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MINUTES
Woodbury Select Board – Special Meeting
Sunday, March 15, 2026 4:00 P.M.
at the Woodbury Town Office

4:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Chris Casey at 4:00 PM, Present were Select
Board Members, Chris Casey, Diana Peduzzi and John Gordon. By invitation, Alfred Larrabee,
John Reid, and Jonah Meacham. John Reid made an audio recording of the meeting.

One adjustment to the agenda – Chris asked if the Board would convene an executive session
pursuant to I V.S.A. 313 -----. a t the request of Alfred Larrabee. The motion was made to hold
the executive session. The session was closed at 4:30. The Board will continue to negotiate with
Larrabee, the terms of his departure, and possible retention of some services, with a proposed
final agreement by May 1.

The regular meeting was re-opened with an opportunity for public comment. Larry Ferno asked
to address the Board and it was allowed. He was reminded that the subject of the meeting was
the Swenson Granite Company pending application and that was the subject he wished to
address.
He asked about how the per-cf fee was developed, and whether the amount is justified, he thinks
the crushing operation will not make a profit for the company and he doesn’t like to see the town
beat up on a company.

At 4:40 the Board voted to convene an Executive Session pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1)(A)
(Contracts) and 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1)(E) (Pending or probable civil litigation or prosecution, to
which the public body is or may be a party.) Larrabee, John Reid (Town Auditor) and Jonah
Meacham (ZBA chair) were invited to participate.

At 6:22 the Executive Session was closed.

John Gordon made a motion that the Town send a letter to the District Environmental
Commission explaining the town’s concerns and requesting that a hearing be held. The motion
passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:24.

Minutes Approved on ___________________

Chris Casey ______________________ Diana Peduzzi ____________________

John Gordon ______________________

MINUTES
Woodbury Select Board Special Meeting
March 5, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
At the Woodbury Town Office
6:02 PM The Woodbury Select Board Special meeting was called to
order. Present were Select Board Members Chris Casey, Diana Peduzzi, and John
Gordon. Also Town Clerk Robin Durkee. Jonah Meacham, Zoning Board chair,
joined the meeting late.
No adjustments were made to the Select Board agenda.
There were no public comments.
6: 10 agenda item: To review the Swenson Quarry expansion for benefit of John
Gordon who was elected as a Select Board member at Town Meeting on Feb 28,
2026. Because of time constraints recently imposed by the State (District 5
Environmental Commission), it is necessary to bring John up to speed in preparation
for some decisions that the WSB may have to make soon.
Diana prepared and handed out a 3-page packet of summary notes. First was a
general history of Swenson Granite permit history since 1986, then a summary of
correspondence for the recent pending permit request, starting in June 2025. Copies
of other documents and correspondence were also provided for John.
Town and state reviews proceed in parallel. An early contact with Bob Martin, Town
Zoning Officer, was unclear and Bob told the applicant that no zoning review would
be needed. When the Town received a copy of the permit application Swenson
had submitted to the District Commission, it was obvious that the big project needed
a local review. Diana called Bowmen, Swenson's engineering consultant, to let them
know a permit was needed and soon the zoning permit application came in. Under
Woodbury's Zoning Ordinance, the quarry qualifies as a Non-Conforming Use and
the standard is, the Board of Adjustment must find that the project will not result in a
detrimental effect on the community. The Zoning Board of Adjustment has held
two well-attended hearings on the application.
In Dec 2025, Diana called the District Permit coordinator to let her know that the
Town of Woodbury would like to be involved and requested that the Commission
schedule a hearing. District Coordinator sent Polycor/Bowmen a message stating that
they could not go forward until they had a statement from the Town. The Zoning
Board of Adjustment held two hearings, November 18 and January 14. After the first
hearing, Bowmen responded with a letter. suggesting a change to the traffic pattern -
they would use the old (lower, private) road for the trucks that will be hauling the
crushed material and during the winter all trucks would use that road. After the

second hearing, Bowman responded with other capitulations, they would limit loaded
truck trips to 40, from the original proposal of 50. Other conditions requested by the
ZBA were agreed to.
Diana listed the names of people who attended the hearings and who might request
party status at the Zoning Board level, which would give them the right to appeal.
These are property owners who are either adjoiners or in the immediate
neighborhood: Robin Durkee, Carol Ray, Tim Perry, Wayne and Gail Prescott,
Brandy Smith, Skip Linsday, Mark Danner/Jennifer Lovin, and Roy Eastman.
The Select Board qualifies as a "Statutory Party" under Act 250 and has a different
path from the ZBA. They can decide to rule with the Zoning Board of Adjustment or
go a different way, it would be good if they can come to an agreement. The ZBA has
another deliberative session next Thursday March 12. The Town needs to respond
by March 17, 2026. Diana drafted a letter outlining some proposed conditions that
the Town can ask of Swenson. More trucks will increase wear and tear on Cabot
road. The per-square-foot assessment of 6.5 cents has been in place since 2001 with
no increase. Just to meet the rate of inflation, we should be getting 12 cents
now. Chris believes that we should ask for 12 cents.
Also, the USDA/NRCS project Michael Gray has been working on, requires a 25%
town match and this has not been budgeted for. If Swenson would donate the rock
needed for the project, that would qualify as match. Without this the project might
not happen this year and the grant could be lost. The bank has eroded in the last two
flood years and the pavement is starting to break down at the edges. Jonah (zoning
Board Chair) states that the only things that Bowmen has not addressed are the tower
and dust (silica) which can travel 50 miles with the wind. Cloud Alliance owns the
tower, and the tower needs to be moved for the expansion. The town cannot
negotiate for the privately-owned tower. The town emergency services rely on the
tower.
The Board asked Diana to touch base with Colen Johnson and let them know
informally, of the two requests the town is considering. If we can come to a
agreement before March 17, the Act 250 hearing will not be requested.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
March 11 'ZOZf:
I
Diana Peduzzi

Town of Woodbury Select Board Meeting
Minutes
February 23, 2026
Attendees
Select Board Members Lizzy Higgins, Chris Casey, Diana Peduzzi,
Town Officials: Robin Durkee (Town Clerk), Lilly Baron (Town Treasurer) Skip Lindsay (Recovery Officer); Stephen
Murphy (Town Moderator)
Town Employees: Alfred Larrabee (Road Commissioner); Michael Gray (WSB Assistant/Scribe)
Members of the Public: Nate Sicard (Ruggles Engineering)
Media: Jerome Lipani -HCTV
Call to Order Chris called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
Adjustments to Agenda
There was discussion as to whether discussion of the Valley Lake Road culvert replacement bids should be done in
executive session as stated in the agenda. The WSB decided to "wait and see" if an executive session would be necessary,
after the bids were opened.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the February 9, 2026 Select Board meeting were approved.
Public Comment Stephen Murphy confirmed that he wishes to continue for another year as the town's
moderator and went over the procedure for his election to that position at town meeting. WSB and Stephen discussed
when the town's State reps would join the town meeting. Stephen advised that they be asked to arrive around 12:00,
thinking that by that time most of the voting will be finished. Diana will make the invitation. Stephen also reminded the
WSB of the town government gathering and the informational pre-town meeting forum taking place on Thursday Feb. 26.
Valley Lake Road Culvert Replacement Project with Nate Sicard
Two bids were submitted for the project. Alliance Consulting & Excavation bid $297,582 and the J.A. McDonald. bid
was $311,800. The original estimate from Nate, made in 2024, was for $278,524. Nate said both bidders were qualified
and there was no reason not to award the contract to Alliance, the lowest bidder. The Alliance bid was accepted. Nate
will contact both bidders. The Town budgeted $75,000 for this match so we'll have to find $22,000 more somewhere.
Nate mentioned the two culvert replacement projects on County Road that he was asked to do engineering design work
for. Alfie and the WSB confirmed they would like him to proceed with that work, although no funding has been budgeted
to implement the projects.
Town Clerk's Report with Robin Durkee
A question came up about a loan issued to Robert and Susan Pickett years ago, which was never officially "discharged"
although it was fully paid off. In the I 990's the town participated in a home improvement program with financing
through Central Vermont Community Action Council. Homeowners could receive grants or loans depending on their

income qualifications. Loans were paid back over the years and the town could use that money to continue the program.
This money was the source of the loan to the Picketts. It was repaid in full. The Picketts have passed away and they left
two sons, who now are deciding what to do with the property. Their attorney drafted a discharge for the WSB to sign,
and it was signed. Robin has a busy week ahead overseeing Woodbury's voter checklist at the MVUSCD board elections
on Tuesday evening and the Hazen Union board elections on Wednesday evening. Thursday will be spent at Woodbury's
pre-town meeting gathering and Town meeting will be on Saturday. Voting on the school budgets will be on Tuesday
March 3, again at the school.
Town Treasurer's Report with Lillian Baron
Lilly presented the review for January,2026. The fund balances remain stable as of the end of January, with the exception
of the FEM A-related accounts. The FEMA 2023 Flood fund is shown with a negative balance due to unreimbursed
Category Z administrative expenses that are pending reimbursement. The FEMA Mitigation fund reflects the remaining
excess un-obligated funds. The FEMA 2024 Flood fund shows a positive balance, due to additional ERAF funds received
from the state -YEM -last month.
The auditor's monthly reconciliation review, for December 2025, showed no discrepancies.
Lilly reviewed revisions she has made to the Budget vs Actual monthly report that presents all line items in the General
and Town Highway Budgets with columns that include the actuals for the past fiscal year (FY25) and what was budgeted
originally for the current fiscal year (FY26). For January, there are no individual budget line items that require specific
attention or explanation.
Lilly met with PACIF, the town's insurer, to better understand the increase in the town's insurance rates. The main
takeaway from the meeting is that the significant increase in our Property & Casualty insurance is largely due to the 2023
Fire Department claim as well as a claim for flood damage at the Town Office. Even though the Fire Department is no
longer on our policy, that claim will continue to impact our rates through 2029. For Workers' Compensation, claims affect
rates for three years. One option Lilly presented to reduce premiums would be to review and potentially lower the agreed­
upon values of Town buildings. This would require negotiations with PACIF and formal appraisals. Lilly offered to gather
more information on that process; the WSB decided that this is not worth pursuing. Last year PACIF asked the town to
upgrade their building values to assure adequate coverage, and we did. Again the option to find another insurance
provider came up. The Board had previously decided not to have Lilly do more research on that option. PACIF is a large
insurance pool that specializes in coverage for municipalities and also provides safety trainings and some grants for safety
equipment. It is unlikely the town would find a better option.
PACIF also offered to review the town's lease agreement with MVUSD to clarify how liability is allocated between the
Town and the MVUESD. Following the review, PACIF provided a couple of suggested amendments to better define those
responsibilities. Lilly will bring these suggested amendments to the WSB for discussion at their next meeting. Lilly
reported that PACIF informed her that racoons are not considered vermin and therefore the town is eligible to file a claim
for the repair of the damage revealed when a pair of adult raccoons fell through the ceiling in the Town Garage. PACIF
could cover the repair costs minus the $1,000 deductible. Alfie suggested exploring the option of an insurance claim and
the WSB discussed this. Lizzy feels it is worthwhile filing a claim, though the WSB, in view of increased rates as a result
of recent claims, wonders if this would affect future insurance rates. This discussion ventures into the need to replace the
entire roof and/or rebuilding a new town garage. Alfie mentioned that the Town of East Montpelier is constructing a new
garage and they have received some grant funding too help. Diana will explore this. Lilly will pursue the claim process.
A small error in calculating the employee share of their health insurance premium was discovered. The error will result in
total refunds of $594.26. Lilly also provided a copy of the 2026 health insurance contract, already signed and ready to be
sent after WSB review.
Road Commissioner's Report with Alfred Larrabee
The road crew has been pushing back the snowbanks and cleaning up intersections and the village. Alfie noted that it is
hard to get more road salt at this time. Chris suggested that what salt remains be used for the paved section of Cabot Road
and that the paved section of Foster Hill Road be sanded instead of using salt. Alfie has researched the replacement of the
550 (now unusable with exhaust coming into the cab). Estimated repair cost from a Ford dealer is about $10,000. A new

replacement would come to $160,000. He is exploring other repair options. With two part-time drivers in place, the new
configuration for the road crew is working out well.
Recovery Officer's Report with Skip Lindsay
Skip reported that he and Chris met with reps from FEMA and YEM/Public Safety to discuss the potential de-obligation
of excess funds from the TH23 and TH24 bridge replacements. FEMA/VEM are adamant that they want the total return of
any excess beyond the two road repairs. Skip will continue to explain to them why the town should keep the $105,000
that was used for mitigation projects with FEMA knowledge and according to FEMA guidance. Skip shared email
correspondence between FEMA and Senator Welch's office that resulted following this meeting. It was requested by
FEMA/VEM that Skip provide a timeline of correspondence that led Woodbury to believe the town had provided the
necessary information and to communicate to FEMA the change of work scopes for the projects; Skip has provided this
timeline and shared a copy of that in his report to the WSB. Chris has contacted Senator Sanders office and is waiting for
a response. Lizzy suggested that the town consider hiring a lawyer if we take the appeal option. Skip has found relevant
PDFs on YLCT's website but is unable to access them because he is not an elected official. Lilly offered to access these
PDFs and send them to Skip for his review.
Updates and Other Business
Swenson Quarry Update
Diana reported that the Town just received notice that the District 5 Environmental Commission (DSEC) has issued a
"Notice of Minor Application" and a "Proposed Land Use Permit" which means that they will not hold a hearing unless
the Town or another party request a hearing by March 17. This is not what was indicated in a December 18 memo
directing the applicant to provide a statement of support from the Town. The Zoning Board of adjustment will not hold
their next deliberative session until March 12. Diana suggested that the best way forward is to speed up deliberations with
Swenson, this deadline will give both sides an incentive to come to a negotiated agreement and ask the DSEC to include
certain permit conditions.
Bills and Payroll
Bills and payroll orders were signed at the end of the meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8: IO P.M.
Signatures ayd ~pproval
Chds Casey v{,,-4
Lizzy Higgins _________ _
Diana Peduzzi
Date Approved