TOWN OF RUTLAND
SELECT BOARD MEETING
August 17, 2010
MINUTES:
The meeting opened at 6:50 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present: James
Callahan, James Hall, Steve Hawley, Stanley
Rhodes III and Josh Terenzini
Review of 8/3/2010
Minutes
Three errors were corrected:
one regarding who is on the Fire Committee for the Select Board, one
regarding the date Mr. Terenzini could not attend a Select Board meeting and
one on page five regarding adding "as a postal service designation"
to Center Rutland. Mr. Hall motioned to
accept the minutes with these changes and Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. All were in approval with the exception of
Mr. Terenzini who abstained.
Carolyn Schwalbe -
Candidate for State Senate
Carolyn Schwalbe, a candidate for the State Senate from Rutland
County, was present to ask the Board
what were some of the issues they would like addressed in the State Senate. She
has previously served on the Barstow School Board.
Mr. Rhodes brought up the cost of education in regards to property
taxes and the student to teacher ratio.
Ms. Schwalbe said that she feels that Act 60 should be replaced and the
term "access to equal education opportunities" be a measureable
entity.
Mr. Hall said that he would like to see the school districts
consolidated, i.e. Supervisory Unions.
He also is concerned about transportation funds being used for other
purposes. Unfunded mandates was a third
issue Mr. Hall would like to see addressed.
Mr. Callahan said that the cost of power, especially in regards to
manufacturing, was important to keep plants here and save jobs. He advocates
the continued use of nuclear power, but perhaps in smaller nuclear plants. He also said he is not in favor of the
current philosophy of redistribution of wealth in the State. He feels overtaxing the rich hampers them
creating businesses and jobs.
Ms. Schwalbe said that losing
businesses and young people who can't find jobs here in Vermont affects tax revenue.
Mr. Rhodes brought up the Current Use Program and said the State is
accusing some towns of abusing it. Mr.
Matteson was adamant that if someone qualifies then that is not abuse.
Ms. Schwalbe added the poor infrastructure, i.e., roadways and the need
for broadband internet. She also talked
about the Act 250 process as being "swift, fair and predictable"
which currently it is not.
Highway - Byron
Hathaway
Mr. Hathaway said he is still waiting for some paving to be done.
Next week bids are due in for additional equipment for the new Town
truck.
Mr. Hathaway has the new Grover Drive signs and will discuss with Mr.
Zingale, the 911 co-coordinator, the numbering of the houses.
"Welcome to Rutland Town" signs on Route 7 N and near the
Hogge Penny on Route 4 E, are in need of repair/replacement. Mr. Hathaway will get bids for new ones and
take down the old ones.
Mr. Rhodes has talked to Mrs. Langill about cutting some of her trees on
Countryside Drive to improve visibility. It was agreed that trees will be cut
fifteen feet off the pavement. Mr.
Hathaway is advised to cut them as soon as possible.
Mr. Rhodes had a question about asphalt at the transfer station. Mr.
Hathaway said that it is piled up until there is a truckload and then hauled
away.
Ms. Hyjek asked Mr. Hathaway to check the parking signs in the Town
Hall parking lot.
Mr. Hathaway was given a certificate in recognition of his attaining a
Vermont Road Scholar Level 3 which involved substantial hours of training.
Planning Commission -
Bill Matteson
Mr. Matteson reported that members of the Planning Commission made a
site visit to Amanda Place and discussed the road with the residents. He said that he measured the grade and
didn't find anything over 12%. He suggested that the Town have a "Hold
Harmless" agreement with the residents regarding drainage, existing wells
and the retaining wall.
Police Department -
Chief John Sly
Chief Sly warned the public that there are a lot of scams being
perpetrated on the telephone and the internet.
He advised that no one give out any personal information.
(2)
Chief Sly also researched the current Liquor/Tobacco license
application for Smokey's Bar-B-Q and said it was okay to sign. Mr. Hall was concerned that Smokey's has not
paid their water/sewer bills. It was
agreed that this is not part of the Liquor/Tobacco license application. Mr. Terenzini motioned to sign the
Liquor/Tobacco application for Smokey's Bar-
B-Q and Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. Four were in favor and Mr. Hall was opposed to the motion.
Mr. Terenzini was concerned about the recent home invasions in the
newspaper. He asked if there were a lot
in Rutland Town. Chief Sly said not as
many as in the City or remote areas.
Recreation - Mike Rowe
Mr. Rowe reported that the pool is closed and that they had a great
summer, only having to close one day.
He asked the Select Board if he should drain the pool, or just bring it
down three feet as usual and cover it.
The Board felt this was dependent on the advice of an engineer in
regards to needed repairs. Mr. Zingale
is to contact Pete Andrews for advice.
If repairs to the pool are in excess of monies in the depreciation fund,
then this issue needs to go before the voters.
Mr. Hall asked about returning pool employees and Mr. Rowe said he felt
that eight out of ten will probably return next year.
Soccer sign-ups will begin on Monday, August 23rd, at the School Open
House.
Town Administrator - Joseph Zingale Jr.
The Marshall and Swift Cost Tables for the Listers are up for renewal
at a cost of $231.85. Mr. Hall motioned to accept the proposal from Marshall
and Swift and Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval.
VTRANS is removing some "No Parking" signs near the Home
Depot.
Funding for the sidewalk near the Town School is in limbo as the spring
application date was missed. There is
no money in the Safe Roads and Schools Fund and probably there will not be in
the near future. An application from
the Town needs to made in the spring for a grant.
Mr. Zingale has prepared an application, as suggested by the Routes 4
& 7 Committee, for a curb cut on Cop John Drive so that Farrell
Distributing trucks can access their business.
Mr. Rhodes needs to sign it. Mr.
Zingale suggested the possible need for a traffic expert to back up the
application.
The State Employees Credit Union will build this year. They have increased the size and footprint
of the building so that they need to apply for an amendment to the Act 250
permit.
(3)
Mr. Zingale passed out a copy of a letter concerning a residential tax
appeal settlement that could be discussed in executive session.
At 7:50 P.M., Mr. Callahan motioned to go into executive session with
representatives of the Red Roof Inn, to discuss their water and sewer
rates. Also to be discussed are tax
appeals under consideration. Mr.
Terenzini seconded the motion. All were
in approval.
The Board came out of executive session at 8:51 P.M.
Mr. Callahan motioned to approve the $600,000 McPhee property
assessment. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion.
All were in approval.
Mr. Hawley motioned to have the City give a refund on the water
overcharge for the Northwood pool. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval.
Mr. Hall motioned to have the proposed fire ordinances suggested by
Chief Denardo moved to committee. Mr.
Callahan seconded the motion. All were
in approval.
Mr. Hawley motioned to have Fred Nicholson be the Town's representative
to the annual VLCT meeting. Mr.
Terenzini seconded the motion. All were
in approval.
Mr. Hawley motioned to accept the Information Business Services
contract. Mr. Terenzini seconded the
motion. All were in approval.
Mr. Hawley motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval. The
meeting ended at 9:15 P.M.
_____________________________ ______________
Stan Rhodes III, Chairman Date
_____________________________ ______________
James Callahan Date
_____________________________ ______________
James Hall Date
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Steve Hawley Date
_____________________________ ______________
Josh Terenzini Date
(4)