Selectboard and Board of Sewer Commissioners Meeting

Attendees: Ivan Beattie (chair), Wayne Bell (vice-chair), Lisa Souls, Steve Nichols. Absent: Carol Lattuga

Other Attendees: John O'Keefe (Town Manager), John Dale (Bread Loaf), Joe Charbonneau, Bob Johnston, Liz Ambuhl (Park and Rec. Director), Pauline Moore (Economic Development)

Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:07PM.

Minutes from December 13 and December 30, 2011

Nichols moved, seconded by Souls, to approve both minutes. Motion carried 4-0.

Officer Coolidge Retirement

Beattie noted that Officer Hal Coolidge is planning to retire on January 31, 2012. The Board and public applauded and the Board posed for a photograph with Officer Coolidge.

Proposed New Building at Rec. Park

Johnston gave opening remarks on behalf of the Parks & Recreation Department Workgroup and introduced Dale from Bread Loaf. Dale presented a PowerPoint presentation to the Selectboard and public. Charbonneau gave concluding remarks on behalf of the Workgroup.

Beattie stated that he thought the design was very efficient, but costly (estimated at $1.5 million in construction and $125,000 in design). Discussion focused on some of the factors that increased the cost of design and possible options that would decrease the cost of the building. Discussion also focused on possible fundraising for the building, in addition to Town funds. The cost of bonding the project, including the cost per $100,000 of assessed value, was discussed by the Board.

O'Keefe stated that the current recommendation is to use the project contingency to fund improvements to the wading pool and skateboard park, provided that the contingency is not spent during construction.

It was noted that the building does not include a concession stand and that food would be sold from vending machines. O'Keefe gave several reasons for the lack of a concession stand in the design.

After a long discussion, the Board took no action but noted that the proposal would be discussed as part of the upcoming meeting on the 2012 Town Meeting Warning.

Suspension of the Rules

At 9PM Bell moved, seconded by Souls, to extend the meeting until 10PM. Motion carried 4-0.

Town Meeting 2012 Warning Draft

The Board and O'Keefe discussed the draft Warning for the 2012 Town Meeting. The Board took no action, but decided to take the matter up again on January 26 at 5PM.

Suspension of the Rules

At 9PM Bell moved, seconded by Souls, to extend the meeting until 10PM. Motion carried 4-0.

Fiscal Year 2013 Budget

O'Keefe stated that he had no further amendments to the FY 2013 budget.

Nichols stated that he thought that non-Union employees should receive less than the recommended 3% raise. The Board and O'Keefe discussed the issue. The Board took no action on the issue.

The Board agreed to address final approval on January 26 at 5PM.

Liquor Licenses - approval

Acting as the local Board of Liquor Control, the Board signed liquor licenses.

Other Business - FY 2011 Reserves

The Board, through consensus, agreed to use $212,943.42 from the Taxpayer Relief Reserve Fund for FY 2011. O'Keefe noted that the budgeted amount was $340,000, or about $127,000 more than actually used. He noted that FY 2011 was a tough year, with large expenditures in snow and ice, for example, but overall the Town was under-budget.

Other Business

O'Keefe discussed the recent prebate ruling by the Supreme Court and distributed a letter from the Selectboard chair, Town Manager, and Town Treasurer. 

Bell moved, seconded by Nichols, to authorize the Town Manager to sign a document appealing the Town's valuation to the Department of Taxes. Motion carried 4-0.

Adjournment

Nichols moved, seconded by Souls, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0.