It's the first Selectboard meeting of 2009, and some big issues are on the agenda to kick things off.

The Selectboard is scheduled to discuss appointments of a Health Officer and Acting Zoning Administrator, and amendment to the Downtown Improvement District ordinance, approving the FY10 budget, last months's monthly financial report, Intervenor Status in Entergy's relicensing, and a reversal of their November decision concerning Pay As You Throw so that citizens will pay for trash bags to pay the Town's tipping fees.

As always, you are invited to attend in person to lend your learned point of view, or you can watch on BCTV and simply yell at your TV if the spirit moves you to vocalize your delight or disgust. Public participation is the time during the meeting for you to bring up anything not already on the agenda.

BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:00PM
REGULAR MEETING - 6:15PM
AGENDA

1. Convene regular meeting

2. Confirm meeting officially warned

3. Approve minutes from the meeting on December 16, 2008

4. CHAIR’S REMARKS

5. MANAGER’S COMMENTS

6. SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

8. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

9. INTERNAL BUSINESS

A. Monthly Financial Report – tabled from last month
B. Pay As You Throw – Reconsider Approval of PAYT system
C. FY10 Draft Budget – Approve budget
D. Intervener Status Entergy Relicensing - Discussion
E. Ordinance Amendment – First Reading Downtown Improvement District
F. Deputy Health Officer - Appoint Cathy Barrows
G. Acting Zoning Administrator – Appoint Rod Francis

10. OLD/OTHER BUSINESS

11. NEW BUSINESS

12. CORRESPONDENCE

13. MEETINGS

Charter Revision Commission
January 8, 2009 6:30pm
Hanna Cosman Room

Planning Commission
January 12, 2009 6pm
Hanna Cosman Room

Conservation Commission
January 13, 2009 5:30 pm
Hanna Cosman Room

Housing Commission
January 14, 2009 5pm
Hanna Cosman Room

Arts Committee
January 15, 2009 4pm
Hanna Cosman Room

Development and Review Board
January 19, 2009 7pm
Selectboard Meeting Room

Selectboard Meeting
January 20, 2009
Selectboard Meeting Room

14. ADJOURNMENT

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The following will summarize those items on the Agenda for the Tuesday January 6, 2009 Selectboard Meeting. It is anticipated the Board will enter Executive Session at 5:00pm to discuss a civil and bargaining unit matter. The regular meeting will begin at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room.

9A. Monthly Financial Report – At its December 16 meeting the Board received the monthly financial reports from Finance Director John Leisenring. As members did not have sufficient time to review the reports, staff will be prepared to answer any questions at the January 6 meeting.

Requested Action: None.

9B. Pay As You Throw – It is anticipated that the Board will reconsider its November decision to not move to a pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) system of trash pickup. A PAYT system was discussed during the past several budget worksessions. The Board is looking at a system that would require residents living in dwelling with less than five units (single family homes and apartment complexes with four or less units) to purchase special trash bags. The revenue generated by bag sales would be used to pay the expense of trash tipping fees (per tonnage fees currently paid by general fund taxes). The Town would continue to pick up trash and recycling.

If the Board wishes to reconsider its October decision, a motion to reconsider must be made by a board member who originally voted in the majority. To reconsider the November 5, 2008 decision to move to a pay as you throw system. If this motion is made and passes, the Board can then reconsider the original motion of November 5: To approve moving to a pay as you throw system, and for staff to return with a detailed implementation plan.

9C. FY10 Draft Budget – The Board is entering the final stages of FY10 budget approval process. At the December 21 worksession Board members discussed in more detail the FY10 Capital Improvement Plan and its impact on the FY10 budget. The Board reached consensus to bring forward a draft FY10 Budget for adoption at the January 6 meeting. As presented this budget represents an increase in the tax levy of approximately 1.2%. The accompanying budget memo provides more detail on the draft budget.

Requested Action: To approve the FY10 Budget as presented.

9D. Intervener Status Entergy Relicensing – Board members will discuss the Town’s current status as an intervener in the Entergy Relicensing hearings before the Public Service Board. In August the Board approved assuming intervener status in the Public Service Board hearings. The Town sought Intervener status on the following grounds: employment, property values, economic benefit to the residents and businesses of Brattleboro, public health and safety, and reliability of VY.

At its last meeting the Board heard from several citizens requesting that the Board hold a public hearing concerning the relicensing. Planning Director Rod Francis forwarded me a motion by the Planning Commission stating the following, “move that the Planning Commission request that the Selectboard, in their capacity as intervener, hold a Public Hearing on the matter of the Certificate of Public Good in the ENVY re-licensing case.”

Town Attorney Bob Fisher has been monitoring the proceedings to date and will provide the Board with an update. I have placed in the Board’s packet additional information on hearing process as well as the schedule for this particular case.

Requested Action: None.

9E. Ordinance Amendment – First Reading. At a prior meeting the Board reviewed the Ordinance governing the Town’s downtown improvement special assessment district. Changes have been incorporated into the ordinance and come before the Board for a first reading.

Requested Action: None.

9F. Deputy Health Officer Appointment – The Board is asked to re-appoint Cathy Barrows as Deputy Health Officer.

Requested Action: To appoint Cathy Barrows as Deputy Health Officer.

9G. Acting Zoning Administrator – The Board is asked to approve the appointment of Rod Francis as Acting Zoning Administrator..

Requested Action: To appoint Rod Francis as Acting Zoning Administrator.