Select Board Minutes 3-28-2023

Select Board Minutes 3-28-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MARCH 28^th, 2023

 

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

• A Special Meeting opened at 5:00 PM. Selectwoman Russell moved to go into executive session for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the pending Select Board vacancy. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0. The Board entered executive session at 5:01 PM. The Board came out of executive session at 5:59 PM.
• The regular meeting opened at 6:02 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Don Chioffi, and Kurt Hathaway
• Members of the public present Lisa Sears, Kerrie Garvey, Robyn Sweet, Jim Scholtz, Holly Getty, Shelly Dumas, Justin Lemieux, Matt Getty

Chairwoman Ashcroft thanked the candidates who put their name in to be considered for the Select Board position. Selectman Denardo moved to appoint Matt Getty to the vacant Board position. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Selectman Denardo moved to accept the resignation of Jim Scholtz at 11:50 PM on March 31^st and to appoint Don Chioffi to the office of the Delinquent Tax Collector at 11:51 PM and to appoint Matt Getty to the Select Board at 11:52 PM. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for March 14^th:

Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Board Member Announcements

Articles for the next “The Circle” are due by April 1^st.

Selectman Chioffi thanked all the employees and department heads in the town for their dedication to our Town and he will miss them all.

Selectman Chioffi reported on the time he has spent recently with Jim Scholtz learning the Delinquent Tax Collector role. Selectman Chioffi thanked Mr. Scholtz for all his help.

The Board thanked Selectman Chioffi for his years of service to the Town.

New Business: Board to meet with Watershed Consulting regarding our annual MS4 report.

1. Kerrie Garvey was present and reviewed the report with the Board.
2. Report materials were shared with Board members.
3. Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the annual report and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Chairwoman Ashcroft met with the newly elected Mayor of Rutland City, Mike Doenges. They spoke about some of the priorities for each community including efforts which could benefit both of us.

Committee assignments for this coming year have been completed and copies were provided to Board members.

The Rutland Town Seniors met recently and are interested in the remodel process for downstairs and would like to use it for their meeting space in the future.

Met with the Town Attorney recently to get caught up on current topics.

Met with the Town Fire Chief and the Town Police Chief to make sure information is getting out to the public regarding the proposed public safety building.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. There were 8 calls for service in the last 2 weeks.
2. Requested a meeting with the Fire Committee when it can be scheduled.
3. Selectwoman Russell thanked the members of the Fire Department for the flowers sent to her while she is recovering from surgery.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Lister

1. There are some candidates who are interested in filling the pending Lister vacancy.
2. There have been some challenges moving information to the new property information system for the state.
3. The April 1^st deadline for the Grand List should be able to be met.
4. Selectman Chioffi reported on legislation being discussed at the State level regarding reappraisals.
5. Discussed the hiring of someone for the Lister Clerk position. Some of the candidates who are interested in the Clerk position are also interested in the appointment for Town Lister. Lister Chioffi would make the determination on who would be hired for her office. The Board makes the determination on who would be appointed as Town Lister. After discussion, the priority will be to appoint someone to the Town Lister position and hire for the Clerk position later.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The deadline for dog licensing is April 1^st, but because it is a Saturday, the deadline will be by close of Business on Monday April 3^rd.
2. The deadline for petitions to be on the ballot for May 23^rd is Monday April 17^th.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The updated Permit Tracking Ordinance was provided. There are 2 additional Ordinances, 1 new and 1 updated, which may be ready for adoption soon. Discussed whether it would be better to do all 3 at once. It was decided to move forward with this once individually.
   1. Selectman Denardo moved to adopt the permit Tracking Ordinance as amended. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. There was lengthy discussion about the applicability and enforcement of the ordinance.
   2. The motion passed 3 -2 with Selectman Denardo and Selectman Chioffi voting for the motion. Selectman Hathaway and Selectwoman Russell voted against the motion. Chairwoman Ashcroft broke the tie by voting in favor of the motion.
2. GMP should be reviewing the MOU for the Pocket Park project soon.
3. Reviewed the Energy Committee meeting minutes.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. There should be enough salt left in the shed for the balance of the season. The plow contractors are at 42 calls. Their last regular pay installment is this pay period.
2. Maintenance on the highway garage is being done.
3. We received the first of 2 additional trucks.
4. Reviewed the Highway Committee meeting minutes.
   623. Wilk Paving was the low bidder for this years paving for a total cost of up to $317,623.92.
   624. This would include additional paving which would be covered by a state grant if we are awarded it.
   625. Selectman Denardo moved to accept the bid from Wilk Paving. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. Discussed milling versus reclaiming. The motion passed 4 – 0.
   626. The contractor approved for the Town Line Road project has informed us there needs to be an 8% increase in cost due to inflation. Based on the discussion in the Highway Committee meeting, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the additional cost. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
5. There is a culvert on Stratton Road which will need to be replaced soon. We are working with an engineer on a plan.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided and reviewed.
2. Selectman Chioffi received a call from the owners of the Days Inn. He indicated the State intends to extend the voucher program past March 31^st. The agreement with the Board has the program ending by March 31^st. Discussed the next steps based on the hotels having people staying under the voucher program past March 31^st. The Town Attorney will be consulted.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Courts should be open for use in the next few weeks.
2. Baseball will start in mid-April.
3. A group has offered their dunk tank for the Town Wide Celebration. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting.
4. Pool cleaning will be starting soon.
5. The contractor for building the mountain bike trails is being contacted to coordinate the work.
6. Dogs off leash, as well as people not cleaning up after their dogs, at the park is a growing problem. This will be discussed at a Rec Committee meeting. If the situation does not improve, dogs may be prohibited from the park.

Mike Delehanty Town 1^st Constable

1. The gates at Northwood Park will be locked at night starting Saturday April 1^st.
2. Discussed how to help the dog issue at the park. Information will be posted on the Town social media pages.

John Paul Faignant Town Health Officer / 2^nd Constable / Public Safety Building Clerk

1. Discussed the current costs of the public safety building. The low bid was $5,462,000. We could save $222,000 by changing the construction plan for the building. We would have a steel building constructed on site. There are some possible additional savings but are not guaranteed. The new figure would be $5,240,000. This would be the building as is.

Selectwoman Russell left the meeting at 8:00 PM.

Board to meet with Solli Engineering regarding 167 US Route 7 South redevelopment.

1. Nicole Kesselring from Enman Kesselring Engineers and Casey Burch from Solli Engineering presented the project information.
2. The Act 250 application is being developed and should be submitted in April.
3. The scope of the project was covered. The existing building will be demolished and a new one built.
4. There is not a signed lease for the property, so the exact tenant is not known yet.
5. The goal would be to start construction before summer this year.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Provided a copy of the new Rutland Region Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement. A copy has been given to our Road Commissioner and he is good with it. Selectman Denardo moved to participate in the agreement for this year and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
2. Scholarship applications are available for resident High School seniors. The deadline is April 28^th by 12PM.
3. A quote from KD Associates for asbestos and lead testing for the downstairs at Town Hall was provided. The total is $1650. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the quote, with funds to come from building maintenance. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
4. Several vendors have been contacted to help us identify short-term rentals in town. We have a range of quotes from the vendors. A recommendation will come at a future meeting.
5. The VLCT safety grant is available again this year. The max is $7500 with 100% reimbursement. The Highway Department is interested in an item, but we want to check with all departments.

Selectman Chioffi moved to adjourn. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

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Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

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Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

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Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

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Don Chioffi

Center Rutland, VT.