BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY
130 RIVER STREET
BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2008

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Sharyn Brush; Joseph Krawczyk; Matt Maroney; Chris Oldham and Jason Morrissey.

ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Economic & Community Development Director; Steve Love and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary.

At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order.

1.MINUTES - NOVEMBER 10, 2008
   	Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to approve the Minutes of November 10, 2008 as submitted.  The motion carried unanimously.
	
2. WARRANTS
	The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on impound rent, propane, State of Vermont Hunt Street Bridge Project, school taxes and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.             

3. CITIZENS
	None.

4. AUDIT PRESENTATION - FY08
	Mr. Love reviewed the audited Financial Statements and Schedules as of June 30, 2008 with the Board and the following highlights:
* The financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the government activities, the business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the Town of Bennington, Vermont, as of June 30, 2008 and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows, where applicable, thereof for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
* Total assets and liabilities and net assets for Governmental Activities was $24,070,081.  Total assets and liabilities and net assets for Business-type Activities was $14,814,025 for an overall total of $38,884,106.
* There was an overall decrease in net assets of ($1,579,462).
* Delinquent taxes receivable were $1,000,524.
* Total revenues were $10,119,345 and total expenses were $9,870,505 for an excess of $328,840 for the year.
* The operating loss of ($468,094) for Business-type Activities-Enterprise Funds is primarily due to Depreciation expense of $1,142,883 with most of that from the Sewer Fund amount of $721,358.
* Due to/due from transfers of $50,000 from both the Water Fund and Sewer Fund, respectively, go into the General Fund to cover administrative costs.
* Cash balance as of June 30, 2008 was $2,133,958.
* Overall budget/actual variance was a favorable $300,089.
* The overall financial condition of the Town improved for the sixth year in a row.

Ms. Colvin extended kudos to Mr. Hurd and town staff for bringing FY08 in $300,000 under budget.

5. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
    A.HOUSING AUTHORITY
    B.LISTERS
	Ms. Colvin announced that there has been a letter of interest for the Housing Authority position and the Board will set up an interview with that person in the near future.  All other letters of interest for either position must be into the Town Office by December 3, 2008.

6. MANAGER'S REPORT
	Mr. Hurd announced that the Vermont Agency of Transportation will be increasing the speed limit on Route 67A to 40mph from 35mph along the papermill section.
	Mr. Hurd reported that the Town's payment in lieu of tax payments for forestlands to the Department of the Interior will be increased by $1,100.
	Mr. Hurd reported that New Hampshire and Massachusetts are raising their interstate weight limits from 80,000 lbs to 90,000 lbs.  The attached resolution asks Congress to revise the federal weight limit for Vermont interstate highways.  Although Bennington is not impacted in the same way our neighbors on the easterly side of the state are, it is important to all of us that we protect the local highways to the extent we can, especially when the State is contemplating reducing local highway funds.
	Jason Morrissey moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to adopt the Resolution Calling Upon the United States Congress to Increase Weight Limits on Interstate Highways in Vermont amended as follows and have the Chair sign on behalf of the Board:
		Line 1 - change "two" to "four"
The motion carried unanimously.

	Mr. Hurd circulated the Certificate - No Appeal or Suit Pending - 2006 Grand List and the Certificate - No Appeal or Suit Pending - 2007 Grand List for signatures.
	Mr. Hurd noted that a comparison of the 2006 and 2007 (current design) of the Route 279 systems interchange for the Welcome Center only varies by the addition of one left turn lane.  Congressman Welch is setting up a meeting for all interested parties - FHA, VTRANS, Select Board, Chamber of Commerce and others here in Bennington - to find a solution to this problem.
	Mr. Hurd circulated a Verizon pole permit for pole replacement with the added stipulation that the old poles be removed for signatures.

7. OTHER BUSINESS
	Mr. Maroney asked about the 5% to 6% tax delinquencies, and Mr. Hurd answered that these percentages will drop significantly within the next few months.  Given the tough economic times, Mr. Hurd was surprised that collections had gone so well.
	Ms. Brush wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    A.CONTRACT
    B.PERSONNEL
	At 7:50 P.M., Chris Oldham moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss a Contract and Personnel.  The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Lively
Secretary