City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held July 1st, 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, and Clerk Cheryl Metivier, Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda Add items; (8G Discussion of CDBD-DR funds (8H Cemetery Committee discussion) (8I Visitors & Communications Joe Crosier-Richard Heitmann-concerns for dilapidated property at 15 Brooklyn St.-Could someone please inspect the property and contact owner with any violations. Unsanitary-unsafe Erika Reil – Informed viewers of the exit of families from local motels would mean more families on the street. Ellen Kaye-The order to exit motels means more unhoused families, please donate the supplies to Good Samaritan Haven on Rte. 302 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of 6/17/25 B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits – none C. Accept resignation of Lisa Benard from the TPW Committee D. Accept property at 100 Brook Street and record the quitclaim deed received from the Estate of Badeau E. Authorize Manager to accept a trail marker commemorating General Lafayette’s passage through Barre (Barre Historical Center lawn) F. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) The motion to approve the Consent Agenda was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Spaulding-approved 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Approve week of 6/18/25 ii. Ratify week of 6/11/25 The motion to approve the City Warrants was moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Bergeron-approved 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards Pearl Street Pizza – 210 N. Main St. – 1st & 3rd Class Morse Block Deli - 260 N. Main St. – 1st & 3rd Class Elk Lodge – Jefferson St. - tobacco Arandas Mexican Cuisine LLC – 377 N. Main – tobacco substitute Motion to approve presented Liquor License renewals moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved. 7. City Manager’s Report  Striping of City streets will begin. Please be patient and cautious of street workers (State routes 2, 302 & 14 are the States responsibility and should be completed in Oct.)  Hill St water line construction area due to be paved 2nd week of July  Planning & Permitting Dept. closed until July 7th  Motel exits begins July 1st-effecting 60 households – 109 individuals (89) adults/ (20) children 8. New Business A. Volunteer appointments (Parks & Rec) Bernadette Guyette- a life-long Barre resident, has years of experience during her tenure at the Montpelier Rec. Dept. A motion to approve the appointment of Bernadette Guyette to the Parks & Recreation Committee was moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Hilgartner, approved. B. Set FY26 Tax Rate Carol Dawes-Treasurer, explained the formula process to determine the municipal tax rate (education tax rate is determined and issued by the State of Vermont. Municipal rate; 2.2493 Local Agreement rate; 0.0058 Homestead rate; 1.3933 Non-Homestead rate; 1.8224 A motion to approve the FY26 Tax Rate was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. C. 2nd Reading Warned 6:45 PM: Public Conduct Ordinance Once again discussed with pros and cons brought to the forefront. Chief Brad Vail answered many questions and explained the reasoning and necessity for this ordinance providing an extra tool for public safety officers to maintain the quality of life levels within the City A motion to approved and move to a 2nd Warning of the Public Conduct Ordinance was moved Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved. 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Yay; Nay; Councilor Deering Councilor Bergeron Councilor Spaulding Councilor Routhier Councilor Gustin Councilor Hilgartner D. Approve City policy for notice of trespass on City property With amended language, and knowledge that future adjustments may happen the policy passed. Discussion of policy enforcement, conflict of interest during hearings and equity was on the forefront of viewers. Councilor Gustin discussed and suggested an update in 3 months from the Public Safety department. A motion to approve City policy for notice of trespass on City property was moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. Yay; Nay; Councilor Deering Councilor Bergeron Councilor Spaulding Councilor Routhier Councilor Gustin Councilor Hilgartner E. Flood Resiliency Plan Update (Councilor Gustin) In retrospect, looking back at what has been done within the community, with community members, suggestion were taken on what comes next. Councilors and viewers, offered ideas such as repeating successful workshops, repeating neighborhood walks with expanded boundaries for larger participation. Residents are the best resource for water shed data. F. Assign Council Liaisons to City Committees Councilor Bergeron; Buildings & Facilities Councilor Hilgartner; Transportation and Public Works Councilor Spaulding; Unhoused Committee Mayor Lauzon; Cemeteries Committee G. CDBG-DR (Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery) The 68 million dollars secured by Senator Welch to assist Washington Co. recover from the 2023 floods is hoped to have a majority of the amount to be designated to the City of Barre. Councilor Gustin provided a list of projects the funds could be used for including housing, bridges, waterways and storm drains. The Mayor would like to see work begin in the North End as a gateway to Barre. H. Cemeteries Committee With the facts in hand, and (3) members of the Cemetery Committee in attendance, it was decided to discuss the issue in Executive Session. Included in the Executive Session; Wendy Brown & Irene Gillander Helen Long Giuliano Cecchinelli 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Findings for Executive Session was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved. Motion to go into Executive Session was moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved. (8:16pm) Motion to exit Executive Session moved by Councilor Bergeron, Seconded by Councilor Deering, approved (10:22pm) I. Public Comment Process Discussion Councilor Hilgartner- During meetings comments maybe should have a time limit, without repetition. Maybe assign someone to keep track of the above, with the understanding everyone should be heard. Other Councilors gave suggestions including knowing the agenda items which will bring deep discussion, limiting other items to allow for this without rolling into the next day. 9. Upcoming Business Councilor Gustin – The flood resiliency plan will be updated at the next regular scheduled council meeting with a focus on Prospect Heights 10. Round Table Councilor Deering – BYSA Football sign-ups are beginning for both boys and girls. Councilor Hilgartner – When at the Aldrich Library, notice the new plantings at the base of the Mr. Pickwick statue. Councilor Bergeron – The Barre Community Baseball District 4 Baseball Tourneys will be July 3rd @ Bond Field, they will be playing Lyndon. . Councilor Spaulding – New book club at Aldrich Library July 17th @ 530pm- book-Poverty by America Councilor Routhier – Thank you for the paving projects in Ward 3. The improvement will be appreciated. Mayor – Happy Birthday America! Still believes in the Promise in America. Stay safe. 11. Executive Session – none 12. Adjournment Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved Meeting adjourned at 10:42 pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2025 at 6pm. 4 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 5