Selectboard Minutes 12-17-2024

Selectboard Minutes 12-17-2024

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

DECEMBER 17^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
• Members of the public participating Jim Dick

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for December 3^rd:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for December 10^th:

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

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Jim Dick, representing Fire District 6 which is Sunset Drive and Victoria Drive was present seeking permission from the Board to contact VLCT for an insurance quote under our policy. This relationship exists with other fire districts in town. They would be responsible for reimbursing the town as the others do. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to allow them to discuss being covered by VLCT with this arrangement. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0. Selectman Getty abstained from the vote.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Some members participated in the GE toy parade earlier today. It is a great event.
2. The new dryer is expected to be delivered soon. The vent work is done.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. The crew has gone out 6 times for winter maintenance so far.
2. Discussed the work on the south end sewer. Some contractors, Belden and A-1 have been scheduled for Thursday to be able to dig up the west end of the line and replace some elbows. This is the first step in fixing the issues there. Commissioner Sears is asking the Board for permission to go forward with this work. The estimated cost for the project is between $5000 and $7000. The water and sewer account will cover the costs. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the plan as presented by Commissioner Sears. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. Reviewed topics from the recent Highway Committee meeting. No action is needed

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. The police portion of the new building was audited today for NCIC. There are few minor things needed.
2. An issue with locks for the sally port has been resolved by rearranging some doors.
3. The missing title for the 2014 Charger has been received and it is clear.
4. A quote for a new cruiser is being worked on. Deputy Chief Washburn and Officer Plakas are working on a vehicle replacement schedule. A police committee meeting would be needed to review it all.
5. Requested authorization to sign the purchase agreement for the Afis fingerprint machine. The purchase was previously approved by the Board. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to authorize Chief Dumas to sign the purchase agreement. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5- 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Presented a liquor license and a tobacco license request for 151 Business Route 4. The police have no issues. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the licenses. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Discussed the deadlines for the Town meeting ballot. Petitions for ballot articles are due by January 16^th. January 27^th is the last day for candidates to file their paperwork to run for office.
3. The next installment of taxes is due by January 10^th.
4. Dog licenses can be renewed starting January 2^nd and must be done by April 1^st.
5. Asked the Board who will be responsible to code bills for the Public Safety Building for expenses that are is the general budget. After discussion, Bill will work the Fire and Police Chiefs on theses expenses to ensure they are coded accurately.
6. Discussed the date for pre-town meeting. It will be January 14^th. After discussion, the Selectboard meeting will be January 14^th starting at 530PM. Pre-town meeting to start at 7PM.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The Senior luncheon was earlier today. It was well attended by about 50 people. The next event will be in the spring.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. We were invited to submit a full application for the grant to support creating the pocket park. It will be due at the end of January. Discussed some of the details of the application.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Information on installing the software used by Gail Gantick has been received and installed on the Listers computers. There are some additional steps still needing to be done. A meeting with the vendor is planned for Wednesday morning.
2. Discussed adjusting the pay rates for the Listers going forward. Selectwoman Russell moved to go into executive session to discuss individual lister pay rate changes, with head Lister Marcia Chioffi attending. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The Board entered executive session at 7:03PM. Upon leaving executive session at 7:37PM Selectman Denardo moved to modify the hourly rate of Lister position number 1 to $30 per hour, Lister position number 2 to $24 per hour, and Lister position number 3 to $20 per hour effective January 1^st, 2025. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The 3% increase will be applied to these rates July 1^st, 2025. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. Discussed using hired Assessors instead of elected Listers. There are several towns around us who do. We would need one who understands business personal property. There was extensive discussion on the topic. No action was taken.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. A letter was received from a resident expressing concern about a new house being built and the possible impact on her well. After discussion, a letter will be sent to her addressing her concerns and providing contact information for the State agencies in charge of this process.
2. Discussed creating an ordinance for excavating in the Town right of way. A recent scenario, where a town road was being dug up was discovered. Neither the contractor nor the property owner notified the Town about this. After discussion, this will be part of a future Highway Committee meeting. Discussed sending a letter to the fire districts in town reminding them of the requirement to obtain a permit prior to digging. A letter will be drafted. Additionally, we will request updated contact information for their fire district.
3. Short-term rental registrations are coming in. Inspections done by the State have revealed several issues. One owner, who has 2 properties, had 21 violations between the 2. He is working to get them all resolved. Some of these violations prohibit occupancy until they are fixed.
4. The grant we applied for to fund energy-efficiency upgrades in town was not accepted.

Discussed the meeting with the auditor and the draft budget. Copies of the audit will be available for the Board members for the next meeting. Discussed the long-term liabilities, their due dates and amounts needed to cover payments. These payments are not part of the budgeting process but are included in the tax rate.

Discussed the School Resource Officer reimbursement and the $150,000 offset for the Police budget. It may not have been included correctly in the amount to be raised by taxes.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 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.