BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, JUNE 9, 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; Scott Murphy-Economic & Community Development Director; John Shanahan; Steve Perkins; Cadence Banulis; Mark Boudreaux; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1. MINUTES - MAY 27, 2008 Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of May 27, 2008 as submitted. Mr. Krawczyk asked if we had received a call from the Secretary of Transportation, and Mr. Hurd answered yes, and the Secretary understood the Board's position. The motion carried unanimously. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered the Board's question on compound water meters. 3. CITIZENS None. 4. STUDENT PRESENTATION - ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS Ms. Banulis stated that she had chosen Alternative Energy as her Senior Project by writing a proposal on ways that Bennington could change how it utilizes energy. A few of her ideas are to have the Town switch or reduce 10% of all fossil fuel used to alternative energy, have a bio-diesel fuel pump in town and install motion sensor lights. The Board congratulated Ms. Banulis on her work and will review her proposal. 5. BENNINGTON MUSEUM - REQUEST FOR SPONSORSHIP Mr. Perkins informed the Board that there are two exciting programs coming up this year at the Bennington Museum. First, Take Me Out To The Ballgame has three exhibits - Icons of Baseball, Baseball in Vermont and a Michael Schacht Retrospective - from June 13th to August 17th with much memorabilia from many baseball greats, as well as, art from a hall of fame and Upperdeck baseball artist, and second, Art of Vermont: The State Collection from August 30th to October 26th . As directed by the Chair last year, Mr. Perkins had discussed these opportunities during the town budgeting process and is requesting a grant of $10,000 to help offset the overall cost of $35,000. The economic climate is making other sponsorship hard to come by. Mr. Perkins stated that last year Museum attendance "was flat" but did see increased traffic from Vermont and the tri-cities with attendance up 20% during the Impressionist exhibit. They will continue to offer "Free Fridays" during June, July and August to Bennington residents, almost all educational programs are free and all students under 18 are also free. Mr. Morrissey suggested that, in the future, the Museum follow the same funding request process that other non-profits in Town follow. Mr. Maroney feels this is a great exhibit but cannot support donating $10,000 of the taxpayer's money to this when many people will have all they can do to buy gas, heating fuel and food. Mr. Krawczyk noted that, because of the reasons stated by Mr. Maroney, many Benningtonians will not be traveling and this exhibit will provide them with a source of entertainment at home. Mr. Zink stated that the Bennington Museum is the custodian for the genealogy for hundreds of thousands of people and provides our Town with culture and education. We cannot "turn our backs on our basic institutions". Mr. Oldham added that the two destination points for tour buses in Town are the Monument and the Museum. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Bennington Museum request for a grant of $10,000.00 to support the 2008 exhibits of Take Me Out To The Ballgame and Art of Vermont: The State Collection. The motion carried with Matt Maroney opposed. 6. DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION - BUDGET REVIEW & APPROVAL Mr. Perkins extended kudos to Mr. Shanahan for his work at the BBC over the last six months and reiterated that the previous lengthy Mission Statement has been revised to read "The mission of the Better Bennington Corporation is to build, improve and support the vital Downtown for the benefit of the entire Town of Bennington." Mr. Shanahan echoed the fact that, because of the economic climate, many people will be staying close to home for entertainment which enhances the role of the BBC in the Town. Many organizations cut their marketing budgets when times are tough, however, the BBC's approach is to put more focus and effort into marketing and promotion. Mayfest was a tremendous success this year and most of the vendors have already committed to return next year. Also, a new approach to Pumpkinfest is in the works for this year with more inside activities, window displays and less impact on the Town. New recruitment packets are in progress and the BBC and Chamber of Commerce have a good working relationship. It is important to draw event participation back to Town even when the event, itself, takes place elsewhere, i.e., The Car Show. Overall, the BBC Budget for '08-'09 is very similar to last year with the shifting around of some expenditures, such as, working on having musical performers throughout the summer on Main Street in addition to the Under the Tent performances. The DIC Operating Grant of $66,950.00 is the same as last year which will, because of the adjustments in the Grand List from the rolling reappraisal, give the downtown merchants a reduction in their tax rate from last year. The only way the BBC would know if the merchants felt this tax was beneficial to them is if the merchants provided that information. However, given the response to the sponsorship request for the sculptures presently on Main Street, all indication is that they see this tax as advantageous to their businesses. Jason Morrissey moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Downtown Improvement Commission funding request for $66,950.00 for budget year 2008-2009. The motion carried unanimously. 7. NORSHAFT PARK FUNDING SUPPORT Ms. Colvin stated that the Board had discussed donating $10,000.00 to the Norshaft Park at the end of the year, and Mr. Hurd added that the contingency funds of $18,700 and/or $12,600 "remain in tact and available". There is also a cash balance as of May 31, 2008 of over $3M with $1.5M due back to the bank but, nevertheless, placing us in a strong cash position at the end of the year. Board discussion ensued as follows: * The Norshaft Park is not owned by the Village but is the Norshaft Lions Community Park. * The Village Trustees may have asked the Babe Ruth Baseball League to leave Welling Field to make room for a youth baseball league unrelated to the Norshaft Park or their funding request. * Mr. Morrissey is of the opinion that, because of the increased cost of absolutely everything, we should not make a donation until the voters release funds from the $50,000 that we have in reserve for the Leonard J. Black Park - money designated for recreation. A strong cash position is "a moot point" because that money has already been earmarked for other things. * If the voters do approve the use of the $50,000 in March 2009, the funds would not be available until July 1, 2009, or FY10. * Although there was no specific amount requested, the understanding is that the Norshaft Park group had hoped that they could receive the entire $50,000 that is in reserve. However, they will be thankful for whatever the Town decides to donate. * Mr. Zink feels that the $10,000 donated now is "an act of good faith" with the promise that we will go to the voters for additional funds from the reserve. * Ms. Colvin and Mr. Oldham would like to see the Town commit to the $10,000 by June 30, 2008 and go to the voters for the release of some of the reserve funds but also have some of the reserve funds remain for the Leonard J. Black Park as it was originally intended. Mr. Oldham noted that the Norshaft Park began their project before the Leonard J. Black Park concept had begun. * Ms. Brush suggested donating the $10,000 now and then reimbursing ourselves should the voters release the funds from reserve. * Mr. Krawczyk is uncomfortable with donating the funds now because of the economy but has no problem with a pledge. * The grant application(s) deadline for the Norshaft Park is June 19, 2008, and support from the Town of Bennington will carry much weight on these applications. Some grants require money in hand while others are satisfied with a commitment. Mr. Murphy feels that a pledge from the Town will be sufficient. * Mr. Boudreaux could not answer Board questions on phases of construction or actual bank balances. Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to pledge $10,000.00 to The Norshaft Park Funding Request to be received by The Norshaft Park no later than July 1, 2009. The motion carried unanimously. 8. VERMONT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - PLANNING GRANT POTENTIAL Mr. Murphy stated that Applegate Housing, Inc. is attempting to construct a community building at the Applegate Housing site for use by their residents and other community groups. This project is in the early stages of planning and they are looking for a Planning Grant to help determine the feasibility of the project. The Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) can fund up to $30,000 for a planning grant to see if the project is viable. There is no cost to the Town for this application or Planning Grant, if awarded, as in-kind services and Applegate Housing, Inc. will cover the 25% match requirement. The grant application deadline is July 29, 2008 and requires a Public Hearing which would have to be held at the regularly scheduled Select Board meeting on July 14, 2008. Formal support would be requested at that time. There are no other Town projects to compete for this funding. Ms. Brush stated that this project had been a long time in the making and that Applegate is a well-managed corporation. Mr. Oldham added that it is also a collaborative effort with other non-profits in the community. It was the consensus of the Board to grant informal support for Applegate Housing, Inc. to apply for a Planning Grant from the VCDP for up to $30,000 as presented. 9. VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT GRANT - LETTER OF INTENT Mr. Murphy is requesting authorization to submit a Letter of Intent to the Vermont Agency of Transportation by the June 16, 2008 deadline to preserve our opportunity to apply for a 2009 Transportation Enhancements Grant by August 26, 2008 for a pedestrian-link walkway to connect the Applegate Housing complex, along with Willowbrook Apartments and Molly Stark School, to our existing sidewalk system including the future Railway Bikepath and potential Pedestrian Underpass under Route 7 at Kocher Drive. The Transportation Enhancements Program is the funding source we have utilized to create the downtown lighting and streetscape improvements along Main Street, North Street, South Street, Depot Street, West Main Street and the two pending projects at Union Street and Pleasant Street. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to submit a Letter of Intent to the Vermont Agency of Transportation for the Applegate Pedestrian Link Enhancement Project as presented. Since VTRANS funding is very competitive, Mr. Krawczyk suggested contacting Tim Corcoran as an alternative. The motion carried unanimously. 10. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD & COMMISSIONS A.HOUSING AUTHORITY Sharyn Brush moved and Lodie Colvin seconded to re-appoint Sandra Bessette to the Housing Authority. The motion carried with Chris Oldham opposed. 11. MANAGER'S REPORT Joseph Krawczyk moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to approve relocating the VFW Post 1332 liquor license to Potter's Field on September 6, 2008 for their annual clambake. The motion carried unanimously. Jason Morrissey moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to take the $6,100.00 the Town paid for the design concept of the Leonard J. Black Memorial Park from the $50,000.00 Leonard J. Black Memorial Park reserve fund. Mr. Morrissey stated that the money should have come from the reserve originally and Ms. Colvin noted that it was a Board's decision to use the line item that was designated for those kinds of planning and consulting issues. The motion failed with three in favor and four opposed. Mr. Hurd circulated the Grant Agreement Resolution that states the Town has reviewed, and is in agreement with, funding 07110-IG-I-2007-Bennington-00031 for Bennington Project Independence for signatures. Ms. Colvin recused herself from signing the document. Mr. Hurd requested that a time be set to discuss the Water/Sewer Budget. The Board will meet on June 28, 2008 in the Town Office Conference Room from 9:00am to noon and Terry Morse will be in attendance. 12. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Krawczyk asked that the staff check out the trash on the River Walkway and Mr. Hurd will take care of that. Mr. Krawczyk requested that Mr. Hurd explain the appraisal letters recently received by residents in his next letter to the Banner. Mr. Hurd will do that and also encouraged citizens to come to the Town Office with any questions that they may have on this matter. Mr. Zink noted that the hedges have grown over the stop sign at Ben Mont Avenue and Main Street. Mr. Hurd will look into this. Mr. Zink thanked Joanne Erinhouse and Tim Corcoran for arranging the removal of the Town's sign plaza. Ms. Colvin stated that Dr. Brady has resigned from the Planning Commission and Letters of Interest for this position need to be into the Town Office by noon on June 19, 2008. Ms. Colvin noted that there are potholes on Upper Grandview and Coulter Streets that are unavoidable because of the narrowness of the streets. Mr. Hurd will look into this. Ms. Colvin asked if the Town has an alarm system for a severe weather alert during the night, and Mr. Hurd answered no. The police department could be warning people with their loud speakers, but with today's technology, most storms are predicted well in advance of their arrival. Ms. Colvin wished a Happy Birthday to Ms. Brush and Mr. Oldham. At 9:15 P.M., Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded the adjournment of the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary