Select Board Minutes 2-16-2021

Publish date: February 17, 2021

Select Board Minutes 2-16-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

HELD VIA PUBLICALLY ACCESSABLE CONFERENCE CALL LINE

FEBRUARY 16th, 2021

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.

  • Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M.
  • Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, John Paul Faignant and Aaron Jones
  • Members of the public present Lydia Flynn, Chris Howland, Marty Wasserman, Mike Carlson, Larry Dellveneri, Kirsten Hathaway, Howard Burgess, Jim Scholtz

Approval of Orders

The Board will approve the order as they come in.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for February 2nd:

  • Ms. Russell moved to approve the minutes; Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

  • Jim Scholtz, Town Delinquent Tax Collector was present to discuss a pending tax sale with the board.
    • A tax sale is planned for March 23rd for the 3 properties previously brought before the board. Mr. Scholtz stated the Attorney, Gary Kupferer, requested the use of Town Hall to conduct the sale. Ms. Ashcroft asked if he intended to have people attend in person at the office. Mr. Scholtz stated that was correct and suggested limiting attendees to those who are qualified bidders and allowing the public to join via conferencing. Mr. Faignant said the current COVID-19 guidelines would not allow for a meeting inside.
    • The alternative of using the parking lot outside was discussed. This would allow for adequate social distancing. Mr. Scholtz stated that since the approval was received to go to sale, one lien holder has been in contact with him and may resolve that debt prior to the sale.
    • Russell asked about using zoom conferencing to conduct the sale. Mr. Scholtz said he was unsure about what complications could prevent this from working well.
    • The board decided there was no way to safely meet inside and that using the parking lot would be allowable.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Select Board:

  1. Reviewed items in the packet.
    1. Provided the current meeting schedule and committee agenda items.
    2. An appropriation request was sent to us from BROC Community Action. They did not submit it in time to be included in the town report and on the ballot for Town Meeting Day. They are asking the board to consider funding it directly.
      1. The request was not received until a few days ago.
      2. After a brief discussion, the board declined to take any action.
    3. Information for Grants and Scholarships from VLCT
    4. Information from the State of Vermont for permitting of private helipads and airstrips. Ms. Ashcroft asked this be brought to the Planning Commission. Ms. Pulling said it is important to have plans in place for when an application comes in or local municipal reviews may not be required. Ms. Pulling will bring this to the Planning Commission to have them make a recommendation.
    5. Regional Ambulance has sent a request to make a new appointment to the Board of Directors as the current 3-year term is ending. This will be brought up at the next Board meeting.
    6. Reminder to all town employees about the Employee Assistance Program available for no charge. Information is available with Bill.
    7. T-Mobile has submitted a request for an upgrade to their existing tower on Route 7 North. This will be referred to the energy committee.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk/Treasurer:

  1. Reminded to anyone wishing to vote absentee should call the office as soon as possible.
    1. Discussed the option to vote in person. There is a limit to the number of people who would be allowed in the office at one time. Arrangements can be made for residents needing to do that. Calling ahead to make an appointment would be required.

Barbara Noyes-Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. The Commission will have a few things on the agenda for their next meeting.
    1. A Subdivision request near Post Road and Route 7 North has been received.
    2. The developer of a large-scale housing development near Dyer Road and Middle Road is scheduled to make a presentation to them. They are proposing a 260-unit complex.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. K to Grade 2 basketball camp started this week.
  2. Hoping to start some Rec games soon.

 Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Reported on the current supply and cost of salt due to the severe weather being experience across the country, and especially in the south. Our supplier has assured Mr. Hathaway there will be an adequate supply for our area.
  2. Ms. Ashcroft asked Mr. Hathaway to continue to work on plans toward build a larger salt shed to allow us to purchase and store more salt.
  3. Reported that a section of Quarterline Road was listed incorrectly as Class 4 instead of Class 3. This was upgraded over 30 years ago and is correctly listed now. VTrans is updating the map. It is not known if the classification was changed when it was upgraded. Some research will need to be done to see if it was reported.

New Business Board to review and approve the 2021 Certificate of Highway Mileage

  1. The updated certificate was provided to the Board and reflects the corrected classification for Quarterline Road.
  2. Ms. Russell moved to approve the certificate and authorize Ms. Ashcroft to sign n behalf of the board. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, the motion passed 4-0.
  3. Mr. Hathaway said there is a section for the Town Clerk to sign and once complete it needs to be forwarded to the State by February 20th.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. Reported that there have been a few calls for service recently including a large fire.
  2. Chief Clark requested an executive session for a personnel matter. This will take place at the end of the meeting.
  3. Ms. Ashcroft thanked all the members who responded to the fire at the Brilyea’s house recently.
  4. Ms. Russell commented that Mr. Brilyea spoke to her recently and thanked her for effort the Fire Department made at his house.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were discussed, a new format for the reporting is being used and will be provided for the next meeting.
  2. Discussed the recent Police Committee meeting.
    • The application window for a new officer is open now and Chief Dumas requested authorization to offer up to a $5000 sign on bonus. The money would come from the current budget, with savings in the salary line. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the request. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
    • Discussed the replacement process for a new cruiser. Ford Fleet services has given us the best price and has the best delivery window. The committee is recommending the Ford be purchased. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the purchase of the Ford as recommended by the committee. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Committee meeting updates:

  1. No additional committee meetings were held.

New Business Board to discuss reviewing town ordinances and policies

  1. Ms. Ashcroft has looked at the list of policies and ordinances we have and has asked Mr. Sweet to send policies and ordinance to the appropriate department head and / or committee for them to review and make recommendations as to whether they need to be updated or changed, eliminated, or if they are fine.

New Business Board to discuss creating a policy for campaign signs on town owned property

  1. A draft policy was included in the packet for Board members to review.
  2. A list of town owned property was included.
  3. Mr. Faignant commented this should be considered to take effect for the next election. The board members all agreed.
  4. Mr. Faignant moved to table this topic. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

New Business Board to review agreement for Town Emergency Management Director personal vehicle use

  1. Mr. Faignant stated the town has previously approved similar agreements for other town employees, however this position was overlooked.
  2. Mr. Faignant moved to approve an agreement for Mr. Wasserman. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

New Business Board to review 2021 Scholarship application

  1. Ms. Ashcroft reviewed the updated document and the reason for the addition of new language this year, specifying award times and forfeiture timelines.
  2. The new forms will be posted online.
  3. Applications are due by noon on April 23rd, 2021.

Ms. Ashcroft encourage the department heads to review the grant opportunities available that were sent to them and see if they can take advantage of them.

Ms. Russell moved to enter executive session for a personnel matter with Fire Chief Chris Clark, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Carlson and Assistant Fire Chief Larry Dellveneri attending. Mr. Jones seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously. The board entered executive session at 6:53 PM.

Upon leaving executive session at 7:07 PM Mr. Faignant moved for the Board, acting as the Board of Health, to not require Rutland Town Fire Department members be vaccinated in order to participate in Fire Department activities as long as the members follow the protocols as outlines by the Fire Chief. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Mr. Faignant moved to refer to the personnel committee the task of researching what steps need to be taken in order to bring the Highway Commissioner job in house. The position would be filled by the Select Board hiring someone and having it not be an elected position. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Ms. Ashcroft commented on an inquiry being received about any portions of Evergreen Cemetery being in the Town of Rutland. After some research with Howard Burgess, it was determined that none of the cemetery grounds are located within Rutland Town.

Mr. Faignant moved to adjourn. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 
Mary Ashcroft, Chair
                                  ABSENT
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
John Paul Faignant
 
Sharon Russell
 
Aaron Jones

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

Posted in