Select Board Minutes 10-10-2023

Select Board Minutes 10-10-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

OCTOBER 10^th, 2023 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Tanner Heath, Susan Keith, Norma Levy, Mark Consolatti, Pat Consolatti, Mike Roy, Seth Richardson, Alec Bolinski, Shelley Dumas, Vikki DeRosia, Lisa Sears, Nate Harvey

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for the September 12^th Special Meeting:

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectman Hathaway abstained.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for the September 12^th Regular Meeting:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectman Hathaway abstained and Selectwoman Russell abstained.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for September 26^th Regular Meeting:

Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectman Denardo and Selectwoman Russell abstained.

Announcements

Selectwoman Russell thanked everyone for their support during her time recovering from an illness.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Members of the public were present to speak to the Board regarding the E-911 address changes.

1. Tanner Heath from Gleason Road spoke in opposition to the change.
2. John Sly from Grover Drive spoke about the changes and does not feel changing the numbers is needed.
3. Susan Keith from Grover Drive spoke in opposition to the change.
4. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to invite the State E-911 coordinator to a meeting to discuss the changes. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. Residents from the affected roads will be invited to the meeting. When a date is set, a follow up letter will be sent.

Norma Levy and Nate Harvey asked the Board to consider allowing dogs off leash at Northwood Park. Discussed issues with allowing dogs off leash. Ms. Levy has spoken to the School Board, who owns the portion of Northwood Park where they would like to allow dogs off leash. The School Board is supportive of the Town using it but would like reimbursement for use of the land. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to send the matter to the Rec Committee. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. There is a cross country meet planned for October 20^th at Northwood Park. After that the water will be shut off for the season.
2. New signage is up at Dewey Field and Northwood Park with park rules.
3. The Halloween party at the school is October 27^th.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Clean up and road work has been done on Quarterline Road recently.
2. The road over the new culvert on Post Road will be paved Wednesday morning.
3. Discussed items from the recent Highway Committee meeting.
   1. Discussed engineering and design work for North Grove Street. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the proposal from Otter Creek Engineering for $9975 to engineer a fix for the site line issue on North Grove Street. The funds will come from the engineering line. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to table the motion so funding availability can be verified. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
   2. Discussed the change in call outs for the winter maintenance contractors. Selectman Denardo moved to reduce the number from 43 to 40 for the same rate of pay. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
   3. The committee is recommending replacing the F350 with a new truck for $59,987 and a new plow and sander for $16,000. The funds would come from the Highway depreciation account. The existing truck, plow, and sander would be sold with the proceeds going back into the depreciation account. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this recommendation. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The existing truck will not be sold until the new one is ready.
4. Discussed the process to give up Dyer Road. A site visit needs to be scheduled as well as a time to hear testimony. Abutters need to receive 30 days’ notice via certified mail. After discussion, a site visit will be planned for Monday November 27^th at 9AM and a time to hear testimony will be scheduled for 7PM at the December 5^th Select Board meeting. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this plan. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
5. Discussed a discrepancy in lists of town highway numbers. There are 2 lists which do not match each other. The matter will be referred to the Highway Committee.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. There were 21 calls for service in September and 148 for the year so far.
2. Members went to the Town school recently for fire prevention. It went very well.
3. There is a community event downtown on October 22^nd we are planning to participate in. Selectman Denardo moved to allow the truck to be used out of town. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Some interviews have been conducted for a 3^rd person in the office. No decision for a candidate has been made yet.
2. Attended election training in Killington recently.
3. Department budget sheets are ready. The general budget sheet will be ready soon.
4. The digital land records project should be ready to launch by the end of November.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided. There were 88 calls for service and 22 car stops.
2. Reviewed topics from the recent Police Committee meeting. No action was needed.

John Paul Faignant Town Health Officer / 2^nd Constable / Public Safety Building Clerk

1. Reviewed a contract for geotechnical services for the Public Safety Building.
   1. Their services will be provided on an as needed basis.
   2. Selectman Denardo moved to accept the contract for services from M&W Soils Engineering at the rates in the agreement. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Speeds on local roads are very high. They are doing their best with current staffing levels.
3. Discussed the residents at The Cortina Inn who have children attending our Town school. Strongly encouraged the Board to seek compensation for the related costs. They could be substantial.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. The annual VLCT insurance renewal information is due soon. Most departments have returned their information.
2. The MERP energy audits are being scheduled by energy burden. We are in the middle tier.
3. Provided an annual report from the Otter Creek Communications Union District. Our Town does not have a representative. Will readvertise this, and other open appointments.
4. Discussed addressing requirements in Town Ordinances. Copies will be provided for the next meeting.

Selectman Hathaway has been told our transfer station attendant, Bill Bauer, will be retiring at the end of November and that we will advertise for a replacement.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations, a land transfer, and personnel matters. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The Board entered executive session at 8:16.

Upon leaving executive session at 9:47, Selectman Denardo moved to send the proposed agreement with The Cortina Inn owners to our Town attorney for review. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

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Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

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Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

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Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

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Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.