BRANDON TOWN ANNUAL MEETING

MARCH 3, 2008

Moderator Charles Jakiela called the annual Brandon Town meeting to order at 7:55 P.M.  Attending the meeting were Selectpersons Richard Baker, Bruce Brown, Kellie Patten, Mitch Pearl, Chairman Bill Hatch, Town Manager Keith Arlund, Clerk Bill Dick and 143 other registered voters.  The following business was transacted:

1. To take appropriate action on the reports of officers as they appear in the Town Report.  There was a brief discussion on the profitability of the transfer station.  It was moved and seconded to accept the reports as presented.  Motion passed.
2. To hear a presentation by the Select Board of its recommended budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009.  This budget and appropriations will be voted by Australian Ballot on March 4, 2008 at the Neshobe School located at 17 Neshobe Circle.  Town Manager Arlund presented an overview of the budget, which reflects an increase of approximately 3%.  Lengthy discussions centering on the Recreation Department and the town-wide reappraisal followed. Dick White moved to cease discussion on the article.  Sue Wetmore seconded the motion. The motion passed.  

3.      To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will authorize the Select Board to spend unbudgeted, unanticipated income received by the Town so long as the expenditure of such funds shall not create a deficit.  Mona Rogers moved to adopt the article. Van Schwiebert seconded the motion.  After a brief discussion, the question was called, seconded and adopted. The main motion was then passed.

4. To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will agree to an increase in the exemption from property taxes for qualifying disabled veterans from $20,000 to $40,000 in accordance with 32 VSA 3802(11) as amended.  Frank Mazza moved the article. Dick White seconded the motion.  Dolores Furnari moved to amend the motion by reducing the exemption from  $40,000 to $30,000.  Frank Mazza made an impassioned plea in support of the original motion, noting the sacrifices veterans have made.  The amendment was defeated.  The main motion passed.
5. To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will agree to increase the percentage of voters required to sign a petition for reconsideration or rescission from 5% (five percentage) to 20% (twenty percent) in accordance with 17 VSA 2661(a)(2).  Mike Balch moved to adopt the article.  Dick White seconded the motion.  Discussion followed. Janet Mondlak move to call the question. Motion seconded and passed.  Main motion then passed.
6.  To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will vote to exempt the house and property at 4 Grove Street (Parcel ID Number 0079-0004) belonging to the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace Community Center, Inc. from municipal property taxes for a period of ten (10) years in accordance with the exemption clause for charitable and fraternal organizations as set forth in 32 VSA 3840.  Buzz Racine moved to adopt the article.  Warren Kimble seconded the motion.  Motion passed.
7.  To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will vote to exempt the house and property at 4 Grove Street (Parcel ID Number 0079-0004) belonging to the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace Community Center, Inc. from state educational property taxes for a period of ten (10) years in accordance with the exemption clause for charitable and fraternal organizations as set forth in 32 VSA 5404a.  Jan Ripley moved to adopt the article.  George Wetmore seconded the motion.  Motion passed.
8. To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will agree that the late payment fees will accrue on overdue Sewer Bills at the rate of 1% (one percent) per month for each month, or fraction of a month, that said bills are paid after the date upon which they become due.  Bill Orth moved to adopt the article.  Richard Baker seconded the motion.  Motion passed.
9. To see if the voters of the Town of Brandon will vote to establish an infrastructure improvement reserve fund.  Frank Farnsworth moved to adopt.  Jan Ripley seconded the motion.  After discussion, a motion was made to move the question and end the discussion. The motion was seconded and passed. The main motion was then passed.
10. To transact any other business proper to be done when met. Sidewalks, the Backyard Project and commuter parking were discussed. Warren Kimble thanked retiring Moderator Jakiela for his 25 years of dedicated service.  Moderator Jakiela followed by praising the democratic process exhibited at the town meetings over which he has presided.  In particular, he pointed out Charlie Scarborough as a prime example of an individual who takes his responsibilities as a citizen seriously and is not afraid to speak his mind on the questions of the day at Town Meeting.  Richard Baker presented a resolution proclaiming the rest of the day to be the "Charles S. Jakiela Day" within the confines of the Town of Brandon.  The meeting was recessed at 10:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M., March 4^th.

Respectively submitted,

Charles S Jakiela                         Joyce Heath                William Dick

 Moderator                                  BCA Chair                    Town Clerk