Selectboard Minutes 5-24-2022

Publish date: May 26, 2022

Selectboard Minutes 5-24-2022

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

MAY 24th, 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 Don Chioffi, Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, and Kurt Hathaway
  • Members of the public present Jim Scholtz, Chris Howland, Byron Hathaway, Keith Whitcomb, Dani Bradtmiller, Lydia Moriarity-Flynn

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for May 10th:

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

Announcements

Selectwoman Ashcroft remined everyone that the deadline for articles for The Circle is due June 1st.

Chairman Chioffi commented on the Senior Lunch today and thanked the school band for their wonderful performance.

Members of the Public not on the agenda

Byron Hathaway asked if the Highway crew could help remove so low hanging branches in the Cheney Hill Cemetery.  The Highway Crew will add this to their project list.

Howard Burgess Town Lister

  1. Discussed the additional signage request for Sugarwood Hill Road Extension.
    1. The residents on this section have reported trouble getting packages delivered.
    2. The 911 Board says all the information is corrected reported on their end.
    3. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve installing the sign as requested. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The sign will be installed at the wye in the road. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  1. The Listers are requesting a 30-day extension to lodge the Grand List.
    1. There have been several challenges preventing it from being done by the required date of June 4th.
    2. After some discussion, Selectwoman Russell moved to approve the 30-day extension request made by the Listers. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Walter Tripp Acting Town Road Commissioner:

  1. There is an illegal dumping issue on Dyer Road. An attempt to notify the property owner was made but they have not responded yet. This may referred to the Health Officer for future resolution.
  2. Reclaim work to pave Quarterline Road will begin tomorrow.
  3. Roadside mowing will begin soon.

Jason Bathalon Acting Town Sewer Commissioner.

  1. A recent backup of a sewer line was discovered in the Home Depot plaza. The Town Health Officer and store management was notified, and it appears action is being taken to clear the line.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. Reported on the collection of taxes from the last installment due on May 10th.
    1. 94% of the 3rd installment were collected.
    2. 3% of taxes were collected for the entire fiscal year.
    3. All unpaid taxes are being turned over to the Delinquent Tax Collector soon.
  2. We have not received our last installment of the 1% local option tax yet.
  3. The recent training on the new tabulators was very good. They are a big upgrade from the old ones.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. Members traveled to Minnesota recently to inspect the new fire truck.
    1. There are a few adjustments which need to be addressed.
    2. A heater for the pump house was left out of the specifications and is not on the truck. This does need to be installed, and it was quoted at $6815.
    3. We expect the truck to be sent to the local dealer in the next 2 weeks for the last step of tool mounting before delivery.
    4. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the purchase of the pump house heater for $6815. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The funds will come from the depreciation fund. The motion passes 4 – 0.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. The Planning Commission is still working on an energy survey which is intended to go out to Town residents. Draft copies of the survey were provided to Board members.
    1. Information on it will be included in the next edition of The Circle.
    2. The survey will primarily be online.
    3. The survey will be used to gather information on energy topics from residents and to gather suggestions on initiatives as well.
    4. This has been created in collaboration with the Selectboard Energy Committee.
    5. Information will be available at the Town Wide Celebration as well.
    6. This draft survey will be put on the next Board meeting agenda for discussion.
  2. Work on ordinance recommendations and changes is ongoing.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided and reviewed.
  2. There has been a large increase in cars being gone through. It is largely cars that are left unlocked. Chief Dumas reminds everyone to keep their doors locked.
  3. Gas thefts are on the rise from parked vehicles.
  4. Chairman Chioffi thanked Chief Dumas and Deputy Chief Washburn for their work on applying for federal funding through the office of Congressman Peter Welch to help pay for our new Public Safety Building. Our request was submitted by Congressman Welch for funding in a federal bill. The request made was for the balance of the funds needed to build the building. It was one of 15 accepted of over 100 applications submitted. We now will wait to see if our request receives funding through the bill. Chairman Chioffi thanked Congressman Welch for his recommendation of our project for funding.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. The pool has been cleaned and power washed. Filling will begin soon.
  2. Pool pass and swim lesson signups are next week. This year the normal fee schedule will resume.
  3. The water bottle filling station has been installed.
  4. July 26th is the party at the pool for the Town Seniors, starting at 11AM. All department heads are welcome to attend as well.
  5. VELCO has offered us some poles to use to help us construct a bridge for our mountain biking trail. An agreement was provided to us which needs to be signed before we can get them.
    1. The donation of the poles will help us reduce construction costs.
    2. They are intended to help with the construction of bridges.
    3. Selectman Hathaway moved to have town Counsel review the document. If he has no objection, the board can approve it at the next meeting. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  6. June 4th should be the opening date for the pool this year.

