Select Board Minutes 6-8-2021

Publish date: June 10, 2021

Select Board 6-8-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

HELD VIA PUBLICALLY ACCESSABLE CONFERENCE CALL LINE

JUNE 8th, 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 with the pledge of allegiance.
  • Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, John Paul Faignant and Don Chioffi
  • Members of the public present Lydia Flynn, Michael Carlson, Larry Dellveneri

Approval of Orders

The Board will approve the orders as they come into the office.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for May 25th:

  • There were some clerical changes to the minutes. Mr. Chioffi moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Select Board:

  1. Reviewed the items in the packet
    1. Reviewed the meeting schedule and committee agenda items
    2. A salvage yard permit renewal was sent in from Mac Equipment and Steel. They are requesting a renewal for 5 years. Mr. Denardo moved to approve the application. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
    3. VLCT has sent out information regarding the ARPA funds and being able to apply. They said to expect to be able to apply for the funds this month.
      1. There are listening and idea sessions planned to gather input from the public on how to spend the money. The Circle, and our Facebook page, has the schedule of when these are.
    4. VLCT has received our safety grant application, but no award decision has been made yet.
    5. Provided minutes from the Highway Committee meeting held earlier in the day.
      1. The committee met and reviewed the proposals.
      2. Each member present, and also Devon Neary from the Regional Planning Commission is recommending the Dufresne Group be awards the work.
  • Mr. Denardo moved to accept the Dufresne Group, and pending approval from the state, award them the contract for the work. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. Mr. Denardo reviewed the conversation and explained why the committee is not recommending the low bidder. The committee felt their presentation and proposal was not as strong as the others. Some of the criteria was not met well. Other proposals exceeded the budget planned for the project. The Dufresne Group best met the criteria and was within the budget. The motion passed 4-0.
  1. Discussed the VT ANR request for reappointment of the Town Forest Fire Warden for a term of 5 years.
    1. Mr. Faignant moved to reappoint Joe Denardo. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. Mr. Chioffi spoke on the comments in the request letter from Lars Lund. The motion passed 4-0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk/Treasurer:

  1. The last installment of the local option tax was received, and this puts us over the projection for this budget line.
  2. Budget status reports will be printed weekly for all departments to review between now and the end of the fiscal year.
  3. A vendor who can help digitize the land records has been in to meet and we are in good shape to move forward. We should be getting a quote soon.
  4. A contract with AM Peisch to conduct the audit in the coming fiscal year was provided. The audit would be completed, and a report issued by November 30th. With our governmental discount the amount should not exceed $15,500. This is within the budget amount. Mr. Chioffi moved to approve the contract and to authorize the Board Chair to sign the engagement letter on behalf of the board. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
  5. Denardo asked how the office has been since it has been fully reopened. Ms. Clark said there have been no issues and the public has been very happy to be able to come in.

Barbara Noyes-Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. Discussed the 2 bids received for the Pocket Park Survey. The Regional Planning Commission has been reviewing them. Their recommendation is to go with MSK Engineering from Montpelier, and to select option 2 which includes a complete boundary survey and all contouring, land features. The cost is $5,570. Mr. Denardo moved to accept MSK for the work. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. The RRPC will issue the notice to proceed.
  2. The Planning Commission is still working on ideas for a Conservation Commission. There are many aspects to creating this so they would like some more time to prepare a recommendation. This will be moved to a date in July.
  3. The draft ordinance for helipads and airstrips is still being worked on. They are reviewing space requirements and hope to have a draft ready in the near future.
  4. VELCO has asked the Planning Commission for a letter of support for their expansion project on Post Road. Discussed submitting a joint letter, or none at all. No Selectboard member objected to the Planning Commission providing a letter.
  5. Mr. Chioffi asked if the Planning Commission has taken a positive vote on establishing a Conservation Commission. Ms. Pulling said they have not and provided background from concept to where the proposal is now.

Mr. Chioffi moved to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation and to receive advice from Kevin Brown, Town Counsel. Mr. Denardo seconded motion. The motion passed 4-0. The board entered executive session at 6:35 PM.

The board came out of executive session at 7:29 PM.

Mr. Faignant moved to warn a special meeting to meet with representatives of C&C Fireworks to allow them to present their case and discuss their permit. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. The meeting will be warned for next week.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. The pool opened last weekend and it was well used. People were appreciative of being able to use it.
  2. Baseball is wrapping up soon and thanked all the coaches that worked this season.
  3. The June senior luncheon is coming up. Another is planned for July, possibly the 27th, at the pool.
  4. Discussed what plans will be in place for July 4th. This will be reviewed at the next meeting and a decision will be made based on current recommendations.
  5. The parks have been running great so far.

Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. We have been recommended to receive a Class 2 paving grant for Town Line Road and also a structures grant to replace the culvert on Town Line Road. The total award between the 2 grants is over $200,000. If we are successful with the pending grant applications, and including what we have received in the last 18 months, the town has received over $400,000 in grant awards.
  2. The Act 250 permit amendment for the Shared Use Path is complete. It is ready to be signed. There is also a Notice of Intent to be signed for the stormwater permit to get us in process. We should hear back within 60 days and allow us to start construction.
    1. Mr. Chioffi moved to authorize the Board Chair to sign the Act 250 permit and the stormwater discharge permit. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. After a brief discussion the motion passed 4-0.
  3. Roadside mowing will resume once parts for the mower have been received.
  4. Our paving contractor is expected to be ready the 3rd week of June.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. Presented an application from Peter Benson for membership. A background check has been completed. He is a Rutland City resident. Mr. Denardo moved to approve the application. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
  2. The truck currently serving as Engine 3 is going to be placed out of service soon. It cannot pass inspection anymore. Chief Clark asked what the board would like done with the truck. Mr. Denardo suggested putting it out for bid with provisions on the bid process for use. No decision was made.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were sent to board members.
  2. The Quality Inn was recently closed and a portion of the people staying there were moved to the Holiday Inn. Since then, an increase in calls has been seen. Starting July 1st, the program which funds many of the people being housed there runs out so many will have to leave.
  3. The new cruiser is still in progress. A firm delivery date is not known yet.
  4. Mr. Chioffi asked if there have been any issues with the follow up at the Holiday Inn after their inspection. Chief Dumas said there are no major issues at the moment.

Mr. Chioffi moved to suspend the Selectboard meeting and convene as the Board of Health. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. The Board of Health convened at 7:51 PM.  Mr. Faignant moved to rescind the emergency order issued by the board relating to the covid-19 and continue to follow state guidelines as they are amended.  Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed at 4-0.

Mr. Faignant moved to resume the Selectboard meeting. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. The Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:52 PM.

Committee meeting updates:

The minutes of the Police Committee were reviewed. A list of the police fleet vehicles was provided as follow up to that meeting. No action was needed from this meeting.

Discussed the Town Hall War Memorial. Some board members know people who may be interested in helping with this project. They will reach out directly.

New Business: Board to review for approval meeting room request.

Fire District #5 has asked to use the downstairs meeting room on August 11th at 7PM for a meeting. They have paid the fee. Mr. Denardo moved to approve the request. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

New Business: Board to review for approval contract from Brookfield Service

A new contract was provided from July 2021 to June 2022. This includes servicing all Town owned generators, including the school. The total cost is $3164. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the contract. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

New Business: Board to discuss the purchase of air purifiers for Town Hall

This topic will be moved to the next meeting.

 

Mr. Denardo moved to adjourn. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 
Mary Ashcroft, Chair
 
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
John Paul Faignant
ABSENT
Sharon Russell
 
Don Chioffi

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

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