Selectboard Meeting Notes: Preliminary Police Fire Plans Approved

Despite having major objections to aspects of the plans, the Brattleboro Selectboard unanimously approved designs for the Police and Fire facilities at their Tuesday meeting on Election Day.

The long meeting began with a string of liquor license approvals. Utility rate increases had a first reading, Brattleboro is applying for funds to install two electric vehicle charging stations at the Transportation Center, and the search for a new Town Manager begins again. Read on for all the details, and then some.

Preliminaries

Chair David Gartenstein noted that it was Election Day, and said he was hoping for a good turnout.

He said the recent cold weather has allowed the patching of Western Ave and Rt 9 to stay in place, but with temperatures expected to rise, more potholes are expected. He said some sort of repaving could be done later in the year. Gartenstein said to drive carefully until then.

He congratulated two fire investigators for their promotions, Mark Geno and Dan Hiner.

Interim Town Manager Patrick Moreland agreed that as temperatures rise and fall, drivers should expect more potholes on Western Ave. “So drivers be careful, go slow, keep your eyes on the road.”

During Selectboard comments and committee reports, John Allen began by noting that there are potholes in every Vermont town, and the problem is not unique to Brattleboro. “It’s bad everywhere.” 

Gartenstein said that the Traffic Safety Committee would discuss a request to use the sidewalk plow along the east side of Cedar Street to Myrtle at their next meeting. He said they’d also be discussing whether to eliminate parking on Speno Court.

There will be a meeting at Academy School, March 6 at 6 p.m. about initial plans for traffic calming and pedestrian improvements on Western Ave near the school. Those interested in traffic calming can be heard. Union Hill and Cedar Street project meetings will occur later.

Public Participation

John Wilmerding encouraged District 2 residents to come to the caucus to be appointed as Town Meeting Representatives. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday March 12 with the informational meeting following.

Liquor Commissioners

McNeill’s Pub & Brewery, 90 Elliot Street was approved for a second class liquor license. Brewing will again happen at the Elliot Street location.

Duo Restaurant is the first establishment in the renovated Brooks House to request and receive a first class liquor license.  The new restaurant will be in the spaces formerly occupied by Adagio’s and Dragonfly Dry Goods, and along part of High Street.

Keith Arnold said that he and his Brattleboro-raised wife, Stephanie have had three restaurants in Denver and recently relocated to Dummerston. He said they plan to offer seasonally-focused farm-to-table contemporary American cuisine. They hope to be open in August of this year.

Kate O’Connor said she recently toured the inside of the Brooks House and the new restaurant would be in a great part of the building.

Beth Shrader of BAPC reminded them that there are additional requirements in Brattleboro. “We have fewer violations because of the work that has been done,” she said.

Champlain Orchards received a special event permit for Gallery Walk night, June 6. They plan to give out samples at the River Garden.

Shrader asked if they would have to follow local rules for alcohol sales. Gartenstein said local rules would apply.

The board approved their list of annual renewals of liquor and tobacco licenses. The sole reported violation, an underage sale by West Brattleboro Pizza, has been reviewed and was deemed to be no impediment to their renewal.

An outside consumption permit for the Brattleboro Country Club was approved. The club has had a first class license for years, but is just now getting official approval to serve liquor on the porch, deck, and patio.

“An oversight,” explained Moreland. 

Water & Sewer Commissioners

Three demolished-by-Irene properties in Tri-Park will no longer have housing units on them. The damaged homes on Brookwood and Edgewood were removed and the utilities capped off. As such, the relatively small balances for utilities at those locations have been abated.

Utility Rates

The Brattleboro Selectboard adopted the new rate schedule for Utilities. It calls for an annual 6% increase for sewer base rates, usage, and unmetered rates, and a 2% increase for the water base and usage rates. These will occur each year for the next five years, rising every October.

The rates get activated by changes to the Utilities ordinance.

Look here for a good pair of charts showing how the rates increase.

Moreland reminded them that Water and Sewer Commissioners set rates, and the Selectboard changes ordinances. 

Laying Out of Public Road – New England Drive

The Brattleboro Selectboard was asked by Peg Lopata to reschedule their public hearing and site visit to New England Drive. The board voted at their last meeting to  lay out a new public road – a gravel turnaround for plows and emergency vehicles – at the edge of her property.

The rescheduled site visit will be on April 7, 2014 at 5:30 p.m., and the rescheduled public hearing will be later that evening in the Selectboard meeting room.

FY13 Single Audit

Finance Director John O’Connor presented the board with the results of the FY13 A133 Single Audit.  It reviews Brattleboro’s federal grants and financial controls.

For the second time in a row, there were no findings. This is good. A finding is something that needs fixing.

The report did say there were no unusual transactions, no material weaknesses, and that the town complied and fairly stated expenditures. They had no disagreements with management, nor any difficulties performing the audit.

