The Brattleboro Selectboard approved of contracts for most of the town’s union and non-union employees, with a range of raises, salary adjustments, and benefits packaged at minimal additional cost to taxpayers over the next three years. The negotiating process went smoothly, with cooperation on all sides, pleasing those involved.
Brattleboro’s 4th of July parade permit was approved, finances are looking good, tax bills will be delayed, Bradley House got lots of money, paving will be done under budget, grants were accepted, the town is suing over a breached contract, citizens were appointed to committees, a property will be demolished, Brattleboro businesses will face fines, and more.
Preliminaries
Chair David Gartenstein started the “summer solstice” selectboard meeting with four announcements. The first was that the Elliot Street bridge would officially close June 27th for two months for repairs. “It will be a travel challenge,” he said.
The second was that he appreciated the hard, behind-the-scenes work to bring three collective bargaining agreements to the agenda. “A significant achievement.”
Third was that the Town of Brattleboro is suing Next Sun for cancelling our contract to receive net metering credits from a solar array project started years ago. Next Sun has filed a motion to dismiss, but the town will press on with the case.
The fourth announcement may or may not be good news for payers of property tax. The usual August 15th tax bill will be delayed, with a due date of September 15th for this year.
Town Manager Peter Elwell announced that the $450,000 Bradley House grant had been approved by the state. The town will contribute $50,000 of matching funds for the project to expand and improve the facility.
Elwell reminded viewers that the police would be co-hosting a free cookout on Whetstone path from 11:30 am to 1 pm, and that there would be a grand un-veiling of the NEA town art project at the July 1 Gallery Walk, with special events at the Transportation center and waterfront.
Elwell also reminded everyone that every-other-week garbage collection would begin July 11. Call his office if you have questions.
For selectboard comments and committee report, Kate O’Connor gave a brief review of the NEA art project, saying it was really cool and that people will love it.
Dick DeGray thanked his wife and James Banslabin for ten hours of helping make the switch to summer flowers in downtown planters.
Public participation was lacking.
Parade Permit – By The People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth
The Brattleboro Selectboard gave their nod of approval to By The People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth, for the annual Independence Day parade on Main Street. The parade will be on Monday, July 4th starting at 10 a.m., with the usual parade route that begins at the high school and ends at the Common, along Fairground Road, Canal Street, and Main Street.
About 50 units are expected to participate.
There will be fireworks at Living Memorial Park at 9:30 p.m. after a day of activities.
If anyone wants to volunteer or make a contribution, write to brattleborogoesfourth@gmail.com
Monthly Financial Report with John O’Connor
Finance Director John O’Connor gave the board the monthly finance report for May, the 11th month of the fiscal year, expressing confidence that they should end the year on a good note.
With 91.7% of the fiscal year complete, the General Fund expenses are at 86% of the annual budget.
The Utilities Fund stands at 90.5% and the Parking Fund at 80.2% of their respective budgets.
The Solid Waste Disposal Fund stands with revenues (91.6%) and expenditures (90.8%) pretty much on target, with the usual caveat that bag revenue, collection costs and tipping fees get figured in a month later.
Just over $3.3 million has been loaned out, and about $760,000 is available for additional granting and loaning by the town.
Brattleboro currently has 52 active grants and 6 more applications being prepared.
Dick DeGray asked about Rooms & Meals taxes. O’Connor reported that the most recent quarter, January through May, was higher than ever, as were previous recent quarters.
He also reported that the town was selling lots of compost containers.
Paving Bids
Brattleboro’s Department of Public Works was given board approval to hire Vermont Roadworks to complete the annual summer paving projects in town. They’ll get just under $190,000 to pave South Street, Thayer Ridge, Mather Road, and Bonnyvale Road. Funding comes from the FY17 Capital Paving program.
Vermont Roadworks will also take on a second paving gig for the Public Works department. They will receive an additional $130,728.80 to take on the special overlay paving projects funded by the state in consideration of the extra wear and tear being caused by the I-91 bridge project. Upper Dummerston Road and Western Ave from Exit 2 to Chestnut Hill will be improved.
The two projects were approved despite some confusion from the board over the existence of the company submitting the bid.
