BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; John Zink; Jason Morrissey; Joseph Krawczyk; Chris Oldham and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Director of Economic and Community Development; Dan Monks-Planning Director; John Likaitis and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 14, 2009 Chris Oldham moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of September 14, 2009 as submitted. The motion carried with Jason Morrissey abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered questions on the case cracker monitor. 3. CITIZENS None. 4. RECREATION CENTER FEES Mr. Murphy stated that the Rec Center rates have not been raised in 5 - 7 years. There have been numerous improvements made within the past year at considerable expense to the Town. Some of the improvements include installing four Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) for energy efficiency, sauna replacement, new chlorine storage tank, paving the outside walkways, the acid washing of the pool, installation of ADA faucet handles in the showers, a new alarm system, replacing failed valves for the locker rooms, electrical upgrades for the pool, repairing the tennis courts, carpeting the entranceway, painting the office and locker rooms, a heating coil for air handlers and adding a liquid solar cover. The proposed increase is approximately 10% and is still well below the cost of a private health club membership. Effective date of the increase would be effective January 1, 2010. Ms. Colvin and Mr. Morrissey feel that this is a reasonable request but, going forward, would like to do rate increases incrementally each year instead of every 5 years. The Board requested that Mr. Murphy develop annual increases out 3 to 5 years and bring them to the next meeting. Mr. Murphy explained that the fields the Town own and operate for public use have traditionally been used free of charge. However, it is expensive to maintain them - mowing, lining the ball fields, getting nets and goals in place, picking up after events, electricity for the lights, as well as, ongoing maintenance issues. The suggestion is to adopt a nominal fee for all for-profit organizations - $100/season for seasonal groups and $50.00/event for single events - and continue to offer usage to non-profit organizations at no charge. Board discussion ensued and it was decided that the criteria for determining non-profit status was a "gray area", at best, and since the suggested fees are not that great, the 'no charge' for non-profits should be eliminated. Those that use the fields should help to pay for maintaining them. Mr. Murphy will bring this back to the Board at the next meeting with the anticipated revenue to be generated from the suggested fees. 5. ROAD ACCEPTANCE AND MAINTENANCE ACKNOWLEDGMENT Mr. Monks stated that every year the Board approves changes to the roadway maps that are used to secure funding. Several years ago the ancient roads legislation was passed which initiated the following process to put all of the roads owned by the Town on the Agency of Transportation map: 1. All of the roads needed to be surveyed to verify Town ownership - Class 3, Class 4 and Trails. This has been done and the Board was given a list of the roads within each category. 2. The Select Board needs to accept these roads. 3. The Class 3 roads need to be maintained for 15 years. Any additional roads not on this list would need to follow the same process for acceptance. Chris Oldham moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to acknowledge acceptance of the list of Trails and Class 4 roads as presented. The motion carried unanimously. John Zink moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to acknowledge acceptance and acknowledge continued maintenance for 15 years on the list of Class 3 roads as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 6. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd reported that the Jard site foreclosure has been completed and the Town now owns 22.9 acres on Bowen Road where we hope to put a Public Works facility. Mr. Hurd reported that there was an 'informal conference' with the VOSHA officials this morning where it was brought to their attention that we were in total compliance on all of the fine issues, and 90% in compliance on the recommendations. Our fines were reduced from the original amount of $5,875 to $2,950. Mr. Hurd announced that our quarterly hydrant flushing is scheduled for Monday through Friday beginning on October 12, 2009 and ending on October 23, 2009. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Krawczyk noted that Congressman Peter Welch was in Town and recorded a health issue forum with Rolf Sternberg to air on WBTN on Friday, October 2, 2009, at 9:00am. Mr. Krawczyk reminded everyone to honor our National Guard at a picnic to be held at Willow Park on October 3, 2009 from 11:00am to 1:00pm. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.REAL ESTATE At 7:43 P.M., John Zink moved and Chris Oldham seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary