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Record of Proceedings

Springfield Select Board Meeting - July 22, 2026

Selectboard — Wednesday, July 22, 2026
BodySpringfield, Vermont
SessionSelectboard
DateWednesday, July 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:25

Original source
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0:14

Okay, it is six o'clock and I'm going to uh start the meeting for the select board.

0:20

And we've already had the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call because we had an executive session prior to open session.

0:28

So here we are.

0:30

The first order of business is to uh move into local control for purposes of liquor and tobacco license reviews.

0:42

So I'll declare we're in local control.

0:47

And we have just one item for this meeting.

0:50

Pardon me, just one item on this.

0:52

Yeah, just the one item.

0:53

Yep.

0:53

Yep.

0:53

We have a second class license review for KPE.

0:58

KEH drugs incorporated doing business as Kenny Drugs.

1:02

That's at 55 strength applies a road.

1:07

There aren't additional this is a reviewable.

1:10

There aren't additional questions.

1:11

I've entertained a motion to approve that second class license.

1:21

Seconded to approve second class with the license for KPH drug incorporated when the person says Kenny Drugs number 152.

1:32

Any discussion for board members?

1:35

Comments in the audience?

1:37

Hearing seeing none.

1:42

Aye.

1:44

Um Christy Moore says aye.

1:48

Bower Chase.

1:49

All right.

1:50

And Mike Schmidt.

1:51

That is fine in the affirmative.

1:53

And so approved.

1:56

And if I'm not mistaken, that concludes the local control portion of the agenda.

2:02

And we'll move back into session.

2:07

And the next order business is adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of June 22nd.

2:13

I'll make 2026.

2:15

It says 2029.

2:17

Yeah.

2:17

I'll make a motion approach to the 2026.

2:23

We also have oh just you want to do the one or there's two.

2:26

We don't have the special meeting minutes, so just do the one.

2:29

We have the second hearing, yes.

2:32

And the second special.

2:34

So the regular meeting minutes of uh June 22nd and the special meeting minutes of July 1st.

2:41

Are those states or no?

2:42

No, so you have the regular select board meeting for June 22nd and then the public hearing part for June 22nd.

2:49

Yes, I don't have the special second.

2:51

Got it.

2:52

I knew there was two sets of minutes.

2:53

Yes, we'll have more coming.

2:56

Awesome.

2:58

And a correction on that date that is uh 2026.

3:02

Okay.

3:06

So Heather made a motion.

3:09

Was there a second?

3:10

Yes.

3:13

So we do have a motion and second it is to approve the two sets of minutes.

3:17

Are there any corrections, errors, or admissions notice?

3:31

Corrections on the window.

3:36

All right.

3:37

So I hear any objection.

3:41

I'll call for the role starting on my left with Doug Johnson.

3:44

Aye.

3:44

Heather Fram.

3:46

Christy Moore said aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████████████████38%
Public Safety███████████████████19%
Procedural███████7%
Public Engagement██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Environmental Protection████4%
Mental Health Awareness████4%
Cannabis Regulation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Springfield Select Board Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Select Board held its regular meeting at 6:00 PM on July 22, 2026, preceded by an executive session. The board addressed property enforcement actions, infrastructure projects, land use ordinance revisions, and several funding approvals. Key decisions included authorizing cleanup at 1012 Central Street, approving $125,000 for emergency wall repair, and returning the proposed land use code to the planning commission.

Consent Calendar

  • Liquor License Approval: Unanimously approved a second-class license renewal for KPH Drugs Inc. (Kenny Drugs) at 55 River Street.
  • Minutes Approval: Approved minutes from the June 22, 2026 regular meeting and the July 1, 2026 special meeting (with a date correction from 2029 to 2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Reed Street Safety: A citizen reported overgrown shrubbery and a power pole obstructing visibility at the Reed Street intersection, requesting clearing and potential pole relocation.
  • Power Pole Liability: The same citizen noted a precarious tree near power lines and asked the town to coordinate with Green Mountain Power to address hazards.

Discussion Items

  • 1012 Central Street Enforcement Update: Fire Safety Officer Paul and Town Manager reported the third inspection in four months. The owner has made insufficient progress on structural and rubbish issues. The 180-day compliance period ends August 5, 2026. The board discussed options: notice to vacate (which would trigger a 90-day relocation period), cleaning up trash immediately, or waiting for the August 10 meeting to decide. After debate, the board approved placing a 20-yard dumpster on the property and posting a notice to tenants to secure personal property, with formal enforcement to be decided after the August 5 reinspection. The town can place a lien for cleanup costs.
  • Valley Street Property Update: The final day for the owner to remove personal property was July 21, 2026. The town will proceed with further steps afterward.
  • Tunaville Trail Project (VTrans Presentation): Adam Goudreau (VTrans Project Manager) presented the final design for bridge replacements on I-91 and the relocation of the Tunaville Trail crossing. The trail will now cross three vehicle ramps (southbound on-ramp, northbound off-ramp, and a signalized intersection on Route 5) instead of the current single crossing. Select Board members expressed strong concern about safety and inconvenience for cyclists and pedestrians. Goudreau stated the alignment is fixed but welcomed feedback on signage, plantings, and crosswalk design (including Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, which would require a town maintenance agreement). The trail will tie into Young's Road. Next steps: meet with the Trails Committee, final design by September 1, 2026.
  • Fire Warden Appointment Update: Due to Act 162, the fire chief is automatically the fire warden and can appoint deputies; the board no longer needs to vote.
  • Wall Street Wall Collapse: The board authorized $125,000 from the fund balance for phase one (concrete wall stabilization) to prevent further slide damage. Total project cost is estimated at over $500,000; remaining work will be budgeted for the next fiscal year. A citizen asked about inspection of other retaining walls. The motion passed 5-0.
  • Land Use Ordinance Revisions: The Ordinance Committee reported that the proposed 2026 land use code lacks proper sectional notation, misses key sections from the 2022 code, and does not align with recent Act 181 amendments (Act 152). The committee recommended not adopting the proposed code and returning it to the Planning Commission for a red-line markup, a narrative comparison, and legislative drafting standards. The board voted unanimously to return the ordinance to the Planning Commission with those instructions.
  • Revolving Loan for Subway: The Loan Committee recommended a $25,000 loan (reduced from $30,000) for the Subway sandwich shop at 60 Main Street to expand product lines. Total project cost is ~$85,000. Concerns were raised about incomplete application details but the board approved the loan 5-0.
  • Main Street Parking Lease: Approved a one-year lease for senior center parking at $1,200/month with Oscar Stewart LLC, effective August 1, 2026. A citizen noted a dead tree overhanging the lot; the board will address with the owner.
  • CPR MVP Grant Resolution: Approved an amendment to close the 2024 Municipal Planning Grant, enabling eligibility for a new grant cycle (up to $30,000 for senior center planning).

Key Outcomes

  • 1012 Central Street: Motion to place a dumpster and post cleanup notice passed (5-0). Formal enforcement action scheduled for August 10, 2026.
  • Wall Street Wall Repair: Motion to authorize $125,000 from fund balance passed (5-0).
  • Tunaville Trail: Project design is final; board feedback limited to signage and landscaping. Final design due September 1.
  • Land Use Ordinance: Motion to return to Planning Commission with four guidance points passed (5-0).
  • Subway Loan: $25,000 revolving loan approved (5-0).
  • Senior Center Parking Lease: Approved (5-0).
  • Upcoming Events: Springfield on the Moon (July 23), Apple Festival weekend (potential Placid Lassie plane arrival).
  • Construction Updates: Grove Street project on schedule to end July; Bridge Street work begins late July; paving expected mid-August.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, it is six o'clock and I'm going to uh start the meeting for the select board. And we've already had the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call because we had an executive session prior to open session. So here we are. The first order of business is to uh move into local control for purposes of liquor and tobacco license reviews. So I'll declare we're in local control. And we have just one item for this meeting. Pardon me, just one item on this. Yeah, just the one item. Yep. Yep. We have a second class license review for KPE. KEH drugs incorporated doing business as Kenny Drugs. That's at 55 strength applies a road. There aren't additional this is a reviewable. There aren't additional questions. I've entertained a motion to approve that second class license. Seconded to approve second class with the license for KPH drug incorporated when the person says Kenny Drugs number 152. Any discussion for board members? Comments in the audience? Hearing seeing none. Aye. Um Christy Moore says aye. Bower Chase. All right. And Mike Schmidt. That is fine in the affirmative. And so approved. And if I'm not mistaken, that concludes the local control portion of the agenda. And we'll move back into session. And the next order business is adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of June 22nd. I'll make 2026. It says 2029. Yeah. I'll make a motion approach to the 2026. We also have oh just you want to do the one or there's two. We don't have the special meeting minutes, so just do the one. We have the second hearing, yes. And the second special. So the regular meeting minutes of uh June 22nd and the special meeting minutes of July 1st. Are those states or no? No, so you have the regular select board meeting for June 22nd and then the public hearing part for June 22nd. Yes, I don't have the special second. Got it. I knew there was two sets of minutes. Yes, we'll have more coming. Awesome. And a correction on that date that is uh 2026. Okay. So Heather made a motion. Was there a second?

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