Selectboard Minutes 10-7-2025

Publish date: October 8, 2025

Selectboard Minutes 10-7-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

OCTOBER 7th, 2025

 

  • The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
  • Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, and Matt Getty
  • Members of the public present Keith Whitcomb, Shelley Dumas, Robyn Sweet, Lisa Knickerbocker, David Rosenblum

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for September 23rd:

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

Approval of Orders

Selectman Getty moved to approve the orders. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.

Board to meet with Joe Anthony regarding the Diamond Run Mall property

  1. In attendance with Joe Anthony is Attorney David Grayck.
  2. The demolition permit was recently approved and work will be moving to secure the property with fencing in preparation for demolition.
  3. Discussed issues which have been experienced in the past, as well as issues which are new.
  4. Discussed the process for prosecuting individuals responsible for theft and vandalism. Attorney Grayck asked for anyone needing an immediate response for issues to call him.
  5. Fencing will be going up soon which they hope will eliminate most of the issues.
  6. They will be in touch with department heads ahead of the construction permit application process to address any issues or concerns.

Public Comment

David Rosenblum was present to discuss allowing dogs off leash in Northwood Park. He asked the board about details in the current ordinance, and what other towns allow. After discussion, the topic was referred to the Rec committee to follow up on.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Gave updates on projects being completed. The liquid tanks for spraying salt have been moved outside, and salt deliveries are starting to come in.
  2. Apalachee Salt will be our supplier this year. They gave us a price of $95. Cargills price is $98.75.
  3. Reviewed the sewer replacement project. It is currently ahead of schedule. The boring work went very well and is already complete. Open cutting the road will not be necessary. Casellas is now working on installing the new manholes and making the connections.
  4. Discussed the plan the City has for raising the hydrant maintenance fees. It is increasing from $50 per hydrant per year to $200 per hydrant per year. It is possible our highway department could take it over. Discussed what hardware would be needed to do that. Flushing work would involve coordinating with the City on timing. Dave will follow up.
  5. Reviewed some highway projects which stopped due to the sewer project. They are the Simons Avenue intersection redesign, adding a third turn lane to the Green Mountain plaza, and restriping Business Route 4 from Ripley Road to East Proctor Road.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided.
  2. The Town police will be in the Halloween parade this year.
  3. Reviewed liquor and tobacco licenses submitted for approval.
    • East Restaurant LLC applied for a third class liquor license. The Police have no issues with them. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0 .
    • Tobacco license request from Vermont Cannabis Café LLC. The Police have no issues with them. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.
    • Tobacco license request from Stewarts Shops Corporation. The Police have no issues with them. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.
    • Stewarts Shops requested a second class liquor license. The Police have no issues with them. The Police have no issue with them . Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.
    • Stewarts Shops requested a Tobacco license. The Police have no issues with them. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.
  4. A quote from Royals security was presented to install an access control reader in the foyer at the Police Station. It was left off the plans when the building was built. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the quote with the cost of $1729.89 to come from the Capital Improvement fund, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. The flagpole at the new building is in, and the cascade system is installed and working.
  2. Hose testing will be done next week.
  3. The department has a busy month with events. Fire prevention was today at the Town school, Wonderfeet is having an event downtown, Trick or treat on the trail at the town school, the Gables is having a Halloween event, Tractor Supply has an event and a fall festival at the Town school.
  4. Regional Ambulance has been calling the department more and more for lift assists. This is not something department members are specifically trained for. After discussion, the Board recommended asking Regional Ambulance to come and provide training to the members if they would like the assistance to continue.
  5. Discussed warning a committee meeting for time before the next Board meeting. The updates to the bylaws would be discussed. Once all committee members are asked it can be warned.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. Provided and reviewed copies of the forms which will be used for the fingerprinting and background checks. Some updates were suggested and will be implemented.
  2. Reviewed topics from the recent committee meeting.
    1. Work towards replacing the pool is just beginning. Supported starting a committee to work on this project. Offers to join the committee will be put out to the general public for some people to join.
    2. Discussed the personnel costs and budget for the rec Department. Mr. Rowe is using the salary line to be paid for work at Northwood. The maintenance line is being billed hourly for work at Dewey. Discussed how to avoid conflicts with other salaried employees. Additionally, Mr. Rowe is looking to hire an aquatics director for the pool. There was additional discussion. Some outside resources will be contacted for guidance

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. Discussed getting work at the pocket park on the Rec committee agenda/
  2. Work is moving forward on the new subdivision bylaw. Discussed some new additions for regulations. They are a certificate of subdivision compliance, a performance bond, and a maintenance bond. The commission discussed including all 3 of these. After discussion, the Board was also in favor of including these.
  3. Asked the Board for permission to seek a municipal planning grant to help update the Town Plan. After discussion, the Board was in favor of applying.

Selectwoman Russell left the meeting at 8:15 PM.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. Items for discussion were covered earlier in the meeting

Joe Denardo Rutland Town Public Safety Building Clerk

  1. Thanked Fire department members for their help in getting the flagpole up.
  2. Based on final construction costs for the building, some additional money may be due to the state for the Division of Fire Safety permit.
  3. Discussed cleaning services for the police department. A solution has not been found yet.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

  1. Provided the annual proposal from Stantec for the work at the closed landfill. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the agreement and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 – 0.
  2. BMF Detailing has submitted a request to increase their sewer allocation to 444 Gallons per day based on their usage from 2024. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 – 0.
  3. Provided a copy of the public meeting notice for the Shared use path next Wednesday at 6PM at Town hall.
  4. Discussed a request from the Rutland Free Library for a new representative. Joe Bertelloni has left the Board. After discussion, 2 names, Marissa Neary and Bill Wiles will be given to the library for their consideration.
  5. Discussed an outstanding invoice for software license costs. 2 of the licenses are going to be renewed soon. After discussion, the license needed specifically for the delinquent tax collector role will be allowed to renew and continue to be billed for reimbursement. The other email address is to be terminated.
  6. Reviewed the ethics training summary. A few town officials did not complete the training prior to the September 25th due date. After discussion, another reminder will be sent to those officials.

The transfer station committee needs to meet to complete a disaster plan for debris.

A notice was received that we will receive 75% of the local option tax money up from 70% starting October 1st.

The legislature has passed a law addressing budget surpluses.  It is similar to how our Capital improvement process works now. To make any changes, it would need voter approval.

Discussed how to handle some dilapidated buildings, including removing at Town expense and applying a lien to the property.

Selectman Getty moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________ABSENT_______________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.

 

Rutland Town News

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