Selectboard Minutes 3-11-2025

Selectboard Minutes 3-11-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MARCH 11^th, 2025

 

• 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 present Lisa Knickerbocker and Robyn Sweet

Town Clerk Kari Clark opened the meeting to accept nominations for Board Chair.

Selectwoman Russell nominated Mary Ashcroft for Board Chair. Selectman Denardo seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. There was a unanimous vote for Mary Ashcroft as Chair.

Selectwoman Russell nominated Selectman Denardo for Board Clerk. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. There was a unanimous vote for Joe Denardo as Board Clerk.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for February 25^th:

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

Approval of Orders

The Board reviewed the orders.  Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the orders. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

Congratulated Selectwoman Russell and Selectman Denardo on winning the seat on the Board and thanked everyone who ran. Congratulated Cathy Kapitanski on winning her election as Town Lister. Thanked the voters for approving the town budgets.

Circle articles are due by March 15^th.

Thanked Kari, her staff, and the ballot clerks for a smooth-running election.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. The election went well. Over 900 people voted.
2. Provided an application from Midway Oil on Route 4 East for a 2^nd class liquor license, a tobacco license, and a tobacco substitute endorsement. The Police have no issues. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve them. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. The bond back requires a status for our public safety building bond. An audit and post issuance compliance report are due. They also ask if the project is substantially complete. There is a form to complete if it is. After discussion, this will be added to the next agenda.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Discussed the purchase of a new police cruiser. The Police Committee met recently to discuss this. The committee is recommending the purchase of the cruiser for $72,819.61 with the funds to come from the Cortina fund. Discussed leasing as an option, which may be used in the future. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the purchase of the new cruiser for $72,819.61 with the funds to come from the Cortina fund and to authorize the Chair to sign the quote on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
2. Discussed the purchase of new firearms topic from the committee meeting. Reviewed the issue. No action was taken.
3. Recent calls for service were discussed.
4. A sign directing public to the PD entrance is needed at the new building, as well as an informational sign on Route 7N.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The basketball teams are playing in a tournament this week. The boys are in the semi finals and the girls were eliminated last night.
2. There will be a senior luncheon at the Center Rutland fire station on March 27^th. This is the first of the new year.
3. Discussed the sand and ballast at the pool. It is due to be replaced. The total cost is approximately $13,000 and would come from the depreciation account. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the request. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
4. Baseball signups are open now and practice is expected to start the first week of April.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Paving and structures grants were recently submitted to the State.
2. The salt budget is over by about $75,000 so far. They are taking measures to conserve salt as much as possible.
3. Vehicle maintenance is over by approximately $16,000 due to a variety of issues.
4. Working on a project to move liquid tanks out of the salt shed and placing them next to the wall. This will require some minor building work. Contacted the local Act 250 office and were told no permit will be needed from them.
5. The budget overages will be able to be covered by the carryover funds.
6. Discussed the need for a larger salt shed. There are some federal grant programs, but the additional requirements do not make it a good option. This will be discussed at a future Highway meeting.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. There has been some recent trainings, which are mandated by the State.
2. The RFP for reappraisal will be sent out soon.
3. There is some proposed legislation which may require each type of property classification to be taxed at individual rates.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. The department is moved in and getting everything situated.
2. The sprinkler pump is installed but not connected yet.
3. The outside lights are on a timer, but the breaker is tripping so they are not coming on. The breakers for the PD fridge, the dishwasher, and the connections for the trucks are also tripping. The electrician is aware and will address it.
4. Any work by the Fire District in Center Rutland will not affect the station parking lot so it can be paved and not be dug up later.

Joe Denardo Public Safety Building Clerk

1. A discussion with VMS Construction is needed to address the concerns which have been brought up, as well as the issue with the sprinkler system controls not being tied to the generator.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed a fee schedule published by the Vermont Secretary of State. Discussed adding charges which would be related to reproducing police reports. The police currently charge $42 per report. Some additions to the fee schedule need to be made, and decisions on options in the policy need to be made as well. This will be added to the next meeting agenda.
2. Reviewed the draft of the balanced budget policy. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to adopt the policy, removing the line-item transfer section in its entirety. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
3. Reviewed the draft Alarm policy. The Police Chiefs are going to review it and see if anything related to their department needs to be updated.
4. Reviewed the updated Private Fire Hydrant Ordinance. The Fire Committee and Chiefs have reviewed it. After discussion, Selectman Denardo moved to adopt the updated Private Fire Hydrant ordinance. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. After discussion, a section will be added requiring owners to maintain clearance around their hydrants free from snow and debris. The motion passed 5 – 0.
5. Reviewed the updated list of town officials. There are several vacancies. Updated the list, this will continue at future meetings.
6. Reviewed Selectboard committee assignments. Board members will consider this and review it at the next meeting.
7. Reviewed a letter received from JoAnn regarding the closing of the store.
8. Reviewed the summary from the Route 4 speed reduction meeting Selectman Denardo recently attended. Discussed sending a letter from each to the State regarding lowering the speed limits. Bullets points from the regional Planning Commission are needed.
9. Provided a draft purchasing policy, the recent depreciation account approvals were added. Discussed increasing the purchasing amount thresholds in the various categories. The preferred vendor list needs to be reviewed and updated. Reference to state contract pricing needs to be added to the policy.
10. The old metal folding chairs have all been donated to MSJ and they are very thankful.
11. Discussed the EV charging stations purchased for the Public Safety Building which were not used on the project. Discussed what to do with them. Bill will talk with some people to see what options exist for selling them.
12. Discussed the due date for the Town scholarship applications. The current due date is April 25^th, which is the end of school vacation. RHS needs the results by May 16^th. After discussion, the due date will be changed to May 2^nd.
13. Discussed the progress in registering Short-Term Rentals in town. We are still receiving registrations. The company contracted to identify them has been very helpful.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 and the Board entered executive session at 8:24 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0 . The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

_______________________________________________

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.