TOWN OF RUTLAND

 

SELECT BOARD

 

 

 

MINUTES: June 7, 2011

 

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

 

The Meeting opened at 6:40 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Rhodes was not present he was attending the Mount Saint Joseph Academy’s Scholarship awards.

 

Mr. Hawley made a motion to approve the minutes of 5-24-11 with corrections. Mr. Terenzini made a second to the motion.  The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 0. Mr. Rhodes was not present for the vote.

 

Road Commissioner:  Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:

 

  1. Informed the Board that his department had begun summer mowing

 

  1. Told the Board that he and Mr. Walt Tripp had completed a tree-cutting course, which did not cost the Town any money. Mr. Hathaway said the course was helpful.

 

  1. Getting Killington Avenue ready for paving

 

  1. He said he could be ready for paving almost four weeks ahead of the date in the bid specifications.

 

  1. Told the Board he likes the format of the new Driveway Access permit prepared by Mr. Zingale.

 

  1. Informed the Board that the area behind the McKinley Fire Station is rutted up, due to the equipment used to repair the roof. Mr. Hathaway said he could take the Town truck and a load of topsoil and level out the area.

 

Mr. Terenzini inquired as to the status of the uncut grass in front of Taco Bell and the Holiday Inn.  Mr. Zingale informed the Board that he had spoken with a manager at the Holiday Inn and that the Holiday Inn would mow the area in question.

 

Town Clerk & Treasurer:  Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:

 

  1. Gave here usual reminder for anyone who has not turned in a time sheet for payment to do so by Friday the 17th. She said the fiscal years ends on June 21.

 

  1. Informed the Board that AM Peisch had reduced their price for doing the annual audit.

 

Mr. Hall read a written report submitted by Mr. Charlie Shields.

 

Recreation Commission:  Mr. Jode Hall reported:

 

  1. The Commission elected new officers on June 2, 2011.

      Mr. Tim Pacquette – Chairman

      Mr. Jeff Cassarino – Vice Chairman, but will resign at end of June

 

  1. Mr. Hall said he has placed a notice in “The Circle” seeking new recreation commission members.

 

  1. He said for the first time the Town will play in a Cal Ripkin baseball league. He said the team would be a premier all-star team. He said five Rutland Town youths would play on the countywide team.

 

  1. He said the next big recreation event would be the start of the Babe Ruth baseball league.

 

  1. Said he hopes to have the pool open by June 17th.

 

  1. Informed the Board of the upcoming annual Dick Del Bianco day, June 11th at Dewey Field. He said there would be youth baseball games and free food and drinks. He said the event begins at 10:00 AM, with an opening ceremony by the Del Bianco Family.

 

  1. Mr. Hall thanked all the coaches, parents, select board members and fellow Recreation Commission members he has work with during his time on the Recreation Commission. Mr. Hall thanked Mr. Hall for his time on the recreation Commission.

 

Town Administrator:  Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:

 

  1. Informed the Board that the State of Vermont has advised the Town that stormwater grant funds are in jeopardy and that all application have been placed on hold. Mr. Zingale cited the fact the Town has a pending grant request.

 

  1. Cited the Fact the Board had not signed the stormwater agreement with Watershed Consulting.

 

  1. Suggested the Energy Committee begin the security lighting replacements. Mr. Zingale said the Town has received a $2,400.00 grant to switch to LED security lights.

 

  1. Informed the Board that the owners of the Diamond Run Mall had called to say their delinquent sewer payment to the Town was “in the mail”. Mr. Zingale said at this point there is only one account that is making no effort to pay their delinquent water & sewer charges.

 

  1. Told the Board that the Town of Rutland would be the applicant for the so-called Farrell Slip Lane and that there is the possibility that the owners of the Green Mountain Plaza would assist the Town with Town legal cost.

 

  1. Informed the Board that Farrell Distributing and the Green Mountain Shopping Plaza would need to apply to the State of Vermont for “Business Directional Signs”, to be placed on Cop John Drive. Mr. Zingale said there is a $175.00 application fee per sign and a $100.00 annual maintenance fee.

 

  1. Discussed the Basic Emergency Management Operations Plan with the Board. Mr. Zingale will schedule a meeting with Chief Joe Denardo and Philip Picotte at the Rutland Regional Planning Commission.

 

  1. Informed the Board that the Rutland Economic Development Corp. and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission continue to work toward applying for a Community Development Block Grant for studying the feasibility of extending water & sewer services from either West Rutland or Rutland City into Center Rutland.

 

  1. Informed the Board of a Health complaint regarding non-maintained swimming pools in Center Rutland and concerns regarding mosquitoes.

 

  1. Explained to the Board why the Town Property Maps and index book project is not complete. Mr. Zingale cited the fact that the Listers, had previously deleted 248 records from the Grand List, creating a situation where there is no record for each of the 248 missing parcels in the Grand List.

    Mr. Zingale said the problem was unanticipated and that there would be an additional charge to enter the missing records the digital database. Mr. Zingale said he had not yet received a price to complete the work.

    Mr. Dicton questioned Mr. Zingale regarding whether Ms. Hyjek will get what she needs and whether it is worth completing the Property Map project. Mr. Zingale said when complete Ms. Hyjek would have an index book that has all Town parcels listed. Mr. Zingale encouraged the Board to pay the additional fee and complete the map project. Ms. Hyjek said the project is $8,000.00 over budget. Mr. Zingale said the original contract was more like $6,500.00 due to the fact the former Town mapmaker refused to release his digital file, increasing the Town’s cost from $3,500.00 to $6,500.00.

    Mr. Dicton questioned if the Town should go back to its previous mapmaker. Mr. Zingale said the difference between the two is like the “Dark Ages” and the “Enlightenment”. Mr. Zingale said the previous mapmaker made good paper maps but had no GIS abilities. Mr. Zingale gave an example of how the Town would benefit by integrating the parcel maps with the Grand List.  Mr. Dicton said he is concerned the company could just go out of business. The matter was discussed further and no action was taken.

 

Mr. Rhodes joined the meeting.

 

Mr. Zingale explained why Farrell Distributing Corp and the Green Mountain Plaza should apply for “Business Directional Signs” and why the Town of Rutland would apply for the so-called Farrell slip lane.

 

Mr. Rhodes informed the Board that A.M. Peisch has lowered their annual Town audit fee by $1,500.00. He said the audit would cost $12,250.00.

 

Mr. Hawley made a motion to sign the agreement with AM Peisch to do the Town audit for 2011. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes questioned Mr. Zingale as to whether the Town’s Law Firm “Langrock, Sperry & Wool are still willing to pay $2,200.00 for landscaping at Northwood Park and Del Bianco Park at Dewey Field. Mr. Zingale said they had agreed to fund the landscaping project.

 

Mr. Dicton questioned the type and number of proposed plantings. Mr. Dicton said if the Town’s lawyers want to pay for the planting then he’s for the proposed plantings. Mr. Dicton made a motion to accept Skip Pratico’s submitted design for the removal of shrubs and the planting of new shrubs at the sign at Northwood Park for a price of $2,200.00. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously

 

The Board discussed the marble valley Lion’s Club’s request to sell food at the 4th of July fireworks. Mr. Dicton questioned if the club would need a vendor’s license. Mr. Rhodes said the Board waives the requirement for the group. Mr. Hall made a motion the Board grant permission to the Marble Valley Lion’s Club to run their operation on July 4th. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board discussed a price quote from Mr. Brad Rousseau for installing a booster pump for the toilets and domestic water at Northwood Park. Mr. Hall read a letter submitted by Mr. Rousseau quoting a price of $1,845.00 to install a booster pump. Mr. Rousseau also quoted a price of $55.00 per hour per man to do other associated work.

 

The Board discussed the matter. Mr. Hall made a motion to go with the proposal that Brad Rousseau submitted for $18,845.00 for the system for Northwood. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. Mr. Dicton said that if it is going to get rather costly to do any other work at $55.00 per hour. Mr. Rhodes said Mr. Hall’s motion did not include the additional work at $55.00 per hour.  The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Dicton said he would like to be notified prior to a significant amount of work being done at $55.00 per hour per man.  Mr. Hall made a motion to place a ceiling of $2,000.00 for additional repairs at Northwood Park to be made by Mr. Rousseau and anything over and above to be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 1. Mr. Dicton voted in the negative. Mr. Terenzini was not present.

 

Correspondence:

 

The Board reviewed packet correspondence:

 

  1. State Police Activities Report for Rutland Town
  2. Planning Commission minutes
  3. Pool Plasterers payment
  4. Rail News
  5. Russell Reay logging services bill
  6. VLCT Insurance news
  7. Slip Lane meeting
  8. Recreation minutes

 

Mr. Rhodes said the Board needs an executive session to discuss the Recreation Department personnel regarding mowing and the Gemini (Diamond Run Mall) tax appeal.

 

Mr. Jode Hall informed Mr. Rhodes of the new Recreation Commission officers. Mr. Rhodes cited the fact the minutes say Mr. Kent Smith is the Vice Chairman. Mr. Pockette said the minutes were modified after the meeting and Mr. Smiths name was added.

 

Mr. Rhodes said the only information in the minutes is what happens at the meeting and not afterward. Mr. Zingale said the Commission should have discussed and voted on the change at the next meeting. Mr. Rhodes asked Mr. Hall if Mr. Cassarino had resigned from the committee. Mr. Hall said Mr. Cassarino is done as of July 1st.

 

Mr. Rhodes said there have been lots of complaints regarding the mowing. Mr. Rhodes said he is disgusted with the quality of the field maintenance.  

 

Mr. Nicholson told the Board he would attend a Friday Kick-off meeting at the Neighborhood West office in West Rutland regarding a $10,000.00 energy competition.

 

Mr. Hawley asked Mr. Hathaway if the new “dog signs” were available. Mr. Hathaway said he needs to pick up the signs and place at Northwood Park.

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the Gemini Tax appeal and a Recreation Department personnel issue. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Rhodes declared the executive session closed at 8:19 P.M.

 

Mr. Hall moved to approve Mr. Tim Pockette as Chairman of the recreation Committee. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hawley moved to hire Bill Bauer for mowing and trimming work at Dewey Field. Mr. Hall made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to reimburse Gemini $337,000.00 and to return Gemini’s $258,000.00 May Tax payment and to apply credit of $399,000.00 to the Town’s Education tax bill. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hawley made a motion at 8:47 PM to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Dicton made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.