Police Committee Minutes 1-25-2022

Publish date: January 25, 2022

Police Committee Minutes 1-25-2022

RUTLAND TOWN SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE MEETING

POLICE COMMITTEE

TUESDAY JANUARY 25th, 2022

The Police Committee of the Rutland Town Selectboard met at 11:00 AM on Tuesday January 25th at the Rutland Town Municipal Town Hall. Present was Board Chair Mary Ashcroft, Board Member Sharon Russell, Board Member John Paul Faignant, Board Member Don Chioffi, Town Police Chief Ed Dumas, Town Deputy Police Chief Ted Washburn, Town Emergency Management Director Marty Wasserman, Town Administrative Assistant Bill Sweet, and Robert Schlachter. There was a conference call line with a publicly accessible and warned phone number in use.

  • Chief Dumas updated the committee on the status of dispatching and the plan from the state.
    1. There was a meeting held earlier today with representatives from a variety of agencies with state emergency service leadership. They discussed the plan and resources they have available for communities to be able to establish regional dispatch centers.
    2. There is a total of $8 million available for the creation of new centers.
    3. There are funds to help expand existing centers.
    4. There are funds to help pay staffing costs during the first 3 years to establish new centers.
    5. The funds would be awarded through a grant program which will be available in the next few months. These funds are intended to be shared among future centers around the state.
    6. Bob Schlachter, from Rutland County Fire Mutual Aid, discussed with the committee the history of the dispatch system and what the needs will be going forward. There is a meeting later this week to discuss this topic with the fire agencies, and the police departments will be invited as well.
    7. The state is looking for plans from communities in the next 9 months.
    8. Chief Dumas is planning to involve Selectboards from other towns to gather their input and ideas into establishing a new dispatch center.
    9. Discussed how the funding of the centers would be done after the startup money runs out. A per-capita rate would be the most equitable way to charge it, and using the county tax system, already in place.
  • The committee discussed the 5-year plan.
    1. The Chief and Deputy Chief were reviewing the plan earlier and the only thing in the plan which has not been achieved is their own facility, but that is currently in planning. A video segment is being produced with Peg Tv and will be available soon.
    2. Succession planning will be added to the 5-year plan, to include the transition of Deputy Chief Washburn to the Chiefs position when Chief Dumas is ready to retire.
    3. Discussed staffing plans in the future which could include hiring additional officers to be able to provide coverage during more hours and more days.
    4. Restructuring of shifts is being done on an on-going basis to meet needs based on call volume.
  • Some of the current town ordinances pertaining to the Police Department were reviewed.
    1. Reviewed the Child Safety Ordinance.
      1. This ordinance may not be enforceable any longer due to challenges in other towns.
      2. This will be researched, and a decision will be made to revise or repeal.
    2. Discussed the now repealed panhandling ordinance.
      1. Chief Dumas has spoken to several individuals who have been panhandling in the Green Mountain Plaza and has told them if they continue to cause issues with traffic, they will be issued no trespass order.
      2. No issues have been noted since then and no trespass notices have not had to be issued.
    3. Reviewed the Vehicle and Traffic Ordinance
      1. Discussed the issue of parking on the travel portion of the road.
        • A sign needs to be posted in order to be able to tow vehicles.
      2. This ordinance includes a winter parking ban, which has not been widely advertised. There will be more of an effort to advertise this to make the public aware.
      • Discussed the definition of travel portion. After some discussion, it should be defined as paved portion. This will be addressed in any section it comes up in.
  1. The process to update the ordinance will be started.
  1. Reviewed the Driving While Operating a Handheld Electronic Device Ordinance.
    1. It was originally adopted to allow the Town to capture more of the money from a fine.
    2. There is not much difference any more in the fine received.
  • The committee will recommend to the full board to repeal this ordinance as it no longer serves the purpose it was originally intended for.
  • Discussed the ballot questions to allow the sale and cultivation of cannabis in the Town.
    1. There are not expected to be any serious issues as the state guidelines will be in place.
  • Discussed posts from the Police Department on our social media account.
    1. Reviewed the model policy from VLCT and their guidance.
    2. Discussed establishing a separate Facebook Page for the Town Police Department.
      1. Currently they post anything they need to on the municipal page.
      2. After some discussion, this will continue to be the practice but if it is found to be necessary in the future it will be revisited.
    3. The Social Media Policy needs to be reviewed by the technology committee.
  • Selectwoman Russell moved to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  • Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectwoman Russell moved to adjourn. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

The meeting adjourned at 12:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

Rutland Town News

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