TOWN OF RUTLAND

SELECT BOARD

MINUTES: February 28, 2012

Board members present: Stanley Rhodes III, Steve Hawley, Jim Hall, Joshua Terenzini and Joe Dicton

The Meeting opened at 6:32 P.M.

All rose for The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.

Ms. Lynette Gallipo, Town School Board Chairperson and School Board member Mr. Jim Levins, met with the Board and discussed two School Board Bond requests for converting the second floor of the Town Elementary School into office space and installing solar panels on the Town School roof.

Mr. Levins cited the following regarding the bond request to place solar panels on the Town School Roof:

· The School has had an Energy Committee for the past three years.

· The Energy Committee meets once a month and their meetings are open to the public

· Had an energy audit performed on the School to determine how to save energy

· Have received about $20,000.00 from Efficiency Vermont for energy efficient LED lighting and equipment

· Said did a lot of research regarding the installation of solar panels

· The School Board is proposing a 60 kilo Watt system which would produce about 20% of the School’s annual electric usage

· The School’s annual electric bill is about $50,000.00

· Would save $10,000.00 a year based on current rates.

· The School Board has been consulting with Same Sun Solar regarding the project and will put the project out to bid.

· The Town School roof is perfectly designed for solar panels

· The project cost is estimated at about $215,000.00

· There is the potential to received $97,500.00 through a state grant

· CVPS will donate $15,000.00 to the project.

· The warning request s permission to bond up to $130,000.00

· The solar panels have a 30 year life

· The panels are 83% efficient for 25 years

· Would save $300,000.00 over 30 years if electric cost stay at the current level.

· There would be an annual bond payment of about $10,000.00

· In the first year the School would save more in electrical cost than the $10,000.00 bond payment it will have to make.

· After 10 years the electricity would be free

· The construction will take place in the summer

· The panels will pay for themselves in 8 to 9 years

Mr. Levins said there is also an educational component to putting solar panels on the school roof. He said it would be a good thing for students to see energy savings in their own building.

Mr. Levins said the same project would have cost nearly $400,000.00 last year. Mr. Levins said there is technology to attach the panels to the roof without causing leakage. Mr. Levins said the 50 year shingles on the roof might now last longer because of the panels to be put on the roof. Mr. Levins said there is a letter from a structural engineer stating the roof is strong enough for the panels.

Ms. Gallipo addressed the conversion of the second floor of the school into office space.

• The School Board spoke with the Commissioner of Education and the Governor a year to a year and a half ago regarding consolidation of School Districts. Ms. Gallipo said all three towns in the Rutland Central Supervisory Union (RCSU) are a lot less concerned regarding consolidation as a result of those discussions
• The total student enrollment is about 1,100 in the RCSU.
• Said all three towns want to stay together
• Said have been working with the other two town regarding purchasing, developing policies and contract negotiations
• The RCSU budget is split into thirds
• The RCSU now pays $50,000.00 in rental fees
• The current RCSU facility is not structurally safe
• The current RCSU facility is not safe for the employees
• Have been searching for a location for over 2 years
• There is no building suitable to move into in any of the three towns
• The only property that is available at a cost of $75,000.00 would require renovation work and is 4,500 sq. ft.
• There is over 8,000 sq. ft. of space on the second floor of the school
• Teacher training could be done in a planned large conference room, currently rent space to hold the training
• $600,000.00 will renovate the entire 2^nd floor of the building, construct two new entrances, installation of an elevator and restructuring of the parking lot
• Architect John Berry Hill came up with the $600,000.00 estimate
• A 20 year bond would cost a little lass than $50,000.00 for the first payment
• The RCSU rental charge for the 2^nd floor of the Town school would never go up and would decrease each year
• All Towns would realize a decrease in their RCSU rental charges
• All rental checks would be applied to the Bond payment
• The RCSU cannot sign a lease greater than five years in length.
• The RCSU will agree to a five year lease
• Rutland Town would not bear any expenses for the RSU operating on the 2^nd floor
• The chances are very slim the RCSU will be consolidated with another Supervisory Union
• The RCSU would sign the contract stating each town is responsible for 1/3 of the principal and interest for each year of the bond
• Each school would sign an agreement stating they would not pull out of the RCSU
• There is really no cost saving in consolidating supervisory unions

State Representative Mr. James McNeil told the Board that because of Act 153 more schools with in supervisory districts and some town not in supervisory districts are working more cooperatively than five years ago.

Mr. McNeil said if a small town merges it’s school with a supervisor union, then the town will get a certain percentage taken off their taxes as an incentive to do so. Mr. McNeil said there are those that would like to combine supervisor districts per county and there are some that say it is not possible right now.

• Rutland Town would have to pay the interest payment on the Bond the first year and the regular payments there after
• The town would never be solely responsible for anything to do with the bond
• The Town pays 1/3 of the RCSU budget now and will do so if the RSU moves to the 2^nd floor of the Town school
• The first shared payment will be about $49,000.00
• The Town would not pay a penny more for the Bond than it does now for annual payments to the RCSU
• Presently the Town is paying $17,000.00 a year to the RCSU for its rental. Another location could cost the Town $20,000.00 to $25,000.00 per year
• The new facility will not cost the taxpayers any money and the rental fee will keep coming down each year
• The other two towns are very supportive of the proposal
• There is no space in either of the other two towns to which the RCSU could move into
• The addition of the RCSU to the Town school will enhance the building by creating space the school could also use
• There should be no cost to the Town taxpayer
• The Bond interest rate is lock-in for the life of the Bond

Mr. Terenzini thanked Ms. Gallipo and Mr. Levins for presenting their information. He said questions were answered. He said it appears the costs will be minimal to the taxpayer. He cited the fact the Town is investing in property owned by the Town.

Ms. Gallipo said both projects are a great benefit and are money savers.

Ms. Gallipo said when the electric rates go up the Town would benefit more on its pay back. Mr. Dicton asked if the system is expandable. Mr. Levins said the system is expandable. Mr. Levins said the School will be paid six cents more than it cost CV to purchase their power. He said the School would be able to sell power back to CV during the summer months.

Mr. Dicton asked if there would be space on the second floor if other towns decided to join RCSU. Ms. Gallipo said the RCSU would double their space by going to the second floor of the school.

Ms. Gallipo suggested the Town School Board and the Select Board meet and talk in the future.

The Board reviewed the February 14, 2012 minutes. Mr. Terenzini moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

There were no questions from the floor.

Mr. McNeil told the Board that there are a lot of schools considering biomass and solar projects. Mr. McNeil said there might be some private foundation grants available to the school for the solar project. Mr. McNeil said concerning the proposed renovation of the 2^nd floor of the school that it is always better to own than to rent.

Mr. McNeil said he was also present for Mr. Terenzini last meeting on the Board. Mr. McNeil thanked Mr. Terenzini for taking his seat on the Board. Mr. McNeil encouraged everyone to consider running for a public office at any level.

Town Clerk & Treasurer: Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:

1. The Town report has been mailed and met the 10 day deadline
2. Tomorrow is the final date to register to vote
3. People are still requesting absentee ballots
4. Anticipated revenues are down
5. There are three Liquor & Tobacco licenses to consider

Solid Waste Alliance Communities & Rutland Transportation Council: Mr. Shields reported:

1. The next household hazardous waste collection day will be in April

2. He had made a presentation at the Transportation Board meeting regarding the Town’s proposed service road. He said the Slip-Lane has been added as the 10^th project and the proposed Service Road is the 11^th project on the list. Mr. Shields said he expressed the desire to move the projects up the list and that that it appears they will not be reconsidered until 2014

Regional Planning Commission Mr. Fred Nicholson reported:

No meeting no report

Town Road Commissioner: Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:

1. Requested the Board consider signing the “sign maintenance policy”, which he has prepared. Mr. Hathaway told the Board that the Select Board would need to adopt the policy at some point in time. He told the Board he will attend a sign workshop on March 14 and will report back to the Board following the meeting.

2. Told the Board that one of his larger project planned for the summer is to replace the culvert at the Prospect Hill / East Pittsford Road intersection. He said the work would be done in conjunction with the paving of the road.
   
   He told the Board he is currently considering installing either an aluminum box culvert, a concrete box culvert or small bridge due to the fact the stream has fish and must have an open bottom for passage. Mr. Hathaway cited the expected life expectancy for both the Aluminum and concrete structures.
   
   Mr. Hathaway said he has checked and it appears small poured in place concrete bridges are quite cost effective. Mr. Rhodes inquired if the work will be put out to bid.
   
   Mr. Hathaway said the structure would be put out to bid and that the rest of the work could be done in-house. He said he could do the preparations for the footings. Mr. Hathaway said there would not be a lot of digging involved in the project. Mr. Hathaway cited two local contractors with much experience with poured in place structures.
   
   He said he would report back to the Board when he receives estimates and has more information. Mr. Hathaway said there is a good chance the Town could receive a State Structures grant, which would pay for 80% of the project.

3. Told the Board the chipper the Town owns with the Town of Mendon is having issues. Mr. Hathaway said the he has had to replace six sets of knives in the chipper since the machine has started having problems. He said the blades break and are then thrown from the machine.
   
   He said the last set of knives seem to be holding up better than the previous knives. Mr. Hathaway said the chipper’s flywheel is also quite worn. Mr. Hathaway told the Board he also repaired a leak in the fuel tank. Mr. Hathaway said the chipper is a 1985 model. He told the Board that the Mendon Select Board decided it is time to look for something else.
   
   Mr. Rhodes said given the amount of work the Town does with the chipper it may be time to purchase our own chipper. Mr. Hathaway said joint ownership with Mendon has been advantageous for the Town of Rutland. Mr. Hathaway said a joint purchase would reduce the Town cost by half and Mr. Terenzini said all maintenance cost would also be half as much. Mr. Rhodes cited the fact the Town owns its own Fire Trucks.
   
   Mr. Hathaway said the chipper was purchased as used equipment at a state auction. Mr. Dicton inquired if the Mendon Select Board wants to purchase new or used equipment. Mr. Hathaway said they didn’t seem to have a preference.
   
   Mr. Dicton asked how Mr. Hathaway planned to pay for the purchase. Mr. Hathaway said there is about $130,000.00 in depreciation budget. Mr. Hathaway said a good used chipper could cost between $5,000.00 to $10,000.00. He said a new chipper would cost between $25,000.00 to $28,000.0.
   
   Mr. Hathaway told Mr. Rhodes that both Mendon and Rutland Town store the chipper outdoors. Mr. Hathaway said the spout is covered to prevent water from going down the spout. Mr. Hall asked Mr. Hathaway get some prices and report back to the Board. Mr. Terenzini cited a safety concern with continuing to operate the current chipper. Mr. Hathaway said the Town paid $2,400.00 for the Chipper and has gotten 10 years service. He said it would cost $2,400.000 to rent a chipper for one month.

Mr. Hall asked Mr. Hathaway to check with the State of Vermont regarding when the Cold River Road rail crossing will be fixed and repaved.

Fire Chief: Joseph Denardo reported:

· The Fire Department did a mailing to every house in Town to try to clear up some of the misinformation regarding the project in Center Rutland.

· Is very disappointed with the letter to the Editor in the Saturday paper because the estimated cost of the building has gone from a half a million dollars to one million dollars.

· The figures being thrown around are in error

· Is annoyed that false information is being given out

· Told the Board he is personally offended by the Saturday Letter to the Editor

· He said he and department members are accused of attending a Christmas party which never occurred

· He said the party was supposedly hosted by Mr. John Paul Faignant

· He said he is offended by the suggestion that Mr. Faignant is trying to buy votes by holding a party for the Fire Department. He said Mr. Faignant does not stoop to that kind of stuff.

· Said misinformation and character abuse should not be tolerated in our town

· Told the Board he is seriously offended by the remarks and misinformation being presented in the campaign

· Told the Board he hopes the voters are listening to the Fire Department. He said the Department has never led the people astray or lied to them

Mr. Rhodes said the Chief should not have to defend the Fire Department because of a letter to the editor in the Rutland Herald. Mr. Rhodes said the Town Fire Department leads the way regarding new technology and training. Mr. Rhodes told the Chief not to take the comments personally.

Mr. Denardo said he gets upset when people question the Department’s character. He said Town’s Fire Department members put their lives on the line for the town. He told the Board that the men paid for the town mailing and no tax money was used.

Mr. Rhodes said during his 22 years in the Town Fire Department no taxpayer dollars were spent for Christmas Parties and no one every gave the Department a Christmas party.

Mr. Denardo said when something is printed in the paper that is not factual and that it can be proved it is a fabricated story, it calls into question the character of the person making the statements. Mr. Denardo encouraged people to get out and vote on Tuesday and would appreciate support for the Department’s ballot article.

Mr. Denardo thanked Mr. Terenzini for his four years on the Select Board and his support for the Fire Department.

Chief Denardo told the Board the cab and chassis for the new fire truck is at Dingee Machines in New Hampshire. Mr. Denardo said the body has been ordered and is expected in June. Mr. Denardo said the truck body would be made of polypropylene

Police Department: Chief John Sly reported:

• Thanked Mr. Terenzini for his service on the Board
• Told the Board he is disturbed with a candidate running for Mr. Terenzini’s seat.
• Mr. Sly said the individual is throwing out un-validated data, erroneous information and is criticizing the police department and the honorable Select Board
• Chief Sly cited written statements made by the candidate which claim the Town Police Budget has grown to $188,000.00
• Mr. Sly said the Police Department budget has actually decreased over the last several years
• Chief Sly cited the fact that as a new Department there were many items that had to be purchased to get the Department started.
• Mr. Sly said the reduction in the budget down to $188,000.00 shows he and his officers dedication to the Town Police Department
• Chief Sly said the statement that the Town pays the 1^st &2^nd Constables $47,000.00 each per year is inaccurate.
• Mr. Sly said that as the Town Police Chief he receives $47,000.00 per year, as did Captain Faignant up until his recent retirement.
• Chief Sly said “ so what” to the statement that he and another Town Police officer are both full time members of the City Police Department
• Mr. Sly said he is not the only person in Town with more than one job
• He said his work is not a job but rather a passion. He said there is a big difference between just having a job and having a career
• Mr. Sly said he has a career with over 35 years experience
• Mr. Sly cited his profession training and level of experience and said his salary is more than reasonable
• Told the Board that his 12 hour City Schedule gives him three days off per week and four days off on the following week
• Mr. Sly cited the fact that he and Mr. Dumas do not receive health insurance through the Town but rather from the City of Rutland. Mr. Sly said this is a an $18,000.00 saving to the Town each year
• Chief Sly cited the fact he has worked for the Town for over seven years and that he has never take a sick day and has not used all of the vacation days he has earned and has never taken holiday pay.
• Mr. Sly said the equipment, uniform and communication allowance money does not go into the police officers pocket. He said the money is used to purchase the equipment the officers need to do their jobs efficiently.
• Mr. Sly said regarding the claim that the $17,000.00 he receives for vehicle maintenance should be added to his salary he said there is a cost to operating a police vehicle. He cited fuel, tires, breaks, transmission service, front-end alignment and minor service as to how the $17,000.00 is spent. He said the vehicle reimbursement pays for operating expenses.
• He said at the current vehicle reimbursement rate it would take 5 ½ years to pay off the 2007 Dodge Charger he purchased in 2007. He said the vehicle was not purchased two times over.
• Mr. Sly said he does not know what Mr. Chioffi means when he claims the department has personal high-end vehicles. Mr. Sly said his dodge challenger costs less than a full size pick up truck. He said he chose the Dodge Charger because it is a safe vehicle.
• Regarding the claim that the Sheriff’s Department did a better job collecting speeding ticket revenue than the Town police force. Mr. Sly cited the fact that the Sheriffs were employed to only run radar for up to 28 hours per week. He said unlike the Town Police Force that also does patrols and responds to complaints.

Mr. Rhodes cited the fact that much of the revenue the Town received from the Sheriff’s Department was misallocated City ticket revenues, which the State mistakenly gave to the Town. Mr. Rhodes said the Town is still paying back the money it received in error. Mr. Sly cited the fact the State of Vermont now takes a greater share of the ticket revenue than it did when the Sherriff’s department was working for the town.

• Mr. Sly said he does not know how Mr. Chioffi determined the Town has fulltime highway coverage and nighttime patrol. Mr. Sly said the Town did not have nighttime patrol in 2004 and 2005. He said the Town employed him in 2004 and 2005 and he knows what he and the late Mr. John Flory did. Mr. Sly said the Town had limited coverage for the amount of money the Town was spending in 2004 and 2005.
• Mr. Sly said he first began the practice of submitting patrol logs to the Town regarding police department activity. He said at some point in time the late Mr. Richard Del Bianco said the information no longer needed to be submitted to the Board. Mr. Sly said he resumed submitting the logs when requested by the Board
• Mr. Sly said current police logs are in the Department’s computer and in the State database. Mr. Sly said giving the Board patrol logs on a daily bases is a bad idea. He said someone could request the logs and then learn a great deal about the department’s activities. He said this would place individuals at risk
• He said the claim there are no patrol logs is an out and out miss-statement
• Mr. Sly said the Board has never lost control of the Police Department as claimed by Mr. Chioffi
• Mr. Sly said it is personally insulting for Mr. Chioffi to claim the Board has lost control of the Police Department
• Regarding Mr. Chioffi’s claim that the Police Department is seeking grant money for a new police headquarters. Mr. Sly said the letter of inquiry was to explore if there was any money for a public safety complex. Mr. Sly said the Board was briefed as to what the department was looking into
• Regarding the recent events at the Holiday Inn. Mr. Sly said the operation was carried out by the State police and that he was present and was kept informed but did not play a big role
• Mr. Sly said he is appalled that a candidate for political office would issue so much miss-information and miss lead the voters so dramatically for the sake of seeking a vote. Shame on him.
• Mr. Sly said he has nothing to hide and individuals should ask him if they have any questions regarding the Police Department
• Mr. Sly explained how he would run a positive campaign for the seat on the Select Board verses the method being used by Mr. Chioffi.

Mr. Rhodes cited the fact that the revenue from the 1% local option tax will erase the need to raise money for the General Budget but will not cover the entire Municipal Budget as has been claimed.

Recreation Director: Mike Rowe reported:

1. Thanked Mr. Terenzini for his service on the Board and on the Town recreation Commission
2. Told the Board that Baseball registration is ongoing
3. Winter sports are over
4. Will try to have the pool open for memorial Day

Town Administrator: Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:

1. Informed the Board that Ms. Mary Keirstead would like to be reappointed to the Regional Ambulance Service. Mr. Hawley moved to reappoint Ms. Keirstead. Mr. hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Mr. Hall moved to reappoint Mr. John Sly as the Town Service Officer. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously

3. Informed the Board that the Planning Commission will be holding a Zoning Informational hearing on March 15, 2012 at 7:00 PM

4. Reported to the Board regarding a letter submitted by Mr. Blair Enman on behalf of the Ponderosa Restaurant pertaining to his investigation into the Restaurant’s grease problem. Mr. Zingale said he could not consider the results in the letter to be valid since a “grab” sample was taken and not the required “24-hour composite” sample required under the ordinance. Mr. Zingale discussed the matter further with the Board and said he would continue to monitor the Restaurant and may do a 24 hour composite test in the future.

Mr. Hawley moved to approve Liquor & Tobacco Licenses for Green Mountain Boys and Sherman V Allen’s Mac’s Store and a Liquor License for the 99 Restaurant. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Rhodes questioned Mr. Zingale regarding a proposed landfill-monitoring contract with Stantec. Mr. Zingale said the proposed charges are the same as last year. Mr. Hall moved to sign the agreement. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Planning Commission: William Matteson

Not Present

The Board reviewed packet correspondence.

Mr. Terenzini said he wanted to be involved in government since he was in grade school. He said he was honored in 2004 when the Select Board put him on the Recreation Commission, while still a high school student and that he joined the Fire Department in 2005 and served as clerk for two years. He said it took a lot of faith for the voters to elect him as a 21 year old to the Select Board.

Mr. Terenzini said it has been a privileged to sit on the Board and serve the Town. He said it was a hard decision not to run but that it was the right decision for his family.

Mr. Terenzini moved to close the meeting at 8:34 P.M. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.