Budget season begins with an overview of the proposed budget by the Town Manager to the Selectboard, and this starts at the next regular meeting of the board.
They’ll also approve more repairs for the skating rink, increase the deductible on health insurance for town employees, review their goals, and more. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
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The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at 6:15pm over Zoom. The Municipal Center (230 Main Street) will be open to the public with limited seating spaced six feet apart and face coverings will be required. The public is encouraged to participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
AGENDA
NOTE: The Selectboard members and Town staff plan to participate in this meeting on Zoom and the public also is encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the meeting in-person may do so in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, where everyone will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
2. APPROVE MINUTES –October 12 and October 19
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. VCDP Grant for Zoning Bylaw Modernization – Authorize Application
B. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant – Accept and Appropriate
C. Nelson Withington Skating Facility – Ratify Expenses for Refrigerant Repairs + Recharge
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. COVID-19 – Continued Consideration of Hybrid Selectboard Meeting Protocols
B. Selectboard’s Annual Goals for 2021-2022 – Status Report
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Health Insurance Program – Renewal for Calendar Year 2022
B. FY23 Proposed Budget – Town Manager’s Overview
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: Peter B. Elwell, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: October 29, 2021
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, beginning at 6:15pm. The Selectboard members and Town staff will participate
in this meeting on Zoom and the public is strongly encouraged to attend and participate on Zoom. People who choose to attend the meeting in-person may do so in the Selectboard Meeting Room
at the Municipal Center, where everyone will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. VCDP Grant for Zoning Bylaw Modernization – Authorize Application
B. Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant – Accept and Appropriate
C. Nelson Withington Skating Facility – Ratify Expenses for Refrigerant Repairs+Recharge
The Board is asked to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
In a memorandum dated October 20, 2021, Planning Director Sue Fillion requests the Board’s approval to apply for a 2022 Bylaw Modernization Grant in the amount of $25,000 from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development to pay for a consultant to develop amendments to the municipal zoning ordinances intended to remove barriers to housing construction. Selectboard approval of this item on the consent agenda would authorize Town staff to submit that application and would approve the Municipal Resolution that will be submitted with the grant application.
In a memorandum dated October 21, 2021, Town Accountant Kim Ellison asks the Board to accept and appropriate a 2021 Edward Bryrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $12,971 from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. This grant was awarded to the Town of Brattleboro on October 13, 2021, to pay for overtime to address drug trafficking and violent crime. It is part of an ongoing series of Justice Assistance Grants received from the Department of Justice throughout the year. Selectboard approval of this item on the consent agenda would officially accept this grant and appropriate those funds.
In a memorandum dated October 22, 2021, Recreation and Parks Director Carol Lolatte explained that during an annual systems evaluation at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility, American Refrigeration determined that there was a crack in one of the pistons in the 100HP compressor. It was also determined that there was a leak and we had lost 700 pounds of R-22 refrigerant between shutting the system down in March and restarting it in October. American Refrigeration addressed the leak, repaired the piston, and recharged the system. The cost of the repairs and recharge was $36,507. These funds were drawn from the Rink Assessment Account, where the Town accumulates the proceeds from the $30/hour surcharge on rink rentals so that we have a source of funds for major maintenance needs like this as they arise. The Rink Assessment Account currently has a balance of $117,050. Town Manager Elwell approved the emergency repairs so we could stay on schedule to make the ice for the rink’s seasonal opening on October 23. Selectboard approval of this item on the consent agenda would ratify the $36,507 expense. Staff has taken steps to more quickly identify and address any future leaks. Also, planning is underway to replace the entire refrigeration system in 2023-2024 and staff will provide more information about that during the Selectboard’s upcoming review of the proposed FY23 Budget.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. COVID-19 – Continued Consideration of Hybrid Selectboard Meeting Protocols
The Selectboard will discuss whether to maintain the current practice of holding Selectboard meetings on Zoom with people allowed the alternative of participating in-person at the Selectboard Meeting Room in the Municipal Center, whether to resume holding in-person meetings (in the large meeting room at the Central Fire Station) with people allowed the alternative of participating via Zoom, or whether to explore other options for hybrid meeting protocols.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO BE DETERMINED
B. Selectboard’s Annual Goals for 2021-2022 – Status Report
The Selectboard will review progress on the implementation of its annual goals that were adopted on April 20, 2021.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS MATTER.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Health Insurance Program – Renewal for Calendar Year 2022
The Board is asked to approve the renewal of the Town’s Employee Health Insurance Program for calendar year 2022, as described in the memorandum dated October 28, 2021, from Town Manager Elwell. This year’s recommended renewal includes implementation of an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), National Preferred Formulary (NPF), and increased deductible to reduce the
magnitude of the overall cost increase from $306,620 (12.3%) to $219,442 (8.8%). These plan changes are unanimously recommended to the Selectboard by a committee that includes management, a non-union employee representative, and a representative from each of the Town’s 4 employee unions.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF THE TOWN’S EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022, AS PRESENTED.
B. FY23 Proposed Budget – Town Manager’s Overview
Town Manager Elwell will provide an overview of staff’s proposed FY23 Budget.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS MATTER.
