PITTSFIELD SELECT BOARD PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING MINUTES
DATE: November 17, 2015
PRESENT: Matt Corron-Select Board, Wendy Reese-Select Board, Dave Larkin-Select Board, George Deblon-Moderator, Mary Russ from White River Partnership, Matt Murawski from DuBois & King
Public Present:
Attendees signed in as they entered the meeting and indicated if they were registered voters in the town of Pittsfield. 34 participants signed in with ____ noting they are registered voters.
The meeting opened at 6:02 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence to remember Mel Colton who passed away earlier in the day. George reviewed the meeting guidelines. Wendy and Matt gave an overview of proposed park project, events that had led up to the proposed park, FEMA regulations and timeline of events. The purpose of the meeting is to share information about various options for the Parmenter Place buyout properties and to take public input.
Mary Russ from White River Partnership (WRP) explained the green components of the proposed plans consisting mainly of berm removal and tree plantings. Benefits include:
Matt Murawski from DuBois & King (DK) reviewed various gray components of the proposed plans. He emphasized these are just concepts and the area must remain open. Nothing has been decided. Key components/options include:
George opened the floor for questions and comments:
John McCauley lives along river and has concerns about encouraging access to the river due to debris in the water since TS Irene, especially glass. How can this be cleaned up?
A. Need to get people to go in and try to remove the debris.
Joyce Stevens – How do you access the river when you are not allowed to mow to the river?
A. The buffer is designed to work with the river allowing specific areas for access.
Who pays to mow and maintain gravel?
A. Mowing would be a couple of times a year and is the town’s responsibility. Gravel areas usually need to be scraped smooth every couple of years and also the town’s responsibility.
Bill Leimgruber re-confirming the paths are just gravel, correct? Brush mowing twice a year so what else would be mowed?
A. Yes gravel paths and grass paths that may need to be mowed more often depending on usage.
Steve Turner doesn’t care for the park.
Keith Mills lives across the river from proposed park and does not want to see people on the property; he wants to keep his yard private.
Joe Rivers lives on Parmenter Place and it is a private area. There are several cars a day that drive in and out with no reason to be there. Want to keep area private and concerned park will bring in more.
A. Parking lot might aid in allowing others to turn around rather than go all the way down the road to turn around.
Joe Rivers is concerned that Joe Desena’s covered bridge will cause flooding on Route 100.
A. Sarah Gray stated Joe Desena’s bridge was certified by the state’s engineers.
Joyce Stevens – Shoring up the banks – yes. When people bought homes on this property it was different. Why add another park when we have one already in town?
Sarah Gray asked how other towns are dealing with these properties.
A. Rochester is moving along with a park that has more improvements on it; Bethel has two areas that are providing access and one also has parking.
Ray Colton does not want to have taxes go up to maintain this space.
Arlene Drugonis wants to shore up what needs to be done and brush hog the area.
Marion Abrams thanked the group for the presentation. She is for shoring up the banks. No need to add another recreational area as the town has the recreation areas and the green.
Joyce Stevens questions how the replacement bridge at Lower Michigan Road will affect this property. If access is needed to the river she suggests cutting trees behind the baseball field.
Rebecca Stewart asked about herbicide use and any concerns.
A. Mary Russ stated Japanese knotweed can only be treated with water soluble herbicide, focused on each plant and in a small area
Rebecca asked where the high pressure flow is and is the work only being done on town property.
A. Mary explained the water gets squeezed by the berm causing higher pressure. Removing the berms slows the water down and allows the water to spread out. Yes work is only on town property.
Steve Turner – The water is eroding the bank and trees are getting ready to fall in, what can be done?
A. Matt stated removing the debris will help lower the water but it will not reduce it significantly.
Joe Fuster – Who would treat the knotweed and who pays for it?
A. Mary replied a contractor would be hired and the grant would pay for it.
Joe believes this would be an ongoing cost.
Teresa Stewart commented another park doesn’t make sense when the town already has one.
Charles Piso asked how the bridge project will affect the park, even though state says they will remediate any damage, and what are other towns doing?
A. Matt stated the bridge has no bearing on the proposed park. The temporary bridge would disrupt the parking area, path and some trees. He has had good results with VTrans fixing damages on other projects. There is no river work near the bridge. Bethel has three locations from TS Irene and all are low maintenance with one area having just a sign.
Matt Corron states the Select Board is looking at the green and gray components as separate pieces not as a whole.
Joyce Stevens – If the Select Board decides to proceed with the green component only is the town still eligible for the grant?
A. Yes and the WRP will monitor the willow stakes.
Mike Wuerthele verifying the bridge project is two years out.
A. Yes it is however the grant money will not be available.
Matt Murawski stated there is no requirement to maintain the space.
Bill Leimgruber confirming that if just the green component is done the funds can be used.
A. Yes.
Rebecca Stewart asked about birdhouses for the property.
A. Mary stated yes there are other partners that can help with birdhouses.
Joe Rivers – Will there be trash receptacles?
A. No.
Ed Herson, lives on Parmenter Place and has concerns for safety with an area that encourage more people near their homes.
Arlene Drugonis asked Patty Haskins how many people use the Green.
A. Patty and Vern Haskins both responded the Green and the playground are used regularly especially during nice weather.
Wendy Reese speaking as a resident walks from town to Townsend Brook Road and the traffic moves very fast. Believes the park allows pedestrians a safer route in that area.
Kathy Peta has walked into town and doesn’t believe the park will help; a sidewalk would be better.
Someone else commented fast moving traffic is an issue.
Dot Williamson commented the new bridge may widen the road.
Dave Larkin – What is a shrub willow?
A. Mary stated shrub willows grow about 20 feet tall; they cut branches; stick into the river bank and the willow grows again. The willow stakes are harvested locally and it is a native plant that holds on river banks. Knotweed is not a native plant and it does not hold the bank, roots are very shallow.
Patty Haskins – Will the plantings provide more privacy for the neighbors.
A. Mary states yes there would be lots of vegetation, approximately 35 feet wide along the bank. In 5 to 10 years there will be a nice visual buffer.
Sarah Gray – Sounds like a consensus – we don’t want people.
George read the following written comments/questions that were submitted:
George took a non-binding poll from the group on the following choices:
Is there any circumstance where the grant money has to be paid back?
A. Mary states no, the town may use any portion of the grant funding and match just that portion.
Matt Corron speaking for the Select Board said they deliberate the project at the December 1, 2015 meeting and the board is leaning towards the green component. The Town Plan has flood mitigation as an on-going action item therefore this property needs to be addressed. There will be no gray components without a town vote. The board will continue to take comments
Charlie Piso suggests the plan have a clear delineation between green components and gray components.
Joyce Stevens asked if the project could be a separate vote.
A. Wendy stated a separate vote would require 45 days. Patty Haskins will check with VLCT on the voting at town meeting as she believes it has to be done on the floor.
George commended the Select Board as they are all new to serving on it and have put in a great deal of time and effort.
Adjournment: Matt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m.; Wendy seconded; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Schedule: The next regular Select Board meeting will be held Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Office.
Approved: 12/1/15 Recorded by: Tyna Gallagher
Matt Corron
David Larkin
Wendy Reese
DATE: November 17, 2015
PRESENT: Matt Corron-Select Board, Wendy Reese-Select Board, Dave Larkin-Select Board, George Deblon-Moderator, Mary Russ from White River Partnership, Matt Murawski from DuBois & King
Public Present:
Attendees signed in as they entered the meeting and indicated if they were registered voters in the town of Pittsfield. 34 participants signed in with ____ noting they are registered voters.
The meeting opened at 6:02 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence to remember Mel Colton who passed away earlier in the day. George reviewed the meeting guidelines. Wendy and Matt gave an overview of proposed park project, events that had led up to the proposed park, FEMA regulations and timeline of events. The purpose of the meeting is to share information about various options for the Parmenter Place buyout properties and to take public input.
Mary Russ from White River Partnership (WRP) explained the green components of the proposed plans consisting mainly of berm removal and tree plantings. Benefits include:
- Open space now so no houses on that space can be damaged;
- Removal of the berms will allow better water flow by slowing it down and allowing it to spread out;
- Any rocks and gravel removed could be re-used by the town if desired;
- Tree plantings will help slow erosion as they are planted on the top and sides of the bank so the roots intertwine thus aiding in stabilization;
- Trees are source locally;
- 90% of the plantings are covered by grant funding and the town would be responsible for the remaining 10% as a match. WRP would buy and arrange to have the trees planted thus providing the 10% match. Plantings occur in the spring and WRP tried to involve students from local schools to participate.
Matt Murawski from DuBois & King (DK) reviewed various gray components of the proposed plans. He emphasized these are just concepts and the area must remain open. Nothing has been decided. Key components/options include:
- Brush hog twice a year;
- Plant trees as a buffer;
- On the south end there could be mowed paths with a bench or sitting stone and access to the river;
- On the north end there could be 4-5 foot wide gravel paths and may be packed enough for wheelchair access and scenic stop and another bench or sitting stone;
- Gravel parking area for three vehicles and room to turnaround;
- Possibly a kiosk with information about the site;
- High water sighting tube on a post or tree
George opened the floor for questions and comments:
John McCauley lives along river and has concerns about encouraging access to the river due to debris in the water since TS Irene, especially glass. How can this be cleaned up?
A. Need to get people to go in and try to remove the debris.
Joyce Stevens – How do you access the river when you are not allowed to mow to the river?
A. The buffer is designed to work with the river allowing specific areas for access.
Who pays to mow and maintain gravel?
A. Mowing would be a couple of times a year and is the town’s responsibility. Gravel areas usually need to be scraped smooth every couple of years and also the town’s responsibility.
Bill Leimgruber re-confirming the paths are just gravel, correct? Brush mowing twice a year so what else would be mowed?
A. Yes gravel paths and grass paths that may need to be mowed more often depending on usage.
Steve Turner doesn’t care for the park.
Keith Mills lives across the river from proposed park and does not want to see people on the property; he wants to keep his yard private.
Joe Rivers lives on Parmenter Place and it is a private area. There are several cars a day that drive in and out with no reason to be there. Want to keep area private and concerned park will bring in more.
A. Parking lot might aid in allowing others to turn around rather than go all the way down the road to turn around.
Joe Rivers is concerned that Joe Desena’s covered bridge will cause flooding on Route 100.
A. Sarah Gray stated Joe Desena’s bridge was certified by the state’s engineers.
Joyce Stevens – Shoring up the banks – yes. When people bought homes on this property it was different. Why add another park when we have one already in town?
Sarah Gray asked how other towns are dealing with these properties.
A. Rochester is moving along with a park that has more improvements on it; Bethel has two areas that are providing access and one also has parking.
Ray Colton does not want to have taxes go up to maintain this space.
Arlene Drugonis wants to shore up what needs to be done and brush hog the area.
Marion Abrams thanked the group for the presentation. She is for shoring up the banks. No need to add another recreational area as the town has the recreation areas and the green.
Joyce Stevens questions how the replacement bridge at Lower Michigan Road will affect this property. If access is needed to the river she suggests cutting trees behind the baseball field.
Rebecca Stewart asked about herbicide use and any concerns.
A. Mary Russ stated Japanese knotweed can only be treated with water soluble herbicide, focused on each plant and in a small area
Rebecca asked where the high pressure flow is and is the work only being done on town property.
A. Mary explained the water gets squeezed by the berm causing higher pressure. Removing the berms slows the water down and allows the water to spread out. Yes work is only on town property.
