Select Board Minutes 12-5-2023

Select Board Minutes 12-5-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

DECEMBER 5^th, 2023

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Fred Nicholson, Paul Clifford, Tom Burditt, Art Peterson, Lisa Sears, Sandra Lober, Deborah Hadeka, Andy Paluch, Robyn Sweet, Bridgette Remington

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for November 21^st:

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

Update from the Select Board Chair

The bond application is underway and should be ready soon.

The next meeting is December 11^th at 530PM, to work on budgets.

We have received 2 checks from the Cortina Inn. 1 for $114,000 and another for $22,500. They are paid through the end of 2023 and are current with the contract terms.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

State Representatives Paul Clifford, Tom Burditt and Art Peterson came to talk to the Board ahead of the next legislative session about any needs and concerns the Board has. Emergency service dispatching, housing, and crime were the dominant topics.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The second local option tax payment has been received. $463,000 was received, which was more than anticipated. $1.2M was the projected amount for the entire fiscal year. We are only $325,000 from that figure already with 2 more payments to come.
2. A summary of Cortina Inn funds, and related Police expenses through the end of FY 23 was provided and discussed. Calculations on time and expenses for work on the South end were made and reviewed. The audit report will help communicate how funds were used. Budgeting for the use of these funds will be discussed at the Police Committee meeting on the 6^th.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided.
2. Provided a quote for 2 permanent radar signs planned for the school zone on Post Road. The total came to $6000, which is included in the current police equipment budget. This will be discussed at the Police Committee meeting.
3. There are some additional equipment items waiting to be purchased for the new cruiser.
4. Chief Dumas thanked the board for their support for the officers and the issues they are dealing with.

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

1. Reported on construction progress for the Public Safety Building.
   1. Selectman Denardo reviewed his discussion with the architect and construction firm with the cost of the change orders. Adjustments to the costs were made.
   2. Change orders will be provided for review at the December 19^th Board meeting.

Board to hear testimony on giving up Dyer Road as a Town road.

1. Sandra Lober and Deboard Hadeka were present to discuss this topic. They are part owners of an adjacent parcel.
2. Discussed the reasons the town would give it up.
   1. It is a dead-end road which serves no residences or businesses.
   2. There has been illegal activity going on at the end of it. Costs to clean up trash and removal of a camper was estimated at $2000.
   3. The road cannot be blocked off since it is a Town Road.
3. Discussed who will own the property the road is on if the Town gives it up. This would be part of the deliberative session.
4. A request was made by Ms. Lober to have the Board put in writing the Town would take it back over if the property was sold to a commercial buyer. The Board was hesitant to agree to this due to a variety of future unforeseen circumstances.
5. There was concern that the Town giving up the road would make the adjacent property less marketable. The land extends out along Middle Road for several hundred feet. This road is not the only access to the parcel.
6. All parties needing to be noticed for this process were provided proper noticed.
7. A survey may have been done as part of a prior property sale. This will be researched for the deliberative session.
8. The road has had minimal maintenance in past years.
9. The hearing ended at 7:34PM.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The next meeting will be a first look at a new subdivision application.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. There have been 5 storm responses in the last 2 weeks. The contractors were used 4 times.
2. Some road maintenance was done on Quarterline Road.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Presented 2 errors and omissions certificates.
   1. The Paige Carrara certificate is to correct 2 parcels which should have been combined into 1. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the adjustment. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
   2. The Leonard certificate is to correct names assigned to the property and the way it is reflected in the Grand List. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the adjustment. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion, the motion passed 4 – 0.
2. Discussed recent State legislation passed regarding reappraisals. The Listers have prepared a report, and it will be made available for the board to review at the next meeting.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. The pricing for the purchase of a new pick-up truck is not ready yet.

Marty Wasserman Rutland Town Emergency management Director

1. Discussed some recent communication challenges experienced during recent disasters. Presented a quote for the purchase of new 2-way radios for the town Emergency Management Director and Emergency Management Coordinator. This proposal was asked to be included in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. There are 2 invoices which were sent to the Delinquent Tax Collector for software licenses. They have been refused to be paid. After discussion, they will be resent.
2. Northstar fireworks has sent the annual contract for fireworks.
   1. The date is August 17^th, the night of the planned Town Wide celebration.
   2. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the contract, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. The cost is $12,500. The budget only has $7500 in it. The was due to the plan to switch providers for the display, however the new provider was unable to secure a proper license. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
3. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the minutes of the Dyer Road site visit. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectman Hathaway abstained.
4. Discussed the progress on a grant to install EV charging stations at Town Hall. The grant has a $20,000 provision for upgrade work. After discussion, we will reach out to the architect helping us with the remodel to discuss the steps we should take to make sure it is properly coordinated.

Committee meeting updates:

1. Reviewed topics from the recent Fire and Recreation committee meetings.

Bridgette Remington was present to address a request to speak to the Board in executive session regarding a minor. The Board discussed the request. Selectman Denardo moved to send the matter back to the Rec Committee to possibly hear this information in executive session. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed 4 – 0.

Board to select bond counsel

1. 4 proposals were received from firms. They are:
   1. Paul, Frank and Collins
   2. Stitzel, Page and Fletcher
   3. Darby, Kolter and Roberts
   4. Primmer, Piper, Eggleston and Cramer
2. Darby, Kolter and Roberts and Paul, Frank and Collins were eliminated due to cost.
3. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve Stitzel, Page and Flecther as Bond Counsel for the purpose of securing the bond for the Public Safety Building. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Marty Wasserman talked to the Board about plans to start a town gardening club, and to have some consideration in the budget. This will be discussed at the budget meeting.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

___________________ABSENT____________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.