() () 1 BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING 2 BENNINGTON TOWN OFFICES -CONFERENCE ROOM 205 SOUTH STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 5 6 MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 7 8 MINUTES 9 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; John Zink-Vice Chair; Sharyn Brush; 11 Joseph Krawczyk; Matt Maroney; Jason Morrissey; and Chris Oldham. 12 13 ALSO PRESENT: Larry McLeod, Acting Town Manager; Michele Johnson, Human Resources & 14 Contracts Administrator; Timothy Corcoran, Town Clerk; Kevin Goodhue, Building Inspector; 15 Patrick Kinney, Highway Division Working Foreman; Dan Monks, Permitting, Planning & Code 16 Enforcement Director; Scott Murphy, Economic & Community Development Director; 17 John Waner, Bennington Banner Reporter; Anita Bellin; Rebecca Lefebvre and Nancy White. 18 19 At 5:35 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 21 1. MINUTES -FEBRUARY 23, 2009 22 Jason Morrissey moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes ofFebruary 23, 2009 23 as submitted. The motion carried. 24 2) 2. WARRANTS 2, ) The warrants were circulated for signatures. 27 28 3. CITIZENS 29 Nancy White discussed her concerns that Maple Street is deteriorating. She explained that years ago the street was comprised of single family dwellings. Many have since been tumed into multi-family 31 units and many do not offer parking. Residents are parking cars on the lawns and sidewalk. There is very 32 little green space left that isn't damaged by vehicles. She does not feel the Zoning and Police 33 Departments are enforcing local ordinances. She is concerned about the neighborhood's character. She 34 explained that the Select Board has been approached over the years and that the local officials have been 35 called several times and are aware ofthe issues. She wondered what or when the Select Board or officials 36 will deal with the issues. Pat Kinney explained that the street is narrow. He suggested that the Board 37 could consider changing the Traffic Control Ordinance to designate the traffic on Maple Street as one38 way. Joe Krawczyk questioned ifone direction was better than the other? Pat Kinney confirmed for 39 Lodie Colvin that there are no improvements scheduled within the current budget. He will put together an estimated cost of constructing a sidewalk on the West side. Tim Corcoran explained that he remembered 41 dealing with these issues when he was on the Select Board. He explained that a one-way street will be an 42 inconvenience to those people that live on the street. Nancy White finished up by asking the Select Board 43 ifthey could just follow-up on the zoning law and parking ticket enforcement for Maple Street. Larry 44 McLeod will follow-up with the proper departments. 45 46 Anita Bellin discussed her concerns regarding a recent comment she read as quoted by Stuart Hurd 47 about the Tennis Bubble. She knows public recreation needs to be fun; however, she wants it to be safe. 4( ) Larry McLeod discussed the issue being that the proposed fabric for the bubble does not meet code. It is 49' not non-combustible; but is flame resistant. Larry explained that the Town is working with the Architect, Tim Smith to apply to the State ofVerrnont for a variance. The Town Manager has developed a letter on 51 behalf ofthe Select Board with full support. 52 Once the proper safety issues are addressed and in place the State may approve the variance and the 53 project can move forward. Anita Bellin voiced her other concerns. She suggested that the Select Board 5ro) form a Recreation Committee or group to work on creating additional recreation for the youth in the 5':, community. Joe Krawczyk gave a quick summary ofthe projects and budget allocations dedicated to _5600 [~cr~ationwithin the cOillill\lnity. He explained that recreation is and has been a top priority for the Select ° 57 Board. Anita Bellin finished up by inquiring about a broken heater in the hallway at the Recreation 58 Center and sharing her concerns about it. Larry McLeod explained that the heater was replaced within the 59 last few weeks. 60 61 4. 2009 LIOUOR AND TOBACCO LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATrONS 62 The following 2009 Liquor License Renewal Applications were circulated for signatures: 63 1. CVS Pharmacy #337 64 2. Eagles, Fraternal Order of, Aerie #1861 65 3. Fleming Oil Company, Inc. 66 4. Moose, Loyal Order of Lodge #1233 67 5. River Street Variety 68 69 The following 2009 Tobacco License Renewal Applications were circulated for signatures: 70 1. CVS Pharmacy #337 71 2. Fleming Oil Company, Inc. 72 3. Paulin Inc. 73. 4. Powers Market 74 5. River Street Variety 75 7f \ 5. MANAGER'S REPORT (IF ANY) 7\ J None 78 79 6. OTHER BUSINESS 80 Pat Kinney discussed the recent rains and mud conditions that are existing on dirt roads 81 throughout the community. He gave a brief update on Mt. Anthony Road, Harrington Road and Rocky 82 Lane. He explained that residents are calling with concerns. The Highway crews and Police Department 83 are responding accordingly. 84 85 Matt Maroney asked Pat if the Stop Sign on the comer of Elm Street and Dewey could be re86 positioned. Matt was concerned that drivers were not seeing the sign until they move into the 87 intersection. Pat Kinney will look into it and suggested he ~ay put a blinking light over it. 88 89 Joe Krawczyk commented that he had recently seen the speed cart on Dewey Street and the police 90 presence on Benmont Avenue and thought both were great. He is concerned with the speeding near the 91 Smoker's Den area and would like it to be looked into. 92 93 Joe Krawczyk commented that the Town appears to be on track with the budget after reviewing 94 therecentFinancialReports. HecomplimentedtheBoardandStaff oftheTown asthesearedifficult 95 times and he was pleased with the efforts of all involved with regard to working on budgets and keeping 96 the tax rate level for the citizens of Bennington. The recent vote showed the support. 97 98 Joe Krawczyk read a recently published column from the Bennington Banner that was written by 9( ) Laura Block. He discussed concerns he had with the column and may respond with a letter. John Zink 100 spoke to reiterate Joe's comments and said he shared the same concerns. Lodie Colvin reminded all that 101 the column is written by an individual and not a board. 102 ." 103 Chris Oldham asked Larry McLeod ifthe Town is working to restore broken or damaged 104 playground equipment at Willow Park? He also had a concern regarding the bathrooms at upper Willow lOr) Park being open. Larry responded yes. Town staff will be reviewing the equipment and safety checklists 10'L . in the near future as the park will soon be re-opening for the season. Any necessary repairs will be done. 107 .Larry wasnot aWi\re that the bat1Jrooms are open and will look into it. 108 109 Chris Oldham announced that the Second Congregational Church is hosting a meeting with the 110 Department ofCorrections regarding a program similar to the one that BROC is interested in. The III meeting will be on Sunday, March 22, 2009. Chris was not certain of the time; however, other members 112 present said it was at noon after the Sunday service. 113 114 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION 115 A.CONTRACT 116 At 6:10 P.M., John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to 117 discuss a Contract Issue. The motion carried unanimously. 118 119 Respectfully submitted, 120 Michele M. Johnson 121 122 ()