Selectboard Minutes 1-31-2023

Publish date: February 1, 2023

Selectboard Minutes 1-31-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JANUARY 31st, 2023

 

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

  • Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
  • Board members present Don Chioffi, Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
  • Members of the public present Shelley Dumas, Chris Howland, Robyn Sweet, Karl Ronn, Lisa Sears, Jim Scholtz, Larry Dell Veneri

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for January 17th:

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. Chairman Chioffi suggested an addition to his comments. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes as amended.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for January 23rd:

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Announcements

Selectwoman Russell encouraged residents to keep an eye on their property after a recent experience at her own house.

Selectwoman Ashcroft reminded everyone articles for the next edition of The Circle are due by February 1st.

Chairman Chioffi thanked Susan McGee, Assistant Town Clerk and Treasurer for her work to put the meeting materials together while being short staffed in the office.

Chairman Chioffi gave an update on dispatch services. The State is still working on the issue but there will be at least 2 years notice before a funding structure will need to be put in place.

 

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Karl Ronn, representing a group from the Carmel Place Home Owners Association was present to discuss a request from their road committee. They would like to have the Town take over their road. The group is aware of the Town Ordinance and is reviewing the list of items required by it to see what they have.  The group will put together the package of information they have, based on the requirements listed in the ordinance, and then a follow up meeting will be scheduled.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. A vendor has 2, 5-ton trucks available for the amount of money the Board had previously allocated for a vehicle purchase. These bigger trucks will allow the plow routes to be done much more efficiently. After some discussion, Commissioner Sears will see if he can get additional prices from other vendors to satisfy the purchasing policy.
  2. With the recent storms, the total callouts for the contractors are at 25.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. There have been 8 calls for service in the last 2 weeks, 15 for the month.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. A subdivision request off Route 4 East was approved at the last meeting.
  2. Work is continuing on updating the subdivision ordinance.
  3. We are still waiting on GMP to sign the proposed MOU.
  4. The joint energy committee meeting will be February 7th.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. The final checks of the petitions for valid signatures are almost done.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided.
  2. A third quote for a new cruiser was received. They are:
    1. Goss Dodge $47,415.26
    2. McGee Dodge $46,547
    3. Lundgren Dodge $41,522
    4. Selectwoman Russell moved to accept the bid from Lundgren Dodge in Rutland. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. The funds will be taken from the money received in the settlement with The Cortina Inn.
  3. Discussed the changes needed to the Town Personnel Policy to accommodate Police specific needs. The personnel Committee will take this up.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

  1. Provided an agreement with CAI for our annual tax map updates. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the contract, with the deletion of the language regarding including building footprints, and the associated cost to do so. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
  2. Provided an updated agreement from Stantech for landfill monitoring. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the agreement with the addition of language specifying water sampling would occur once per year, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
  3. Provided a proposal from CAI for putting our lister card database online. The funds are in the proposed budget. Discussed the performance of this vendor with Town Lister Marcia Chioffi. There performance has been excellent. No action was taken on the agreement tonight. Discussed adding CAI as a preferred vendor for their track record of work. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved approve CAI as a preferred vendor. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.
  4. We received a request from Fire District #6 to add them to our VLCT insurance policy. After discussion, we will contact VLCT to make them aware of the request so they can be in touch with the Fire District.
  5. Provided some guidance information from VLCT on best practices for using executive sessions.
  6. Provided information from The Carving Studio. They are asking if we are interested in learning more about their project and receiving a stone carved bench. They will be invited to a future meeting.
  7. The Town Report has been submitted to the printer. We should be receiving the proof to approve this week.
  8. Discussed how to handle damage to mailboxes. The Highway page on our website has links to our mailbox damage policy and the form to submit information if damage occurs.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to table the draft signs on town owned land policy. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

After discussion, Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to remove from the table, the draft signs on town owned land policy. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to not approve the draft policy for signs on town owned land. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Discussed Old Business item of the update to the Permit Tracking Ordinance. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to send this back to the Planning Commission. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. There are concerns around agriculture use restrictions.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to enter executive session to discusses pending litigation and advice of counsel pursuant to 1 VSA 313(a)(1). Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. The Board entered executive session at 7:29 PM.

Upon leaving executive session at 7:41 PM. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to, based on discussion and mutual understanding, accept from Days Inn a check for $4070 for the month of December, and $7200 for the month of January, to cover additional policing expenses related to cold weather housing. We will accept 2 additional checks for $7200 each for the month of February and the month of March. This will be the end of the use of this facility for housing the homeless population. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

 
Don Chioffi, Chair
 

ABSENT
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
Mary Ashcroft
 
Sharon Russell
 
Kurt Hathaway

 

Center Rutland, VT.

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