By Julia Purdy
On Tuesday, April 17, the Killington Select Board and 18 members of the public in addition to town employees, gathered for the regularly scheduled meeting.
After adjourning for a brief executive session at the beginning of the meeting, the board returned and McGrath moved to appoint Chet Hagenbarth as interim town manager for a maximum term of six months. The motion was approved unanimously and Hagenbarth took his seat at the table with the Select Board members.
Hagenbarth was immediately given two contracts to sign: permission to use town roads for the Killington Stage Race and the contract with Brown Golf to manage Green Mountain National Golf Course. Both motions, made by Jim Haff , were unanimously accepted.
With regards to finding a permanent town manager, Select Board Chair Steve Finneron said the Board has received “six or eight” letters of intent from those wishing to join the town manager search committee. He said the Select Board needs to discuss how the committee will be formed and so will not act on the letters immediately. The topic will be addressed at the May Select Board meeting.
GMNGC new management, loan advance
Select Board member Jim Haff, the lead person in negotiations with Brown Golf Management (BGM) company, said the town’s legal counsel has already looked over the contract for BGM to take over the management of Green Mountain National Golf Course (GMNGC).
Haff said that BGM will honor any bookings made now. The consultant side of the contract starts as soon as possible, and the management side will begin as of May 1.
Town Clerk-Treasurer Lucrecia Wonsor presented her end-of-March-to-present report on the golf course. The pro shop shows an April 17 balance of $4,098 but is unable to refund $40,315 to the town for insurances. The restaurant shows a balance of $11,263, with all liquor licenses paid out. Wonsor recommends putting $250,000 into the pro shop to open the season, which opens in three weeks.
Haff moved to lend the pro shop the amount of $250,000 immediately. The motion was approved unanimously.
McGrath suggested setting an interest rate, and Haff said the $250,000 will increase the town’s indebtedness; whatever the interest rate is on the extra $250,000 is what the town should charge the golf course.
Stage Race to return
In an update on the Killington Stage Race, organizer Gary Kessler reported that this is the ninth year the race has returned, and people from all around are registering, making it the second best it’s ever been for early registration, he said. The race brings 500-600 racers to the area for a few days, and he hoped that the season of summer activities can start earlier to give racers and families more to do. McGrath assured him the town wants to continue its collaboration with the resort and the KPAA.
