TOWN OF RUTLAND

 

SELECT BOARD

 

 

 

MINUTES: May 24, 2011

 

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

 

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

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to accept the minutes of 5-10-11. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0. Mr. Terenzini abstained from the vote.

 

Mr. Rhodes asked Mr. Hathaway which tree company he uses to remove big trees. Mr. Hathaway said he uses Valliancourt because they always have the best price. Mr. Hathaway said he would cut the tree in question, when he has the time. He said he has been waiting for the ground to dry out.

 

Town Clerk & Treasurer:  Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:

 

  1. The Town has received the final one percent local option wire payment of $251,309.33. She said this was the last payment for the fiscal year. Ms. Hyjek said the one percent money lowered the General Budget by $829,000.00 with a balance of $154.085.05 to be used to lower next year’s tax rate. Mr. Rhodes questioned Ms. Hyjek as to why the $154.085.05 was not used to lower this year’s tax rate. Ms. Hyjek agreed with Mr. Rhodes that the Board could use the money to reduce taxes in July or next year. Ms. Hyjek said the same wire transfer also included the Town’s adjusted Education tax amount for 2009 – 2010.

 

  1. Cited the New England Municipal Resources Center (NEMRC) tax report. She said the delinquent amount for 2010 & 2011 is $251,444.38. She said the delinquencies are up $25,000.00 from last year. She said the total delinquencies amount to $274,804.59.

 

  1. Ms. Hyjek said tax bills may not go out until the end of July because the Listers received and extension for filing the Grand List. Ms. Hyjek said the Listers have not yet started grievances.

 

  1. Ms. Hyjek said plans to start direct debit would be delayed due to the late Grand List. She said she is now hoping to begin direct payment in January.

 

  1. Informed the Board she is using software for escrow tax payments with one of the biggest lenders. She said this would be a time saver and cost effective. She hopes to implement this procedure by September 10th.

 

  1. Reported the new phone lines have been installed. Ms. Hyjek discussed the new phones with Mr. Rhodes.

 

Mr. Fred Nicholson reminded the Board that the ballot item said the one percent money would be used to reduce the tax rate. He said it is not up to the Board to decide what it will do with the money.

 

Ms. Hyjek said she gave the Board information regarding tax revenues for the fiscal year (as well as) the total amount and that she gave the Board the amount that was pledged to the General Budget. Ms. Hyjek said we made our goal and that what is left can be used to lower the tax rate like the Board did the previous year.

 

Mr. Rhodes said its automatic the Board would reduce taxes with the one percent revenue, all of the revenue. Ms. Hyjek said her numbers are for 2011 to 2012. The Board discussed the matter further and took no action.

 

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

 

  1. Informed the Board that Mr. Jim O’Gorman, from the Rutland County Solid Waste District, attended their last meeting, and that he gave quite a dissertation as to things that are happening.

    He said Mr. O’Gorman said he did not receive much useful information from the State regarding electronic waste collection and charges. Mr. Shields said the Town needs two electronic collection boxes. He said certain items would be picked up by the RCSWD and the other box would have cell phone, portable radios, microwaves as well as other items. He said under the law the manufacturers are responsible for the disposal cost. Mr. Shields said the boxes must be covered. Mr. Shields said there is not much public information. He said he would keep the Board informed.

 

  1. Told the Board that CFL bulbs must be collected and disposed properly. He said there would be 200 or so collection location in the state. He said most hardware stores would take old bulbs.

 

  1. Mr. Shields questioned the Board regarding the Ripley Road Bridge replacement. The Board discussed the matter and took no action.


 

 

Regional Planning Commission Mr. Fred Nicholson reported:

 

No Meeting No report.

 

Road Commissioner:  Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:

 

  1. Informed the Board that the grass median between US 7 S and Cop John Drive is not being mowed. Mr. Hathaway cited the fact that the local businesses had maintained the grass but that so far this year no one has cut the grass. The Board said Mr. Zingale would check into the matter.

 

  1. Mr. Hathaway reported that he and the County Road Commissioner recently met with officials from VTrans and discussed how the Agency interacts with municipalities. Mr. Hathaway said the officials discussed the practice of municipalities sharing specialized equipment. Mr. Nicholson said according to VTrans hopes to level fund money sent to municipalities. He said they would not be any increase in funding, since gas tax revenues are down.

 

Police Department: Chief John Sly reported:

 

  1. Cautioned individuals not to carry too much personal information in their wallet or purse in the event they are stolen. He said such items are taken for identity theft. He cited ATM slips, social security cards, as well as family members birthdays as information that is often stolen.

 

  1. Encouraged individuals to call the police right away if they see a suspicious vehicle in their neighborhood.

 

  1. Informed the Board that a rabid woodchuck was found across the street from Town Hall in the Evergreen Cemetery. He said Fish and Wildlife officials are involved in getting rid of the woodchucks in the cemetery.

 

Recreation Commission:  Mr. Jode Hall reported:

 

No meeting no Report.

 

Mr. Rhodes reviewed Pratico Landscaping and fence improvements proposals for Northwood Park and Del Bianco Park with Mr. Hall.  Ms. Hyjek said there is about $5,000.00 in the Recreation maintenance budget and that Recreation is over $1,200.00 in the miscellaneous budget.

 

Mr. Terenzini questioned if some of the work could be paid by the depreciation fund. Mr. Rhodes said there is not enough money in the depreciation fund to cover expenses. Ms. Hyjek said there is about $16,000.00 available in the Recreation budget.

 

Mr. Dicton said he would like to remove the shrubs from the proposed planting at Northwood Park. He said the shrub money could be spent to control the ivory growth oat the tennis courts.

 

Mr. Rhodes said he would not be in favor of not planting any shrubs around the Northwood Park sign. Mr. Rhodes said he believes there is enough money to do the improvements, which have been proposed.

 

Mr. Rhodes informed the Board that the Law firm of Langrock, Sperry and Wool want to give the Town a donation. He said they would be willing to pay for the proposed landscaping for Northwood Park or Del Bianco Park at Dewey Field.

 

Mr. Dicton said he does not think 17 shrubs would fit around the Northwood Park monument. He said it would be an overgrown jungle in a few years. Mr. Dicton said flowers could be used instead of shrubs. Mr. Terenzini agreed that the proposed $2,200.00 Northwood Park landscaping is a bit much. Mr. Hawley cited the fact that Northwood Park is popular and receives much use.

 

Mr. Hall moved to approve the Pratico proposal minus the shrubbery installation for Northwood Park as presented. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board discussed the maintenance of the Tennis Courts windscreens with recreation Commission member Mr. Kent Smith and requested Mr. Smith to get a price for replacing the screens.

 

Mr. Rhodes read a price quote for $795.00 from Overhead Door to replace the overhead door on the pool building. Mr. Hall made a motion to go with Overhead Door’s proposal of $795.00 to replace the overhead door. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hawley moved to renew the logging easement with the Johnson’s and authorize the Chair to sign. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes reported to the Board regarding a meeting he and Mr. Hawley attended with the Town of Proctor, pertaining to the unauthorized use of Rutland Town land located in West Rutland. Mr. Rhodes said the Proctor Board does not think the four wheelers are a big problem. He said the Proctor Select Board is considering a noise ordinance as well as patrolling the lands of individuals, who do not want the four wheelers on their property.

 

Mr. Rhodes said they informed the Proctor Board that the Town will be logging our land and will then post the property for no trespassing.  Mr. Rhodes said they spoke with individuals that ride on the land in question and that the Town would consider a request to use the Town land, after the logging has been finished.

 

Fire Chief: Joseph Denardo reported:

 

Not present

 

Planning Commission: Mr. William Matteson reported:

 

Not present

 

Town Administrator:  Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:

 

Not Present

 

Correspondence:

 

The Board reviewed information regarding:

 

 

Mr. Hall submitted information he received at a recent State Police Community Advisory Board meeting.

 

Mr. Nicholson informed the Board that WCAX TV would be interviewing some senior citizens in Town regarding the Town’s 250th celebration. Mr. Rhodes asked if any Town officials would be interviewed. Mr. Nicholson said he did not know.

 

Mr. Shields suggested the Board consider a fenced in area for dogs to run free at Northwood Park.

 

Mr. Terenzini made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the Gemeni tax appeal, Scholarship awards, Pool repairs, Police Department personnel issue, recreation compensation and the General Electric tax appeal. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes declared the executive session closed at 9:30 PM. Mr. Terenzini moved to award scholarships based on the committee’s recommendations. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hawley moved to pay the pool contractor in three payments of 40%, 30% and 30% and an additional $2,000.00 to repair the kiddy pool. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hawley made a motion to adjourn at 9:35 P.M.  Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.