The Addison County Regional Planning Commission handled routine business and several committee recommendations at its Nov. 13 meeting after a community-health presentation.

The commission approved the minutes from its Oct. 11, 2024 meeting; one member (Gioia) recorded an abstention. The commission also reviewed and approved the treasurer’s report for the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2024. Staff summarized the fiscal statements: income of approximately $338,000, expenses of $271,000 and net income near $67,000; current assets were described at about $1.2 million with roughly $757,000 in liabilities, most recorded as unearned revenue.

Act 2 50 and Energy Committee members updated the commission on a citizen group's request (and counsel from attorney Jim Dumont) asking the regional commission to participate in Vermont Gas’s reapplication for a certificate of public good. Committee staff recapped the project's history — including an earlier finding that a portion of the line in New Haven was not buried to the four‑foot depth required and a $150,000 fine — and said the Public Utilities Commission and the state Supreme Court have both been involved in remanding the matter for further review. The committee recommended the commission intervene for monitoring and access to documents rather than adopt a position for or against the project. The commission voted to intervene for the purpose of monitoring the proceeding and to retain the option of later action; member Peter recorded an abstention.

Separately, staff asked the commission to delegate authority to the Natural Resources Committee to review a staff comparison of the regional plan’s natural-resources section with the Otter Creek basin plan and, if compatible, return a letter to the basin program. The commission voted, without objection, to delegate that authority to the Natural Resources Committee to expedite the response to the basin program.

Other committee business included technical-advisory and housing updates and a Maple Broadband status report; staff announced that the MERP (Municipal Energy Retrofit Program) awarded energy grants to 10 towns in the region (amounts read aloud) and that awarded towns must sign grant agreements and return them by Dec. 16 for funds to be obligated.

Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (10/11/2024): motion seconded; outcome: approved (one abstention, Gioia). Provenance: meeting motion and vote recorded in the business agenda.
- Approve treasurer’s report (09/30/2024): motion by Peter, second by Nick; outcome: approved. Provenance: treasurer’s report and vote.
- Intervene in Vermont Gas CPG reapplication (monitoring only): motion moved from committee recommendation and seconded; outcome: approved (abstention: Peter). Provenance: Act 2 50/Energy committee report and vote.
- Delegate authority to Natural Resources Committee for compatibility letter: motion seconded and approved. Provenance: natural-resources discussion and vote.

The commission adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for Dec. 11, 2024.