Select Board Budget Meeting Minutes 12-11-2023
Select Board Budget Meeting 12-11-2023
TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING
RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL
181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT 05736
DECMEBER 11th, 2023
- The meeting started at 5:30 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
- Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
Selectwoman Russell moved to appoint Selectman Denardo as Chair for this meeting due to Chairwoman Ashcroft being sick. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
Reviewed the agreement presented by Stitzel, Page & Fletcher to act as Bond Counsel for the town for the Public Safety Building bond. Selectman Getty moved to approve the agreement and to authorize Selectman Denardo to sign on behalf of the Board. The motion passed 5 – 0.
On the advice of the Bond Counsel, a resolution was drafted detailing the need for the new building. Chairwoman Ashcroft reviewed the need and the reason behind it. Chairwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the resolution. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The board reviewed the individual department budgets.
Fire Department
Reviewed each of the lines with Fire Chief Chris Clark.
Discussed the vehicle maintenance and salary increases as they are the biggest in the budget.
Chairwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the budget of $254,538 as presented. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .
Recreation Department
Reviewed each of the lines with Rec Director Mike Rowe.
The lifeguard line is up due to needing to ensure we pay all the guards fairly and correctly.
The budget is up 4% overall.
Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the budget of $175,792 as presented. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .
Discussed increasing the Rec Depreciation account. This must be approved by the voters on the March ballot. No decision was made.
Highway Department
Reviewed each of the lines with Road Commissioner Dave Sears.
Discussed increasing the paving line next year due to cost increases. This will allow us to keep up with the paving schedule.
Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the budget of $1,086,969 as presented. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .
Police Department
Reviewed each of the lines with Police Chief Ed Dumas.
Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the budget of $704,159 as presented. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. Discussed the impact The Cortina Inn settlement funds could have on the increase.
Chairwoman Ashcroft moved to table the motion to allow research into the use and allocation of settlement funds. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .
General Budget
Reviewed the anticipated income with Town Treasurer Kari Clark. Discussed making conservative entries.
Reviewed Lister expenses with Head Lister Marcia Chioffi.
Reviewed Transfer Station expenses with station manager Larry Dell Veneri.
Reviewed Health Officer and 2nd Constable budget items with John Paul Faignant.
Reviewed First Constable expenses with Mike Delehanty.
Selectwoman Russell left the meeting at 7:04 PM.
Reviewed Planning Commission expenses with Planning Commission Chair Barbara Pulling.
Reviewed remaining Town Hall related expenses.
Discussed how to account for expenses related to the Public Safety Building. Maintenance, electricity, and heating will be included in the general budget. These Center Rutland Fire Station expenses will be in the Fire budget. These Public Safety Building expenses will be paid from the General Budget. A breakdown of some Center Rutland Fire Station expenses needs to be researched to breakout costs between the 2 buildings.
A meeting to discuss the Police Budget further will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Selectman Getty moved to adjourn. Chairwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.
_______________________________________________
Mary Ashcroft, Chair
_______________________________________________
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell
_______________________________________________
Kurt Hathaway
_______________________________________________
Matt Getty
Center Rutland, VT.