveau and Heidi Britch-Valenta to the Northwest Regional Planning Commission TAC committee; and to re-appoint Reg Beliveau to the Energy and Climate committee. Eugene LaBombard seconded the motion. Discussion: Suzie Kelleher asked who the alternate was for the Energy and Climate committee. Bill Sheets, Village Manager, stated there isn’t one available. Suzie stated she would take that position. Adam Paxman amended his motion to state “Reg Beliveau and Suzie Kelleher to the Energy and Climate committee.” Eugene LaBombard seconded the amended motion. Motion carried.

11. Village Manager Update:

Wastewater:  This project has gone out to bid. Bids are due by May 15^th. We are in the process of completing all remaining permits, primarily the Division of Fire Safety and should see some construction begin this year, with much of the work being completed in 2025. Centrifuge production is underway.

Hydro:  We have begun the process with MVU to interview for the Hydroelectric Intern position. We will be working with Richard Barwin at MVU to identify interested students, one of whom will be selected for the Scott Mueller internship, made possible by a generous donation from Paul Nolan, supported by Swanton Village Electric.

Stormwater:  Invitations to bid for 120 First Street, to meet the State of Vermont three-acre rule, are due on April 26^th at 1400 hours. The bid opening will be held here.

Marble Mill:  Our Public Works team has done some significant work cleaning up the bank and solidifying the bank with stone and topsoil. All areas have been cleaned and the nets have been installed. We continue to work on a lighting upgrade, a camera solution and better signage. We did lose a bit of our seeded area during the most recent rain event. Hay bales that had been placed to block run off were stolen from the area near the guardrails.

Merchant’s Row:  The new railings have been installed on the south side and the last parking spot was officially placarded and designated as handicap parking. We are exploring a handicap accessible ramp for the south side and will be working with the property owner once we get cost estimates, which we believe will be in the range of $3,500. Adam Paxman stated he would like a handicap parking spot in front of Tim’s Shop House of Pizza if possible. Gordon Winters asked if the timeline for the streetscape project could be given. Bill stated he believed construction wouldn’t begin until 2025.

12. Public Comment:

None.

13. Any Other Necessary Business:

Eugene LaBombard asked if there was an update on the EV charging stations. Bill Sheets said the Village’s grant specialist Heidi Britch-Valenta is working on applying for grants but said the wait time for the necessary transformer to go with the chargers is a 102 week wait time. Bill said they will work on replacing the chargers at 120 First Street with level 2 chargers and will apply for level 3 chargers for the 74 Merchants Row parking lot. The Board talked about the different locations for EV chargers in the area and said there are some in Highgate and in St. Albans.

14. Executive Session to Discuss Legal Matters:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion, seconded by Eugene LaBombard, to go into Executive Session at 8:13 p.m. to discuss legal matters where premature general public knowledge of the subject matter would place the Village at a substantial disadvantage. Motion carried.

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to exit Executive Session at 9:38 pm. Eugene LaBombard seconded. Motion carried.

15. Adjournment:

Adam Paxman made the motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of the Trustees meeting at 9:39 p.m. Suzie Kelleher seconded. There being no further business at hand, David Winchester, Village President, adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m. Motion carried.

_____________________________________             _______________________________________

David Winchester, Village President                  Date

__________________________ ________         ____________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                Date