SELECT BOARD
                            MINUTES
                        January 10, 2009
Present:  Sharyn Brush, Jason Morrissey, Chris Oldham, Matt Maroney, John Zink, Joe Krawczyk, and Lodie Colvin
Also present: Stuart Hurd, Town Manager, Richard Gauthier, Police Chief, Brian Billert, Tyler Hollister and Steve Crawford, Fire Chiefs, BFD, Pat Kinney, Highway Supt., and Neal Goswami, Bennington Banner
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am. The business to be conducted was to hear the Police, Fire and Highway budgets.
J. Morrissey stated that compared to the schools and other Towns which are cutting budgets, this budget seeks a 3.38% raise. He could not support this budget at this time..J. Krawczyk would be looking to hear if there were items or projects or purchases that could be postponed. J. Zink encouraged the Board to avoid putting off expenses only to find these costs higher in the future.
Police
Overtime costs, up 28%, were discussed. The Chief indicated that the Board initially reduced overtime by $20,000 two years ago when it created a new position. We are proposing to freeze that position and therefore, we must increase our anticipated short staff and court overtime. There is no cushion for unforeseen emergencies here. It is based on past experience and patterns. The Chief explained the difficulty in finding qualified applicants. J. Zink objected to the freeze unless it was for only one year and, if a qualified candidate is found, the Board allow the Chief and Manager to "unfreeze" the position. No action was taken.
Liability and Workers Comp insurance lines are both up significantly. S. Hurd explained that this is a direct result of Police Professional Liability cost increases and our injury experience in Workers Comp. These costs are provided by our insurer just before the budget is finalized. Fewer injuries may have a positive impact as well as fewer incidents State-wide which conclude in lawsuits and damage awards. 
Next the Board discussed the planned vehicle purchases. S. Hurd indicated that a new budget page had been handed out for each member. An attractive lease opportunity had been found and that he and the Chief were recommending leasing two 4 WD Tahoes at $15,260 annually for 4 years. This would eliminate the cruiser purchase at $23,000. The Chief also highlighted the use of the Carbone Toyota Sequoia, now altered from a K-9 unit to a Special Response Team unit. It would be driven only for training and as a response vehicle. Currently, an officer must use his private vehicle. J. Morrissey suggested that repair costs could be cut if the Tahoes hold up much better than the cruisers. The Chief agreed that a $2,000 cut would be acceptable.
J. Krawczyk asked if $30,000 in cuts could be found. The Chef and the Manager indicated they would review the proposal and see what could be found. They would look at uniform costs, fuel costs and overtime costs. The Chief would continue to seek grants to help fund new initiatives.
The Chief then circulated a Community Operations Plan which specifies the chain of command among Select Board members in case of emergencies. Each Board member signed where appropriate.
Fire 
The Fire Fund was next. In line 4580.230, Chief Brian Billert asked to include an additional $2,000 for two back-up cameras for the Ladder Truck and the Equipment truck. His original request was for 5 cameras, but it had been cut. He felt two were essential this year. By consensus, the Board agreed after discussion.
After additional discussion, in which Board members noted their thanks to the Chiefs for presenting a reduced budget, the Manager raised the question of the proposed cut in Battle Day expenses to $10,000. Discussion centered on the opportunities for sponsorships. It was noted that in 2009, Bennington will host the annual Fire Convention. Board members wrestled with the proposed $5,000 cut and eventually, on a motion by J. Krawczyk, seconded by J. Zink, the Board voted unanimously to support the $10,000 in the budget and, if the additional $5,000 can not be raised, make up the difference from the General Fund Contingency.
B. Billert then asked if $1,000 for fire fighting tags could be replaced in the budget. This is a safety issue. R. Gauthier indicated that he had hoped to find a source for these tags free of charge. He could not. There exists $2,035 in Donation Reserves that could be used for this purpose. On a motion by J. Morrissey, seconded by S. Brush, the Board voted unanimously to commit the $1,000 from the Reserves. It could be used now to make the purchase. J. Krawczyk then pledged to raise $1,000 for the parade by himself. J. Zink thought that he, too, could help and would see the Fire Chiefs after the meeting.
Highway
The Highway Fund budget was next. It was noted, with thanks, that it is up only 0.15% . Discussion began on the need to replace the Dodge pickup. A 2001, it is suffering from rust and increasing repair costs ($3,500 this year)
 J. Morrissey questioned 5170.560, Other Purchased Services at $15,000. The Manager explained that the funds were to cover consultant costs for the new facility. After discussion, the Manager agreed to reduce this line by $10,000 for necessary survey and pre-engineering evaluations only. The Board then discussed and clarified questions on the Downtown funding and the Enhancement project expenditures for Union Street. M Maroney noted that the sand in use this year was of poorer quality, too moist. P. Kinney agreed and indicated he was seeking to replace quantities at no cost to the Town. Current plowing and sanding procedures were discussed as was the comparative costs of contracting out versus construction with our staff.
J. Zink asked if the Town had "shovel ready" projects if a stimulus plan is developed at the federal level. J. Krawczyk indicated that the State was focusing its efforts on bridges. The Manager indicated a list had been generated earlier for the BCRC. It will be updated and provided to the Board, our legislative delegation, and others. This concluded the Highway Fund.
In other business, the Chair noted the invitation from North Bennington to its Trustee meeting to hear a presentation on the Norshaft Park efforts. She noted they may be looking for an early release of the $10,000 the Board earlier made contingent for July 1, 2009. Board will listen and gather information.
The Chair indicated that a January 16, 2009 Executive Session will be held at 4 pm for a legal matter. The location will be set later.
For the January 17th budget session, the Board will consider all other budgets and the Bennington Free Library, the McCullough Library, and the North Bennington Trustees recreation request. After discussion the Board would indicate to the three entities that they intended to level fund the requests. 
The meeting was adjourned at 12.02 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart A. Hurd