Select Board Minutes 5-9-2023

Select Board Minutes 5-9-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MAY 9^th, 2023

 

This meeting had a virtual attendance option available for anyone to join.

• 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 present Shelley Dumas, BJ Hathaway,

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for April 25^th:

Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. Some clerical changes were made. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes from the Public Safety Building Committee Meeting. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Thanked everyone who participated in Green Up Day.

June 1^st is the next deadline for The Circle articles. This is the last one for the summer.

Thanked everyone who attended the open house at the McKinley Avenue Fire Station recently.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

BJ Hathaway read a statement to the board regarding his separation as a winter maintenance contractor, and his concern of the level of service provided over the winter season.

Town Delinquent Tax Collector Don Chioffi discussed an invoice sent to him requesting reimbursement for services. He disputes being charged time for work on his computer by the Town Administrator. The letter he read was provided to Board members. Mr. Chioffi is concerned about a delay in his work product if additional work is not complete. No action was taken.

New Business Board to meet with GMP to discuss a Northwood Park Act 250 Amendment

Meddie Perry from VHB was present, on behalf of Green Mountain Power, to discuss their request. Mr. Perry discussed the need for this amendment and the scope. Discussed any impact to the walking trails. There may be a temporary rerouting to make sure the public doesn’t enter the worksite. The Board asked them to be in touch with Mike Rowe with any impacts on the trail. Tree Warden Fred Nicholson said he has reviewed the application and has no issues.

Selectman Hathaway moved to approve signing the Act 250 paperwork as the applicant and landowner. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The last installment of taxes is due tomorrow. We have received 88% of taxes so far. There is approximately $500,000 in taxes to be paid. The day after the due date is when penalties and interest start.
2. Approximately 500 ballots have been received so far. Reminded people to put their name and return address on the envelope. This is to ensure votes are accounted for correctly. Polls will be open on the 23^rd at the regular locations. Ballots will be counted on May 24^th starting at 10AM.
3. Discussed the proposed contract with Cott Systems for digitizing land records. The initial quote did not include indexing of the old records. That service would add significant cost. Discussed some of the specifics of the contract. The Board has questions to bring back to the vendor. After these questions are answered, the contract will be sent to our Town Attorney for review. Discussed possible funding sources. These funds are not included in any budget. This will be part of a future discussion.
4. Presented a liquor license request for East Restaurant LLC. The Police had no problems with the request. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Mike Delehanty Town 1^st Constable

Discussed illegal dumping on Boardman Hill. This has been an ongoing issue. Some of the garbage is getting into the stream. Attempts to identify individuals who are doing it have been difficult. The pull off where the issue is occurring most was a snowplow turn around at one time but is not any longer. Discussed removing the pull off area. The topic will be added to the Highway Committee agenda.

Leash compliance at Northwood Park is much improved.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided. A large portion is still on the South end of Town.
2. Deputy Chief Washburn applied for a grant for new in car hardware to make traffic stops easier on the officers. It will allow for license information to be scanned and tickets printed rather than handwriting. The grant award was for $5125.70 which is 100% reimbursable. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the purchase to allow us to utilize the grant. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. A grant request for equipment for the Public Safety Building was denied.
4. Thanked the Unites States Sheriffs Deputy Association for an equipment grant. This equipment will allow officers to gain emergency access to locked doors.
5. A personnel committee meeting is needed to follow up on a benefit time accrual question. This will be scheduled as soon as possible. The topic needs to be resolved soon due to the proximity of the end of the fiscal year.
6. Reported on a maintenance problem with the cruiser assigned to the School Resource Officer. It is need of approximately $10,000 in repair work to the front end. The investment does not make sense. This topic will be discussed at the Police Committee meeting.
7. Discussed the updated FAQ document for the Public Safety Building. This will be posted soon. A video was created to show the challenges of the spaces the departments currently occupy. This will be posted soon as well. Chief Dumas thanked his wife and daughter for their work to produce this video. Discussed dates for residents to make sure their ballots are mailed in by. All ballots must be received by 7PM on the 23^rd. If someone is unsure, they should drop it at Town Hall or bring it to a polling place on May 23^rd by 7PM.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. The addition of Jack McCamley has been a help in the Listers Office.
2. There is a Lister training in West Rutland tomorrow they both plan to attend.
3. Work still continues to try to integrate the new state software into the NEMRC system.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Thanked the Highway crew for their help in taking care of a tree that came down, and thanked Bill and Sharon for their help in coordinating pest control service at the parks.
2. Groups are signing up for spots at the pool this season after a few years off.
3. Baseball started this week for all grades.
4. Fireworks are planned for Sunday July 2^nd. It’s the same vendor as years past.
5. There are 14 lifeguards hired for this year, 11 of which are coming back from last year.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. The second of two additional highway trucks has been delivered.
2. The crew has shifted to working 10 hours over 4 days.
3. Plow damage from the past winter is nearly complete.
4. Work on repaving Town Line Road continues. The top layer should be done this week. Driveway work will be done once they are finished.
5. 187 bags from Green Up Day were collected from around Town.
6. Discussed the recent Highway Committee meeting, where the Simons Avenue intersection issue was discussed. A meeting with VTrans will be scheduled to look at it.
7. Discussed the service road project. It would take approximately $250,000 to complete the project to the point where it can be put out to bid. Approximately $30,000 is needed to move to the next phase. A meeting with the full Board should be next and will be planned for June 6^th.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Presented the 2023 VLCT Safety Grant application. We are eligible for 100% reimbursement up to $7500 this year. The Highway department has asked for a sewer inspection camera for a cost of just over $7500. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. A warning for the sale of the town-owned parcel of land off Route 7N has been published.
3. Presented a contract for new office furniture for the admin office. The vendor is from the State Contract list. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the purchase with funds to come from building maintenance, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
4. Presented a contract from Consolidated Communications to provide us with a new phone system at Town Hall. The committee is recommending the move to the new system.  Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the contract and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
5. There is a meeting warned for tomorrow morning at 9AM with an architect from NBF architects to review the scope of work planned for the downstairs at Town Hall.
6. The Town was awarded the MERP grant for $4000. This is intended to be used to hire a consultant to determine alternative energy and energy efficiencies for Town buildings.
7. Securing sidewalk easements for the Post Road sidewalk is still being done. There is one left which still needs to be signed.
8. Descriptions of needed appointments for different positions were provided to Board members.

Committee meeting updates:

1. The Scholarship Committee presented their list of scholarship awards for this year. Selectman Getty moved to approve the list. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The committee will look at updating the application and scoring sheet for next year’s award.
2. No other committees had action items.

Selectman Hathaway moved to appoint Byron Hathaway as a fence viewer. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Selectman Denardo discussed the previous topic of the school owning a portion of Northwood Park.  Lynette Gallipo spoke with him recently and talked about the reason, which is to protect that section of the park from being taken by eminent domain.

Selectman Getty moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion.

The motion passed 5 – 0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:19 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.