Brandon Select Board
Meeting
September 22, 2008
NOTE: These are unapproved
minutes, subject to amendment and/or approval at the subsequent board meeting.
In
Attendance:
Richard Baker, Kellie Patten, Mitch Pearl, Bill Hatch, Bruce Brown
1.
Call to order
The
meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Chair - Bill Hatch.
a) Agenda Adoption
- Motion by Mitch Pearl/Kellie Patten to adopt the agenda as written.
The motion passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
2.
Consent Agenda
a) Approval of Minutes - September 8, 2008 - Select Board Meeting
Motion
by Mitch Pearl/Kellie Patten
to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2008 Select Board meeting. The
motion passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
3.
Fiscal
a) Warrant - September 9, 2008-$610.80 US Postmaster
b) Warrant - September 16
2008 - $18.70
c) Warrant - September 22,
2008 Postage $127,584.40
d) Ratify PO #22814-Police
Vehicle $24,292.00
e) Consider Municipal
Lease/Purchase of Truck
Motion by Bruce
Brown/Mitch Pearl to approve the warrant of September 9, 2008 in the amount of
$610.80. The motion passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
Motion by Kellie
Patten/Mitch Pearl to approve the warrant of September 16, 2008 in the amount of
$18.70. The motion passed unanimously - 4 to zero
Motion by Richard
Baker/Bruce Brown to approve a warrant of $129,855.83 for the September 22,
2008. This change, from $127,584.40, is a result of two changes. North Country
invoice increased to $10,318.69 and the Robert Carl Williams invoice was
decreased to $3074.59.
Motion
by Kellie Patten/Richard Baker to approve PO #22814 in the amount of $24,292.00
with a friendly amendment to specify Foster Motors as the vendor. The motion
passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
Motion by Richard
Baker/ Bruce Brown to authorize the Chair of the Select Board to sign the
resolution in the board packet. Richard stated that this was for the lease of a
2008 Ford 550 with body and plow equipment. The motion passed unanimously - 4
to zero.
4.
Town Manager's Report
Keith
Arlund reported that
he and Richard Baker attended a presentation with Fair Point Communications at
Castleton College last week and they are implementing an economic program in the
three states that had taken over the hardwire lines from Verizon and there is
going to be a $340,000 grant for each of the three states. These are Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine. He stated that there was a community briefing of
community leaders and others by a consultant group working with FairPoint to
move this process along in anticipation in filing an application for being one
of the communities designated for this program.
Keith
stated that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Fair is next week, October 2nd,
in Killington and if any other members desire to go they should contact him or
Anna to let them know.
5.
Education Update
Kellie
Patten reported that Picture Day will be postponed because the Photographer is
ill. She said that the first graders went to Happy Valley Orchards last
Thursday and that the third and forth graders went to Coolidge Homestead last
Friday. Neshobe Voices is starting up workshops and will be developing scripts
for this year's school play for this years school play. Chess club is starting
and will be held every Monday. She stated that there is a new walkway by the
Library. She mentioned the great turnout for the open house and ice cream
social. Kellie said that that everyone at the school wanted to thank the public
works department for restoring the lawn after the generator installation and
patching the driveway to the school.
6.
Citizen's Public Forum
Bill
Hatch stated that there were representatives from the Boy's and Girls Club and
Bravo in attendance. Sheri Sullivan and Nancy Leary spoke on behalf of a group
that is trying to bring the Boy's and Girls' Club to Brandon. The club would be
serving children from Brandon, Leicester, Whiting, Sudbury, Goshen and Pittsford
and Forest Dale which has about 2,200 children that are under the age of
nineteen that need a place to call their own. She stated that the club would be
open from 2:30 to 7:00, seven days a week and would be manned by a professional
staff member. She said that the focus would be on mentorship and to offer life
skills such as art and education. She stated that Larry Bayle was in attendance
and is the Director of for the Rutland County Boy’s and Girl's Club. Nancy
stated that they have located a possible site at the corner of Rossiter and
Church Street which is currently owned by the Gahagans and that the basement of
the building in currently empty. She said that they would be hosting an open
house for the general public on Sunday, October 5th from 3:00 pm to
5:00 pm and is being advertised as the post raft race party. She said that they
are looking for support in making this happen for their kids. The space would
include a computer room, art space and play area. The idea is use the expertise
of the Rutland Chapter to use as a model. She stated that they would also like
to offer a full day summer program.
Sheri
Sullivan stated that they were looking for the Board to support the group and
not just financially. She said that the goal would be to open by summer.
Keith
asked Larry Boyle what the operating budget would be for the club. Larry stated
that for a group this size he thought it would be about $110,000 for a fiscal
year. He said that the money would come from donations and from the
organization. The Brandon Group would be a satellite of the Rutland Chapter for
at least three years and that the funds would come through that chapter to
Brandon. He said that after that time the Brandon Group could stand on their
own but that other groups have opted to stay as part of the Rutland group
because there are for efficiencies by doing that.
Sheri
stated that for anyone who is not familiar with the building, children have been
hanging out there for many years and she feels that the kids already know the
spot. She said that they were hoping to redirect these children from their
current activities.
Larry
stated that there would be a unit director making between $27,000 and $32,000
per year and a program person that would be part time at about $20,000 per year.
He said that there were two different model programs, one for winter months and
one for summer months. The summer program would be 9:00am to 5:00 pm and the
winter would be from 2:30 to 7:30 Monday through Friday.
Nancy
Leary stated that
John Dilts and Debbie Bratton were on there coordinating list and that they
would work around or with the SOAR program.
Larry
stated that they had been working with SOAR to acquire a grant and that through
collaboration they would gain efficiencies.
Richard
Baker stated that the Board had encouraged contact with the Boy's and Girl's
Club a year ago at a Select Board meeting and that the Board is very supportive
of the project.
Nancy
Leary stated that
with the Boards' help they could be open by April and that the goal would be to
be open by the vacation week.
Chair,
Bill Hatch introduced representatives of BRAVO, Lance Mead, Gene Pagano and Jim
Wade. Lance Mead distributed a hand out that detailed a review of the first two
years activities for Bravo. (A copy of this report is available upon request at
the Brandon Town Office)
Lance
Mead discussed the process of the beginnings of the program and that it had
taken some time to recruit volunteers to become part of the program. He stated
that the volunteers worked with the victims and the offenders and there had been
some success stories and a few situations where they did not achieve their
goal. He stated that they work with the Police Department and have been given
referrals of young people that were heading for trouble. Lance said that they
had received 5 referrals from the State's Attorneys' Office through the
Department of corrections. He stated that they had greater success with the
Brandon referrals some of which came from Officer Bandy, the School Resource
Officer. He said that there had some drug related situations but there had been
more issues with kids that came to school angry and acted out. He felt the
sessions helped to bring the parents and children together.
Jim
Wade stated that they go to peoples' homes as well as having the meetings at the
Fire House. He said that they meeting the forth Thursday of every month and
that they also meet on Wednesdays' at the Ball and Chain Cafe to go over their
work. He said that things seemed to moving rather slow and they weren't getting
their point across. Over time the situation has improved and now people
understand what they are trying to do. He said that they do a lot of shadowing
and arrange for community service. He said that this takes a lot of time. Jim
said that they will be putting articles in a couple of the local papers
explaining what they are about. He said they were hoping to recruit a few more
volunteers so that they can back each other up. He said they had received
training from the Department of Corrections.
Dale
Jennejahn and Brian Hyland spoke about the program and how it was geared to work
with the victims and offenders and that something is being done about their
problems. He said that sometimes through the Judicial system victims do not
feel they are getting results. With this program they feel that they are being
heard.
Lance
stated that they would like to have more volunteers that have an understanding
or experience in some of these situations. He said locally this groups works as
a collaborative effort and there is one on one contact with the offenders as
well as the victims. He said that on October 14th, there will be a
training program in Rutland for volunteers. He said that working with the
Brandon group it may not me necessary to go through all of the training.
Bill
Hatch asked if this program was similar to the diversion programs other
communities have.
Lance
stated that the programs were similar but there were some differences. He said
that the local group is a more collaborative effort and more one on one. He
said that he has seen a change in attitude for many of the offenders.
Mitch
Pearl asked who could
be contacted if someone wanted to volunteer.
Jim
Wade said that anyone interested could contact him or Lance Mead.
Sheri
Sullivan asked if there were woman on the Board.
