BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; John Zink-Vice-Chair; Sharyn Brush; Joseph Krawczyk; Matt Maroney; Chris Oldham and Jason Morrissey. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Economic & Community Development Director; Joanne Erinhouse; Mike Bethel and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - OCTOBER 13, 2008 MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 2008 Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of October 13, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. Sharyn Brush moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to approve the Minutes of October 27, 2008 as submitted. The motion carried with Matt Maroney abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on the paving projects, fireworks and garage replacement windows. 3. CITIZENS Mr. Bethel encouraged the Select Board to be actively involved with the Bennington School District's plan for a $50M bond for a new elementary school. 4. VERMONT DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION GRANT ACCEPTANCE Mr. Murphy stated that, at the September 22, 2008 Select Board meeting, the Board agreed to tentatively approve the application for a Downtown Transportation Grant with the understanding that final Board approval would be required. We were successful in being awarded the grant for $5,157 - out of a total cost of $10,315 - for the purchase and placement of eight heavy-duty, all-steel planters in the Downtown Four Corners area, twenty six historic-style streetsigns at the intersections in and around the Four Corners and three 'Valley Forge' elm trees for the municipal lot on East Pleasant Street. The Town's share will come from funds budgeted in the Highway Budget with no new money needed. Also, the Better Bennington Corporation will be donating one of the planters ($600) and we have two years to use the grant dollars. We have received many accolades from thousands of tourists on the appearance of our downtown and this project will further enhance the look. Mr. Maroney pointed out that we have yet to hear from the State on our paving dollars, many people will not be able to pay their real estate taxes and our winter weather is an unknown. Mr. Morrissey concurred and added that we can always give the money back. Mr. Zink understands the financial hardships but feels that it is very important to maintain and enhance the appearance of the Downtown. Mr. Oldham agreed and is in favor of accepting this, and all, grants when available. Mr. Hurd recommended that the Board accept the grant and wait until spring or the next fiscal year before using it. Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to accept the Vermont Downtown Transportation Improvement Fund grant in the amount of $5,157.00 for the Downtown Planters and Streetsign Improvement Project as presented and review the Town's funding status in late winter or early spring to see if the Town's 50% share of $5,158.00 should come from the FY09 budget, the FY10 budget or not at all. The motion carried unanimously. 5. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS A.HOUSING AUTHORITY B.LISTERS There have been no applicants for either the Housing Authority or Listers' position at this time. All Letters of Interest must be into the Town Office by November 19, 2008. 6. MANAGER'S REPORT Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to extend the School Zone on Park Street from Gage Street to County Street. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd reported that several years ago the Town and the State of Vermont went through a waiver process on the design of an interchange that would access the Welcome Center in the middle of the cloverleaf. We were successful at that time, however, the Federal Highway Administration had concerns about the design that was being approved because there were so many on and off ramps from several different directions. Now, the redesign of the cloverleaf and access to the Welcome Center excludes an access from Route 7 south. The goal of the Chamber of Commerce was to be able to operate only one Welcome Center and this decision would force them to maintain two. Board comments were that this is a "big surprise", a "disservice to Bennington" and "a slap in the face to us as a community". Mr. Krawczyk suggested, and Ms. Erinhouse agreed, to invite Congressman Welch and VTRANS to Bennington and "get our elected officials working on this". It was the consensus of the Board to have Mr. Hurd draft a letter to Congressman Welch, signed by all of the Board members, to come to Bennington and discuss the elimination of the southern access to the Welcome Center. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Oldham asked about the status of the sidewalk between Applegate and Willowbrook, and Mr. Hurd answered that it will be part of the Pathway Project after the rail situation gets straightened out. However, it won't actually happen for two more years. Mr. Maroney asked if there was a total cost of all of the stamped crosswalks, and Mr. Hurd did not have that information with him. The finished product does last longer than the painted sidewalk but the overall costs were higher than anticipated. Mr. Krawczyk congratulated Tim Corcoran and all of the other volunteers that worked the polls on Election Day. Ms. Brush reminded everyone that the winter parking ban will start on November 15, 2008. Mr. Zink reminded everyone to take a moment to remember our veterans on Veteran's Day. Ms. Colvin asked about the status of the park, pocket parks and open space planning, and Mr. Murphy didn't know. Ms. Colvin asked about the wheelchair safety issue in the roadways, and Mr. Hurd did not have an answer at this time. All operators of the motorized scooters are encouraged to use the orange flags for visibility and to use common sense while in operation. Ms. Colvin feels that making a "T" intersection at Gypsy Lane and the Walloomsac Road would make that intersection safer, and Mr. Hurd stated that that would require road construction and a redesign of the intersection. He will take a look at it. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.CONTRACTS (4) At 7:55 P.M., John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Contracts. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary