DUMMERSTON — Interested in serving on the Development Review Board? The town seeks candidates toward an appointment of a new board member to serve out the remainder of Steve Jarosak's one-year alternate term, which expires in March 2015.
To advance your name, send a letter of interest to selectboard@dummerston.org or Dummerston Selectboard, 1523 Middle Rd., East Dummerston, VT, 05346.
The DRB hears and decides certain development applications as spelled out in the Dummerston Zoning Bylaw. A position description is posted at dummerston.org/drb.
At the Selectboard meeting July 9, Steve Glabach moved to accept Jarosak's June 25th resignation from the DRB and to thank him for his good work. Gurudharm Khalsa seconded the motion, which passed 3-0.
Gift in lieu of taxes or not?
Also at the Selectboard meeting, Glabach moved to amend the June 25 meeting minutes at the request of Fletcher Proctor, attorney for the Southeastern Vermont Learning Collaborative, to remove the sentence stating that the Learning Collaborative had agreed to make a gift to the Town in lieu of property taxes in the amount of $3,338.
As draft meeting minutes show, Zeke Goodband seconded the motion. The vote was one for yes, one for no, and one for abstention. Khalsa moved to table approval of these minutes until the next meeting, and that passed 3-0.
Later, the board reviewed an email from the Delinquent Tax Collector regarding outstanding taxes for Learning Collaborative. It was agreed that they should be turned over to the Board of Abatement.
Minutes say, “Steve reported to the Board about his recent conversation with Casey Murrow from the Learning Collaborative regarding a possible financial gift to the Town. The topic was on the Collaborative's Trustees' meeting agenda for that evening.”
Earful on gravel pit
Minutes also show the Selectboard recognized Judy Pollica, a resident of Winter Bell Drive, “who spoke at length about blasting and increased operations at the former SB Land Partnership's gravel pit. Zeke will visit her property in the near future to discuss her concerns.”
Curb cut applications approved
In two unanimous motions, the board approved curb cut applications from Caleb Kissling on School House Road and Jim Wilmott on Bunker Road.
Glabach disclosed that he will be undertaking this latter project; the other Board members reportedly said they took no issue with his voting on the matter.
A curb cut is a break in a curb allowing access from the roadway and across the sidewalk to a legal parking space within the property line.
Special Town Meeting Sept. 3 on Fire Department tax exemption
A Special Town Meeting is set for Sept. 3 for a vote on whether to grant five-year tax exemption status to the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department.
This was a Glabach motion seconded by Khalsa, and it passed unanimously.
According to meeting minutes, this request is usually voted on at Town Meeting in March. It was inadvertently left off from the warning this year, Glabach explained.
Selectboard hears requests, updates
Correspondence was lively on July 9:
• Wastewater system permits came in from Robert & Margaret Evans at 1250 Route 5; Joan Buttrick at 857 East-West Rd.; and Frank Butler at 2179 East-West Rd.; Balanced Rock Corp. at 1238 Route 5. Moreover, a request came in for a land use permit for Balanced Rock Corp. on Route 5 (the KOA Campground).
• Letters came in from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns reminding officials of an updated Local Emergency Operations Plan; BCTV over town appointees; a second draft of proposed changes to the Windham Regional Plan; and notice of an Act 250 application for subdivision by Ken Carpenter on Carpenter Road.
• As well, there were emails from John Hamill over cable choices and Howard Fairman in Vernon over blast vibrations at Poplar Commons.
Open meetings law changes on Aug. 6 agenda
New requirements stemming from the state's open meetings law will be discussed Aug. 6. All committees, boards, and commissions are invited - and strongly encouraged to attend.