BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Sharyn Brush-Vice Chair; Jason Morrissey; Chris Oldham; Joseph Krawczyk; John Zink and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Dan Monks-Planning Director; Scott Murphy-Director of Economic and Community Development; Donna Baker-Green Mountain Community Network Executive Director; John Trevor-Architect; Mary Myers; Chris Murphy; Alicia Holden; Mike Devens; Doris LeBlanc; Sam Restino and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - JULY 13, 2009 Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of July 13, 2009 as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered questions on flood plain restoration, agency disbursements, tennis court touchup and custom crushing. 3. CITIZENS Mary Myers noted that the residents of Dewey Street just found out a few days ago that the sidewalk on the west side of Dewey Street was not going to be replaced. She indicated the non-stop high-speed traffic that travels Dewey Street on their way to the hospital and stressed the safety issues this would raise for all pedestrians, especially children catching the school bus. Mr. Hurd stated that the sidewalk is narrow, difficult to maintain, costly to replace (an additional $15,000 to $20,000), would require taking additional property to replace, the topography and poles make it a "logistic nightmare" and it "doesn't go anywhere". If there is enough room on the street, perhaps a striped bike lane or pedestrian lane could be established. Mr. Hurd agreed that the residents should have been notified prior to the onset of construction, unfortunately, they were not. Chris Murphy wondered if the lack of sidewalk would decrease any of their property values, if a safety study had been done and why this hadn't been discussed earlier. Alicia Holden reiterated the safety issues and the multiple ambulances that travel the street. Mr. Hurd added that the Town takes the private property to the curb line, a safety study has not been done, and doubts that this will affect property values. His main concern is that, with or without a sidewalk, the children are crossing a very busy street anywhere along the street and not going to the signalized crosswalk area. Board comments were as follows: Mr. Krawczyk: Sidewalks create a boundary on a busy street and should run on the west side of Dewey Street all the way to the hospital. We are supposed to be encouraging people to walk and we need to take another look at this project. Mr. Maroney: Perhaps a blacktop sidewalk should be looked at to satisfy the desire of replacing the sidewalk, as well as, being as fiscally conscientious as we can be. Mr. Zink: We need to take another look at the project because there is a lot of foot traffic on Dewey Street with the daycares, United Counseling and the hospital, as well as, "dozens of ambulances" each day and the importance of encouraging people to walk. Mr. Morrissey: Perhaps we could add a crosswalk at Grant Street and/or extend the sidewalk to Elm Street. The consensus of the Board was to hopefully replace the existing sidewalk on the west side of Dewey Street and to have Mr. Hurd research the cost/possibility of extending the sidewalk to Elm Street. Doris LeBlanc asked the Board's permission to participate in the "Largest White Dove Release the World Has Ever Seen" on September 11, 2009 at noon from the Gazebo at the Veteran's Home as a memorial tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 9/11 attacks. The Board agrees that this is an excellent idea, however, permission needs to come from the Veteran's Home. Sam Restino asked if the intersection by Henry's Market could be improved by a better control of the parking and noted the high grass on many of the properties that are for sale around town. Mr. Hurd answered that parking is not allowed within 30' of a traffic light and we will send a police officer there to see if the 'No Parking From Here to Corner" sign is still there. Mr. Hurd, on behalf of Mike Bethel who was unable to attend tonight's meeting, asked if the Board was considering the organization of a public forum on community issues. Ms. Colvin responded that the Board is not going forward with this. 4. GREEN MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY NETWORK TRANSIT CENTER EARMARK PLAN ACCEPTANCE Ms. Brush recused herself from this agenda item. Ms. Colvin stated that the only concern that had been voiced pertained to the Yankee Trails bus. Mr. Hurd confirmed that Yankee Trails presently picks up and drops off passengers at the corner of Main and School Streets. The Transit Center would merely allow them to be off the street to load and unload while exiting through the parking lot. Joseph Krawczyk moved and Chris Oldham seconded to allow the Green Mountain Community Network to apply for the earmark of $328,300 to be used for the planning and construction of a multi mobile transit center at their location on 215 Pleasant Street. Mr. Maroney assumed that the bus stop and taxi stand need to be part of the project, and Mr. Hurd stated that transit centers that address all forms of transportation should be looked at more favorably than those that do not. Parking garages are not an acceptable use of the funding. Mr. Morrissey reiterated that there is no direct cost to the Town for the project. The motion carried unanimously. 