Georgia public meetings in 2021

First Response

The Georgia First Response squad confirmed their upcoming merger with the local Fire Department, effective January 1st. The meeting also included updates on training requirements, new continuing education providers, and administrative protocols. No other formal votes were recorded.

• Approved November meeting minutes (unanimous)

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board is meeting on December 7, 2021, but the agenda contains no public hearings or substantive items. The board will review and approve the minutes from the November 2, 2021 meeting and handle any other business that may arise.

• No public hearings scheduled
• Review and approval of November 2, 2021 minutes

The Georgia Development Review Board approved the November 2, 2021 minutes and approved the Sketch Plan decision for the Gilmond 2-lot minor subdivision with corrections. It also voted to remove the phrase "master site plan" from the Black Walnut, LLC reconsideration decision. The board confirmed that a site plan amendment would be required for a new structure at McCracken Self-storage, and discussed zoning inspection and mapping topics.

• Approved November 2, 2021 minutes with no corrections (all in favor; Jenn Desautels abstained)
• Approved Sketch Plan decision SK-001-21 for Gilmond 2-lot minor subdivision with corrections (all in favor; Jenn Desautels abstained)
• Confirmed a site plan amendment would be required for a new structure at McCracken Self-storage
• Approved removing the phrase "master site plan" from the Black Walnut, LLC reconsideration decision (all in favor; Jenn Desautels abstained)

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Board of Supervisors approved the FY2023 budget and established the District Assessment for member municipalities. The Board also accepted the minutes from the November 3, 2021 meeting.

• Approved FY2023 NWSWD Budget (All in favor, 1 abstention)
• Approved District Assessment at $1.10 per capita with a due date of November 15, 2022 (All in favor)
• Approved November 3, 2021 meeting minutes (All in favor, 1 abstention)

First Response

The board approved the previous month's minutes. Members discussed a budget merger with the Fire Department effective January 1, 2021, and reviewed operational updates regarding training equipment and medical bags.

• Approved previous month's minutes

First Response

The board discussed the expanded scope of practice allowing EMTs to administer COVID and Influenza vaccines. Members reviewed requirements for call documentation in Siren and the use of appropriate PPE.

• Established that all calls where providers are on scene must be documented in Siren
• Determined that one or two responders should sign on unless the call is serious

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District Board of Supervisors approved a draft FY2023 budget that raises the municipal assessment by 10 cents (from $1.00 to $1.10 per resident) and the surcharge by 50 cents (from $24.50 to $25.00). A separate motion to raise the municipal assessment to $1.50 per resident failed on a voice vote. The board also voted to warn the draft budget for a public hearing on December 1, 2021 at 6pm, and accepted the October 6, 2021 minutes.

• Approved October 6, 2021 minutes as written (passed; abstentions from Tibbits and Kade)
• Motion to raise municipal assessment from $1.00 to $1.50 per resident failed on a voice vote
• Approved increase of municipal assessment by 10 cents to $1.10 per resident and surcharge by 50 cents to $25.00 (voice vote passed; abstentions from Choiniere and Kade)
• Approved draft FY2023 budget with those increases and warned it for public hearing on December 1, 2021 at 6pm (passed)

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board is holding a public hearing for a sketch plan review of a proposed 2-lot minor subdivision at 2555 Ballard Rd, and will also hear a request from 17 Black Walnut, LLC to clarify or reconsider a recent decision on three site plan applications. The board will review and approve the October 19, 2021 meeting minutes.

• Public hearing: Sketch plan review for 2-lot minor subdivision by Gary & Jean Gilmond at 2555 Ballard Rd (AR-2 district)
• 17 Black Walnut, LLC requests clarification/reconsideration of decision on SP-001-21, SP-002-21, SP-003-21
• Review and approval of October 19, 2021 minutes

The Development Review Board held a sketch plan review for a 2-lot subdivision and addressed a request for reconsideration regarding a site plan decision for 17 Black Walnut, LLC. The Board approved removing three conditions from the 17 Black Walnut, LLC decision and cancelled the meetings scheduled for November 16 and December 21, 2021.

• Closed Gilmond 2-lot minor subdivision sketch plan hearing
• Approved removing conditions 2(a), 2(d), and 2(e) from 17 Black Walnut, LLC decision
• Approved October 19, 2021, meeting minutes
• Cancelled November 16, 2021, meeting
• Cancelled December 21, 2021, meeting

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board is holding its regular meeting with no public hearings scheduled. The main agenda item is a presentation by Amy Brewer from the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition. The board will also review minutes from the previous meeting and conduct deliberations.

• No public hearings scheduled
• Presentation by Amy Brewer (Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition)
• Review of October 5, 2021 minutes

The board heard a presentation from the Franklin Grand Isle Tobacco Prevention Coalition regarding tobacco and vaping trends. No substantive regulatory decisions were made during the meeting.

• Approved October 5, 2021, minutes with corrections

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District Board of Supervisors approved a design and permitting contract with Cross Engineering, covering civil designs at approximately $92,000 and permitting at $14,000. The board also voted to move forward with research on purchasing a compactor (approximately $110,000) and a baler (approximately $150,000), with the Executive Director exploring payment from District reserves. A draft FY2023 budget was presented and forwarded to the Finance Committee for review. The board discussed a new committee-based meeting structure and noted vacant board seats for Enosburg, Sheldon, Berkshire, Franklin and Grand Isle.

• Approved design and permitting contract with Cross Engineering (~$92K design, ~$14K permitting) (all in favor)
• Approved moving forward with research on compactor (~$110K) and baler (~$150K) (all in favor)
• Approved August 4, 2021 minutes as amended (all in favor)
• Forwarded draft FY2023 budget to Finance Committee for review and recommendation

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board approved the minutes from its previous meeting on September 28, 2021, with corrections. The board held a deliberative session but did not conduct any public hearings or make substantive land-use decisions during this meeting.

• Approved September 28, 2021 minutes with corrections (unanimous)
• Entered and exited deliberative session (no public hearings held)

Board of Abatement

The board approved two tax abatements to correct payment and parcel errors. A request for tax abatement from Edward Warner was continued to a later date to allow for further investigation.

• Approved $116.56 interest abatement for Abbott Wood Flooring (Unanimous)
• Approved removal of $7,557.90 from books for Sara Lozier due to parcel error (Unanimous)
• Continued Edward Warner's hearing to 10/20/2021 (Unanimous)

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board is meeting in person and via Zoom. The main item is a review of a major amendment to CPG NM-6566 for a solar array on Carpenter Hill Rd. No public hearings are scheduled. The board will also review minutes from the September 7 meeting and handle other business.

• Review of Major Amendment to CPG NM-6566 for solar array on Carpenter Hill Rd
• No public hearings scheduled
• Review of September 7, 2021 minutes
• Meeting held in person and via Zoom

The Development Review Board approved a conditional use permit for Tony McCracken. The board also reviewed a major amendment for a solar array on Carpenter Hill Rd and determined they had no comments to submit.

• Approved conditional use permit for Tony McCracken (5-0)
• Approved September 7, 2021 meeting minutes
• Submitted no comments on solar array amendment CPG NM-6566

First Response

The board approved annual district dues for first response and transport agencies. Members discussed equipment updates, training opportunities, and the ongoing merger application process with the Georgia Fire Department.

• Approved previous month's minutes
• Approved annual district dues: $150 for first response agencies and $300 for transport agencies

Development Review Board (DRB)

The Georgia Development Review Board is holding public hearings on a conditional use application for two signs at 7503 Ethan Allen Hwy, a conditional use amendment for 17 Black Walnut to allow ground-floor residential use and a 5-year extension, and site plan reviews for three lots off Ballard Rd. The board will also approve minutes from the August 3, 2021 meeting.

• CU-001-21: Conditional use for two signs (banner and free-standing) at 7503 Ethan Allen Hwy, B zoning district
• CU-002-21: Amendment to original conditional use (ZBA-009-18) for 17 Black Walnut to allow primary residential use on ground floor and 5-year extension
• SP-001-21: Site plan for Lot 2 off Ballard Rd, South Village zoning district
• SP-002-21: Site plan for Lot 5 off Ballard Rd, South Village zoning district
• SP-003-21: Site plan for Lot 6 off Ballard Rd, South Village zoning district

The Development Review Board voted unanimously to grant a five-year extension of the conditional use approval (ZBA-009-18) for the 17 Black Walnut project, covering multi-tenant elderly housing and daycare. The board also adopted rules of procedure and an ethics policy, and closed a hearing on a conditional use application for two signs over 16 square feet. A requested waiver to allow principal residential units on the first floor was discussed but no decision was recorded in the minutes.

• Adopted Rules of Procedure & Ethics Policy (all in favor)
• Granted 5-year extension of conditional use approval ZBA-009-18 for 17 Black Walnut (all in favor)
• Closed hearing on conditional use application CU-001-21 for two signs over 16 sq ft (all in favor)
• Closed hearing on conditional use amendment CU-002-21 (all in favor, Tony Heinlein opposed)

First Response

The minutes record mostly updates and discussion rather than formal votes. District dues were set at $150 per year for first response agencies and $300 per year for transport services, with due dates not yet determined. Members also discussed the Milton Police Department now providing at least 9 hours per week of patrol coverage for Georgia, a planned transfer of the group's license to the fire department as part of a merger, and a training on the state's Narcan Leave-Behind program. No motions, votes, or dollar amounts beyond the dues were recorded.

