BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY
130 RIVER STREET
BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201

MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2008

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; John Zink-Vice-Chair; Sharyn Brush; Matt Maroney; Joseph Krawczyk; Chris Oldham and Jason Morrissey.

ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Dan Monks-Planning Director; Barry Horst; Jim Sullivan and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary.

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

1.REORGANIZATION
	John Zink moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded the nomination of Lodie Colvin as Chair.  The motion carried unanimously.
	Joseph Krawczyk moved and Sharyn Brush seconded the nomination of John Zink as Vice-Chair.  The motion carried with Jason Morrissey and Matt Maroney opposed.

2. MINUTES - MARCH 3, 2008   
    MINUTES - MARCH 24, 2008
	Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of the March 3, 2008 Annual Town Meeting amended as follows:
	Line 15 - delete "Sharyn Brush".
The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk abstaining.

	Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of March 24, 2008 as submitted.  The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk abstaining.

3. WARRANTS
	The warrants were circulated for signatures.

4. CITIZENS
	None.

5. GROWTH CENTER DESIGNATION APPLICATION
	Jim Sullivan did a power point presentation on the proposed Bennington Growth Center with the following highlights:
* The general definition of a 'Growth Center' is the development of a compact area with mixed use and distinct boundaries.
* Some of the benefits are Act 250 benefits, the reinforcement of development in a compact area, tax increment financing and improved grant opportunities.
* The proposed Bennington Growth Center covers 2,552 acres with 534 acres active sites for development.  Our Downtown covers 71 acres.
* Residential development within the Growth Center is estimated at 854 with 50% of the development required to be residential.
* Other criteria considered are population projections, employment projections and transportation systems.
* The Hannaford/Home Depot area is not included because it has too much sprawl and has recently been developed.
* Reviews are done every five years and a town can withdraw at any time.

Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Growth Center Designation Application as presented and authorize the Planning Commission to go forward with the assumption that the Town of Bennington Capital Plan that is in process will be adopted.  The motion carried unanimously.

6. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
	The Letters of Interest that have been received for the various open positions on Boards and Commissions will be considered in Executive Session.

7. PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
	Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to accept the Proclamation National Library Week April 13 - 19, 2008 as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

8. 2008 LIQUOR LICENSES
	The following 2008 Liquor License Renewal Applications were circulated for signatures:
1. Alldays & Onions
2. Apple Barn, The
3. Bennington Beverage Outlet, B.B.O.
4. Beshara's Discount Beverage & Groceries
5. Camelot Country Store
6. Caslin's Grocery
7. East Road Variety
8. JC's Tavern
9. John & Paul, L.L.C.
10. Kevin's at Mike's Place
11. Park-McCullough House Association, Inc.
12. Willy's Variety
13. Yott's Market, Inc.
14. Your Belly's Deli

9. FIRE FACILITY USE POLICY - REVIEW/ADOPTION
	Mr. Hurd reviewed the Fire Facility Use Policy with the Board noting the following:
* There shall be no smoking anywhere in the building.
* There shall be no drinking anywhere in the building except when a State licensed caterer is serving alcohol at an event.
* The Town Manager shall have access to everywhere.
* A permit shall be required for use of the public space.
* Firefighters may use the public area at no charge.

John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to adopt the Fire Facility Use Policy as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.
10. MANAGER'S REPORT
	Mr. Hurd reported the following:
* Select Board contact information must be completed.
* There are additional letters of interest to consider in Executive Session for the Boards and Commissions appointments.
* He is working with the college to keep WBTN alive.
* Mr. Kozlosky has sent a letter of concern about the biker event and it was suggested that he meet with the event organizers.
* June 8, 2008 is the Elks Flag Day Presentation.  Mr. Oldham will represent the Town with other Board members also to attend.
* Traffic will be controlled as needed for the Memorial Day Parade.
* Several sponsors have pledged the necessary funds to cover the $1,000 increase for the Fourth of July fireworks.

11. OTHER BUSINESS
	Mr. Krawczyk would like the Town's response to the Energy Committee on where we can save money.
	Mr. Zink thanked the Board for voting him in as Vice-Chair and welcomed Mr. Krawczyk back to the Board.
	Mr. Maroney would like a tax sale list generated within the next two weeks.
	Mr. Morrissey noted the $500,000 cost of the proposed tunnel to go under Route 7 by Kocher Drive with the Town's share of that at 20%.  The intent is to provide a protected pedestrian access at a very busy intersection.  There is still a lot of work to do on this project with the funding to possibly come from the Pathway funds.  To build a bridge over the road instead of a tunnel is much more expensive.
	Mr. Oldham reminded everyone that May 3, 2008 is Green Up Day from 8:00am to noon and to call the Town Office for more information.
	Ms. Colvin would like the crosswalk painting to begin as soon as the road is warm enough and well in advance of July 1st .  Also, the Town will cut along the Park Street fence so that all may enjoy the lilacs that are there.

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL
	At 8:20 P.M., Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel.  The motion carried unanimously.



Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Lively
Secretary