City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 3rd, 2025 at 6pm Council Chambers-Barre City Hall The warned Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor Sonya Spaulding, Councilor Beth Hilgartner ; from Ward II, Councilor Amanda Gustin and Councilor Jeff Bergeron; and from Ward III, Councilor Don Routhier, Councilor Michael Deering. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, TIF Administrator Carol Dawes, and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda  Remove 4G from Consent Agenda to Item (New Business) 8D.  Add discussion of Ord. #2025-02 Public Conduct Ordinance 1st warned at the May 20th Council meeting Visitors & Communications Joelen Mulvaney- seems the implementation of the Public Conduct Ordinance is business bias, and needs more public discussion. Bernadette Rose- Provided more written literature about tick prevention and detection. Stated the equity tool should be used in the creation and thinks repercussions could be more effective if it were community driven and used community service instead of citations and fines. 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of 5/20/25 (w/ corrections) B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits –none C. Volunteer appointments (B & F – Building and Facilities) (4) appointments including; Rick Dente, Brent Gagne, Sue Higby, and Jon Valsangiacomo all have been endorsed by the Chair, and will be reappointed to 2-year terms. D. Approve Civic Center Improvement fund use policy E. Resolution #2025-10: Cure error in annual meeting warning and ballot F. Approve SP&F Attorneys, P.C. to conduct the City’s tax sales processes for 2025-2026 G. Approve changes to cemetery regulations (Moved to Item 8D for further discussion) H. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s)-none. The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin-approved 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Approve week of 6/4/25 ii. Ratify week of 5/28/25 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting The motion to approve the City Warrants was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Deering-approved (Councilor Spaulding abstained) Mayor Lauzon recused himself from the following action. Councilor Michael Deering led the council on the following action. 4-b Ratify Council’s 5/20/25 motion to accept the Warranty Deed for the City’s purchase of the +/-6.43- acre property at 277 Morrison Road in Barre Town; to approve a warrant for $3,010,000 to the City Attorney’s IOLTA account for the purchase; to waive recording fees; and to authorize the City Manager to execute the closing statement and any other documents necessary and advisable to close on the transaction, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney. Motion to ratify Council’s 5/20/25 motion to accept the Warranty Deed for the City’s purchase of the +/-6.43- acre property at 277 Morrison Road in Barre Town; to approve a warrant for $3,010,000 to the City Attorney’s IOLTA account for the purchase; to waive recording fees; and to authorize the City Manager to execute the closing statement and any other documents necessary and advisable to close on the transaction, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved. 5. City Clerk & Treasurer Report Share some information on the “Green Mountain Passport Program.  Eligible to Seniors 62yrs+ or Military Veterans  Allows free admission to State Parks all across Vermont in addition to some historic site.  Entrance limited to card holder only.  Life-time membership (non-transferable) damaged cards will be replace at no cost to members.  Simple application process with presenting a valid VT license/I.D. or provide military form DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (or see indication on license after July 1, 2013) More details and the application can be found on the City website, under the Clerk Department tab. Water & Sewer bills were mailed out on Friday, May 30th. These payments are due no later than Monday, June 30 at 430pm. Payments can be made online at barrecity.org. 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards American Legion – 1st, 3rd, OSC Cornerstone Restaurant – 1st & 3rd Elks Lodge #1535 – 1st, 3rd, OSC Reynolds House B&B – 3rd Pearl Street Pizza- Catering w/ alcohol service at Pride Event in City Hall Park Motion to approve presented Liquor License renewals moved by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting 7. City Manager’s Report Paving on Merchants Row is completed. Striping will be in the near future, be mindful when parking until then. Allen St., Berlin St. and Prospect St are all on the paving schedule this season. Allen St area has had some preparation work done. Concerts in the Park, Food Trucks and Barre Farmers Market will all be held in combination on Wednesdays. “Chiller” work will wrap up with hopes of the BOR being available again by June 16th. Logan Protzman was sworn in on May 27th, 2025. After additional training he will become a value to our current Police force. A moment of silence was called to honor Detective Paula Russell, who was an exemplary officer for the City of Barre. Paula recently passed after a brief illness, and will be remembered for her professionalism and dedication to Barre’s Police Department. 8. New Business A. Volunteer appointments (Park & Rec, Cemeteries) Haley Pero was appointed to the Park & Rec committee for a 2 year term. However having no quorum, no meetings will be held. A motion to approve the appointment of Haley Pero to the Parks & Recreation Committee was moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. Ilene Gillander and Starr LeCompte were reappointed to the Cemeteries Committee for 2 year terms. The two are excited for future projects, including the addition of a fountain in Hope Cemetery, which was requested by Eugene Cozzi upon the bequeathing of his estate after his passing last fall. A motion to approve the appointment of Ilene Gillander and Starr LeCompte to the Cemetery Committee was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved. B. 6:30PM Public Hearing Warned: TIF district substantial change request Stephanie Clarke of White + Burke Real Estate Advisors reviewed previous presented material and information about the Stevens Branch Apartments, the new TIF project to support the construction of affordable housing on Seminary Street. She and Carol Dawes, the TIF Administrator for the City of Barre, proposed the approval of the Substantial Change Request required to move forward for VEPC for the use of TIF. The visual plans of the site showed how the area would be laid out, and explained the ground level of the structure components. Upon City Council approval, the materials will be submitted to VEPC by June 6 to be heard at their meeting in July, and in August if a second meeting is needed. It is their hope to get VEPC approval and have a City-wide vote in the fall to be ready to break ground in the Spring of 2026. 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Hearing closed at 7:01PM. C. Approve TIF development agreement A motion to move the approval of the TIF development agreement was motioned by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved. A motion to approve submission of the application to TIF for a substantial change request, which will need to be ratified at the next Council meeting moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Spaulding approved. D. Approve changes to cemetery regulations. Councilor Bergeron, who requested more discussion in the agenda adjustments, voiced concerns over placement of multiple memorial structures on individual lots, and how the policy may be abused in the future. Stating that the permissions would be up to the discretion of the City’s Cemetery Director and committee members. After further discussion and clarity of the regulations a vote was prompted. A motion to approve changes to cemetery regulations was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Spaulding, approved. E. Legislative delegation update State Representatives Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak summarized the projects they have been working on in this legislative session, including petitioning funding housing serving those unhoused or displaced by disaster, wetland development, CHIP (the Community Housing Infrastructure Project) funds, the increased retention of LOT (Local Option Tax) funding 75% municipality to 25% state, municipal grand list stabilization, flood mitigation, passing of the charter changes voted and approved May of 2024 to name a few. The challenges within legislation can slow or delay the process of moving funding opportunities forward. Both State Representatives Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak will always put the needs of Barre City, its community members and students first. Councilor Gustin thanked and praised them for all the flood mitigation funding efforts. Mayor Lauzon also thanked the State Representatives. F. Flood Resiliency Plan update (Gustin) Councilor Gustin who spearheaded this ongoing project asked for input in defining completion, near completion and what could be moved into future project category. The data outlining completed projects, in progress projects was informative, giving the Council an idea of how much progress Barre has made so far. Looking for input on future opportunities for community involvement and the first-hand knowledge of water flow in their neighborhoods hoping for real data to assist in alleviating the damage storm water can cause. Tess Taylor mentioned past data gathered has been implemented in studies, but more neighborhood walks could provide additional information on micro-local area. Councilor Spaulding wondered if another method for data collection could be in place, possibly using Google 4 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting docs/maps or a survey. Amy Galford asked how debris and trash could be limited or stopped completely from entering the waterways if future flooding occurred. Recognizing debris needed to be addressed upstream, before it could reach Berlin St. Bridge. She also voice concern over rooftop runoff, especially from large scale buildings. Peter Anthony inquired about the re-routing of water coming from the East Barre Dam. Summarizing goals and hoping for additional idea input Councilor Gustin knows this is a constantly changing and evolving process based on the pace of projects now or any in the works for the near future. G. FEMA Buyout updates The Manager presented the date covering the progress, areas and the benefits of the future home buyouts through FEMA. The plan is to use the newly acquired space as green space, an area for water to “rest” when flooding occurs. The “cluster” of properties are located on River St., Vine St., and Harrington Ave with potential for more if more property owners who were significantly affected by flooding apply. (67) Applicants (27) Approved by the City (24) Green lighted by FEMA (5) Are landslides The process is slow, but the progress is now moving at a better pace, but this was already known to have years of work before action takes place. A question was raised by Mayor Lauzon, as to whether a property could be moved to a new location vs destroyed in the buyout process. The Manager stated this was worth looking into. H. Discussion of Ord. #2025-02 Public Conduct Ordinance Councilor Hilgartner requested additional discussion on the proposed and 1st warned ordinance to address the quality of life issues within the City. She noted more discussion to address repercussions should be voiced, suggesting some of the proposed ideas Bern Rose had spoke of would make sense and a larger impact vs citations or fines, which probably could not be paid for due to no funds. Addressing nuisance properties may deter landlords from renting to low income. 9. Upcoming Business Mayor Lauzon – Things will be happening quickly with CDBGDR funds in regards to applications. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development trying to secure assistance for the City through grants. The discussion about potential projects focused on something big and meaningful for the North End, before December 31. Councilor Gustin – Offered the opportunity to the new Council members to reach out for specific updates of the flood plan if interested. 5 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting 10. Round Table Councilor Gustin- Will be attending the Pride Event on Sat. June 7th at City Hall Park Councilor Spaulding- Will also be attending the Pride Event and encouraged the community to come and purchase baked goods and enjoy the activities. Happy a pothole was fixed on Clifton St. Attended the River Walk held recently, and informed the viewers another walk is scheduled for June 15th Councilor Routhier- Thank you to the Manager and Mayor for the assistance provided to an issue of a constituent if shows community members the City is listening and trying to meet the needs of all. Mayor Lauzon – Potholes & Parking Lots are a huge expense. Would like to investigate the freeze-thaw effect of the underlayment. Memorial Day ceremony and observance at City Hall Park– humbled by the Veterans. Always honored to participate and recognize the meaning of the day. Gave appreciation and recognition to the ROTC program. He and Karen will wonder down to the Pride Events at some point. He and Karen will be viewing the Tony awards due to the fact Karen and another Barre native, Sam Biondolillo have produce a show on Broadway, and have been nominated for a Tony Award. 11. Executive Session – none 12. Adjournment Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved Meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for June 17th, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 6