Trustees Meeting 9/14/26

Web version

SWANTON VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SWANTON VILLAGE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

120 FIRST STREET

SWANTON, VT 05488

REGULAR MEETING

Monday, September 14, 2026

6:00 PM

PRESENT: David Winchester; Village President; Suzie Kelleher, Trustee; Neal Speer, Trustee; Damon Broderick, Trustee; William “Bill” Sheets, Village Manager; Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager; Daniel Chevalier, Fire Department; Guests, Adam Paxman, Mark Rocheleau, Karina Dailey, VNRC, Corrie Miller, LCBP, Chris Smith, US Fish & Wildlife and Ch. 16. Via Teams: DC, 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:

Bill Sheets requested that 11a be added for the Highgate water and wastewater line discussion and that 11b be added for the Jennifer Jackman update.

4. Public Comment:

Adam Paxman, resident of Jones Court spoke.  One year ago he had asked that the island at Jones Court be removed.  Adam updated the Board to say that the improvements that residents did to the island looks fine and he no longer asking for it to be removed.

5. Approve and Accept Minutes from Monday, August 24, 2026, as presented:

Damon Broderick made the motion to approve the Minutes from Monday, August 10, 2026, as presented. Neal Speer seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6. Approve and Accept Village Warrants through Thursday, August 20, 2026:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to approve Village Warrants through Thursday, September 10, 2026, as presented. Damon Broderick seconded the motion. Discussion: None.  Motion carried.

7. Discussion on Holistic Approach to Feasibility Study for Swanton Dam Alternatives:

Karina Dailey, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Corrie Miller, Lake Champlain Basin Program and Chris Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were in attendance for a discussion on the Lower Swanton Dam. Karina started the conversation to discuss the fish passage.  Suzie asked if it was possible to get their scientific studies to compare with the Village’s studies. There was a lot of information gathered and shared over 20 years ago.  Need to get all the information gathered into one place.  That would be done thru an alternatives analysis.  Several options from status quo, fish lift, fish passage to dam removal would be looked at.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would put out a proposal for comprehensive analysis of study to pull all the information together.  Corrie Miller explained how the process would work moving forward.  An advisory committee of the stakeholders would be formed.  Neal added that it is important that there are alternatives to consider.  Damon asked if there would be a cost/benefit analysis.  Corrie said that would be part of the report.  They will meet with Bill and get the scope worked out and have it back to the Board of Trustees for their December 14, 2026, meeting.

Karina Dailey, Corrie Miller and Chris Smith left the meeting at 6:41pm.

8. Discussion on Swanton Car Show: 

Adam Paxman and Mark Rocheleau, Swanton Chamber  came in front of the Trustees to discuss the Swanton Car Show.  Adam mentioned that on December 31, 2026, after 125 years, the Chamber will be closing. Tonight they would like to ask the Board to consider housing their funds for the car show, someone to do the oversight, and pay the bills.  Car Show funds would go to Adam and Mark, and they would bring to the Village.  There was discussion around them forming a 501c3 instead of the Village handling the funds.  Suzie offered to meet with them regarding setting one up.

Adam Paxman and Mark Rocheleau left the meeting at 6:51pm.

9. Swanton Village Fire Department Update:

Daniel Chevalier, Fire Chief came in front of the Board to give them an update on the Fire Department.  The power point presentation is attached to these minutes.

10. Daniel Gilmond Water and Sewer Allocation Request for 19 Elm Street:

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to go into Water Commissioners meeting at 7:19pm.  Neal Speer seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Lynn Paradis explained that Daniel and Jane Gilmond are requesting a water and wastewater allocation of 400 gallons per day for a proposed owner occupied 4 bedroom duplex on 19 Elm Street. Motion made by Damon Broderick to grant the requested water and wastewater allocation.  Suzie Kelleher seconded the motion.  Discussion:  None. Motion carried.

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to exit Water Commissioners meeting at 7:20pm.  Damon Broderick seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

11. Discussion on Gallup Court Water Line Proposed Project:

Bill updated the Board on the Gallup Court Bid Opening.  We had a total of four bids, and the project scope did increase to increase the size of the waterline to accommodate a Fire Hydrant, which is critical for fire suppression at this location. 

The bids received were as follows:

Isaac’s Excavating:     $388,785

Dirt Tech:                    $392,945

Wrights Excavating:   $428,270

Sloan’s Excavating:    $498,572

We had put $200,000 in the budget to complete work this year.  The board requested that Bill go back to Aldrich and Elliott to rebid the job Spring 2027.

11a. Highgate Water/Wastewater Line Ownership Transfer:

Bill reminded the Trustees of the background of the Village’s involvement in the Highgate water/wastewater project.  The project is now complete with the exception of two hydrants that need to be repaired, which is in process and a sewer issue that is also in process of being corrected according to the engineers and Village water and wastewater operators. The Trustees now need to consider acceptance of the Easement Deed for water and sewer infrastructure installed by the Town of Highgate serving the Franklin County State Airport and other properties on Airport Road and Route 78.

Suzie Kelleher made the motion to accept the Easement Deed from the Town of Highgate in substantially the same form as the draft deed, or as advised by Village counsel, as well as the water and sewer infrastructure conveyed therein that was constructed to serve the Franklin County State Airport and other properties on Airport Road and Route 78.  I further move to authorize the Village Manager and Chair of the Board of Trustees to execute a Statement of Federal Interest regarding said infrastructure as well as any other documents necessary or advisable to finalize the Village’s acceptance of this infrastructure from the Town of Highgate.  Damon Broderick seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

11b. Jackman Litigation:

Damon Broderick made the motion for the Swanton Village Trustees to approve the stipulation proposed by Ms. Jackman as presented to the Trustees to settle her litigation against the Village in Case No. 26-CV-04200. Neal Speer seconded the motion. Discussion:  None. Motion carried.

12. Swanton Village Manager Update:

General Updates: 

Bridge Assessment (Lane Closure)

The Vermont Agency of Transportation, working with a contractor, will perform an inspection of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge in Swanton Village. This inspection is part of the assessment on the bridge rehabilitation project planned for 2028/2029.

On September 16^th, 17^th and 18^th the bridge will be reduced to one-way traffic so that engineers can complete their assessments. The project will include traffic control, and the lane closures are expected to last approximately eight hours each day.

HYDRO Operations:

The Village has received notice that the 401 Water Quality Permit was dismissed without prejudice. The State of Vermont Water Quality Application Public Hearing will still be held. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources will hold a Public Meeting on our application on October 15^th at 1 PM. There will be an online option that ANR will provide as the date nears. The meeting will be held in our auditorium.

We have completed our grant funded assessment, and we will have that final report with recommendations soon. We are in the process of exploring an Energy loan through the State of Vermont that would be zero percent interest with a 10-year repayment. There is significant work that must be completed soon, and this will assist us in getting this done more cost effectively. We hope to have more details and a motion for consideration to the Board of Trustees as soon as possible.

Today we begin our plant shut down for maintenance, which includes completing electrical and mechanical work, as well as inspections, most of which are required by FERC or updates needed for safety of operational efficiency.

We continue to work with engineers on final design, concentrating on narrowing the scope to reduce engineering costs. We clearly must meet criteria for flood control so some type of hinged gate system, controlled with either a rubber dam or hydraulically will be a likely solution.

Building Update:

  The project is progressing nicely, with the roofing contractor installing the 30-year warranty rubber membrane roofing system. The garage floor concrete was poured in two sections, starting last Thursday. The second pour for the garage is scheduled for this Tuesday the 15^th. Interior framing is ongoing and work around the foundation will be progressing soon. The windows are about a month out and then they will really be able to button up the building before winter.

Public Works:

 The team completed the final sections of sidewalk along Grand Avenue, with some additional curbing work pending. They fixed the sidewalk on Jones Court and will get to the repairs in front of the Church on Grand Avenue as soon as possible. Hydrant flushing is scheduled for September 24^th. We will put something out in advance on Facebook. They still have a couple of insertion values to install and will winterize hydrants after flushing is complete. They will complete the outfall grant for stormwater on South River this week.

Lafar Street leaf pile: We are continuing to see abuses of this location, and this has increased since the closure of the brush pile. There is currently no gate at this location. How would the Trustees like to proceed? There is a significant resource/time demand on public works to remove and relocate the brush from this location. Options would include hoping that this behavior changes, adding a gate, or no longer allowing leaving leaves at this location. We have rudimentary cameras at this location. We can also attempt to add additional signage.

Water Updates: The water team made modifications to the chemicals used that resulted in a longer run time for the filters. We are now able to run for 12 hours before completing a backwash. The positive result is a more efficient and effective run time with less chemical usage. 

Open house: The Water Department will hold an open house on October 14thg. 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.

Police Updates:  On Friday, the Village was notified of an unauthorized camping issue off the Rail trail.  Even though it was located in the town, a Village police officer responded and handled the issue.  It is confusing for the public on who to call during the daytime hours. 

13. Any Other Necessary Business:

None.

14. Proposed Executive Session to Discuss Customer Account and Legal Matter:

 Suzie Kelleher made the motion, seconded by Neal Speer, to go into Executive Session at  8;06p.m. to discuss a customer account and a legal matter, where premature general public knowledge of the subject matter would place the Village or person involved at a substantial disadvantage. Motion carried.

 Damon Broderick made the motion to exit Executive Session at  9:16p.m.  Suzie Kelleher seconded. Motion carried. 

ACTION TAKEN: None.

15. Adjournment:

 Damon Broderick made the motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of the Trustees at 9:17p.m. Suzie Kelleher seconded. There being no further business at hand, David Winchester, Village President, adjourned the meeting at  9:17p.m. Motion carried.

_____________________________________          __________________________________

David Winchester, Village President                              Date

_____________________________________          __________________________________

Dianne Day, Village Clerk                                             Date