• Set district dues at $150/year for first response agencies and $300/year for transport services; due dates not determined
• No formal motions or votes recorded in the minutes

First Response

The Georgia First Response squad met on July 19, 2021 and discussed fundraising, training schedules, and a new NREMT fee schedule that raises prices January 1st. Members agreed law enforcement should be automatically called for any suspected drug overdose and planned Naloxone leave-behind kit training for August 16th. The Franklin County Sheriff is no longer patrolling in Georgia, and the town is looking at contracting with another agency, though police response times may be longer. No formal motions, votes, or spending approvals are recorded in these minutes.

• No formal motions, votes, or approvals recorded
• Discussed calling law enforcement automatically for any suspected drug overdose
• Naloxone leave-behind kit training set for August 16th at 6:30pm
• Noted Franklin County Sheriff no longer patrolling in Georgia; town exploring another agency
• Noted new NREMT fee schedule with price increases starting January 1st
• September 11th memorial and open house planned at the fire station

First Response

The meeting focused on upcoming training schedules, equipment pricing, and administrative updates. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded in the minutes.

First Response

The Georgia First Response board met on May 17, 2021. Members Keith and Chelsea reported that they met with the Select Board and received approval to move forward with merging First Response with the Fire Department. The rest of the meeting covered routine updates: an ATV raffle fundraiser, memorial pavers, a revised scholarship application, upcoming Route 7 construction, and various training sessions. No motions or votes are recorded in these minutes.

• Received Select Board approval to move forward with merging First Response with the Fire Department (no vote tally recorded)
• Discussed revising the Art Carrol Memorial Scholarship application, including removing the letter of recommendation requirement and adjusting the application period (no vote recorded)

First Response

Georgia First Response met on April 19, 2021 and discussed, but did not vote on, a proposal by Andrew to merge the association with the Georgia Fire Department; possible command structure and pros and cons were discussed, and a stated benefit would be more grant opportunities. The group also recapped that its Calcutta fundraiser profited approximately $7,100 after expenses, and planned an ATV raffle of 300 tickets at $50 each with second- and third-place prizes of $500 and $250. It discussed the district's budget issues and a lack of nominations for executive positions, and noted training and class offerings from AmCare and others. No formal motions, votes, or approvals are recorded in these minutes.

• No formal motions, votes, or approvals recorded
• Merger of Georgia First Response with Georgia Fire Department proposed for discussion only, no action taken
• Calcutta fundraiser reported to have profited approximately $7,100 after expenses
• ATV raffle planned: 300 tickets at $50 each, second prize $500, third prize $250
• Art Carrol Memorial Scholarship application to be finalized and advertised to local schools; application period likely extended
• Cub Scouts first aid/CPR class deferred until state and town guidance, station still closed to the public
• Purchase of an airway mannequin and other training props discussed, no action recorded
• Select Board concerns: none reported

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District Executive Committee voted to buy a Crown Model C5 refurbished forklift for no more than $21,300 and a Crown rack shelving system for no more than $13,000, both paid from the district's capital maintenance funds. Both motions passed unanimously. Discussion of board leadership and a possible committee for the Georgia renovation project was tabled to the April 2021 organizational meeting.

• Approved purchase of Crown Model C5 refurbished forklift, not to exceed $21,300, from capital maintenance funds (all in favor)
• Approved purchase of Crown rack shelving, not to exceed $13,000, from capital maintenance funds (all in favor)
• Tabled board officers/leadership discussion to April 2021 organizational meeting
• Tabled decision on forming a committee for the Georgia renovation project to the full board at the April 2021 meeting

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Board Appointed Forklift Purchase Committee met on February 21, 2021 and reached consensus to recommend that the NWSWD Executive Committee buy a propane Crown refurbished forklift through the Crown Encore Program. The committee deferred the choice of paying outright versus financing to the Executive Committee, though it agreed with Business Manager Pam Bolster's recommendation to purchase outright without financing. The committee also recommended that the Executive Committee approve purchase of the Pallet Racking System from Crown. No final purchase vote was taken; the Executive Committee is set to make the final decision.

• Recommended propane Crown refurbished forklift (Crown Encore Program) to Executive Committee
• Deferred outright purchase vs. financing decision to Executive Committee; agreed with staff recommendation to buy outright
• Recommended Executive Committee approve purchase of Crown Pallet Racking System
• Electric forklift options to be re-evaluated for possible future purchase

Northwest Solid Waste District (NWSWD)

The Board approved the November 2020 meeting minutes. Members discussed a proposed site layout for the Georgia facility and reviewed bids for rack shelving and a forklift, appointing a committee to further research the equipment purchases.

• Approved November 4, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Appointed a committee to research rack shelving and forklift bids and prepare a recommendation

First Response

The Georgia First Response team met virtually on January 18, 2021, and discussed COVID-19 and influenza vaccine administration by EMTs following a state expansion of their scope of practice, along with call documentation requirements and equipment needs. No motions, votes, or formal decisions are recorded in the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 8:08pm with no Select Board concerns noted.