Selectboard Minutes 2-1-2022

Publish date: February 3, 2022

Selectboard Minutes 2-1-2022

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

FEBRUARY 1st, 2022

 

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 Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, John Paul Faignant and Don Chioffi
  • Members of the public present Byron Hathaway, Ed Skwira, Dani Bradtmiller, Jim Scholtz, Howard Burgess, Keith Whitcomb, Kirsten Hathaway, Lydia Flynn, Robert Clark, Christina Haskins, Robert Stubbins, Michael Robichaud

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for January 18th:

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

Questions from the Floor / Public Comment:

Byron Hathaway had some questions on the proposed public safety building project. He was concerned about the possibility of unsuitable soils which may exist on site. Selectman Faignant said there is a contingency in the proposed cost to allow for the planned extensive excavation. Soil samples have not been taken from the site.

New Business Board to meet with Christina Haskins from the Dufresne Group to discuss the Route 7 North Sidewalk project:

  1. A map showing the project area and alternatives were made available to board members and a presentation was made at the meeting.
  2. The alternatives were discussed giving an East side and West side option, showing the possible routes and areas where crosswalks would be needed.
  3. Discussed the alternatives of a sidewalk and a shared use path.
  4. A report with all these details will be provided.
  5. Once a preferred alternative is selected, refinement of that alternative and additional information will be produced.
  6. VTrans has given a preference for the project on the West side of Route 7 with a shared use path.
  7. Selectman Faignant moved to approve the shared use path option on the West Side of Route 7. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion.
    1. Selectman Chioffi commented on the lower pedestrian impact using the option of the East side but agrees without VTrans support it would not work.
    2. Selectman Chioffi commented that pedestrian traffic attempting to cross Field Avenue would have a difficult time without some traffic control devices other than stop signs.
    3. Selectman Faignant said he felt the West option was the best option since it was supported by VTrans.
    4. Selectman Denardo commented the West side option is a much safer option.
    5. The city sidewalk connection is across the driveway at the Xfinity building on the West Side. The connection on the East side ends much farther South.
    6. The motion passed 5 – 0.
    7. A final report should be available in early May.

New Business Board to Meet with Robert Clark to discuss the Town Line Road Culvert project

  1. Robert Clark from Otter Creek Engineering reviewed their contract award process.
  2. Based on their review of all documents submitted, Fabian Earth Moving was the low bidder and is the one they are recommending. Their bid was $289,895. A 10% to 15% contingency fund is recommended.
  3. A state grant is expected to provide a large part of the funding of for this project. There is a total of $400,000 in anticipated state funds to be split between the culvert project and the repaving of Town Line Road. The repaving is a separate project not included in the culvert replacement.
  4. The project needs to be completed between June and October. There is a 10-to-12-week lead time on the construction of major project components right now.
  5. To the best knowledge of the board, all of the funds should be available between the current years budget and the next fiscal year budget if it passes as presented.
  6. Selectman Denardo moved to accept the bid from Fabian Earthmoving and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to Discusses the Post Road Water Line Extension Project with Robert Clark

  1. An Engineering Services agreement from Otter Creek Engineering was presented.
  2. The funds for this project would come from the water fund.
  3. It is anticipated the bid process would give the option to extend the line up to Chasanna Drive or all the way to what is deemed the limit of the line.
  4. Otter Creek Engineering would create the bid documents and manage the bid phase process.
  5. The total cost of the proposed agreement is $9500.
  6. Selectman Denardo moved to accept the proposal and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Denardo recommended using both bid and construction phase options. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion.
    1. Selectman Denardo asked if this cost was an estimate or a not-to-exceed amount. Mr. Clark said this can be considered a not-to-exceed amount.
  7. The motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to Review for Approval the Town Tax map maintenance agreement.

  1. Town Lister Howard Burges was present to discuss this.
  2. This is the annual agreement with the mapping vendor and is the same as last year.
  3. The total cost is $2600 for mapping and GIS services.
  4. Selectwoman Russell moved to accept the proposal. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. A public meeting for the pocket park has been scheduled for March 3rd. At the recommendation of the Town Health Officer, the meeting will be advertised as remote only at this time.
  2. The Planning Commission has a sub-committee working on a Energy Plan priority survey to be sent to town residents. There is a draft survey with 20 questions on it so far. The next step would be to meet with the Selectboard Energy Committee and discuss the survey. Selectman Faignant asked for a copy of the draft be sent to the committee members so it can be reviewed. This will be included in the packet for the next Board meeting.
  3. There will be a Commission member, Mary Beth Poli, coming to the next board meeting to discuss her work on the Velemont Trail, which is a project outside of her Planning Commission duties.
    1. She will be making a similar presentation to the Rutland City Board of Alderman at one of their future meetings as well.
    2. The trail is designed for multi-purpose non-motorized uses.
    3. Selectman Chioffi asked what she will be presenting to Rutland City. Ms. Pulling said it is an initial overview and scope of the project.

Walter Tripp and Jason Bathalon Rutland Town Highway Crew:

  1. The new radio systems have been installed and are up and running.
  2. In anticipation of the spring season, some maintenance on equipment has begun.
  3. The salt supply is in good shape and deliveries have not been an issue.
  4. Selectwoman Ashcroft reviewed the Certificate of Highway Mileage. There were no changes from last year. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve it. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
  5. Selectman Denardo said a Highway Committee meeting is needed for next week to discuss paving for this coming season.
  6. There was a suspected water leak at West Proctor Road and Business 4. The source, found by West Rutland, was found to be from a break at the Jens Motel property.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief & Ted Washburn Deputy Police Chief

  1. Recent calls for service were provided and reviewed.
  2. Reviewed the Police Committee minutes from the recent meeting.
  3. Chief Dumas reported on a recent meeting which discussed the funds for a dispatch center expected to be available from the state. Most of the use is intended for hardware acquisition. There is a fair amount of planning to do to get a county dispatch center up and running. Weekly meetings are planned going forward.
  4. Reviewed the discussion of the Driving While Operating a Handheld Electronic Device Ordinance. The committee reviewed it and the original need for the ordinance no longer exists and they are recommending repealing the ordinance. Selectwoman Russell moved to repeal the ordinance. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. There are procedural items which need to happen to make the repeal official and that will be started.
  5. Deputy Chief Washburn is applying for a grant for an additional body camera system, computer and storage totaling nearly $70,000. There would be no match for this grant.
  6. Selectman Chioffi thanked Chief Dumas for his participation in the PegTv segment supporting the new Public Safety Building.

The Board meeting recessed at 7:28 PM and resumed at 7:31 PM.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. The basketball program will be wrapping up soon.
  2. Meetings for the upcoming baseball season are starting now.
  3. The ice rink at school is open and available. There is lighting for use at night.
  4. We are expecting delivery of the water bottle filling station awarded to us in a grant soon.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. Ballots to be able to fill absentee requests will be available soon. Anyone who would like one just needs to contact the office and once they are available, they will be mailed out.
  2. Discussed the Board meeting scheduled for March 1st. This needs to be changed due to the conflict with Town Meeting Day. After some discussion, the meeting will take place at 5PM on February 28th, right before the Town Meeting planned for 7PM. Ms. Clark reminded everyone that with Town Meeting prep, Town Meeting Day prep and Board meeting prep that the 28th will be a busy day in the office.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. The new truck is once again being built. It is expected toward the end of March.
  2. There have been 6 calls for service in the last 2 weeks.
  3. Selectman Chioffi thanked Chief Clark for his participation in the PegTv segment supporting the new Public Safety Building.
  4. Selectman Denardo discussed the extent of the site work which would be needed for the new Public Safety Building and stated the soil in the area needing to be excavated should not be an issue.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard:

  1. Discussed the need for a new back-up date for the 4th for July Fireworks display. Our primary date is Sunday July 3rd and our initial first option of July 4th as the backup date is not available. After some discussion, July 9th will be requested for the back-up date.
  2. The town report proof was sent back to us for approval. There was one minor change needed. Hard copies were received at the office today. They should be delivered to town residents in the next week or so.
  3. The 2021 VLCT Safety Grant reimbursement check was received, and appropriate accounts were credited. The 2022 Application period is open. This year they are reimbursing at 100% instead of 50%. Department heads have been sent information. We need to file 1 application. They can be submitted until October.
  4. All of the Fire Districts who are a part of our insurance policy have sent in their reimbursement to us for the 2022 policy year.
  5. Two items were sent to us from Stantech. First is an agreement for the bi-annual sampling they do at the closed landfill. The second is an agreement to have them do they necessary work to change our landfill sampling requirement from twice a year to once.
    1. If we are to approve and complete the monitoring adjustment paperwork in a timely fashion, we may be able to avoid having to sample twice this year.
    2. Selectman Chioffi moved to authorize Stantech to complete the landfill sampling and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
    3. Selectman Denardo moved to approve Stantech applying for a modification of the sampling schedule and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Liquor licenses were presented for approval.

  1. The application from the 99 Restaurant was reviewed by the Police Department. They had no issue with it. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion the motion passed 5 – 0.
  2. The application from the East Restaurant LLC was reviewed by the Police Department. They had no issue with it. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion the motion passed 5 – 0.
  3. The application from Jolley Associates was reviewed by the Police Department. They had no issue with it. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion the motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to Ratify the mask rule

  1. This is required to be readopted on a 30-day basis.
  2. Town Health Officer and Selectman John Paul Faignant moved to readopt the mask rule. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 1 with Selectman Chioffi voting against the motion.

Selectman Faignant moved to enter executive session for a personnel matter with Kari and Chris Clark attending, and an additional executive session to discuss possible land acquisition. Selectwoman Russell seconded motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The board entered executive session at 8:05 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Chioffi moved to adjourn. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

 
Mary Ashcroft, Chair
 
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
John Paul Faignant
 
Sharon Russell
 
Don Chioffi

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

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