TOWN OF RUTLAND

SELECT BOARD MEETING

August 3, 2010

MINUTES:

The meeting opened at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Review of 7/20/2010 Minutes

Mr. Rhodes pointed out a couple of needed changes: "a" before BCA meeting on Page 2, that Gorman is to do paving and Fuller will make paving adjustments on the south side of McKinley Bridge where the Daniels Company left off. Mr. Callahan pointed out a typo on Susan Lane. Mr. Hawley motioned to accept the minutes with these changes and Mr. Hall seconded the motion. All were in approval.

Questions from the Floor

Mary Ashcroft was present and had sent a letter to the Board concerning appointing official Democratic Election workers. Three were suggested, Marty Wasserman, Lori Mesli and Steve Wright. Mr. Hawley motioned to appoint Lori Mesli and Marty Wasserman as BCA members for the election purposes. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval. Ms. Hyjek stated that if Mr. Wasserman was not available that Mr. Wright could take his place.

Ms. Ashcroft also wanted to let residents know that there is a Rutland Town Bar Association that gives free help to people with the following problems: foreclosure, credit card debt, guardianship issues and tenant/landlord issues. People using these services need to meet a certain income level. Ms. Ashcroft gave her telephone number so people could contact her. It is 775-5189.

Clerk/Treasurer - Marie Hyjek

Tax bills will be programmed and printed on 8/4/2010. State inserts only go into residential bills. Three people have been hired to help stuff the envelopes. The bills will be mailed on Friday. 8/8/2010 is the last day to apply to be on the voter checklist and the office will be open until 5:00 P.M. on this date. There have been ninety absentee requests so far. The voting machines have been tested and are ready to go. Mr. Rhodes asked that future BCA meetings be held on a night other than Select Board meeting nights.

Byway Project - Fred Nicholson

Mr. Nicholson attended a Byway Project meeting in Woodstock. He said he needs input from the Board as to whether they would like the Byway called Crossroads of Vermont or Crossroad of Vermont. The consensus was Crossroad of Vermont.

Mr. Nicholson will be reviewing the Town's history and maps for natural resources.

The next meeting of the Byway Committee is 9/1/210 in Mendon.

Mr. Nicholson will be mowing the sides of the road in Town again starting on 8/4/2010.

Highway Department - Byron Hathaway

Gorman Company will start paving Town LIne Road on 8/4/2010.

The Highway Department has been mowing the Fire Stations when VOWP does not. Mr. Terenzini said that something different should be looked at for next year's mowing since it seems VOWP is not that dependable.

Mr. Callahan said that a resident informed him that the corner of Susan Lane is being undercut by water and Mr. Hathaway said he would check this out.

Mr. Hathaway talked to the manager of Taco Bell and he said that it was Taco Bell's understanding that mowing was part of their lease with the Hampton Inn. The Town should no longer have to mow this area.

Recreation - Jody Hall

Mr. Hall said that a State Trooper had asked if he could use the Northwood Park for a one day softball game. The Board said that this is a public park and it would be fine as long as it doesn't interfere with Town plans.

Mr. Terenzini said that a resident has noticed the trash barrels at Northwood seem to be overflowing on a regular basis. Mr. Hall said that he has discussed this with Chad Wilson and the problem should be solved.

Town Administrator - Joseph Zingale Jr.

Mr. Zingale said that he and Jim Hall had attended the Act 250 hearing concerning the traffic flow at the Green Mountain Plaza. Act 250 does not feel the Plaza's proposed changes are sufficient.

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The Town's earlier proposal to have a curb cut on Cop John Drive was rejected by the State but the Act 250 Board suggested putting in this suggestion formally as a right turn in only and contacting the State Representatives.

Mr. Rhodes asked that Mr. Zingale make out the appropriate paperwork. They also liked the connector road idea and closing off Cop John Drive to the Plaza. All this would help the Farrell problem with their trucks accessing their business without having to go through the Plaza. The Resource Systems Group, a consultant for the Green Mountain Plaza, agreed to the idea of a connector road.

Fred Nicholson and Mr. Zingale are on the Brownfield Committee and reported that $18,000 has been spent to environmentally study the Flory's Plaza. Another $25,000 needs to be spent before any development can take place.

Mr. Zingale said that he found the old Fire Department bylaws from the 1970's.

CVPS wants an agreement to use the hydrant by their facility and Mr. Zingale says that he believes there is one.

In researching the sewer line for Flory Heights, Mr. Zingale found that the Town paid $14,000 to have it installed. Each resident paid a portion of this back to the Town.

Mr. Zingale looked up the deeds for Russell Drive and Countryside Drive concerning the need for cutting trees where they meet. Mr. Nicholson said that he and Mr. Hathaway will get together to schedule a meeting.

Mr. Zingale sent Information Business Services copies of the Town' s paper maps so they could get started. He said that there is a signed contract with them that the Board signed and it says that the Town will own all the information.

Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Zingale had a conversation with a business in Town that is being charged $30,000/year for their water/sewer by the City and they only use 50 gallons/day with only five employees. The business is moving to Pittsford.

The Army Reserves is requesting more sewer allocation for a total of 4661. Mr. Hawley motioned to give them this amount and Mr.Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval.

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Jamie Stewart - REDC

Mr. Stewart was present to give an annual update to the Board on projects on which REDC is working. There are some confidentiality issues but he did say that there are five major projects in the works and one is looking at Rutland Town as well as one other location. It is an out of country health care business which could provide one hundred jobs. Mr. Rhodes said that the Board would be interested in discussing this in private.

REDC's main focus is in manufacturing and secondly, tourism which depends on the weather. They try to attract manufacturing companies that have good wages and benefits.

REDC has had discussions with the Flory family concerning the Center Rutland property but it has been difficult with so many family members involved. Phase II of this project will show the associated costs.

Tax Rate

Mr. Hall made a motion to se the residential tax rate for the fiscal year 2010-2011as 1.4075 and the non-residential tax rate is 1.5118 based on the grand list. Mr. Terenzini seconded the motion. All were in approval. These are a decrease from last year's rates.

Fire Department - Chief Joe Denardo

Chief Denardo said he felt there was a need for a Nuisance Fire Alarm Ordinance including lock boxes. Lock boxes allow the Fire Department to get into the building in case an alarm goes off. He said there have been a number of false alarms that waste the Fire Department's resources. Mr. Hawley and Mr. Callahan are on the Fire Committee and they will work on this project. Only businesses and residences with sprinkler systems and/or automated fire alarms would be subject to the ordinance.

Chief Denardo requested a fifty cent increase for the following Fire Department jobs:

Chief from $14.50 to $15.00, Clerk from $10.50 to $11.00, Asst. Clerk from $9.5 to $10.00 and the rest of the officers from $9.50 to $10.00. It has been four years since the last increase. This money has been budgeted. Mr. Terenzini motioned to allow these increases. Mr. Hall seconded the motion. All were in approval. Mr. Hawley counseled Chief Denardo to have his people turn in their time sheets in a timely manner.

Two new people have applied to join the Rutland Town Fire Department. Ms. Hyjek reminded Chief Denardo that the Vermont Department of Labor requires paperwork on new employees within ten days or there would be a fine.

Truck #3 is back from Dingee's and only needs the lettering painted on by Design Graphics. The truck is working much better.

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Rail Yard Report

Last Thursday, 7/29/10, the Rail Yard Committee had a meeting at City Hall to discuss the Rail Yard relocation. The background of the project was revisited. It was suggested that the EIS statement be reviewed on the area from the Route 4 bypass to Randbury Road to see if it is still current. Funding from the AOT is needed. A letter will be drafted and hopefully signed by the City Alderman, the Redevelopment Authority and the Rutland Town Select Board. Mr. Rhodes said he would like to review the letter.

Mr. Zingale said that the AOT said that 1.2 million dollars would have to be repaid to the government ft a decision was not made in a timely fashion. Mr. Hall said that it is only necessary to still show interest by reviewing the EIS statement. Mr. Hall made a motion to keep the lines of communication open and to review the EIS statement. Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. All were in approval. Mr. Rhodes will talk to Alderman Allaire about the letter to be drafted.

Executive Session

Mr. Hawley motioned to go into executive session to discuss Northwood Park overcharges, residential tax appeals and delinquent water and sewer bills. Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Hyjek were asked to attend.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:33 P.M.

Correspondence/MIscellaneous

Mr. Terenzini said he would not be able to make the 9/14/2010 Select Board meeting.

There will be a 4 and 7 Committee meeting on Thursday, 8/5 at the Town Hall.

VLCT sent information concerning overtime pay and volunteers.

The Attorney General is seeking enforcement action on the Filipo property. They have not been meeting the State's schedule for clean-up.

$650 of paving needs to be added to the McKinley Bridge project cost.

Three congressmen have sent letters in support of keeping the Center Rutland name and zip code as an official USPS.

Joe Garrow sent a letter of thanks for the scholarship he received from Rutland Town.

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Mr. Terenzini motioned to end the meeting. Mr. Hawley seconded the motion. All were in approval. The meeting ended at 9:40 P.M.

__________________________________ ____________________

Stanley Rhodes III, Chairman Date

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James Callahan Date

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Jim Hall Date

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Steve Hawley Date

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Josh Terenzini Date

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