TOWN OF RUTLAND
SELECT BOARD
Board members present: Steve Hawley, John Paul Faignant, Stanley F. Rhodes III and Joe Dicton
The Meeting opened at 6:39 P.M.
All rose for the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.
Town resident and Rutland Free Library Trustee Ms. Meg Horrocks and Ms. Paula Baker, Director of the Library, met with the Board and reported regarding Library activities. Ms. Horrocks said she was present to invite Board members to the next Rutland Chamber of Commerce Mixer to be held on Tuesday October 8, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. To 7:00 P.M. at the Library.
Ms. Baker told the Board:
The internet and WI-fi at the Library has been upgraded.
There is a new video conferencing system, which is available for Board use.
Will begin using a new research software program, that will allow users to see what books are available at libraries around the State.
Told the Board that the Library building needs internal changes. Ms. Baker cited the need for more space to assist individuals look for jobs on line. Ms. Baker said a company has been hired to talk to library users in order to determine how best to use the building.
Planning Commission: Mr. William Matteson reported:
Cited the recent joint meeting with the Select Board regarding solar projects. Mr. Matteson said he is waiting to hear back from Town Attorney Mr. Kevin Brown.
Informed
Board members that he had met with Mr. Kris Hughes and Mr. Ed Bove at the
Rutland Regional Planning Commission regarding getting a State grant to pay
for updating the Town Plan, which is due to be readopted in 2014. Mr. Matteson
said the Board had previously authorized applying for a
$15,000.00 grant. Mr.
Matteson said the Town's share would be $3,500.00.
The Board and Mr. Matteson signed a grant request.
Mr. Matteson told the Board that he had spoken to all but one Planning
Commissioners and informed them he was-going-to-apply-for-the-grant.
Mr. Faignant moved to approve the resolution. Mr. Hawley made a second to the resolution. The resolution passed unanimously.
Mr. Matteson told the Board that the Commission approved a two lot residential subdivision at the previous meeting.
Transportation Council & SWAC: Mr. Charles Shields reported:
Told the Board that the new director of the Southern Vermont Regional Airport at Rutland will attend the next Transportation Council meeting. He said the director will give an overview of what is going on at the airport.
Told the Board that the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection
will be on October 19, 2013 from 8:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Mr. Shields said not
to bring latex paint, car batteries or tires.
Mr. Dicton questioned Mr.
Shields regarding the work being done to Route 103 near the airport. Mr.
Shields said the work is to bring the road to a “T” verses the current
intersection. Mr. Dicton asked if the runway is going to be extended. Mr.
Shields said he doubts the runway will be extended due to the cost of the
project and the involvement of wetlands.
Clerk& Treasurer: Ms. Marie Hyjek reported:
Informed the Board that the 2012 Grand List has been finalized.
Town State Representative Mr. Thomas Terenzini met with Board and offered the following:
Told the Board he attended a lake shore committee meeting regarding
House Bill 526. Mr. Terenzini told the Board that he opposes the bill. Mr.
Terenzini said he was the only member on his committee that voted against the
bill.
Mr. Terenzini told the Board that the bill is an overreach by the
Agency of Natural Resources. He said the bill is intrusive and that it lets
the State tell a landowner what they can do with their own property. Mr.
Terenzini said if an individual owns a home on a lake or a pond then they are
already paying a lot in taxes.
Mr. Terenzini said the bill would set up
new rules that would make it more costly for individuals who own a home on a
lake or pond. Mr. Terenzini blamed the democrats in the legislature for
supporting the bill.
Mr. Shields told Mr. Terenzini that he does not want the Governor backing marijuana like it is alfalfa. Mr. Terenzini said the Governor sets a poor example for the young people in the State. Mr. Dicton asked Mr. Terenzini how much support he has in the opposition camp, at this time. Mr. Terenzini described republicans in the legislature as “brave souls” and he described democrats in the legislature as “socialist”. He said the progressives always vote with the socialist democrats. He said the democrats control the House and the Senate and the 5th floor of the pavilion. Mr. Terenzini said it is pretty dismal if you are a republican.
Mr. David Sichel, who is the VLCT Deputy Director of Risk Management Services, met with the Board regarding employee health insurance. Mr. Sichel made the following points:
Rutland Town will pay less for health insurance next year verses the current amount.
There is a plan which is pretty comparable to the insurance plan the town currently has. He said the premium is slightly lower than what the town is now paying. He said coverage is pretty similar.
Describe/Explained the Vermont Health Exchange.
Navigators will be available to help individuals (one-on-one) navigate the process. VLCT will arrange for a navigator to go to the Town office.
Health Insurance must be provided to individuals working 30 hours a week or more.
The Town will set up an account and the Board will decide how much money is available for each employee to purchase health insurance in the exchange and the Board will decide whether to let employees chose any plan that is available or to restrict the employees coverage to one of the two health insurers that will be participating in the exchange.
The Board must offer coverage to all full-time employees. Employees can decided to enroll in a spouses plan or may have medicare coverage.
The Town will have until December 21, 2013 to pay the first bill from the Exchange.
Employees have until December 15, 2013 to enroll in a health plan.