John Paul Faignant – Health Officer / Public Safety Building Clerk / 2nd Constable

  1. Faignant was not present but provided a report to be read.
  2. Updated copies of plans for the new Public Safety Building were provided.
  3. There is a property on Perkins Road which is in default of an order to have the property cleaned up. The owner is working towards a resolution.
  4. We are waiting for a response from the State on the code violations found at the last inspection of the Cortina Inn.
  5. An invoice to replace components of his vehicle damaged responding to a call recently was provided. The total cost is $393.73.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard:

  1. Provided our annual maintenance contract with Brookfield Service for generator maintenance. This covers the 5 town generators.
    1. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the contract for service and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the board. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  2. Provided a Certificate of Compliance for Town Road and Bridge Standards. This is an annual form which needs to be signed and submitted to VTrans.
    1. Selectman Denardo moved to approve signing. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  3. A reply was received from the state on our request to review the speed limits on US Route 7 on both ends of town. The response stated they recommend leaving the speed limits as they are now.
    1. Selectwoman Ashcroft commented that this study does not appear to have considered the pedestrian accidents that have occurred on US Route 7 South, which prompted the survey request.
    2. Discussed meeting with the City of Rutland to discuss what combined efforts can be made going forward.
    3. VTrans is planning a signaled crosswalk at Cold River Road, which is a positive thing.
  4. Watershed Consulting sent us information on a project related to our MS4 obligations. It is for detecting illicit discharges.
    1. The total cost of this project is $22,500. We have approximately $9000 in the current fiscal year budget, and we would be able to use those funds towards this project, with the balance coming from the next fiscal year’s budget.
    2. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to approve the study. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
  5. Town Hall will be closed Monday May 30th for Memorial Day.
  6. A notice of violation to our Permit Tracking Ordinance was issued to a property owner recently. A reply from them has not been received yet. There have been 5 structures built with no permits on file.
    1. There was discussion about runoff affecting a culvert on Post Road from this same property.
    2. Discussed if Act 250 should be involved in this property due to its size and development.
    3. Discussed how having zoning in place may or may not have helped in this situation.
  7. A letter from the Town of Clarendon was received in response to our letter about the dispatch center issue. They are in support of our plan.

A personnel committee meeting will be held soon to review the personnel policy for updates.

Discussed the bids received with the help of Otter Creek Engineering for the construction of the shared use path. The bids received are above the funding we have available for the project. Selectman Hathaway moved to reject the bids due to a lack of funding. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 -0. We may have some volunteers who would be willing to help work on path construction.

New Business Board to discuss the Route 7 North Sidewalk Grant opportunity

  1. The grant closes the day after our next meeting, where we expect the final report on the project.
  2. Applying for the grant will be decided at the next Board meeting.

New Business Board to discuss the Cortina Inn and Act 250

  1. No response has been received from the property owner.
  2. Town Counsel was informed of the lack of reply, and next steps have been taken to notify Act 250.

New Business Board to discuss Transportation Advisory Council appointment

  1. The primary representative appointment is still vacant. Jim Hall serves as our alternate.
  2. Town resident Chris Howland has expressed interest in the position.
  3. Discussed the interim plans until a new Road Commissioner is hired, who should be appointed.
  4. Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to appoint Chris Howland as the interim primary appointment. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Selectwoman Ashcroft discussed grant opportunities brought to the Water and Sewer committee previously by Robert Clark from Otter Creek Engineering. They consisted of conducting a town wide water study funded through a forgivable loan program and an additional study on parcels with more than 3 acres of impervious surfaces. The committee was in favor of moving forward with these projects. After some discussion, Robert Clark will be invited to the next Board meeting.

Selectwoman Russell moved to enter executive session for a personnel matter. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously. The board entered executive session at 8:00 PM.

The Board came out of executive session at 8:32 PM.

Selectman Denardo moved to allow the transfer of accumulated sick days between employees within their department. Selectwoman Ashcroft seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Selectwoman Ashcroft moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

 
Don Chioffi, Chair
 
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
Mary Ashcroft
 
Sharon Russell
 
Kurt Hathaway

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

Posted in