Select Board Minutes 5-22-2023

Select Board Minutes 5-22-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN SCHOOL

1612 POST ROAD RUTLAND, VT  05701

MAY 22^nd, 2023

 

• The meeting opened at 5:30 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 Chris Howland

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for May 9^th:

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Announcements

Articles for The Circle are due by June 1^st.Town Wide Celebration information should be included.

Special Town Meeting on Tuesday May 23^rd. Polls are open from 7AM to 7PM. All ballots must be received by 7PM.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Town Line Road paving is complete. Once we receive the invoices, the reimbursement request through the state grant will be submitted.
2. The culvert on Stratton Road near the City line is on the list to be inspected by the state. It is showing signs of deterioration and should be replaced. The same funding program used to replace the Town Line Road culvert will be applied for.
3. A tree was removed on Blue Ridge Drive recently. A contractor was used due to its proximity to utilities.
4. Construction of the Post Road sidewalk should begin in early June.
5. Jason and Ben will be attending chainsaw training next week.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Lister

1. Training on the new software continues and is going well.
2. Our other new Lister, Marie Fabian, will be starting soon. A workstation solution has been worked out.
3. Submitted a request to extend the date to lodge the Grand List by 30 days. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. An updated report on the Local Option Tax payments received was provided to board members.
2. Approximately 95% of taxes were received on time. The warrant for the Delinquent Tax Collector has been prepared. The initial amount of delinquent taxes was approximately $368,000. Some payments have already been made. The current total is just under $300,000.
3. All the preparation for the election tomorrow is done. 804 of the approximately 2900 ballots mailed have been received back already.
4. The Clerk’s office will be open tomorrow. BCA members are working at the polls.
5. Reviewed the current budget status sheets. There are no major concerns close to the end of the fiscal year.
6. Presented the annual warrant for unlicensed dogs. This is the list of dogs who were licensed in 2022 but not in 2023. The warrant calls for unlicensed dogs to be destroyed. The Chief of Police assured the Board no dogs have ever been destroyed as a result of this warrant. Selectman Denardo moved to approve signing the warrant. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed 3 – 2. Selectman Denardo, Selectman Getty and Board Chair Ashcroft voted in favor of the motion. Selectwoman Russell and Selectman Hathaway voted against the motion.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided and discussed. Retail thefts on the South end of Town are up again.
2. Reviewed the recent Police Committee meeting. After the discussion, Selectman Getty moved to approve employees who may be out on Workers Comp be allowed to accrue benefit time. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. There are approximately 700 people who will be affected by the housing program at the hotels ending soon.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The pool will be filled this week.
2. The grass is beginning to grow again at Dewey and Northwood Park. It will be fertilized soon.
3. Pool sign-ups start soon.
4. Held an event this past weekend in collaboration with Everyday Canine. It was very well attended. There were 60+ dogs there. Plans for next year have already started.
5. Leash compliance at the park is substantially better.

Board to set action on vicious dog complaint.

1. Reviewed the letter from Don Accavallo regarding his dog being attacked by a neighbor’s dog.
2. Reviewed the process for holding a hearing.
3. The most recent issue was prior to a recent visit by the Town PD. Their case is complete.
4. The damage to the fence has been repaired. The fence does not enclose the neighbor’s yard. Their dog can slip out of its collar when it’s on the run.
5. After discussion, the Board set a hearing for June 6^th at 7PM. Both parties will be sent a letter.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. VHB has prepared a supplemental submission for their Act 250 permit. After review, Selectwoman Russell moved to approve their submission. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. A dirt track was found recently to have been built on Town owned land on Windcrest Road. Discussed possible remedies. Discussed splitting the land with the adjacent landowners. The Town Attorney will be contacted to discuss options.
3. Reviewed the proposal for architecture service at Town Hall for the downstairs remodel project. NBF Architect gave a proposal of $15,000 for a variety of services relating to the project. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the work, with the funds to come from Building Maintenance. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
4. Enman Kesselring submitted updated plans and their Act 250 information to the Board relating to the property at 165 US Route 7 South. They are ready to submit their Act 250 application. The concern from the Police Department is the volume of traffic after the shop is opened but does not expect it to last long. The Fire Chief was not present to comment. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve signing the Municipal Impact Questionnaire subject to review by each of the department heads. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Committee meeting updates:

1. Reviewed the Select Board compensation topic from the Personnel / Finance Committee meeting. Various options to pay Board members was discussed. Paying the stipend on a regular basis is preferred. The Board decided they will submit quarterly timesheets for the stipend at the last Board meeting for each quarter.
2. Reviewed the Town Wide Celebration Committee minutes. The next 8^th Grade class would like to help at the event, and the Committee discussed making a donation to the class to support their field trip. The Board was in favor of this arrangement.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

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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.