BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Sharyn Brush-Vice Chair; Jason Morrissey; Joseph Krawczyk; John Zink and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Jim Harris-Agency of Transportation Project Manager/Bennington Bypass; Mike Devens; Keith Martin; Frank Trembley; Bill Scully; Patrick McCardle; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - JULY 27, 2009 Sharyn Brush moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to approve the Minutes of July 27, 2009 amended as follows: Line 54 - Change "and/or extend" to "do not extend". Line 114 - Change "have signs" to "have the option of signs". Line 142 - Delete. Line 142 - Add "Also, the spur should be a focus point, if not the priority, of this project.". The motion carried unanimously. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered questions on the Battle Day funds and the five nights of lodging at the Radisson. 3. CITIZENS None. 4. JIM HARRIS, STATE OF VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION, STIMULUS FUNDS - LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR BYPASS SYSTEM INTERCHANGE Mr. Harris updated the Board on the Bypass noting that four of the five contracts were in place with the most recent one being to construct the bridges over the Roaring Branch and the intersection with Route 9. The final contract will be submitted this winter for construction to begin in April 2010 for completion in the fall of 2011. In addition, the Agency of Transportation will accommodate the planned Welcome Center by constructing the ramps into and out of the Welcome Center, as well as, placement of the conduits that will allow electrical service to the Center. Mr. Harris explained that the AOT is applying for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant as part of the American Reinvestment Recovery Act (ARRA) stimulus funding to pay for the last Bypass contract and the Welcome Center ramps. A letter of support from the Select Board to accompany the application was requested. Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to authorize the Chair to sign the Letter of Support for the Bypass and Welcome Center Project as submitted by the Agency of Transportation to accompany the TIGER Discretionary Grant Application. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Brush asked, if we are awarded this grant, will the funds previously intended for this project remain in our area, and Mr. Harris doesn't know that the State has made any decision on that yet. 5. HUNT STREET BRIDGE PROJECT PLAN ACCEPTANCE Mr. Hurd stated that Keith Martin, a business owner by the Hunt Street Bridge, had indicated to him that the businesses to be impacted by the suggested detour during the bridge construction would prefer that the option of creating an access to Route 7 by the signal light be reconsidered as an option. The AOT had previously looked at that when it was a two-lane bridge but discounted it for cost reasons when it became a three-lane bridge. The affected landowners are Walter Fried (Apollo Fuels), Frank Trembley (Mobil Station) and the Santarcangelo family (Ideal Fuel). The State owns the right of way for the railroad tracks so that should not be an issue. Mr. Hurd recommended that, since construction isn't scheduled to begin until 2014, that this option be researched again as to cost and eligibility for federal or state funding. Mr. Martin noted that his business took a "25% hit" when the bridge was worked on at the other end of the street and is concerned about the impact that this project would have on his business with the detour that the State has suggested. Mr. Trembley confirmed that he and Walter Fried would consider temporary easements for one construction season and would "work with the Town" in establishing those. Mr. Zink added that he had received several calls from residents that did not want the detour as had been submitted by the State, and that he would not support their plan as submitted. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Hurd notify the Agency of Transportation that the Town would like to know the costs involved, as well as, federal and state funding eligibility to open up the old roadbed as a detour during the construction of the Hunt Street Bridge. 6. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd reported that the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank has issued refunding bonds that will provide the Town with savings of $18,400 over the next decade Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to approve the Municipal Certificate as to the Municipal Bond as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to accept the Western Rail Corridor Letter of Support as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd reported that Bill and Maria Scully have purchased the old Paper Mill and hope to secure funding to operate the dam there for hydroelectric power. They are requesting a letter of support from the Town. Mr. Scully stated that he had purchased the Vermont Tissue building with the intent of renovating the building to residential housing, and also renovating the hydro site that exists there. The infrastructure, civil works and 80' dam are already there, and because it is a "run of the river" set up with an island in the middle and two dams, there will be little affect on the environment or fish migration. The maximum output is 1.617 kilowatts/year. There should be no visual or audio impact on any adjoining properties. Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to authorize the Town Manager to write a Letter of Support for the Paper Mill Hydro Project as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd recommended that the local funding match for the Hunt Street Bridge Project be done by adjusting the tax rate by $0.01 each year over the next five years. A reserve fund would be set up for this purpose. We can then reduce the rate once sufficient funds have been set aside. This will be discussed further at budget time. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Krawczyk asked about the progress on Dewey Street, and Mr. Hurd answered that the curbing and pavement are in and the sidewalks are ready for the sidewalk contractor to arrive. The project should be completed within the next couple of weeks. Mr. Zink requested that a crosswalk be put in from Dewey Street to Stark Street to accommodate the park activity. Mr. Zink noted that there have been three fatalities on the West End recently and feels that more police presence would be helpful in slowing down traffic there. Ms. Brush reminded everyone that there are many tourists in town and the importance of keeping our town looking the best that it can. Mr. Morrissey concurred. Mr. Maroney stated that he feels that the Planning Commission should comprise a list of the sidewalks in town as to whether they should be replaced or not, could we use blacktop instead of cement, etc. Mr. Hurd suggested that this would be a good opportunity to apply for a Planning Grant and will bring more information on that to the next meeting. Ms. Colvin reminded everyone that there is an opening on the Housing Authority for a three-year term and letters of interest need to be to the Town Manager by noon on August 20, 2009. Mr. Hurd announced that Patrick Kinney will be retiring on September 25, 2009 and thanked him for his years of service to the Town. Mr. McCardle recognized Plasan for their employment augmentation and reminded everyone that this weekend is Battle Day Weekend. At 7:50 P.M., Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded the adjournment of the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary