May 2025 Meeting Minutes

TOWN OF SUDBURY

SELECT BOARD MEETING

UNAPPROVED

DATE OF MEETING: Mayl 5, 2025

Select Board Present Tom Williams, Shannon Bryant, and Shaun Ketcham

Others: John Lanza, Steve Lohrenz Larry Rowe, Shelly Pottorf, Janet Weaver, Jason McNolty, Melinda Piper, and Steve Sgorbati

Scheduled Guests: Steffanie Bourque RRPC,  Bill Owens & Maggie O’Brian of RRPC

Minutes subject to approval.

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The meeting began at 6:04 Steffanie stated she was here to go over the third and final phase of the Regional Plan update.  She is looking for questions and feedback in writing by May 27^th.  She distributed a handout and presented it page by page (see attached).

Some of the members of the Planning Commission asked questions.  Steffanie referred them to definitions printed in “Act 181 for Municipalities” a second handout (see attached) and to ask those questions in writing before the deadline. Steffanie thanked those in attendance and left at 7:39.

Steve stated that it looks like Bill Owens and Maggie are no-shows again.  Shaun added that Heidi regarding the Hill School was also absent.

Next Larry Rowe stated that he was here to update the Board on the activities of the Community Club and Subhub.  He stated that they had received a Village Center designation and were awarded the $30,000 feasibility grant to see just what the land (Harvey Blake’s) would support in terms of septic and wells.

Steve distributed handouts that Shelly had emailed so that each Board member could read through them.

Shelly stated that they had started about a year ago with the goal of revitalizing the community with the number one goal of getting the Meetinghouse in better shape so it could be used more including in the winter to bring the community together.  Included in the papers that were distributed are grant applications for Paul Bruhn through the Preservation Trust of Vermont, The Vermont Community Foundation, and the Vermont Arts Council.  There is also an assessment on the Meetinghouse that Jason and Shelly did with honest cost estimates on tightening and weatherizing the building towards using it more (see attached). Construction wiill be done in three phases with the first to make the first floor useable year round.

Shelly said that the first thing that needs to be done is to form a building committee to oversee the work and progress.

Tom would like to know if we can have a meeting with Harvey Blake and start to negotiate on acquiring some land east of the Clerk’s office to about the fence line.  Shelly stated that we could do that but that there is no risk of Harvey selling the land to someone else.  She believes he is very committed to the town and this endeavor.

Larry said that maybe he would hold the paper and allow for the town to raise funds towards buying it?

Shelly stated that for the Paul Bruhn Foundation there is an easement that has to be given for a period of up to ten years to ensure all the work complies with the Preservation standards for a building on the National Register.

Discussion followed on who would handle the bookkeeping and record keeping for the grants.  Tom would like the town to manage it.  Tom made a motion for the town to manage the grants.  Shaun seconded the motion and the town will manage the money and records.

The group all left at 8:10 except John Lanza.

Steve went down a list of items to report.

A list of dates of the Subhub events at the town hall was distributed

The Fire District can be taxed at a set rate per property owner or by assessed values.

Barbara Somson needs to be re-appointed as Sudbury’s representative to the RRPC.  Shaun signed the form.

The truck bought from Chuck Mulcahy has title issues.  Steve went to get it registered and was told it was a Massachusetts vehicle and never titled in Vermont plus there is still a lien holder listed.  Steve will go back to the DMV and see if they will identify the lien holder so that it can be transferred.

Steve reported a realtor had been in the office twice about Wanee / John Adams properties and it is in the process of being sold so hopefully the town finally gets its money.  Also, the Martins are applying for a reverse mortgage to get paid up as well.

We have received $250 in donations for the Hill Cemetery sign replacement.

An email from the Gradziels was distributed with three dates that Andrew Gradziel wants to hold book-reading events at the town hall.  Unanimous approval was given from the Board.

The Orders and monthly Budget Comparison were distributed for examination and signatures.

Steve stated he received the second Education bill which is due before our next meeting.  We will need to borrow money before it can be paid as the checkbook balance is less than the $351,000 bill.  Steve will borrow from the Reappraisal fund.

Steve reported that Wayne Keefe had called and wanted to thank the town for honoring Art on the cover of the town report.

Shannon said she wanted to talk about the process by which the Board appointed the Planning Commission’s vacancy last month.  Going forward she thinks we need to contact all the applicants and have them all come and hear why they want to serve on the PC before we appoint next time.  Discussion followed on the matter. John Lanza stated that he remembers at Town Meeting it was announced that anyone interested in the Planning Commission position should come to the next Selectboard meeting.

Also Shannon wants to know if we are complying with the open meeting law.  Steve stated that the only change to Sudbury in this last rewrite of the open meeting law requires us to record the meetings, which we have been doing.  Our meetings have always been open meetings.  Shannon asked how our meetings are warned?  Steve stated by posting on the Boards.

Tom asked Shannon to ask Harvey if we could have permission to use the driveway and his buildings during the encampment Thursday.  Shannon texted him and the reply was he gave his approval.

Shaun made a motion to approve the minutes of April 7^th and the 11^th as written. Tom seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted.

Tom made a motion to adjourn at 8:39.  Shaun seconded and the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Sgorbati

TOWN OF SUDBURY

SELECT BOARD EXPANDED HOURS

AGENDA

DATE OF MEETING: JUNE 2, 2025 AT 7:00 PM at the Town Hall

Scheduled Guests

Keith Knapp, Patricia Bertino of Burr Pond Assoc.

Fire District Hearing

Orders

Treasurers Report

New Business/Old Business

Minutes of May 5, 2025 meeting--corrections/acceptance