Selectboard Minutes 1-13-2026

Selectboard Minutes 1-13-2026

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL  181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JANUARY 13^th, 2026

 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 Shelley Dumas, Andrew Silber, Dan Alcorn

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for December 30^th:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0.

Approval of Orders

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the orders. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. Verified payments for the south end sewer project are being paid from the sewer account. The motion carried 4 – 0.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

Reminder articles for the Circle are due by January 15^th. Department heads are encouraged to get articles in.

Attended a virtual meeting this morning with FEMA to review updates to the flood hazard mapping.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief and Ted Washburn Rutland Town Deputy Police Chief:

1. A summary of calls for December and 2025 was provided and reviewed.
2. Discussed the types of calls, their meaning, and possible outcomes.
3. A Police Committee meeting is needed to discuss the replacement of the next cruiser.

Dan Alcorn was present to discuss being appointed as the Town Moderator. The Board discussed with Mr. Alcorn the meetings he would need to moderate. Mr. Alcorn reviewed his experience related to this position. Mr. Alcorn would run for the position in the coming election. Selectman Getty moved to appoint Mr. Alcorn as Town Moderator. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. The annual meeting of the Fire Department was held last week. There was one change in officers, Andrew Maclaclan was elected as Captain for the Center Rutland Station.
2. There have been a few calls to the Cortina Inn in the past several weeks, mainly due to lack of building maintenance. The sprinkler has broken in several locations. The State Division of Fire Safety has been notified of the calls. Discussed notifying the State each time there is a call there. An email will be sent on behalf of the Town each time.
3. Reviewed the language for the ballot question to increase the Fire Department depreciation amount. There were no changes made.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The skating rink is being used.
2. Basketball is going well.
3. The first grab and go senior lunch was today. Over 40 meals were handed out. Everyone was very thankful.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. There have been 27 contractor calls. Some of the storms have been taken care of in house to keep their number down.
2. Between salt and liquid, deicer is about $3900 over budget for the year.
3. The engine for the tractor has been ordered. There is no ETA.
4. Provided the annual town mileage sheet. After review, Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the form. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. A committee meeting is needed to discuss the request from Fire District 5 for a water connection.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The work on the new subdivision bylaw was finished last week, and it was sent to the Town Attorney. When it comes back, a written report from the Planning Commission to the Selectboard will be drafted. The Selectboard will need to have at least one public hearing.
2. Discussed the progress on the pocket park project. Invitations have been sent to indigenous tribes to attend a meeting to get their input on this project, and what they would like included in the informational kiosk.
3. Discussed the upcoming meeting with the attorney for the Walmart project.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Reviewed the state equalization results which were just received. Our reappraisal has been pushed out to 2031.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided a second-class liquor license, a tobacco license, and a tobacco substitute license for approval . They are for the gas station at 151 Business Route 4 in Center Rutland. The Police have no issues with them. Selectman Getty moved to approve the licenses. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. The second tax installment was due recently. A report on how much was received will be ready for the next meeting.
3. Candidates running for office need to have their petitions in by the 26^th. Articles for the ballot are due by the 16^th.
4. There will be a Board of Civil Authority meeting in the next few weeks to discuss election planning.
5. Board Chair Ashcroft requested financial reporting for the next meeting since we are at the mid-point of the fiscal year.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed the ballot language for the Highway Department request for a new excavator.
2. Work to complete the Town Report is coming along well. There are a few reports still needed. It is due to the printer next week.
3. There was a recent grant opportunity from AARP which could fund crosswalk lights for the crosswalk at Town Hall. We submitted an application today.
4. An Act 250 municipal impact questionnaire for a project at the Fortress of Fun was received. This will be sent out for review by the departments.
5. Attended a meeting recently at the Regional Planning Commission. There was an extensive discussion on funding opportunities from the state. There is $200M a year available to fund projects. Discussed what projects could be done in town.
6. Reviewed some pending changes to E-911 addresses on Carmel Place. Almost all of the numbers assigned were found to be wrong. Due to the pending sale of a unit, and with the cooperation of the HOA, all of the addresses will be changed in early April.
7. Heather Lane was changed to Crossman Drive Extension last week.
8. Diamond Run Mall Place will be changed to Diamond Run Place.

Reviewed the Selectboard project list. The shared use path is done and can come off the list.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Board entered executive session at 7:44 PM. Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

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Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

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Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

________________ABSENT______________________
Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

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Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.