BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, MAY 12, 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; John Antognioni; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner 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. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD B. HOUSING AUTHORITY Ms. Colvin noted that the Board would discuss the results of the interviews in Executive Session following the meeting. 3. MINUTES - APRIL 28, 2008 MINUTES - MAY 5, 2008 Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of April 28, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of May 5, 2008 amended as follows: Line 7 - change "4:33" to "12:07". The motion carried unanimously. 4. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered the Board questions on compost distribution, mileage payment, Radiology Associates, West Oil, Capital Plan completion, Postmaster, U.S. Postal Service and repairs to the Police Chief's vehicle. 5. CITIZENS None. 8. REAPPRAISAL IMPACTS Mr. Hurd noted that there have been several concerns that the continuation of the rolling reappraisal to its conclusion would cost the taxpayers more money that it should during tight times. The impact on a $100,000 home - using the homestead values and the town $.03 reduction from unrestricted reserve funds - plus the FY09 town rate impact of the approved budget, $240,000 Highway Fund Article and the $25,000 Homeless Shelter Support Article, and the school taxes based on their approved budget, concludes that the taxpayers would pay an additional $74.95 with the reappraisal or an additional $121.70 without it. The Property Valuation and Review Division (PVR) of the Department of Taxes strongly suggests, and Mr. Hurd recommends, that we finish the reappraisal. Discussion ensued with the following highlights: * We are in the fourth year of a three year rolling reappraisal. This is the year that we are allowed to make a statistical upgrade. All 6,000 properties will be adjusted to 100% market value this year. * We have never risen above the 20% Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) and are currently at 16% primarily due to the year that we took off - making us "relatively high". * We are at 91.4% of a minimum required 80% Common Level of Appraisal (CLA). * Even though properties have been reappraised, they have been taxed at the CLA rate for that respective year. This year's adjustment would bring the taxable value up to 100%. * Reappraisals are driven by the sale prices being repeatedly over the appraised values. * The State requires a reappraisal if the CLA is under 80% or if the COD is over 20%. * There has been no legislation passed to change Act 60 or Act 68. * The voters approved all budgets and additionally funded articles at 2.5-3.5 to 1. It was not a close vote. * Our COD tells us that we have a 16% swing in the price of similar homes throughout the community which includes North Bennington and Old Bennington. * The goal is to stay away from a forced reappraisal. * Everyone will pay more taxes this year. They will, however, pay less of an increase overall with a reappraisal than they would without one. * June 24, 2008 is the latest date that notices can be mailed to the taxpayers. Joseph Krawczyk moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to approve the continuation of the rolling reappraisal. The motion carried unanimously. 6. BETTER BENNINGTON CORPORATION'S BUDGET & DOWNTOWN TAX ALLOCATION The Better Bennington Corporation's Budget & Downtown Tax Allocation was continued until the next meeting because there was no representation present from the BBC. Mr. Maroney requested that the Board be provided with last year's budget for comparison and Mr. Hurd will take care of that. 7. REQUEST FOR FUNDING A.NORSHAFT PARK B.BENNINGTON ARTS & CULTURAL COUNCIL Mr. Hurd noted that the General Fund "is in good shape coming to year end" and might be available to support one or the other, or both, of the requests. In FY08, the Consultants line item presently has $12,620 in it and the Contingency line item has $18,719. Looking forward to FY09, Contingency line item (formerly called Consultants) will have $12,000 and the other Contingency line item will have $20,000. In addition, an Article can be put on the ballot in March 2009 for the voters to redirect up to $50,000 of the Leonard J. Black Memorial Park reserve. Ms. Colvin would like to donate $10,000 to the Norshaft Park and the requested $500 to the Summer Art Festival from the FY08 Contingency fund. Mr. Maroney agrees on the $10,000 for the Norshaft Park but disagrees, in general, in giving anyone anything when they have not personally presented their request to the Board. Mr. Krawczyk stated that the voters could vote on the Leonard J. Black Memorial Park reserve in November without waiting until March, and would support the $10,000 to come from the Consultants line item instead of the Contingency fund. He concurs that there should be personal presentation of funding requests. Mr. Morrissey also agrees with the personal presentation of requests but is hesitant to deplete over half of the existing Contingency fund should those funds be needed for some unforeseen emergency in the future. In addition, he feels that the Consultants line item can be reimbursed from the Leonard J. Black reserve for the $10,000 that was spent on the consultants that were hired for the Leonard J. Black Park. Mr. Hurd will ask the auditors if this is possible and report back to the Board at the next meeting. The Board will decide on the Norshaft Park and Bennington Arts & Cultural Council funding requests at the May 27, 2008 meeting. 9. 2008 LIQUOR LICENSES The 2008 Liquor License Renewal Application for Jensen's Restaurant, Inc. was circulated for signatures. 10. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd reported that the radio and pager purchases by the Fire Department are, indeed, FY09 budget items with the pager purchase that has already been made set in as a reserve. Mr. Hurd reported that the operation expense of the Blacksmith Building is presently $1,200 over income. Both tenants have agreed to a $50/month increase effective July 1, 2008 to help defray this cost. Mr. Hurd announced that Jim Gulley had been the Board's representative on the Applegate Board. Mr. Oldham will assume that position. 11. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Oldham thanked everyone that participated in Earth Day on May 3rd . Mr. Maroney requested expense comparisons on repairing vs. trading in the old cruiser, and Mr. Hurd will do that. Mr. Krawczyk asked where the speed cart is, and Mr. Hurd believes that it has been in for repairs. Ms. Colvin reminded everyone that the next meeting will be in the Town Office Conference Room on May 27, 2008 at 5:30 P.M.. At 8:35 P.M., John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary