Town of Saint Albans

The Selectboard meeting involved the approval of several financial warrants, including the General Fund, Payroll, Industrial Park, Stone House, Stormwater Utility, Fire Department, Infrastructure Development, and Impact Fee warrants. The Director of Public Works provided an update on completed projects for the year, such as culvert replacements, road paving, and stormwater projects, noting the use of goats for Wild Parsnip removal at the Industrial Park and maintenance on other stormwater practices. The Town Manager presented updates on the St. Albans Police Department Budget Draft 3.0 and recommendations to close the budget gap for the FY '27 budget. Other business included discussions with Historic Preservation regarding Stone House renovations. The Board also entered into and exited an executive session to discuss a personnel matter, for which no motions were made public.

The meeting included the approval of several warrants: General Fund, Payroll (covering dates in late December 2025 and early January 2026), Impact Fee, Infrastructure Development, and Stormwater Utility. The board appointed Casey Toof as the Town Manager effective January 1st, 2026. Key discussion points included moving forward with a $30,000 Bay Park Bioretention Stormwater Project Grant request in partnership with Friends of Northern Lake Champlain. The board also reviewed draft #4 of the FY '27 budget, which includes a 2.18% increase, with final approval scheduled for the next meeting. An inquiry was made regarding the survey results for the former Department of Public Works land, which is expected to be presented in February. A portion of the meeting was held in executive session to discuss personnel and contractual matters, after which no motions were brought forward to the public session.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing regarding proposed Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations updates, which the Selectboard subsequently approved. Warrant approvals included the General Fund warrant, payroll warrants for two previous weeks, and warrants for Infrastructure Development, Industrial Park, Stormwater Utility, and Impact Fees. The Board also approved the 2026 Town Meeting Day warning and the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which included a 2.2% increase and budget restructuring. Other discussions involved updates on the St. Albans Police Department Q2 budget, scheduling the Director of Public Works presentation on the former DPW site, plans for automatic gates at local parks, and the status of the RFP for Bay sidewalk design. A court decision regarding municipal regulation of agricultural practices was noted, with intent to draft a non-regulatory ordinance. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss a contractual matter, followed by the approval of a police contract between the St. Albans Police Department and the Village & Town of Enosburg.

This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for the Town of St. Albans aims to improve and increase the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, enhancing safety and creating a highly connected recreational network. The plan prioritizes sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and trails based on their value to the community, connectivity, and access to community assets. It assesses current needs, existing infrastructure, and sustainable facility alternatives, proposing a future network with identified priority projects like the St. Albans Health Path, and outlines implementation strategies including funding and design standards.

The board meeting involved the review and approval of multiple warrants, including the General Fund warrant for $18,723.81 and two payroll warrants totaling $92,302.03. Other approved warrants covered the Industrial Park, Stonehouse, Stormwater Utility, and Fire Department expenditures, including $14,500 for boat undercoating to extend its service life. Significant discussion centered on major public works projects completed during the summer. These included the Fairfax Street Culvert replacement ($171,000 cost, partially grant-funded) which featured an aluminum culvert designed for aquatic organism passage, and the French Hill Road Culvert replacement, a large concrete box structure. Paving projects for the year totaled approximately $550,000, including full-depth reclamation on French Hill Road, requiring extensive coordination between multiple crews. Additionally, the board reviewed the Tangle Wood stormwater practice project ($578,000 cost, largely grant-funded), which involved installing a new 36-inch pipe to replace an inadequate 24-inch line, and coordinating with the HOA on final landscaping and drainage improvements. The board also approved the minutes from the December 1st meeting and addressed public comments.