BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY
130 RIVER STREET
BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Sharyn Brush-Vice Chair; Jason Morrissey; Joseph Krawczyk; Chris Oldham and Matt Maroney.  

ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Dan Monks-Planning Director and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary.

At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order.

1.MINUTES - AUGUST 10, 2009
	Sharyn Brush moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to approve the Minutes of August 10, 2009 amended as follows:
Line 58 and Line 64  - Change "Fried" to "Freed".
The motion carried unanimously.        

2. WARRANTS
The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered questions on the CD refund, vactor service, excavator rental, VOSHA inspections, tax bill mailing, blacksmith shop flood payment and kennel expenses.                                     

3. CITIZENS
None.

4. JIM SULLIVAN - BENNINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL COMMISSION - ROUTE 7A BYWAY
	This will be on a future agenda.

5. PLANNING GRANT - SIDEWALK MAPPING
	Mr. Monks stated that the first step in doing a sidewalk mapping would be to establish a sidewalk inventory including the suggested renovation plans, such as, one sidewalk or two, asphalt vs. concrete, etc.  There is presently a hold on planning grants, however, the Bennington County Regional Commission has already started a sidewalk plan for Bennington.  Mr. Monks will work with the BCRC over the next eight or nine months to develop Bennington's sidewalk mapping. 

6. APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS - BENNINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
	This will be discussed in Executive Session.

7. 2009 LIQUOR LICENSE AND TOBACCO APPLICATION - THE FRONT PORCH
The 2009 First/Second Class Liquor License and Tobacco Application for The Front Porch was circulated for signatures.

8. MANAGER'S REPORT
	Jason Morrissey moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution authorizing the Town Manager to finalize the financing of two new Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles with Municipal Leasing Consultants at a rate of 4.97% as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

	Chris Oldham moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to authorize the Chair to sign the letter that indicates the Bennington Rescue Squad is recognized and authorized to provide emergency rescue services as its primary function by the Town of Bennington.  The motion carried unanimously.
	The sole purpose of this motion was to enable the family of Dale Long to be eligible for the Public Safety Officers Benefits and does not apply to any other ambulance service.

	Mr. Hurd reported that he has contacted the Vermont Agency of Transportation regarding the desired Benmont connection to Route 7 during the Hunt Street Bridge project.  Ms. Higgins has indicated she will pursue its eligibility with the Agency and has asked that the Town secure agreement on the necessary temporary easements.  Mr. Hurd has prepared a contact letter for the three involved properties for this purpose.
	Mr. Maroney was concerned about the stoppage of traffic during foliage season, and Mr. Hurd stated that the intent is to have the project completed before foliage season arrives.  Mr. Maroney is also concerned that other businesses may suffer in an attempt to accommodate these Benmont Avenue businesses.  
Ms. Brush added that there will be some inconvenience but it is necessary to get the bridge fixed.
Mr. Oldham asked if there would be any issues with the railroad, and Mr. Hurd answered no because this section of railroad is to ultimately become a rails-to-trails section.

9. OTHER BUSINESS
	Mr. Krawczyk noted that there are 150 unlicensed dogs with over half of them with expired rabies certificates.  Mr. Hurd stated that this list is used to issue citations to the dog owners that are not in compliance.  
	Mr. Krawczyk requested that the Town contact VTRANS to bring their attention to the fact that the driveway entrances after they repaved Harwood Hill are too steep.  Mr. Hurd will do that.
	Mr. Krawczyk thanked Mr. Hurd and the Town Staff for their quick response to the concerns of the Dewey Street residents.
	Ms. Brush reminded everyone to be careful because school starts this week, and also asked the landscapers not to blow their grass clippings into the street because it is problematic to the drainage systems.
	Mr. Morrissey stated that a prominent Town resident disagreed with the Board's decision on the smoking in the park's issue.  He also noted that, on several occasions, there are teenagers smoking at the Recreation Center.  Since it is illegal for teenagers to smoke anywhere, Mr. Hurd will address this observation with the Recreation Center.
	Mr. Maroney would like the mileage tracked on the new Tahoe's, and Mr. Hurd said that that will be done.
	Mr. Maroney asked about the water and sewer disconnects, and Mr. Hurd stated that the policy is that a resident is notified when they are more than one-year delinquent with the water and sewer disconnected if there is no payment agreement in place.  
	Mr. Oldham extended kudos to the Fire Department for their efforts on Battle Day Weekend.

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
      A.PERSONNEL
      B.CONTRACTS
	At 7:35 P.M., Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Contracts.  The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy H. Lively, Secretary