SELECT BOARD
                            MINUTES
                        January 12, 2008
Present:  Sharyn Brush, Jason Morrissey, Chris Oldham, Matt Maroney, John Zink, Jim Gulley, and Lodie Colvin
Also present: Stuart Hurd, Town Manager, and Neal Goswami, Bennington Banner
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 am.
The first order of business was to accept the minutes of the January 5, 2008 meeting. On a motion by J. Gulley, seconded by S. Brush, the minutes were unanimously accepted without change.
Other business included a brief discussion of the time allotted for construction projects to be completed. J. Zink is concerned that projects are not being completed timely reducing the benefit to the Grand List and detracting from community aesthetics. The Board will place this on a future agenda.
The Board then continued its review of the FY 2009 budget.
S. Hurd noted that the Annual Report cuts hinge on a shorter report. He advocated for eliminating Agency reports as well as reducing the length of Department reports. The Board took no action, but may consider the Agency report issue in the future.
Discussion then focused on the carpet cleaner in the Buildings and Grounds budget. After much discussion, by consensus, the Board ask the Manager to remove the purchase ($900) from the FY09 budget and look to increase the use of private contractors.
The Tahoe proposal in the Police budget generated a lot of discussion. J. Morrissey wondered if the vehicle purchase is a priority for the Chief and question if monies could be better utilized in programs. The Manager mentioned that drug interdiction funds are more of a priority, but vehicle use is necessary and must be supported. Ultimately, the Board felt that 2 cruisers may be the better way to go, but suggested that the Chief explore the upgrading of the existing Tahoe to 4WD with grant funds. On a motion by S. Brush, seconded by J. Zink, the Board unanimously supported the purchase of 2 cruisers and the exploration of the Tahoe upgrade without using tax dollars.
In the Recreation budget, the first item of discussion was the Sunday open hours. The Manager indicated that savings could be found if the Center was closed on Sunday, not only in labor but also in electricity and fuel, although those savings would be harder to determine. On a motion by J. Zink, seconded by C. Oldham, the Board voted unanimously to close the Center on Sundays. The manager will adjust the budget. With notice, the Town may close the Center this Spring for additional savings.
The Board then moved to a general discussion of the impact of the proposed CLA adjustment and wether or not that presents a true picture of the reason for an increase in taxes this year in spite of the reduction in tax rate. People need to be able to tie the budget and revenue projections to the tax rate. The adjusted CLA adds confusion and may distort the picture. L. Colvin suggested that the Board is doing its due diligence in this review and that attempting to severely reduce the budget to level the tax rate would reduce services and projects. No action was taken.
Back in the Recreation budget, there was a question on the Pathway repair and maintenance line of $3,500. The Manager could not answer the question and indicated he would have to research this line . Nothing had been budgeted or expended here in the past. He indicated that if the justification could not be found or supported, he would reduce the budget by this amount. He suspected that other areas of the budget are currently covering this expense. The Starting Block purchase in the pool operation section was next discussed. Some felt that the swim teams should bear this cost. It was noted the Rob Sperber was donating a portion of the upgrade. The cost to the Town is budgeted at $6,600. S. Brush made a motion to leave the funds in place. C. Oldham seconded. The motion carried 5-2 (J. Morrissey, M. Maroney). In 7160.230, a power broom purchase was noted at $900. M. Maroney asked if existing weed eaters could be modified to use a broom attachment. The Manager indicated he would research that option, and if that was possible, he would adjust the budget.
In the Senior Center budget, the Manager asked the Board to consider raising the hours of the part-time assistant to 32 per week. The cost breakdown showed a net increase in the budget of $3,200 approximately. The increase would allow for an increase in programs and use of the Center. On a motion by J. Zink, seconded by S. Brush, the Manager's recommendation was accepted unanimously. The budget will be adjusted.
Discussion then turned to the Agencies. Some felt that this was becoming too great an expense. The Board focused on the good that the Agencies do, the need to partner with these groups; the cost increases in all things which impact all taxpayers; the impact of small cuts to all; or a review of each individual agency's request. It was decided to review each Agency. The following actions were taken:
VNA/Hospice   A motion by J. Zink, seconded by M. Maroney, to cut $1,200 failed 3-4(L. Colvin, C. Oldham, J. Morrissey, S. Brush). A motion by S. Brush, seconded by C. Oldham, to level fund passed 4-3 (J. Gulley, M. Maroney, J Morrissey)
BPI   A motion by C. Oldham, seconded by S. Brush, to level fund passed 5-1 (M. Maroney)-1 (L.Colvin, she's on the BPI Board).
Bennington Free Library   A motion by C. Oldham, seconded by S. Brush, to add $16,000 to last year's amount passed 5-2 (J. Zink, M.Maroney).
BROC A motion to level fund failed 3-4. A motion by J. Morrissey, seconded by J. Zink, to reduce the request by $2,800 passed 4-3 (L. Colvin, S. Brush, C. Oldham)
John McCullough Library   A motion by S. Brush, seconded by J. Zink, to add $600 to last year's amount passed 4-3 (M. Maroney, C.Oldham, L. Colvin) L. Colvin supported the Library's request to create goodwill. A motion to level at last year's amount was withdrawn.
North Bennington Recreation   A motion to approve the request passed 6-1 (M. Maroney)
Paran Recreation   The actual application had not yet been submitted. Action was placed on hold until the Manager could secure the application.
PAVE   A motion by J. Morrissey, seconded by J. Gulley, to reduce the request by $500 passed 4-3 (L.Colvin, C.Oldham S. Brush)
RSVP   A motion by J. Zink, seconded by J. Morrissey, to reduce the request by $500 passed 4-3 (L.Colvin, C.Oldham S. Brush)
Council on Aging   A motion by S. Brush, seconded by C. Oldham, to level fund passed 4-3(M. Maroney, J. Morrissey, J. Zink)
Tutorial Center   A motion by S. Brush, seconded by J. Gulley, to level fund passed 6-1 (M. Maroney)
VCIL   A motion by S. Brush, seconded by C. Oldham, to level fund passed 6-1( M. Maroney)
Center for Restorative Justice   A motion by J. Zink, seconded by J. Morrissey, to reduce the request by $500 passed 4-3 (L. Colvin, S. Brush, C. Oldham)
It was noted throughout this session that these Agencies all do good work. These are tough times for tax payers.
M. Maroney made a motion to reduce the Battle Day request to $10,000, a $5,000 reduction. It was seconded by J. Morrissey. It passed 6-1 (J. Zink).
 Poor Relief Burials and Fireworks were discussed without action. 
J. Morrissey made a motion to reduce the Contingency to $15,000, a $10,000 reduction. It was seconded by C.Oldham. It failed 3-4 (L.Colvin, S. Brush, J. Gulley, J. Zink). A motion by J. Gulley to reduce the Contingency by $5,000, seconded by S. Brush, passed 6-1 (J. Morrissey)
J. Gulley asked for a breakdown of the Highway Fund double time for the next session. The meeting was adjourned at 12:03 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 am on Saturday January 19th.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart A. Hurd