CCRPC Executive Committee approves Bolton 150 kW preferred-site letter and retroactive dependent-care benefit

Burlington — The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee on Dec. 2 approved a preferred-site letter for a revised 150-kilowatt solar array in Bolton and adopted a retroactive amendment to its Section 125 benefit plan to add a Dependent Care Account.

Staff described the Bolton Solar preferred-site request as a downsized project (previously proposed at 500 kW) to be sited on Roosevelt Highway (U.S. 2) in Bolton. Staff identified state and local possible constraints — including flood hazard areas and agricultural soils — and noted the draft site plan indicates the project will avoid additional ecological constraints such as deer wintering areas, slopes greater than 25% and Vermont Conservation Design Highest Priority Forest Blocks. The committee approved the letter as presented; the motion was made by John Zicconi and seconded by Andy Montroll and carried unanimously.

On human-resources administration, Forest Cohen told members that a Dependent Care Account benefit had been added operationally in 2018 but never formalized by resolution. The Executive Committee voted to approve a resolution to retroactively amend the CCRPC Section 125 Plan and add the Dependent Care Account. The amendment requires signatures from the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Andy Montroll, seconded by Bard Hill, and carried unanimously.

Executive Director Charlie Baker reviewed the draft legislative briefing presentation the CCRPC plans to deliver to state lawmakers, anchored on the commission’s ECOS Plan and its “Circle of Prosperity” framing. Topics listed for the briefing included Act 250 and permit system changes, housing, broadband, energy and climate, transportation investments including the I-89 2050 study, water-quality funding, marijuana, economy and workforce, mental health and substance-use disorder, and CCRPC resources and current work. Members agreed broadband merits emphasis; Andy Montroll agreed to serve as the subject-matter expert for that topic. Members also requested at least one municipal representative participate on the marijuana topic and suggested dropping a separate Regional and Municipal Planning item because budget constraints make expansion unlikely.

Baker and members discussed presentation logistics: the committee agreed to take questions at the end, apply time limits, and — at Montroll’s suggestion — move the racial equity slide toward the end of the briefing so it serves as a keystone tying the subjects together.

During the meeting John Zicconi requested the selection of a racial equity consultant be discussed in executive session to permit negotiation of potential contracts. The committee moved into executive session at 7:03 PM with designated members and staff in attendance to discuss records related to those negotiations; the executive session ended at 7:48 PM. No final consultant award was announced in the public portion of the meeting.

The meeting also included a brief report from the executive director noting the start of UPWP mid-year adjustments, including potential budget shifts for the I-89 project; more information was promised at a future meeting. The committee adjourned at 7:49 PM.