Select Board Minutes 8-12-2024

Select Board Minutes 8-12-2024

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

AUGUST 12^th, 2024

 

• This meeting was moved from August 13^th due to the state primary election
• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo and Sharon Russell

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for July 2^nd:

A quorum of Board members from this meeting are not present. This will be moved to the next meeting.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for July 30^th:

A quorum of Board members from this meeting are not present. This will be moved to the next meeting.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Thanked all those who helped prepare tax bills for mailing.

Reminder of the Town Wide Celebration on August 24^th from 10AM to 2PM at Northwood Park. A plaque commemorating the founders of Northwood Park will be dedicated during the event.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided.
2. The training for our K9 is going very well.
3. There has been 1 application for the School Resource Officer position.
4. Details for the sponsored CFAC position are still being worked on.
5. The process for hiring the additional officer is moving forward
6. The State was going through the Cortina Inn today, taking pictures and making notes. They visited many rooms. The owner was not on site.
7. There was an issue at the Diamond Run Mall property recently. It was referred to their private security company.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Requested a Rec committee meeting next week.
2. The last day the pool will be open is August 24^th.
3. The park is very busy and well used.
4. Fireworks will be at dusk on August 24^th, after the Town Wide Celebration.
5. Discussed anticipated expenses which will be charged to depreciation.
   1. New fencing at Dewey
   2. Ballast in the filter tanks
   3. A booster pump for domestic water at the pool.

Dave Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner

1. Selectman Denardo discussed some topics for Highway.
   1. Looking at a change in the highway depreciation fund contribution.
   2. Purchasing an excavator using funds in the current budget would help to reduce the carryover balance and increase the capabilities of the department.
2. Mary discussed a comment she received from a resident on Flory Heights about a paving issue. This will be brought up at the Highway Committee meeting. A issue reported on Hitzel Terrace will be discussed as well.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Discussed the disposition plan for a 30-year-old pickup truck which is being replaced within the next couple of weeks.
   1. The approximate value of the truck is between $5000 to $8000 in fair condition.
   2. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to allow members the first opportunity to purchase it first, for $6000. If more than 1 member wants it, names will be drawn to determine who is selected to buy it. If no member wants it, it will be advertised for sale to the public. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
   3. Chief Clark will let the members know. He will report back at the August 27^th Board meeting.
2. Discussed other topics from the recent Fire Committee meeting.
   1. Notices sent out regarding private fire hydrants will be shared with the Fire Chief.
   2. Reviewed the depreciation account funding and the anticipated costs on new equipment.
   3. Discussed purchasing a smaller set of SCBA bottles on a rotating basis, provided they all work on the current frames. This would prevent a large purchase to replace everything. No action or decision is needed.
3. Selectman Denardo discussed the color of the new Public Safety Building.
   1. A change to the exterior color of the building was made, from bronze to green.
   2. It was not known who approved the color change.
   3. Discussed options for changing or correcting the color. A discussion with the Clerk of the Works for the building is needed.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Grievance hearings were held, there were only 4.
2. 1 taxpayer is requesting a meeting with the BCA. This needs to be held before August 22^nd. The date will be coordinated with the Town Clerk.
3. Cathy Kapitansky gave a letter of interest to the Board, for the open lister position. After discussion, she will be invited to come at 530PM on August 27^th, right before the next Board meeting.
4. Their office has received many questions on the tax bills this year.
5. Site visits to follow up on construction projects are planned soon.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The primary election is tomorrow. Sample ballots are posted at Town Hall and online. Polls will be open 7AM to 7PM. Reviewed the primary voting process.
2. Their office has also been getting a lot of phone calls about tax bills. The increases are due to the educations rate set by the State. They have found some people did not file their homestead correctly.

Board to discuss abatement of de minimus amounts of delinquent taxes.

The Town Delinquent Tax Collector, Don Chioffi, made a request of the BCA at the end of their last meeting. He asked the BCA to automatically abate small amounts of delinquent taxes owed, those $10 or less. There is a statute which allows this request to go before the governing body of the Town to approve this request. The BCA agreed and passed a motion to recommend this to the Select Board. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Town Counsel has forwarded documents for the Board to review for approval. This is regarding the sewer line for the Eco Car Wash, and Dennys Restaurant. Currently, both are required to maintain their sewer lines connection to the town sanitary sewer system. The owners of the Eco Car Wash have asked the Town to let them out of this obligation. Town Counsel has drafted a document rescinding the requirement for both properties. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the documents and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
2. Presented a contract from the Regional Planning Commission to assist the town with updating our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The RPC was approved for this at the last meeting. There are grant funds which will cover most of the expense. Work by town staff will count for an in-kind match. Selectman Denardo 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 3 – 0.
3. The new Eco Car Wash is open. They are inviting town officials to their grand opening on Wednesday, August 21^st at 10AM.
4. Discussed the reimbursement rate paid to the second constable for use of his vehicle on patrol. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve changing the rate to $19.89 per hour. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
5. The Vermont 250^th anniversary commission has sent a template for a resolution which can be adopted by the board. After discussion, it will be added to the next agenda.

A notice for a public comment opportunity on a hazardous material storage facility in Rutland City was received. This will be sent to the Planning Commission for review and comment.

Thank you letters were received from some recent scholarship recipients.

Selectwoman Russell moved to go into executive session for a personnel matter with Police Chief Ed Dumas attending, to discuss a pending investigation, and to discuss advice from counsel. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. The Board entered executive session at 7:42PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Denardo moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_________________ABSENT_____________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_________________ABSENT_____________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.