Selectboard Minutes 11-4-2024

Selectboard Minutes 11-4-2024

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

NOVEMBER 4^th, 2024

 

• 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

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for October 22^nd

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

Update from the Selectboard Chair

Articles for The Circle are due by November 15^th.

Board members should think about what the pay increase should be for this year, going into the budget planning process.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. There are several culvert and drop inlet structures which will need maintenance next year.
2. The manhole in front of Days Inn, which receives waste from the Eco Car Wash, Days Inn and Dennys only had a large amount of debris again. It was cleaned just a few weeks ago. Options will be discussed at the committee meeting next week.
3. Some other maintenance tasks around were recently completed.
4. Presented a VTrans grant reimbursement request for approval. This is for Post Road paving. The total cost was $98026.31. The total reimbursement request is for $78421.04 after our match requirement. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided and reviewed.
2. Discussed the settlement payments from the Cortina Inn. The status of their payment schedule compliance was not available.
3. Selectman Denardo discussed the purchase of the fingerprint machine for the new Public Safety Building.
   1. There was extensive discussion on funding sources, previous discussions at Board and committee meetings.
   2. If approved, the annual maintenance cost would have to be included in the budget.
   3. Discussed how the police would operate with and without this machine available at the new building.
   4. No action was taken.
4. There is a candidate for the open School Resource Officer position. If the process goes well, they could start in early January.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Presented 2 applications for new members. Both have passed background. They are Jacob Stamey, from Center Rutland and Amelio Strangeway from Rutland City. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the applications. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Funding for repaving the Center Rutland fire station should be included in the next budget. Before this is done, an improved drainpipe from the gutters would need to be put in. This will be discussed at the committee meeting.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The next senior luncheon will be November 21^st at the Center Rutland fire station. The Maple Angus will be catering the event.
2. The one after that will be December 17^th at the Town school with the school band.
3. The Halloween party went very well. Over 450 people went through the games.
4. The water is off at the parks for the winter.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Reviewed the process for voting tomorrow.
2. Budget sheets are ready, pending a review by another person in the office.

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

1. Discussed the $4000 estimate received for venting the gear extractor. This was not included in the original contract because it was not known venting would be needed. The gear dryer was ordered, and the vent is already accounted for.  This cost will have to come from the capital improvement fund.
2. Paving should begin this week.
3. Discussed installing a flagpole at the new building. A quote was received for a kit. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway said he would construct and help install the flagpole instead of purchasing one.
4. Discussed the inspection conducted by the State at The Cortina Inn. The outcome is not known, the state has not followed up with us.
5. Discussed a proposed town health ordinance draft. Mr. Faignant will follow up with the town attorney on what direction to go.
6. Discussed posting signs at Northwood Park informing the public there is video surveillance throughout the park. The signs are already available. Mr. Rowe will put them up.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Discussed the village center designation topic. This was reviewed with representatives from the State. A village center designation would be difficult to do in town. This topic will be removed from the agenda unless and until something changes in the future.
2. The grant application for the pocket park is available and is being worked on.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Discussed the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. This meeting was the deadline for any comments.
   1. Discussed the source for some of the public input.
   2. Discussed adding a sediment management plan, specifically for East Creek near East Pittsford Road.
2. Provided a water connection request for approval. This is for a new house planned off Post Road. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. The Chamber of Economic Development of the Rutland Region sent a request for information on high priority projects in town. This list will be used to coordinate future fund needs and possible sources. After discussion, several projects were identified.
   1. ADA upgrades to Town Hall
   2. The remodel of the downstairs at Town Hall.
   3. Planning for a new pool.
   4. The pocket park
   5. A town wide water system study
4. Provided a form to reappoint Marty Wasserman and Bill Sweet to the Rutland Emergency Management Committee. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the appointments and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 .
5. Presented a proposed contract from Repro for printing our town report. There are options for 1, 2 or 3 years. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to approve the contract for a 3-year term of $6150 per year and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Committee meeting updates:

1. The personnel committee met and finished their review of the draft policy. It should be ready soon for the full Board to review.

The Board discussed what percentage to use for employee raises during budget planning. After discussion, a 3% increase will be applied.

Discussed a potential access control policy for Town owned buildings which are not open to the public. This will be discussed at future meetings.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:16 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