TOWN OF RUTLAND

 

SELECT BOARD MEETING

 

December 21, 2010

 

 

MINUTES:

 

The meeting opened at 6:35 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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

 

Review of 12/7/2010 Minutes

 

Mr. Hall cited a correction that needed to be made on page four that should list Mr. Callahan on the Fire Department subcommittee, not Mr. Hall.  Mr. Hall made the motion to accept the minutes with this change and Mr. Hawley seconded the motion.  Three were in approval with Mr. Callahan and Mr. Terenzini abstaining due to their absence at the last meeting.

 

Water and Sewer O & M Fees

 

It was discussed that at a prior meeting the motion to put the O & M costs for water and sewer levied by the Town on temporary hold was not totally verbalized.  Mr. Hawley made the motion to retroactively place the Town sewer and water operation and maintenance charges on hold, effective November 2010, for one year.  The Board will review this decision in April of 2011 and the Sewer and Water accounts cannot fall below $750,000.  Mr. Hall seconded the motion.  All were in approval.

 

Ice Rink

 

Burt McMahon, his son Mike and several other young gentlemen were present to discuss making an ice skating rink at Dewey Field.  The proposed rink would be 40' X 100'.  They intend to purchase the frame boards and tarp and the McMahons and Olsens will maintain the rink.  Burt McMahon will plow the parking area and take care of locking the gate.  The Fire Department will fill the rink initially .  The use of the lights needs to be looked into as far as higher winter rates and Mr. McMahon will need a key to enter the field.  There will be hockey hours and regular public hours which extend to 10:00 P.M. and these will be posted. There will be no admission fees. Mr. Rhodes added there should be garbage cans.  A question as to whether the lights would disturb residents in the area was raised. Jim Hall, who is a resident in the area, said that there have been no complaints in the past about lights used at night.  He stated that he feels it would be appropriate for the Town to pay for the lighting and is in favor of the rink.

 

Mr. Terenzini motioned to authorize the creation of the rink at Dewey Field.  Mr. Callahan seconded the motion.  All were in approval.

 

Town Clerk/Treasurer - Marie Hyjek

 

Ms. Hyjek said that seven of the land record books are out for microfilming and this was posted in the Rutland Herald to notify the public.  They should be back within two weeks.

 

The Town Office will be closed   on 12/24, 12/27 and 12/31 for the holidays.

 

Ms. Hyjek reminded all departments to get their reports and pictures in to her by the deadline date for the town report.  Mr. Hall asked when the Board's picture would be taken by Charlie Shields.  A date was not determined.

 

The July Fourth fireworks are the same price this year, $6,100 and can remain at this price through 2012 if the Board signs a contract to this affect. Mr. Hall made a motion to sign this agreement with the stipulation providing funds would be available.  Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. All were in approval.

 

Traffic Study - Mark Blucher

 

Mark Blucher from the Rutland Regional Planning Commission was present to discuss the traffic study analysis to be performed on Route 7 South in regards to obtaining a curb cut to accommodate Farrell Distributing's vehicles. 

 

Taco Bell and Farrell Distributing have already paid their share.  The Hampton Inn, Aspen Dental and the Green Mountain Plaza should also be paying sometime in January.  Rutland Town will also be paying towards the study.

 

Mr. Hawley motioned to sign the Traffic Study agreement once all parties have paid their share.  Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion.  All were in approval.

 

Intergovernmental US 7 Corridor Agreement

 

Since Clarendon made some changes on boundaries from the previous agreement, it was necessary for the Select Board to vote to sign the new agreement.  Mr. Callahan motioned for the Board to sign the agreement.  Mr. Hall seconded the motion. All were in approval.  Mr. Zingale said that this agreement mentions the proposed service road so this is an advantage.

 

SWAC - Charlie Shields

 

May 7, 2011 and October 15, 2011 will be the dates for hazardous waste disposal.  Mr. Shields will advertize this in the Circle. 

 

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Mr. Shields said that the SWAC budget will be level funded this coming year.

 

Rutland Regional Planning Commission - Fred Nicholson

 

Mr. Nicholson reported that the audit on the RRPC has been completed and they ended the year with a very small surplus on their budget.  The audit said they need more control on blank checks and signature stamps.  Dues for the upcoming year will be increased by $100.

 

Highway - Byron Hathaway

 

Concerning the advertisement of the old Town truck, Mr. Hathaway was asked to include a phone number for interested parties to call and include the language that the Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids.  The bids should be sealed in an envelope and will be opened at one of the Select Board meetings.  The registration, title and tax will be the responsibility of the new owner.

 

Mr. Terenzini said that he felt the minimum price should be raised from $10,000 to $12,000.  He was asked why and said that if the truck was on a dealership lot, in season, with the plow, it would go for $15,000.  The Board decided to raise the minimum to $11,000.

 

Town Administrator - Joseph Zingale Jr.

 

Mr. Zingale said that he had signed the State permit on behalf of the Board with Mr. Rhodes' verbal okay for Pete's Tire Barn's water connection.  Mr. Callahan motioned to approve Mr. Zingale signing the permit and Mr. Hall seconded the motion.  All were in approval.

 

The question was raised as to what to do with the old transfer station containers when the new ones arrive.  Mr. Hathaway said it is a good time to scrap them as the price of metal is high currently.  Either Israel Mac or Hubbards will be asked to haul them away at no cost.  Mr. Hathaway was asked to handle their disposal.

