Selectboard Minutes 4-21-2026

Publish date: April 22, 2026

Selectboard Minutes 4-21-2026

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

APRIL 21st, 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 Don Chioffi

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for April 7th:

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectwoman Russell did not vote.

Approval of Orders

Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the orders. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 – 0.  Selectwoman Russell did not vote.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

There is an intermunicipal committee meeting this Thursday to discuss events for the 250th anniversary. It is at 530PM at City Hall.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

Don Chioffi was present to discuss the action the Board took to reduce the speed limit on section of McKinley Avenue west of the intersection with North Grove Street from 35 MPH to 25 MPH. Mr. Chioffi spoke about his objection to the change. Selectman Denardo spoke about his reasons for making the motion for the change.  No action was taken.

Ted Washburn Rutland Town Police Chief and Jimmy Plakas Rutland Town Police Officer

  1. Officer Plakas will be attending the next Board meeting in place of Chief Washburn.
  2. The candidate which initially applied for our open officer position has withdrawn their application. Applications will be accepted again, until the position is filled.
  3. Discussed the deferred compensation benefit which was brought to the Board in 2020. After some research was done it was found the paperwork was submitted but no one knew they could sign up. The original vendor, Prudential, has merged with a new one, EmPower. All employees are eligible and there is no cost to the Town. A rep from EmPower will be coming down to talk to any employees who are interested.
  4. During a police training exercise at the old Diamond Run Mall site, they discovered a pool in the JC Penney loading dock with a large quantity of fish. All the fish have since been removed. There are some additional issues around the mall with debris and open doors.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. All the winter maintenance equipment has been taken off the trucks for the season, and all reported mailbox damage has been addressed.
  2. GreenUp Day is May 2nd. Bags area available at the Highway garage and the transfer station. Please call the office to let them know where bags are if they are not obvious.
  3. Maintenance work on Quarterline Road will be done soon.
  4. Topics Discussed from the recent Highway Committee Meeting.
    • Reviewed the paving bids. The Highway Committee is recommending Wilk Paving for $307,570.65. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this recommendation. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 – 0. Selectwoman Russell did not vote.
    • Reviewed the Class 2 paving grant project. The Highway Committee is recommending Wilk Paving for $133,616.25. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this recommendation. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The Town is not obligated to do this project if the grant is not awarded. The motion carried 3 – 0. Selectwoman Russell did not vote.
    • Reviewed the purchase of the box culvert for the project on Stratton Road. The Highway Committee is passing on the recommendation from our Engineer to accept the low bidder, Michie for $159,045. Selectman Denardo moved to approve this recommendation. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. Placing the order is contingent on the Town receiving the stream alteration permit but approval allows the shop drawings to move forward. The motion passed 4 – 0.
    • Discussed creating a culvert replacement fund, this would likely require voter approval.
    • Updated the board on the status of other projects.
  5. There are topics related to the Route 7 North sidewalk, easements and maintenance agreements, which the Town Attorney will need to help with. He will be given notice ahead of time.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. Presented 2 membership applications for board approval. Both are over 18 and are City residents. Backgrounds checks are ok. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the applications. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  2. Truck inspections have been completed. Several sets of tires will need to be replaced in the next year. The tires coming off could be given to the Highway department if they match.
  3. The paint on the bumper of Engine 3 cracked. It is being repaired at Earles under warranty from the manufacturer. It will be out of service for about a week.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. Repairs in the main pool have been completed. There are repairs needed in the kiddie pool which will be done soon.
  2. The cover needs to be replaced for $16,000. The old one is 15 years old and they typically last about 10.
  3. Dewey clean-up is done, thanked all the volunteers.
  4. The next senior lunch is at 11AM next Tuesday at the West Rutland Town Hall.
  5. Discussed the contract for pool design services. There are some optional services which may need to be done at some point but are not needed now. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to accept the contract for design services from Weston and Sampson at a cost of $75,000 and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion carried unanimously.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. Reviewed the proposal received from Otter Creek Engineering for work on the Pocket Park Project. The total cost is $5000. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the contract and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board with the funds to come from the Professional Services line. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  2. There will be a public hearing at the next meeting for the Subdivision bylaw, repealing and replacing the old ordinance. Reviewed some of the major components of the new regulations.
  3. A new subdivision request from Orin Thomas has been received and will be reviewed at the next meeting.

Marie Faignant Rutland Town Lister

  1. Invited anyone from the Town who would like to see Marcia before she retires. Next Thursday is her last day. A meeting with Marie and Cathy will be held after that for the purposes of reorganization.
  2. Property inspections are being completed.
  3. Discussed the topic of changing software platforms to Patriot.
    • There has been some new information received from the State, and our current vendor.
    • More information is needed and meetings are planned to get it.
  4. Discussed the importance of BCA members attending training opportunities coming up.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. Presented a liquor license and 2 tobacco license requests for approval from Midway Oil on Route 4 East. The Police have no issue with them. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the requests. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
  2. Reminder to residents of the next installment of taxes which are due May 10th. Since this is a Sunday, on time payments will be accepted through close of business on Monday the 11th.
  3. Discussed the limit on the town credit card. It is used when vendors cannot provide invoices. The current limit is $8000 and is proposed to be changed to $16,000. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to increase the limit on the Town credit card from $8000 to $16,000. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

  1. The Regional Planning Commission gave the notice of the final hearing for our proposed land use map.
  2. The contract with the City for the Town Fire Department repeater is on hold because some of the language and insurance requirements need to be updated.
  3. Some new training was just started for Town staff from our cyber security vendor.

Selectman Denardo moved to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation, with Road Commissioner Dave Sears and Town Administrator Bill Sweet attending. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Board entered executive session at 8:04 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

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Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

________________ABSENT______________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.

 

Rutland Town News

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