Bennington County public meetings in 2024

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board is holding a regular meeting with a consent agenda covering minutes, warrants, and licenses, followed by public comment and other business. No substantive action items or discussions are listed on the agenda.

• Consent agenda includes approval of December 9, 2024 minutes
• Consent agenda includes warrants and licenses, if any

The Bennington Select Board held a short meeting with no substantive policy decisions. They approved the warrants and tabled approval of the December 9 minutes until the next meeting. Public comment included concerns about emergency housing for the unhoused and criticism of the Charter Review Committee's report on CPARB. The board also discussed upcoming meetings and budget discussions.

• Approved warrants (motion carried)
• Tabled approval of December 9, 2024 minutes until next regular meeting

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will consider proposed charter warning language, a grant application for the Woodford-Packers Roaring Branch Floodplain Restoration Project, and the Step II PFAS Design for the South End. The board will also handle a consent agenda including minutes, warrants, and licenses, and hear public comment.

• Discussion of charter warning language
• Grant application for Woodford-Packers Roaring Branch Floodplain Restoration Project
• Step II PFAS Design for the South End
• Consent agenda: minutes of November 25, 2024, warrants, and licenses

The Bennington Select Board approved the charter warning language for the 2025 Town Meeting ballot, including six proposed charter amendments: non-citizen voting, youth voting, lien status for code violations, a 1% tax on short-term rentals, contract modifications, and a civilian board for police complaint review (option 6A). The board also approved a $582,757 state loan application for PFAS water system design and appointed Michele Johnson as Ethics Liaison. The vote on the charter warning was 5-1 with Nancy White opposed and Sarah Perrin absent.

• Approved charter warning language with 6 amendments for ballot (5-1, White opposed, Perrin absent)
• Approved $582,757 state loan application for PFAS water system design (unanimous, Perrin absent)
• Appointed Michele Johnson as Ethics Liaison and Officer to Receive Ethics Complaints (unanimous, Perrin absent)
• Scheduled Select Board listening sessions for Jan 22 and Feb 19, 2025; cancelled Dec 18 session (unanimous, Perrin absent)
• Approved consent agenda with corrections to Nov 25 minutes (unanimous, Perrin absent)
• Removed agenda item on Woodford-Packers floodplain grant application (unanimous)

Select Board

The Select Board will meet to review a presentation from the Charter Review Committee. The board is also scheduled to discuss a revolving loan and a resolution regarding ARPA funds expenditure.

• Charter Review Committee Presentation
• Bennington Revolving Loan
• ARPA Funds Expenditure Resolution

Select Board

The Select Board will conduct a second reading of the Traffic Calming Policy. The meeting includes updates on marketing and a discussion regarding the Better Bennington Corporation's Downtown Vibrancy Fund Grant.

• Second reading of Traffic Calming Policy
• Better Bennington Corporation Downtown Vibrancy Fund Grant
• Marketing Update
• Executive session regarding contract and personnel

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will hold a first reading of a traffic calming policy and discuss its implications for the FY26 budget. The board will also receive an update from the Charter Review Committee and handle routine consent agenda items including minutes, warrants, and licenses. An executive session is planned for personnel matters.

• First reading of Traffic Calming Policy
• Traffic Calming FY26 Budget Discussion
• Charter Review Committee update
• Consent agenda: minutes of Oct 14 & 16, warrants, licenses
• Executive session for personnel

Special Meeting Listening Session

The Bennington Select Board is holding a special meeting listening session on October 16, 2024. The agenda contains only the listening session with no specific items for decision or discussion listed.

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will discuss and potentially act on a development agreement for Bennington High School. The board will also consider a potential public hearing on an emergency health order and review a draft traffic calming policy along with updated data. Other business includes consent agenda items such as minutes, warrants, and licenses.