John O’Connor seemed rightfully pleased with the results of the report. He said credit was due to his staff for their hard work.

“If you have insomnia,” joked John Allen, “this report will put you to sleep.”

He then thanked O’Connor for the work.  “We never had reports like this 10 to 15 years ago. It’s a long time coming. Good to see.”

Grand List Attestation

Brattleboro must report to the state each year whether there are any pending lawsuits or appeals to the prior year’s Grand List. 

Town Assessor Russell Rice reported to the board that there were none, and the board voted to approve their certificate of attestation for the 2013 Grand List.

Police-Fire Facilities Building Committee Design Plans

Steve Horton, Robin Sweetapple, and other committee members were joined project architect Ray Giolitto for an update on the design for the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Project Manager Horton said that they were asking for approval of the designs thus far (about 60% complete), and will be back for final approval in mid May. He said they could begin construction bids in 2-3 months.

Donna Macomber asked what would happen between their visits, and Horton said they would be completing the details of tonight’s approved designs.

“If someone has a problem with the design of any one of the buildings, do they still have time to voice an opinion on it?” asked John Allen.

“The answer is, of course, opinions can be expressed,” answered Horton. “We’re at the 60% design level and it would be difficult to have a major turnaround, but we are open to hearing people’s comments. They sometimes have great ideas.”  He said it was late for major design changes.

Giolitto presented architectural renderings of the new West Brattleboro fire station, and described the building again for the board.

“This is about twice the size of the current station?” asked David Schoales. Giolitto said yes, and maybe 10-15 feet higher.

Schoales said the building was too big, that it would dominate the view in the West Brattleboro center, and that space and money could be saved by eliminating the third bay from the design. “This is more station than we need to have. That’s my concern.”

Giolitto said the three bays were for three vehicles. Fire Chief Buccossi said that it would be three sometime in the future, and that the Police Department would be storing vehicles there in the near term.

Schoales questioned the need for the space. “Are those uses enough to build something that monumental at that budget?”

Police Chief Wrinn said expensive equipment was currently stored outside and thought the third bay was perfect for storing it inside.

Horton said the design was under the budget estimate, and that eliminating the third bay now and adding it later would end up costing more.

“We need to build for future expansion, not current use. ,” said John Allen. He suggested Schoales’ desired changes might be coming too late to be considered.

“I didn’t know when the right time was,” answered Schoales. He wondered if a shed could be built instead.

Robin Sweetapple suggested a photo be combined with an architectural rending to show how the station would fit in to the neighnorhood.

Steve Phillips said that the committee approved this design and no other members of the public had expressed Schoales’ concerns.  He said it could be costly to delay or make changes. 

Schoales pressed on. “Would it be cheaper, though, to have a smaller building? Do we have to spend that much to store a trailer?”

Patrick Moreland reminded him that “it’s not all about the trailer.” He said the buildings needed to serve the needs of the town for the next 50 years.

John Wilmerding agreed that the board needed to look to the future as well as hold the line on costs. “I support this project. We have a great government.”

“I’m a little concerned,” said Allen, addressing Schoales, “you’re just a tad late. It should have been brought up a while ago.”

“The votes tonight,” said Schoales.

“That’s a major change,” said Allen.

“It’s a change on paper,” said Schoales.

“It’s a costly change on paper,” said Allen.

Kate O’Connor changed the conversation to a discussion of what would happen to the old station, and whether it would be turned down.

Stewart McDermott of the West Brattleboro Association said they were concerned about the old station as well, and hoped that the town take time to evaluate potential alternative uses before it is demolished.

Horton said he didn’t know what would happen to the old building, but the town has studied taking it down.

Moreland agreed. “That will be the default position, unless there is a serious proposal for reuse.”

Sweetapple said that the committee doesn’t decide the fate of the old building.

Gartenstein said that Schoales questions were appropriately timed, but he disagreed with him. “I respect your opinion, but I think it will be an improvement to that location.”

Wilmerding suggested putting out an RFP for old building uses.

“Has the idea of using the existing station to house the trailer been considered?” asked Tad Montgomery.

Gartenstein said no, it had just come up as an issue at the meeting tonight.

“The more the better,” said James Banslabin. “That’s just my thought.”

Peter Fallion asked about energy considerations for the three buildings, and warned against using propane. He suggested the town plan for a non-fossil fuel future.  Horton explained some of the energy choices being made, and said they planned to focus on creating a tight envelope by looking at walls and the roof.

“My final plug for this design,” said Chief Buccossi, “this is good for the present and takes us into the future.”

They then moved on to the second design, for the downtown fire station. Giolitto described the designs for the board.

Wilmerding suggested they add a front corner observation booth porthole window for the police to use to watch Elliot Street. “It would help our community feel watched over.”

Schoales questioned the need for the third floor and space for public meetings. “I question having the third level on that facility. You could move 3rd floor space to the apparatus bays.”

