CALL TO ORDER (6:00 PM) 

PUBLIC COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA) 

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 

• none

DESIGN REVIEW 

• none

OTHER BUSINESS - OLD BRICK CHURCH VERIZON LEASE

• Staff Notes: The Selectboard is considering a lease agreement with Verizon to locate equipment in the steeple of the Old Brick Church for a repeater and construct an addition in the back of the church to house the equipment for the repeater. Additions and material changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the DRB with advice of the HAAC. The design standards and bylaws apply to structural additions and materials, as well as the screening of outdoor mechanical equipment. The bylaws and design standards do not apply to internal mechanical and electrical systems. A permit application HAS NOT YET BEEN SUBMITTED. A permit application is anticipated in later summer or the fall. 
  
  The HAAC role this evening is to understanding the process. The HAAC may provide comment to the Selectboard about their decision, acting as a landowner of the Brick Church, as it pertains to considering the lease agreement. There is no permit application submitted and therefore HAAC cannot provide design review recommendations per WDB 42 and Appendix H. 
  
  
• Prior to the Selectboard's discussion this topic on July 11, the Old Brick Church Trustees met with Verizon representative and provided a recommendation of support for the project. 
• Watch the Selectboard discussion from July 11 here. The Selectboard gave full consensus to proceed to the next step, but it is not a final or binding decision. 
• Brick Church Fire Suppression system is identified in the town's Capital Budget at a cost of $280,000
• The Verizon lease would result in annual revenue generation for the Town. The amount was $24,000 per year when the idea was proposed in 2018, that rate today may be subject to negotiation. 
• WDB Chapter 21 has regulations for telecommunication facilities that are mostly geared towards construction of cell towers and exterior appearance. WDB Chapter 21 does not have standards for locating equipment within an existing structure where invisible on exterior. Most importantly, the standards of WDB Chapter 21 are preempted by state law when permitted through the Section 248a process. State law preempts local zoning ordinances pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 248. Section 248a applies to telecommunication facilities. Applicants seeking a permit through the § 248a process are not required to adhere to local zoning ordinances.
• Concept Plans - based on these plans, the repeater located within the steeple will not be visible from the exterior. 
• Williston Congregational Church National Register Nomination 
• 1977 Photograph - the wood-sided rear addition is visible in this photo. 
• HAAC Email Thread 

ADJOURN (6:30 PM)