Brandon Select Board Meeting

July 13, 2009

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

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

Also in Attendance:   Keith Arlund, Tom Schmelzenbach, Anna Scheck, Chris Brickell, Wayne Rausenberger, Peter Werner, Erik Werner, Janet Mondlak

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 – 4 to zero. 

2.  Consent Agenda

a)  Minutes – Select Board Minutes of June 29, 2009

Motion by Mitch Pearl/Bruce Brown to approve the minutes of the Select Board meeting of June 29, 2009 with the corrections noted below. 

In the first line of Item 4B, a correction to the phrase, revolving loan fund, and in the same paragraph it should read there is no further discussion.

The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

b)  Consider/Appoint Brandon Recreation Committee Member

Keith Arlund stated this request was brought forward by Tina Wiles of the Recreation Committee. 

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the appointment of Stacey Coburn to the Brandon Recreation Committee. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

3.  Fiscal

a) Warrant – June 30, 2009 - $30,477.79

Motion by Bruce Brown/Mitch Pearl to approve the warrant of June 30^th in the amount of $30,477.79.  The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker noted this warrant is intended to clean up invoices for expenses incurred during the last fiscal year.  

b) Warrant – July 13, 2009 - $72,474.02

Motion by Bruce Brown/Kellie Patten to approve the warrant of July 13^th in the amount of $72,474.02.  The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker noted these are the first invoices for the new fiscal year. 

c)  Authorize 2-Year Extension of RLF Loan with Cafe Provence

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to authorize the Town Manager to sign the 2-year extension agreement for the RLF Loan with Cafe Provence. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker stated this is a loan modification for the Harvest Group, dba Cafe Provence to extend their loan, subject to the prevailing provisions of the contract. Mr. Baker noted this was a result of a meeting in June and has been discussed with the Chair of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. The intent of the loan fund is to recycle the funds to other prospective applicants, however, in this case, there is sufficient money in the fund and there have not been a lot of requests for the monies. 

d)  Consider/Approve Tax Rate for FY10

Bill Hatch stated that Mr. Baker and Mr. Arlund have prepared the document that includes comparison data.

Motion by Richard Baker/Mitch Pearl to establish the tax rate for the FY10 fiscal year at the rate stipulated in the column 09/10 proposed rate.  

Richard Baker noted, as stated at the annual meeting in March, the total tax rate has a reduction of 2 cents. On the municipal side of the taxes, the rate is a little more than 60 cents.  The school tax rate increased over 6% and other than voting on the budgets in March, no one has any say on the education taxes. The tax rate will be $1.91.28 for residential and $2.02.75 for non-residential/commercial, which is an increase of just slightly more than 3%.  

The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

4.  Education Update

It was noted that school is out and hopefully everyone is having fun.  Students were encouraged to continue reading over the summer.

5. Citizen's Public Forum

No discussion was held.

6.  Town Manager's Report

Keith Arlund reported he has concluded the easement agreement with the Thompsons and Getcha Brothers is starting the work on the town hall.

Mr. Arlund stated the Soar Summer Festival will be held on July 24^th and 25^th, and has a similar venue to last year.  

Mr. Arlund advised he received the final audit report.

Mr. Arlund wished to publicly thank the Independence Day Committee, the Police Department and the Police Explorer Group for a job well done on the July 4^th parade and festivities.

7. Public Works

a)  Approve Petitions & Orders for Fair Point Communications

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to approve the petitions and orders for Fair Point Communications. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker stated this is for work on Wheeler Road and is a very straightforward item.

b)  Approve Utility Relocation Agreement with the State of Vermont

Motion by Bruce Brown/Mitch Pearl to approve the agreement Utility Relocation Agreement with the State of Vermont. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker stated since this action is incurring a financial obligation, it should be ratified through the Sewer Commissioners. Mr. Baker noted that from the fire station to OV, there is some sewer infrastructure that will be relocated and because it is in the state's real estate, the cost of reestablishing it will be paid for by the Sewer Capital Fund. As a Select Board, the agreement can be signed and then ratified in the Sewer Commissioners’ meeting.

Tom Schmelzenbach stated there is no financial transaction at this time, as the cost would be incurred when the project is undertaken, which is proposed to be next spring or summer.

Mr. Schmelzenbach stated the Department is working on the water connection for the town hall and the live tap will be done tomorrow. They are also working on the infrastructure projects that had been approved.  Mr. Baker stated the sidewalks on North Street look great and Mr. Brown noted the sign for Estabrook Park looks good.   

c)  Consider Sign Request for the Chamber of Commerce

Janet Mondlak, representing the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, provided the Select Board with a sample sign that the State of Vermont will provide to the Chamber at no cost for directing visitors to the building.  Ms. Mondlak advised the Visitor Center is now open from 8AM to 6PM.  The WIFI should be working soon and the museum is slated to open prior to Labor Day.  Ms. Mondlak stated the Chamber would like to request permission from the town to place the signs at the four points of entry to the town. She noted the signs are important, as they were part of the arrangement with the funder, which is the State of Vermont. She stated the current sign is within the property and it is difficult to see the sign. The State of Vermont has provided travel information signs that are 2 feet by 2 feet and are intended to go on existing town posts. The request is for them to be placed on the town highway and Ms. Mondlak provided a document requesting the locations where the Chamber would like to have them installed in town. 

Richard Baker stated when the permanent sign is installed, would all of these signs be necessary. Janet Mondlak stated some of them would be removed.  She stated the Chamber would like to place the signs where they would be convenient for the visitors and she is not opposed to modifying the locations, if the Board wished to do so. Mitch Pearl suggested installing them in cooperation with the Public Works Director. Mr. Baker encouraged the Chamber to place one of the signs at the 35 mph sign southbound near McDonalds. 

Motion by Mitch Pearl/Richard Baker to approve the installation of the travel information signs for the Visitor’s Center, with the locations to be determined in coordination with the Director of Public Works.  The motion passed with one abstention.

8. Committee Report/Announcements

Mitch Pearl noted there have been a lot of activities going on at the town hall. There has been painting and minor carpentry work done by a group of volunteers, which was intended as a spruce-up to the town hall to make the place look better and the work looks great. The portico is being replaced and Getcha Brothers is working on the fire suppressant system installation.  There is a projection screen and sound system that is also being installed. Mr. Pearl wished to thank all of the volunteers for their efforts.   

Richard Baker stated that the citizens of Brandon have been reminded over the last eight days of how lucky we are to live in a town with such excellent Police, Fire and Rescue departments, with the recent fires and serious automobile accidents. Mr. Baker encouraged people to express their appreciation to members of these departments.  

Bruce Brown stated the Brandon Town Players will be performing the Sound of Music at the Paramount Theater this Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, plus a Sunday Matinee. It was noted this is an incredible production for a local organization.

9. Old/Other Business

Kellie Patten stated she was pleased to see the audit report.  Richard Baker and Mitch Pearl noted it was a very good report.

Richard Baker stated relative to the E911 System, when the state mandated to have this system, the town renumbered all of the addresses in town and had received a reasonably priced package from a vendor.  He stated it is time for those who have not installed signs to do so, as it is necessary to be sure that our emergency response people can find the locations they are called to. Mr. Baker stated perhaps assistance could be solicited from the Explorers to install the signs.  He noted there had been a lot of conversation about the installation of the signs, but the Board should, as public leaders, be sure that our emergency people can readily find locations called to.

Keith Arlund noted for the Board’s information that since the publishing of the economic development position, he has received two applications and will be discussing this item during executive session.

10.  Consider M. T. Associates Proposal

Keith Arlund stated this idea had been brought before the Board in the past and he has received communication from M. T. Associates. He stated there are issues around the proposal that was brought forward as early as 2003.  He reminded the Board that due to the nature of a contract when it comes to tax stabilization, he would like to speak about this in executive session.

Richard Baker stated if there is an action arising from tonight's meeting as a result of discussion during executive session; the Board would like to bring it forward. 

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to recess the Select Board meeting to reconvene as the Board of Sewer Commissioners at 7:35PM. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Motion Bruce Brown/Mitch Pearl to reconvene the Select Board at 7:46PM. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Motion by Richard Baker/Mitch Pearl to enter into executive session at 7:47PM for the purpose of discussing contracts and personnel, to include the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

11.  Possible Executive Session

The Board came out of executive session at 8:45PM.  There were no actions required.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:46PM. The motion passed unanimously - 4 to zero. 

Respectfully submitted,

Charlene Bryant

Recording Secretary