BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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; Bill Morgan; Doug Ball and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. 1.EXECUTIVE SESSION (2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM) AT 6:30 P.M. A. INTERVIEW FOR BENNINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 2.MINUTES - NOVEMBER 24, 2008 Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of November 24, 2008 as submitted. Mr. Krawczyk asked about the donation that had appeared on the Audit Report, and Mr. Hurd answered that part of that was the senior citizen account and the balance was the Homeland Security fingerprinting machine booking system. The motion carried unanimously. 3. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on the pool mounting block installation. 4. CITIZENS None. 7. APPOINTMENT TO BENNINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD Joseph Krawczyk moved and Chris Oldham seconded to appoint Brian Campion to the Bennington Housing Authority Board. The motion carried unanimously. The Lister's Position remains open and all letters of interested should be sent to the Town Office. 8. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT - TRAFFIC CONTROL A.IMPERIAL AVENUE - NO PARKING ZONE Mr. Hurd stated that we were contacted some time ago with safety concerns because parking on both sides of the street on the easterly end of Imperial Avenue was allowed. That end of the street is narrow with a steep hill and an "S" turn at the bottom. All residents that would be impacted by only allowing parking on one side of the street were notified and all but one was in favor of the change. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to accept the following Traffic Control Ordinance amendment as presented: 10-19.01 No Parking Areas: Add "28. On the southerly side of Imperial Avenue from its intersection with Silver Street east 420', more or less." The motion carried unanimously. 5. PUBLIC HEARING - REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING - VCDP CLOSEOUT Mr. Murphy explained that the Town of Bennington received $329,340 from the State of Vermont for a Planning Grant under the Vermont Community Development Program. The Public Hearing is being held to closeout this grant and obtain the views of citizens on community development, to furnish information concerning the range of community development activities that have been undertaken under this program, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine a statement of the use of these funds. The VCDP funds received by the Town on behalf of RAHC have been used for the construction of four new affordable housing units and the rehabilitation of eight affordable housing units at 302 South Street and 343-349 School Street in Bennington, respectively. The total cost of the project was over $2M paid for from ten different funding sources. The Town has used this money for other projects in the past, such as the Mt. Anthony Union High School Student Center, the Applegate Housing Project, the Bennington Project Independence project and others. There were no citizens in attendance to comment. Mr. Krawczyk noted that the project construction was well done. Mr. Oldham is always "thrilled" to have the Town partner with organizations like RAHC, and asked for the difference between 'affordable' housing and 'low income' housing. Mr. Murphy stated that there is a complicated process to income qualify for 'affordable' housing. Ms. Brush stated the fine work that RAHC has done for our community. John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to close the Public Hearing - Regional Affordable Housing - VCDP Closeout. The motion carried unanimously. 6. BOND ALLOCATION AGREEMENT DISCUSSION - BENNINGTON COLLEGE Mr. Hurd noted that the Bond Allocation Agreement has been reviewed by Counsel. Mr. Morgan, from Bennington College, explained that the College is looking at two major construction projects - the building of the academic Center for the Advancement of Public Action and several other smaller projects, such as, renovation and improvements to five academic buildings; renovations of six student residences; dining hall improvements; roadway and parking improvements; and the construction of a storage facility - for a total of $34M. The College is issuing revenue bonds through the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) which will be bought by TD Banknorth and backed by the College through their assets and a mortgage on the College property. The bonds will not be guaranteed by the State of Vermont, VEDA, or the Town of Bennington. The request that the College has of the Town is to allocate its tax-exempt debt status for 2008 to Bennington College, a charitable organization that employs many Bennington residents, so they can receive a lower interest rate on a $10M bond offering. Mr. Ball, from TD Banknorth, added that the IRS came out with this "allocation of tax exempt status for $10M each year" to help stimulate the economy in small communities. This is a 'use it or lose it' year-to-year option that every town has. Bennington has never been approached about this, and therefore, has never done this before. Mr. Zink sees the College as a "tremendous resource to the community" and would like to see the College dedicated to the involvement of the Town as much as possible. Mr. Morgan added that they offer lectures, etc. that are open to the public, and these projects will provide work to many Bennington residents. Joseph Krawczyk moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to have the Town of Bennington allocate their 2008 tax-exempt status of $10M to Bennington College and to have the Town Manager sign the Bond Allocation Agreement, as presented, on behalf of the Town. The motion carried with Matt Maroney abstaining. 9. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd reported that the Agency of Transportation is looking for comments and concerns arising from the Hunt Street Bridge Scoping Report that they had issued. The main area of concern is how traffic will be diverted during the construction process of the three-lane bridge. Several years ago, the impacted property owners had agreed to allow access to Route 7A through their properties in front of the State Building Complex. This option has not been updated to see if they would still allow this detour. The following were Board comments: Ms. Colvin: Will the sidewalk be put back in? It is assumed so. Ms. Colvin: Will curbing be put in? Probably, but the State needs to discuss this with the property owners. The State is concerned that the present wide-open access from businesses to Hunt Street isn't safe. Ms. Colvin: Pedestrian traffic would still be in place during construction; In favor of closing the street and opening up the old road bed for access to Route 7A by the State Building Complex for construction to be completed during one season; There will still be access to all businesses during the construction process. Mr. Krawczyk: Be sure that all businesses are able to conduct business with the least amount of disruption. Mr. Krawczyk: What would be the most direct route for emergency vehicles during the bridge closure? Depot Street would be the most direct, and they would still have the option to use the short detour back onto Ben Mont Avenue, if they so chose. Ms. Brush: Is the construction of the detour - including the light - the responsibility of the State? Yes, the Town only has a 5% contribution to this project. Ms. Brush: In favor of the closure of the street with the detour to Route 7A to expedite construction and minimize expense. Mr. Morrissey: In favor of the closure of the street but would like current input from the impacted property/business owners. Mr. Maroney: Even though we theoretically have other options, the closure of the street really is the only viable one, in the eyes of the State, and the one that we need to go with to avoid having the project be put farther down on the list. Mr. Zink: In favor of the closure of the street but feels that it is imperative to inform all impacted property/business owners and have the State available to answer any technical questions that may be asked. Mr. Zink: Suggested that the traffic light be utilized elsewhere in Town after the project has been completed. Mr. Hurd will forward the AOT the Board's comments. 10. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Oldham asked if the speed limit had been changed on the North Bennington Road yet, and Mr. Hurd answered that, once the signs are up, it will take affect. Mr. Krawczyk asked about the status of the tennis facility, and Mr. Hurd answered that they have had their preliminary meeting with the DRB. After the next DRB meeting, they will obtain their permits and put together a cost analysis for going forward with the project in the spring, as well as, an agreement with the Town. Mr. Krawczyk asked about the old Middle School, and Mr. Hurd responded that Congress Companies has paid all back taxes and penalties. The building is now in compliance with the court ordered minimum requirements and the Act 250 extensions are in progress. Ms. Colvin reminded everyone that there will be a Community Forum at the Mt. Anthony Union Middle School on December 10, 2008 and suggested that Board members attend. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (IF NECESSARY) An Executive Session was not necessary. At 7:42 P.M., John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded the adjournment of the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively, Secretary