BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, APRIL 28, 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; Jamie Johnson; Courtney Bemis; Nate Mattison; Isaac Sprague; Jonah Thiem; Laura Boudreau; Jim Moran; Milt Surdam; Lindy Lynch; several Norshaft Lions Park children and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION (2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM) A. INTERVIEW FOR BOARDS & COMMISSIONS The Board conducted interviews with the candidates for Boards and Commissions in Executive Session. 2. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS A. CONSTABLE Joseph Krawczyk moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to appoint Ralph Becker, Jr. as Constable for a one (1) year term. The motion carried unanimously. B. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to appoint Jeffrey Goldstone and Laura Gresh to the Historic Preservation Commission for three (3) year terms, respectively. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Colvin noted that upcoming appointments to Boards & Commissions are three positions plus one alternate to the Development Review Board for three year terms in May, one position for a one year term to the Board of Listers, as well as, the Housing Authority. 3. MINUTES - APRIL 14, 2008 Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to approve the Minutes of April 14, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. 4. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered the Board questions on the snowmobile outfit purchases at Ben's uniforms, Pittsfield Communications pagers, Wells Communications radio repair, the flag at Willow Park, the cruiser purchase from Nemer Chevrolet and the toilet replacement at the Senior Center. Mr. Hurd noted that the Board would soon receive an actual budget-to-expense comparison through the end of April plus the anticipated spending for the rest of the year. 5. CITIZENS None. 6. NORTH BENNINGTON TRUSTEES - PARK PROPOSAL Mr. Johnson explained that, for the past year and a half, the Norshaft Lions Community Park group has been organizing the renovation of the Norshaft Lions field. Ever since the demise of the skateboard park at Willow Park in 2006, plans have been in the works to establish one elsewhere. Many of the children, and a few adults, spoke to the necessity of the park, the wide range of ages that would utilize the park and the overall benefit that it would bring to the Village of North Bennington and the Town of Bennington. The following are the presentation highlights: * It will be a dawn to dusk park with a bandstand, skateboard park, resurfaced basketball court, concession stand and playground. * The Little League field will be upgraded to give the communities two regulation fields that will allow more games to be played. * The Recreation Committee, under the supervision of Mr. Moran, will involve all of the children in maintaining the park. * Fundraising efforts have been car washes, Mayfest raffle, the Community Bash, bake sales, tee shirt sales and bottle drives. * The goal is to raise $202,000 - present balances are $57,000 cash and $55,000 of in-kind service. * Five of the children have received Community Service Awards for their efforts with this project. * The Village of North Bennington contributes a substantial amount to the Town of Bennington recreation fund. * This project is unrelated to The Fund of North Bennington/Henry Bridge property project. * The residents must vote on the reallocation of the $50,000 in reserve for the Leonard J. Black Park but there may be some available funds in the contingency and/or the Board's discretionary fund in FY08. * The Town of Shaftsbury has their own fields that they support. * Grant applications are in process - one to the State for $25,000 and others totaling $50,000. * Actual work on the fields won't start until after baseball season is over. * North Bennington is, and will be, responsible for the long term care of the park. * Funding availability from the Town will be an agenda item for the next meeting on May 12, 2008. 7. 2008 LIQUOR LICENSES The 2008 First/Second Class Liquor License Application for Gimme Pizza and the 2008 Liquor License Renewal Applications for Dreaming Tree, Inc. and Moose, Loyal Order of Lodge #1233 were circulated for signatures. 8. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd stated that several downtown restaurants and the BBC wish to try serving outside. In some cases, this means use of a portion of the public right of way, which is 66'. In the past, this has been allowed, provided all licensing requirements are met and that there is sufficient space for safe pedestrian use. The liquor control inspector must approve expanded seating outside the restaurant, an amended license will be filed through the Town Clerk's office and appropriate insurance must be in place. Presently Madison's and Carmody's are the only two that would like to do this. Mr. Hurd reported that in order to access municipal sewer without a pump station, F.W. Webb needs an easement from the Town to gain access to the sewer line in Willow Park. Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to authorize the Town Manager to sign the easement for F.W. Webb to gain access to the sewer line in Willow Park and forward the easement to them. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd noted that the Bennington Cultural and Arts Council is seeking funding from the Town for its June Arts Festival. This is the first time in five years that they have requested any funding. Mr. Morrissey stated that "funding requests beget requests" and it was the consensus of the Board to look at the "big budget picture" before authorizing a contribution to the Bennington Cultural and Arts Council. Mr. Hurd reported that Casella has completed an application to replace the transfer station and will appear before the Development Review Board in June. Mr. Hurd noted that Mr. Corcoran questioned the impact of finishing the rolling reappraisal during a year when the cost of living has "gone through the roof". The education taxes may increase $.04 to $.07 and the concern is that our reduction in tax rate plus the reappraisal won't be enough to offset the other increase. If we don't finish the rolling reappraisal, we should still remain within the State requirements. Even though many houses remain on the market for longer periods of time and overall sales have dropped, the higher end market is still strong. The actual impacts will be brought to the May 12, 2008 meeting. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Krawczyk would like to have the Select Board become involved in meeting with the local businesses either at a special meeting called by the Select Board, itself, or to attend one of the existing meetings at the Chamber. Mr. Krawczyk noted that the CAT-TV production of the April 14, 2008 meeting was not done well. Ms. Brush stated that the old and new pavement is separating and creating quite a drop from one to the other on Silver Street. Mr. Hurd will look into this. Mr. Zink thanked all of the Boards & Commissions applicants for their letters of interest. Mr. Oldham reminded everyone, and Mr. Morrissey concurred, that May 3, 2008 is Green Up Day from 8:00am till noon and to call the Town Office if you would like to participate. Mr. Morrissey added that Silk Road and Vail Road are especially unsightly and hoped that, in the long run, the Town could keep on top of those that litter. Mr. Maroney asked who was occupying the Old Blacksmith Shoppe, and Mr. Hurd answered that the BCIC and BBC are with each paying $200/month rent, and Verizon is and pays $2,000/month rent. Mr. Hurd will provide the Board with the operating expenses for that building. Ms. Colvin also noted the potholes on Rice Lane and Mattison Road. Ms. Colvin noted that Mr. Kozlosky had responded to Mr. Hurd's letter to him addressing his concerns. Mr. Hurd will keep the Board informed of the back and forth correspondence. At 8:15 P.M., Chris Oldham moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary