Select Board Minutes 11-7-2023

Select Board Minutes 11-7-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

NOVEMBER 7^th, 2023

 The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.

• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Keith Whitcomb, Davids Rosenblum, Kirk Postlewaite, Shelley Dumas

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for October 24^th:

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Encouraged all departments and committees to meet to put their budgets together.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

David Rosenblum was present and expressed his interest in filling the vacant alternate appointment to the Regional Board of Commissioners for the Town. Selectman Denardo moved to appoint Mr. Rosenblum as our alternate to the Regional Board of Commissioners. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to meet with Lyle Jepson and Olivia Lyons from CEDRR to discuss the regional marketing initiative.

1. They are requesting $4054 from the Town to support their efforts. This is an appropriation request on the ballot.
2. Their work has drawn people from out of state to move to the Rutland region.

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

1. Concrete is being poured for the Public Safety Building. An updated construction schedule is expected soon.
2. A retaining wall may not be needed after all.
3. Discussed enforcement of dilapidated buildings. When reports are made he can take action.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The Planning Commission is planning a site visit on November 13^th to review the Post Road solar project site.
2. Work has started on identifying properties which may be affected by new river corridor regulations.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Basketball signups are underway, and it will start soon.
2. Thanked the Town Fire and Police for their participation in the Halloween event at the school.
3. Discussed having another Rec Committee meeting to discuss policies.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. The Northwood Park shared use path has been worked on. It has been widened and is coming along nicely.
2. The generator at the highway garage needs a new control board. Once this is in it should be all set to go.
3. The salt price for this year is $1 per ton more than last year. The first order has been placed.
4. Provided a signature page for an update to the grant agreement for the Post Road sidewalk. This gives us 1 additional year to submit for reimbursement.
   1. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the agreement and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion.
   2. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Provided an errors and omission statement. A valuation error was found and needs to be corrected. The value for Green Mountain Power was undervalued by almost $900,000. Selectman Denardo moved to approve signing the form. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Discussed any need for a reappraisal. No notification from the state has been received.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. There were 8 calls for service in the last 2 weeks. There were 14 in October, and 162 so far this year.
2. The members have participated in several community events lately.
3. Discussed the recent Fire Committee meeting. There will be some items to vote on at the next Board meeting.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. There were reports of people showing up to vote today. There was no election in the Town.
2. Progress towards getting the land records online is being made.
3. We are nearing the end of the preparation to allow taxpayers to sign up for automatic electronic tax payments.
4. Online payments for the rec programs are going well. The person signing up needs to ensure they are completing both the registration and online payment process.
5. Town Hall will be closed Friday November 10^th for Veterans Day.
6. At a recent finance committee meeting several topics were discussed including the annual audit, grant funds and funds received from The Cortina Inn.
7. Requests for proposals from banks have been sent out. We expect follow up by next week.
8. There is a Board of Abatement meeting scheduled. The property owner who had requested it will not be able to attend. The meeting may be canceled. The group will be notified if necessary.
9. Discussed grant paperwork for any grant. This all needs to go to Bills office to allow us to track spending and reimbursement correctly.
10. Discussed tracking of expenses related to the extra policing at the South end of Town. A deeper level of tracking needs to be done so the costs can be taken from the correct accounts.
11. A version of a single audit is likely and the cost of which should be factored into the budget.
12. Provided 2 liquor licenses for approval.
    4. They are for 283 US Route 4 and 151 Business Route 4.
    5. The Police have no problem with them.
    6. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the licenses. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Mike Delehanty Town 1^st Constable

1. Participated in Halloween events and it all went well.
2. There have been several animal complaints lately.
3. Efforts will be coordinated around the holiday shopping season to reduce crime.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided.
2. Discussed calls to the Diamond Run Mall. The number is down due to clear expectations set with the security company and property owners.
3. The new cruiser was picked up last week. It is nearly fully outfitted, and it is in service now. The full cost of this vehicle was paid for by funds received from The Cortina Inn.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. The appointment to the Rutland Regional Emergency Management Committee is up. Martin Wasserman and Bill Sweet were appointed last time and both are willing to be reappointed. Selectman Denardo moved to reappoint both and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Teresa Miele from HR Acquired sent an updated agreement for work on our Town Personnel policy. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to approve the additional $1500 for 20 hours of work. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The funds will come from Professional Services. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. Northstar fireworks sent information on the display for 2024. The display last year was postponed until the Town Wide Celebration. After discussion, the event will be planned for the Town Wide Celebration, on August 17^th. The rain date will be August 24^th.
4. Valorie Taylor from the Mendon Select Board sent a message asking for our Board to collaborate on a request to the State for lowering speed limits on US Route 4 East. After discussion, she will be invited to a future Board meeting to discuss the topic.
5. An update to our Towns E-911 database is being reviewed. We are checking for errors on the maps.
6. Reminder that assembling the Town report will begin soon. Information needing to be included is starting to be gathered.

Discussed compensation rate increases for the next budget year. Board Chair Ashcroft provided examples from a variety of sources and past increases in the Town. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to set 4% as the increase to be used. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Selectman Denardo moved to enter executive session to discuss a land sale, a personnel matter and contract negotiations. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The Board entered executive session at 7:48 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

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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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Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.