Lance
Mead stated that there were some local woman on the Board such as Joyce Heath
and Wilda Harris. He said that in Rutland some of the most influential people
were grandmothers. He said that it takes a while for some of the people to get
with the program and realize that they are serious. He said that they have had
many successes but there have been a few offenders that just didn't get the
picture.
Jim
Wade said that they may be able to work with the Boy's and Girl's Club speaking
with the kids at meetings or helping out when there is a problem with any of the
children.
Dave
Bryant said that he wanted to discuss an issue that had been before the Board
four times in the last few years. He stated that the issue was with Basin Road
that he thought it was a class 4 or 3 road. He said that the Town plows the
road but does not maintain it. He said that there was a written agreement
between the Town and residents.
Bill
Hatch asked if he had a copy of the agreement.
Wayne
stated that the Town must have it on file and that it was presented to them at a
meeting last year.
Keith
Arlund stated that
there had been correspondence submitted in the past under different Boards and
different Town Managers.
Wayne
stated that the problem has existed since 1999 and that there was an agreement
reached at that time He said that it was agreed that if the residents brought
the road up to code by installing culverts and bringing up the road to certain
standards the road would be maintained by the Town. He said that the Town only
plows. He said that they pay their taxes and have an agreement and the Town
should maintain the road. He said that they discussed this last year and never
got a call back. He said that the grader has gone up adjacent roads and
wouldn't take much effort to do this road.
Bill
Hatch stated he would like to review the agreement before he comments on the
situation.
Bruce
Brown asked if the road meets A-76 standards.
Tom
Schmelzenbach stated that it was a class 4 road. He said he would review the
situation and get back to the Board.
Wayne
Rausenberger asked if there had been any discussion or plan to improve Union
Street. He said that the road had a lot of potholes and wanted to know if any
work was going to be done in it.
Tom
Schmelzenbach stated that the road was in terrible shape and is on the list the
Board looked at for projects to be done. He said that the road was available
for Class 1 grants and he is planning on applying for one. He said that he
would look at the road to see if he could do something to improve it before the
winter.
Wayne
asked if the road was going to be raised when the project is done because it
floods in the spring.
Tom
said that there wasn't at this time.
Richard
Baker said that that there had been discussion at the VLCT conference and that
the State would like to cut funds to roads and infrastructure projects to
balance the budget. He said that the money for these grants may not be there
even if we apply.
7.
Public Works Report
Tom
stated they were busy preparing the roads for winter maintenance and doing some
work on Pearl Street. He said that they had made some progress on sidewalk
projects in Town.
Richard
Baker asked about the existing (truck) 550 and if Tom had any information on
that.
Bill
Hatch said that there had been some discussion of selling the truck themselves
rather than trading it in.
Tom
said that there are a number of items he is going to list which will hopefully
go out in a sealed bid. He said that the trade in value on the truck is
unacceptable and that is why he is trying to get a plan in place.
Richard
said that the truck itself would not be worth much because it is not in working
order, but that the parts sold by separately would be worth more.
8.
Consider Amending Transfer Station Rates
Keith
stated that the raise in rates should be contingent on them accepting boxboard.
He said that he had been trying to work with them regarding this situation.
Bruce
Brown stated that if they are going to raise the rates then they need to find
ways to reduce solid waste and recycle as much as we can.
Richard
said that he was a little concerned that untreated wood now would be $100 a ton
when before it was free. He said that the idea of accepting untreated wood for
free was that it could be burned along with the brush.
Bruce
asked if it could be a misprint.
Keith
said he would check into the situation and get back to the Board.
Richard
said that he thought it was odd that they were changing the price of 0-19 lbs of
garbage to 3.00 but changing for bags over that to 13 cents per pound. He asked
if that meant they would actually be charging less for more weight.
Bruce
said he thought it should say an additional 13 cents per pound for those bags
over the 19 lbs.
9.
Committee Report/Announcements
Mitch
Pearl stated that the fund raiser at the Town Hall was a success. He said that
there would be a meeting this Wednesday evening at the Town Hall at 7:00 PM and
that it would be the last one held at the Town Hall this season.
He also
said that they were looking for people to participate in fund raising.
Richard
said that they had approved warrants in the amount of $15,000 for the Town Hall
sprinkler project on the assumption that the Friends of the Town Hall would
apply for reimbursement and give that to the Town. He felt that it appeared that
we were lending the money to the Town Hall.
Mitch
stated that it was his understanding that the Town and the FOTH were working
together to handle this situation. He said that if this isn't the case someone
needs to follow up on that.
Bruce
stated that the Vermont Arts Council was giving the Friends 20,000 but that they
had to spend the money first. He said that he felt that this has happened.
Richard
said that he would like to report on the Planning Commission meeting last Monday
night. He said that Paul Costello of Vermont Center for Rural Development
attended and also someone from the State.
Bruce
Brown stated that he met with the Chamber earlier in the evening and that the
topic was economic development and where we were going. He said that the other
subject that was brought up was the Back Yard Project and if anything is
happening with that. Bruce also said that the grant was first applied for there
was a building in the way and there wasn't anymore. He said that originally
there was a handicap ramp from the rear of the buildings to the park. He asked
if that were still necessary.
Tom
Schmelzenbach stated that he has been working with the state to get this project
started again and was asked to come up with a cost estimate for a revised plan.
He said that this type of project was intended to create connectivity. He said
that a handicap area could now be provided by alternate means.
Bruce
said that he was also concerned about providing a stairway on the east side of
the parking lot to the lower area and that people were already walking there.
Richard
said that there was plenty to be done on this project and that it appears that
nothing will be done this construction season. He said that the only handicap
parking was at the top of the blind alley right now.
Keith
stated that they had received the construction permit for segment six from Act
250.
Richard
stated that at the Planning Commission meeting the other night regarding the
energy commission.
Kellie
said that there was an extension granted on the grant for the installation of
the generator due to vandalism that had taken place. The extension would be
through August 31, 2008.
Richard
made a motion to authorize the Select Board chair to sign the extension of the
grant document. Bruce seconded and all were in favor.
Under
old business Richard stated that there had been a meeting on the 14th
of August which Keith and he had attended with representative Acinapura and the
Police Chief regarding the dispatch service situation. He said that Keith had
written a letter and there has not been a response.
Under
other business Richard stated in the form of a motion that for many years we had
given a free pass to any organization that wanted to solicit up to 1,000 as a
special appropriation at Town Meeting provided that sometime in the past the had
been approved. He said that anyone requesting over 1,000 would need a
petition. He stated that this year, in preparation of another Town Meeting, the
Town should require any organization that was requesting to be on the ballot for
an appropriation, submit a petition regardless of the dollar amount. Petitions
currently require signatures of 5% of the voters. Bruce seconded the motion and
all were in favor.
Keith
said that they would send a letter to all of the organizations normally on the
ballot to let them know of the change.
Mitch
asked that they define what is meant by a service organization. He said that
last year there had been a question of whether certain organizations qualified
as a service organization. Mitch felt that we should be consulting with our
attorney regarding questions on this type of situation so that when we are
dealing with someone who is new to process they could be advised.
Richard
made a motion that they recess the Select Board meeting to meet as the Board of
Liquor Commissioners. (8:12 PM) Kellie seconded and all were in favor.
Agenda Adoption
1)
Motion
by Mitch Pearl/Kellie Patten to adopt the agenda as written. The motion
passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
2)
Consider
request to Cater Malt & Vinous Beverages
by the Brandon Artist Guild
at their Auction.
Motion by
Richard Baker to approve the
request by the Brandon Artist Guild to serve liquor at the Auction on October
12, 2008. Bruce seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Bruce
Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM. All were in favor.
The
Select Board meeting was reopened at 8:16 PM.
9.
Consider Facility Use Policy
Richard
stated that they had tabled the discussion to consider the Facility Use Policy
at the previous meeting until this evening.
Mitch
Pearl made a motion that they retable the discussion on the Facility Use Policy
until the next meeting. Kellie seconded the motion and all were in favor.
10.
Update on Town Strategic Planning Effort
No
discussion held.
Richard
made a motion that
they go into executive session to discuss personnel issues.
The
Board came out of executive session at 8:45 PM.
13. Adjournment
Motion by Kellie
Patten/Mitch Pearl to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:50PM. The motion
passed unanimously - 4 to zero.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna
Scheck
Recording Secretary
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