Selectboard Minutes 1-28-2025

Selectboard Minutes 1-28-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JANUARY 28^th, 2025

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public participating: Katherine Alvarez Rios

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for January 14^th

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. Added McGovern MHQ as the out of state vendor to the Police discussion. Added that the Board removed the word purchase and inserted replacement in the ballot depreciation questions. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

The articles for The Circle and the Town Report were recently completed.

Attended a regional selectboard meet up hosted by VLCT. Discussed the rising costs for everything, and the possibility of multitown infrastructure.

Discussed the regional dispatch topic. The Regional Planning Commission will help us with a status from the State.

A meeting at the Public Safety Building was held but a key vendor could not attend. The meeting is rescheduled for Friday the 31^st.

Met with Barbara Pulling and Mike Rowe about the Pocket Park.

The latest edition of the Circle is available online.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Katherine Rios read a prepared statement asking about the Towns policy on fair and impartial policing. She encouraged the town to adopt a policy similar to what the City of Burlington has.  Police Chief Ed Dumas said the State Legislature has passed Town a policy all towns had to adopt. The policy is available on the Police Academy website. Selectman Getty asked Ms. Rios to send us a written comment. This will be sent to the Town Administrator, and it will be given to the Board.

Presentation of the final draft of the updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Steffanie Bourque from the Regional Planning Commission and Marty Wasserman, the Town Emergency Management Director reviewed the draft. Both thanked the planning team, which also included Dave Sears and Bill Sweet.

The board has the final draft. Public comments are open now until February 11^th.  Information will be posted online and in the office. The State will review it, and comments are anticipated.

The next meeting will be to close the comment period, make any changes and for the Board to submit it for approval pending adoption.

Reviewed the approval process steps and the reason for having the plan.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided. Also gave breakdowns to show where the majority of calls are received and addressed. Also showed State Police response data. The data will be used to create new patrol schedules.
2. Discussed the purchase of a new cruiser. The bank McGovern MHQ uses in Massachusetts has a high interest rate. After discussion, some local banks will be researched for rates and terms.

Discussed the Public Safety Building

The meeting with the contractor on Friday is for owner training.

Discussed the lighting on the outside over the signs facing west. Some additional lighting may be need to illuminate them correctly.

There are some issues with the installation and operation of the fire pump. These will be discussed with the contractor.

Some work will be done to connect the sewer pumping station to the building generator, separate from this construction project.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Basketball is almost done
2. Discussed the recent meeting about the pocket park.

Discussed the Route 7 South Sewer issue

Selectman Hathaway reviewed the issue after working with a contractor recently.

The contractor tried jetting the line, and the nozzle got stuck. They were able to free it eventually. It appears the pipe is broken in one or more locations. A repair is needed but the best method to do it is unclear.

A meeting with the Town, VTrans and Otter Creek Engineering is needed as soon as possible next week.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. A proposal for reappraisal services was sent to Christie Wright. Once it is received back, the Listers will review it.
2. A contract renewal from CAI mapping was received. This is for updating the town tax maps. It is for $3100 plus $20 for each building added or changed. This is included in the budget and the same amount as last year. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the contract. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Presented an application for a new member, Clyde Pelkey. He is a town resident. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the application. Selectman Getty seconded the motion The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. The new rack for our pickup truck should be here Monday. The vendor is sending someone to switch it. The payment will be given to them once the work is done.
3. Some additional equipment is still needed for the new building. A list was provided but nothing has arrived yet. This includes rolling stairs, an AED, office chairs, filing cabinets and a hazmat cabinet. Discussed the source of the funding. There was approximately $32,000 included in a lump sum approval late last year. Selectman Denardo moved to approve these items with the funds to come from that allocation. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion.
4. Finding appliances for the Emergency Operation Center is proving difficult due to the height of the counter, layout and placement of appliances.
5. Discussed being able to occupy the building if it passes the inspection. We can occupy once we receive the certificate of occupancy. We will notify our insurance carrier before we occupy it. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to make Joe Denardo the new Clerk of the Works for the building. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0. Selectman Denardo abstained.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided an updated sheet for what has been spent on the public safety building through June 30^th The projected total cost is at least $6.6M.
2. Provided a tobacco license renewal request from Sandri Sunoco. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. The deadline for a candidate to be on the ballot was Monday. A draft was sent to the printer.
4. Town Meeting is Tuesday March 4^th. Our meeting will be the night before. A warning will be out soon.
5. Dog registration costs have increased by $2 as of January 1^st. This change was put in place by the State. Discussed the possibility of having a free rabies clinic. No decision was made.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The final application for the recreational trails program grant is almost complete. It could award us up to $50,000. Reviewed the plans for the park area. CEDRR has pledged some funds to support the park as well.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed information from the Vermont Ethics Commission. There are some things which need to be done. An ethic liaison to the State Ethics Commission needs to be appointed. After discussion Selectman Getty moved to authorize Bill Sweet as the ethics liaison. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. A municipal code of ethics needs to be posted along with other documents including a form to submit a complaint. A complaint investigation rule, policy or ordinance must be adopted. There is a large amount of town people who fall under the definition of official. Discussed having a set time to get everyone together to do this. We will reach out to the commission to see if we can certify everyone at the same time.
2. Provided 2024 sewer usage results compared to their allocation. Three properties are over their allocation for last year. Letters were prepared and will be sent to those business to increase their allocation.
3. There is a memorial door going around Rutland County, to honor President Carter. We have a request for it to be brought to Town hall as well. There was no objection.
4. Provided a letter to request reimbursement for Route 7 North sidewalk expenses. The total expense is $14915 with a reimbursement request of $11932 after our match. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
5. The Town report is at the printing company and the proof should be to us soon.

The personnel policy draft has been finalized. Copies will be given to Board members soon.

Read a thank you note from Jim Hall sent to the Town after his retirement.

 

Selectman Denardo moved to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The board entered executive session at 8:12 PM.

 

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

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Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

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Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

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Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

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Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.