The Selectboard took a breather after the excitement of the budget process and elections. This week, there were only minor matters on the agenda as the Town awaits Town Meeting Day later this week.

A few highlights — a new bar is opening on Main Street, this one with pool tables. Daryl Pillsbury tried briefly to bring back the second in the board’s rules of order (too bad he couldn’t get a second....) And Dick DeGray expressed “concern” that despite higher parking rates, threats of collection proceedings against parking infractors, and a new name-and-shame page on the Town web site, Parking revenue is down. Quote of the week comes from Town Manager Barbara Sondag: “You can’t force people to park.” Read on for these stories and more.

Comments and Preliminaries

New seating arrangement! from Left to Right: Daryl, Dora, Dick, Barb, Martha, Jesse

Dick DeGray, who is board chair this year after taking a hiatus, had a few remarks. He said that he took a tour of 1063 Western Avenue, the property that is being converted to an affordable assisted living facility and that it was looking good. He said that he also toured Pine Heights that it’s going to “work out quite well” for people sent over for rehab after hospital stays.

DeGray said also that he was looking forward to Town Meeting Day, which is this Saturday starting at 8:30 am. You’ll be able to view the BCTV broadcast live on your cable tv or here on iBrattleboro.

Liquor Licenses - New Bar To Open On Main Street

As is the custom, the board renewed all the liquor license renewals at once in a great mass approval of liquor licenses. The Police Chief was on hand to ascertain that he had reviewed the licenses and there are no current issues with any of them.

The board also approved an entertainment license for Steak Out Restaurant to allow them to have “mellow jazz” on weekends and late night music during the week. They got a license to have entertainment until 1 am. Dick warned that they would need to comply with the Town Noise Ordinance.

Finally, the board approved liquor and entertainment licenses for a new bar and restaurant to occupy 95 Main Street where Distinctive Decor is now. The new place will be called Rocky Top Tavern, and have food, entertainment, two pool tables, two floors of seating with a bar upstairs, and entertainment three nights a week. My, my.

Pillsbury Tries To Restore The Second

The board took up its annual responsibility to review its rules of conduct for the year. There were a few minor changes. Jesse Corum asked that a directive about school board vacancies be deleted as it is already in the Town Charter.

Daryl Pillsbury said that it was his preference that all motions receive a second. It has been board practice for the last few years to allow discussion on any motion, without need for a second. Dora felt that not having a second allowed minority opinions and ideas to be aired, even if the board decided quickly not to approve the motion.

Pillsbury said that he understood all that but that this was “town business,” and warranted a higher standard. “I feel that if you can’t get a second, we shouldn’t talk about it,” he said.

DeGray said that he could see it from both sides, but agreed with Dora that not having the second allowed people to bring matters up for discussion.

In the end, the board approved rules of conduct pretty much as they have been, so like last year, motions will not require a second.

Monthly Financials with John Leisenring - Parking Revenue A “Concern”

Finance Director John Leisenring announced that in February 2010, the eighth month of the fiscal year, the Town had expended 55.08% of its budget, which is over 10% less than the expected percentage of 66.6% for this time in the budget year. He then opened the floor to questions.

Dick DeGray asked about cost overruns in maintenance at the Gibson Aiken Center. He was concerned that repairs to a number of items including the kitchen exhaust fan and the security system had wiped out that budget line. Leisenring said that this was “a management issue” for Recreation and Parks Director Carol LaLotte but that her budgets overall were within 1% of the target. He said he would discuss adjustments with her.

DeGray also expressed concern about parking revenue. “Is anyone else concerned about parking revenue?” he said. Barb Sondag said she was, and that the revenue had been on target right up until January and February, when we started “lagging behind.” “But there’s not a lot we can do to increase revenues at this point,” she said, “because you can’t force people to park.”

DeGray then asked how Sondag was doing with finding a collection agency to collect unpaid parking fines. Sondag said that she was talking to an agency but needed to follow up. Leisenring said that according to the same agency, an 80% collection rate, which is what Brattleboro has, is about as good as it gets when you factor in out-of-state and one-time parking offenders.

As it turns out, the Town is also engaging in a little name-and-shame on its web site with a page displaying the names and license plates of all parking infractors.

Parking Infractors

Dora said that for her part, she was more concerned about complaints she’d heard from people around town who say they won’t shop downtown because “the town is too quick to issue tickets.” “I see it from the other side,” she said.

AT&T Transmission Site Approved For Minor Changes

AT&T has a transmission tower in the area which it would like to add some hardware to. The height of the tower will not change. The change was approved 5-0.

Google Broadband Gets Board Endorsement

The Vermont Telecommunication Authority is submitting an application for the Google Broadband pilot project for Windham and Bennington Counties, and Barb Sondag wanted the board to send a letter of support. Said Sondag, “This is somewhat of a long shot but Vermont does have some things going for it — we have a telecommunications authority and we’re hoping to be among only a few applications from the state. "

The board was enthusiastic in its willingness to sign a letter of support for Google Broadband.

Brattleboro Police Get $1500 Donation

CE Bradley Labs has donated $1,500 to the Brattleboro Police Department for purchase of equipment. Dora asked what kind of equipment. Leisenring said it was a general donation and would just get added to the equipment budget. The board approved the donation.

Town Meeting Motion Assignments and Other Business

Barb Sondag handed out motion assignments to members of the Selectboard for Saturday’s Town meeting. These are the motions that each will read during the meeting. Sondag said that she had tried to take into consideration individual likes and dislikes of board members. She assured Daryl Pillsbury that he would not be reading the motion for Pay As You Throw.

At that point the board began to stall in hopes that Ricky Davidson of the Boys and Girls Club would make it to the meeting in time to hear his proclamation read.

In the meantime, they appointed David Weaver as Town Health Services Officer (Daryl and Barb thank Weaver for his work) and Daryl Pillsbury to the RHIP Committee and the Wastewater Treatment Oversight Committee (Daryl - “I love crap”).

The board also sent best wishes to Dave Thompson, who is stepping down from the Traffic Safety Committee for health reasons. Martha O’Connor praised his knowledge and his sense of humor The board will be seeking a citizen to fill his place on the committee.

Town of Algiers

Sondag said that the Town had received a letter from the people of the Village of Algiers, situated in Guilford near the Brattleboro line. Algiers wants to connect to Brattleboro town water.

Sondag said that they could discuss it at their next meeting, a Utilities worksession on March 29. Sondag said that at some point, the board would need to enter executive session as the deal would involve a contract matter.

Jesse Corum said that he felt some of the discussion needed to be held in open session so that citizens could weigh in.

It was agreed to discuss the matter further at the March 29 worksession.

It’s National Boys And Girls Club Week!

Ricky Davidson, Director of the Brattleboro Boys And Girls Club, did not make it to the meeting in time to hear the Selectboard make his proclamation wherein it was declared that the week of March 21 through 27, 2010 is Boys and Girls Club Week, in honor of the many services said Club provides to area youth.

The board then went into executive session to discuss collective bargaining matters. No vote was taken after that session, according to Dora who was reached for comment shortly after the meeting.