Brandon Select Board Meeting

September 14, 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, Chris Brickell, Bill Dick, Rod Pulsifer, Wayne Rausenberger, Tom Schmelzenbach, Anna Scheck,  Greg Smith

1.  Call to order  

The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by 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 August 31, 2009

Motion by Mitch Pearl/Bruce Brown to approve the minutes of the August 31, 2009 meeting. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.

b)  Approve Errors and Omissions

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to approve the following four properties under errors and omissions, with the remaining three to be discussed at a subsequent meeting: 1) William Brooks - Parcel #0096-0059, 2) Thatcher Resources - Parcel #0093-0025D, 3) Vermont Transco – Parcel #9998-0002, and 4) Kent and Alicia Ramsey – Parcel #0039-0045.  The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.  

Richard Baker noted with regard to the Ramsey property, he does not think the Grand List changed, rather due to the fact the person who moved out of the home had a Veteran's Exemption. He noted this will be confirmed with the listers.

3.  Fiscal

a) Warrant - June 30, 2009 - $998.72

                  - September 14, 2009 - $96,017.51

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to approve the warrants as stated. The motion passed unanimously – 3 to zero.  

b)  Consider Investment Options

Bill Hatch noted the Board has received bids and a recommendation from the Town Treasurer concerning investment options to consider. Bill Dick stated he had been advised that the prior motion to approve the $530,000.00 investment with Citizen's Bank did not have a fixed rate; therefore, he has provided additional information to the Board.  He noted that he has put out to bid the $1.2 million that is currently with the National Bank of Middlebury.  Mr. Dick noted the National Bank of Middlebury does have 3^rd party collateral.  Bill Hatch questioned if Mr. Dick would be receiving a letter identifying the investments and he noted that he has already been receiving this type of information from them.  Mr. Dick stated one option would be to have $1 million in a CD and $700,000.00 in an account that would allow the town to make withdrawals, with the accounts having an interest rate of 1.75%. Bill Hatch questioned if the National Bank of Middlebury would be interested in providing 3rd party collateral on the operating account and Mr. Dick did not know if this was possible. Mr. Dick noted that it is difficult to move money back and forth in this economic climate, with the banks not providing much flexibility. 

Motion by Richard Baker/Mitch Pearl to authorize the Town Treasurer to invest in two CD's with the National Bank of Middlebury, one in the amount of $1 million and one in the amount of $700,000.00 with an interest rate of 1.75%.

Mitch Pearl clarified the figures in the motion are approximate amounts. 

The motion passed unanimously - 3 to zero.

4.  Education Update

It was noted that school is now in session and the construction in front of OV is near completion. 

5. Town Manager’s Report

Keith Arlund stated he did not have a specific report, but will discuss some items under Other Business.

6.  Citizen’s Public Forum

Wayne Rausenberger requested a status on the economic development position.  Keith Arlund stated there was a telephone inquiry, a couple of verbal inquiries and an email inquiry, with no follow-on by any of the people. There has been limited interest in the position and it is still being advertised on the VLCT web site and has been running on the Rutland Herald electronic classifieds.

7.  Report of the Forest Service

Greg Smith, District Ranger for the Green Mountain National Forest addressed the Board indicating he is new to the area and has been visiting the various towns to introduce himself. He noted Brandon has 89 acres that are in the National Forest and it is an important area, as it is a gateway to the Moosalamoo area.  Mr. Smith advised the National Forest has received $900 million in economic stimulus funding that is allocated to infrastructure, roads and bridges. The Forest Supervisor, Meg Mitchell, will be leaving this position and a replacement will be named later this year.  Mr. Smith also wanted to discuss the Leicester Hollow area that had been damaged during the floods last year. He advised their engineers do not think it is feasible to rebuild the road where it was washed out, however, they would like to maintain the same trails and are looking at rerouting and rebuilding a hiking/mountain biking trail around the washed out sections. They are going to look at bringing the snowmobiles down the Ridge Trail. Mr. Smith questioned if there were plans to rebuild the Churchill Bridge and whether the current bridge is suitable for a snowmobile groomer. Tom Schmelzenbach stated VAST installed the current bridge and he believes it is suitable for snowmobile use. He noted there are plans to complete for the reconstruction and he is researching funding options to construct the bridge. Mr. Schmelzenbach advised he is currently in the right of way phase and once this is completed, the project will move ahead, pending funding. Bruce Brown stated he did not believe VAST had groomed that section last year and he does not think a groomer could get through the current bridge. Tom Schmelzenbach will contact Mr. Smith to discuss this matter. Mr. Smith encouraged the Board to contact him with any questions they may have for relative to the Forest Department. 

8.  Public Works

Tom Schmelzenbach provided the Board with an informational packet of what is being worked on at this time and he was present to answer any questions.  He noted he had not discussed the bids for the surplus equipment with Keith Arlund, however, the department does have a few needs equipment-wise and he proposed that perhaps the town could utilize the proposed bid to sell surplus equipment to help with that. There is a need for a sidewalk sander.   

Motion by Richard Baker/Mitch Pearl to authorize the Town Manager to sign the necessary documents to convey the surplus equipment that was properly advertised in the amount of $20,825.00 to G. Stone Motors, with the proceeds to be deposited in the equipment fund. Mitch Pearl recused himself from the vote.  The vote passed. 

Richard Baker wished to thank Tom Schmelzenbach for his patience on the North Street project. He noted it looks better and hopefully the adjoining property owners are satisfied with the outcome.  Tom Schmelzenbach stated the majority of the work is done and he feels it came together very well.

Bruce Brown stated the Backyard Project was mentioned in the report and questioned the status. Tom Schmelzenbach reported he met with the VTrans contact on this project and discussed the plans and the right of way status. It was noted the next step is to work with Jim Carroll to get a sign off on the project.  The detailed plans will be sent to VTrans. The town is set with the funding and the project should be able to be built next spring.

9. Committee Report/Announcements

Kellie Patten reported the following movies will be playing at the Town Hall; September 16^th – Playtime, September 18^th – A Bug's Life, September 23^rd – Frozen River and on September 27^th, there will be the Battle of the Teen Bands.. 

Kellie Patten reported Neshobe's first PTO meeting was held tonight, with the next meeting scheduled for October 2^nd at the Neshobe School library. She noted that Judi Pulsifer had indicated Neshobe is off to a wonderful start, with opening day being August 26^th, which included a Parents' Luncheon. Open House  was held on September 10^th, with ice cream provided by the PTO.  This year's  current enrollment is 384 students and the 3-year-old Early Childhood Program is now at Neshobe. There are several new staff members, including Paul Eaton - Student Support Leader, Debbie Lendway – Early Childhood Program Teacher, Alia Dick  - 6th Grade Teacher, Monica Keith  - 4th Grade Teacher who will be job-sharing with Melody Wilson, Samantha Blow – Special Educator and Christi Koch - SLP (Speech Language Pathologist). The SOAR Summer Program ran from July 6^th through August 14^th and the After-school SOAR Program is off to a good start with all slots filled. The split rail fence is installed at the school and heating pipes between the two buildings have been replaced. Activities at the school include a Monday Chess Club, Spelling Bee on Thursdays and the start-up of a Jazz Band for 5^th and 6^th graders. The 5^th grade students recently had a field trip to Camp Thorpe and the 6^th grade students participated in a special Naturalization Ceremony on September 11^th in Montpelier by performing a choral reading of the Preamble.  Neshobe Voices, which are the one-act plays that are written, directed and performed by students under the direction of Chuck Meese, will begin on September 16th. Picture days are scheduled for September 21^st and 22^nd and information has been sent home with the students on this subject.  Kindergarten will begin its full-day sessions on September 28^th.  Ms. Patten also noted she has a request from the school for a road closure for the Halloween Parade on Friday, October 30^th.  

Motion by Kellie Patten/Richard Baker to approve Neshobe School's request to close Route 7 and Park Street for the Halloween parade for a short period of time on Friday, October 30^th. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Richard Baker stated there was an article in a local paper talking about how things can get done with the help of volunteers, and Mr. Baker wished to acknowledge the efforts of the Recreation Advisory Committee. He reported the Fall Recreation brochure is now available and the Soccer Program is off to a good start.  Mr. Baker wished to congratulate the Recreation Advisory Committee for sustaining that program and he noted there are a lot of good, positive things going on in town.

