TOWN OF RUTLAND

SELCT BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 19, 2010

MINUTES:

The meeting opened at 6:50 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board members present: Joe Dicton, James Hall, Steve Hawley, Stanley Rhodes III and Josh Terenzini.

Review of the 1/5/2010 Minutes

Mr. Hall pointed out that in the Recreation section concerning the pool, the referenced packet from Stantec was one that had been on file, not a new one. Mr. Hawley motioned to accept the minutes with this change. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval.

Questions from the Floor

B. J. Hathaway, a Cemetery Commissioner, was present to discuss Greg Nutting’s request to buy land from the Town by the cemetery. Mr. Hathaway said that the original intent of the Town purchasing the land in question was for possible further expansion of the cemetery and to have a secondary access to the cemetery. He said the Cemetery Commission would like to hold on to a portion of the land for this secondary access and also as a buffer amount between the Nutting property and the Town’s property as it is unknown what will happen to the rest of the land when purchased. He showed a map to the Board of the areas he would like to see retained.

Mr. Rhodes said he would like to review the appraisal and then have the Board decide what to sell and what to keep. He said the Board would take Mr. Hathaway’s suggestions under consideration.

New Business

Representatives from the Boys and Girls Club were present to give a brief presentation to the Board on the activities of the Boys and Girls Club. Mr. Larry Bale, Executive Director, and Ms. Brook Nuckels, Team Director, lead the discussion. They discussed the $4.7 million bond issue for building a new facility at Giorgetti Park for use not only by the Club but the general public as well. Currently, they pay $55.000 to rent space on Merchants’ Row and Forest Park. They also use Dana School. If the new building was built, the amount spent would not change and they would maintain the Forest Park facility for easy access to the children in that area. Having the new facility, however, would save on utilities and provide a no rent increase clause for thirty years. It would also allow for more program options for the kids.

Some of the activities the Club provides are meals, enhancement activities to school curriculums, a place to go after school and during vacation periods, computer access, physical activities, help with college preparations and information on financial assistance. Currently there are about fifty participants between the Forest Park and Merchants’ Row facilities.

The Club operates with grant funds from the Federal government, donations from surrounding towns and other local organizations. Ms. Mary Ashcroft, a Town resident, said that as a mother and a member of the Rotary Club, which is also a financial supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, she feels that the Club is a very worthy organization.

Town Clerk/Treasurer – Marie Hyjek

Ms. Hyjek said that the deadline for items going into the Town Report is January 25^th. Sharp Printers will be printing the books and the plan is to mail them on February 19^th. There is no need to mail postcards in advance this year as the printer will add “or current resident” on the address page which satisfies the Post Office. This will save money, as they will not have to go as first class mail.

The first pre-town meeting for the election will be on January 25^th at 7:00 P.M. at the Rutland Town School with the School going first.

The Town Office will be open until 5:00 P.M. on January 25^th to accept petitions for office.

The pre-town meeting and the scholarship application deadline will be advertised in the Rutland Herald. The scholarship deadline was moved out a month to April 30^th per a request from guidance counselors.

So far there will be thirty-six adjustments to the Grand List from the BCA hearings and nine from the Listers for errors and omissions. Six of these accounts are not current and Ms. Hyjek has requested that people bring them current to facilitate the printing of changed tax bills.

Ms. Hyjek said that the lights on the front of the Town Office have not been coming on and an electrician has been notified.

Three checks have been received as donations to the Fire Department from the Vermont Country Store, Birch Hollow and C J Williams.

The due date for water/sewer bills is January 15^th and money is due to the City by February 1^st. Ms. Hyjek sent letters with the bills to explain that the Town is no longer paying for residents/businesses and they will be responsible for late fees from the City as will as one and a half percent to the Town for O & M costs.

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Highway Department – Byron Hathaway

Mr. Hathaway said he felt the department was doing well with the salt usage. They have used under 900 tons so far.

Midas Muffler, on Route 4 East, is allowing the Town to store a snow blower at their facility for the clearing of snow on the sidewalk nearby. The snow blower is currently undergoing repairs.

Police Department – Chief John Sly

Chief Sly requested a key for the Cheney Hill Senior Center in regards to furnace issues. Ms. Hyjek said that Captain Faignant has two and could give him one.

Chief Sly reminded drivers to be vigilant in regards to emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road. The State statute requires that they should move as far to the left as possible and reduce speed. There have been accidents where emergency vehicles have been hit by passing traffic.

