No pool this summer but rec program gets $33k grant; taxes postponed to November; town to hire part-time animal control officer

June 7, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Waterbury town officials continue to navigate the impacts of COVID-19 that this week included decisions to keep the town swimming pool closed for the summer, combine property tax payments into one bill due in November, and to keep the municipal offices closed for several more weeks. 

At its meeting June 1, the board discussed the recommendation from Recreation Director Nick Nadeau to not open the pool for the season. State public health guidelines will limit capacity for the pool and precautions around the virus outbreak will also curtail pool usage from a variety of area youth programs that typically visit Waterbury. 

Balanced with the cost to staff the pool -- another challenge as decision-making drags into summer and potential lifeguards are finding jobs elsewhere, Nadeau has explained. 

The board discussed how children in Waterbury’s own summer recreation program might cool off without the pool in the coming weeks. Municipal Manager Bill Shepeluk noted that Nadeau was working with state parks managers at the Waterbury Center  State Park to conduct swim lessons at the day use area. 

The popular recreation program had to adjust plans for this summer to divide children into groups that will meet at three locations in the village -- the recreation building at Anderson Park, Wesley United Methodist Church and St. Leo’s Hall at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. 

Nadeau has said he and his staff will plan for ways children can cool off with sprinklers, water slides at Dac Rowe Park, the green at the State Office Complex and even by visiting the Winooski River. 

The Select Board also voted unanimously to allow for refunds to families who registered for summer recreation offerings but may decide to withdraw their children. A deposit is typically not refundable but given the unique circumstances this summer, town officials agreed not to penalize anyone for changing their plans. Those whose child might start the program and later withdraw would receive a prorated refund under the modified policy. 

Some good news: the recreation program has been awarded a $33,000 state grant to help cover added expenses for this summer brought on by the modifications needed to comply with public health guidelines. The program will need personal protective gear for staff, additional cleaning supplies, materials for children to use in three locations and also some transportation costs. The grant will ensure that the extra steps won’t drain town funds. 

Shepeluk said the grant was a boost as he and staff are working to keep a tight rein on spending given the economic slowdown. By furloughing staff and curtailing work hours of those still working, town spending so far is running at about 19 percent at a point of being 41 percent into the current budget year, Shepeluk explained.

“Reining in the spending has been working.”

The town offices have been running with a skeleton crew including Shepeluk, Nadeau, Planning Director Steve Lotspeich, Town Clerk Clarla Lawrence and Public Works Director Bill Woodruff, who are working to perform essential tasks. 

Water Department staff are still on the job and the Highway Department just recently called back one laid-off employee and increased hours for crew members. “All are working 24 hours now up from 20,” Shepeluk said, to keep up with summer duties like mowing and maintenance.

Shepeluk told the board he would like the municipal offices to remain closed for several more weeks and to then look at a gradual reopening following state public health guidelines. He suggested a gradual approach to reopening such as starting with appointment visits first. No date for opening the offices has been set yet. 

Property taxes not due until Nov. 13

In the same vein, the board unanimously approved a recommendation from Shepeluk to consolidate the town’s property tax bills into one with the payment due November 13. Waterbury usually sends out bills in July with the first of two payments due in August and the other in November. 

Details needed from Montpelier regarding homestead declarations will not be available in time for bills to be processed for July, Shepeluk said. And the town can borrow funds as needed in anticipation of the tax payments later in the year. 

“A number of people are struggling now,” Shepeluk said. “I think it will be better for the taxpayers.” 

Making animal control a paid job

One item that calls for a modest amount of new spending was a recommendation from Shepeluk that the town advertise for candidates to fill the town’s Animal Control Officer position and for the town to start paying that individual given its responsibilities. 

Shelpeluk said the town has been without an animal control officer since 2019 and as the weather gets nicer and people are out with their pets, there inevitably will be more complaints about dogs in particular. 

“[Town Clerk] Carla [Lawrence] and I have spent a lot of time dealing with animal control issues,” Shepeluk said. “If we’re going to have an ACO, I’d like a person who has the skill set, temperament, and time willing to put into it and you get that when you offer somebody some reasonable compensation.”

The officer also could have a proactive role to educate the public about the town leash ordinance, Shepeluk noted as he made the case. He recommended that the position earn $500 per month. 

The board debated the stipend amount and ultimately authorized advertising for candidates saying the compensation decision could be made based on candidates and their qualifications and experience. 

New DRB members

At its first video conference meeting using Zoom, the Select Board interviewed two candidates for the Development Review Board to fill a regular board position and an alternate position. 

Two Select Board members who previously served on the DRB, Nat Fish and Mike Bard, noted that the alternate member participates in most board work, voting when needed. 

Patrick Farrell, who works for the State of Vermont in Waterbury where he moved a year ago from Buffalo, N.Y., with his wife, was appointed to the regular board seat. Harry Shepard, a civil engineer who lives in Waterbury and is public works director in Stowe was named to the alternate seat. 

Farrell has been involved with Waterbury ArtsFest and organized a fundraiser in town for the Central Vermont Humane Society during the holidays last year. “I feel this is a formal step to making a difference in the community,” he said. 

Farrell said he works in human resources on IT projects, so he would need to learn more about the development board’s work. “I have lots of experience dealing with diverse opinions getting people to work together,” he said. 

Shepard, who is active with the Waterbury Rotary Club, said he thought his experience would make him a productive member of the DRB. 

Both candidates were questioned about their ideas on development in Waterbury. Farrell said he appreciates the town’s balance of new growth and its history and would like to see Waterbury retain its character. 

Shepard said he appreciates living in Waterbury and working in Stowe. “We’re different towns in a lot of ways even though we’re neighbors,” he said. “Stowe is a resort community with an economic engine that relies on heads on beds. Waterbury is not like that … things are done there on a different scale.”