M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, December 10, 2018
Bennington Fire Facility
Multi-Purpose Room -3^rd Floor
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201

A G E N D A
6:00 PM
1.  Pledge of Allegiance
2.  Consent Agenda (6:00 PM – 6:05 PM)
A. Minutes – November 26, 2018
B. Warrants
3.  Citizen Public Comments   (6:05 PM – 6:20 PM)
4.  Downtown Bennington Alliance – Marketing Proposal
(6:20 PM – 6:35 PM)
5.  Opiate Response Plan Discussion (6:35 PM – 7:00 PM)
6.  Bennington Downtown Alliance–Marketing Plan (7:00 PM – 7:15 PM)
7.  Lead Reduction Grant – Final Report  (7:15 PM – 7:35 PM)
8.  209 Pleasant Valley Road – Bid Discussion (7:35 PM – 7:45 PM)
9.  Manager’s Report   (7:45 PM – 7:50 PM)
10.Other Business        (7:50 PM – 7:55 PM)
11. Executive Session
A. Contract

Town of Bennington
BOARD OF ABATEMENT

Bennington Town Office
Conference Room
205 South Street, Bennington, VT

Monday, December 10, 2018
5:00 PM

Agenda

1. Hear annual requests for Abatement

ALL ABOUT TOWN
Stuart A. Hurd, Town Manager

Happy Holidays everyone! This will be the last All About Town for 2018. It’s amazing that another year has slipped by. This has been an incredibly busy year. We have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to in the coming year. I’ll touch on some of these efforts in this column.

The Putnam Redevelopment Project has pretty much completed the demolition phase of the former Greenberg buildings. We look forward to the construction in Phase 1, the historic buildings including the Pennysaver building, the Putnam building and the Winslow building. This activity is a welcome change to the intense effort that it took to pull the necessary funding together. Congratulations to all the partners. Thank you for your perseverance and commitment to our community.

The design for Phase 2 of the municipal water line extensions into the northeasterly portion of the PFOA contamination area is now underway. This is great news and indicates that negotiations are moving in a positive direction. The PFOA crisis rocked this community. Thankfully, the State of Vermont, through the Department of Environmental Conservation, reacted quickly to help us find a solution. I look forward to construction in this area in the Spring 2019. Concerns raised about senior citizens and others not being able to afford municipal water should be set aside. The Town works very closely with those struggling financially to insure the affordability of this important service.

Three park projects are underway. The pump track at Stark Street playground, sponsored by the Bennington Area Trail System (BATS), is now in the construction phase. I understand they are looking for material to get underway as soon as possible. Construction of the splash pad, an interactive water feature, at Merchants Park began this Fall. Work will be completed in the Spring. Additional funding is still being sought to complete the park’s amenities, including a stage, a public restroom, landscaping, benches, walkways and an art installation. And at long last, the Park at 336 Main Street is underway. We look forward to the completion of these projects in the Spring.

The Select Board, after listening to the presentation by representatives of Fed Up Vermont and the Turning Point Recovery Center at its November 12^th meeting, pending Town Counsel’s opinion, has decided to join in a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies brought to the attention of the Board by Fed Up Vermont. This group, made up of a number of individuals who have seen first hand the devastation this crisis can cause, spoke powerfully of their experiences. It was moving and inspiring. We will review the proposed retainer agreement before proceeding.  It will not be resolved quickly.

The Select Board at its last meeting voted to enter into a management agreement with the Northern Berkshire YMCA to oversee the operations and programs of the Bennington Recreation Center for the coming year. It will cost the Town $3600 per month. Jessica Rumlow, Associate Director of the Berkshire Y, will be appointed the interim executive director of the Recreation Center. It is a one year agreement allowing the parties to understand what is offered, if the offerings can be enhanced, and if new programs can be identified. At the end of the year, the parties will review the effort and determine next steps. All current Town employees remain with the Town. Rates will not change during this time.

Please don’t try to tell me these are not exciting times.

Remember, if anyone has any questions or suggestions arising from this column or on any town matters, please contact me at 442-1037 or stop in at the Town Offices on South Street.

Stuart Hurd is Bennington’s Town Manager. He writes a monthly column on town issues.

