Bill Wager

The Building Maintenance Committee meeting focused on several items. Key discussions included an update on MERP Grant energy improvements for the Fire Hall, noting that air sealing and foundation insulation still need completion before work can commence on the Town Hall, which involves installing mini-splits or heat pumps and an EV charger. Updates were provided on the Union Meeting Hall regarding window latch systems, the Lintel stone securing, and tower roof flashing completion. The committee also confirmed that the Garaventa Lift will be repaired in February. The BMC input for the Town Report was approved for submission. Financial updates included a payment made for materials for the south door, which is scheduled for installation. In old business, the Sisters Property well was capped, and an estimate was requested for reconstructing the south stone wall on the Town Hall.

The meeting commenced with a quorum determination. Key discussions included planning to seek ACRPC approval for the Town Plan to secure priority on grants, and a report on the TOD consultants' interest in reviewing the draft proposed Masterplan for the Vergennes/South Ferrisburgh area with both the Ferrisburgh and Vergennes Planning Commissions. The main activity involved a working session where the Planning Commission reviewed the entire draft of Land Use Regulations and made further edits, agreeing to recirculate the next draft for the ZBA to review.

The work session focused primarily on budgetary matters and equipment purchases. Key discussions included the approval for the purchase of a 2024 John Deere Excavator for up to $82,007, following a trade-in of an older model. The board also discussed the $150,000 Fire Truck Reserve Fund, agreeing to hold further discussion on its disposition. Additionally, the proposed 2026-2027 Budget for Town Meeting Vote was reviewed, with clerical changes to be made before the next meeting. The review of the Town Meeting Warning was tabled.

Key discussion points included an update on the resolved Barrows-Aldrich incident concerning the town forest access trail. The commission discussed the status of communications regarding the kiosk and trail signs. A plan to invite the County Forester to the next meeting was established for the Management Plan review, and research into other town forest plans was initiated. Regarding the Planning Commission agenda, the commission reviewed the status of the Iceberg LLC proposed subdivision, noting that the applicant's engineers indicated consideration of requests related to conserved land and riparian buffer setbacks. The commission also reviewed the newly adopted Town Plan, focusing on the Natural Resources section's requests for action, and noted that the Planning Commission will update Land Use Regulations based on the new plan. Further topics included following up on tapping maple trees at the Meeting Hall, planning for a presentation on Lake Champlain Water Quality, discussing the potential purchase of wildlife cameras for monitoring, and reviewing the Governor's Housing Initiative's potential impact on wetland rules. Finally, the commission agreed they had no objection to disbanding the Shade Tree Committee, suggesting its responsibilities could be absorbed by the Conservation Commission.

The meeting included an open discussion regarding the Vergennes-Panton water district, noting that the Ferrisburgh Fire District #1 water line is at capacity, which impacts the Town Center zoning district and potential growth targets for Ferrisburgh. Other items included updates on the Gilfeather lease, Union Meeting Hall activities, and scheduling for the Atkins Family tree sale and bake sale. New business centered on the Planning Commission's public hearings for proposed updates to the Town Plan, including discussions on vision, goals, and incorporating updated home values. Old business covered status updates on TAP Grant and TOD RAISE Grant reports, and gathering input for uses of the Sisters property, including clarifying whether the structure will be demolished.