SELECT BOARD
                            MINUTES
                       December 28, 2009
Present:  Sharyn Brush, Jason Morrissey, Chris Oldham, John Zink, Joe Krawczyk and Lodie Colvin  Absent: Matt Maroney
Also present: Stuart Hurd, Town Manager, Scott Murphy, Town staff, Neal Goswami, Bennington Banner, and Patrick McCardle, Rutland Herald. 
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
First order of business were the minutes of December 14, 2009. The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
The warrants were circulated for signatures. S. Brush questioned  the Pittsfield Pipers expense. This was for piping associated with the installation of the in-line turbine at the Water Filtration Plant. J. Morrissey questioned how many bidders are generally solicited in local engineering projects. The Manager indicated that we solicit from every local firm and , at least, two regional firms who have worked on our water and sewer systems, Dufresne and Associates and Forcier and Aldrich, currently working on the Pownal sewer project. J. Zink asked if the Lister, John Antognioni, could use the Town's vehicle for his work. The Manager indicated that the vehicle is in use extensively by the code enforcement officer.
A new liquor license for a brewery at 108 County Street was circulated for signatures.
In the Manager's Report, it was noted that engineering and design for two water system projects, the low pressure elimination project and the Northside Drive main replacement project were completed. The staff had hoped stimulus funds might be available especially for the low pressure project at $5.1 million. However, monies will only be available as loans and given the Town's recent 7.0 million bond for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade, staff was recommending putting the designs "on the shelf". Northside Drive may go forward in phases if that appears necessary.
In other business, J. Krawczyk noted that he was returning to the Legislature soon and provided contact information for all. He asked the staff to put together a projects list in case stimulus funds became available as they did last session. J. Morrissey thought that upgrading the water and sewer systems would be appropriate for such funds. J. Zink wondered if the Town could raise dog license fees to offset impound costs, which have been high of late. S. Hurd indicated that the Town was attempting to hire a part-time animal control officer whose sole responsibility would be failure to license violations. This would generate income. J. Morrissey discussed the Agency funding requests and reiterated the Town's ballot policy. L. Colvin asked to set the basic schedule for the budget work sessions. It was decided that Police/Fire and General Fund administration budgets would be reviewed January 9th. Highway, Recreation and the Agencies would be reviewed on January 16th.
The Board went into executive session at 5:55 pm to discuss a contractual and a real estate matter. It came out of executive session at 6:12 pm. It took no action.
J. Krawczyk noted that the New Years DUI patrols were out and thought that sufficient notice should be given to drivers. The Manager assured him that such notice was being provided.
The meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart A. Hurd