Select Board Minutes 11-24-2020

Publish date: November 25, 2020

Select Board 11-24-2020

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

HELD VIA PUBLICALLY ACCESSABLE CONFERENCE CALL LINE

NOVEMBER 24th, 2020

 

Out of an abundance of caution around the covid-19 virus, this meeting was held via a conference call line which was made publicly available for anyone to call into.

  • Board members present Joshua Terenzini, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, Joe Denardo, and John Paul Faignant
  • Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M.

Approval of Orders

The Board members will approve the orders as they come in

Approval of Select Board Minutes for November 10th:

  • Ms. Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for November 16th:

  • Ms. Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. There was discussion about the total increase in the Police Department budget. More information will be needed. This will be tabled until the next meeting.

Jeff Hochberg was present and asked the Select Board a question on access to 272 David Road. Mr. Hochberg recently purchased this property and gave a brief history of the area and the issues they are experiencing. There is a question of ownership of the road leading to the house site. Mr. Hochberg said he has spoken to Mr. Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway said he has investigated it briefly and has found some confusing information. Ruth Avenue was planned to extend farther north and create an intersection with North End Drive, but this was never done. There is no right of way which shows it extending. Mr. Hathaway does not believe the Town owns the right of way, but it is not clear. Ms. Ashcroft asked Mr. Hochberg to send the information he has found to Mr. Hathaway and made a motion to send the topic to the Highway Committee. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Select Board:

  1. Provided the updated meeting schedule and committee agenda items.
  2. Presented a proposed contract from Repro Graphics to produce the annual town report for us. They have an option for a 1- or 2-year agreement. Ms. Ashcroft moved to approve the 2-year contract for 1500 copies at a total of $4563 per year and authorize Mr. Terenzini to sign on behalf of the board. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. There was some discussion about the cost of postage for mailing the town report. It was asked if the postage cost came from the town report line or the postage line. Mr. Sweet said the postage cost for mailing comes from the postage line. The motion passed 5-0.
  3. The Vermont Transportation Board is holding a hearing on naming the Airport Terminal Building, and a copy of the notice is posted at Town Hall.
  4. Presented an ordinance amendment to change the posted speed limit on the dead-end section of McKinley Avenue to 25 MPH. Ms. Ashcroft moved to approve the amendment. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  5. Provided a quote from Transfer Station Manager Larry Dellveneri to replace the damaged trash container at the Transfer Station. The $7400 quote includes a new 40 cubic yard container, painted, and delivered with tax. Mr. Denardo moved to purchase the new container using funds from the capital improvement fund. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. Dellveneri said the old container will be scrapped and will sell it for the best price. The motion passed 5-0. Mr. Denardo asked where the proceeds from the sale of the old container would go. It is not clear, but Ms. Clark will discuss it with the auditor.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk/Treasurer:

  1. Presented a liquor license application from the East Asia Restaurant. The Police Department reviewed it and has no objections. Mr. Denardo moved to approve the application. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  2. Followed up on a previous question regarding money received for transfer station punch cards, etc. The money is deposited into the General Fund.

Barbara Noyes-Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. A subdivision for Mark Benetatos off Post Road and Post Road Extension was approved at a recent meeting.
  2. Scott Dillon of the VT Division of Historic Preservation attended their meeting to discuss parcels owned by the Thomas family off Route 7 North near Post Road. There was a recent solar project proposed there that fell through due to several Native American sites on the land, one being very significant dating between 6500 and 8000 years old. Mr. Dillon said he is willing to work with the town and future developers on the site. Denardo asked for a copy of the map showing the significant sites. He suggested the possibility of negotiating a purchase of this area from the Thomas Family and would allow this to be managed more easily. It would be about .5 acres.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. Discussed the Senior Holiday Meal. This will be by pick-up only on Tuesday December 8th. Mr. Rowe asked if any additional people are interested to help with their planning.

Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Discussed plans to plow roads this winter should 1 or more highway crews need to quarantine. The Town of Mendon has asked us as has the Town of Pittsford. Good communication and distribution of information is going to be very important. If drivers are not available, main roads will be given priority first. Social media and radio stations will be used primarily to get the word out. Mr. Faignant asked why the contractor is not being held responsible to ensure their route is covered if they are not able to. Mr. Denardo commented that the Select Board is responsible if the town crew is not able to go out, but the contractors are responsible for their own routes. Discussed the highway mutual aid agreement, which is in effect. Towns are not obligated to respond if they are not able to. Mr. Terenzini also suggested sending an email to the school to have them send out a notice on their email distribution to inform residents of any road maintenance issues.
  2. Going forward, masks will be worn inside the garage and thoroughly ventilate the building 2 days per week.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. All non- fire call activities have been stopped. Only a few people are going to be going in to check the trucks and equipment until further notice.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided.
  2. An executive session was requested to discuss a personnel matter.

John Paul Faignant Town Health Officer

  1. The restrictions in place at Town Hall are working but will reevaluate in the next couple of weeks based on what other town offices are doing. Mr. Faignant asked Ms. Clark about appointments and how they are going. Ms. Clark said the current process is working. Mr. Faignant said the square footage of people in the office is important to maintain and that there should only be one person in the vault at a time.

New Business Board to discuss adding a budget line for the Town Hall Cemetery

  1. There are no funds allocated specifically for the maintenance of the cemetery next to Town Hall. Mr. Sweet said there are already some volunteers who are willing to help, these funds would go to buying supplies needed for the maintenance. Mr. Denardo suggest $1500. The lawn mowing expense is currently charged to the building maintenance account but would be shifted to this new line. Mr. Denardo moved to have this line start with $1500. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Old Business Board to review agreement from the Town Delinquent Tax Collector

  1. Mr. Terenzini said this will be discussed with the Town Attorney in executive session tonight.

Mr. Terenzini discussed the topic of the Town Clerk and Treasurer salary brought up at the last meeting. A personnel committee meeting was planned but did not occur. Discussed the possibility of a one-time bonus or stipend instead of a change in salary. Ms. Ashcroft felt the personnel committee should still meet to discuss this. Mr. Denardo agreed and asked for a proposal to be brought back to the board. Mr. Terenzini said this will be scheduled.

Mr. Terenzini read his letter resigning from the Select Board due to his recent election to the Vermont State Senate. It will be effective at 11:59 PM on November 24th, 2020. The board members wished Josh well.

Mr. Denardo asked what the next steps would be. Mr. Faignant nominated Ms. Ashcroft as the new Chair for the board, beginning at the next meeting. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. An announcement will be posted in the Rutland Herald of the vacancy and will ask for letters of interest to be submitted to Bill Sweet by close of business on December 7th. Mr. Terenzini said his term is up for reelection this coming March.

Ms. Russell moved to enter executive session for contract discussion and a personnel matter with Police Chief Ed Dumas and Town Attorney Kevin Brown. Ms. Ashcroft seconded motion. The motion passed 5-0. The board entered executive session at 7:17 PM.

Upon leaving executive session at 8:15 PM. Mr. Faignant moved extend the Family Medical Leave Act benefits to its employees. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion passed 5-0.

Mr. Denardo moved to not execute the contract present by the Town Delinquent Tax Collector. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Ms. Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 
Joshua C. Terenzini, Chairman
 
Mary Ashcroft, Clerk
 
John Paul Faignant
 
Joseph Denardo
 
Sharon Russell

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

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