BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Joseph Krawczyk; Matt Maroney; Chris Oldham and Jason Morrissey. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Economic & Community Development Director and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 Chris Oldham moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to approve the Minutes of September 8, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered the Board question on the BCRC Planning Grant. 3. CITIZENS None. 4. PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION GRANT APPLICATION (ROARING BRANCH RIVER) Mr. Hurd explained that this is a grant application for federal dollars ($80,000 to $200,000) passed through the State that will give us the opportunity to repair the bank that slid down into the river east of the Park Street Bridge. If we are awarded the grant, the Agency of Natural Resources will contribute the required 25% local match. ANR will supervise the project. Joseph Krawczyk moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to submit the Letter of Intent, as long as, it is clear that the Agency of Natural Resources is responsible for the 25% local match, and not the Town. The motion carried unanimously. 5. DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION FUND GRANT (PLANTERS AND SIGNAGE) Mr. Murphy stated that this is a grant application to the Downtown Transportation Improvement Fund to assist with funding for the Downtown Planters and Streetsign Improvement Project. The project involves replacing the standard streetsigns with historic-style streetsigns at the Four Corners, placing eight heavy-duty planters at the Four Corners in conjunction with Bennington in Bloom and adding three small Valley Forge elm trees to the East Pleasant Street municipal parking lot. The grant will pay 50% of eligible project costs estimated at $10,000 with the Town's 50% share of $5,000 to come from the FY09 budget. Chris Oldham moved and Lodie Colvin seconded to authorize the submittal of a grant application to the Downtown Transportation Improvement Fund to assist with funding for the Downtown Planters and Streetsign Improvement Project. The motion failed with Chris Oldham and Lodie Colvin in favor and Matt Maroney, Jason Morrissey and Joseph Krawczyk opposed. Mr. Morrissey was concerned that the project costs would exceed $10,000 and Ms. Colvin noted that, if we are successful in receiving the grant, we have two years to use it, or can refuse it altogether. Matt Maroney moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to authorize the submittal of a grant application to the Downtown Transportation Improvement Fund to assist with funding for the Downtown Planters and Streetsign Improvement Project pending Board approval of the actual spending of the grant, if awarded. Mr. Krawczyk noted how attractive the Downtown already is, and with the price of gas and home heating fuel, that we would be sending the wrong signals to the residents, as well as, the State if we approve spending money for decorative purposes. He also doesn't feel the dollars will be available at the State level anyway. The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk opposed. 6. AMENDMENT TO THE BENNINGTON REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM (BRLP) Mr. Murphy explained that we currently have a maximum lending limit of $25,000 per project through our Revolving Loan Funds for improvements to properties owned by one individual or entity. We do not, however, have a limit for an individual's aggregate amount, and Mr. Murphy recommends that the Select Board set a limit for the total amount lent to an individual or entity at $50,000. This would only apply to individuals (or married couples) and not to non-profit entities. Joseph Krawczyk moved and Chris Oldham seconded to limit the Revolving Loan Funds to a cumulative maximum of $50,000 to individuals or married couples. Mr. Morrissey stated that this may be too limiting in cases where the risk to the Town is minimal. Mr. Murphy added that the Fund presently is at $400,000 and questioned whether or not the Town would want to loan more than 1/8 of the Fund to one person. Mr. Maroney noted that this is just a guideline, and if an exceptional case presents itself, the Board can still grant the loan. The motion carried unanimously. 7. LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION The Liquor License Application for RT Ryan's was circulated for signatures. 8. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd reported that hydrant flushing will take place October 13-17, 2008 and October 20-24, 2008. Mr. Hurd reported that T.J. Carmody's has a sewer problem and Main Street will be closed September 22 and 23, 2008 from the Four Corners to Valentine Street from 10:00pm to 6:00am. All traffic redirection will be at T.J. Carmody's expense. Mr. Hurd reported that Bennington has received the Growth Center designation, as long as, we adopt a Capital Plan. Mr. Hurd distributed a map to the Board showing the Old Corkscrew Railroad right-of-way that runs from Dewey Street north of Elm Street across the top of Harrison Avenue to the boundary of the Jennings Brook Condominium Development. George Hadwen owns this property and would like to donate it to the Town. This would provide a place for a turn around for the Town at the end of Harrison Avenue instead of using private driveways. Jason Morrissey moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to accept the George Hadwen gift of land as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Krawczyk congratulated everyone involved in obtaining the Growth Center designation. Mr. Krawczyk requested that the Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) Program be researched, and Mr. Hurd stated that this has been checked out in the past and the criterion has not been applicable. However, it may be a consideration in the future. Mr. Krawczyk congratulated everyone involved in the success of the Bennington Car Show. Mr. Krawczyk also congratulated Mr. Hurd for being awarded Municipal Person of the Year and Rick Hube from Londonderry for being awarded Legislator of the Year. Mr. Krawczyk asked if there are any projects that will not be completed before winter, and Mr. Hurd answered that we have been conservative this year with all projects to be completed before winter. Mr. Krawczyk noted that the School Resource Officer is half funded by a three year grant to the Town and half funded by the school. Mr. Hurd stated that the grant will end this year and the school will be hiring private security in the future. Mr. Oldham requested police presence at the Brookside Apartments to help minimize the vandalism problem that is occurring there. Mr. Hurd will advise the police of this. Mr. Oldham reminded everyone that applications for fuel assistance thru BROC are still being accepted. Mr. Maroney would like to extend the school speed limits at School Street between Gage Street and County Street, and Mr. Hurd will look into what the school zone rules are. At 8:00 P.M., Chris Oldham moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded the adjournment of the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary