Highway Committee Minutes 11-10-2025

Highway Committee Minutes 11-10-2025

RUTLAND TOWN SELECTBOARD COMMITTEE MEETING

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

NOVEMBER 10^th, 2025

The Highway Committee of the Rutland Town Selectboard met at 9:00 AM on Monday, November 10^th, 2025, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present was Selectboard Clerk Joe Denardo, Selectboard Member Kurt Hathaway, Town Road Commissioner Dave Sears, Town Administrator Bill Sweet, Town Road Crew Member Jason Bathlon and Robert Clark from Otter Creek Engineering.

Discussed the Route 7 South Sewer project

• The last manhole connections are being made. Paving was planned for this week and will be weather dependent.
• The manhole coming from the car wash is filled with debris from the car wash. Their catch system does not appear to be functioning correctly.
• Commissioner Sears plans to have a meeting with car wash personnel about this.
• Overall, the sewer line project has gone very well.
• The old line will be abandoned with flowable fill being used to close it off. Due to the unknown condition beyond the breaks, the extent to which this can be done is not clear.

Discussed the Stratton Road culvert project

• Discussed alternatives to get the best price, including the Town purchasing the culvert directly from a preferred vendor and just bidding the work.
• The grant awarded to the town is not expected to cover even half of the cost of the project.
• Stratton Road needs to be closed for at least 30 days to complete the project.
• There are some state-contracted concrete casters which will be contacted for pricing.
• The total cost will be split between a state grant, the culvert replacement account and the carryover fund.

Began review of the draft budget

• Most lines have minor adjustments proposed to reflect current pricing.
• A proposal has been given to purchase weather stations which would be installed at various sites around town. They would give real time updates as to conditions, as well as the ability to capture images. Weather patterns around town can vary greatly. We can assign unlimited town users. The total cost is approximately $14,500 annually and is included in the new equipment line.
• Culvert replacement was increased to $350,000 due to the planned replacement on Stratton Road. This will be offset by a $200,000 state grant.
• Retreatment is up due to the escalating cost of paving.
• Compensation and benefit lines will be calculated based upon the 3% cost of living increase approved by the Board.

 

Discussed the tractor shared with the Rec Department. There was a failure in the engine requiring it to be sent to John Deere for service. They are telling us the motor needs to be replaced, but this assessment was questioned. They found a bad seal with a hydraulic pump. Commissioner Sears will try to work with the service department to find the best solution to get it back operating. This is our sidewalk plow tractor.

The new tank for diesel fuel was delivered this morning. Various vendors will be contacted to get us the best price so it can be filled. Commissioner Sears is handling the paperwork to ensure the correct tax exemptions are applied.

Dave Sears and Bill Sweet met recently with some representatives from the City of Rutland to review and discuss the draft of a new hydrant maintenance agreement.  The only changes initially discussed were the records should be provided to the Town after each service, and not only by request. The committee discussed 2 hydrants which are classified as private, one on Kathy Drive and the other in front of Key Honda on Route 7 South. After discussion, the 2 entities who own these hydrants will be asked if they would like the Town to take them over, which we would be in favor of, after they have provided documentation the hydrants are working correctly.

Reviewed an issue between 2 property owners who share a driveway on Town Line Road. One owner installed a sign which the other owner said caused issues with deliveries and people being able to find them, because the sign only was for one of the owners. The 2 parties have called, emailed and come in to talk with Bill and Dave many times over the course of years each to communicate their issues with the other. After a discussion of various options and solutions, the committee has agreed the existing signs need to be removed due to the issues which have been created. The Town will purchase 2 signs, with numbers only, 1 for each address and install them on one signpost. Each owner will be responsible for removing the sign they installed. A letter will be sent to each property owner to communicate this decision./

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet