Selectboard Minutes 1-3-2023

Selectboard Minutes 1-3-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JANUARY 3^rd, 2023

 

This meeting had a virtual attendance option available for anyone to join.

• Meeting opened at 5:00 P.M.
• Board members present Don Chioffi, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
• Members of the public present Keith Whitcomb, Howard Burgess, Robyn Sweet, Ann Scholtz, Shelley Dumas

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to enter executive session to receive legal advice from the Town Attorney, discuss contract information and a personnel issue / department operation. Selectman Hathaway seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously. The board entered executive session at 5:05 PM.

Upon leaving executive session at 6:21 PM, with no action being taken, the public meeting resumed with the pledge of allegiance.

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for December 20th:

Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. Chairman Chioffi asked for his response to ruling a motion out of order be included verbatim. After discussion, the motion was tabled until a new draft, with this included, can be reviewed.

Announcements

Articles for the next edition of The Circle are due February 1^st.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Fred Nicholson, Town Tree Warden was present to discuss a project GMP is doing on Town owned land. Mr. Nicholson had not heard from them on this project. Some issues with the project were discussed. The tree cutting has started but is not complete. The tree cutting is in anticipation of work to replace the pen stock water line. Some of the project area is on school land and they need to be included. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to direct the Tree Warden to check with Act 250 to see if a permit is required, draft a proposed agreement for the tree cutting, including addressing a property line monument which needs to be replaced, acquire a certificate of insurance naming the town, and be in touch with the School Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The basketball program has started this week.
2. The ice-skating rink has been challenged by the weather recently.
3. Reminded people who use the walking trails at Northwood to clean up after their dogs. This is a requirement of using the park.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. There were 2 trucks in the recent Casella parade. Members spent quite a while preparing the trucks for this event.
2. There were 189 calls for 2022 which was just under the 2021 total.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Reported on the clean-up efforts from the recent storms. There were no big challenges.
2. Work continues on the shared use path as the weather permits.
3. The salt shed is full again. The last 2 storms used approximately 200 tons.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Reminder of the January 10^th tax payment deadline.
2. Dog license registration has begun and is due by April 1^st.
3. Election day is Tuesday March 7^th. A petition sign by 5% of registered town voters is required by January 19^th to have an article included on the ballot.
4. Petitions for individuals running for office need to be in by January 30^th.
5. The new employee for the office will be starting soon.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The energy survey is complete, and the responses are being analyzed. The energy committee will review them.
2. Work continues on agreements for the Pocket Park, construction phases and coordination with interested parties.
3. Reviewed a new state program to help drive energy efficiency. This is a multi-year project with some surveys needing to be done first.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided along with a 2022 summary.
2. 2 quotes have been received for a new police cruiser to replace the vehicle the Chief uses.
   1. Springfield Dodge quoted $46,547, with $12,500 for a trade in value.
   2. Goss Dodge quoted $47,415. A trade in value would not be given until the vehicle was traded in.
   3. After some discussion, the Board asked for 1 additional quote.

Mike Delehanty Town 1^st Constable

1. There are plans to increase patrols in neighborhoods this coming year.
2. The effort on the South end of Town has been worth the work.

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

1. Provided a request to bid document for approval to allow the new Public Safety Building project to go out to bid. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the document. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. There was extensive discussion about the availability of project information and documents. The motion passed with Selectwoman Ashcroft, Selectwoman Russell, and Chairman Chioffi voting in favor of the motion. Selectman Hathaway voted against the motion.
2. Two permit applications, one for water supply and one for wastewater for the building were provided. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the applications and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

New Business Board to review for approval water connection request, and sewer allocation requests for the Eco Car Wash

1. Aaron Vincelette, Stephen Diglio, and Toni Baitz were present for the discussion.
2. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the water connection and sewer allocation request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion.
3. The representatives present provided some information on the project.
4. The motion passed 3 – 0.

New Business Board to meet with Ken Watson, new Rutland Free Library trustee for Rutland Town

1. Barry Cohen, President of the Rutland Free Library was present to introduce Mr. Watson.
2. The Board heard from Mr. Watson his goals for being on the Library Board. Chairman Chioffi encouraged Mr. Watson to meet with the Selectboard on a regular basis.

Jim Scholtz Town Delinquent Tax Collector

1. Discussed the future of the position with his pending resignation. A formal resignation letter was given to Board members.
2. A personnel committee meeting would be helpful to discuss.
3. A meeting will be warned for Wednesday January 11^th at 9AM.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Information to be included in the Town report needs to be in soon. Work to assemble the draft will start the end of this week.
2. Invest EAP, which offers free employee benefits, is coming to give information to our employees. They are coming on January 17^th at 9AM. Any town employee is eligible.
3. Discussed the delivery of packets and calendar reminders. Packets could be delivered electronically. No changes to the process will be made yet.
4. Pre-Town meeting is planned for Monday January 23^rd at 6PM at the Town School.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

Don Chioffi, Chair

ABSENT

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

Mary Ashcroft

Sharon Russell

Kurt Hathaway

 

Center Rutland, VT.