Highway Committee Minutes 1-16-2026
Highway Committee Minutes 1-16-2026
RUTLAND TOWN SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE MEETING
HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
JANUARY 16th, 2026
The Highway Committee of the Rutland Town Selectboard met at 9:00 AM on Friday, January 16th, 2026, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present was Selectboard Chair Mary Ashcroft, Selectboard Clerk Joe Denardo, Town Road Commissioner Dave Sears, Town Administrator Bill Sweet, and from the public, Frank Ettori.
Discussed the request from Fire District #5 to connect to the municipal water supply.
- A substantial report was received from fire district representatives.
- A separate meeting will need to be scheduled to discuss this report and request.
Discussed the proposed budget
- A large portion of the increase is due to a needed culvert replacement due to expected failure.
- Other parts of the increase are for the purchase of weather stations, and personnel costs.
Discussed the request being placed on the ballot for the purchase of an excavator.
- Some Board members have received negative comments about the request.
- This topic will be discussed during the pre-town meeting and questions and comments will be addressed then.
Discussed the salt budget, application and best practices.
- The town has a safe road maintenance policy, not a clear road policy.
- Callouts and staffing levels vary depending on each storm event.
Discussed the equipment replacement schedule and its effect on the depreciation account contributions.
Reviewed a letter to be sent to the Eco Car Wash. Based on a review of the sewer allocation and usage, they exceeded their allocation. The letter informs them of the need to increase their allocation.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet