Brandon Select Board Meeting

March 23, 2009

NOTE:  These are unapproved minutes, subject to amendment and/or approval at the subsequent board meeting.

In Attendance: Bill Hatch, Richard Baker, Kellie Patten, Mitch Pearl

Also in Attendance:   Keith Arlund, Tom Schmelzenbach, Lee Kahrs, Wayne Rausenberger, Derrick Cram, Anna Scheck

1.  Call to order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Bill Hatch.      

a) Agenda Adoption - Motion by Mitch Pearl/Kellie Patten to adopt the agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero. 

2.  Consent Agenda

a) Approval of Minutes - March 9, 2009 - Select Board

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to approve the Select Board minutes of March 9, 2009. The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero.

b)  Consider Road Closure Request - July 24 and August 20, 2009 - Chamber of Commerce

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to approve the road closings of July 24^th and August 20^th as requested.  The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero.

3.  Fiscal

a) Warrant - March 23, 2009 - $74,021.83

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to approve the warrants of March 20, 2009 in the amount of $74,021.83.  The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero.

4. Education Update

Kellie Patten reported that last week the Brandon Police Department provided the R.A.D. Program to the younger children and this week the program will be provided to older children. Neshobe School would like to thank the Brandon Police Department for their efforts. The Spring Concert for students in the 4^th through 6^th grade will be held on April 2^nd.  The PTO's next meeting is scheduled for April 6^th at 7:00PM in the school library. There will be no school on April 10^th or the week of April 13^th through the 17^th.

5.  Citizen's Public Forum

Derrick Cram provided the Select Board with a proposal for a Brandon July 3^rd Street Dance. The Committee would like to propose a street dance to be held on Friday evening and they would like to close the road between the Congregational Church and the Park. Keith Arlund stated a letter requesting the closure would be required, which he would then submit to the Select Board for approval. It was noted the closure will not be an issue, but the paperwork is required to be in order. 

6. Town Manager's Report

Keith Arlund stated the second Select Board hearing on the new Town Plan is scheduled for April 13^th at 6:30PM and the warning will be placed in the paper this week. Mr. Arlund reported he continues to monitor the potential funding from the economic recovery legislation. He noted the Police Department and the Clean Water Revolving Fund have received requests for more information relative to this subject, which has been submitted.

7.  Public Works

a. Consider Fence Construction Request

Motion by Mitch Pearl/Kellie Patten to approve the fence construction request, for the purposes of discussion.

Mitch Pearl questioned if this is in the town right of way. Tom Schmelzenbach stated there is a possibility that it might be in the town right of way and this is why it is being brought before the Select Board for approval. For this to be placed in a right of way, it has to be brought into the Board and approved. Mr. Schmelzenbach does not think this would be problematic. Richard Baker stated he would like the response to be a letter from the Town Manager indicating it is a recommendation from the Board to approve the request. 

The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero.

Tom Schmelzenbach stated he would like to discuss the interest portion of some of the bond money and how it could be applied. He stated he has solicited and received paving and reclaiming bids in an effort to align a team for the upcoming construction season. With regard to the Union Street Sidewalk Project, there was a change order done which had to do with the flood plain elevations. Mr. Schmelzenbach has received information and he will need to work on a letter of map revision for the pedestrian bridge near the wastewater plant. Tom reported there is a Segment 6 Coordination meeting scheduled for April 2^nd at the National Life building in Montpelier and he continues to move forward on the right of way for this project. 

