Select Board Minutes 8-1-2023

Publish date: August 3, 2023

Select Board Minutes 8-1-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

AUGUST 1st, 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, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
  • Members of the public present Lisa Sears, Ryan Getner, Larry Dell Veneri, Shelley Dumas

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for July 18th:

Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Several thank you letters were received from scholarship recipients.

A proclamation for the Town of Rutland from 2011 was recently found at Rutland City Hall. The proclamation recognized the 250th anniversary of the Town of Rutland.

Thanked the Rec Department, Hathaway Farms and former Town Road Commissioner Byron Hathaway for their efforts at the recent Town Senior Luncheon.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided and discussed.
  2. Discussed growing trespassing issues at the Diamond Run Mall property.
    1. Discussed using the Towns Nuisance Ordinance to compel compliance.
    2. Selectman Hathaway moved to have the 2nd Constable investigate this property under the nuisance ordinance. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  3. A meeting was held this morning with the Assistant States Attorney in reference to an explosion at the former Holiday Inn. They are moving forward with that case.
  4. Call statistics for July for the Town were provided to Board members.
  5. A small version of a case study compared to other towns was provided. This is not as extensive as what we could get with an independent firm.
  6. Selectman Denardo discussed putting up “No passing zone” signs in the area of the intersection with McKinley Avenue and Grove Street. This is based on his first hand experience with being passed at this intersection.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. Discussed August 17th at 630PM for the date to hold a meeting of the Select Board and Planning Commission to discuss the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. This date will be warned for a meeting.
  2. Discussed the proposed solar project at Post Road and US Route 7 North.
    1. The developer is open to a site visit this fall.
    2. A video showing the project area was sent to us.
    3. An aesthetics review is being done by the developer.
    4. Some PILOT calculations were provided based upon a previous solar facility. The per acre figure would need to be adjusted for current values.
  3. Discussed plans for the Town Wide Celebration. Their energy group has lined up several organizations who are coming to showcase various topics.
  4. Discussed the renewable energy target for the Town. The target has not been reached yet but, with the addition of the proposed solar project, this could get the Town to the goal.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. Thanked the Highway Department for their help with a variety of projects in the park.
  2. The new stone bench looks great.
  3. Discussed plans for the Town Wide Celebration. A committee meeting will be warned for Friday at 12PM.
  4. Soccer sign ups forms are available on the rec page on the town website.
  5. The last day the pool will be open is August 26th.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Work on the Post Road sidewalk is going well. It will be ready for paving in a little while. A request for bids will need to be sent out soon to get this work done. After discussion, a request will be put out.
  2. MS4 projects will be completed as the contractor we use is available.
  3. Roadside mowing is going well.
  4. Discussed the recent Highway Committee meeting.
    1. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss Quarterline Road maintenance with residents of our Town, Town of Clarendon, and members of the Clarendon Select Board. The meeting went well, and it was very cooperative. Unfortunately, the Clarendon Select Board voted against any agreement at their recent meeting. The Highway crew will discuss what they can do to help with winter maintenance.
    2. The culvert just South of the City / Town line on Stratton Road is in need of replacing. Otter Creek Engineering is helping us get the process started. A grant, similar to what was used for Town Line Road, will be applied for to help with the cost.
    3. Discussed the winter maintenance arrangement with the Town of Mendon. They plow a section of Town Line Road and Meadow Lake Drive and bill the Town. Discussed reversing this arrangement. Selectman Hathaway moved to have Commissioner Sears work on this agreement. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0 .
  5. Reviewed a contract from VHB to finish work on a service road project.
    1. The total is $41,915. There is $30,000 in the budget and the balance of funds are available in the carryover balance.
    2. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the contract and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

  1. There was a lot of effort to set the current tax rate. The new homestead tax rate is 1.6125 and the new non-residential tax rate is 1.8608.
  2. Business Personal Property is up just over $100,000.
  3. Grievance hearings were held yesterday. There were only 4. 1 will be going for an abatement.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. July was very busy with 37 calls for service. This brings the total to 112 for the year.
  2. Engine 3 was brought to the dealer recently for some warranty work. It is expected to be out of service for as short a time as possible.
  3. There are 2 new applications for membership. One is for Ryan McNeil who would be a junior firefighter, and he is a Town resident. The other is for John Reedy who would be a senior firefighter, and he is a city resident, and he has previous experience. Selectman Denardo moved to approve both applicants. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  4. Selectman Denardo discussed what the plan is for items not being taken from the fire station ahead of demolition. Items such as the overhead doors, and boilers have not been decided. It is not known if any of this is part of our contract. The Clerk of the Works will be asked to discuss this with VMS Construction.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. From fiscal year 2022 – 2023, there will be approximately $370,000 moved into the Capital improvement fund. The audit will begin this week and final numbers will be available at the end of that. Delinquent tax collection, local option tax, and bank interest were the largest contributions to the excess funds. This does not include any funds paid to the Town for settlement funds for the Police Department or Highway carryover.
  2. Budget status sheets for the end of the last fiscal year, and the current one were given to Board members.
  3. The new tax rates are up slightly over last year as discussed before.
  4. Presented a liquor license from East Restaurant for approval. The police have no issue with it. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the license. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0 .
  5. As a result of a recent BCA meeting, several people listed as Town voters are being sent postcards so their voting status can be updated. There are several factors that went into determining who got the postcards. Please send them back as soon as possible.
  6. Tax bills will be sent out next week.
  7. Discussed delinquent tax notices being sent in the mail. Questions on these notices need to be directed to the Delinquent Tax Collector.
  8. Taylor Adamsen has had to leave her position due to health reasons. A new person will be needed again. The process to find someone will start soon.
  9. Reviewed topics from the recent personnel and finance committee meeting.
    1. Discussed hiring a consultant to help the Town with its personnel policy.
    2. An engagement letter has been received and was provided.
    3. HR Acquired LLC of Rutland has given a proposed agreement to review the policy and provide recommendations. The total cost is $2000. Payment terms were outlined in the agreement. The process should be completed by the end of this calendar year.
    4. Selectman Getty moved to accept the agreement and the authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0 .
  10. Reviewed the initiatives underway for improving services for the Town. They include automatic payments for taxes, new rec forms which can include paying rec fees online, and digital land records.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

  1. Received a letter from Allco Energy regarding a project in Bennington.
  2. The intersection at Cold River Road and US 7 South is being redone next summer by VTrans. In addition to new traffic lights, there will be 4 crosswalks painted at the intersection.
  3. Additional work on the website is underway. Most of the changes are around layout and organization.
  4. There are renovations taking place next week to update the Admin office while on vacation.
  5. The latest Local Emergency Management Plan was accepted by the State.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session with the Town Attorney to get legal advice. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0, the Board entered executive session at 7:55 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

___________________ABSENT____________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.

 

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