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, November 26, 2018
Bennington Fire Facility
Multi-Purpose Room -3^rd Floor
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201

A G E N D A
6:00 PM
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consent Agenda (6:00 PM – 6:05 PM)
A. Minutes – November 12, 2018
B. Warrants
3. Y Proposal for Recreation Center (6:05 PM – 6:25 PM)
4. Citizen Public Comments (6:25 PM – 6:40 PM)
5. Downtown Bennington Alliance – Marketing Proposal (6:40 PM -7:00 PM)
6. Fed Up Vermont Lawsuit – (7:00 PM – 7:20 PM)
7. Manager’s Report – (7:20 PM – 7:25 PM)
8. Other Business – (7:25 PM – 7:35 PM)
9. Executive Session
A. Contract

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, November 12, 2018
Bennington Fire Facility
Multi-Purpose Room -3^rd Floor
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201

A G E N D A
6:00 PM
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2.Consent Agenda (6:00 PM – 6:05 PM)
A. Minutes – October 22, 2018
B. Warrants
C. Proclamation – Small Business Saturday
3.Citizen Public Comments   (6:05 PM – 6:20 PM)
4.Opiate Group Discussion    (6:20 PM – 7:00 PM)
5.UCS Headstart Proposal    (7:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
6.Purchase Offer: 217 Washington Avenue       (7:30 PM – 7:45 PM)
7.Manager’s Report (7:45 PM – 7:55 PM)
8.Other Business   (7:55 PM – 8:05 PM)
9.Executive Session
A. Contracts
B. Real Estate

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of November 05 – 09, 2018

Remember: Overnight Parking Ban begins November 15^th

VETERAN’S DAY PARADE – SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11^th Starting at TOWN OFFICE

PFOA Water Line Extensions work including final paving continues in more limited locations as well as Town DPW Projects and State Paving Project work.  These may require road closures or lane reductions.  Please see below.

Rte 67A / North Bennington Road will be reduced to One-lane traffic from Hanaford Plaza to Water Street as this section continues with PFOA Water Line Extension Work.  Local traffic (including buses) WILL be accommodated.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

Shield’s Drive (Southern Entrance) will be reduced to one-lane.  A Water Crew will be tapping the water main for a new service line.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please find an Alternate Route and/or expect delays.

Walloomsac Road will be Closed between Gypsy Ln and Dermody Rd to through traffic through November 09, 2018.  Highway Crews will be repairing & repaving a discrepancy in the roadway.  Local traffic (including buses) WILL be accommodated.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please find an Alternate Route.

**William H. Morse Airport may be accessed by way of Dermody Road

STATE PROJECT:  Rte 7 North-South / Rte 9 East-West:

Crews will be addressing miscellaneous sign-related items throughout the next few weeks. Work to be addressed includes repairing brick pavers where new signs were installed. Crews will also be working on project clean-up over the next few weeks.

Additional State Paving Project:   North Bennington Rte 67 / Rte 67A

Crews will be addressing miscellaneous sign-related items throughout the next few weeks.

Please Be Advised:

To BOTH Residents and Contractors – Please make sure all loads are covered when taking leaves and or brush to the transfer station.  When disposing of leaf bags, you MUST empty the bags into the pile

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves into Town streets or Highways as these clogs storm drains and creates flooding and driving hazards for the entire community.

Remember: Overnight Parking Ban begins November 15

The annual Bennington Veterans Day Parade will be on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, 2018.

The parade will begin at the Bennington Armory following a bell ringing at the Bennington Town Office at 11:00 a.m. on Veterans Day.

For more information, please contact Norm LeBlanc, VFW Commander.

Please click the link below for the Winter Pool Schedule:

Pool Schedule – November 4, 2018 – March 31, 2019

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of October 29- November 02, 2018

 Due to Weather / Rain Delays previously scheduled roadwork may carry over to this week

PFOA Water Line Extensions work including final paving continues as well as Town DPW Projects and State Paving Project work.  These may require road closures or lane reductions.  Please see below.

Rte 67A / North Bennington Road will be reduced to One-lane traffic from Hanaford Plaza to Water Street as this section continues with PFOA Water Line Extension Work.  Local traffic (including buses) WILL be accommodated.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

TOWNWIDE:

Highway Crews continue Roadside Mowing and road patching around town.  A Private Contractor will also begin paving numerous roads throughout town.  Many roads may be temporarily reduced to One-lane.  Men and equipment will be in, or on the edge of the roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

STATE PROJECT:  Rte 7 North-South / Rte 9 East-West:

Crews will be addressing miscellaneous sign-related items throughout the next few weeks. Work to be addressed includes repairing brick pavers where new signs were installed.

Additional State Paving Project:   North Bennington Rte 67 / Rte 67A

Crews will be addressing miscellaneous sign-related items throughout the next few weeks.

Reminder – Leaf Season:

Please DO NOT rake or blow grass and/or leaves into Town streets or Highways as these clogs storm drains and creates flooding and driving hazards for the entire community.

Residents and Contractors – Please make sure all loads are covered when taking leaves and or brush to the transfer station.