Tom Schmelzenbach reported he has applied for a number of grants through the District 3 office, which are Class II and Structures grants. The grant amount is $175,000.00 and will be used for a portion of Union Street.  He has also applied for a structure grant of $118,000.00 for Bridge 23, which is located on Wheeler Road. This bridge was identified as being most critical to address and the project is estimated at $150,000.00.  Mr. Schmelzenbach stated he has applied for a number of grants totaling $2 million worth of work through the American Reinvestment. He noted there is a lot of leakage with the Champlain pump station and a relining project, that would include the former training school, would cost $236,000.00. Mr. Schmelzenbach noted he has met with Tom Roberts on some of this funding. With regard to the enhancement portion, the North Street sidewalk might be a project they would consider, which would cost $66,000.00. He noted this does require town participation, and therefore it is difficult to determine the funding. Mr. Schmelzenbach stated for his year end balances, he identified $41,000.00 that he could apply to a project. There are other monies that he will use for salt and those types of items. Mr. Schmelzenbach noted the bond balance is $129,000.00 and he had provided the Select Board with a report on the balance. He stated relative to the interest on the bond, he is hoping to have $108,000.00 available for infrastructure projects.  Bill Hatch stated the interest can be spent to subsidize projects that the bond was intended to pay for. Tom Schmelzenbach stated he is proposing to maintain $87,000.00 to be used for the Route 7 Project. Mr. Schmelzenbach stated he will be submitting his hierarchy of projects for the upcoming season at a subsequent meeting. He stated he does not intend to do the Wheeler Road Bridge Project if the grant money is not received.  Mr. Schmelzenbach stated he will need the Board's comments on the availability of the monies to be able to put together his projects listing. Richard Baker questioned where the North Street sidewalk project starts and Mr. Schmelzenbach stated it begins at the intersection of Route 73. He noted this would allow the town to be able to maintain the sidewalk in the winter, as the current condition does not allow this. Richard Baker questioned if it would make sense to resurface Route 53 in that area at the same time and Tom Schmelzenbach stated it would be his intention to do that. The sidewalk and the road would cost about $140,000.00 and he would also review the sewer lines to see if these would require work as well. 

8.  Committee Reports/Announcements

Kellie Patten stated very few baseball and softball applications have been passed in for the upcoming season and the deadline is March 31^st.

Mitch Pearl stated OV will be hosting the statewide One-Act Festival this Friday and Saturday. 

Richard Baker stated he would like to confirm the recessed hearing on the Planning Commission was held on March 16^th. It  reconvened at 6:30PM and closed at 9:38PM. The minutes should reflect that the two members of Select Board, the Planning Commission and two members from the public discussed red line changes and typos.  The Board also authorized Janet Mondlak to act as the editor of the Plan. She will place the revision on the web site with the tracked changes so that when the second public hearing is held, everyone will be able to see what the document will look like.

Richard Baker stated this Thursday at the Leahy Conference Center at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, the monthly meeting of the Rutland Regional Transportation Council will be held. The meeting will begin at 7:00PM and they will be discussing and establishing regional priorities for 2011. This is due to the fact the priorities have already been set for 2010 at the state level. 

9. Old/Other Business

Mitch Pearl noted that Keith Arlund had circulated a potential ad for the economic development matter and he encouraged the Board to move this item forward.  Keith Arlund stated if the Board would like to see an essay included with the application, the ad would need to be reworded. This document is the framework of what he feels the town might look for regarding the job description. Richard Baker stated that even in this ad, there is a mixture of economic and community development. Mitch Pearl stated the people want to have someone in this position and he feels the town should try this concept for 6 months to see if it will work.  He noted the fine points could continue to be debated, but he feels it should be tried. Mr. Pearl stated if Mr. Arlund would like to put together an interview committee, he would not object. Mr. Pearl stated if the Board finds that after six months the town is not getting value for the money, another option could be considered. Richard Baker stated he agrees that the Board needs to move forward on this item. Mitch Pearl stated he is personally convinced that it is worth experimenting with this option, whether it is part economic and community development, and perhaps it can bring increased activity into the town. 

Richard Baker stated in the category of economic development, there is only so much the town can do. He noted there were  two loan requests that had been submitted and additional information was requested to enable the Committee to act upon their requests and neither applicant has provided the information. He stated it is difficult to provide additional assistance when the Committee cannot get people to respond. 

Richard Baker questioned how the Board feels about setting up an economic development committee that would be comprised of someone from the Chamber, the Select Board and the future economic development person. It would have a mission to investigate, articulate and implement items in the area of economic development and community development.  He stated this would provide a one-stop shop.  Mr. Baker also noted the town has an outstanding team in the Revolving Loan Fund Committee and suggested perhaps a couple of people from that committee could also be on this committee.  Mr. Baker asked the Board to think about this concept and perhaps write an effective mission statement for review. Mr. Baker feels there is some ambivalence and he feels this would help move this process along.

10.  Possible Executive Session

There was no executive session held.

11. Adjournment

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to adjourn as the Select Board to convene as the Board of Sewer Commissioners at 7:40PM. The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero. 

Respectfully submitted,

Charlene Bryant

Recording Secretary