The Brattleboro Selectboard reviewed a variety of bond options in anticipation of a special Representative Town Meeting deciding the future of Brattleboro’s police facility. No decision was made, but the total cost of 20, 25, and 30 year bonds (including interest payments and funds already borrowed) was provided for comparison.
The board also held a first reading on changes to ordinances that will impact pets and their owners in town. One which may be of particular interest to readers here (hi Zippy) is that police will be able to rescue dogs from hot cars. Other changes include new rules for “dangerous” animals and more clarity in the rules and appeals process.
Preliminaries
There were no substantial remarks from the Selectboard Chair, Town Manager, members of the selectboard or members of the public. A rarity.
“Meeting adjourned!” joked John Allen.
Liquor Commissioners
Acting as Liquor Commissioners, the Brattleboro Selectboard approved both a 2nd class license and another series of special event permits.
The 2nd class license was approved for Green Mountain Market and Deli, a new establishment near Mountain Home Park at 423 Marlboro Rd. Steve, Bruce and Terry Bonnette will operate the small deli and bakery, selling pizza, sandwiches, comfort food, prepared meals, and some convenience items.
Special event permits were approved for the Harris Hill Ski Jump on February 20 and 21, and the Cabin Fever Food and Drink Festival on February 19. As long as the weather is cold, snow can be made for the ski jump, organizers insisted.
After approving the permits, John Allen asked if perhaps the board should take a look at the seeming increase of special event permits being issued. “I worry sometime that we’re exceeding our capacity.”
David Schoales said that craft beer and liquors were a big part of our economy, and Kate O’Connor wanted it to be known that she didn’t think the special events were a bad thing.
Town Clerk Annette Cappy told the board that the special event permits were relatively new, hence the seeming increase in applications. She said not all towns send the applications to their selectboard for approval, and that Brattleboro was one the few where the selectboard does the approval.
David Gartenstein promised that the board would further discuss the issue, hopefully before the fourth of July.
Police and Fire Facilities Projects
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard learned of the proposed type and terms for new debt to finance improvements to police and fire stations.
At issue for the board was the question of type and terms for borrowing the additional funds to complete the facilities projects. Should we take out a bond, or get a bank loan? Should we finance these projects over 20, 25, or 30 years?
The selectboard was told that financing over a longer term adds to the overall cost, but lowers the annual payments after the first year. The first year would be more costly with a longer term, as interest rates would be higher.
Town Manager Peter Elwell said that it was “a pure policy decision” with “no right or wrong” answer. He described it as a “pretty square trade-off” between the impact on the tax rate and the total long term cost.
For purposes of estimates, the Finance Department calculated rates on bonds of varying durations using current rates. Actual rates may vary.
Here’s the math. Brattleboro would need to borrow $7,759, 867 if the projects are approved as presented. The interest rate on a bond for 20 years would be 3.269%, 25 years would be 3.502%, and 30 years would be 3.663%.
So, the cost to borrow the $7.76 million or so would vary depending on the term. We’d pay $2,740,449.80 in interest for a 20 year term, $3,615,688.38 for 25 years, or $4.493,748.06 if the 30 year term was selected.
Of course, we’ve already borrowed $5 million, so that debt gets added in to determine the total costs. Total cost at the 20 year rate would be $16,962,523.90. Total cost for the 25 year term would be $17,837,762.48. Total cost for the 30 year option would be $18,715,822.16.
Any borrowing adds to the property tax rate, and the additional cost would vary from year to year. Looking to the most expensive year for each option, 2018, the 20 year term would have a peak addition of $ .0928, the 25 year term would peak at $ .0876, and the 30 year term would top out at $ .0842.
The peaks can be deceiving. Each of these estimates includes a period of 13 years in which the added tax rate will be more than $ .05
Elwell said the other approach of working with a bank to secure a long-term loan was a bit more difficult, as banks were not generally giving 25 or 30 year loans at this time.
As no decision was required, the board simply took in the information for consideration. Decisions about bonding or loans will be made, if necessary, after projects have been approved by Representative Town Meeting members.
….
