Select Board Minutes 6-22-2021

Select Board 6-22-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JUNE 22^nd, 2021

 Out of an abundance of caution around the covid-19 virus, this meeting was held with a conference line available for anyone to call into.

• Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, and Don Chioffi
• Members of the public present Larry Dellveneri, Howard Burgess, Jane (no last name)

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for June 8^th and June 15^th

• Chioffi moved to approve the meeting minutes from June 8^th as written.
  • Ms. Russell was not in attendance for this meeting and could not vote. This will be included for the next meeting.
• Russell moved to approve the minutes of June 15^th. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Questions from the Floor, Public Comment:

No public comments.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The pool is open for the season and lessons have started.
2. Baseball went very well.
3. Asked anyone with comments or concerns to please reach out to him. Stop by the pool or call him so any issues can be addressed.
4. The pool will be open from 12PM to 6PM on July 4^th and the concession stand will be open starting at 8PM.
   1. There will be no swimming during fireworks this year.
   2. There will be no parking allowed along Post Road on July 4^th.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk/Treasurer:

1. Discussed the status of Town finances for the end of the fiscal year.
   1. A final excess report will be available to review on Wednesday morning.
   2. Revenues were up in several areas that were not expected. Recording fees, delinquent taxes collected, and the 1% local option tax all exceeded expectations.
2. The office will be closed July 5^th in observance of Independence Day.

Barbara Noyes-Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Work on the helipad ordinance is continuing but there is nothing ready for a formal presentation yet.
2. The work towards establishing a conservation commission is still going on as well.
3. A draft of a letter of support to the VELCO for the North Rutland substation upgrade was provided.
   1. Chioffi moved to approve the letter and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Provided a proposal for purchasing a new highway truck. The one previously approved has not been built yet and no build date is available yet due to key parts not being available. A cab and chassis is available at a dealer in the area and the details were provided.
   1. The 2 truck specifications are nearly identical.
   2. Waiting for Ford to build a truck may put us beyond the ability of the upfitter to finish the truck for this winter.
   3. This truck is the only one found to be on a lot.
   4. Ms. Ashcroft asked if there was a penalty if we withdrew from the agreement with Ford. Mr. Hathaway said he was not aware of one and was not told of one when speaking to the rep recently.
   5. Ms. Russell moved to approve the purchase of the truck from the local dealer, if there is no penalty for withdrawing from the original contract. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.
2. Discussed participating in the grants in aid program. We need to decide by June 25^th. Mr. Chioffi moved to approve the letter and authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.
3. Paving has begun on McKinley Avenue and the school parking lot will begin soon.
   1. Clean up work on driveway aprons, etc., will be done once the contractor is finished.
4. Roadside mowing will resume as soon as the parts needed are in.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. The new truck is under construction. Pictures are being posted online as we get them.
2. Discussed the New Business item, public fireworks display permit.
   1. There is a new checklist and permit form. It includes all the required items.
   2. The new permit also requires the Chief of Police to give approval.
   3. Mr. Chioffi moved to approve the new forms. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.
   4. A resident, Jane, asked about individuals who light off fireworks in the yards. Ms. Ashcroft answered that it is not allowed under the supreme court ruling, unless they have the correct display permit which was just approved.
   5. Jane asked how the store in the town is monitored. Ms. Ashcroft stated that previously, C&C were self-monitoring, and we were satisfied with that but added we are not able to place someone there to monitor every transaction.
3. The town fire department is prepared for the July 4^th

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided.
2. There will be a follow up meeting on July 2^nd to discuss the housing issues at the Holiday Inn.
3. Discussed a recent incident where a pedestrian was struck while crossing Route 7 South. They were not using a crosswalk and were hit by a vehicle.
4. Mr. Chioffi commented on the recent hiring of former Town Police Officer Amber Houle by the Rutland County Sheriff Department and the appointment to the Child First Advocacy Center previously held by our Police Chief.
5. Thanked the Fire Department for their help at a recent accident on Route 7 South.
6. Discussed parking along Post Road for the fireworks at Northwood Park. No parking will be allowed as in years past.

Committee meeting updates:

1. No committees met recently.
2. A water and sewer committee meeting will be scheduled soon.
3. Discussed scheduling the first meeting on replacing the McKinley Avenue Fire Station. The date of July 6^th was offered, right before the next Selectboard meeting.
   1. Mr. Chioffi objected since he will be having surgery that day.
   2. The committee consists of the entire Selectboard, the Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief, the Fire Chief and both Assistant Fire Chiefs.
   3. After some discussion, the meeting will be pushed back.

The board had planned to meet with representatives from the Diamond Run Mall, but they were not present at the meeting. They will be invited to attend the next meeting.

New Business Board to discuss the purchase of air purifiers for Town Hall

Information was sent to all Selectboard members on them. Mr. Chioffi felt it important to purchase them. He would like one in each office and one for the hallway. There was discussion about the funding source, which is intended to be from the ARPA funds. We have not yet received them. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

New Business Board to review for approval contract with the Dufresne Group for the Route 7 North Scoping Study

A contract for scoping study services for the Route 7 North Sidewalk was presented. Ms. Russell moved to approve the contract and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

New Business Board to review for approval sewer discharge allocation request

A sewer discharge application from Randbury Associates at 196 Randbury Road was made in the amount of 15 gallons per day. This is for a new connection. Mr. Chioffi moved to approve the allocation. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Ms. Ashcroft thanked Jim Hall and Mike Rowe for their work to put on the senior luncheon. It was held last week and there were 28 people who attended. Another is planned for July at Northwood Park.

There is a report on housing needs in the area from CEDAR. Contact Ms. Ashcroft if you would like to join.

There are 2 listening sessions planned for the public to give input on how we could spend the expected ARPA funds, which may be in excess on $400,000. One session is planned for June 29^th and another on July 20^th.

Discussed the recent scholarship awards. A high school senior had reached out to see if there was an award given to him. Ms. Ashcroft checked and no one at the town offices had received an application from this individual.

Mr. Chioffi moved to adjourn. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

ABSENT

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

ABSENT

John Paul Faignant

Sharon Russell

Don Chioffi

 

Center Rutland, VT.