Selectboard Meeting Notes – Have A Great Vermont Day

The excitement over a new Town Clerk, a maximum price set for Central Fire Station, and completed plans for the Police Station was somewhat tempered by the news that a longtime friend of Town government and volunteerism, James Banslaben, had passed away. The board offered heartfelt memories and was genuinely moved by the unexpected news.

Late fees and penalties due to the Town’s scheduling of Water & Sewer bills will not be abated, garbage is good, and child victims may gain an advocate.

Preliminaries

The meeting got off to a somber start, with word from Chair David Gartenstein that James Banslaben, a BCTV camera operator, CPCC member, and frequent selectboard meeting participant, was recently found dead in his apartment. 

“He had the kindest and gentlest heart,” said Gartenstein. “He would greet me and say “Have a great Vermont day!” He said his passing was a “substantial loss to all of us and makes us all very sad.” The board had a moment of silence.

“I work downtown at the ‘Chamber of Congress’ as James called it,” said Kate O’Connor. She called him an ambassador to the town who helped many visitors find things to do, and said that he would pop in her office multiple times a day. She said he would always say “you look great” even if one wasn’t, and “he was part of the community and touched many lives. He touched my heart,” she said. “I won’t forget him.”

Dick Degray called Banslaben an incredible person who had a great impact on him over the last eight years. While working together, Degray said, Banslaben would greet those passing by with kind words. “He’d say ‘You look great today. Enjoy your great Vermont day,” said Degray. “I thought it was schtick.”

The majority of those receiving the compliment, said Degray, would smile that someone said something kind and uplifting.

He continued. “I am grateful to have known him. He has changed my life. He was such a kind man. I never heard him swear. Never spoke ill of anyone.”

Degray said Banslaben would be embarrassed by what everyone was saying. “I hope to carry through on things he did. I’ll miss him greatly,” he said, breaking down in tears. “Rest in peace.”

David Schoales consoled Degray and offered that Banslaben “had something most people don’t have.”

John Allen said he’d miss James a lot. “He’s the only person that called me a super genius. I’ll take that for the rest of my life.”

Town Manager Peter Elwell had no opening remarks.

For comments and committee reports, David Gartenstein reported that the board took a tour of the I-91 bridge recently and that it would be in use by the middle of March in one direction and completely open to traffic both ways in June of 2017.

“I have a video of Kate running around on it like a two year old,” said Allen. He said it was the coolest bridge and hoped there would be some sort of open house so people could go and see inside.

There was no public participation. “Take a number,” joked Allen.

Abatement of Interest and Penalties for Late Utility Bills

The decision to refund utility bill penalties and late fees for six property owners was delayed until this week’s meeting, giving time to gather information about other property owners who were assessed the same fees and penalties but didn’t appeal their situation.

There were 390 payments collected, 188 of which were deemed “consistently late.”  37 accounts were paid within two days, leaving the Treasurer’s office with an estimate of 166 payments that could potentially be abated. 

If all 390 accounts had fees abated, the total return of funds to taxpayers would be $6,899.63  ($5,965.90 in penalties and $933.73 in interest.)

The Finance Office recommended not abating any late fees, though, as a majority were paid on time, proper notice was given, it’s hard to manually refund the accounts, and others may want abatements in the future. Instead, they suggested abating the original six accounts that filed letters of appeal.

The board disagreed over what to do.  Schoales wanted anyone that filed an appeal to have it granted. Gartenstein thought it best to deny everyone, as there was no definitive way to know who was confused by billing. 

Degray felt it best to refund the money to all 390 in the form of a lower bill in February, and offered up such a motion.

Allen felt a single late water bill wouldn’t be a “black mark on anyone’s credit” and that they should deny the abatements.

A motion on the appeals to abate was shot down 1-4, with Degray in favor.

Degray’s motion to give money back was voted down 1-4, with Degray in favor.

“I know how Custer felt” said Degray.

Police-Fire Facilities Projects Update

Town Manager Peter Elwell said two significant issues were before the board: a price for Central Fire Station and plans for the Police Station. He gave the board a report on the three facility projects underway.

Things are progressing at West Brattleboro Fire Station, and the building frame is taking shape. Roofing, siding, interior work, and the apparatus bay slab pouring are in the immediate future.

There was some discussion of whether or not to remove the flashing light near the station at Western Avenue and South Street. Cost wasn’t an issue, but usefulness was. Elwell explained that the light was an outdated way to signal people to slow down, and many people currently ignore it. As there was no particular message attached to the flashing light warning of a specific reason to slow down, it didn’t meet current standards and didn’t particularly add to public safety.

There was talk of moving the crosswalk, changing to pedestrian controlled flashing lights, adding a stop light for the fire station to control, keeping it where it was because it served a need, and then other crosswalk locations in the general vicinity.

Gartenstein pulled them back to the issue at hand and they voted 1-4 to not eliminate the light. (ie, 4-1 to keep it as is.)

For the Central Fire Station, the primary note of progress has been the submission of a guaranteed maximum price of $5,120,170 from DEW Construction, for most but not all of the station renovation. They expect the project to take 13 months. Over 20 subcontractors will be working on the building.

Elwell said the price was over $100,000 less than originally budgeted, and that savings were accumulated into the contingency fund, which could pay for high priority items that were cut from the current plans, such as back-up generators.

Degray wondered how generators were not essential to town services. Elwell said it was like a spare tire, not essential initially but good to have. Project manager Steve Horton added that they had thought they might be able to use grant money for generators but were unsuccessful. He said the cost for all three locations would be $200,000.

