MEETING NOTICE
BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY
MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM-3rd FLOOR
130 River Street
Bennington, VT 05201

AGENDA
5:00 PM

1. FY22 Water & Sewer Budget Work Session

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of June 21 – 25, 2021

 All Work will be dependent on weather conditions.  Please use caution when entering a construction zone, men and equipment will be in the traveled portion of the road. 

Chapel Road: Crossover to N.Branch St : will be CLOSED to through traffic for next several weeks as PFOA Contractors continue the next phase of PFOA Water Main extensions. Local traffic will be accommodated.  Residents may only enter/exit this section of Chapel Rd from the Crossover intersection.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please find Alternate Route.

Dewey St : Harwood Dr to WEEKS St: will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic next several weeks as a Water Department continues the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

Imperial Ave will remain CLOSED at the Silver St intersection to ALL through traffic due to a Subcontractor’s delays.  Residents will have access from Morgan Street side ONLY.  Please find Alternate Route.

North Street : Monday between Gage St & River St will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic as a Sewer Crew rebuilds a manhole. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

North Branch St @ Chapel Rd intersection will be CLOSED as PFOA Contractors continue the next phase of PFOA Water Line extension work.

Observatory St : ALL: will be CLOSED to through Traffic for the next several weeks as a Private Contractor continues the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Residents of Observatory ONLY will be accommodated.  All others, please find an Alternate Route.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.

Putnam St : Wednesday- Weeks St to Harwood: will be CLOSED to through Traffic as the Water Department finishes service line work for the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Residents of this section ONLY will be accommodated.  All others, please find an Alternate Route.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.

School St : Tuesday & Wednesday between Gage St & Main St will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic as a Sewer Crew rebuilds a manholes (rain delayed). Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

Washington Ave : between Elm St & Observatory St will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic  ALL WEEK as a contractor works on the Lead Line Replacement project. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

TOWNWIDE: – SPRING CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

Downtown Sidewalk Sweeping TUESDAY

Street sweeping continues.  Some traffic may be slowed down due to cleaning equipment in roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

A Highway crew will continue road markings throughout town.  This includes crosswalks etc.  Please use caution when approaching these areas and expect delays.

Roadside Mowing continues this week.  Some traffic may be slowed down due to mowing equipment on edge of the roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

Green Mountain Power continues their Tree Trimming Program.  For the next 4 months, Davey Tree Service will be assisting GMP with tree trimming around town.

NORTH BENNINGTON: – SPRING CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

North Bennington Highway crew will be sealing cracks in the roadway all week.  This work begins on School Street on Monday and will move to West St, Royal St and Asa’s Way later in the week. Please use Caution and Expect Delays

Tuesday VT Railways will be repairing Road Crossing at Eagle Street (Shaftsbury).  This may require a road closure.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

All Work will be dependent on weather conditions.  Please use caution when entering a construction zone, men and equipment will be in the traveled portion of the road.

REMINDER:   Spring Clean-Up

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves into Town streets or Highways as this will clog storm drains and create both 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.  When disposing of leaf bags, you MUST empty the bags into the pile

Town of Bennington

Communications Coordinator

The Town of Bennington seeks a qualified individual for the position of Communications Coordinator (CC). This position reports directly to the Town Manager. The CC position requires certain technical knowledge and experience in Communications, Public Record requests and dissemination. He/she must be able to work cooperatively with all Town Departments to facilitate internal and external communications.

Qualified applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in Journalism or Communications. An Information Technology background is preferred. He/she must possess computer skills, be able to excel in a team-oriented environment and have an excellent past work record.

A complete job description and application is available below or at the Bennington Town Offices (Reception Desk), 205 South Street, Bennington, VT. The Town provides an attractive salary and benefits package.

Please send application and resume with 3-character references to the Town Manager’s Office, ATTN: Michele Johnson, Human Resources, P.O. Box 469, Bennington, VT 05201 no later than Friday, July 2, 2021 at 5:00 P.M.

Bennington is an EOE employer. The Town of Bennington does not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities.

Job Description
Town of Bennington Application

ALL ABOUT TOWN

Stuart A. Hurd, Town Manager

Another marathon Select Board meeting June 14, our last Board meeting via zoom now that the Governor has rescinded his Emergency Order. Imagine that Vermont was the first state in the Union to reach the 80% vaccinated magic number. It doesn’t mean COVID is over or really behind us. It just means that most of us are vaccinated therefore allowing somewhat of a return to normalcy. I urge all who are unvaccinated to get the vaccine. COVID is still a terrible virus, and the new delta strain is highly contagious.

At the last Select Board meeting, the Board voted nearly unanimously to apply for two $500,000 grants to support two recovery housing projects, one on North Street, the other on Gage Street. I thought this hearing was informative and the discussion very meaningful. Recovery housing is developed for those seeking to recover from substance and/or alcohol abuse disorders. It includes not only a place to live, but also provides programs and counseling to help those living in the home find a path to true recovery. There are strict rules, random testing, help finding steady work, and an atmosphere of like-thinking individuals. It is important to remember that the individuals living in these homes are there to recover; to become participating members of a substance free society. It is a first step in addressing the scourge of substance abuse that, unfortunately pervades our society. The least we can do is allow these homes to develop and try to help.

The very positive work continues on the Police reformation effort. The Select Board working through its sub-committee and its volunteers have now adopted 11 revised policies. These policies are all available on the Town’s website. On June 14^th, the Board voted to enter into a contract with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) to help the community develop a Safety and Equity Committee for that purpose. The Board, with NACOLEs assistance, will establish an 11-member task force to develop the name, scope, structure, membership, and responsibilities of the new committee. It is anticipated that this effort will take a minimum of six months. Applications and interviews for the task force membership will begin next month and conclude in September. The task force will begin its work in September scheduled to conclude in February of 2022.

This week we celebrate the re-opening of the Town Offices, the Senior Center and other Town facilities. Although most of us have been working throughout the pandemic, the buildings access has been restricted. So welcome back. Please follow the rules established for each building.

In other good news, fireworks will be held this year at Willow Park, July 4^th beginning at dusk (9:15 pm or so). We ask those that remain unvaccinated to wear a mask and socially distance for their own safety. This August 15^th, we welcome back the Bennington Battle Day parade. The Home Brew Fest is returning on August 7^th. The Splash Pad is open and is being enjoyed by many in the community. Other events will be coming along as well as we slowly and carefully return to normal.

At its June 14^th meeting, the Board also approved the creation of a Communications Coordinator position. This will be a full-time position working out of the Community Development Department. This position has been created to increase our communications capabilities, provide greater transparency, and assist in the upgrade of our web sites and the use thereof. A job posting should be posted soon. We hope to have the position filled in July of this year.

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.

To view the Select Board packet for the meeting of June 14, 2021, please click here:  Select Board packet.

For public health reasons, Select Board members will participate in the meeting by videoconference. Members of the public are urged to watch the meeting on Cat-TV or Cat-TV-Facebook. If one wishes to participate you may join the meeting as an Attendee using the webinar link listed: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89448782346 or call into the meeting  Dial:1-646 558 8656 and enter Webinar ID: 894 4878 2346 and follow the prompts

Town of Bennington Project List

Week of June 14 – 18, 2021

 All Work will be dependent on weather conditions.  Please use caution when entering a construction zone, men and equipment will be in the traveled portion of the road. 

Chapel Road: Crossover to N.Branch St : will be CLOSED to through traffic for next several weeks as PFOA Contractors continue the next phase of PFOA Water Main extensions. Local traffic will be accommodated.  Residents may only enter/exit this section of Chapel Rd from the Crossover intersection.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please find Alternate Route.

Dewey St : Harwood Dr to WEEKS St: will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic next several weeks as a Water Department continues the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

Imperial Ave will remain CLOSED at the Silver St intersection to ALL through traffic due to a Subcontractor’s delays.  Residents will have access from Morgan Street side ONLY.  Please find Alternate Route.

Lover’s Lane: Monday will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic as a Sewer Crew rebuilds a manhole. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

North Branch St @ Chapel Rd intersection will be CLOSED as PFOA Contractors continue the next phase of PFOA Water Line extension work.

