BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Joseph Krawczyk-Chair; Sharyn Brush-Vice-Chair; Jason Morrissey; Justin Corcoran; Jim Carroll; Chris Oldham and Greg Van Houten. ALSO PRESENT: Dan Monks-Planning Director; Michael Harrington-Economic and Community Development Director; Jim Sullivan; Barry Horst; Mike Bethel; John Broderick; Neal Goswami-Bennington Banner and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary At 6:00 P.M., Joseph Krawczyk called the meeting to order. 1.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 2.MINUTES - JUNE 25, 2012 Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of June 25, 2012 as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. 3.WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Monks answered Board questions on staff recognition pens, fireworks, and vacuuming services. 4. CITIZENS None. 5. JOHNSON CONTROLS - SUBMITTAL OF ZONE CHANGE Mr. Monks explained that the Planning Commission has submitted the Johnson Controls Proposed Amendment to Town Plan and Land Use Regulations as had been requested by the Board. The Johnson Controls site will remain zoned industrial until the Select Board votes to change it. If this vote occurs, the change will take effect 21 days after the vote. The required Public Hearing date was set for September 10, 2012. 6.ENERGY PLAN PRESENTATION BY BCRC Mr. Sullivan presented the Bennington Municipal Energy Plan as prepared by the Bennington County Regional Commission and the Planning Commission - and approved by the Planning Commission - with the following highlights: * Town goals within the Energy Plan are to reduce our dependence on non-renewable and imported energy sources; promote energy conservation and efficiency in residential, commercial, and industrial structures and operations; reduce energy consumption in all taxpayer funded buildings and operations; and develop sustainable, local renewable energy resources. * The relative energy consumption in Vermont is Residential-29%; Commercial-20%; Industrial-18%; and Transportation-33%. It is likely that the overall energy consumption in Bennington is similar. * Residential space heating fuels used in Bennington (2010 US Census) are Oil-81%; LP Gas-11%; Electricity-3%; Wood-3%; Other (nuclear and geothermal)-2%. * Even though there are still substantial supplies of oil and natural gas, the demand is catching up to our ability to supply it. This will be reflected in a trend of higher prices. * The estimated total cost of Bennington's annual residential energy use is: Oil-$13,663,875; LP Gas-$2,647,782; Wood-$265,916; Electric-$697,358; and Non-Heat Electric-$5,931,600 for a total of $23,206,531. * There are incentives available to the public for the implementation of energy efficiencies, as well as, loans in certain cases where the annual savings exceed the cost. However, there is concern among residents that the Town penalizes them with higher appraisals and taxes if they make their homes more energy efficient. In certain instances, yes, and in certain instances, no. Town staff will look into these scenarios further to ensure that the Town is not discouraging home energy efficiency improvements. * There are now stricter residential energy standards on new construction. * The estimated commercial and manufacturing building energy consumption in Bennington is: Electricity-$25,918,076 and Oil/Gas-$11,005,197. * The Plan has several pages of general conservation strategies for all different businesses. * Transportation in the State of Vermont has nearly tripled its use of gasoline and diesel from 1960 to 2005 with the cost in Bennington estimated to be $29,180,080 in 2010. * Bennington has done a good job to encourage more walking and bicycling. * Freight by rail is from 1.9 to 5.5 times as fuel efficient as freight by truck. * The Kocher Drive sidewalk project was moved to next year's agenda due to the work that needed to be done after Irene. * Consuming more locally grown food would reduce our fuel consumption. * The Town of Bennington spends $616,207 on its annual energy consumption of oil, propane, and electricity in its municipal buildings and infrastructure. * The Town also spends $203,534 on fuel for the municipal vehicles and equipment in one year with the police department making up 25% of that. It was noted that many police departments in the Northeast are using SUV hybrids - which are less expensive to purchase and less expensive to operate - and it was suggested for Bennington to look into that in the future. * The Town currently spends $140,875 on street lighting. LED streetlights will be installed throughout the Town and will save energy and save the Town $30,000/year. * Annual energy use in the Bennington public schools is $820,500 with the elementary schools being the greater percentage of this cost, and the Southern Vermont Health Care is over $4M. The hospital is looking into facility improvements and heating with wood chips instead of oil. * Everyone needs to be more cognizant of the common sense things to do to conserve energy, i.e. lower the thermostat, unplug appliances when not in use, only run pool pumps as needed, purchase Energy Star appliances, etc. * Total energy expenditures in Bennington are $96,208,337 with an additional estimated expenditure on food of $50,000,000 for a total of all energy and food costs for Bennington to be $146,208,337. * Existing dams in the area could generate <2 megawatts of energy back into the grid. * The Plan has 28 recommendations on how the Town can improve energy conservation with public education paramount in our success. 7. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Bethel thanked the school and Lynn and Spencer Sweet for the successful July 6, 2012 musical event that took place on the Town Office lawn. The next proposed event would be a DJ on July 20th - sponsored by Doug's - with Greg Van Houten's group on August 17th. Greg Van Houten moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to schedule the following musical events for the "Evening on the Porch: July 20, 2012 - DJ - 6:00pm-8:00pm, no later than 8:30pm August 17, 2012 - Greg Van Houten's group - 6:00pm-8:00pm, no later than 8:30pm and to authorize Mike Bethel to go forward with a booking for August 3, 2012 from 6:00pm-8:00pm, no later than 8:30pm. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Harrington would like Board approval for a Letter of Interest to apply for an Enhancement Grant for the Four Corners and Franklin Lane for pedestrian improvements. Franklin Lane improvements would be curbing, sidewalks, and possible lighting; and the Four Corners would be new pedestrian infrastructure, traffic signals, and possible ornamental lighting. Mr. Krawczyk will not support any of this work until all of downtown has streets and sidewalks in place. Mr. Morrissey expressed the importance of the Franklin Lane improvements, as well as, the coordination of the project with all of the adjacent property owners. Mr. Harrington added that he is only seeking approval for a Letter of Interest to apply for an Enhancement Grant. Discussion of use can take place at a later date if, and when, we apply and are successful. It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with the Letter of Interest to apply for an Enhancement Grant. 8.OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Van Houten stated that the noise pollution caused by an alarm on Morse Road will be addressed in the near future. Mr. Oldham noted that the Bennington Community Visit Report - "an amazing document" - can be picked up at the Town Office. Mr. Carroll stated that a resident had mentioned that the retaining wall on County Street was in need of repair, and Mr. Monks added that the Corp of Engineers will probably have funding this fall to do the necessary repairs to the wall so it can sustain an extreme event. Mr. Carroll also noted that, if Coach Legacy is successful, he will be the only coach in the world to have a State title for each of 25 years. ESPN will be in town to cover this - if it should happen - and the premature signage indicating that it already has happened will be taken down until the victory is validated. Ms. Brush reminded everyone that there is a Recreation Center Committee Meeting at the Library on July 12, 2012 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Mr. Krawczyk clarified that the AOT traffic counts are being updated throughout the town. Mr. Krawczyk congratulated the residents for not having anyone cited for a DUI during the roadside spot check recently. Mr. Broderick updated the public on the RAHC projects on North Branch Street and Ben Mont Avenue that will be concluding soon. 9.EXECUTIVE SESSION A.CONTRACT At 7:35 P.M., Greg Van Houten moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss a Contract. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary