Selectboard Minutes 11-18-2025

Selectboard Minutes 11-18-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

NOVEMBER 19^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 present Carol Willis, Lisa Knickerbocker, Chris Howe, Al Maiorino, Shelley Dumas, Keith Whitcomb

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for November 4^th:

Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 – 0. Selectman Getty abstained.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for November 12^th:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 – 0. Selectwoman Russell and Selectman Denardo abstained.

Approval of Orders

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the orders. Selectman Hathawy seconded the motion. The motion carried 5 – 0.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

Thanked Rec Director Mike Rowe for the effort to put on the senior luncheon today.

Chair Ashcroft will be absent from the December 2^nd meeting.

Board to meet with representatives from the Chamber of Economic Development of the Rutland Region

• Olivia Buxbaum and Kaitlyn Gates were present to discuss the organization’s initiatives for the area.
• Discussed the Real Rutland initiative. 37 families have relocated to the Town since the effort began in 2021.
• New programs are being developed to engage people in the community.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The Commission finalized their budget request at the last meeting.
2. The sub-division by law review is nearly done and a draft should be ready to send to Kevin Brown soon.
3. Discussed the Pocket Park. People interested in volunteering to help work on the park should reach out to the Rec Director.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Discussed an on going issue with beavers on the West end of Post Road. Some additional measures are being taken to ensure the culverts remain open and flowing.
2. The department went out for its first winter road maintenance of the season recently.
3. The guard rails on Town Line Road and Simons Avenue have both been repaired.
4. Discussed an issue on Town Line Road with 2 residents. Carol Willis, one of the residents, was present. Commissioner Sears gave the full Board an overview of the issue going back several years. The Highway Committee met recently and discussed it. A letter was sent to both of the owners ordering the signs they installed to be removed, and the Town will be installing 2 address number signs. Selectman Denardo moved to purchase the 2 signs and installed them on a post in the Town right of way. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried 5 – 0.
5. Reviewed the south end sewer replacement project. It is nearly done. It was found recently the car wash is still allowing debris to get past their screens.
6. Discussed some of the larger items requested in the budget planning for FY 27.
7. Discussed the issue with tractor used to plow sidewalks. It is still out of service due to an issue with the engine. There was extensive discussion, and no action was taken.
8. Discussed the Post Road sidewalk grant. The sidewalk as it is installed, is out of spec. This made us ineligible for reimbursement from the State. The grant is closed now. There is an issue with people parking on the sidewalk, either during car pick up and drop off times or during school events. This makes it very difficult for people to actually walk on it. A variety of remedies were discussed. No action was taken.
9. Discussed the addition of weather stations around town, their functionality and benefits.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Followed up on a grant for wildland fire gear. The amount rewarded was well less than what we applied for.
2. The annual GE Toys for Tots parade is December 18^th.
3. The department has been taking advantage of an opportunity to train at the old CSJ dorms before they are torn down.
4. Met with representatives from the Walmart project. It went very well.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Progress is being made to get a portion of funds from forfeitures.
2. The department has had issues with the copier. When the contract ends, they want to move to symquest to align with all the other units.
3. Discussed augmenting patrols on the south end of the Town to support retailers. It would be one officer at a time, and they would be paid from the Cortina settlement fund. A police committee meeting is needed, and this could be discussed then. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to allow Chief Dumas to approve directed patrols through Christmas with the expenses to come from the Cortina fund. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion was amended to give the Police Committee authority to make a decision after meeting. Selectman Denardo seconded the amended motion. The motion carried 5 – 0.
4. Discussed complaints given to Board members about speeding on Town Line Road and Post Road.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Over 40 people attended the senior luncheon today. The next one is December 16^th at the Town school.
2. The new background check process is going well.
3. Met with another vendor to discuss replacing the pool. A design is needed to be able to move forward.
4. Discussed the dates for the next Town Wide Celebration. August 22^nd is the last day of the pool for the season. Commissioner Rowe suggested the week before on the 15^th or 16^th. There may be an opportunity to get a vendor with carnival rides this year. It should be coordinated to avoid the Vermont State Fair and the Brandon event. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to schedule Town Wide Celebration for Sunday August 16^th Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The latest budget sheets were reviewed.
2. Provided a summary of the local option taxes received with the latest installment included. This latest payment includes the increased amount given back to the town from the state.
3. Discussed the upcoming changes in the office, with Susan leaving at the end of the year.
4. Discussed the request to increase the pay for Deb Hall from $21 to $26 per hour effective January 1^st. Discussed how to plan the budget and staffing going forward. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the increase for Deb Hall. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried 5 – 0.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed the new opt-out policy and opt-out form. After review, a sentence needs to be added. Once it is, this will be added to the current personnel policy.
2. Met recently with Rob Larson, representing the Carmel Place development. There are 2 addresses which need to be changed now, but almost all of them are incorrect. Mr. Larson indicated he may want to change them all at once. No final decision has been made yet.
3. Most departments included inside the general budget have given their budget requests back. Only a couple are outstanding.

Selectwoman Russell moved to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(3). Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously and the Board entered executive session at 8:22PM.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:06PM, with no action being taken.

A dog bite complaint was given to the Board. This will be forwarded to the Town Health Officer / 2^nd Constable as has been done in the past.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 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.