Select Board Minutes 9-26-2023

Select Board Minutes 9-26-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

SEPTEMBER 26^th, 2023 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Shelley Dumas, Mark Consolatti, Pat Consolatti, Seth Richardson, Ryan Getner, Fred Nicholson, and Jim Marsh

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for the September 12^th Regular meeting:

There are not enough board members present who attended this meeting to be able to vote on the minutes. This will be moved to the October 10^th meeting.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for the September 12^th Special meeting:

There are not enough board members present who attended this meeting to be able to vote on the minutes. This will be moved to the October 10^th meeting.

Approval of Select Board Minutes for the September 21^st Special meeting:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Update from the Select Board Chair

Board Chair Ashcroft recognized Chief Dumas’s Birthday today and Selectman Hathaway’s Birthday tomorrow.

The District Environmental Commission sent a letter regarding the withdrawal of the Act 250 amendment. The Public Utility Commission took jurisdiction and said no amendment was necessary. The work can proceed on the penstock owned by GMP.

Questions from the Floor / Public Comment

Mark Consolatti from Grover Drive was present to discuss the E-911 address changes for the neighborhood. He is opposed to the changes. Discussed the timing and reason for the implementation of the E-911 system.

Pat Consolatti discussed an issue with a car being parked long term at the power station on Route 7. The Town Police will investigate it.

Seth Richardson from Grover Drive was present to discuss the E-911 address changes for the neighborhood. He is opposed to the changes and discussed with the Board his reasons. The Board will discuss this issue at a future meeting.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Reviewed activities over the last couple of weeks.
2. There is a beaver causing some issues on the west end of Post Road with trees.
3. A culvert was replaced on Sugarwood Hill Road today.
4. A culvert on Post Road will be replaced tomorrow in the area of Lunt Place. The road will be closed during the day.
5. A resident made a request to have a fog line painted along North Grove Street. This will be referred to the Highway Committee.
6. Winter maintenance plans are well underway. The contractor we have used is not looking for a fuel stipend this year but did ask to have the number of callouts be reduced from 43 to 40. This will be discussed at the Highway Committee meeting.
7. A vendor was doing work at the Highway garage and provided a quote to replace the overhead lighting. The current lighting does not meet standards. The quote is for $8279.52. This will be sent to the Highway Committee.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Various homes in the Town have been visited recently doing data collection, several based on information from the Informational Building Permits.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The signed contract for Cotts Systems has been sent to them. Payment for it is included in the orders.
2. Discussed plans to secure funding for the balance of the Public Safety Building costs. We need to have the funding in place around March of 2024. Bond bank applications are due in December. Discussed setting a special meeting to discuss this project. A special meeting will be warned for Monday October 16^th at 5PM.

Mike Delehanty Town 1^st Constable

1. Directed patrols on the south end of Town have been busy.
2. Board Chair Ashcroft reminded everyone budget planning is coming up soon so start thinking about it.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided. There were 85 calls and 21 traffic stops.
2. Officer Plakas and K9 Rooster have been doing a great job with investigations lately.

John Paul Faignant Town Health Officer / 2^nd Constable / Public Safety Building Clerk

1. The building site is well underway. There have been no reported issues with the project.
2. Discussed some issues at The Cortina Inn recently reported, such as raw sewage in the hallway. The Health Department has overruled his orders in the past and has taken over direct responsibility for that facility.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Discussed some zoning and Act 250 bylaw revisions along with Fred Nicholson, who is the Town representative to the Regional Planning Commission. After discussion, the Planning Commission will look at these and see how they may impact our Town Ordinances.
2. Discussed the need for replacement lighting at the Town Highway Garage, and if this could be part of the MERP Grant. This can be part of the energy audit review.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Soccer and Flag Football programs are underway. Schedules are on the website.
2. Online Rec registration forms and payment options are nearly complete and will be ready for basketball signup.
3. Some new and updated park signs are being done and will be up soon.
4. A gate pole at Dewey field was damaged. It has now been repaired.
5. The Halloween Party is October 27^th at the school on the trails again.
6. There has been a lot of good feedback about the back 9 for disc golf. The mountain bike trails should be finished next month.
7. The Southern Vermont Cross Country Meet will be at Northwood Park on October 20^th. Water service will be shut off after that event.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Provided a map of the GE Facility in Town, and the updates for E-911 addressing at their facility. The Board needs to adopt Aerospace Place as a new private Town road to allow us to add the additional numbers. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to adopt Aerospace Place as a private road and add it to Attachment A in the Town Road Name and Road Location Address Ordinance. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0 .
2. The Town of Killington has sent out invitations to attend a ceremony marking the beginning of their road and water project. The event is next week. The Town will be represented by Mr. Sweet.

New Business Board to approve the Builders Risk Insurance Policy for the Public Safety Building

1. This is required as part of our contract with VMS.
2. Two quotes were received.
   1. Acadia Insurance for $9635, plus $76 for terrorism coverage.
   2. Zurich / US Assure for $12,224 and includes terrorism coverage.
3. There are deductibles for both.
   1. Acadia Insurance is $5000
   2. Zurich is $2500
4. Based on the recommendation of the Town Attorney, Selectman Getty moved to approve the agreement with Acadia Insurance, including the terrorism coverage, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Town resident Jim Marsh was present to discuss traffic on Barrett Hill. There has been an increase in speed lately. He is concerned about the impact planned work at the former College of St Joseph property may have.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to receive legal advice from Town Counsel, and to have Police Chief Ed Dumas attend. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0 and the Board entered executive session at 7:36 PM.

Upon leaving executive session at 9:16 PM, a negotiating team is needed for discussions with The Cortina Inn owners. Selectman Hathaway moved to appoint Select Board Chair Mary Ashcroft and Selectman Getty as the negotiating team. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

A police committee will be warned for October 6^th at 11AM to start budget planning.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

__________________ABSENT_____________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

__________________ABSENT_____________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.