• Development agreement for Bennington High School
• Potential public hearing on emergency health order
• Traffic calming draft policy and data update
• Consent agenda: minutes from September 9, 23, and October 7, 2024, warrants, and licenses

Select Board Special Meeting

This special meeting consists solely of an executive session to discuss contracts. No other business is scheduled. The agenda is entirely procedural.

• Executive session regarding contracts

Select Board

The Select Board will receive updates on the Charter Review Committee, the Bennington Police Department, and Hometown Heroes. The meeting includes discussions on traffic calming and appointments for the Development Review Board.

• Charter Review Committee update
• Bennington Police Department update
• Traffic calming discussion
• Development Review Board appointments
• Hometown Heroes update

Select Board Special Meeting

The Select Board is holding a special meeting consisting of an executive session. The session is designated for the discussion of personnel.

• Executive session regarding personnel

The Select Board met in special session and went into executive session for a personnel matter. After emerging, the board took no action and adjourned. No substantive decisions were made.

• Held executive session for personnel matter
• Took no action after executive session
• Adjourned at 5:47 pm

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will meet to receive an update on traffic calming and conduct a first reading of an online commenting protocol. The board will also review warrants and a contract during an executive session.

• Update on Traffic Calming
• 1st Reading of On-line Commenting Protocol
• Executive Session regarding a contract

The Select Board voted to release two legal opinions from Town Counsel regarding purchasing procedures for the skatepark and the notice/conduct of the public hearing on the Shires merger planning grant. The board also approved the consent agenda with amendments, approved tax abatements for Vermont Paws & Boots, and closed streets for the Superhero 5K. No action was taken after executive session on a contract matter.

• Released two legal opinions on skatepark purchasing and Shires merger hearing (motion carried, Conner absent)
• Approved consent agenda with amendments to August minutes (motion carried, Conner absent)
• Approved tax abatements totaling $558.17 for Vermont Paws & Boots (motion carried, Conner absent)
• Approved street closures for Superhero 5K on Nov 2, 2024 (motion carried, Conner absent)
• Entered executive session on a contract; no action taken

Select Board

The Select Board will hold a public hearing on a Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) Planning Grant for the Shires Housing Merger. They will also discuss traffic calming measures with the Bennington County Regional Commission and consider the manager's report. The meeting includes consent agenda items (minutes, warrants, licenses) and an executive session on personnel.

• Public hearing: VCDP Planning Grant for Shires Housing Merger
• Bennington County Regional Commission traffic calming discussion
• Consent agenda: Minutes of August 12, 2024, warrants, licenses
• Executive session on personnel
• Manager's report and upcoming agenda review

Listening Session

This is a listening session of the Bennington Select Board, scheduled for August 21, 2024. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and accessibility information; no specific items for decision or discussion are listed.

Select Board

The Select Board will consider routine consent agenda items (minutes, warrants, licenses) and receive presentations from the Ethiopian Community Development Council and the Greater Bennington Community Service/Remote Area Medical Team. The agenda includes a policy review, discussion of the Charter Review Committee's report, and the manager's report. No major decisions, votes, or specific financial items are listed.

• Consent agenda includes approval of minutes from July 17, 18, 19, and 22, 2024, plus warrants and licenses
• Presentation by Ethiopian Community Development Council (6:25 PM)
• Presentation by Greater Bennington Community Service / Remote Area Medical Team (6:40 PM)
• Policy Review (6:55 PM)
• Charter Review Committee Report (7:05 PM)

Select Board

The Select Board will hear an appeal from the Bennington Police Department for emergency management support. They will also hold second readings and likely vote on adopting the Select Board Rules of Procedure and a Social Media Policy for elected and appointed officials. Appointments to the Charter Review Committee are scheduled. The meeting begins with consent agenda items and public comment.

• Bennington Police Department appeal for Emergency Management Support
• 2nd reading of Select Board Rules of Procedure
• 2nd reading of Social Media Policy for Elected & Appointed Officials
• Appointments to Charter Review Committee
• Executive session scheduled for contract discussion

Select Board Special Meeting

The Bennington Select Board is meeting for a special session with a single agenda item: a three-hour executive session to discuss personnel. No public business or decisions are scheduled.

• Executive session on personnel from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Board met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter. No substantive decisions were made or recorded.

Select Board Special Meeting

The Bennington Select Board is holding a special meeting solely to enter an executive session from 4:00 to 7:00 PM to discuss personnel. No other business is scheduled; the agenda is entirely procedural.

• Executive session on personnel matters (no votes or decisions expected in public)

Select Board Special Meeting

The Bennington Select Board is meeting for a special session that consists solely of an executive session on personnel matters. No other business is listed on the agenda.

• Executive session on personnel

The Select Board met in executive session to discuss a personnel matter. No substantive decisions were made or actions taken during the meeting.

Special Meeting Select Board Training

The Select Board is meeting for a training session and an executive session to discuss personnel matters. The agenda is primarily procedural.

• Select Board Training from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
• Executive Session regarding Personnel at 7:00 PM

Select Board Meeting

The board will also discuss a loan request for Benn High and the Better Bennington Corporation work plan and budget. Additionally, officials will hold first readings for new rules of procedure and a social media policy.

• Benn High funding update and loan request
• Better Bennington Corporation work plan and budget
• First reading of Select Board Rules of Procedure
• First reading of Social Media Policy for elected and appointed officials
• Setting municipal tax rates

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board meeting includes an executive session concerning a contract. No other agenda items are listed in the provided document.

• Executive session regarding a contract

Select Board

The Select Board will hold a final public hearing regarding a request to re-zone 7 acres from Industrial to Village Residential off North Branch Street. The agenda also includes updates on the skatepark and YMCA, as well as discussions regarding water/sewer rates.

• Re-zoning 7 acres from Industrial to Village Residential off North Branch Street
• Skatepark update
• YMCA update
• Discussion on water/sewer rates
• Finalizing Charter Committee charge

Select Board Meeting

The provided agenda consists of procedural notices and an executive session. No specific discussion items or decisions are listed in the text.

• Executive Session

Select Board

The Select Board will hold a public hearing regarding a request to re-zone 7 acres from Industrial to Village Residential off North Branch Street. The agenda also includes discussions on loan documents for water main replacements and updates on Shires Housing and the Bennington Free Library.

• Public hearing: Re-zone 7 acres from Industrial to Village Residential off North Branch Street
• Loan documents for Gage Street Water Main Replacement
• Loan documents for Spring Hill/Settlers Road PFOA Water Main Installations
• Shires Housing update
• Bennington Free Library update

Special Meeting Budget Work Session

The Bennington Select Board is conducting a special budget work session. The meeting focuses on discussing the budgets for the Water and Sewer Funds.

• Water/Sewer Fund budgets

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will meet on May 20, 2024, for its regularly scheduled session. The agenda is primarily procedural, handling consent items such as prior minutes, warrants, and licenses. Substantive topics include a Bennington Police Department update and a charter charge item. These updates inform residents about local law enforcement priorities and potential changes to board governance structure.

• Bennington Police Department update presented by Chief Doucette
• Charter Charge discussion
• Hometown Heroes Presentation
• Consent agenda for May 13 minutes, warrants, and licenses

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board is scheduled to meet on May 13, 2024, at the Bennington Fire Facility. The agenda covers routine administrative approvals, a proclamation for EMS Week, and a youth leadership presentation. Members will discuss Charter Committee updates and convene in executive session regarding personnel matters.

• Consent Agenda includes minutes from April 22 and April 30, warrants, and licenses
• EMS Week Proclamation presentation
• Youth Leadership Group Presentation
• Charter Committee Discussion
• Executive Session on Personnel

Emergency Special Meeting

The Bennington Select Board convened an emergency special meeting on April 30, 2024. The provided agenda lists only one item: licenses. No specific license types, dollar amounts, or project details are included in the source document.

• Licenses (no specific types or details listed)

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will review the Communications Policy on second reading and discuss updates to the Local Emergency Management Plan. The agenda also covers reports from the Street Naming Committee, a regional workforce update, and the Manager's Report. No specific rezonings, contracts with dollar amounts, or fee changes are listed in the provided text.

• Communications Policy second reading
• Local Emergency Management Plan review
• Street Naming Committee report
• Regional Economic and Workforce Update
• Manager's Report

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board is meeting to handle routine business including minutes, warrants, and licenses, plus a first reading of a proposed communications policy. They will also set a hearing date for the Bolio zone change request and a date for board and commission letters of interest. Public comment is scheduled.

• First reading of proposed policy on communications
• Set hearing date for Bolio zone change request
• Set date for Board & Commission letters of interest
• Consent agenda: minutes of March 25, 2024, warrants, licenses
• Yearly goals discussion

The Select Board elected Jeannie Jenkins as Chair and Ed Woods as Vice Chair. The board approved several road closures for community events and set a May 15 deadline for board and commission applications. Public hearings for the Bolio zone change request were scheduled for June.

• Elected Jeannie Jenkins as Chair (4-2)
• Elected Ed Woods as Vice Chair (4-1-1)
• Approved Consent Agenda (unanimous)
• Set May 15 deadline for Board and Commission Letters of Intent (unanimous)
• Set Bolio Zone Change Request public hearings for June 10 and 24, 2024 (unanimous)
• Moved second May meeting to May 20, 2024 (unanimous)
• Approved road closures for Mayfest, Harvestfest, and Hemmings Motor Cruise-ins (unanimous)
• Approved Depot Street road closure for Home Brewfest pending Police and GBICs approval (unanimous)

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will review its consent agenda, which includes March minutes and warrants. Members will also discuss the State of Vermont Motel Voucher Program and consider a resolution for the Better Places Grant. A proclamation for Bennington Career Month is scheduled for approval.

• Consent agenda: March 11 minutes, warrants, liquor licenses
• State of Vermont Motel Voucher Program update
• Better Places Grant resolution
• Bennington Career Month proclamation

Select Board

The board will review Chelsea Solar prefiled testimony and a contract extension for Benn Hi. The meeting also includes pathway name recommendations from the Planning Commission.

• Review of Chelsea Solar prefiled testimony
• Benn Hi contract extension
• Planning Commission pathway name recommendations
• Street Naming Committee discussion

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will discuss potential street name changes and review upcoming ballot questions. The meeting also includes the Hometown Heroes Banner Program and routine administrative items.

• Street Name Changes
• Review of Upcoming Ballot Questions
• Hometown Heroes Banner Program
• Approval of February 12, 2024 minutes

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will review updates from the Police Department and BCRC. The board is also scheduled to discuss a BRLP loan to Island Flavors and provide an update on Benn High funding.

• Approval of Annual Town Meeting Warning
• BRLP Loan to Island Flavors
• Benn High Funding Update
• Bennington Police Department Update
• BCRC Update

Special Meeting Budget Work Session

The Bennington Select Board is conducting a budget work session to continue discussions for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The session includes reviews of funding for specific departments and aims to finalize the upcoming budget.

• Bennington Free Library budget review
• John G. McCullough Library budget review
• Bennington Rescue Squad budget review
• Finalization of FY 2025 Budget

Select Board

The Bennington Select Board will review the Fiscal Year 2023 audit and receive presentations regarding skatepark funding and a community survey. The meeting also includes a manager's report and an executive session regarding a contract.

• FY 2023 Audit review
• Skatepark Funding Presentation
• Community Survey Presentation
• Executive Session regarding a contract

Special Meeting Budget Work Session

The Select Board is conducting a work session to review the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The session includes discussions regarding the budgets for the Fire, Police, and Highway departments.

• Bennington Fire Department budget review
• Bennington Police Department budget review
• Bennington Highway Department budget review
• Other budget questions