“Who is this? asked John Allen, a local contractor by day. “I’ve never heard of them.” Other board members had similar reactions.
Elwell assured them they were real and local, though he didn’t quite know who they were exactly. “Not Manning,” he said. “Maybe a newer company?”
Both projects are coming in under budget, which led Dick DeGray to call for a report on possible additional paving with the savings. Elwell agreed to bring suggested projects to a future meeting. Gartenstein asked that he consider other town projects beyond paving as well, and he agreed.
Farm Tax Stabilization for Robb Family Farm
The Robb Family Farm has received permission of the Brattleboro Selectboard to continue to participate in the farm Tax Stabilization program. The Waiver Committee met, discussed the unique financial circumstances of this year’s operation of the farm, and made a recommendation to continue with tax stabilization for FY17.
The waiver was requested because more than 1/3 of their 2015 household income was non-farm income – a potential red flag that farming was fading. The waiver committee looked into the situation and found that, contrary to the numbers, maple sugaring and other agricultural activity had increased during 2015.
“There is no doubt that they meet the intent of the program,” said Gartenstein.
Business Personal Property Tax Fines
Town Assessor Russell Rice asked for and received permission to fine 15 Brattleboro businesses that have failed to file their Business Personal property schedules as required. These are rather complex forms which ask business owners to list everything the business owns and to calculate values and depreciations. Those who have not filed their forms for 2016 will now be fined $100.
DeGray asked if there was an exemption for some of the tax, and Rice answered that there was, “if you get a business license.”
Additionally, they were publicly shamed, with business names being read aloud. DeGray asked Rice to read the names, but he deferred to Gartenstein. “David likes to read them,” he said.
“If the goal is to read them aloud, I will,” said Gartenstein before reading the list. He then thanked the 800 or so businesses that filed on time.
Cemetery Ordinance – Second Reading and Public Hearing
Town Clerk Annette Cappy returned for a second reading and public hearing with the Selectboard about changes to Brattleboro’s cemetery ordinance.
The changes described at the last meeting remain, she said, including some changes to language, new rules for cremated remains, a new area for burial of the poor, a new area for cremated remains, allowing solar powered eternal flame lights, and a reduction in number of committee members required to do business.
Dick DeGray asked about the requirement that an authorized professional do any digging. “Do you have a list?”
Cappy said there is one person that does the work, and that the requirement was there so that digging would be done well and records would be properly kept about plots.
With readings a hearing complete, and a few giggles about the extreme lack of public at a public hearing, the changes were adopted.
Grants Galore
The Brattleboro Selectboard accepted and appropriated a number of grants Tuesday night.
A Justice Assistance Grant of just over $19,000 will be used by the Brattleboro Police to outfit officers with ballistic vest containment systems (vests, shirts, and suspenders.) This should improve comfort and reduce health-related costs. The amount of the award is determined by previous year crime statistics for the area.
A Vermont Department of Public Safety CDIP Grant in the amount of $85,000 will be used by the Brattleboro Police to support drug-related and other major criminal investigations.
A Vermont Community Foundation Crosby-Gannett Fund grant of $1,000 will be used to support the installation of fencing at a proposed dog park at Living Memorial Park. Funds must be used within one year of the grant.
Grant Applications
A $25,000 PetSafe Bark for your Park Grant application, if funded, will be used for dog park fencing at said dog park at Living Memorial Park.
An application to the VT 2017 Building Community Grant Program for $7,200 will also be used, if approved, for dog park fencing.
Award Bid to Demolish 805 Western Avenue
Bernie LaRock & Sons have received $30,200 to demolish and dispose of all structures at 805 Western Avenue, a property damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
Patrick Moreland said that the aim of the hazard mitigation program was to reduce future liabilities and to try to avoid future flood damage. He said the homeowner benefits by getting a buyout equal to pre-damage worth of the property.
The project is funded fully by grants that support disaster mitigation. The work will be done before August 9.
Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreements Thru June 2019
After quite a few executive sessions to hammer out details, the Brattleboro Selectboard approved of collective bargaining agreements with three of the four town employee unions. Deals have been struck with The New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 412, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 98, and the United Steel Workers, Local 944. Negotiations with firefighters have not yet been completed.
David Gartenstein said that one major goal was to harmonize the various agreements to be consistent, to make sure all staff were compensated properly and that it all stay affordable for taxpayers.
Town manager Elwell explained the details of each agreement. He noted that not all communities have such a collaborative and positive negotiations, and for that he was glad to be in Brattleboro. The process wasn’t about winning, he said. Instead the goal was to strengthen agreements so that everyone could feel that the process was a success. He felt that was achieved. “It’s a good spot for the town to be in.”
In terms of changes, contract language has been updated, new Health Reimbursement Arrangements are in place, a statewide retirement benefit program is made available, and a raises in each year for the next three years.
The Town began with an idea that 2% annual raises were acceptable and affordable. Each union negotiated to slightly different ends, though, and some traded away a bit of that to pay for alternative benefits.
The pay scale for police (officers, dispatchers, and parking enforcement employees) has been adjusted to increase entry level and mid-level pay to be comparable to the region. Officers will receive across the board pay increase of 1% each year, plus step increases for some employees.
Steelworkers (public works and parks employees) will receive 2% across the board increases in the first two years, and a 3% increase in year three, helping to align their pay with other town employees.
The Operating Engineers (administrative employees) will see 1.5% across the board pay increases in the first two years, and 2% increase in the third year. They will also begin a longevity pay benefit rewarding employees with an annual bonus of $25 for each year of service.
All of the agreements are available at the Town of Brattleboro web site for review.
All non-union employees will get a 2% pay increase effective July 1, 2016, will be allowed to participate in the Vermont Municipal Employee Retirement System Plan B effective October 2016, and will be able to participate, pro rata, in a Longevity Pay Benefit program being implemented for Local 98.
The net cost to accomplish all of the adjustments, said Elwell, was $40,000 in net cost in three years when savings are factored in.
“A very healthy situation,” said Elwell.
Committee Appointments
Many people were appointed to town committees and positions. David Gartenstein said he was heartened by how many people were participating. “It’s a sign of a healthy municipality,” he noted before reading the full list of volunteers up for consideration.
Adam Salviani, Dale Joy, and Scott Castle will join the Arts Committee.
Kathleen Snow and Brian Bannon to join the Cemetery Committee.
Ben Coplan and Darah Kehnemuyi will join the Citizen Police Communication Committee.
Michael Gouin and George Reed-Savory are joining the Development Review Board.
Michael Bosworth and Tom Finnell will serve on the Energy Committee.
Harrington S. “Tim” Kipp will become a Fence Viewer.
Sherwood Lake, Sr. and E. David Wright join the Honor Roll.
Christopher Grotke will be Inspector of Lumber, Shingles & Wood. (“A protest candidate” said Allen.)
Katharine Manthei Audlin and Casey Berg appointed to the Planning Commission.
Debra Chapman will be the Rescue, Inc. Trustee.
Barbara Woods will join the Senior Solutions Board.
The Tree Advisory Committee will gain the services of Bob Everingham, Georgia Morgan, and Robert Clements.
Timothy J. O’Connor will continue as Weigher of Coal.
Town staff will be town representatives.
Other
DeGray asked if the town would be compensated for the recent accident between truck and fire hydrant near Price Chopper. Elwell said they go after reimbursement. “It isn’t always successful,” he pointed out. But the town tries.
Election Notes
Primary Elections in August will be held at the Municipal Center downtown. The General Election in November will be held at the VFW on Black Mountain Road.
(Non) Inquiring minds don't want to know....
Elwell assured them they were real and local, though he didn’t quite know who they were exactly. “Not Manning,” he said. “Maybe a newer company?”
Wouldn’t it be prudent to know who you were giving the taxpayer’s money to before agreeing to this project? How hard would it be to get a little information on this business that is apparently unknown to town officials?
That statement from Elwell really summed up so much of what’s wrong with the way this town is run. This is astounding to me – that the SB would approve having work done by a company that they know zero about. What is wrong with these people? This isn’t an indictment on the paving company but on the stupidity of the town management. It’s really mind boggling.