Selectboard Minutes 2-24-2026

Selectboard Minutes 2-24-2026

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

FEBRUARY 24^th, 2026

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
• Members of the public present Joshua Lemieux

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for February 10^th:

Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. A clerical change was made to the minutes. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectwoman Russell abstained.

Approval of Orders

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the orders. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

We received feedback from T-Mobile on our grant application for construction money to support the pocket park work. Our application was not selected for funding.

Ted Washburn Rutland Town Deputy Police Chief:

1. The applicant who was offered the job for the new officer position has accepted the background packet. Once it is returned the background check can be started.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Winter sports are still on going. The ice-skating rink is still being used.
2. Baseball clinics will be starting soon indoors.
3. Thanked everyone involved in the senior grab and go lunches. They have been very successful and appreciated. The next full senior luncheon is March 24^th at the Center Rutland Fire Station.
4. Asked for an executive session to discuss a personnel issue at the end of the meeting.
5. Discussed collaborating different events with the Town and the City. Fireworks, Friday Night Live type events and others. The City Rec director will discuss this with Mr. Rowe.
6. Discussed the annual fireworks display. The quote received for this year, for the same show as last year, is $20,000. Discussed giving a contribution toward fireworks in the City. Selectman Denardo moved to contribute $500 towards the fireworks. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Selectman Denardo moved to reject the quote from the fireworks vendor. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Met with the rep from VLCT at the new public safety building. There are some items he flagged for follow up.
2. Shoveled hydrants around town recently. Asked snowplow operators to keep them in mind when they pile snow. Several were buried.
3. Discussed using the VLCT grant opportunity to purchase a camera system for the Center Rutland Fire station. This building does not have one at all. The Board was in favor of it.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. The sidewalk tractor should have been returned today. If it is back they will get it out to the sidewalks as soon as they can.
2. Snowplow contractors are at 44 callouts.
3. We have about 100 tons of salt left with no deliveries expected.
4. Provided some documents for the Board to sign.
   1. The VTrans financial plan – Selectman Denardo moved to approve it. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
   2. City of Rutland hydrant maintenance agreement – This reflects all the changes we asked for, and the cost is now $50 per inspection trip. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve it and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
   3. Updated documents from Otter Creek Engineering for the Stratton Road culvert project. They are the same as ones previously approved and only need to be updated for the date. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the documents and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Reviewed the recent highway committee meeting and the request from Fire District #5 to connect to municipal water. No action is needed from the board at this time.
6. Reviewed the reimbursement request for expenses related to the Route 7 North sidewalk. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request for reimbursement and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Reviewed a request to increase the sewer discharge allocation for the Eco Car Wash. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the request for an increase in the allocation of 5286 gallons per day. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Discussed the covered bridge the town owns and if the Board was interested in pursuing funding to help restore and relocate the bridge to Northwood Park. The Board is in favor of getting grant funding for it.
9. Discussed the class 4 section of Quarterline Road. The State has reached out to us regarding the classification history of these sections. Neither they nor the Town have specific documentation regarding when and how it was done. Discussed the options for what sections are affected and their possible designations. No action was taken
10. Discussed lowering the speed limit on the section of McKinley Avenue west of the intersection of North Grove Street. After discussion this will be brought up at the next Board meeting.
11. There was an accident recently where a town snowplow backed into the corner of the public safety building. There is damage to the building siding and insulation. A claim will be started with our insurance company.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Discussed the meetings recently held regarding the pocket park, with our engineer and indigenous tribe leaders.
   1. Otter Creek Engineering met with us and reviewed our plan and will be creating a concept plan to guide the work planned. Without the grant award, town funds will need to be used.
   2. Reviewed the meeting with the tribal leaders. They had some great ideas for input on the signs.
2. The next Planning Commission meeting will be with the lawyer for the Walmart project to discuss their Act 250 permit.
3. Future meetings will be focused on gathering input for historical information for the pocket park kiosk.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided a liquor license renewal request for approval for the East Asian Restaurant. The police have no issue with it. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the request. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Reminder of town meeting election day coming up. There have been a lot of absentee ballot requests. The clerk’s office will be closed for business on March 3^rd.
3. Dog license renewals are due by April 1^st.

Reviewed a municipal resolution sent to us by the Regional Planning Commission. It doesn’t apply to the town because we don’t meet the requirements to request a tier 1B designation.

Reviewed a bid request for a multiyear award for lawn care and maintenance at 4 town properties. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the bid request with the dates corrected as needed. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter with Rec Director Mike Rowe participating. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The Board entered executive session at 7:29 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

________________ABSENT______________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.