SELECT BOARD
                            MINUTES
                       December 17, 2007
Present:  Sharyn Brush, Jim Gulley, Jason Morrissey, Lodie Colvin, Chris Oldham, John Zink, and Matt Maroney. 
Also present: Stuart Hurd, Town Manager, Jodi french, Attorney for the BRFD#1, Carl Sherman, Trustee for BRFD#1, Scott Murphy, Economic and Community development Director,  Neal Goswami from the Banner, and Patrick McCardle from the Rutland Herald.
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m.
The first item was the amended Establishment Certificate for the Bennington Rural Fire District #1. The wording now presented to the Board was acceptable to Town counsel and to the BRFD#1 as well as the Manager. A motion by S. Brush, seconded by J. Gulley, to accept the amended Establishment Certificate was approved unanimously. The voters of the Rural Fire District will now consider the wording at the BRFD#1 Annual Meeting on January 28, 2008.
The next item of business was a request for support by Bennington Project Independence for a $50,000.00 USDA Rural Development grant for furnishings, fixtures and equipment for BPI's new facility. After little discussion, a motion by C. Oldham, seconded by J. Zink, to support the request passed 6-0-1(L. Colvin abstained because she is a BPI Board member). Vice Chair J. Zink signed the statement of support.
Next item was a single Errors and Omissions presented to the Board by the Listers. J. Morrissey asked if the Manager knew what the assessment was before this change. The Manager did not know. A motion by J. Gulley, seconded by S. Brush, passed unanimously. The E&O statement was circulated for signatures.
Warrants were circulated for signatures. There were several questions. The Manager could not identify a check payable to Display Sales for "bulbs". He will report back to the Board. Two additional questions were answered. The first on a repair to a culvert on Weeks Street and the second on repairs to the drainage on Harwood Drive. Neither job had been bid as far as the Manager knew.
The Board received the FY09 budget from the Manager. The first budget meeting will be January 5, 2008, from 9am until noon.
In other business, J Gulley wanted to view the Fire Facility to see the extent of the damage. Several other Board members also sought a visit. The Manager will schedule a tour with Larry McLeod and invite all interested Board members to attend. The press expressed an interest as well. It was noted that some constituents still want the identities of those responsible revealed. The Manager explained that he would provide the names to the Board, but only in confidence because this is a personnel matter, and as such, is confidential. He also indicated that the party responsible has not been determined: only those who admitted to smoking have been identified. J. Zink also expressed the concern that constituents were "agitated". He suggested citing the individuals for smoking in a public place even though the fine is only $5.00. M. Maroney asked if the Board could receive copies of invoices from all who are working in the facility. The Manager explained that VLCT was paying contractors directly so as to not present a cash flow problem for the Town. The staff would provide those copies on a regular basis. J. Morrissey asked if the cost estimate had changed. It had not. He also asked if the work was equal to or better than what existed. Yes, it is. He asked if new items or items not related to the fire were being upgraded. The Manager explained that all work would be code compliant and therefore some prior work was being upgraded. Work in the large kitchen uncovered some pre-existing mold conditions, and this may not be covered by the insurance carrier, but the staff is working on that.
M. Maroney also asked if the Town was monitoring the new salt brine regime Manchester, Vermont is using. The Manager indicated that Pat Kinney is to be in touch with Manchester's Highway Superintendent and will be following how this works.
The Chair then recognized Brent Peacock, a Shaftsbury contractor. He thought the Board had handled the Fire Facility contractor selection improperly. He is a general contractor capable of handling this project and was not given a chance, although he did admit that he was heading to Arizona is a couple of weeks for the rest of the Winter. The Manager indicated that the decision does not rest with the Board, but with the Manager. He takes full responsibility for the decision and for the process used. He indicated that had we developed bid specifications, it is likely that the project would not be completed until April or May, 2008, not mid January 2008 as is now the forecast.. 
The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart A. Hurd