Selectboard Minutes 2-15-2022

Publish date: February 17, 2022

Selectboard Minutes 2-15-2022

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

FEBRUARY 15th, 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 Fred Nicholson, John Gorman, Danielle Bradtmiller, Lydia Flynn, Larry Dell Veneri, Michael Robichaud, Jim Scholtz, Howard Burgess, Kirsten Hathaway, Andy McMillan, Keith Whitcomb, Sherman Hunter, Rob Larson, Dana Peterson, Andres Torizzo

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for February 1st:

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

Questions from the floor, Public Comment:

  • John Gorman, President of the Wynnmere Homeowners Association, was present to discuss with the Board their stormwater management infrastructure, in anticipation of a discussion the Board will have with Andres Torizzo from Watershed Consulting.
    • Mr. Gorman provided the Board members with copies of emails related to the project.
    • Mr. Gorman is questioning the needs for this additional retrofit to their stormwater pond.
    • Mr. Torizzo spoke to the background of why this project was originally implemented, and the need for the retrofit. It is driven by the Town of Rutland being an MS4 community and the Moon Brook being an impaired waterway.
    • The original stormwater permit was issued as part of an Act 250 permit.
    • Mr. Torizzo stated an Act 250 amendment will need to be submitted and having the Town sign it may be a benefit.
    • A meeting is planned for February 17th, with Mr. Torizzo, Barbara Pulling from the Regional Planning Commission and Mr. Gorman attending. It will be to discuss any concerns the residents may have and what remedies may be able to be done. There is a deadline coming soon for filing for the update to this design. The deadline has already been extended once and an additional one is unlikely.
    • There is no action the board will be able to take tonight. This topic will be added to the agenda for February 28th.
    • Rob Larson, who is a developer for the property is present and asked Mr. Torizzo where he expected the water being managed by the pond to originate. Mr. Torizzo said the sources are the same, but the retrofit is necessary due to the design working, but there are changes which will make it more effective.
  • Michael Robichaud, who lives on Post Road, discussed with the board the planned water line extension project.
    • An email was provided to the board members from Mr. Robichaud.
    • He is asking for the town to cover the cost of connecting his house to the new water line if it is installed.
    • Selectwoman Russell moved to send the discussion to the Water and Sewer Committee. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The topic will be added to the committee agenda list.

Walter Tripp and Jason Bathalon Rutland Town Road Crew:

  1. Work has started on compiling a list of streets for this year’s paving project. It was discussed at a recent Highway Committee meeting.
    1. Sufficient funds should be available based on the proposed budget and the carryover balances left.
  2. Discussed the boiler at the Highway Garage. It has been difficult to keep it running this season and many parts have had to be replaced. The committee discussed putting out a request for bids for a replacement heating system.
    1. Reviewed a draft RFP created from the committee meeting conversation.
    2. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the request for bids. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion.
    3. During discussion, it was decided to eliminate the option of installing a new waste oil burner and focus on installing a new furnace which only runs on #2 heating oil.
    4. Selectwoman Russell amended the motion to have the request be limited to a regular oil furnace only. Selectman Faignant seconded the amended motion.
    5. The motion passed 5 – 0.
    6. There is very little waste oil left in the tank so a fuel delivery of #2 oil will likely be needed in the next few weeks.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. A summary of the year-to-date local option sales taxes received was provided to board members. We have received more funds this fiscal year, with one more payment expected, than we anticipated in the budget.
  2. Dog license applications for new or renewed licenses are due by April 1st.
  3. All of the absentee ballot requests have been filled so far. Please contact the office if you would like one. This can be for this election, and the upcoming ones later this year.
  4. Recent BCA meetings have discussed the elections and the reapportionment topic.
  5. Department budget statuses will be reported out at upcoming meetings. In general, the budgets look good.
  6. Town reports are on their way and should be in resident mailboxes soon.
  7. Selectwoman Ashcroft reported on the reapportionment topic from the BCA meeting.
    1. A letter was drafted and sent to the House Governmental Operations Committee this morning saying we wanted to keep Rutland Town as a single member district.
    2. There have been several proposals for changing districts up to and including eliminating Rutland Town individually and splitting it between 2 other districts. Members of the BCA testified at a hearing earlier today making it clear we did not want that proposal.
    3. Selectman Chioffi was thanked for his work in drafting the letter.
  8. Kirsten Hathaway asked a question on the carryover balance for the Highway Fund.
    1. The budgets list a $600,000 amount but previous discussions had said there was only $300,000.
    2. The carryover at the start of the fiscal year was approximately $600,000 but some has been used in this current year to pay for paving.
    3. Selectman Denardo said the carryover balance is correct and the funds are accounted for.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. A sub-committee of the Planning Commission has come up with a survey for residents on energy topics. It was provided to Board members. This is proposed to be sent to town homeowners.
    1. Selectman Chioffi asked what the need for this was.
    2. It comes from the energy section of the adopted Town Plan.
    3. The intention was to have Town residents prioritize the topics where the group should start.
    4. Selectman Chioffi stated he felt this may not be necessary. Selectman Chioffi moved to send this to the Town Energy Committee for further discussion. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
  2. The public meeting for the Pocket Park is planned for March 3rd at 6PM.
    1. It will be a virtual only meeting.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. There have been 4 calls for service in the last 2 weeks.
  2. The Manufacturer for our new truck has told us to plan for a final inspection trip the factory by the end of March.
  3. Selectman Chioffi encouraged Chief Clark to have the members share the video on the new building.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided.
  2. A motel in Rutland City was recently closed by the City Building Inspector. Chief Dumas said this may result in more people being housed at the Cortina Inn in the town.
    1. Additional State services are in place at the Cortina Inn, and they are helping.
    2. The Cortina Inn currently houses more people than any other location in the state.
  3. Discussed the future of dispatching. The State is looking to be done with municipal dispatch services by July of 2024. Alternatives are being aggressively pursued.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. The basketball program ends soon. The K-2 camp runs next week during winter break.
  2. Baseball sign-up forms are available online now.
  3. Work on the Act 250 amendment application is on going and should be ready in a few weeks.
  4. The skating rink at the school is still open. Please check the ice before using it.
  5. Selectwoman Russell thanked Mr. Rowe for his continued effort on making the park what it is.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard:

  1. Rutland City has provided us with sewer usage statistics for 2021. A comparison will be done related to allocations and letters will be available at the next board meeting to review.
  2. Reviewed 2 requests for pricing documents which are a result of the recent Building / Technology Committee meeting.
    1. Reviewed the RFP to update our cleaning services. This expands on some services we need to have done.
      1. Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the RFP. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
    2. Reviewed the RFP for a variety of projects to be completed by an electrician.
      1. Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the RFP. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
    3. Reviewed other topics from the Building / Technology Committee meeting.
      1. The committee is recommending accepting a bid from VT Sealcoat to fill cracks, seal the driveway and repaint the parking lot lines. Their bid was $8040.
        1. Selectman Chioffi moved to accept the bid. Selectwoman Russel seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
      2. Discussed the Town Hall monument project and a plan to install a digital sign board. Both projects would involve large changes to the front area of the building. The tree out front would likely need to be removed. The committee did not have any recommendations to be made. Our town tree warden was not in favor of removing the tree.

Reviewed the discussion on Town cell phone plans.

    1. Phones are provided to the Police, Highway and Rec departments.
    2. There was discussion on reimbursing the Town Fire Chiefs for a portion of their phones plans rather than adding them to the Town plans.
  • The committee is recommending $30 per month per Chief.
  1. Selectman Chioffi is also recommending the same reimbursement being given to Selectboard members.
  2. Selectman Denardo moved to approve a $30 per month per Chief Officer reimbursement toward the use of their personal phones on behalf of the town. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The funds would come from the Telephone line of the Fire Budget. The payout schedule will be determined by the Treasurer.
  3. Selectman Chioffi asked Selectman Denardo why he felt there was a need to reimburse the Fire Chiefs, and not the Selectboard members. Selectman Denardo said he was not sure if there was a need or not but felt there was a need for the Chief Officers.
  • Chief Dumas said it is important for them to have their phones in order to be able to make important contacts during incident if the dispatchers are not able to assist.
  • The motion passed 5 – 0.
  1. Selectman Faignant moved to authorize a reimbursement of $30 per month per Selectboard member for their use of personal phones while conducting Town business. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 1 – 1.
    1. Selectman Faignant, Selectman Denardo and Selectman Chioffi voted for the motion.
    2. Selectwoman Ashcroft voted against the motion.
    3. Selectwoman Russell abstained from the vote.

New Business Board to Introduce Amendments to the Vehicle and Traffic Ordinance

  1. This recommendation comes from the Police Committee.
  2. The amendment clarifies that the traveled portion of Town Roads will include paved portions of the roads.
  3. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the amendments. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
  4. The process for the amendment will now start.

New Business Board to Discuss Repealing the Child Safety Ordinance

  1. Selectwoman Ashcroft did some research into this topic.
  2. The ordinance was adopted in 2009, along with some other municipalities around the state. All the ordinances were very similar.
  3. The intention was to limit where registered sex offenders could live.
  4. There have been some challenges to these ordinances, some of which have gone to the Vermont Supreme Court. When challenged they were found to have exceeded the authority of municipalities.
  5. Based on this, Selectwoman Russell moved to repeal the Child Safety Ordinance from November of 2008. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
  6. The process to repeal the amendment will now start.

New Business Board to Review for Approval Contract with Northstar Fireworks.

  1. The contract presented is based on previous conversations with them.
  2. It specifies the primary date as July 3rd, the rain date of July 9th.
  3. The cost is $10,000.
  4. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the contract and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to Review for Approval the Draft Social Media Policy

  1. The Building / Technology Committee is recommending adopting this policy.
  2. The language comes from a VLCT model policy and has been completed with Town specific information.
  3. Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the policy. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

John Paul Faignant Town Health Officer

  1. The mask order was extended through the end of this month at the last meeting.
  2. The law may sunset to the end of this month which allows the order to be in place.
  3. We should know by the meeting on the 28th.

Reviewed 2 liquor license applications. The first is from Jiffy Mart in Center Rutland. Chief Dumas had no issues with this location. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the request. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

The second request is from Johnny Boys Pancake House on Route 4 East. Chief Dumas had no issues with this location. Selectman Chioffi moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

New Business Board to Meet with Mary Beth Poli to discuss the planned Velemont Trail System

  1. Mary Beth Poli and Andy McMillan were present to give the Board an overview of their project.
  2. This project ties in well with the mountain bike trails planned for Northwood Park.
  3. This is a relatively new project. It would be a multiuse year-round trail system.
  4. The goal is to link communities and recreation destinations by a single trail.
  5. The trail is under construction in Rochester and Pittsfield with more segments shovel ready starting soon.
  6. Additional groups are working on segments in other towns.
  7. Once in place, these trails are expected to bring money into the local economies.
  8. This is a legacy project expected to take up to 10 years to complete and is in its beginning stages.
  9. Discussed future Right-Of-Way acquisitions.
    1. The trail will cross a variety of public and private lands.
    2. Trail routes need to be firmed up in order to know what will be needed.
    3. There is a segment proposed through the Rutland City Forest lands which has run into some challenges, not knowing if permission will be granted for the trial to go through it.
  10. This is not a project being done by the Town Planning Commission.

New Business Board to Discuss what to do with old desks stored from when Town Hall was a school

  1. There are 12 desk units stored downstairs.
  2. The Town school may be interested in them.
  3. If the school is not interested, they will be offered for free to any public entity who would like them.

Discussed the next Board meeting, which will take place on Monday February 28th at 5PM, just before our 7PM Town Meeting. The Board members that presented budgets and topics at the pre-town meeting will present the same topics at the next meeting.  Ms. Clark reminded everyone that all timesheets and invoices must be in by Friday the 25th due to the change in the meeting day.

Selectwoman Russell moved to enter executive session for a personnel matter with Town Clerk and Treasurer Kari Clark attending. Selectman Chioffi seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously. The board entered executive session at 8:10 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectwoman Russell moved to adjourn. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 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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