Observatory St : ALL: will be CLOSED to through Traffic for the next several weeks as a Private Contractor continues the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Residents of Observatory ONLY will be accommodated.  All others, please find an Alternate Route.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.

 Putnam St : Monday & Tuesday- Weeks St to Harwood: will be CLOSED to through Traffic as the Water Department finishes service line work for the next phase of South End Water Main Upgrade project. Residents of this section ONLY will be accommodated.  All others, please find an Alternate Route.  Men and equipment will be in the roadway.

School St : Tuesday & Wednesday between Gage St & Main St will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic as a Sewer Crew rebuilds a manholes. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

Washington Ave : between Elm St & Observatory St will be reduced to One-Lane Traffic  ALL WEEK as a contractor works on the Lead Line Replacement project. Men and equipment will be in the roadway.  Please use Caution when approaching these areas and expect minor delays or find an alternate route.

TOWNWIDE: – SPRING CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

Downtown Sidewalk Sweeping TUESDAY

Street sweeping continues.  Some traffic may be slowed down due to cleaning equipment in roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

A Highway crew will continue road markings throughout town.  This includes crosswalks etc.  Please use caution when approaching these areas and expect delays.

Roadside Mowing continues this week.  Some traffic may be slowed down due to mowing equipment on edge of the roadway.  Please use Caution and Expect Delays.

Green Mountain Power continues their Tree Trimming Program.  For the next 4 months, Davey Tree Service will be assisting GMP with tree trimming around town.

NORTH BENNINGTON: – SPRING CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

North Bennington Highway crew will continue mowing/spring maintenance on public properties across the Village. This includes Tree cutting/trimming in various areas.

All Work will be dependent on weather conditions.  Please use caution when entering a construction zone, men and equipment will be in the traveled portion of the road.

REMINDER:   Spring Clean-Up

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves into Town streets or Highways as this will clog storm drains and create both 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.  When disposing of leaf bags, you MUST empty the bags into the pile.

June 10, 2021

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The Town of Bennington is considering making two applications to the State of Vermont for Implementation Grants under the Vermont Community Development Program. A public hearing will be held as part of the regularly scheduled Bennington Select Board meeting at 6 pm on Monday, June 14, 2021 via video conference to obtain the views of citizens on community development, to furnish information concerning the amount of funds available and the range of community development activities that may be undertaken under this program, the impact to any historic and archaeological resources that may be affected by the proposed project, and to give affected citizens the opportunity to examine the proposed statement of projected use of these funds. Members of the public are encouraged to watch the meeting on CAT-TV or CAT-TV Facebook. If you wish to participate, you may join the meeting as an Attendee using the webinar link listed: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89448782346 or call into the meeting by dialing 1-646-558-8656, entering webinar ID: 894 4878 2346, and following the prompts.

One proposal is to apply for $500,000 in VCDP Funds which will be used to accomplish the following activities: acquisition of a 9-bedroom home located at 612 Gage Street for use as recovery housing, minor building improvements, and temporary rental assistance. The project will be overseen by Shires Housing with support from Turning Point Center.

The second proposal is also to apply for $500,000 in VCDP Funds. Requested funds will be used to accomplish the following activities: acquisition of the Squire House located at 185 North Street for use as recovery housing and minor building updates to meet programmatic needs. The project will be developed by Shires Housing with support from the Vermont Foundation of Recovery.

Copies of information about the application are available upon request. Please contact Shannon Barsotti at 802-442-1037 to receive copies via email or mail, or to ensure appropriate accommodations are made. For the hearing impaired please call (TTY) # 1-800-253-0191.

Legislative Body for the Town of Bennington

Bennington Water Quality Report 2021

All Town of Bennington Water Customers will be receiving a “Water Quality Report 2021” postcard-notification from the Town of Bennington Water Department.  These postcard notifications with the direct link were mailed on June 3, 2021.  You may also find the report on the Town of Bennington’s Website under “Reports & Docs” tab.

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.  To arrange for “contactless pick-up” please call (802) 442-1037.  Or if you would like ONE mailed (or e-mailed) to you call the Water Department (802) 447-9719.