Highway Committee Minutes 2-12-2026

Highway Committee Minutes 2-12-2026

RUTLAND TOWN SELECTBOARD HIGHWAY COMMITTEE MEETING

FEBRUARY 12^th, 2026

The Highway Committee of the Rutland Town Selectboard met at 9:00 AM on Thursday February 12^th, 2026, at the Municipal Town Hall. Present were Selectboard Clerk Joe Denardo, Selectboard Member Kurt Hathaway, Town Road Commissioner Dave Sears, Town Administrator Bill Sweet. Present for Fire District #5 was Steven Larosa from Weston and Sampson and Megan Roberts.

Fire District #5, which is the area of Victoria Drive, has made a request to the town to help them in their effort to resolve a PFAS contamination issue of their water supply.

• The fire district would like to connect to the City of Rutland water system. This would involve installing new water mains from the City / Town line to their system.
• An alternative treatment option is being reviewed by the fire district, but it comes at a much higher long-term cost.
• The committee discussed what, as a town, we would like to see. A 10” water main up Killington Avenue, and 8” distribution lines down the roads to allow fire hydrants to be installed is the preferred option. Connections and valves to allow for future expansion are also part of the request.
• The town will want to have the new infrastructure turned over to the town after installation, so it becomes part of our municipal infrastructure. Town O&M charges would be included in bills to allow us to fund future repairs and maintenance.
• The engineering firm and representatives from the fire district will go back to the city and talk with them then follow up with us as more details are available.

Reviewed the asset replacement schedule.

• This includes all vehicles and buildings.
• Purchase, life span and projected replacement costs are included.
• This can be used to plan purchases using depreciation accounts going forward.

Town highway grant programs

• A paving grant is being worked on now.
• The grant for the Stratton Road culvert is ours. Commissioner Sears will be following up with our engineer to get timelines for bidding the project.

Discussed the proposed work to modify the western intersection of Simons Avenue at Business Route 4. The cost proposal was much higher than expected. This project will remain active pending funds to do the work.

Discussed the 3-acre stormwater regulations enacted by the State. No landowners have come to us looking for assistance, the topic can be discussed in the future if any do.

Discussed giving up the town right of way at the end of Park Street. The committee was not in favor of doing this at this time.

Discussed the proposal to modify the exit of the Green Mountain Plaza.

• The committee is in favor of this despite the traffic study showing there would be no benefit.
• The traffic island is on the VTrans right of way off US Route 7 South.
• The Town would propose to do the work to remove it, replace the asphalt, and paint the new lines if necessary.
• VTrans would be asked to update the traffic light system to add a 3^rd light for the exit.
• After discussion, Mr. Sweet will get in contact with the VTrans rep who helped us before.

Discussed the south end sewer project

• There are some punch list items left for the contractor to do in the spring.
• The replacement cage for the manhole by the car wash is in and is pending installation by our public works.

Discussed the plan to install flashing crosswalk lights at the crosswalk in front of Town Hall.

• We have a pending grant request to fund the project. The awards will happen in May.
• The quote for the lights and poles is approximately $9200. Concrete mounting bases would also be needed and can be ordered with a bolt pattern for the bases.
• If we are unsuccessful with the grant award, other funding sources may be used to complete it.
• A permit for the work to be done will be needed from VTrans when we want to install them.

Discussed the plan to replace the salt shed. Commissioner Sears will follow up with Kim Lutchko to see what Act 250 would require of us.

Reviewed the proposed hydrant maintenance agreement between the town and the city.

• This details the cost and schedule for the hydrants they service for us.
• The committee will recommend to the full Board approving the contract.

Discussed a request from the Town of Mendon to install additional speed limit signs on Town Line Road to help reduce speeds on the road.

• In past experience, the additional signs don’t help to reduce speeds.
• A grant to purchase new speed detection signs will be applied for to purchase new units to install around town. Town Line Road is one of the locations targeted for a sign.

Selectman Denardo discussed lowering the speed limit on McKinley Avenue, west of North Grove Street. This would require action by the board, and a warning period. This will be discussed at the next full board meeting.

The State has come to us asking about the classification of sections of Cold River Road.

• The Town shows Class 3 and Class 4 sections.
• The State shows a change in 2009, but without supporting documentation.
• There was extensive discussion on the history of maintenance on this road.
• More information is needed from the State. Mr. Sweet will reach out to the person who contacted us to discuss it.

Discussed a possible grant funding source which may be able to help us restore and / or relocate the covered bridge the Town owns. There are different aspects of the grant. One is a feasibility study of the ability to restore it and move it. The next stage would be funding to implement the plan.  The committee is in favor of pursuing funding to help restore and ultimately move it.

The meeting adjourned at 11:33 AM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet