Planning Commission Meeting Draft Minutes 10.22.25

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Town of Guilford

Planning Commission DRAFT Minutes

Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 6:30pm, 236 School Rd, Guilford VT

Planning Commission members attending: Charlie Light, Jeannette Tokarz, Marty Ramsburg, Christina Belogour, Nathaniel Matthiesen and remotely Jethro Eaton, and Mike Szostok (Select board)

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:34pm.

Recognition of the Public:  No public

Rules and Procedures: No changes, as outlined by Select Board. Basic respect and civility

Changes to Agenda:  None

Christina moved to accept the minutes from the August meeting. Charlie seconded and motion was carried unanimously.

New Business:

The people who have been approached to be on the PC Board have all declined. We spoke briefly about possible candidates

Jeannette will reapply for grant for PC. The grant will be for up to $25,000 which will be used to hire consultants. Feeling confident about obtaining the grant as we came very closed last cycle.

Spoke about the CHIP Act–Community Housing Infrastructure Program, The state of Vermont sees a 40,000 housing shortage by 2030 and the difficulty of providing affordable housing when the average cost of building a new house is $500,000. The CHIP Act envisions using bonds to help developers with infrastructure costs–sewer, water, roads, etc., even land acquisition and basing the bonds on the tax revenue generated by the new housing vs what the tax basis was for the undeveloped property and believes that thata will be ore than the increased costs of schools, roads, etc. that new population will bring.

We discussed how the state needs jobs as well as housing to keep our young people and attract others from elsewhere, while still maintaining the quality of life in Vermont. Jethro and Jeannette will work on ideas re housing.

We discussed the idea of placing flags at the border in Guilford and decided that the Vermont state flag would be appropriate. Christina will work on costing that out and working with the utilities for options and cost to put the flags on poles.

We discussed options for encouraging people to pick up trash such as abandoned appliances along Guilford roadways. Ideas along the line of enlisting help with the major and minor trash haulers, having free days and methods to dispose of large items and hazardous waste, and try to figure out, with Guilford Cares, how to reach the population who would like to clean out their properties, but often do not have the money or means to do so.

Discussed working with an expanded Clean Up Day which is the first Saturday in May and scrap metal collectors.

Christina moved to adjourn, Marty seconded. Motion is carried unanimously and meeting is adjourned at 7:46.