Brandon Select Board Meeting

August 10, 2009

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

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

Also in Attendance:   Tom Schmelzenbach, Lee Kahrs, Charles Lamoureaux, Jeffrey Ojala, June Kelly, Tina Wiles, Raymond Jobst

1.  Call to order

The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM by Chair – Bill Hatch.      

a) Agenda Adoption – Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to adopt the agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero. 

2.  Consent Agenda

a)  Minutes – Select Board Minutes of July 27, 2009

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the minutes of the Select Board meeting of July 27, 2009. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

b)  Minutes – Board of Liquor Commissioners Minutes of July 27, 2009

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the minutes of the Select Board meeting of July 27, 2009. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

It was noted this motion should be approved as the Board of Liquor Commissioners.

c)  Approve Errors and Omissions

Richard Baker wished to defer this item to a subsequent meeting, as he has some questions for the listers concerning this information.  

d)  Consider Appointment to Planning Commission – Jeffrey Ojala

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the appointment of Jeffrey Ojala to the Planning Commission for a term ending June 30, 2012. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

Bill Hatch questioned if Mr. Ojala had served on public committees in the past. Mr. Ojala stated he has served on various public committees. Mr. Hatch stated there is a fair amount of time involved in serving on this committee and Mr. Ojala stated he is looking forward to serving on the committee.

3.  Fiscal

a) Warrant – June 30, 2009 - $1,164.79

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the warrant of June 30^th in the amount of $1,164.79.  The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

b) Warrant – August 10, 2009 - $179,284.71

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to approve the warrant of August 10^th in the amount of $179,254.71.  The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

Richard Baker stated the difference in the motioned warrant is a correction to the Conley and Foote invoice for recording costs.  

c) Warrant – August 10, 2009 – Postage - $2,000.00

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to approve the warrant of August 10^th in the amount of $2,000.00 for postage.  The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.  

d) Warrant – August 10, 2009 – Mosquito Control - $6,099.75 

Motion by Bruce Brown/Richard Baker to approve the warrant of August 10^th in the amount of $6,099.75 for the Mosquito Control District. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.  

Richard Baker noted this is the amount that is in the budget and represents the quarterly payment.

4.  Education Update

Richard Baker noted the first day of school will be August 26th and OV is currently under construction.

5. Citizen's Public Forum

There was no discussion held.

6.  Consider Acceptance of COPS Grant

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to authorize the Town Manager to enter into the agreement and accept the grant on behalf of the Town of Brandon. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

Richard Baker stated Brandon was a community that had sought and received funding under the American Recovery Act to hire a new police officer.  This funding is for 100% of the cost of this position for three years. With the deployment of individuals to Afghanistan, there is a shortage of qualified people; however, the Police Department is actively seeking a qualified individual. 

7. Consider Transfer Station Rate Increase

Bruce Brown stated he does not see the potential for recycling box board or other materials included in this information. He noted there needs to be an opportunity for the public to be able to reduce their waste, if an increase is going to be imposed.  Kellie Patten stated this type of recycling is being done in other communities and she also felt that the Town Manager should go back to the vendor and request this option.

Richard Baker stated it is possible to recycle box board, but it needs to be taken to Rutland. He stated the vendor’s rational is that Casella is increasing their rates and in the original contract, Earth Waste Systems was eligible for a cost of living type increase. Kellie Patten stated she does not feel the increase is unreasonable, but she feels there should be an offer to provide more recycling. The consensus of the Board was to defer this to the Town Manager for further action.

8.  Public Works

Tom Schmelzenbach stated the action item for consideration has to do with a vendor award to supply the town with gravel. He has done a cost analysis and his recommendation would require a change in vendors. If the town were to truck the material itself, the actual cost of the material would be the same. Mr. Schmelzenbach advised he is considering having the gravel delivered and stockpiled, which would be a savings to the town. Mr. Schmelzenbach is not familiar with the pit, but he would have the material tested and he would view the pit prior to awarding the contract; based on favorable test results. The figure represents the budgeted figure that was previously approved. This is for the gravel that is used for servicing the roads. Mr. Schmelzenbach advised the Department is preparing the roads for the bus routes and he anticipates using gravel this month. Mr. Schmelzenbach stated, due to the cost spread, he has no reason to not award the contract to the low bidder, pending favorable test results. He noted this is the same pit that Carrara Ready-mix uses for their precast. The current vendor has always been there for the town, however, the cost spread would warrant a change in vendors. Mr. Schmelzenbach advised the Department will use the stockpile over the next 3 weeks but if necessary, they can get more from the current vendor. Kellie Patten questioned if Mr. Schmelzenbach had approached the current vendor for a price match. Richard Baker also questioned if there would be any fuel surcharges from the new vendor. Tom Schmelzenbach stated he questioned the vendor if the delivered figures were final and it was noted they are the final figures. Mr. Schmelzenbach also noted that the costs were very different from the current vendor versus the proposed vendor. The decision was made to defer action on this item until the Town Manager returns.    

Charles Lamoureaux stated that Tom Schmelzenbach had indicated at the last meeting that he would have the figures for the North Street costs for the paving of the driveways. Tom Schmelzenbach stated this information is in the Select Board's packet. Kellie Patten noted with these items deducted, there is still $13,754.00 remaining for the project. Mr. Schmelzenbach stated the figures provided will more than take care of what is required. He noted there are a number of drives that need to be paved and some other punch list items completed. 

9. Committee Report/Announcements

Richard Baker stated the Rutland Regional Transportation Council will hold their monthly meeting on August 26^th at 7:00PM in the newly refurbished room at the office of the Regional Planning Commission in the Opera House. 

a)  Recreation Committee Report

Tina Wiles stated the Recreation Committee met last week and they feel there is a need for a part-time Recreation Director.  She noted there is money that remains in the budget that could support this effort. The Committee would like to request the Select Board consider allowing Keith Arlund to hire a Recreation Coordinator for around 20 hours per week, similar to what was in place prior to Ted's arrival, to assist with the activities and programs. Bill Hatch noted some of the money set aside has already been used and Ms. Wiles was aware of this. She also noted the Committee's guidelines are limited and they would like to request consideration in allowing them to have more power to implement activities. Ms. Wiles has discussed this with issue with Mr. Arlund and it was suggested the Committee would oversee the Recreation Coordinator, which would be more of an administrative position. Bruce Brown stated the Board would need to have Mr. Arlund involved in this discussion; however, he does not have a problem with hiring a coordinator. He would, however, have a problem with the Committee supervising the individual, as Mr. Arlund would be responsible for supervision as this would be a town employee. Mr. Brown stated the Committee could be an advisor to the position. Richard Baker reiterated Mr. Arlund would be the supervisor for statutes and payroll and the Recreation Advisory Committee could be involved in reviewing and working closely with the Coordinator. Mr. Baker stated the Board is in consensus with the concept, however, they will need to wait until Mr. Arlund is back to implement this. Bruce Brown stated now that the town hall will be open to the public, there are items in the basement that should be stored elsewhere. Tina Wiles stated that there has been some equipment that has been lost and she discussed this matter with Mr. Arlund last week. She stated that Shawn has been working on the Recreation Department maintenance and he will assist the Committee in inventorying this equipment. Bill Hatch concurred that the Board is in agreement on the Recreation Coordinator, but they will need to discuss this item with the Town Manager. June Kelly stated she was present to support the request before the Board and she noted the Committee members are questioned why they cannot act upon certain items and she encouraged the Board to consider the request to provide the Committee with more authority.

10. Old/Other Business

Richard Baker stated relative to the meeting schedule for August; he proposed to meet on the 31^st, instead of the 24^th. It was the consensus of the board to hold the second meeting on August 31^st.

Mr. Baker wished to remind the Board that there is the municipal education training session next Monday night at 6:30PM.  Tina Wiles stated there are 12 people currently signed up for the training session.

Motion by Richard Baker/Kellie Patten to authorize the Town Manager to sign the letter of endorsement for the Moosalamoo Association to submit a grant application for the Moosalamoo Recreation Area for purposes of economic development for the region.

Mr. Baker noted there may be some stimulus money available. Bruce Brown stated some of the money available is due to the flood and also because this is a national recreation area. Mr. Brown noted the area does not have an education center there.  Richard Baker stated this also ties in with the Town Highway 22 project. Mr. Brown stated there is potential for additional visitors that would provide economic improvement in this region. Bruce Brown will provide some key points to the Town Manager for the application. 

The motion passed – 3 to zero.  Bruce Brown abstained from voting on this item.  

Bruce Brown questioned if the discussion about the health officer would require an executive session and Kellie Patten stated currently this has come to the Board for information only. Richard Baker noted the Board would have to convene as the Board of Housing Authority for discussion, as this item is outside the Select Board authority. 

11.  Possible Executive Session

There was no executive session required.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 7:40PM. The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero. 

Respectfully submitted,

Charlene Bryant

Recording Secretary