Horton said much effort had gone into coming up with the price, and that there were some items added, such as asbestos removal, so that the full cost is known now and the work will get done.

The board voted 5-0 to accept the guaranteed maximum price of $5,120,170 for Central Fire Station. 

At the Police Station, complete plans have been finalized and reviewed by the DRB. New alterations are mostly in the parking lot, which will be redone completely. There will be new walkways added, more landscaping, and better drainage. The inside plan remains as previously reported, though an automatic, push-button controlled door will now be included at the entryway.

An under-used access road on the property will be slightly improved with gravel for police use in emergency situations.

Ray Giolitto presented the finalized plans and told the board that a 725 specification book was also created to guide the project details for contractors.

David Schoales requested contractors be reminded to hire local labor whenever possible.

Michael Bosworth asked if the roof could hold a solar array. It was doubted, but a planned, future carport roof could be designed to hold solar panels, he was told.

This facility’s Guaranteed Maximum Price will be set by December 6. The lease with the Reformer should be ready for approval November 1.

The board approved the plans 5-0.

New Town Clerk

Brattleboro has a new Town Clerk – Hilary Francis. Francis replaces long-time Town Clerk Annette Cappy.

Francis will begin work informally during the presidential elections, then officially at the end of November. Francis will take over the reigns at the end of December. As is usual, Town Meeting Representatives will get to ratify the decision at the Representative Town Meeting next spring.

Town Manager Elwell said the hiring team and advisory committee were impressed with all candidates and especially the final two choices. He said that Francis was chosen on a vote of 9-1.

“I’m very excited to serve as your new Town Clerk,” said Francis.

Deputy Health Officer

Brian Bannon has been re-appointed as Deputy Health Officer. This is in addition to his regular duties as Town Zoning Administrator.

Monthly Finance Report with John O’Connor

John O’Connor presented the board with their monthly financial report for September, showing how the Town did financially in the first three months of the fiscal year.

He said that with 25% of the year complete, the General Fund stands at 24.6% of its annual budget.

Utilities Fund is at 23.2% and the Parking Fund at 21.5% of their budgets.

Solid Waste Disposal Fund revenues are at 21.1% and expenses at 18.1%, with the note that revenues and expenses are delayed by a month as usual.

Brattleboro has loaned out over $3.3 million and has $818,676 available for grants or loans.

There are 38 active grants and 5 more being prepared.

Small Business Assistance Program Loans

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved of two Small Business Assistance Loans for Ironwood Brands LLC, which is borrowing the money to do improvements to properties located at 628 Abbott Road and 21 O’Bryan Drive.

The total amount of $70,000 will be repaid with 3% interest over 5 years. The total is divided into two loans, one for each property. $25,000 is loaned for the Abbott Road property and $45,000 for the O’Bryan Drive space.

Eli Gould said the buildings were used for his growing timber framing business.

Every-Other-Week Garbage Pickup Status Report

Town Manager Elwell summarized a report on every-other-week garbage pickup for the board.

In short, it has been a success! There have been few complaints, almost $100,000 in savings, no increase in illegal dumping, and more garbage diverted out of the Town’s waste system.

From FY15 to FY 17, for example, the overall tonnage has dropped by 60%, from 642 tons to 255 tons. Compost has gone up 160%, from 52 tons to 136 tons.  Paper collection is up 8% and co-mingle (glass and plastic) has increased 17%.

David Gartenstein encouraged his non-composting neighbors to begin composting.

Health Insurance Program Renewal, Modified Reimbursements

The board renewed health insurance beginning in 2017 for Town employees with slight modifications to the overall plan. Deductibles have been raised to $3,000 for single coverage and $6,000 for family coverage, and the Health Reimbursement Arrangement has been correspondingly adjusted.

Previous numbers were $2,500 for single and $5,000 for families.

The HRA, a relatively new layer in the town employee compensation package, pays for claims between $1,500 and $3,000 for single coverage and between $3,000 and $6,000 for family coverage. This allows the town to buy insurance with higher deductibles, save money, and assume some risk for the mid-range claims.

Elwell said this amount was a sweet spot. “We could get greedy and go higher but that is riskier.” 

As it is, this small increase in deductibles will save the town an expected additional $37,000 per year. The board approved of the change 5-0.

Child Advocacy Center Grant

Brattleboro Police are applying for a $60,000 Special Investigations Unit/Child Advocacy Center grant. If granted, it will offset costs associated with assigning a Brattleboro police investigator to the Special Investigative Unit to cover cases of child abuse and sexual assault in Windham County. They estimated about 45 annual cases in Brattleboro and another 15 around the county.

Elwell said an unnamed Brattleboro officer was trained and already handled local cases. This money would reimburse for time spent helping other communities.

David Gartenstein recused himself but nonetheless fully endorsed the effort, saying that it helped with two goals. The first was to have a child interview specialist trained to follow national protocols for child victims. The second was to have investigators working on cases. He thought the unnamed officer would be a great addition to the Child Advocacy team.

Degray asked about the potential to create a position with grant money that would need taxpayer support later. He was reassured that the money would be reimbursing current work, and no new positions would be added. He then suggested that if the grant did run out some day, perhaps Brattleboro could be contracted to work with other communities.

It passed 4-0-1, with Gartenstein abstaining.

So ended the business of the meeting.

“James, we’ll miss you,” said Gartenstein, as BCTV showed a photo of Banslaben working the cameras.