Town Hall 20 July 2006

Bruce Urie, Selectboard Chair, opened the Public Hearing at 7:00PM by stating that the Selectboard called the hearing to present the Planning Grant Application to the Vermont Community Development Program. Attending the Public Hearing were two members of the Selectboard, 13 members of the community, and a representative of NVDA. Bruce introduced Dave Stoner, Secretary of Craftsbury Planning and the organizer of the Wellness Center.

Dave reviewed the history of the planning that has led to the decision to apply for a planning grant to test the feasibility of building a Wellness Center in Craftsbury. His comments included the development of the recently adopted Town Plan, the survey of the residents that identified the need for local jobs and small clean business ventures, and the fact that the school gym is unsafe. He also shared the learnings that he and Melinda Patterson gained from the Community Development Workshop in Montpelier. He reviewed the both the Federal and State requirements for Community Development grants and emphasized the need for the project to create jobs and serve the low and medium income people of the area.

Dave described the project including the wish list of activities that could be included and emphasized that the feasibility study is necessary to determine what activities are affordable. The total study will cost $100,000 and include:

• marketing study to determine need and potential use
• capital costs/operational costs (economic feasibility of each potential activity)
• development of the business plan
• design of the optimal organizational structure—i.e., public, private, non-profit.
• evaluation of the potential building sites
• consideration of the best environmental practices
• competitive architectural planning

The first phase of the study will concentrate on the marketing, economic feasibility, and financial aspects. The second phase will concentrate on the site, environmental, architectural, and organizational aspects. The two potential sites currently being considered for the Wellness Center are Sterling College Soccer Field and the portion of Dustan Field that is not used for the school outdoor athletic events.

Annalei Babson, consultant for NVDA, was introduced to the public form and identified as the person who had prepared the draft of the grant application that was distributed to each person attending the hearing.

The maximum funding for this grant is $30,000 and other sources will need to be sought for the other $70,000. It was reported that the representative of the US Dept. of Agriculture indicated that if the facility is used for an emergency assistance location structure, the USDA would be interested. Bruce Urie mentioned that Red Cross basically supplies everything except the shell and generator. The cost would be minimal to comply with emergency assistance requirements.

An initial wish list for the Craftsbury Wellness Center included: swimming, water therapy, rehab, day care, fitness/water training, alternative health rooms for massage/yoga/pilates/etc., performance and meeting space, and a public computer section including distance learning with broadband capabilities. This multi-generational facility would serve the elderly and youth. The Planning Commission talked earlier with various nearby medical staff serving the area who have shown enthusiasm for the project.

Dave Stoner said that there are a total of six cycles for funding. The first is due July 26^th. After looking at all the requirements, it was decided that it was too soon to apply for the first cycle. As requested, the planning commission put an announcement in the paper July 5^th and held a public hearing July 20^th. The results are still good for the next 6 months. A decision for the July 26^th cycle deadline would be mid September. The next cycle is due mid September, with a decision available in mid October. The Planning Commission is aiming toward the 2^nd cycle. Ms. Babson said it is a work in progress.

Bob Alexander said that he had briefly spoken to Judy Bevans. She is willing to offer information about her fitness facility, Coachworks, which will soon be closed due to her retirement. Annalei Babson asked if Judy Bevans would agree to write a support letter indicating her intent to donate time to offer information. The consensus from the group was that Judy Bevans would be willing to help in any way.

Mr. Urie remarked the Craftsbury Community Care Center would have interest, as well as the Greensboro Nursing Home.

The group discussed having the gym located outside of the school property. Mr. Stoner said that it would be acceptable in the grant for use in after school programs, plays, etc. It could also be used for town meeting and men's basketball, like it currently does. The next step is to find people to use such a facility in advance and get letters designating their intent.

Perry Thomas is looking into the environmental study aspect of the grant. One of her students is doing a senior project regarding the heating of such as a facility using wood chips.

During the next few months, there will be a need to raise matching funds. Mr. Stoner thought that if Craftsbury gets the grant in October, it would hopefully only take a few months (early spring) to start the project. If it’s a go ahead after the feasibility study, then the remainder of funds can be used for the next phases. Otherwise, money would be returned to the donors.

Jeanine Young voiced concerns about potential tax increase. She questioned whether both the potential renovation of the schools and the Wellness Center could be afforded by the town. She also indicated that IROQ has expensive costs and potential liability issues.

Dave Stoner replied that the reason for the feasibility study would be to look specifically into those types of issues. The study will find the cost to build the Wellness Center along with the operational and organizational expenses. He emphasized that the Wellness Center will not succeed it is just used by only a small percentage of the community. Several communities and non-profit organizations will need to use the facility for it to be a success.

Bob Alexander asked Annalei Babson if she was familiar with new Crew facility in Morrisville. She replied that she was not familiar with that site.

Perry Thomas would like to coordinate the Wellness Center project with the school's focus groups.

Annalei Babson wondered whether the town or a non-profit group would run the Wellness Center—a decision that will flow from the study.

When Melinda Patterson and Dave Stoner went to the workshop in Montpelier, only two other people were there for planning grants. NVDA is interested because they want to get jobs in the area. The planning grant is modest in comparison with implementation grants that are also provided by the Vermont Community Development Program.

A question was raised whether FEMA funds would be available if the emergency disaster center was moved from the school to the Wellness Center. The Academy gym is now designated as an emergency center, but it has been condemned for use in case of heavy rain or snow—making it a questionable emergency shelter site.

Jeannine Young asked if the two locations were prime agriculture land. Mr. Urie said he would look into it. The State Wetlands official has already indicated that the two sites are acceptable if the building is 50 feet from the wetlands.

Annalei Babson asked for a detailed description of the term "multi-generational" community, so she could get a better idea of the project for the application. She also asked what role does the planning commission want to do. Dave Stoner suggested the plan was to hire a professional to carry out the study with the possible use of several people in the community as tech advisors. For the marketing part of the study, hire a professional to do that. For developing business plan, they will need to work with professionals. In regard to the environmental part, Dave suggested that it will be overseen by Sterling College faculty

Bob Alexander suggested that RCT in Morrisville could transport to and from the Wellness Center, expanding the base of potential clients.

Dave Stoner estimated that a new Wellness Center could potentially start to be built in two to four years.

Annalei Babson wondered if there might be a bond funding or town assistance to cover any overrun costs. The consensus of the forum felt that a bond or town assistance would not be financially available. People would be willing to volunteer their time, however. Some letters of support have been sent in already.

It was also discussed that if Craftsbury residents had to pay for taxes, etc. for this facility, it should be available at a lower cost than for other visitors.

The next step is to ask people send in letters, indicating their interest in the Wellness Center and how they would use such a facility.

Meeting adjoined approximately 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Warren, Selectboard Clerk