Steve Turner – The water is eroding the bank and trees are getting ready to fall in, what can be done?
A. Matt stated removing the debris will help lower the water but it will not reduce it significantly.
Joe Fuster – Who would treat the knotweed and who pays for it?
A. Mary replied a contractor would be hired and the grant would pay for it.
Joe believes this would be an ongoing cost.
Teresa Stewart commented another park doesn’t make sense when the town already has one.
Charles Piso asked how the bridge project will affect the park, even though state says they will remediate any damage, and what are other towns doing?
A. Matt stated the bridge has no bearing on the proposed park. The temporary bridge would disrupt the parking area, path and some trees. He has had good results with VTrans fixing damages on other projects. There is no river work near the bridge. Bethel has three locations from TS Irene and all are low maintenance with one area having just a sign.
Matt Corron states the Select Board is looking at the green and gray components as separate pieces not as a whole.
Joyce Stevens – If the Select Board decides to proceed with the green component only is the town still eligible for the grant?
A. Yes and the WRP will monitor the willow stakes.
Mike Wuerthele verifying the bridge project is two years out.
A. Yes it is however the grant money will not be available.
Matt Murawski stated there is no requirement to maintain the space.
Bill Leimgruber confirming that if just the green component is done the funds can be used.
A. Yes.
Rebecca Stewart asked about birdhouses for the property.
A. Mary stated yes there are other partners that can help with birdhouses.
Joe Rivers – Will there be trash receptacles?
A. No.
Ed Herson, lives on Parmenter Place and has concerns for safety with an area that encourage more people near their homes.
Arlene Drugonis asked Patty Haskins how many people use the Green.
A. Patty and Vern Haskins both responded the Green and the playground are used regularly especially during nice weather.
Wendy Reese speaking as a resident walks from town to Townsend Brook Road and the traffic moves very fast. Believes the park allows pedestrians a safer route in that area.
Kathy Peta has walked into town and doesn’t believe the park will help; a sidewalk would be better.
Someone else commented fast moving traffic is an issue.
Dot Williamson commented the new bridge may widen the road.
Dave Larkin – What is a shrub willow?
A. Mary stated shrub willows grow about 20 feet tall; they cut branches; stick into the river bank and the willow grows again. The willow stakes are harvested locally and it is a native plant that holds on river banks. Knotweed is not a native plant and it does not hold the bank, roots are very shallow.
Patty Haskins – Will the plantings provide more privacy for the neighbors.
A. Mary states yes there would be lots of vegetation, approximately 35 feet wide along the bank. In 5 to 10 years there will be a nice visual buffer.
Sarah Gray – Sounds like a consensus – we don’t want people.
George read the following written comments/questions that were submitted:
- Herbicides – what are the long-term effects?
- Keep it simple, low maintenance, brush hog area
- How can anyone object to a park? Get a life.
George took a non-binding poll from the group on the following choices:
- Remediation – approximately 25
- Walking paths and sitting stones – 8
- Against entire project – 9
Is there any circumstance where the grant money has to be paid back?
A. Mary states no, the town may use any portion of the grant funding and match just that portion.
Matt Corron speaking for the Select Board said they deliberate the project at the December 1, 2015 meeting and the board is leaning towards the green component. The Town Plan has flood mitigation as an on-going action item therefore this property needs to be addressed. There will be no gray components without a town vote. The board will continue to take comments
Charlie Piso suggests the plan have a clear delineation between green components and gray components.
Joyce Stevens asked if the project could be a separate vote.
A. Wendy stated a separate vote would require 45 days. Patty Haskins will check with VLCT on the voting at town meeting as she believes it has to be done on the floor.
George commended the Select Board as they are all new to serving on it and have put in a great deal of time and effort.
Adjournment: Matt motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m.; Wendy seconded; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Schedule: The next regular Select Board meeting will be held Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Office.
Approved: 12/1/15 Recorded by: Tyna Gallagher
Matt Corron
David Larkin
Wendy Reese
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