TOWN OF RUTLAND

 

SELECT BOARD

 

 

 

MINUTES: April 12, 2011

 

Board members present: Stanley Rhodes III, Steven Hawley, James Hall, Joshua Terenzini and Joe Dicton Jr.

 

The Meeting opened at 6:50 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.

 

Mr. Rhodes requested a moment of silence for the memory of recently deceased former Rutland City Alderwoman Ms. JoAnn Slattery. All in attendance observer a moment of silence.

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to accept the minutes of 3-29-11. Mr. Terenzini made a second to the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board reviewed the minutes of 4-5-11. Mr. hall moved to accept as printed. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Planning Commission: Mr. William Matteson reported:

 

  1. Informed the Board that he had been reelected as Planning Commission Chairman and that Mr. Andy McKane had been reelected as Vice Chairman.

 

  1. Told the Board that the Commission recently reviewed a two lot residential subdivision and a lot line adjustment.

 

  1. Informed the Board that the Commission had reviewed VELCO’s proposed warehouse construction. Mr. Matteson said the building would enhance the property since VELCO would be removing poles and line, now stored on their property. Mr. Matteson and the Board discussed the proposed building’s 30 feet height.

 

  1. Mr. Matteson and Mr. Rhodes discussed how the Planning Commission and Select Board would progress with the Zoning review. Mr. Matteson said the Select Board should be clearer on the matter after they meet with Mr. Mark Blucher of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission.

 

Town Clerk & Treasurer:  Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:

 

  1. Submitted updates pertaining to the quarterly budgets and the status of the water and sewer accounts.

Solid Waste Alliance Communities:  Mr. Shields reported:

 

1.      Reported the Town’s Household Hazardous collection day will be on May 7, 2011. He said the event has been well publicized and there should be a good turnout.

 

  1. Mr. Shields suggested the Recreation Department could use the message board at the transfer station to get out the word for their programs.

 

  1. Mr. Shields said that as of July 1st the manufacturers of electronic products would now have to pay to dispose their products.

 

  1. Told the Board that if a proposed mercury light bulb recycling bill does not pass the State legislature then the cost of recycling mercury bulbs will be the responsibility of consumers.

 

Town resident Mr. Craig Robideau, representing the town elementary school’s “Odyssey of the Mind” program met with the Board and requested funding for the students to travel to World finals in Maryland to compete in the Odyssey competition.

 

Mr. Robideau informed the Board that the Town Fire Department donated $200.00 from their private fund and that the Town PTO contributed $2,500.00.

 

Mr. Rhodes said the Board does not budget for such request and that it would be difficult to decline a request from another group if the Board were to donate money to the Odyssey competition. Mr. Rhodes said it has been the Board’s policy that, this side of town does not fund the other side of Town.

 

Mr. Rhodes explained why the Board does not budget money for events such as the Odyssey competition. Mr. Hawley gave Mr. Robideau an individual to contact regarding possible funding.

 

Road Commissioner:  Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:

 

Mr. Rhodes thanked Mr. Hathaway for the excellent job the highway crew did servicing the Recreation Commission equipment.

 

1.      Reported he has completed the town sign survey. Mr. Hathaway said he plans to make a joint sign purchase with several other town in order to get the best price. Mr. Hathaway said there are 52 regulatory signs in poor condition. He said the Town has until 2015 to have all regulatory signs in compliance.

 

2.      Informed the Board that the Easy Street sign had once again been stolen. The Board and Mr. Hathaway discussed what might be done to make the sign harder to take. Police Chief Sly suggested Mr. Hathaway begin to mark all town signs.

 

3.        Reported he will be doing tree cutting work over the next couple weeks.

 

4.      Requested the Board sign the paperwork stating the Town’s road and bridge standards are up to date. Mr. Hall moved to sign the certificate of compliance. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

5.      Informed the Board he had sent out paving bid request. Mr. Rhodes cited the fact that paving would not begin until after August 1st.  Mr. Dicton questioned Mr. Hathaway regarding waiting until August citing possible increase in petroleum cost.

 Mr. Hathaway said he is trying to get to the point to where the Town has roads prepared for paving a year before they are paved. He said this would allow the Town to receive bids in May and could have paving begin in April. He said doing so could result in a lower bids and a saving to the town.

 

6.      The Board discussed Mr. Hathaway getting the new roll off containers stenciled with the Town name.

Mr. Rhodes asked Board members if Mr. Hathaway should submit a work log report to the Board. Mr. Rhodes said he did not feel a report is necessary. Mr. Hall said he would like to know a head of time what work Mr. Hathaway has planned. Mr. Terenzini said he did feel a report is necessary.

Mr. Dicton asked Mr. Hathaway to get several recreation items fixed before they break during the season. Mr. Jode Hall will check into the whereabouts of the mystery mower

 

Police Department: Chief John Sly reported:

 

1.      An individual with a paintball gun targeted homes in Sunset Acres development. Mr. Sly said town residents should call the police if they hear what sound like muffled gunshots. Mr. Sly requested Mr. Zingale to post information on the Town’s web site regarding removal of paintball paint.

 

2.      Informed the Board that individuals are receiving credit cards in the mail with wire and circuit board type devices in the letter. Mr. Sly said the Credit Card company placed the items in the envelops as a promotion. He said such letters are safe.

 

3.      Encourage individuals not to pick up suspicious soda bottles on the side of the road. Mr. Sly said the bottles contain liquids, which will explode when the bottle is picked up. Mr. Sly said if anyone finds a suspicious bottle they should call the police.

 

4.      Reported he had discussed the Grover Drive School Bus / traffic problem with the School Board and that the School Board will handle the matter. Mr. Sly said he would get a copy the letter, which the School Board sent out regarding the matter.

 

Recreation Commission:  Mr. Jode Hall reported:

 

1.      Reported the Town School Board has decided to hold off on approving the request from the Men’s Softball League until Mr. Pillon meets with the Town residents, who has complained regarding the league in the past.

 

2.      Requested signs be placed at Northwood Park stating dogs must be leashed. Mr. Jode Hall said there is quite a mess on the ground from the dogs. Mr. Hall also requested that individuals be instructed to pick up after their dogs. The Board discussed the matter further and instructed Mr.Zingale to investigate what type containers are available for animal waste.


Regional Planning Commission Mr. Fred Nicholson reported:

 

1.      Informed the Board there is still Department of Energy money available for municipal buildings like Town Hall and the Cheney Hill building. The Board discussed the matter. Mr. Nicholson said the Town could get up to $2,000.00 toward the purchase of new windows or have an energy audit performed on the Cheney Hill building. Mr. Nicholson will inform the RRPC that the Town would like to get $2,000.00 toward the cost of new windows.

Mr. Nicholson requested a small budget for advertising the celebration planned for the Town’s 250th anniversary. He told the Board he also planned to ask the School Board for money. Mr. Nicholson said he would like to schedule the celebration for the 4th of July.

 

2.      Encouraged all Board members to attend the RRPC Open House on April 28th at 5:00 PM

Town Administrator:  Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:

 

  1. Reported to the Board regarding a proposed landfill-testing contract with Stantec. Mr. Hawley made a motion to sign the Stantec contract for the monitoring wells. Mr. Terenzini made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Informed the Board he is researching records regarding the Red Roof and Foley suite against the Town and City regarding sewer rates.

 

  1. Suggested Mr. Nicholson try to parley the 250th birthday party celebration into a Town Historical Society.

    Mr. Rhodes asked Mr. Hathaway to look at the condition of the sidewalk on US RT 7 South in front of Friendly’s to the mall.

    The Board discussed the proposed maintenance agreement with VTrans. Mr. Hall moved to sign the proposed Pinnacle Ridge Road / US RT 7 North maintenance agreement. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Correspondence:

 

The Board reviewed packet correspondence.

 

Mr. Rhodes informed the Board that he had conducted a pool walk-thru with interested contractors. Mr. Rhodes read from the Northwood Park Pool repair bid submitted by Patenaude Pool Plasterers for $70,644.00. Mr. Rhodes said he would talk to Mr. Peter Andrews regarding the Patenaude bid and would report back to the       Board.

 

Mr. Dicton said the town engineers should review the proposal so the Board can keep the matter moving along.

 

Mr. Terenzini made a motion to go into executive session to discuss recreation personnel. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes declared the executive closed at 8:38 P.M. Mr. Terenzini made a motion to hire Chad Bentz at $13.00 an hour and no mileage. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Terenzini made a motion to close the meeting. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.