Selectboard Minutes 5-20-2025

Selectboard Minutes 5-20-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MAY 20^th, 2025

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present David Rosenblum, Robyn Sweet, Don Chioffi, Dave Grayck, Shelly Dumas, Peter Franzoni

A moment of silence was observed for 2 community members who recently passed away. Chris Kiefer-Cioffi, a former Selectboard member and Dawn Carlson, wife of our Town Assistant Fire Chief Mike Carlson.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for May 6^th:

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

Approval of Orders

Selectman Getty moved to approve the orders.  Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Update from the Selectboard Chair

Thanked everyone who was involved in the open house at the new Public Safety Building.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

David Rosenblum asked about East Pittsford Road being paved. It is on the list for this year already. Mr. Rosenblum also asked about an area of Northwood Park being designated for dogs to be allowed to run off leash. This is part of the long-term plan, once the pool is replaced.

Don Chioffi thanked the Board for their hard work in getting the Public Safety Building project completed. He spoke about the history of large projects in the town and the support from the residents.

Peter Franzoni spoke about his request for the Board to adopt a resolution supporting due process and affirming constitutional rights. A draft was provided but is not Town specific. Board Chair Ashcroft said the draft will be worked on, and when a full Board is present, it will be considered.

Attorney David Grayck discussed the Act 250 filing regarding the demolition of a portion of the old Diamond Run Mall. Department heads on the impact questionnaire need to provide their input. This will be on the June 3^rd agenda.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Selectboard member Russell reported for Mr. Rowe
2. All of the poles have been removed at Dewey field.
3. The pool is ready to be filled and should be on by the weekend. The sand filters have been serviced.
4. A solution for certifying lifeguards has been found and will be done.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Work on the shared use path at Northwood is going well. Most of the base is done.
2. A1 is working on catch basins today and tomorrow.
3. The old light pole sections were removed and taken up to Northwood Park. There are a variety of sizes. If anyone would like them, they are available.
4. The Highway Committee met and is in favor of studying extending the water line to Cold River Road at US 7 South.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Updated the Board on an accident involving a Town police vehicle. While responding to a call, Officer Dumas was involved in an accident. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital. Our vehicle has been taken out of service pending inspection by our insurance carrier.
2. There was a training incident with our K9 officer. He suffered a minor injury during class.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Provided a grand list filing extension request. They are hoping to not have to use it. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
2. Business personal property work is continuing.
3. Bids for reappraisal are due this Thursday. The earliest it will likely be done is 2030.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Thanked everyone for coming to the open house.
2. Someone asked about a flagpole during the open house. The Chief would like to donate the flagpole, from the department’s member fund. The members would need to vote on it. The Board is in favor of it and Selectman Hathaway said he would install it.
3. Discussed topics from the recent Fire Committee meeting.
   1. The department would like to purchase a new brush fire skid to go into one of the utility trucks. The current one is old and obsolete. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the quote for $12,415, with the funds to come from the depreciation account. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
   2. The committee is recommending approving a request from the department to purchase 5 new air bottles, so they can be on a cycle and not have to be replaced all at once. The total is $7014. After discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to approved the purchase with the funds to come from the depreciation account. Selectman Getty seconded the motion The motion passed 4 – 0.
   3. There may be approximately $32,000 in unspent funds from this year’s fire budget. These funds will be swept into the capital improvement fund at the end of the fiscal year. The committee is recommending the Board dedicate those funds from the capital improvement fund toward the purchase of a cascade system. These funds, combined with what has been raised so far, is almost half the cost of the unit. An updated quote is needed.
   4. The committee has discussed, and is recommending, increasing the limit of out-of-town members from 10 to 15. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the request and increase the limit to 15. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed 4 – 0.
4. An application for a new member was presented, from Earl Saunders, for a junior firefighter position. Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the application. Selectman Hathawy seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided a summary of the local option tax payments. The 4^th quarter was just received for $372,487.43. The total for the year is $1,590,618.26. This exceeds our budget by $290,618.26.
2. About 95% of the third installment of taxes have been received. This is a little lower than what is typical. Reminder to residents these are due and asked them to call the office. The warning will be given to the delinquent tax collector 15 days after the due date.
3. Discussed the auditing and accounting policy. This was discussed at the recent finance committee meeting. Selectman Getty moved to adopt the policy as presented. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
4. The engagement letter for the audit was provided by Andrew at A.M. Peisch. The total cost is $19,000. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the proposal and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. The City is in favor of collaborating on the MS4 outreach. More information will be coming once a scope is determined.
2. The commission discussed and came up with phase 1 activities for the pocket park. They are clearing brush, thinning trees and removing dead trees; removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species; expanding parking areas; adding safety alert signs and removing or covering some old pipe ends.
3. Discussed the request from the Regional Planning Commission for a liaison to the airport committee. Discussed if someone from the Town planning Commission would be interested.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. The Rutland Free library notified us one of our Town representatives resigned recently and is looking for a replacement. Board Chair Ashcroft suggested Fern Fryer as a candidate and gave some of her history. Selectwoman Russell moved to send her name as a suggestion. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
2. VTrans has sent a reply to our letter about the Route 4 speed study. We will be notified prior to the meeting which is planned for September.
3. Provided a memorandum from Andres at Watershed Consulting about a recent denial of a request made to VELCO to use their right of way for our MS4 projects. A request will be made to Andres to coordinate a conversation with the State and VELCO to discuss this.
4. A request was received to purchase some town-owned land. This will be added to the next meeting agenda.
5. Provided a sewer allocation request from tractor supply increasing their allocation to 650 gallons per day. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
6. Provided the scholarship award summary from the scholarship committee. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the scholarship award list. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
7. We received our award letter from VLCT for our grant application, with an award of up to $5000.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_________________ABSENT_____________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.