Select Board Minutes 4-23-2024

Select Board Minutes 4-23-2024

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

APRIL 23^rd, 2024 

• 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 participating Aaron Vincelette

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for April 9^th:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. There was a question on the amount of the paving bid in the minutes. Approval will be added to the next agenda.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Green Up Day is Saturday May 4^th. Bags are available at Town Hall, the Highway Garage and the Transfer Station.

The due date for the next edition of the Circle is May 15^th.

There are free trees available from the VT Community Forestry group. VTCommunityForestry.org has information on how to request them.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Aaron Vincelette, representing the Eco Car Wash project in the Town, was present to discuss a Memorandum of Agreement which is tied to their property. The MOA requires regular cleaning of specific sewer infrastructure. They would like the MOA ended for their property due to a change in the discharge into the system. After discussion, the Board asked for his request in writing to be forwarded to us, and the matter will be taken up with the Highway and Water / Sewer Committee.

Mr. Vincelette also asked for suggestions for a local organization to have donations collected for during their planned 3-day grand opening, some time in June. The Board will come up with suggestions for the May 7^th meeting.

Board to meet with Joe Anthony to discuss the Diamond Run Mall property.

Discussed the redevelopment plans, security, and maintenance issues around the property. Mr. Anothny said he could not share specifics due to confidentiality agreements but said a large-scale plan is in the works which involves retail, residential, and hotel components. Mr. Anthony said the security and maintenance issues brought to them have been addressed. There is a sinkhole forming and it is being worked on.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided a first-class liquor license application for renewal. It is for the East Asian Restaurant. The police have no issues with them. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the license. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Reminder of the election next week to revote the school budget. If anyone wants to vote in person, they must sign an affidavit if they do not have the ballot with them.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided and discussed
2. Discussed the CFAC request for the Town to sponsor an officer. The Board received a copy of the MOU. This will be discussed at a Police Committee meeting.

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

1. Construction on the public safety building is progressing according to the schedule.
2. Provided a draft of a health and safety code for the Board to consider adopting. It would need to be reviewed by our Town Attorney.
3. Requested the purchase of a long rifle. After discussion, it will be referred to the Police Committee.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The Planning Commission reviewed the housing survey results from the Regional Planning Commission. The Commission is in favor of applying for a municipal planning grant in order to fund a housing study in Town.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Spring maintenance tasks have begun.
2. The baseball schedule will be posted soon.
3. Signs which were damaged at the park s have been replaced.
4. An event for dogs which was very successful last year is planned again this year.
5. Discussed plans to replace the AED at the pool. There is a vendor on the State vendor list. We are waiting to hear back from them on pricing and options.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. A dedicated roadside mower operator is not available this year. Someone to do the mowing is needed. Solutions are being investigated.
2. A paving grant has been submitted to the State.
3. Anyone with Greenup bags needing to be picked up are asked to call the garage or email the highway department with the location of the bags.
4. Discussed the recent bidding process for the old F350. No bids were received. The truck will be offered for sale by bid again but with no minimum bid requirement.
5. Discussed a letter received from a resident who had mailbox damage during a recent storm. The resident replaced their mailbox without waiting for the Highway Department to do it. After discussion, and a review of our mailbox damage policy, Selectman Denardo moved to decline the request to reimburse the resident. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Discussed some issues reported at The Cortina Inn. They were reported to the State. It should be resolved in the next week.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. PETCO has submitted a request to increase their sewer allocation based upon usage from 2023. They are requesting an additional 400 GPD. Their application is complete with payment. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Provided a new contract for Foley services. They change the carpet runners for the winter at Town Hall. Selectman Denardo moved to accept the agreement and to authorize the Chair to sin non behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. Discussed coordinating a Board meeting with representatives from the State of Vermont and the owners of The Cortina Inn.
4. Reviewed a request from The Days Inn to waive the requirement to increase their sewer allocation. There was a leak in the water main, which has since been repaired. There is a provision in the ordinance to waive the requirement due to a leak. They provided proof of the leak, and its repair. Selectman Denardo moved to approve waiving the requirement for the allocation based on 2023 usage, due to a water leak. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
5. We received feedback from the EV charging station grant program. The are offering us up to $30,000 for our project. This leaves us with a substantial gap, which was not anticipated. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to decline the grant award. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Committee meeting updates / Select Board project list:

1. The Personnel committee met recently to continue their work on the new personnel policy. The additional funds approved to use for the consultant hired by the Town have also been used up. The committee is requesting the Board authorize an additional $2000 to allow her to continue her work. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. David Rosenblum was present to report on recent Regional Board of Commissioners meetings.
3. Reviewed the project list.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:49 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.