The board approved of a Special Representative Town Meeting informational session for Wednesday, March 2 at Academy School. Doors open at 6, caucuses at 6:30, and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
Why caucus at a special informational meeting? Elwell said the decision was made to offer this additional chance for districts to improve their membership and citizens to participate.
The warning for the Special Representative Town Meeting will be Saturday, March 12 at Brattleboro Area Middle School beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Annual Representative Town Meeting Informational Meeting
The annual Representative Town Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 19 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Brattleboro Area Middle School, and there will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at Academy School. The informational meeting doors open at 6 p.m., caucuses start at 6:30, and the meeting begins at 7 p.m.
The question before the representatives will be whether or not Brattleboro should authorize bonds in the amount of $4,500,000 authorized in 2012 to purchase the land and buildings at 62 Black Mountain Road to be used for the police station, instead of renovating the Municipal Center.
Voting will be done by ballot.
David Schoales worried that all these meetings might be confusing for people to keep straight. David Gartenstein said it wasn’t that hard to remember: informational meetings on Wednesdays at Academy school, and the Representative Town Meetings on Saturdays at the middle school.
Elwell noted that town staff would be trying to get out to community meetings around town to answer questions about the proposed projects, and Gartenstein reminded the public that those with questions or comments were invited to contact any board member to talk about the projects.
2016 Certificate of Highway Mileage
Has it really been a year already? The Brattleboro Selectboard approved of the Department of Public Works’ certificate of highway mileage. This is an annual report filed with the state accounting for all of our highways and byways, and is used to help determine state funds for road repairs and improvements.
For those interested, we have 6.42 miles of Class 1, 13.89 miles of Class 2 , and 65.01 miles of Class 3 town highways.
There are 22.207 miles of state highway, an increase of .012 miles. The increase came from a previously un-counted exit ramp, said Elwell.
Town Road and Bridge Standards
Similar to the highway certificate, the Brattleboro Selectboard approved of the Department of Public Works’ annual certification of compliance, indicating that Brattleboro follows all state and federal standards when building our roads and bridges. This helps assure us federal FEMA funding assistance for these projects if there is a disaster, and qualifies us for lower matching costs with state grants, but can also add to the cost of projects because they are done to state and federal standards.
Ordinance Amendments – Animals and Fowl – First Reading
The board held a first reading of proposed changes to the Animals and Fowl chapter of town ordinances. The assortment of changes were suggested by Police Captain Mark Carignan and Town Clerk Annette Cappy.
Carignan said his suggestions were in four general categories: definitions , language changes and clarifications, updates to fines and penalties along with options for appeals, and a new section dealing with animals left in hot cars. Police officers will now be permitted to use force to remove animals from unattended vehicles.
Much of the new language dealt with “domestic pets” and how they become designated as “dangerous.” Carignan explained that current rules are vague, and the re-writes will add specificity, with rules that can be followed and due process for pet owners.
Not discussed, but in the proposed changes: cats and ferrets will be part of the definition of “domestic pet,” which replaces the previous ordinance-defined term of “dog.”
Cappy’s suggested changes related to reference to state fees in the current ordinance. Currently, each change in state fee for a dog license requires an ordinance amendment. The suggested revision will remove reference to state fees, eliminating the need to return to the board for any state license fee changes.
Fines have been increased to “encourage compliance.”
Carignan said they consulted Vermont League of City & Towns suggestions as well as rules used by other towns and cities before customizing proposed revisions for Brattleboro. The proposed ordinance has been reviewed by the Town Attorney.
There will be a second public reading and a public hearing scheduled if you’d like to weigh in on the proposed changes before they are adopted.
Design Review Committee
The Brattleboro Selectboard amended the membership of the newly-formed Design Review Committee to allow for a one-year alternate to participate.
They also appointed new members to the committee. Teodoro Senni will become a full member, and Mary McLoughlin will be the new alternate.
Committee Vacancies
Committee vacancies exist. Volunteer!
Annual Meeting of Mice
The mice in the neighborhood are organizing to request some cats be designated as dangerous.
The mouse board will meet to discuss. There will be an informational meeting for mouse representatives the Wednesday prior to their annual meeting. Hole in wall opens at 6 pm.