5. HUNT STREET BRIDGE PROJECT PLAN ACCEPTANCE Mike Devens suggested that the detour during the Hunt Street Bridge construction be the reopening of the Hunt Street extension. His primary concerns were that the detour proposed by the State would isolate the businesses on Hunt Street and create an excessive amount of traffic on Ben Mont Avenue. It would be his preference to have one lane remain open during construction instead of totally closing the bridge with a detour. Ms. Colvin stated that the State was concerned with the obtaining of a right-of-way to pursue this idea and felt that it was cost prohibitive, if possible at all. Some Board members, however, still believe that it is a viable solution. Mr. Devens felt that the three affected property owners may consider donating the construction easements in order to minimize the impact on their businesses. Mr. Hurd will be meeting with them next week. Mr. Restino added that he has expressed his opinions on the project to the State. It was the consensus of the Board to not make any decision on the Hunt Street Bridge Project this evening. 6. PROPOSED SIGN ORDINANCE SUBMISSION Mr. Monks submitted a revised Sign Ordinance proposal as developed by the Planning Commission. He also asked that the Board schedule a time for the Planning Commission to do a power point presentation that visually illustrates the proposed Sign Ordinance provisions. Ms. Colvin noted the following changes: Page 5, C.2.(a), Line 3 - change "six to eight" to "eight to six". Page 8, F., Line 4 - change "replaced an" to "replaced and". Mr. Monks added that businesses with non-conforming signs have five years after notification to become compliant. Mr. Morrissey stated that businesses with two entrances should have signs at each entrance. Mr. Krawczyk asked if the proposed ordinance is in compliance with the State statutes, and Mr. Monks answered that it is. The Planning Commission power point presentation will be an agenda item at an upcoming Board meeting. 7. BENNINGTON MICROLOAN PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. Murphy announced that the Town of Bennington has created a new revolving loan fund called the Bennington Microloan Program designed to help Bennington residents or area entrepreneurs obtain a loan to open a new business or expand a current one. Under the terms of the microloan program, applicants must first be turned down by a bank or other financing source and the fund encourages applicants who are considered low to moderate income. The interest rate is below market and the term will depend on the size of the loan. The fund has a current balance of slightly less than $200,000 and is expected to lend up to $10,000 for general business purposes including the purchase of inventory, equipment, signs, furnishings, fixtures, machinery, or real estate, as well as, ADA improvements, code violation corrections, energy conservation measures, and working capital. 8. APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS - HOUSING AUTHORITY Ms. Colvin stated that the Board had not received any letters of interest for this position. Any interested individuals need to send their letter of interest to the Town Manager by August 5, 2009. 9. MANAGER'S REPORT John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to authorize the Chair to sign for the purchase of the license for the use of the Marshall and Swift Cost Tables. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd submitted the rail service support letter that he had drafted for the Board's approval. Mr. Morrissey feels that the letter should contain language to address the future safety issues, cost issues, police issues, and the overall impact the rail service will have on the Village of North Bennington. Also, there should be some mention of the spur, as well. Mr. Hurd will rewrite the letter and bring it back to the Board for approval. Mr. Hurd reported that the BCRC is applying for a Transportation Enhancement Grant to create a Vermont Byway for the Route 7A corridor between Bennington and Manchester similar to the Molly Stark Byway that was created on Route 9. They are asking for the Board's support. Mr. Krawczyk noted that this stretch of road already has dedicated names and objects to changing those to the 'Vermont Byway'. Mr. Maroney feels that this is a waste of money and Mr. Hurd stated that he believes that the BCRC is just seeking to recognize this historic road. This will be on a future agenda after Mr. Hurd has obtained clarification concerning any name changes. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution that authorizes the Town Manager to finalize the financing for a new sidewalk tractor and loader with Municipal Leasing Consultants of Grand Isle, Vermont at a rate of 4.07% which is fixed until August 18, 2009. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd reported that all of the Funds for FY09 finished in the black except the Highway Fund (which would have had the State not withheld $7,500 from the January payment) and the Sewer Fund (when depreciation was added to the positive bottom line). "The Town remains in a strong financial position." 10. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Maroney noted that McDonald/Secor has begun work on the Police Department steps and asked if they would come in within budget. Mr. Hurd answered that they didn't anticipate any add ons and may even be under budget. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.CONTRACT B.REAL ESTATE At 8:55 P.M., Chris Oldham moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss a Contract and Real Estate. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary