Heated conversation about former police chief Anthony Cambridge and concern over the town’s water wells highlighted the Hinesburg Selectboard meeting on April 2. Other agenda items included a trail run approval, a wastewater loan amendment and more.
Rob Frost from Vermont Well and Pump said the water table is dropping in town. He suggested that bringing the new Well #6 online as soon as possible to provide backup to Well #4 – the well currently supplying the town’s water – because that well has a sediment problem. Well #5 was intended for emergencies but unfortunately shares the same aquifer as Well #4, making it an inefficient emergency source of water. Wells that are in the same aquifer will have similar water levels. Well #6 has been drilled as part of the Haystack Crossing agreement and was planned to provide more water capacity for future development and operates independently of the other wells, Town Manager Todd Odit said.
Since the Selectboard meeting, Frost has conducted further testing on Well #4, and it appears the excess sediment isn’t coming from the aquifer but from components of the well, like the drop pipe. Secondly, while running the pump at a lower speed, the depth of water in the well above the pump increased. “Those are both positive signs,” Odit said. “However, we are still figuring out a path on how to move forward quickly with getting Well #6 online.”
Hinesburg’s Affordable Housing Committee sought to have April declared as Fair Housing Month in Hinesburg. This passed unanimously. Carl Bohlen, chair of the Affordable Housing Committee, read the Fair Housing Proclamation stating it was more important today than in years past. Funding used to monitor discrimination in Hinesburg’s housing has been pulled by the Trump Administration.
Mark your calendars for the August 16th when Richmond Trail Run that will be winding through town. Ben Feinson from the Richmond Trails Committee was there to request access to Hinesburg roads for the run. It’s a foot race with about 70 people registered. Hayden Hill East will have the biggest impact on race day. Other areas impacted will be Big Hollow, Lincoln Hill, Texas Hill, The Carse Hills Trails Network and the Town Forest. This was approved by the Selectboard unanimously.
A wastewater loan amendment was approved. Part of the funding for Hinesburg’s wastewater treatment plant can be found in the Vermont State Revolving Loan Fund. This $9.4 million loan has subsidies to be applied, Odit explained in the meeting. This amendment will apply the last $500,000 to this loan. In all, this is a $20 million project that will have about $13 million in subsidies and grants applied. Loan payments will begin two years after completion of the project. Completion is expected this fall.
It was noted that Hinesburg police have no staff to actively patrol Richmond, but they are responding to calls. The Selectboard approved a draft of the Police Chief contract with Richmond that they will use as a starting point for the two towns. The document will likely change depending on what Richmond wants to do moving forward.
Natatia Liuzzi said the Town Manager should not have all of the power to hire and fire Town employees, especially the police chief. The Selectboard should have a voice in personnel issues, she said, referring to the recent resignation of Anthony Cambridge. “This is not business as usual,” Liuzzi said. “You have all made a terrible mistake. You need to make it right for Chief Cambridge and this town.”
Selectboard member Paul Lamberson said he strongly supports the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager. “That is my right to say that, and I continue to say that proudly.”
“We have talked about it among the Selectboard and we are universally in support of our Town Manager,” Chairperson Merrily Lovell said. “We have been very happy with his decisions and we have felt free to disagree and make suggestions.”
Discussion ensued with Hinesburg residents who attended the meeting virtually and in person. Luizzi suggested a warned agenda item for a meeting with the Selectboard to specifically talk about the resignation and treatment of Anthony Cambridge. Selectboard member Mike Loner said the Selectboard is moving past this. To which Luizzi responded, “You work for us. We would like to have a meeting with the Selectboard.”
Both Selectboard members Dennis Place and Maggie Gordon stated that the Selectboard cannot discuss personnel issues in an open meeting.
Odit’s Manager’s Reports are given verbally at Selectboard meetings. He left prior to this agenda item.
The next Selectboard meeting will be on April 16 at 6pm.