Selectboard Meeting Highlights - 2.14.2024

Town of Middlebury, Vermont
Selectboard Meeting - Highlights

February 13, 2024

Middlebury Police Department’s Receives Approval for Development of a Town Drone Program

The Selectboard received a presentation by the Middlebury Police Dept. on the proposed development of an unmanned aerial system (drone) for use in a variety of Town public safety purposes. The Board approved the Department proceeding with this initiative, as well as preparing any related grant applications.

Sole Source Upfitting of the Police Department’s Recently Purchased Police Vehicle Supported

To prepare for the upcoming delivery of a recently purchased new police vehicle, the Department requested from the Selectboard approval for the sole source procurement of work by Yipes! Auto & Graphics for $18,886 and by Central Vermont Communications for $3,129 for the overall upfitting of the vehicle. The Board granted this procurement request.

**Town Water System Disruption**

The Town water system experienced a surge two weeks ago that has caused repercussions throughout the distribution area. Public Works believes that the surge caused a high-pressure wave to travel through the system, causing breaks at weak points in the lines. The water system has experienced eleven breaks since the initial surge, leading to our staff working extremely long hours and many properties temporarily losing water. Public Works is currently working with an engineering team to better understand the cause and to try to limit further damage to the system. The Department appreciates the community’s patience through the process and empathizes with this inconvenience during the shutoffs.

Engineering Agreement to Complete Inventory of Town Water Service Lines Approved

Public Works presented a proposal from Otter Creek Engineering that would assist the Town in complying with State service line guidelines by completing the inventory of all service lines in the Town system. The Board approved the agreement for $302,273, which will be funded through State revolving loan funds. A significant percentage of the costs will be forgiven by the State.

Purchase of New Public Works Vehicle Authorized

The Selectboard approved Public Work’s request to move forward with the purchase of a Freightliner truck with a Viking Clives body for $257,910.

Ilsley Library Design Concepts & Proposed Cost Scoping Approved

The IPL 100 Project Team received the support of the Selectboard for the proposed renovation/expansion of the Ilsley Library, based on the most recent schematic designs and projected pricing for the overall project, estimated at $16,442,936. It is anticipated that approximately half of the costs of the project will be covered by grant funds and the project’s capital campaign. A special bond vote will be scheduled in May, 2024.

Progress Update on Town’s Municipal Carbon Emissions Goals

Representatives from the Town’s Energy Committee provided updates on the steps taken thus far by the Town to meet the carbon emission reduction objectives set up the Town in 2021, and what opportunities exist for further progress.

Modification to Friends of Middlebury Hockey Loan Agreement Supported

At the request of the Friends of Middlebury Hockey, the Selectboard supported a request to renew a previous loan for improvements to the Memorial Sports Center so that the terms of the loan include the intended 15-year term of the 2019 loan agreement.

Updates from Policy Review Committee

Town Manager’s Office provided the Selectboard with a brief update on a number of the items that the Committee is working on, including: the drafting of a Town policy on the naming of public spaces, a policy for the placement of religious symbols in public spaces, a policy for the administration of certain Town security cameras, the possible regulation of short-term rental housing units, and potential for greater efficiencies in certain event permitting processes.

Approval of Check Warrants

The Selectboard approved expenditures, for the time period of January 24, 2024 through February 13, 2024, in the amount of $812,414.19.

Full details of the Selectboard’s February 13, 2024 meeting will be available by the Monday following this Selectboard meeting in the Selectboard Minutes page on the Town of Middlebury, Vermont’s website.