Select Board Minutes 3-19-19

Select Board 3-19-19

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL BUILDING

181 US BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MARCH 19^th, 2019

 

• Board members present: Josh Terenzini, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, Joe Denardo, JP Faignant
• Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance
• Kirsten Hathaway opened the meeting and asked for nominations for Select Board chair. Mr. Faignant moved to nominate Mr. Terenzini; Ms. Russell seconded to the nomination. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 5-0.
• Kirsten Hathaway asked for nominations for Board Clerk. Mr. Faignant moved to nominate Ms. Ashcroft as clerk. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 5-0.
• Terenzini provided a recap of the elections and budgets which passed at the recent Town Meeting Day vote.

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders

Approval of Select Board Minutes for 3/4/19

• Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes, Ms. Russell made second to the motion. The motion passed 4-0. Mr. Faignant abstained.

Questions from the floor / Public Comment:

• Tom Carrington was present to address the board with an issue he has with the burning going on off of Cold River Road in relation to the land clearing for the Otter Creek solar project. He has been in contact with the Forest Fire Warden, Mr. Denardo and the fire chief, Mr. Cioffi.
  • Ashcroft provided Mr. Carrington with contact information for Carol Flint with the State of Vermont Department of Public Service. Ms. Flint had reached out previously about their investigation into this project.
  • Denardo discussed the process of what happens if there is a nuisance.
  • Denardo stated he has not been called or notified of a continued issue. Mr. Carrington said he would call Mr. Denardo with further issues.
  • Ashcroft advised Mr. Carrington to reach out to the State and seek their assistance as well.

 

 

New Business: Board to meet with Bethany Garrow, Miss Vermont;

• Talked with Ms. Garrow about her experiences leading up to her winning the title, her history with the community and her future plans including preparing for the Miss USA competition on May 2^nd.
• Garrow thanked the board for a scholarship she was previously awarded.

New Business: Board to meet with Andres Torizzo from Watershed Consulting Services regarding MS4;

• Based on a previously file Notice of Intent with the state several items need to be done
  • A draft storm water ordinance has been completed. It needs to be reviewed and adopted soon. It helps to address regulate development along the protected water sheds.
  • A process needs to be developed to apply for a permit for storm water discharge.
  • A copy of the draft ordinance will be sent to us and added to the next agenda.
  • A notification of people affected by it directly has already been done.
  • There is a storm water information on our website, but it needs to be updated and kept current
  • An annual report for the MS4 permit would need to be filed. It is currently being worked on.
  • Reviewed current flow restoration plan projects, including Wynnmere.
  • A highway maintenance needs to be approved. Mr. Hathaway has developed one; it would need to be approved by the board.
  • Discussed a requirement to develop a phosphorous control plan needs to be developed. It is not due to the state for several years but development needs to be started soon.

New Business: Board to meet with Steffanie Bourque to review the progress on the towns Local Hazard Mitigation Plan;

• Reviewed for the board what the plan is and what it does.
• Benefits include helping community be more resilient, increase aid received in the event of a disaster.
• The committee working on the draft of the plan has been Mr. Hathaway, Mr. Wasserman and Mr. Sweet.
• Reviewed various aspects of the plan and what information is included.
• The committee is meeting again on March 27^th to continue their work.

Old Business: Board to discuss proposals received from Same Sun of VT and Triland Partners;

• Allen of Same Sun was present.
• Allen was able to put together new information as a result of more information he was able to obtain.
• Allen reviewed his 2 proposals to the Town.
  • One proposal would have the town own a project from the beginning.
  • The other is where the town pays Same Sun a portion of the credit for a predetermined amount of time.
• The building committee had received some advice from Steve Costello at Green Mountain Power and reviewed his recommendations.
• The board discussed several aspects of the projects including what costs are upfront and what would come at the end of the life of the array.
• Allen was asked about effectiveness of the array over time. He stated it would be at least 80% effective 25 years out. After 25 years it would still function or it could be taken down and sold for scrap.
• Allen stated if the town did not want to own the array he would decommission it whenever the board said.
• Terenzini informed Mr. Allen the board would be in contact with him if the board was interested.
• Allen will send an updated proposal to Mr. Sweet and it will be added to the next agenda.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Select Board:

• Presented a letter to be signed by the board. It requests VTrans to make a modification to one of the traffic lights at the entrance to the Green Mountain Plaza changing it from a green circle to a right turn arrow.
  • Denardo moved to have the board sign the letter and forward to VTrans. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. After some discussion the motion passed 5-0.
• Presented correspondence from Brittany Gilman regarding the kennel next to her house.
• Presented the board with an information building permit received for work on a house on Cedar Avenue.
• Reviewed the approval letter for the sewer connection for Charles Whitehead, it has already been sent to him.
• Presented a permit request from Hubbard’s for their salvage yard.
  • Faignant moved to approve the permit. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Terenzini provided a copy of a quit claim deed executed by the City and Town for ownership of the sewer line by Quality Lane.
• Provided the board with a copy of the bid specifications which have been sent out and posted. Nothing has been received yet.
• Provided a quote from Vermont Digital to replace 1 computer in the listers office. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the purchase. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Health care declaration forms on the desks need to be filled out and turned back in to Kirsten.
• The new door locks have been installed at Town Hall and are working as expected.
• Recapped a recent visit made to Sto Industries on Quality Lane. An invitation has been extended to the board if they would like to visit.
• Reported for Barbara Noyes-Pulling a reminder that the public hearing for the new Town Plan will be March 28^th at 7 PM.

Kirsten Hathaway Rutland Town Clerk/Treasurer:

• Presented 3 liquor licenses for approval
  • The Draught Room has 2 requests. 1 for an outside consumption permit and a first class license. The 3^rd request is for Mama T’s on Route 4 East.
  • Faignant moved to approve the permits. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• The pinwheels purchased in support of prevent child abuse have been received and are in the office for anyone who would like one.
• The office will be closed on March 28^th for lunch
• Provided a status update on town budgets. No issues exist which warrant concern at this time.
• Received a request from PegTv to be able to talk with various town officials for a show they are producing.
  • The board is in favor of this and a time for them to come and talk to us will be determined by Kirsten and relayed back to the board.
• Brought up for discussion an issue with remaining balances owed to the town of less than $1.00. The tracking and book keeping for these amounts is cumbersome.
  • Faignant moved to waive any balance owed for taxes of less than $1.00. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Dog licenses are due by April 1^st.
• Provided the board with updated sketches for proposed changes to the office.
  • Reviewed some of the changes previously discussed.
  • Discussed the installation of sliding glass windows on the counter.
• Informed the board of a fundraiser she is participating in to benefit the United Way.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

• No meeting to report on
• To plan for the next Town Wide Celebration a committee meeting will be scheduled for April 2^nd at 4 PM at Town Hall. Korrine Rodrigue and Robyn Schmidt will be contacted as well since they helped plan last years event.

Board discussed current committee assignments and if a changeup is needed. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

• Presented the paving bid for the upcoming year. It will be combined with the Town of Mendon again this year as we did last year. Members of the town of Mendon Select Board are planning to attend our April 16^th meeting to award the bid.
  • Faignant moved to approve the proposed bids. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Presented the annual financial plan and self-certification to be submitted to VTrans. Faignant moved to approve. Ms. Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Presented an application for a structures grant for engineering a culvert replacement on Town Line road, just south of Gleason Road. Ms. Ashcroft moved to approve and have Mr. Hathaway sign. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• Presented the permit application to install a crosswalk in front of Town Hall.
  • Ashcroft moved to approve the application. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
• An owner of land in the Colonial Estates development asked Mr. Hathaway if the town was interested in removing some trees in an area which is typically shaded in the winter and can make road maintenance difficult.
  • A site visit is appropriate and will be scheduled.
• The large tree out front of Town Hall may need to be taken down. Its become too tall to decorate. Discussed replacing it with a seedling like was done with the other tree out front. This will be brought up at the next meeting after board members have the chance to look at it in the daylight.
• Denardo asked about a drainage issue by the bridge next to Mr. Twitters. Various options were discussed to resolve the issue. Mr. Hathaway will speak with the property owner to work on resolutions.
• Discussed the increase in truck traffic on North Grove Street and McKinley Avenue due to the project VELCO is doing with transmission lines. No issues have been identified.

 

Frank Cioffi Rutland Town Fire Chief:

• Updated the board on the request from the mall to close off certain sections of the building. Nothing has been received back from the mall on what they would like to do.
• A fire committee meeting was requested to discuss the current fire alarm ordinance and changes he would recommend to make it stronger.
• A truck committee has been formed to work on the replacement of a support truck.
• Daytime response numbers have been good, no issues.
• Some applications have been received and are being reviewed.
• Two members are very close to completing their level 2 certification class.

 

Ted Washburn Rutland Town Police Captain:

• Provided a letter to the board which is being sent to the School Board for the current reimbursement due for the School Resource Officer position.
• The application process is open for hiring a new officer. Some applications have been received.
• Requested permission to go and speak with Rutland Dodge to lay the ground work for the new vehicle to be purchased after July 1^st. The board encouraged him to do so.
• Discussed concerns received from residents regarding speed enforcement on Post Road. A plan when the new officer is hired is being made and should be easily implemented.

JP Faignant Town Health Officer:

• Currently working with a property owner to clean up their property. They have been cooperative and a report will be provided at the next meeting.
• Provided a follow up on the dilapidated properties which had deadlines of being cleaned up by March 11^th.
  • Due to the conditions of the winter a 30 day extension will be granted. Enforcement action would start after that.
  • Russell moved to approve the recommendation. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Faignant abstaining.

Committee meeting updates:

• Building committee met recently. The points from the meeting have already been covered in previous discussions.
  • Discussed options for the Town Monument in front of Town Hall, including a full redesign.
• Ashcroft has contacted GMP with a request to follow up on plans for the pocket park in Center Rutland. Still waiting to hear back.

 

Mr. Denardo moved to enter executive sessions for a personnel matter with Mr. Bill Sweet and Ms. Kirsten Hathaway attending and for a personnel matter with Mr. Hathaway attending. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. The board entered executive session at 8:15 PM.

 

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Mr. Faignant moved to adjourn. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

Joshua C. Terenzini, Chairman

Mary Ashcroft, Clerk

John Paul Faignant

Joseph Denardo

Sharon Russell

 

Center Rutland, VT.