The Platinum plan will cover 90% of the expected claims, the Gold plan will cover 80%, the Silver plan will cover 70% and the Bronze plan will cover 60%.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers national coverage and MVP offers regional coverage in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
There will be on out-of-plan benefits with the new insurance. If employees see a provider that is not in the network the employee would pay 100% of the cost.
Tax credits are available in the exchange to make health insurance more affordable to individuals. Individuals are not eligible for a tax credit if their employer offers health insurance.
Presently the Town has one employee on a single plan and three employees on two person plans. The Town pays 90% of the premium costs. Presently, a single plan costs the Town $632.00 and $1,263.00 a month. The Town's total budget based on the premiums is $53,068.00. The Platinum plan on the exchange offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield is the most comparable. Under the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan the Town would pay $524.00 and similar savings for the two person and family plans and the Town's total budget would be $44,059.00
Encouraged the Board to set up a meeting with navigators to assist employees in their decision making.
Regional Planning Commission Mr. Fred Nicholson
Informed the Board he missed the most recent RRPC meeting because he was out of town.
Town Road Commissioner Mr. Byron Hathaway reported:
Roadside mowing is complete.
Sign replacement is ongoing.
The Town truck required service and is now back in service. There was no cost to the Town.
Chief Ed Dumas reported:
There have been 278 total call for service this year to date.
Types of calls; suspicious, animal problems, citizen disputes, citizen assist, directed patrol, motor vehicle crash, noise disturbances, residential burglar alarm and bad checks.
Told the Board that Captain Ted Washburn is doing a good job.
There were eight vehicle stops, a civil violation complaint.
There were a total of 70 patrol hours.
There were 35 hours for administration for both Chief Dumas and Captain Washburn.
Recreation Director: Mr. Mike Rowe reported:
No meeting no report
The Board reviewed the September 10, 2013 minutes. Mr. Hawley said on page 3, second paragraph, last sentence should read “Mr.” Chioffi. Mr. Hawley said page 6, second paragraph, first sentence should read “ in favor”. Mr. Faignant moved to approve. Mr. Dicton made a second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator: Mr. Joseph Zingale reported:
Informed the Board that he had priced two wireless microphones. He said one mic cost $299.99 and the other was $101.00. Mr. Zingale said $101.00 mic would require the use of a converter. The Board took no action.
Told the Board that the Johnson Energy sewer line relinquishment is ready for signature. Mr. Rhodes cited the fact the Board had previously voted 4 to 1 to sign the relinquishment.
Informed the Board that there will be a hearing on October 5, 2013 regarding the Green Mountain Power's proposed solar farm proposed for the old Rutland City landfill. The hearing will be at the Rutland Free Library.
Presented the Stantec draft final “Rutland Network Analysis” report. Mr. Zingale told the Board that the study indicates the road proposed to go from the Cold River Road intersection to the Green Mountain Plaza makes sense and would adequately handle future traffic demands. Mr. Zingale said the report gives the Town the green light to peruse the road if that is what the Board wants to do.
Inquired as to who is the Town's Emergency Management Director (EMD). Mr. Zingale told the Board that the Town of Chittenden has invited the Town's EMD to participate in planning regarding the Chittenden Reservoir. Mr. Rhodes said he would relay the message to Mr. Denardo.
Informed the Board that it could amend
the Peddlers ordinance to address yard sales. Mr. Zingale told the Board that
individuals holding a yard sale on land they do not own would need to get a
permit from the Town. He said individuals that have a yard sale on their own
property would not have to get a permit.
Mr. Zingale said a permit
could be conditioned to limit the duration of the yard sale. Mr. Rhodes
questioned who would enforced the ordinance. Mr. Zingale said a municipal
official could enforce the ordinance. Mr. Rhodes said the Town Police
Department would enforce the ordinance. Mr. Faignant question if the Board
could adopt an ordinance which listed restricted hours for such events.
Mr. Zingale said that according to Town Attorney Mr. Kevin Brown,
absent zoning the only way to get a handle on the matter is through the
Peddlers Ordinance.
Regarding various types of signs placed in the
State road R-O-W, Mr. Zingale said the Town had been told by Assistant
Attorney General John K. Dunleavy that the Town has dual jurisdiction with the
State regarding State road rights of way. Mr. Zingale told the Board that Mr.
Dunleavy said the Town can remove illegal signs from the State R-O-W at any
time.
Mr. Nicholson questioned what the Board is trying to correct with the regulation of yard sales. Mr. Faignant said some have turned the yard sale into a 24 hour, 30 days a month, 365 days a year presentation. Mr. Faignant said he is tired of looking at them.
Fire Chief: Mr. Joe Denardo reported:
Not present
The Board reviewed packet correspondence.
Mr. Dicton questioned where Mr. Zingale got the fragrance policy information he sent to the Board. Mr. Zingale said an attorney at VLCT sent him to a www site that had the information. Mr. Zingale said he also pointed out a $100,000.00 settlement an employee received because the employer failed to address the employees sensitivity concerns.
Mr. Rhodes briefed the Board regarding “add-ons” pertaining to the Center Rutland Fire Station construction:
To provide a 12” X12” access door above the training room for gas shut off
To relocate sprinkler connection
A wall was moved on a time & material bases
Will not pave the apron out to route 4
Mr. Faignant moved to close the meeting at 8:32 P.M. Mr. Hawley made a second to the motion. The motion passed unanimously.