Selectboard Minutes 2-14-2023

Publish date: February 16, 2023

Selectboard Minutes 2-14-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

FEBRUARY 14th, 2023

 This meeting had a virtual attendance option available for anyone to join.

  • Special Meeting opened at 4:33 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
  • After a recess, the regular meeting began at 6:02PM
  • Board members present Don Chioffi, Joe Denardo, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
  • Members of the public present for the regular meeting: Chris Howland, Bryon Hathaway, Shelley Dumas, Jim Scholtz, Ann Scholtz

The special meeting is being held to discuss the bids received for the proposed public safety building.

Present for the special meeting in addition to the Board is the Public Safety Building Clerk John Paul Faignant, Ed Clark from NBF Architects, Town Police Chief Ed Dumas, Town Deputy Police Chief Ted Washburn, Town Fire Chief Chris Clark, Town Assistant Fire Chief Larry Dell Veneri.

Mr. Faignant informed the Board he has information relating to the Public Safety Building project, the pre-mature disclosure of which, would place the Town at a disadvantage. 4 bids were received. The architect compared them, and all have been considered valid.

After discussion, the bid amounts were read and are as follows.

  • Breadloaf Corporation $5,525,000
  • Naylor and Breen Builders $5,776,222
  • Russell Construction Services $5,734,000
  • VMS Construction $5,462,000

The apparent low bidder is VMS Construction.

The target number for the project was $4,200,000.

The architect negotiated with the bidders on behalf of the Town, the details of which could put the Town at a disadvantage if discussed in open meeting.

Selectwoman Russell moved to find the premature general public knowledge regarding the potential contract with the public safety building bidders would clearly place the Town at a disadvantage because the Selectboard risks disclosing its negotiating strategy if it discussed the proposed contract terms in public. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 1. Selectwoman Russell, Selectman Denardo and Selectman Hathaway voted in favor of the motion. Selectwoman Ashcroft voted against the motion. Chairman Chioffi abstained from the vote.

Selectwoman Russell moved to enter executive session to discuss the Towns potential contract with a bidder under 1 VSA 313a 1a of the Vermont Statutes. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 1. Selectwoman Russell, Selectman Denardo and Selectman Hathaway voted in favor of the motion. Selectwoman Ashcroft voted against the motion. Chairman Chioffi abstained from the vote.

The executive session will include the full Board, the Building Clerk, the architect and the Police and Fire Chiefs. The Board entered executive session at 4:51PM.

The Board came out of executive session at 5:50PM.

Selectman Denardo moved to authorize Architect Ed Clark to meet with the apparent low bidder to discuss any potential cost savings in the price. The apparent low bidder is VMS Construction. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

The Board thanked Mr. Clark and Mr. Faignant for their work.

The Board recessed at 5:51 until the start of the regular meeting.

The regular meeting began at 6:02PM.

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for January 31st

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectman Denardo abstained.

Announcements

Chairman Chioffi gave a summary of the special meeting held earlier in the evening.

Selectwoman Russell said due to a surgery in early March, she will not be present on Town Meeting Day.

Selectwoman Ashcroft informed the Board the date for the Town Wide Celebration is has been moved up a week to Saturday August 19th due to the availability of the DJ.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Fred Nicholson Town Tree Warden was present and discussed a project GMP is working on in Northwood Park. Act 250 does need to be involved due to the size of the project area. GMP was hoping to start in March with their pipeline project. There is cut timber which needs to be dealt with. Mr. Nicholson will give us a list of what is there and it will be advertised.

 

New Business Board to meet with Carol Driscoll from the Carving Studio

Carol Driscoll gave a presentation to the Board about their program where students carve a bench from stone, and it is donated to Towns. They are asking Rutland Town this year if we would like to participate. The bench can be themed to the area it will be placed. After discussion, Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to participate in the program, and to donate $1000 with the funds to come from the miscellaneous account. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0. The Carving Studio accepts applications from area teenagers who are interested in participating in creating the project.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Updated the board on recent road maintenance work.
  2. The salt shed is full again after recent deliveries.
  3. Discussed topics from the recent Highway Committee meeting.
  4. There is a Municipal Impact Questionnaire topic coming up. There is no impact on highway.
  5. The air ventilation system at the highway garage is still out of service. No one has been able to come and look at it yet, but it is still a priority to fix.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. Basketball is wrapping up soon.
  2. The ice-skating rink never froze enough to be used this year.
  3. Baseball sign ups are starting soon. We hope to have a form which can be submitted online this year.
  4. Discussed the possibility of putting the stone bench at Northwood Park once it is done.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Lister

  1. Reported on the status of reappraisal. The State has not come up with new formulas or designations yet.
  2. Presented a certificate stating there are no appeals or suits pending against the Grand List. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve signing it. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. GMP has investigated some questions on the Pocket Park recently that seems to indicate they are close to being able to finalize the agreement.
  2. The joint energy committees of the Selectboard and the Planning Commission met recently. Discussed topics from the meeting.
  3. Discussed the possibility of establishing a Short-Term Rental ordinance. There are several properties advertised on a short-term rental basis in town. After discussion, the topic has been referred to the Planning Commission to look at developing an ordinance.
  4. The Commission will be looking at the Permit Tracking Ordinance to ensure there is not a topic included which the town is not allowed to regulate.
  5. Discussed the funding opportunities recently opened up for energy efficiency projects. Projects that could qualify will be identified so an application can be made.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. The third installment of the local option tax was received recently. The total from this last payment has put us over the year end total we had built into the budget. The next payment will be all surplus to this line.
  2. The new person in the office has started. She will come to a Board meeting in the future. She is working out very well so far.
  3. Presented 3 liquor licenses for renewal.
    1. Jolley Associates – Route 4 East. The Police Chief has no issues.
    2. Midway Mobil – Route 4 East. The Police Chief has no issues.
    3. Sundri Sunoco – Route 7 South. The Police Chief has no issues.
    4. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the 3 applicants. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  4. Dog licenses are due by April 1st. There have not been very many registered this year yet.
  5. The absentee ballot process is the same as in the past. Registered Town voters can request them from the office. They are not being mailed proactively for this vote.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided.
  2. We passed our recent audit by the FBI with no issues. Lyn was a big part of the success.
  3. The new cruiser has been ordered.

New Business Board to review Municipal Impact Questionnaire for Killington Heights

  1. The appropriate department heads do not have issues with it.
  2. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve signing the questionnaire stating there are no issues and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

  1. Provided a copy of recent correspondence from the VT ACLU. After some discussion, the matter will be forwarded to our Town Counsel.
  2. There is a new grant opportunity from AARP which we could apply for funding for some projects. There is no match requirement for the grant funds. After some discussion, we will pursue the funds for our projects.
  3. The Town Report should be arriving in mailboxes very soon. Copies are available at Town Hall now.
  4. Discussed the Old Business item, the agreement with CAI Technologies.
    1. Discussed timing with the vendor, it will take them approximately 90 days to prepare the information to be ready to launch.
    2. If we approve the agreement, they will get started but will not invoice us until after July 1st.
    3. The cost for the first year is $6000. It is $3000 each additional year.
    4. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the contract for internet services with CAI Technologies. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  5. Large scale plans in our basement are being scanned still by Otter Creek Engineering. The project has been very useful. Once they are done, we plan to move onto scanning the septic plans on file.

Collector of Delinquent Taxes Jim Scholtz discussed his coming resignation with the Board. The pending vacancy will be warned this week with letters of interest due in mid-March so someone can be appointed to the position. Once someone is identified, Mr. Scholtz will work with them on what they need to know.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

 
Don Chioffi, Chair
  
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
Mary Ashcroft
 
Sharon Russell
 
Kurt Hathaway

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

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