M E E T I N G   N O T I C E

BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD

Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Bennington Town Office
Conference Room
205 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201

AGENDA

5:00 PM

1. Charter Application Review Interviews 5:00 PM – 5:40 PM

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, June 26, 2017
Bennington Fire Facility
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201

2^nd Floor Conference Room

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

1.  Charter Application Review Interviews

Multi-Purpose Room – 3^rd Floor

A G E N D A

6:00 PM

1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consent Agenda (6:00 PM – 6:05 PM)
   A. Minutes – June 12, 2017
   B. Warrants
3. Citizens (6:05 PM – 6:20 PM) (sign up sheet provided)
4. Chelsea/Apple Hill Solar Projects– Revised Presentation(6:20 PM – 7:05 PM)
5. Tax Anticipation Borrowing (FY18) (7:05 PM – 7:20 PM)
6. Water/Sewer Fund Budgets Adoption, set rates (7:20 PM – 7:30 PM)
7. Manager’s Report, if any (7:30 PM – 7:35 PM)
8. Other Business (7:35 PM – 7:45 PM)
9. Executive Session
   A. Litigation
   B. Contracts

ALL ABOUT TOWN

Stuart A. Hurd, Town Manager

At its first meeting in May, the Select Board announced the formation of a seven (7) member Charter Review Commission. Applications now total twelve (12). The Board has planned on a seven-member committee. The process to select appointees has not been set just yet. Although the Select Board has not worked out its charge to the Commission, the areas of the Charter that may be reviewed include the Select Board’s powers and authority, whether current elected officers, the Town Clerk, the Treasurer, and the Moderator, should remain as elected or changed to appointed as now allowed by State law, the Manager’s duties and responsibilities, whether the Downtown Taxing District purposes and powers should be amended and whether the Downtown Improvement District Map should become set by the Select Board, whether the Town’s current governing structure should be changed, and whether a 1% local option sales tax should be adopted for Bennington. The Select Board retains the final authority on what changes should be put before the voters in March 2018 or beyond.

The work on the development of a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) will begin later this month. The consulting firm, White and Burke, is the pre-eminent firm for this type of work. We wish to develop a TIF District within our downtown and gather the necessary data and documentation to support it. Under current legislation, once the District is identified and an application for a TIF District developed, it must be presented to the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC). It is important in this process that the community understand the impacts of the District and that the viability of the District can be shown to VEPC. I am told the process and review are rigorous and detailed. Once approved by VEPC, the Town must seek approval from the voters. The approval sought is to allow the Town to incur debt for the identified infrastructure improvements, roads, lighting, sidewalks, storm sewers, parking, etc., which will then stimulate development in the District. The debt incurred is then paid off utilizing the incremental increase in the Grand List due to the new development which then allows for the use of increasing education tax funds so that there is no impact on the taxpayers.

The negotiations between Saint-Gobain and the State continue. It now appears that there may be movement towards a resolution for those wells contaminated and located west of the railroad tracks that run to North Bennington from Bennington. There is disagreement between the State and Saint-Gobain for those properties east of the railroad tracks. Saint-Gobain continues to point to the former Houghton Lane landfill which was closed under EPA guidelines in 1999. Saint-Gobain’s engineering firm is developing plans to test soils and ground water in this area, including the former landfill. The Town is awaiting a review of those plans by the State and EPA before signing on.

You may have noticed work on a new solar farm progressing on the easterly side of Route 7 south just across from the Sheriff’s Department. This development by Encore Redevelopment will provide reduced cost electricity to the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. When completed, all of the Town’s electricity will be provided by two renewable energy sources through net-metering agreements. The other source is the hydro facility at the Papermill Bridge operated by Bill Scully. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

We continue to move forward with necessary work at the Wastewater Treatment Facility to get ready for the bond vote in October. When successful, we will then complete the necessary upgrade of the Plant. Some of the work underway may create odors from time to time. We are working hard to mitigate that and avoid any other problems this work may create.

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.

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of June 19 – 23, 2017

Construction Notice: DEWEY STREET PARTIAL CLOSURE

Please be advised Dewey Street will be closed to through traffic between Monument Avenue and Blackberry Lane (only).  This construction project is expected to run through July 14^th. Local traffic only will be accommodated Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm

Orebed Road will be Closed to through traffic Monday through Friday 7:00am – 3:00pm each day.  Local Traffic will be accommodated.  A Highway crew will be installing culverts to prepare for paving.  Please use caution when approaching.

Townwide Work:

Across at various locations in town the Highway Department will be patching utility repair digs.  Some lanes therefore will be blocked or restricted.  Please yield to traffic and use caution when approaching these areas.

Crews will continue traffic markings in town as well, again lanes may be blocked or restricted.  Please yield to traffic and use caution when approaching these areas.

Roadside mowing will continue on the West side of Bennington.  Please use caution when approaching these areas and leave plenty of room for the tractor.

Reminder:

Please DO NOT rake or blow grass and/or leaves into Town streets or Highways as this 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.

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, June 19, 2017 & Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Bennington Free-Library – Rotary Room
101 Silver Street
(Please use night entrance)
Bennington, VT 05201

A G E N D A

5:15 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Monday, June 19, 2017

1. Executive Session
   a. Litigation
2. FY 2018 Water & Sewer Budget Work Sessions

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

1. FY 2018 Water & Sewer Budget Work Sessions

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of June 12 – 16, 2017

Construction Notice: DEWEY STREET PARTIAL CLOSURE

Please be advised Dewey Street will be closed to through traffic between Monument Avenue and Blackberry Lane (only).  This construction project is expected to run through July 14^th. Local traffic only will be accommodated Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm

Walloomsac Road: Monday through Wednesday a crew will continue work on storm water drainage at the intersection of Walloomsac Road and Whipstock Ln.  Lane restrictions will be in place as men and equipment will be in or on the edge of the roadway.  Please use caution when approaching.

Townwide Work:

Across at various locations the Highway Department will be patching potholes and utility repair digs.  Some lanes therefore will be blocked or restricted.  Please yield to traffic and use caution when approaching these areas.

Roadside mowing will take place on the West side of Bennington.  Please use caution when approaching these areas.

Reminder:

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves into Town streets or Highways as this 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.

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, June 12, 2017
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 – May 17, 2017, May 22, 2017 and June 5, 2017
   B. Warrants
   C. Bank of Bennington Proclamation
3. Citizens (6:05 PM – 6:20 PM)               (sign up sheet provided)
4. Accountable Community for Health (6:20 PM – 6:45 PM)
5. TIF – An outline of the process (6:45 PM – 7:00 PM)
6. Manager’s Report (7:00 PM – 7:10 PM)
7. Other Business (7:10 PM – 7:25 PM)
8. Executive Session (7:25 PM)
   A. Contracts

Bennington Water Quality Report 2017

All Town of Bennington Water Customers will be receiving a “Water Quality Report 2017” postcard-notification from the Town of Bennington Water Department.  These postcard notifications with the direct link were mailed on mailed on June 02, 2017.

Property owners that are on the Bennington water system are responsible for the availability of this report to each tenant of those properties.

If you do not receive a copy, or as a tenant one has not been made available to you by your landlord, additional copies are available at the Bennington Town Offices located at 205 South Street.   You may pick up a copy Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  You may also call the Water Department (802) 442-1037 and request one mailed to you.

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of June 05 – 09, 2017

 Construction Notice: DEWEY STREET PARTIAL CLOSURE

Please be advised Dewey Street will be closed to through traffic between Monument Avenue and Blackberry Lane (only).  This construction project is expected to run through July 14^th. Local traffic only will be accommodated Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm

Orebed Road: A crew will be working on culverts on Orebed Road as well as tree trimming.  This may require lane restrictions as men and equipment will be in or on the edge of the roadway.  Please use caution when approaching

Walloomsac Road: A crew will be working on storm water drainage on Walloomsac Road near Whipstock Ln.  Lane restrictions will be in place as men and equipment will be in or on the edge of the roadway.  Please use caution when approaching.

Townwide Work:

> Across at various locations the Highway Department will be patching roadways and sidewalks as well as painting road markings.  Some lanes therefore will be blocked.  Please yield to traffic and use caution when approaching these areas.

> The Water Department will be repairing Hydrants found in need of repair during this most recent flushing.  Equipment and men will be on the edge of roadway. Please use caution when approaching

> The Sewer Department will be conducting Manhole assessments throughout town.  Men & equipment will be in the roadway, lane restrictions may be required.  Please use caution when approaching.

Reminder:

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves into Town streets or Highways as this 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.

M E E T I N G   N O T I C E

BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Monday, June 5, 2017
Bennington Police Department – Conference Room
118 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201

A G E N D A

5:15 P.M.

1. Funding for Imperial Avenue wall repair
2. Executive Session
   A. Contract