BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Jason Morrissey-Vice-Chair; John Zink; Chris Oldham; Sharyn Brush; Joseph Krawczyk and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Community and Economic Development Director; Rick Gauthier-Police Chief; Greg Payne; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1. MINUTES - APRIL 26, 2010 Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of April 26, 2010 amended as follows: Line 90 - Delete "/or" The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on the fuel price/gallon, Burgess Brothers and the 6' steel benches. 3. CITIZENS None. 4. PAYNE EMERGENCY SERVICES PRESENTATION Mr. Greg Payne, owner of Payne Emergency Services (PES), is requesting to be of more service to the Town. Mr. Payne feels that his business can give faster emergency services to the Town because they have fully staffed ambulances 24/7 and do not depend on volunteers. They provide transport service, whereas the Bennington Rescue Squad (BRS) does not, as well as, serve as backup for emergencies throughout several communities. In addition, it is his suggestion that Payne Emergency Services and the Bennington Rescue Squad serve as the primary EMS provider on alternating days. Chief Gauthier noted that, for the most part, the Emergency Medical Services and Mutual Aid Dispatching Policy has been followed. Ms. Colvin asked if the reference in the Policy that states "It is recognized that the Bennington Rescue Squad (BRS) has been designated by the Bennington Select Board as the primary EMS provider." was when the Board signed a document that allowed Dale Long's family to receive benefits, and Chief Gauthier answered no, that this Policy goes back several years. It is his understanding that all Select Board's must designate a primary EMS provider. Ms. Colvin also noted that the BRS is a non-profit while PES is a for profit business. This has no bearing for either on the response to an individual that is unable to pay - it is just part of the business. Mr. Zink clarified that the primary EMS provider has the authority to call in the med-evac helicopter as needed. Mr. Morrissey reiterated that PES is staffed 24/7 and asked about the BRS. Chief Gauthier responded that occasionally they have not been able to put a crew together within the allowable six-minute time frame. Mr. Oldham asked how often PES gets called out, and Mr. Payne answered once or twice a week. It was the consensus of the Board that more discussion is necessary, as well as, the statistics of how the process is working now before a decision can be made. 5. 2010 LIQUOR AND TOBACCO LICENSE APPLICATIONS The 2010 2nd Class Liquor License Application for K-Mart was circulated for signatures. 6. MANAGER'S REPORT John Zink moved and Chris Oldham seconded to close Main Street from the Four Corners to Pleasant Street, the first block of School Street, all of Valentine Street and the first block of Silver Street from 5:00am until 6:00pm for Mayfest on May 29, 2010. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd circulated the Fairpoint Pole Permit to replace a pole on South Stream Road for signatures. Mr. Murphy stated that the Agency of Transportation Enhancement Program letters of intent are due June 4, 2010 and he is requesting the Board's input concerning the potential use of the funds. The current idea is for sidewalk curbing and street lighting on upper Pleasant Street to tie into the new transit center that the Green Mountain Network is planning. A general use of the funds is all that is needed with the letter of intent - the actual application is due August 20, 2010. Mr. Murphy added that we have been so successful with this program in the past that it was inferred that the monies would be going elsewhere so we have not applied since 2008. Other projects that were considered were a connection from Applegate to the Molly Stark School and/or a sidewalk connecting system to Northside Drive. Ms. Colvin and Mr. Oldham agree with the Pleasant Street idea. Mr. Zink would like to see some dollars for residential improvement, and Mr. Murphy stated that we have loans for that plus some homeowners take the initiative on their own as their surroundings improve. Mr. Krawczyk noted that upper Pleasant Street is not part of the designated downtown and feels that we should put these dollars to improve the downtown where the businesses are paying the additional taxes. Mr. Maroney concurred, however, Mr. Oldham did not. Mr. Oldham feels that even though it isn't part of the "designated downtown, it is still downtown". Mr. Hurd added that the section of Washington Avenue from Greenberg's to the Elks and this section of Pleasant Street that is within the designated downtown are the only two areas in the designated downtown that have not been done. It was the consensus of the Board to go forward with the Letter of Intent for the Agency of Transportation Enhancement Program. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Brush asked if the list of dysfunctional streetlights still existed, and Mr. Hurd answered yes, and CVPS knows when they're not working. Mr. Morrissey noted that the sound signal at the Four Corners wasn't working, and Mr. Hurd stated that it will be fixed soon. Mr. Zink stated that the stop sign at Ben Mont Avenue and West Main Street is covered with foliage, and Mr. Hurd responded that that would be taken care of. Mr. Krawczyk thanked Dan Monks for his visit to Montpelier and the Challenges for Change vote will be on May 11, 2010. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.PERSONNEL At 7:45 P.M., Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively, Secretary