Chief Sly requested an executive session with the Board for this evening.

Recreation – Jody Hall

Mr. Hall said there would be a meeting in February concerning the maintenance employees to avoid the confusion of last year.

In regards to the budget, Mr. Hall said that he would like to see another director amount budgeted for a tennis program. Mr. Rhodes said that the Board would revisit this.

The Vermont Country Store donated $250 to the Recreation Department.

Mr. Rhodes said that an engineer should take a look at the pool in the spring to suggest needed repairs.

Mr. Dicton asked about the repair to a door that was vandalized at the Northwood Facility. Mr. Hall said it would cost about $1.000 and is not needed immediately.

Mr. Hall said that the fencing around the tennis courts would either be taken down or tied down again.

Fire Department – Chief Joe Denardo

Chief Denardo gave the Board a list of elected officers for 2010. Mr. Hawley motioned to approve the election of the officers. Mr. Hall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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Chief Denardo wanted to know when he would be able to discuss his budget with the Board. A time of 1:30 P.M. was set on Thursday, January 22.

An A-frame or pitched roof is needed for the tower at the Center Rutland fire house and repairs are needed to the one on the McKinley fire house. This would be about $14,000.

Depreciation Funds

Mr. Rhodes brought up the amount to go into the three Depreciation funds (Highway, Fire and Recreation) since the Grand List has gone up. It is thought that the voters will be asked to increase the Recreation from one quarter cent to one half cent. The Highway will stay at one half cent and the Fire will stay at one and three quarters for the time being.

B. J. Hathaway asked if it wouldn’t be prudent to set up Capital Improvement Funds for planned equipment purchases. Mr. Rhodes said that this has been considered in the past and that the Board defers to the Department heads for the amount needed in the depreciation budgets. Mr. Rhodes also mentioned the one percent options tax as a possible source of needed income. Currently the revenue from the tax is used to lower the tax rate. Ms. Hyjek said that the voters need to approve withdrawals from capital improvement accounts.

Miscellaneous

There were two liquor and tobacco licenses for the Board to sign. QMH returned their application for the second time with the proper fields filled in. The second one was from Jolly Associates (Short Stop) on Route 4 East. Chief Sly said that there have been no issues with either business. Mr. Hall motioned to approve the licenses for these two businesses and Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The fire works contract was discussed. It is possible to sign a two-year contract to hold the price at $6,100. Mr. Dicton said that he would like the fire works to go out to bid. Mr. Terenzini said he didn’t think there are very many places that provide this service. Mr. Dicton asked Ms. Hyjek to find out how long this two-year offer is good.

Mr. Hall motioned to sign the contract for this year’s display at $6,100 and Mr. Dicton seconded the motion. All were in approval.

Fairpoint Communications is requesting permission to use the Town’s right of way to erect a new telephone pole on Easy Street. Mr. Terenzini motioned to allow the telephone poll to be placed and Mr. Hall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

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The Board received a Certificate of Highway Mileage from the State. Mr. Hathaway approved the certificate. Mr. Hall motioned to approve the Certificate of Highway Mileage and Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Rhodes asked if there was any interest in putting the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee on the Town ballot and there was no response.

Correspondence

The Red Roof Inn is still requesting a meeting with the City. Stan will check with the Intermunicipal Committee once again.

Information has been received from the State on the new Town restaurant to go into the old Green Mountain Boys building at 182 route 4 East. Green Mountain Boys will go into the old Taco Bell building. The restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch.

A letter was received from the project manager of the Ripley Bridge project and it stated that he will keep the Town informed on the progress of the project.

The State may reconsider the Town’s request for an energy grant and the Town may be contacted by Efficiency Vermont.

Mr. Rhodes asked Chief Denardo about getting a couple or firemen to attend training on energy efficiency to help town residents with energy conservation.

Building Solutions performed an energy audit for $850. The audit pointed out areas that need attention to reduce heating costs at the Town Office. The total amount of the repairs would be $50,000 but they could be done in stages. The Select Board building committee will review the audit and make suggestions for this year’s budget and future budgets.

The rest of the budget work will be done on Thursday, January 22, starting at 1:00 P.M. This will include the Highway and Fire Departments as well as line items for the March ballot including repairs to the transfer station, fire stations and zoning.

At 8:25 P.M. Mr. Hawley motioned to go into executive session with Chief Sly concerning police department issues and Mr. Hall seconded the motion. All were in approval.

At 8:49 P.M. the Board came out of executive session and deliberated items related to the budget. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M.

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