The Brattleboro Selectboard returns from their summer break to take up issues of new people in the community. They will swear in our new Police Chief Norma Hardy in a welcoming ceremony. They’ll also hear a presentation about the possibility of welcoming refugees to the area.
The Solid Waste Fund’s final transfer from the General Fund occurs, liquor permits will be given out, water and sewer repairs will be considered, and committee members will be appointed. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
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The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (320 Main Street). The public can also access the meeting using zoom. The Board is expected to enter into executive session at 5:15pm to discuss contracts, the negotiation or securing of a real estate purchase or lease options and the appointment, employment, or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene at 6:15pm for the business portion of the meeting. The attached agenda and administrative report contain information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
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BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:15PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
AGENDA
NOTE: This meeting will be held in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Municipal Center.
People also can attend and participate in this meeting using Zoom.
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
2. APPROVE MINUTES – July 6 and July 15
3. INFORMATIONAL ITEM
A. Refugee Resettlement Program – Presentation by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)
4. CEREMONIAL ITEM
A. Swearing in of Norma Hardy as Police Chief
5. CHAIR’S REMARKS
6. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
7. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
8. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
9. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Utilities Upgrade at Living Memorial Park – Bid Award
B. Final Transfer from the General Fund to the “Solid Waste Fund”
C. Agreement for Annual Auditing Services – One Year Extension
D. Town Highway Class 2 Roadway Program Grant
for Construction of Culvert on Sunset Lake Road – Accept and Appropriate
E. Vermont Department of Libraries Grant – Authorize Application
10. LIQUOR COMMISSIONERS
A. The Inn on Putney Road – Outside Consumption Permit
B. A Vermont Table – Third Class Liquor License
11. WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS
A. Bridge Street Water Main Replacement – Engagement of Engineers for Final Design
B. Retreat Wells Roof Replacement – Bid Award
12. NEW BUSINESS
A. Hazard Mitigation Plan – Approval
B. Committee Appointments
(i) ADA Committee
(ii) Recreation and Parks Committee
iii) Tree Committee
(iv) Energy Committee
(v) Honor Roll Committee
13. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants
B. Department Reports
14. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
15. ADJOURNMENT
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MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: Peter B. Elwell, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: July 30, 2021
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The following will summarize the proposed motions for the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. The meeting will begin at 5:15pm, when the Board is expected to enter into executive session to discuss contracts, the negotiation of a real estate purchase or lease, and the appointment, employment, or evaluation of a public officer or employee. The Board will reconvene the public business meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room. The public may attend this meeting in person and also may view and participate in the meeting via the Zoom link below.
The public may join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
or you can access a list of non-toll-free numbers
for locations around the world using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k2Hdbk6mA
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
The meeting will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1085 or Channel 10
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-10-stream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv/
3. INFORMATIONAL ITEM
A. Refugee Resettlement Program –
Presentation by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)
BDCC and ECDC will provide an overview of the planned Refugee Resettlement Program in Brattleboro and Windham County. The Selectboard, representatives of partner agencies, and the public will participate in a discussion following the presentation by BDCC and ECDC.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
4. CEREMONIAL ITEM
A. Swearing in of Norma Hardy as Police Chief Norma Hardy took her official oath of office as the Town of Brattleboro’s new Police Chief in a private ceremony at the Police Department on July 28, 2021, her first day in this position. Town Manager Elwell will lead Chief Hardy through a ceremonial swearing in so that the Selectboard and the public can share in this important occasion.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Utilities Upgrade at Living Memorial Park – Bid Award
B. Final Transfer from the General Fund to the “Solid Waste Fund”
C. Agreement for Annual Auditing Services – One Year Extension
D. Town Highway Class 2 Roadway Program Grant for Construction of Culvert on Sunset Lake Road – Accept and Appropriate
E. Vermont Department of Libraries Grant – Authorize Application
The Board is asked to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
In a memorandum dated July 20, 2021, Recreation and Parks Director Carol Lolatte stated that her department is working with the Department of Public Works to upgrade the utilities lines coming into Living Memorial Park from Guilford Street. After reviewing the three bids that were submitted for this project, Town staff recommends that the Board award the contract to Ferguson Waterworks for $15,048.47. There is $30,000 in the budget for this project. By approving this item on the consent agenda, the Board will authorize staff to proceed as recommended in Ms. Lolatte’s memorandum.
In a memorandum dated July 26, 2021, Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland explained the need for the General Fund to cover solid waste deficits resulting from revenue shortfalls and higher than anticipated recycling fees. He also explained that this transfer (for FY21) will be the final time that such a transfer will need to be authorized by the Board since for FY22 and beyond the solid waste revenues and expenditures will be included in the General Fund operating budget. This transfer is not actually an interfund transfer. It is an accounting action that reduces the amount of the year-end General Fund operating surplus so as to accurately show the impact of the “Solid Waste Fund” on the General Fund. The “Solid Waste Fund” was not an independent fund, but rather was a separately accounted for entity within the General Fund. By approving this item on the consent agenda, the Board will approve the FY21 transfer in the amount of $31,872.68 from the General Fund to the “Solid Waste Fund.”
In a memorandum dated July 27, 2021, Assistant Town Manager Patrick Moreland explained why staff believes it is in the Town’s best interests to extend the engagement for auditing services with Batchelder Associates for one additional year (through FY22). By approving this item on the consent agenda, the Board will authorize Town Manager Peter Elwell to engage Batchelder Associates, PC, for the Fiscal Year 2022 annual audit, including a 3% fee increase. 3 | P a g e Selectboard Meeting 8/03/21
In a memorandum dated June 17, 2021, Town Accountant Kim Ellison explained that the Department of Public Works was awarded a Highway Class 2 Roadway Program Grant from the Agency of Transportation in the amount of $72,000. This grant will pay for replacing a culvert on Sunset Lake Road. By approving this item on the consent agenda, the Board will accept and appropriate this $72,000 Town Highway Class 2 Roadway Program Grant from the Agency of Transportation.
In a memorandum dated July 28, 2021, Library Director Starr LaTronica requested approval of a grant application for American Rescue Plan Act Funds administered by the Vermont Department of Libraries. These funds will be used to purchase furniture that can be thoroughly cleaned and easily disinfected and a portable sound system
that can be used for outdoor programing. These purchases will directly advance four of the seven service priorities in Brooks Memorial Library’s current strategic plan. By approving this item on the consent agenda, the Board will authorize staff to submit the application for a grant in the amount of $17,733.64 from the Vermont Department of Libraries.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
10. LIQUOR COMMISSIONERS
A. Outside Consumption Permit – The Inn on Putney Road
The Inn on Putney Road, located at 192 Putney Road, currently has a First Class Liquor License. This request is to add an outdoor consumption permit so that customers at the Inn can enjoy their beverages in the backyard of the property. This will not allow the general public to stop by and purchase such beverages. Paul Tokmakian will be present at the Selectboard meeting to address any questions the Board might have.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE AN OUTSIDE CONSUMPTION PERMIT FOR THE INN ON PUTNEY ROAD AT 192 PUTNEY ROAD.
B. Third Class Liquor License – A Vermont Table
A Vermont Table, located at 22 High Street, currently has a First Class Liquor License. On May 19, 2020, the Selectboard approved a Third Class Liquor License for this business, but due to COVID-19 they opted not to proceed with it. They now have filed a new application for a Third Class Liquor License. Coridon Bratton will be present at the Selectboard meeting to address any questions the Board might have.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE A THIRD CLASS LIQUOR LICENSE FOR A VERMONT TABLE AT 22 HIGH STREET.
11. WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS
A. Bridge Street Water Main Replacement – Engagement of Engineers for Final Design
In a memorandum dated July 15, 2021, Director of Public Works Steve Barrett summarized this project to upgrade the existing water main on Bridge Street.
Town staff recommends that the Selectboard authorize staff to accept a proposal from the Dufresne Group for the final design of this project at a cost of $17,000.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO AUTHORIZE TOWN STAFF TO ENGAGE DUFRESNE GROUP FOR FINAL DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE STREET WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT A COST OF $17,000.
B. Retreat Wells Roof Replacement – Bid Award
The Department of Public Works is seeking approval to award the Retreat Wells Roof Replacement contract to Finnell Roofing LLC of Brattleboro in the amount of $44,000. As described in a memorandum dated July 29, 2021, from Highway/Utilities Superintendent Dan Tyler, this project includes removal and replacement of the existing roofing and underlayment on the main treatment building.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO AWARD THE BID FOR THE RETREAT WELLS ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT TO FINNELL ROOFING LLC OF BRATTLEBORO
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $44,000.
12. NEW BUSINESS
A. Hazard Mitigation Plan – Approval
In a memorandum dated July 26, 2021, Planning Director Sue Fillion outlined the essential steps of hazard mitigation, which are: hazard identification, vulnerability analysis, defining a hazard mitigation strategy, and the implementation of hazard mitigation activities and projects. She explained that the State of Vermont has tied having a current Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF) eligibility levels. Eligible disaster expenses are reimbursed through Federal funds to 75% of the total. Under ERAF the State will reimburse an additional 12.5% (for a total of 87.5%) to municipalities that meet the specified criteria, including having a current adopted HMP. The Board is asked to approve the 2021 Brattleboro HMP and authorize submittal of the Plan to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE 2021 BRATTLEBORO HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN AND AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF THE PLAN TO THE
STATE HAZARD MITIGATION OFFICER FOR REVIEW.
B. Town Committees and Boards – Appointments
The Board is asked to appoint members to various Town advisory committees. Applications for appointment are included in the backup materials for this meeting.
POTENTIAL APPOINTMENTS: To Be Determined
