BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
TOWN OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
205 SOUTH STREET
BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; John Zink-Vice-Chair; Matt Maroney; James Gulley; Chris Oldham and Jason Morrissey.

ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Director of Economic and Community Development; Dan Monks-Zoning Administrator; Kevin Goodhue; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary.

At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order.

1. MINUTES - NOVEMBER 12, 2007
	Jason Morrissey moved and James Gulley seconded to approve the Minutes of November 12, 2007 amended as follows:
	Line 82 - Add "There was substantial Board discussion and disagreement as to the reliability of these income and expense figures."
The motion carried unanimously.

2. WARRANTS
	The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on the water line of the State of Vermont bridge project and the BMA Associates billing.  

3. CITIZENS
	None.

4. GRAND LIST - ERRORS & OMISSIONS
	James Gulley moved and Chris Oldham seconded to accept the Errors and Omissions to the 2007 Grand List dated November 20, 2007.  The motion carried unanimously.

5. MANAGER'S REPORT
	Mr. Hurd reported that the damage to the fire facility is in the range of $225,000 to $300,000 and it will be a month before we can reoccupy the public spaces.  Our insurers have assured us of coverage at replacement value but the long term impact on our insurance rates is unknown at this time.  The Fire Department will be taking up disciplinary action according to their own Bylaws against the individuals that may or may not be involved in starting the fire but were smoking in the facility that night.     
	Mr. Hurd has not yet had an opportunity to contact the forester about additional management efforts on our woodlots.  Mr. Gulley was concerned that the forester, also a surveyor, may be too busy to do this work for us.  Mr. Hurd will also ask this question when he contacts him.
	Mr. Hurd noted that the FY09 budget process is moving along very quickly with his work on it expected to be completed by the end of this week.  It will then go to the Board much sooner than anticipated.  Mr. Hurd shared the Recommendations for Effective Municipal Budget Management that he had presented at a VLCT seminar on financial management with the Board.
	Mr. Hurd reported that the cost of the clean up of junk, automobiles, campers, etc. at two North Branch Street properties exceeded $23,000.  This will use up the General Fund's contingency for this year and a lien will be placed against the owner to recover our expense.  This is the fourth time this same property has had to be cleaned up.  In the past, we have recovered our expenses relatively quickly.  
	Mr. Maroney questioned how the Stream Bank stabilization project on East Main Street would be affecting the Town's water main and would like to have a policy in place for the decision making process as to when we fix people's property.  Mr. Hurd stated that he agreed with the Highway Superintendent's decision to participate in this project within the highway right of way at a cost of $5,000.  He will, however, draft a policy on the decision making process of when we fix private property for the Board's approval.  

6. OTHER BUSINESS
	Mr. Maroney requested that all decision making as to when private property is repaired be done by Mr. Hurd until a policy is in place.  Mr. Hurd agreed.
	Mr. Gulley asked if the Growth Center boundary went down to Carbones, and Mr. Monks answered that the plan is for it to stop at the intersection of Route 67 and 7A.  Even though the Planning Commission and the BCIC are working on the boundary recommendations, the final decision is ultimately made by the Select Board.  
Ms. Colvin asked where the USS Bennington painting would be hung, and Mr. Hurd answered that it will be hung with a plaque and other appropriate memorabilia on the wall as you enter the Town Office.
	Ms. Colvin clarified that the December Select Board meetings will be on December 10th and December 17th, respectively.

7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. CONTRACTS
B. PERSONNEL
	
	At 7:30 P.M., James Gulley moved and John Zink seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Contracts and Personnel.  The motion carried unanimously.






Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Lively
Secretary