Remember the Brattleboro Selectboard? It's been almost a month and half since we've seen them at a regular Tuesday meeting. They're back!

An epic agenda awaits them, too, at this first meeting in September. From Rental Housing Improvement Policies to a recycling demonstration by the Solid Waste Committee, the evening will be packed with action and adventure.

You can attend in person at the Municipal Center or watch on BCTV to find out more about local issues such as the BMAC plans for new parking, grants for the library and fire department, refinancing for the Transportation Center, passing responsibility for the Bee Line bus service to Connecticut River Transit, and much, much more. The agenda goes all the way to "S" on Tuesday evening.

If you'd like discuss something that isn't already on the agenda, you can do so during public participation near the beginning of the meeting.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at 6:15 pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.  The public is encouraged to attend.

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Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager's Office

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
REGULAR MEETING - 6:15PM
AGENDA

1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING

2. APPROVE MINUTES

3. CHAIR’S REMARKS

4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS

5. SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

7. LIQUOR COMMISSIONERS (no business)

8. WATER SEWER COMMISSIONERS

A. State Revolving Loan Fund

9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Small Business Assistance Program Policy & Procedure Amendments – (tabled from 7/20)
B. Disaster Relief Loan Fund Policy & Procedure Amendments - (tabled from 7/20)
C. Rental Housing Improvement Program Policy & Procedures –
D. Solid Waste Committee – Public Hearing and Demonstration

10. NEW BUSINESS

A. Monthly Financials (July) - John Leisenring
B. Municipal Bond – Refinancing of Transportation Center Bond
C. Interim Library Trustee – Appointment of Dan Garceau
D. Approve Appointment – Assistant Treasurer
E. Rental Housing Improvement Program Loan – Evan Chadwick
F. Brattleboro Museum DRB Application
G. Beeline Bus Operations – Ratify VTrans Selection
H. Tax Map Maintenance - Cartographic Associates, Inc.
I. Grant Application - Vermont Buildings and Facilities Grant Program
J. Grant Application – Fire Dept. Purchase of “Blitzfire” Water Monitor
K. Grant Appropriation – Library First Wednesdays Lecture Series
L. Grant Appropriation – Library Porter Thayer
M. Grant Appropriation – Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP)
N. Tobacco License – The Tobacco Nest
O. Entertainment License – West Brattleboro Association
P. Ad hoc Committee Creation – West River Park
Q. Committee Appointments – Conservation Commission
R. Appointment – Health Officer
S. Appointments – Capital Grant Review Board

11. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI

A. Department Monthly Reports – July
B. Recreation & Parks Department Minutes - July 19, 2010 Board Meeting
C. BHA Minutes – July 26, 2010 Meeting
D. Warrants
E. Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition

12. MEETINGS

13. ADJOURNMENT

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The following will summarize those items on the Agenda for the Tuesday September 7, 2010 Selectboard Meeting. The Board will convene at 6:15 pm for its regular meeting.

WATER-SEWER COMMISSIONERS

A. Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund – The Board is asked to approve an application in the amount of Four-million dollars to the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund. This funding will be used for construction of the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade. Requested Action: To approve the application in the amount of four-million dollars to the State Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund and to designate Barbara Sondag and John Leisenring as authorized agents for the Town.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Disaster Relief Loan Fund Policy & Procedure Amendments - (tabled from 7/20) The Disaster Relief Loan Committee reviewed its policies and procedures and has several proposed changes. The intention of the changes is to bring these policies in line with the policies of our Small Business Assistance Program and our Rental Housing loan program.

Requested Action: To approve the Disaster Relief Loan Fund Policy and Procedures and amended.

B. Small Business Assistance Program Policy & Procedure Amendments – (tabled from 7/20) The Small Business Assistance Committee reviewed its policies and procedures and has several proposed changes. Included in these changes are that loans cannot be used for operating expenses, applicant labor expenses will not be reimbursed, and payments will be reimbursed upon receipt of evidence of committed expenditures.

Requested Action: To approve the Small Business Assistance Program Policy and Procedures as amended.

C. Rental Housing Improvement Program Policy & Procedures – The Rental Housing Improvement Program Committee reviewed its policies and procedures and has several proposed changes. The intention of the changes is to bring these policies in line with the policies of our Small Business Assistance Program and our Rental Housing loan program.

Requested Action: To approve the Rental Housing Improvement Program Policy and Procedures as amended.

D. Solid Waste Committee – Public Hearing and Demonstration At its August 3 meeting the Board stated that it would take public input into the Solid Waste Committee’s FY11 workplan. In addition the Committee will present a recycling demonstration.

Requested Action: None

NEW BUSINESS

A. Monthly Financials (July) and Quarterly Audit Update - Finance Director John Leisenring will present the July Financials.

Requested Action: None

B. Municipal Bond – Refinancing of Transportation Center Bond The Board is asked to approve the refinancing of the Transportation Center Bond. This refinancing will save the Town $217,993 in interest payments.

Requested Action: To approve the Municipality Certificate as to Municipal Bond for the 2010 Series 4 Refunding bonds issued by the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank on July 15, 2010.

C. Library Trustee Appointment – Appointment of Dan Garceau The Board is asked to appoint Dan Garceau to the Brooks Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees. Mr Garceau will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Barbara Brown.

Requested Action: To appoint Dan Garceau to the Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees to complete the term of Barbara Brown, ending March 2011.

D. Assistant Treasurer Appointments – The Board is asked to appoint Deborah Desrosiers as Assistant Treasurer.

Requested Action: To appoint Deborah Desrosiers Assistant Town Treasurer.

E. Rental Housing Improvement Program Loan – Evan Chadwick The Board is asked to approve a Rental Housing Improvement Loan for Evan Chadwick of 383 Western Avenue. Mr. Chadwick seeks a loan in the amount of $17,500 for the purpose of creating a one-bedroom accessory apartment in his home.