 

The proposal to turn off several of the Town's lights as a cost savings was discussed.  Mr. Zingale reported that he and John Grace from CVPS decided on twenty-four lights to turn off.  The cost to turn them back on would be $20 per light if the public felt this was needed.  Mr. Grace will report back as to the availability of replacing lights with LED bulbs.  Currently, the Town pays about $14,000 for street lighting to CVPS for sixty-three lights.  Mr. Nicholson pointed out that the savings in turning off lights could be determined by dividing the number of lights into $14,000 and then multiplying by the number turned off.  He said there is no advantage to owning the lights but the lights the Town already owns could be changed to LED now, with help from a grant.  Mr. Zingale will check out the grant process.

 

 

 

 

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Ray and Linda Leonard wrote a letter stating opposition to turning off some of the Town's lights.  They live on the West Proctor Road.  Mr. Rhodes asked how soon lights could be turned back on if residents wanted them turned back on.  Mr. Zingale will find this out.  Mr. Zingale added that the LED lights shine on a broader area and work well in cold weather.

 

Mr. Hathaway said there is a light at the pool that is on 24/7 and Jody Hall will have an electrician check this out.

 

Police - Chief John Sly

 

Chief Sly weighed in on the turning off of the street lights.  He said that since crimes occur in broad daylight, lights are not a deterrent in this regard.

 

Chief Sly reminded the public to properly clean off their cars after a snowfall in order to drive safely.

 

Recreation - Jody Hall

 

Mr. Hall said that he was in favor of the proposed skating rink and would cover the use of the lights with those maintaining the rink.

 

He asked about the budget and was told that the whole Board had not met as yet since there were still some subcommittees working on other departments.

 

The Rutland Town 6th Grade boys won the Snowball Tournament.  Mr. Rhodes added that money raised for the tournament goes into the Booster Fund.

 

Local Tax Stabilization Options

 

Mr. Rhodes had asked the Town attorney to research tax stabilization.  Briefly, there is a ten year maximum time for any agreement.  Such agreements do not affect the Education Property Tax Grand List, but the Town has to make up the difference.  Agreements must be approved by the Economic Progress Council and the plan should involve economic development and create jobs.  Mr. Jim Hall passed out a report from IGE which was a statement of taxes paid.  Mr. Hall and Mr. Terenzini said they were in favor of pursuing tax stabilization.  Mr. Callahan and Mr. Hawley both work at GE and did not weigh in.  Mr. Rhodes said that they should wait to see how the tax appeal by GE turns out before moving forward.  He stated that GE is bringing in more equipment which will create more jobs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Correspondence

 

The Vermont Rural Studies Program from UVM sent a report that included Town Crime and Tax information.  The Board felt more information on the criteria used to make up the report was needed.  Chief Sly will review the report as well.

 

The Vermont Adult Learning Program, a State-run organization, is requesting funding.  Mr. Hall called and talked to a representative from the Agency and told her that Rutland Town is a gold town, which means that the Town pays in to the State more than they receive back and he didn't feel that the Town needed to donate any more.  The representative said that the request would be retracted and in the future more discussion may take place before such a request.

 

REDC is requesting $2500 which is the same as last year.

 

The Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District is requesting $250 and it was thought this is usually taken out of miscellaneous funding.  Ms. Hyjek is to check to see if this amount is the same as the last request and if this request has been made each year.  A motion would be in order once a bill is received.

 

There was a letter from VLCT concerning renewal of contracts for HR , Worker's Compensation, etc. and Mr. Zingale will check out if the Town is part of this particular program.

 

The Board received an invitation to the Vermont Association of the Chiefs of Police in the Governor's ballroom on 1/12/2011.

 

The name of Amanda Place will change to either Lane, Drive, etc since it will be a Town road and "Place" is reserved for private roads.

 

The Town has received about $661,000 from the one percent tax for sales and about $102,000 for meals.  $125,000 needs to be subtracted for the renovations to the pool and Ms. Hyjek will check out any other monies used from this fund.

 

The State Department of Taxes has a coefficient of dispersion percentage and if a town is at a ten percent or lower percentile this shows a high level of equity.  Rutland Town is at 5.89%.  The Common Level of Appraisal is at 100.91 %.

 

Fire Department - Chief Joe Denardo

 

Chief Denardo reported that the Town is not eligible for the Emergency Management Grant due to deficiencies in a couple of areas.  He says he will try to work on these for the future.

 

 

 

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The annual meeting to elect officers for the Fire Department will either take place on 1/3/2011 or 1/10/2011at the Center Rutland Station.   There are seven positions open.  The current two assistant chiefs do not intend to run again.

 

Chief Denardo said he would be unable to attend the next Select Board meeting.  He will meet with the Select Board subcommittee on the Fire budget on Tuesday,12/28/2010, at 1:00 P.M.

 

General Budget

 

The Board will meet on Thursday, 12/30/2010, to discuss the General budget.  This meeting will be warned.  Since some members may not be able to attend this meeting, more will be discussed at the next regular Board meeting.

 

At 8:02 P.M., Mr. Terenzini motioned to go into executive session to discuss pay raises.  Mr. Hawley seconded the motion.  All were in approval.

 

The Board came out of executive session at 8:14 P.M.  Mr. Hawley wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

The meeting ended at 8:15 P.M.

 

 

 

 

______________________________                          __________________

     Stanley Rhodes III, Chairman                                                       Date

 

 

______________________________                          __________________

              James Callahan                                                                     Date

 

 

______________________________                          __________________

                 James Hall                                                                 Date

 

 

______________________________                          __________________

               Steve Hawley                                                             Date

 

 

______________________________                          __________________

              Josh Terenzini                                                                    Date

 

 

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