Richard Baker reported this Thursday at the Leahy Conference Center at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, there will be the monthly meeting of the Rutland Regional Transportation Council. They will be reviewing and endorsing five applications for the Enhancement Program that will be funded by stimulus money from the AOT. Mr. Baker also reported that on Saturday, October 17^th there will be the inaugural Lincoln - Douglas Debate Tournaments for high school students. This event will start at 8:30AM at OV and sometime in the middle there will be a guest appearance by Stephen A. Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who will stage a portion of their debate. 

Bruce Brown stated he will be resigning at the end of October, as he will be moving to Arizona. This will provide the opportunity for someone who might be interested in serving on the Board the chance to trial this commitment for four months, prior to running for the position in March. 

10. Old/Other Business

Richard Baker stated since 1993, when the effort failed to obtain the training school for the town offices, there have been several attempts to provide adequate space to conduct the town business and the police department.  Mr. Baker stated the Board needs to provide the town manager and the police chief an indication that if they invest energy into this item, they would be endorsed by the Board. Bill Hatch stated this Board may endorse such an endeavor, but the project would probably fall on a subsequent board to follow-on with substantial funding. Mr. Hatch stated there needs to be a strong sell if one is going to put forth a bond vote.  Kellie Patten state she does not feel there is enough time prior to the upcoming town meeting, but there should be cause to ask them to place this issue on a front burner. She felt that perhaps it would be more feasible to bring this to the voters during the 2011 town meeting.  Richard Baker stated they should not be limited to the town meetings and he feels it is time to move this item more to the forefront and the staff needs an indication that they will not be wasting their time in pursuing this item.  Mitch Pearl stated since he has been on the Board, there have been a number of proposals that have been brought forward and he does feel the Board has been diligent in considering viable contacts. They have not come to fruition, however, not due to desire to move the project along, rather due to the fact there was not a viable option that made sense from an operation, financial and political standpoint. He noted this Board has always said that if the right proposal had been brought forth, it would have tried to persuade the public. Kellie Patten stated they have always kept their ear to the ground for possible locations, which is what the Board has asked them to do. She noted the Board is ready and willing to listen to whatever proposals are out there and if the Town Manager and Police Chief are looking for permission or wish to make this a higher priority, she is in agreement with that.  Bruce Brown stated they should also look into the feasibility of what it would cost to build a new facility and go from there. Chris Brickell wished to reiterate that the facility is bad where they are working and he questions whether he should start looking for a new location for the police department or for all of the town's facilities. He noted concern that his department's facility is failing in compliance and does not meet state standards and he feels the need for the police department is greater than that of the town's offices.  He stated he has checked into some properties, but he does not want to research them further until he is aware if there is a larger agenda.

Keith Arlund reported he met with Kevin Elnicki regarding the transfer station and has convinced him of the need for a trial program for recycling boxboard. They discussed recycling in general and Mr. Elnicki continues to work on this effort. Mr. Arlund would like the Board to consider the rate increase, as the vendor has been entitled to 2 – 3 rate increases since the beginning of the contract, but has only requested this one. 

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to increase the transfer station household rate to $2.50 for the first 16 pounds and $.15 for each additional pound, with the rate going into effect on October 21, 2009. 

Bruce Brown also wished to make a friendly amendment that the increase is subject to the installation of the boxboard recycling receptacle.  Richard Baker also noted in addition to changing the rate structure, the motion should also include the authorization to allow the Town Manager to sign a new contract. 

The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.  

Kellie Patten stated the first Board meeting in October will fall on Columbus Day and she questioned if the Board was going to meet on that day. A schedule determination will be made at the next meeting.

Keith Arlund reported there will be a Pie Bake-off and Pie-Eating Contest sponsored by the Recreation Department that will be in combination with the Chamber's Harvest Festival on October 3^rd in Central Park.  Mr. Arlund reported there was not enough interest in Flag Football, therefore, this activity was suspended.

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to recess as the Select Board to reconvene as the Board of Liquor Commissioners at 7:58PM.  The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

Motion by Mitch Pearl/Richard Baker to enter into executive session at 8:03PM for the purpose of discussing a real estate matter. The session was to include the Town Manager and the Chief of Police. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero.

11.  Possible Executive Session

The Board came out of executive session at 8:20PM.  There were no actions required.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Richard Baker/Bruce Brown to adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:22PM. The motion passed unanimously – 4 to zero. 

Respectfully submitted,

Charlene Bryant

Recording Secretary