TOWN OF RUTLAND

 

SELECT BOARD

 

 

 

MINUTES: March 15, 2011

 

Board members present: Steven Hawley, James Hall, Stanley Rhodes III and Joe Dicton Jr.

 

The Meeting opened at 6:50 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.

 

Town Administrator Mr. Joseph Zingale Jr., opened the floor for nomination for Board Chairman for 2011 – 20012. Mr. Hawley nominated Mr. Stanley Rhodes III to be Board Chairman. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed by a vote of three to 0. Mr. Rhodes did not vote.

 

Mr. Rhodes opened the floor to nominations for Board Clerk. Mr. Dicton moved to nominated Mr. Jim Hall as Board Clerk. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0. Mr. Hall did not vote.

 

Mr. Hawley moved to approve the 2-28-11 minutes with corrections. Mr. Hall made a motion to accept the minutes of 2-28-11. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 0. Mr. Dicton did not vote because he was not on the Board, at the time of the meeting.

 

Town Clerk & Treasurer:  Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:

 

  1. Told the Board that according to Labor & Industry the Town only is required to inspect the Town Hall alarm system once a year. Ms. Hyjek said the Town is now paying $160.00 a quarter or $640.00 a year for four inspections, plus $25.00 for the inspection of the fire extinguishers.

    Mr. Rhodes said Ms. Hyjek should check with VLCT, the Town’s insurance company. Mr. Dicton said the Board should reduce the number of inspections if the Town insurance will allow one annual test. Mr. Hawley said the Town Fire Department could regularly check the exit lights and extinguishers as part of their weekly meetings. Mr. Dicton suggested the Town Fire Department could quarterly check the extinguishers.

 

  1. Cited the fact the voters approved the expenditure for Town Scholarships. Ms. Hyjek said an ad would appear in the newspaper. She said applications are available with school guidance counselor or with her. She said the deadline date is April 29th.

 

  1. Reported dog licenses are due April 1st.

 

Mr. Rhodes said the Board has a liquor and tobacco license renewal application for the Mobil Mart on US RT 4 for near Home Depot and a liquor license application from Johnny Boys restaurant.  Mr. Rhodes said Chief John Sly had reviewed the application and has no problems. Mr. Hall moved to approve the two requests. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Solid Waste Alliance Communities:  Mr. Shields reported:

 

No Meeting, No Report

 

Rutland Regional Transportation Council:  Mr. Shields reported:

 

No Meeting, No Report

 

Regional Planning Commission Mr. Fred Nicholson reported:

 

Not present

 

Road Commissioner:  Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:

 

  1. Presented the annual Transportation Financial Plan for Board signature. Mr. Hathaway said the Town must demonstrate it is spending at lease $300.00 a mile for road maintenance. Mr. Rhodes read from the report and cited various planned expenditures. Mr. Hall moved to approve the Annual Financial Plan for Town Highways for fiscal year July 1, through June 30, 2012 as developed by Mr. Hathaway and the Agency of Transportation. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes questioned Mr. Hathaway regarding repair work done to the Tow loader. Mr. Hathaway explained that he had quick coupler built and attached to the loader in order to hook a plow on the loader to plow the transfer station.

 

  1. Mr. Hathaway informed the Board that there are a few minor issues with the new town truck and he inquired if the Board wants to withhold payment until the work is complete. Mr. Rhodes said he signed for payment and will leave it up to Mr. Hathaway to make sure the work is done.

 

  1. Mr. Hathaway informed the Board that Assistant Town School Principal Larry Sims has requested the Town place no parking signs on one side of Grover Drive. Mr. Hathaway said Mr. Sims made the request after receiving a complaint from a Grover Drive resident, who has raised concerns regarding vehicle congestion.

     Mr. Hathaway said he saw only one child getting on the bus, when he observed the bus in the morning. Mr. Rhodes said the problem is in the afternoon not in the morning. Chief Sly said there is the same issue on Victoria Drive and Hitzel Terrace and several other stops. Mr. Sly said the parents are parking on both sides of the road and as close to the intersection as possible.

    Mr. Rhodes suggested the school bus stop be relocated 75 feet or so further to the north and away from the intersection. Mr. Sly said if the location is moved the bus will have to wiggle through the vehicles parked on both sides of Countryside Drive.

    Mr. Sly said he would ask the School to write to the parents and request they park away from the intersection and on one side of the road. Mr. Sly said no parking signs should not be required because there is a problem for ten or fifteen minutes in the afternoon.

    Mr. Sly said if the street were posted for no parking he would issue tickets after the first warning. Mr. Sly said with the Board’s permission he would write to the school and request they instruct parents how and where they should park at the school bus stops. The matter was discussed further and no action will be taken until the Board hears back from Chief Sly.

 

  1. Mr. Hathaway said his salt summary is up to date regarding contractor’s time and salt consumption. Mr. Dicton questioned Mr. Hathaway regarding his report. Mr. Rhodes asked if Mr. Hathaway could show a labor figure for Town truck use. Mr. Hathaway said he could do so.

 

  1. Mr. Hathaway informed the Board he had posted Boardman Hill Road and the Quarterline Road for reduced weight limits.

Fire Chief: Joseph Denardo reported:

 

Not present

 

Planning Commission: Mr. William Matteson reported:

 

Not present

 

Mr. Rhodes informed the Board that Town Planning Commissioner Mr. Richard Hoenes Sr. has offered his resignation from the Commission. Mr. Rhodes said Mr. Hoenes was aware the Board is considering reducing the size of the Planning Commission from 9 to 7 members.

 

Mr. Rhodes said Mr. Hoenes served on the Planning Commission for 25 years and that he had bought a home out-of-state and would be spending more time out of state. Mr. Hawley moved to accept Mr. Hoenes resignation as presented pending formal notification. Mr. hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Hall moved to designate the Planning Commission from 9 members to 7 members. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Police Department: Chief John Sly reported:

 

  1. Mr. Sly informed the Board that he would like to eliminate the flashing lights at the Town school. He said the elimination could save the Town $1,000.00 a year. Mr. Sly said he would get the proper language for signs stating the speed limit is 25 m.p.h when the school is in session. Mr. Sly said Town school officials had requested the elimination of the lights as a cost savings.

    Mr. Sly said the flashing lights are an administration nightmare. He said when a ticket is written for speeding in the school zone, the officer must verify the lights were working properly working when the ticket was issued.

    Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Zingale questioned the suggested variable speed limit of 25 mph to 35 mph, when school not in session. Mr. Sly and Mr. Hathaway said such speed limit signage is allowed.

    Mr. Rhodes said the $1,000.00 is a wise expenditure to slow people down. Mr. Dicton asked what speed the School officials want the road to be posted. Mr. Sly said the road should be posted for 25 mph in the school zone

    Mr. Rhodes said he would hate to see someone get injured because the Town wants to save $1,000.00. Town resident Mr. Charlie Shields said the flashing light gets your attention when you come over the hill on the Post Road. He said the protection for the children is worth $1,000.00. Mr. Dicton and Mr. Hawley and Mr. Rhodes all agreed. Mr. Dicton cited the fact the school is on a hill and that there is a curve in the road as reasons why the speed should be 25 mph.

    Mr. Hawley said if the speed limit is going to be reduced to 25 mph then the length of the 25 mph zone should be shortened. Mr. Zingale told the Board that he believes the length of the 25 mph zone is the minimum distance. The four board members were in agreement to keep the lights. Mr. Dicton asked Mr. Sly if he is aware of any accidents or injuries in the school zone. Mr. Sly said he is not aware of any accident within the school zone.

 

Recreation Commission:  Mr. Jode Hall reported:

 

  1. Baseball registration would begin the following week March 24 at 6:00 PM at the Town School cafeteria for T-Ball, Little League, mighty mites, girl’s softball and major and minor baseball.

 

  1. Inquired as to the hiring of the recreation summer maintenance person. Mr. Zingale said the notice had been placed with the newspaper. Mr. Hall said the maintenance person needs to be hired soon.

 

Mr. Hawley moved to reappoint Mr. Jeff Cassarino to the recreation commission. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Rhodes said Mr. Hall should contact Ms. Stacy Baker, who has expressed an interest in joining the Recreation Commission.

 

  1. Mr. Hall said the Recreation Commission would like to start a facebook page or a Twitter account, in order to keep in touch with residents regarding recreation activities. Mr. Zingale suggested using the Town’s web site to post recreation information. Board members discussed the matter further and took no action.

 

Town Administrator:  Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:

 

1.      Informed the Board of a problem with the new property map index book. Mr. Zingale said approximately 248 real estate records had been left out of the new map index book. He said the problem is not the fault of the mapmakers but due to the fact the Town gave the mapmaker a file that did not contain the 248 records. Mr. Zingale discussed the matter further with the Board and no action was taken.

