Williamstown Planning Commission Minutes
January 9, 2008
Town Hall
Present: Art - Chair, Annie, Paige, Al, Stan - Ex Officio
Clerk: Deborah Palmer
Art called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The agenda was approved by consensus.
Debbie pointed out that on page 2, under Commissioners Comments, 5th line change May to Maybe. The motion was made by Paige to approve the minutes with the correction and seconded by Annie. The motion passed by voice vote.
Paige gave Al information about an Ancient Roads Training. Al stated that he and Morris need help to know where to go with all this information. The suggestion was made that he go back to the Selectboard for direction.
It was decided to go with the report written by Doreen Chambers for the Annual Report.
SIDEWALKS
Stan reported that the project is $100,000 to $115,000 short. They will hopefully be building from the Post Office to the Square at least. There is a campaign to get people to call their Legislators to release more money to complete the project.
LIST OF PRIORITIES FOR 2008
Art handed out the list of priorities. There was discussion about the list and it was decided to start with the eight identified: Town Plan over the next 2 years, Town Yard Sale, Welcoming Banners across Rts 14 and 64, Seeds, Website, Rt 14 Flower Barrels, Historical Markers at various sites and the Farmers/Flea Market. There was discussion about the Parade and having it again. Sandra Jenkins, Chair of the Parade, will be invited to attend the next meeting.
The VT League of Cities and Towns is putting on a Grants Management/Writing Conference on 1/17. The cost is $70. The motion was made by Annie and seconded by Paige for Art to go to the conference.
There was a letter from Ed Stanik on the VT Shifter Carts stating the information that was requested by 12/3 wasn't received until 1/18.
COMMENTS
Annie spoke on the frustration levels - people who are so vocal against - "This is our Town…"
Paige spoke on getting news out to people and how is that done?
Al spoke on the property on Falls Bridge Road and maybe the Town should buy it and maybe use it for a Community Park. He reported on the conference he went to VT Environment Conference. He felt it wasn't very useful. He also spoke on the need for parking and maybe the McCarthy property in front of the Post Office would be good for that.
Paige asked what needs to happen to put up a banner across Rt. 14 and 64.
Art stated he had copies of the Town Plan from Morrisville/Morristown and Chelsea. Art also spoke on the cut of $5,000 from the budget that was to be used for help on writing the new Town Plan.
The motion was made by Paige to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM and seconded by Annie. The motion passed by voice vote.