Requested Action: To approve a Rental Housing Improvement Program Loan for $17,500 for 10 years at 3% interest to Evan Chadwick to create a one-bedroom accessory apartment in a single-family home at 383 Western Avenue with the stipulation that the $3,000 incentive from Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing Apartments in Homes Program is applied to the outstanding loan balance when received upon completion of the apartment.

F. Brattleboro Museum DRB application - The Brattleboro Museum is interested in making changes to its existing parking lot configuration. The plan would reduce the impervious surface by 1,578 square feet and would reduce the number of parking spaces by one. The new surface will improve traffic circulation in the area and will increase the green space. Because the building is owned by the Town the DRB application must be approved by the Selectboard. The Brattleboro Museum will pay for the improvements (at an estimated cost of $10,000).

Requested Action: To approve the Development Review Board application for reconfiguration of the parking lot in front of the Brattleboro Museum.

G. Beeline Bus Operations – Ratify VTrans Selection Request for Proposals to take over operations of the Beetline bus were received by the State on August 19. Two transportation vendors applied – Connecticut River Transit and Deerfield Valley Transportation Authority. After review of both proposals, and in conjunction with the Selectboard Chair, VTrans recommends that CRT be awarded the contract. CRT’s proposal includes maintaining current services and hiring existing drivers.

Requested Action: To ratify VTrans’ decision to award the Bus grant to Connecticut River Transit.

H. Tax Map Maintenance - Cartographic Associates, Inc. The Board is asked to approve the annual tax map maintenance agreement with Cartographic Associates, Inc.

Requested Action: To approve the 2011 Tax Map Maintenance Agreement with Cartographic Associates, Inc.

I. Grant Application - Vermont Buildings and Facilities Grant Program The Board is asked to approve an application to the Vermont Buildings and Facilities Grant Program in the amount of $25,000 for the construction of a Skateboard Park in Crowell Lot. This grant is for design and construction and has a dollar for dollar match requirement. The Skateboard Park Committee intends to utilize local contributions as match.

Requested Action: To approve the Vermont Buildings and Facilities Grant Program $25,000 application for design and construction of a skateboard park utilizing local contributions as the dollar for dollar match.

J. Grant Application – Fire Dept. Purchase of “Blitzfire” Water Monitor The Board is asked to approve an application to Entergy Vermont Yankee for a grant in the amount of $3,600 for the purpose of purchasing an oscillating Blitzfire water monitor.

Requested Action: To approve the Entergy Vermont Yankee grant application in the amount of $3,600 for the purpose of purchasing a Blitzfire water monitor.

K. Grant Appropriation – Library First Wednesdays Lecture Series The Board is asked to accept and appropriate a $400 pass through grant from the Vermont Department of Libraries. This grant funds the 2010-2011 First Wednesday Lecture Series. As it requires no reporting and is a simple pass-through grant, there is little overhead costs associated with this grant.

Requested Action: To accept and appropriate a $400 pass through grant from the Vermont Department of Libraries to support the 2010-2011 First Wednesday Lecture Series at the Brooks Memorial Library.

L. Grant Appropriation – Library Porter Thayer The Board is asked to accept and appropriate a $5,000 grant from the Windham Foundation. This grant will cover labor and benefit costs to digitize 1,250 photos from the Porter Thayer photography collection archived at the Library.

Requested Action: To accept and appropriate a $5,000 grant from Windham Foundation to cover labor and benefit costs, equipment and software costs, and printing expenses associated with the digitizing of 1,250 photos from the Porter Thayer photography collection.

M. Grant Appropriation – Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP) The Board is asked to accept and appropriate $68,660 from the Radiological Emergency Response Planning Grant from Vermont Department of Public Safety. The grant will be used for maintenance, contracting of services, and purchasing of new equipment.

Requested Action: To accept and appropriate a $68,660 RERP grant from the Vermont Department of Public Safety to maintain equipment, contract services, and purchase equipment for the Town’s Emergency Operations.

N. Tobacco License – The Tobacco Nest The Board is asked to approve a tobacco license for Mohammed Elghoul doing business as The Tobacco Nest at 128 Main Street Suite 11.

Requested Action: To approve the Tobacco License for Mohammed Elghoul DBA The Tobacco Nest at 128 Main Street Suite 11.

O. Entertainment License – West Brattleboro Association The West Brattleboro Association requests an entertainment license for live music at the open field next to the Chelsea Royal Dinner on September 25 from noon until six pm (rain date September 26)

Requested Action: To approve an entertainment license for live music to the West Brattleboro Association at the open field next to the Chelsea Royal Dinner on September 25 from noon until six pm, with a rain date of September 26.

P. Ad hoc Committee Creation – West River Park The Board is asked to seek applications for people to serve on an ad hoc committee to oversee the development of the West River Park. Similar to the committee established to oversee the WWTP upgrade, this committee would be response for the overseeing the fundraising and development of the first phase of park development.

Requested Action: To approve creation of an ad hoc committee charged with overseeing fundraising and development of Phase I of the development of West River Park and to set a date for letters of interest to be submitted.

Q. Committee Appointments – Conservation Commission The Board is asked to re-appoint Peter Seares and Michael Fairchild to the Conservation Commission. Both were members whose terms expired June 30 and are now seeking re-appointment.

Requested Action: To re-appoint Peter Seares and Michael Fairchild to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire on June 30, 2013.

R. Appointment – Health Officer The Board is asked to appoint Brian Bannon as Deputy Health Officer.

Requested Action: To appoint Brian Bannon as Deputy Health Officer.

S. Appointments – Capital Grant Review Board The Board is asked to appoint two Board members to the Capital Grants Review Board.