Giolitto said it was more than just storage and meeting space.  There were fitness rooms and the emergency operations center.

Buccossi said they were currently storing expensive vehicles outdoors. “This project is meant to move us into the future. It doesn’t make sense to move the vehicles back outside. Why is it better to park vehicles outdoors?”

“I thought the purpose was bigger doors and better ventilation,” asked Schoales. “It’s a $7 million building. What could we save?”

“What would we lose by scaling it back?” asked Buccossi in return. “We’ll be back asking for more in five years. These designs are already scaled back.”

Jason Cooper said he thought they should err on the side of having a bit too much space. “You can’t change it later.”

Banslabin agreed. “We don’t know what will be next. Shouldn’t we give them room to grow?”

Giolitto moved on to the third and final presentation – the police station at the Municipal Center. He said the significant change here was in the parking lot and flow of cars around the building, which would be optimized for both police and pedestrians.

“We want to be sympathetic to the original building,” he said of the design being presented.

Kate O’Connor asked about the plan to move the handicap parking space that is near the library to the other side of the Municipal Center

Giolitto said the space would be a bit further away, but safer and up to code. “Moving it makes a more accessible grade,” he told her.

O’Connor said that she supported the project entirely, but that try as she might, she was unable to like the design of the police station. She said she’d heard arguments for it, and they were all phrased negatively, such as “you won’t see it from the front.”

“I understand you have guidelines. I’ve tried to like them. This building was built in 1886. Whatever we add will be here for another 200 years. I need to express that concern. Not seeing it from the front doesn’t make it OK to me. It is subjective, and some might think its great. I can’t not say it. It’s something that just doesn’t fit in.”

Giolitto said they were planning a building that would last 50 years or more. “I can’t pretty it up. We’ll use precast elements to be similar to the original building. The bricks will be similar color. I can’t put more windows in the cell block.”

Macomber said she supported the project and was happy with the evening’s discussion.

Schoales indicated he wanted to comment, then revealed that he was joking. “No, I just wanted to see John roll his eyes.”

Cooper suggested they move all the parking to the lower south side of the property. He said he agreed with O’Connor about the aesthetics of the building, particularly the roofline.

Giolitto said that a sloped roof would cost more, and they were doing the best they could to make it look pleasing.

“I’m going to make Kate like this building,” said John Allen.

Wilmerding said that he had heard that these changes are to help save money. “I like the project.”

Gartenstein thanked the committee members for their service to the town and the board voted, 5-0, in favor of accepting all three designs without any changes requested.

The project proceeds.

Terrorism Prevention Grant

The Brattleboro Selectboard accepted and appropriated a grant for $95,960 for the purchase of twenty nine Motorola P25 digital handheld radios and twelve Motorola XTL2500 UHF mobile radios for the Police Department. These radios will work with the voting repeater system that the town is currently trying to find the funds to purchase.

The grant is for Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention, and comes from the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Grant Application

Brattleboro will have two electric vehicle charging stations installed in the parking garage if a grant to the Vermont Downtown Program is approved. The two will replace the one currently installed.

The Brattleboro Energy Committee helped identify this $10,500 opportunity for the town. The grant calls for the purchase and installation of two Clipper Creek CS-100 charging stations to be part of a statewide network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Rates, upkeep and maintenance, and other considerations will be taken up if and when the grant is approved. The grant requires a $3,500 match, which will come from private business sponsors.

Paul Cameron told the board that this would replace our obsolete station in the transportation center. “The original station has never been used.”

“The original one was on a hopeful technology,” said Jason Cooper. “No vehicle was ever designed that used it.  It was never used.”

Utility Rates Ordinance Amendment – First Reading

The Brattleboro Selectboard held a first reading on changes to the Utilities rates as expressed in Chapter 18 of the town ordinances.

Full text and changes will be on the town website and in town hall.

Town Manager Search 2.0

Brattleboro has again entered into an agreement with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to advertise and narrow selections in a renewed search for a Town Manager. VLCT will review the job description, place ads, take applications, and assist with the interview process if we so desire.

Chair David Gartenstein said the town had asked for ads to be more inclusive, and specifically that more women see the ads.

The proposed schedule includes posting the job description in early March with applications due April 14. By late April, the Selectboard and any assisting committee will select interview candidates. Interviews should begin in May and finalists will be notified by May 19. If background and other checks go well, a new Town Manager could be starting in mid to late June.

Selectboard Goals for 2014

“It’s late,” said Gartenstein as the clock neared 9 p.m. “We can work on this. I can continue a bit.”

The Brattleboro Selectboard agrees to continue for a bit. Perhaps they will review last years goals, or jump to this year’s goals?

The board sits in silence. No one knows what to do.

“It is late,” agrees David Schoales.

“We’ll pass this item,” says Gartenstein, adding “even though everyone said they wanted to start.

They set a goal of setting goals at a future meeting.