Jon D'Amour

The Board meeting commenced with unanimous approval to add an executive session to discuss a litigation matter. The primary discussion involved the disbursement of $1.6 million for the Ben Hi project to allow Hale Resources, the project manager, to proceed with remediation work before the formal financial closing. The structure of the non-profit entity and the flow of grant funds were explained due to public inquiry regarding fund oversight and ownership. A motion to disburse the requested funds passed with a 4-1 vote, with one member subsequently leaving the meeting during the discussion. The Board later entered and concluded an executive session.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Town's Vision Statement, followed by a preliminary vote on the Town Manager's Contract. The Consent Agenda was approved, with questions raised regarding specific warrant expenditures related to paving projects and education tax disbursements. Public Comment included an announcement from WBTN regarding future requests for municipal support and a notification about a Community Policing Advisory Review Board meeting schedule change. The Police Chief provided an update detailing the completion of training for a new canine unit, ongoing efforts to hire three additional officers, progress on traffic calming initiatives for specific roads, the submission of the Police Department's budget for FY27, and the completion of an updated local Emergency Management Plan, including a Cold Weather Annex addressing homelessness coordination. Policy changes regarding beards and visible tattoos were also detailed. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation by VHB/VTRANS concerning the VT Route 7 Intersection Scoping Study, presenting four alternatives (A, B, C, D) for three intersections with costs ranging up to $9.0M, focusing on enhancing safety and connectivity, with the Board ultimately asked to endorse a preferred alternative involving single-lane roundabouts at two intersections and a multi-lane roundabout at the third. The Town Manager's Report covered updates on other local projects, including the Bennington Roundabout Project at Silk Road, redevelopment projects, the commencement of the winter overnight parking ban, the schedule for FY27 Budget Preparation, and the status of the Planning Director Position search. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session regarding Contracts and Personnel.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes the Pledge of Allegiance and review of the Vision Statement. Consent agenda items cover minutes from a previous meeting and warrants. Key discussion topics include the Green Mountain Express, a Final Public Hearing regarding the Putnam Block Redevelopment, an update from the Planning Commission, a presentation from the Bennington Police Department, a discussion involving the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, and the Manager's Report. The document also contains the minutes from the November 27, 2023 meeting, which addressed public comments on various issues such as the Senior Center dress code, Meals on Wheels Lease, noise pollution, and homelessness. Significant actions taken during the minutes included approving warrants, dissolving the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District effective December 1, 2023, and approving the Third Amendment to the Benn High Lease/Purchase Agreement concerning a potential $400,000 payment alternative. Further discussions in the minutes covered Disaster Recovery Equipment purchases, State Revolving Loan Fund Applications for PFOA work, and the scheduling of a subsequent board meeting.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the reading of the Town's Vision Statement. The initial agenda items addressed under the Consent Agenda included the approval of warrants and the minutes from the September 25, 2023 meeting, which included an amendment clarifying the state law requirement for composting for commercial operations and homeowners. Additional discussion topics involved representatives from '25 Hometown Heroes' and community members discussing the Skatepark project.

The meeting agenda included the Pledge of Allegiance, review of the Vision Statement, and the Consent Agenda covering minutes from a previous meeting, warrants, and liquor licenses. Key discussion items were the Benn Hi Redevelopment Project, implementing the Town Vision, and the Manager's Report, which detailed updates on sewer line replacement, pedestrian improvement projects, and COVID test kit distribution. The Police Chief provided an update covering 'Sock-tober' fundraising, addressing firearm-related incidents involving youth, the staffing situation, grant funding for a Human Trafficking Case Manager, and community engagement activities. The Director of Facilities presented on the adoption of the Updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Other business included plugging community events like Harvest Fest.