WILMINGTON — State Sen. Bob Hartwell updated the Wilmington Selectboard on Oct. 16 on legislative discussions for a proposed bill that could affect property owners on Lake Raponda.
Citing the success of lake and shoreland protection laws on the books in Maine and New Hampshire, both of which now enjoy much better water quality than does Vermont, Hartwell said there is a hearing in January in Montpelier to decide how Vermont municipalities will go about implementing similar regulations in H.526.
According to the statute as passed by the House, “this bill would require the Agency of Natural Resources to adopt by Jan. 1, 2015 rules establishing shoreland protection standards for areas - known as protected shoreland areas - within 250 feet of the mean water level of a lake.”
The hope, Hartwell said, is to improve vegetation around waterfronts. He described restrictions when adding a residence, or adding onto a residence on the lakefront. The permitting could be implemented by the town, which could give residents a little more leeway when building.
Board member Susan Haughwout asked whether the intent of the bill was to give municipalities the option of adopting regulations of their own.
According to Hartwell, giving municipalities flexibility is the intent of the talks. He said the rules governing the implementation of this new law would be approved, he hoped, in January.
Docks on the waterfront will have a different permitting system with different regulations, he told selectmen.
In published reports, after visiting Lake Raponda, Hartwell said he believed there wasn't much of a concern, “as compared to Lake Champlain, where runoff has caused disruption in the habitat.”
H.526's authors note that Vermont's lakes are valuable economic and natural resources that need protection; naturally vegetated shorelands and best-management practices provide important natural resources benefits; and healthy lakes and shorelands support Vermont's tourism economy, promote recreational opportunities, support property values and tax base, and reduce human health risks.
Today, 184 Vermont towns have a lake that is greater than 10 acres, but only 48 towns regulate shoreland in a way which requires vegetative cover, according to the bill.
Solid waste management assessments seen rising
Merrill Mundell from Windham Solid Waste Management District informed the Selectboard on Oct. 16 about possible assessment increases “in the near future,” according to meeting minutes.
Mundell said a surcharge “is most likely coming, which would increase costs for everyone, whether their trash is picked up at their residence or when they use the transfer station,” the minutes read.
A composting program could be an option as well. This could cost $130,000 to $150,000 to start, but the compost can be sold at profit, Mundell reportedly said. He and the board took up cost changes and effects, and different ways to dispose of trash and compost.
Liquor licenses approved
Ratu's Liquor and Market, Inc. (formerly McBrearity's Marketplace), has applied for a second-class liquor license. Police Chief Joseph M. Szarejko has already signed off on it. The license was granted unanimously Oct. 16, according to meeting minutes.
Cask & Kiln, a new restaurant opening in the Parmalee & Howe Building, received a last-minute license which will help them conduct a tasting with vendors to choose their selections. Although Police Chief Szarejko has not had time to review this application, the Selectboard approved it pending his approval, the minutes show.
Allocation approved to help connect state garage to sewer system
In their capacity as the town's Sewer Commission, the Selectboard gave final approval for a Vermont Agency of Transportation wastewater allocation.
According to draft meeting minutes, the state is eager to get digging quickly, prior to the first week of November, to get its garage connected.
James Burke moved to approve the allocation, with Jacob White seconding. The motion was unanimous.
Free Wi-Fi inbound as one resident struggles
Free wireless is coming to the village, but apparently not in time to solve resident John Dowling's spotty reception.
Dowling told the Selectboard during the public comment portion of their meeting Oct. 16 that when the Town Hall was having its system upgraded, his wireless stopped working. Board Member Scott Murphy stated that he spoke with Sovernet, and they do not believe they did anything to affect Dowling's wireless.
Board member Susan Haughwout pointed out that free wireless will be coming to the village and that Dowling will be able to use it. Murphy said that someone would be in touch with Dowling to discuss the matter, according to meeting minutes.