BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Jason Morrissey-Vice-Chair; Chris Oldham; John Zink; Joseph Krawczyk; Sharyn Brush and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Scott Murphy-Community and Economic Development Director; Dan Monks-Planning Director; Janet Andrea; 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 26, 2010 Jason Morrissey moved and John Zink seconded to approve the Minutes of July 26, 2010 as submitted. The motion carried with Joseph Krawczyk and Sharyn Brush abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered Board questions on Heritage Travel annual file, a power washer, CVPS efficiencies, and UI Insurance services. 3. CITIZENS Ms. Andrea extended kudos to the Board for making the necessary difficult decision in the recent vicious dog issue, and urged the continuing efforts to address the leash law for the safety of all dog walkers. Mr. Hurd stated that anyone wishing to report an unleashed dog can call the Town Office, the Animal Control Officer, or the Police Department. 5. TOWN PLAN - RECEIPT & SET HEARING DATES Mr. Monks noted that the Planning Commission is submitting for review and adoption the revised Town Plan and maps for the Town of Bennington, as approved by the Planning Commission on August 4, 2010. The only changes since the last time that the Board had reviewed the Plan are a paragraph on the Conservatory and the officers of the Select Board. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to adopt the Resolution acknowledging receipt of the proposed Town Plan from the Planning Commission as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to adopt the Resolution approving the Town Plan for posting and publishing Public Hearing dates of September 27, 2010 and October 11, 2010, respectively. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Krawczyk and Mr. Zink stressed the importance of the Town Plan and the public participation in its approval. Copies of the Town Plan are available at the Town Office or at www.bennington.com. 4. PUBLIC HEARING - ENHANCEMENT GRANT PLEASANT STREET (SCHOOL TO PARK) Mr. Murphy stated that the VTRANS Enhancement Grant Application will be used to accomplish the following activities: The upgrading of existing sidewalks, the construction of new sidewalks and curbing, the installation of period-style lighting, the creation of pedestrian walkways, and other aesthetic and safety enhancements along Pleasant Street and at the intersection of Park Street/Pleasant Street. Since 1996, the Town has received six enhancement grants and presently has two projects "in the pipeline". VTRANS only has $1.1M available and have received 53 letters of intent. The total cost of this project is $76,000 with the Town's share around $15,000, of which $4,000 would be in-kind and $11,000 would be in cash. To lower the cost from the original plan, the period-style lighting has been eliminated but there will be ample lighting provided. The project is located both in the Designated Downtown and in the middle of the Growth Center, although there are no funds available through the Growth Center avenue. John Zink moved and Joseph Krawczyk seconded to approve submitting the VTRANS Enhancement Grant Application as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to close the Public Hearing - Enhancement Grant Pleasant Street (School to Park). The motion carried unanimously. 6. MANAGER'S REPORT Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to appoint the Town Manager as the Bennington delegate to the VLCT Annual Meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Hurd reported that the Vermont Interactive Television will be celebrating its new location at the Bennington Senior Center on August 18, 2010 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Sharyn Brush moved and Jason Morrissey seconded to put up signs that state the following: No Parking or Standing between the hours of 7:00am-9:00am and 2:00pm-4:00pm, Monday through Friday, when school is in session, on the westerly side of Park Street along the Bennington Elementary School property. 30-Minute Parking Limit from 7:00am-4:00pm, Monday through Friday, when school is in session, on the westerly side of Park Street north of the Bennington Elementary School property to Spring Street. The motion carried unanimously. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Maroney noted to everyone that grindings have been put on Greenview and Jennings Drive to raise the level of the road. Paving crews will be back to finish the job. Ms. Brush stated that there are branches in the Walloomsac that may get caught under the bridges in high water. Mr. Hurd will look into this. Mr. Zink asked about the status of the crosswalks, and Mr. Hurd answered that we have been short staffed due to illnesses and injuries but hope to get all of the crosswalks at least painted - if not stamped - before the end of the season. Mr. Krawczyk reminded everyone that Battle Day is this weekend and asked if the crew of the USS Bennington had ever been officially recognized by the Town. Mr. Hurd responded that they have an annual reunion somewhere in the country and this year will be the second time they have come to Bennington to celebrate. They have not, however, ever been officially recognized by the Town. Joseph Krawczyk moved and John Zink seconded for the Town to issue a Proclamation to the USS Bennington contingency during their annual reunion on Bennington Battle Day. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Colvin asked when Silk Road between the covered bridge and Route 67A would be fixed, and Mr. Hurd answered that we will try to pave it this year. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.CONTRACT B.PERSONNEL At 7:45 P.M., John Zink moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss a Contract and Personnel. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively, Secretary