 

2.      Discussed several residential and commercial water and sewer accounts that are delinquent in their payment to the Town. The Board decided to discuss the matter further in Executive Session at the end of the meeting with Mr. Zingale

 

3.      Informed the Board of another junked vehicle complaint regarding the Turner property on the Post Road. Mr. Zingale cited the fact that a previous Board signed an agreement with the Turner’s regarding the removal of unregistered motor vehicles from his property. Mr. Sly will work with Mr. Zingale regarding the complaint.

 

4.      Told the Board that a couple of individuals have expressed an interest in renting the former Panda Pavilion building.

 

5.      Inquired if the Board would like to meet with a stormwater consultant that has been working with the Town of St Albans and the City of St Albans.

 

The Board discussed whether to close Cop John Drive north of Farrell Road. Mr. Zingale used the projector and displayed alternatives #1 & #2 route alignments to the Board.

 

Mr. Rhodes explained to Mr. Dicton why the Town and other stakeholders are considering whether to close Cop John Drive to traffic north of Farrell Road or keep Cop John Drive open to traffic north of Farrell Road.

 

Mr. Rhodes said the closing of Cop John Drive could be done with barricades, to see how things are going to flow. Mr. Rhodes said the Board might decide to allow northbound only traffic. Mr. Rhodes said closing Cop John Drive north of Farrell Road would reduce traffic congestion near the light. Mr. Rhodes said he does not favor a stop sign on the new slip lane.

 

Mr. Zingale explained that the closing of Cop John Drive to traffic would result in more traffic at the Holiday Inn / US RT 7 S intersection. He said the additional 25 to 30 additional vehicles would not be noticed if VTrans would add a few seconds to the traffic light thus allowing more time for vehicles to exit Holiday Drive and Cop John Drive.

 

Mr. Zingale told Board members that to date the GMP and Farrell’s favors closing Cop John Dr and Aspen Dental, Hampton Inn and Taco Bell all support leaving Cop John Dr open to traffic. Mr. Zingale said once an option is selected the group would go to preliminary design.

 

Town Police Chief Mr. John Sly said ha has regularly observed vehicles exiting the GMP and going down Cop John Dr. to exit south via the Holiday Inn intersection. He said there would be conflicts with vehicles if the slip lane is built and Cop John Drive north of Farrell Road is not closed.

 

Mr. Hall moved to utilize the concept of closing off the north end of Cop John Drive, as presented, and creating the slip lane. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes briefed the Board regarding REDC’s plans to study the possibility of bringing water and service to Center Rutland corridor. The Board discussed the matter and took no action.

 

The Board discussed a $5,765.00 proposal from Roger Stanley to insulate the Town Hall attic. Mr. Hall moved honor the quote of $5,765.00 from Mr. Stanley. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. Mr. Rhodes said the work would be done on a weekend. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Rhodes said he told Mr. Stanley to begin the work after April 1st.

 

The Board made the following appointments:

 

William Matteson - Planning Commission

Andrew McKane - Planning Commission

John Sly - Town Service Officer

Israel Mac – Weigher of Coal

Fredrick Nicholson – Fence Viewer

Charlie Hemenway – Fence Viewer

Marshall “Doc” Fish – Fence Viewer

Fredrick Nicholson – Tree Warden

Byron Hathaway – Inspector of Wood

Paul Williams – Pound Keeper

 

Mr. Hall made a motion that the appointments to the various offices indicated be approved as read. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board received correspondence from:

 

The Vermont House Republican Caucus

The Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (dinner invitation)

Town Clerk regarding police vehicle accident

Fire District # 1 rate increase

Revised Zoning agreement with the RRPC

 

The Board discussed and decided to advertise for repairs to the Town pool.

 

Mr. Rhodes and Ms. Hyjek discussed making changes to the Town Hall phone system. Ms. Hyjek said it would cost $29.95 a month per phone with Comcast. Mr. Hall moved to go with the Comcast proposal as outline by Ms. Hyjek. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hall said the Town Clerk need’s to receive paper work for expense reimbursement by April 29th.

 

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to go into executive session at 8:50 PM with Mr. Zingale to discuss water & sewer matters and with Ms. Hyjek to discuss personnel matters. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes declared the executive session closed at 9:49 PM.

 

Mr. Hall moved at 9:50 PM to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.