Selectboard Minutes 6-16-2026

Selectboard Minutes 6-16-2026

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JUNE 16^th, 2026

 

• 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 Dave Wolk, Tom Doty, Michael Miller, David Grayck

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for June 2^nd:

Selectman Getty moved to approve the minutes.  Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. There was a clerical change made. The motion carried unanimously as amended.

Approval of Orders

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

Update from the Selectboard Chair

1. The next meeting is the last of the fiscal year.
2. Reminder of the upcoming event on July 3^rd at Northwood Park.
3. There is a BCA meeting tomorrow at 2PM. We need all available JPS to attend for a quorum.
4. All of the scholarship awards were handed out recently between West Rutland, MSJ and Rutland High Schools

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

1. Dave Wolk was present, as an independent candidate for State Senate, to ask Board members about what they feel needs to change in the legislature.
   1. Education costs and the impact on our town taxpayers.
   2. Supporting the efforts of law enforcement, catch and release.
   3. School district consolidation.
   4. Act 250 reform proposed
   5. Housing and flexibility in grant fund spending
   6. Spending priorities for social service agencies.
   7. Access to health insurance and how that affects school budgets

Board to meet with Tom Doty from GE Aerospace to discuss sewer allocation follow up.

1. GE was sent a letter in March notifying them their usage was over their allocation for 2025.
2. They requested time to research the issue and follow up.
3. They did research into the issue and provided the Board with the follow-up.
4. It was determined a cooling system was connected to an incorrect water meter system. This water usage does not go to the sewer system.
5. After the review Selectman Getty moved to postpone the redetermination of allocation based on the evidence provided and to review the usage for the year in January of 2027. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Ted Washburn Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. The 8^th grade graduation and last day of school events went very well.
2. Interviews for the 3 Police officer candidates are planned for next week.
3. The Town PD will be participating in the National Night Out in the City.
4. Reviewed the Cortina fund and carrying over the fund balance to the next fiscal year.
   1. Selectman Getty moved to allocate sufficient Cortina funds to balance the Police budget and carry over the rest of the Cortina fund as a dedicated fund. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
5. The 2026 Tahoe is in production and is expected soon.
6. Reviewed the draft Walmart Municipal Impact Questionnaire
   1. One change needed to be made regarding solid waste disposal. The applicant is contracting for private service to the municipality will not be providing the service.
   2. Selectman Getty moved to approve the Municipal Impact Questionnaire with the correction and to authorize the Board Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Work was done to prepare the Center Rutland Fire Station for paving which was done today.
2. Manholes on the south end of Town have been checked and flushed. The debris issues seen before were not found again this time.
3. Roadside mowing has started.
4. Bids for the Stratton Road culvert will be opened on Thursday. A committee meeting with Robert Clark is needed to review a few topics.

Reviewed a liquor license request from East Asian LLC. The police have no issues. Selectman Getty moved to approve the request. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Marie Faignant Rutland Town Lister

1. Generally discussed the tax exemption request from the last Board meeting.
2. The Grand List was lodged today. Grievance hearings are scheduled for June 29^th.
3. Discussed the plan to reappraise, and the 2 vendors the service has been narrowed down to.
   1. There are 2 main vendors we could use which are NEMRC and Patriot.
   2. Using Patriot would require the Town to change software platforms used by the Listers, would begin in 2027 and end in 2029.
   3. Using NEMRC would not require software changes since this is what we use, would begin in 2029 and end in 2031. The NEMRC cost is $2000 more than Patriot.
   4. Some issues have been found which were a result of the last reappraisal. Some examples are:
      1. Mobile homes unlanded which are conveyed back to the landowner fall off the tax rolls completely. There is no valid reason for this to happen, and this will be corrected.
      2. Some properties have a septic lot adjacent to the parcel with their residence. This second lot is not assessed, but it should and will be corrected.

• There are properties which are getting assessment deductions based on their basements which have no basis for this.

1. There is a depreciation factor for porches which again has no basis.
2. These issues have a direct impact on our CLA which affects the Town tax rate.

1. Other towns who have gone with patriot have been contacted to get feedback on their experience. Some issues have been reported including a delay in support and having to schedule time to upload information to the State.
2. The Listers are recommending going with NEMRC.
3. There was discussion on how the reappraisal process would work with NEMRC and Patriot.
4. The contracts from the 2 vendors will be sent to our Town attorney to review.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. Work is going well on planning the July 3^rd There are 10 to 12 different types of vendors.
2. A committee meeting is needed to discuss the Community Day event and some other topics.
3. The next Town senior event is a boat cruise.
4. Thanked the 7^th grade class for their work on cleaning up trails at Northwood.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Reminder of the BCA meeting tomorrow. More members are needed to ensure a quorum.
2. The office is getting calls about letters coming from the Delinquent Tax Collector. Information has been put online to help clarify why and to direct questions to the Delinquent Tax Collector directly. Information on the website page for the Delinquent Tax Collector is being updated.
3. This is the last meeting where funds can be spent from the current fiscal year.

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

1. Discussed the initiative to have the Town have our own local enforceable health ordinance.
   1. The State legislature has given most of the control for long-term rental issues, tenant complaints and similar issues to State officials.
   2. Lodging (hotels and motels) and restaurants are also under State control.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Discussed the draft Subdivision bylaw. The Selectboard updated the definition to subdivision provided by the Town Attorney. This will require the draft to go back to the Planning Commission. Selectman Getty moved to send the draft back to the Planning Commission for comment. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Selectboard is going to warn 2 public hearings for their meetings in July for the bylaw.
2. Work on the information to be included on the Pocket park kiosk signs is ongoing. A meeting with Robert Clark and our Town Road Commissioner to discuss the project is needed.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed a proof of loss statement from our insurance carrier for the damage to the public safety building. The Board had some questions which they would like to get clarification on. Follow up will be requested and discussed at the next Board meeting.
2. Discussed some of the updates made to the Delinquent Tax Collector website page and the information being provided. More updates are planned.
3. Met with Sarah Pelkey from CEDRR last week and talked about areas of the Town which are good for commercial and residential development.
4. Discussed getting polo shirts for Selectboard members for public events.

Committee meeting updates:

1. The Fire Committee met before the last Board meeting and discussed any impacts the Walmart project could have on our Fire Department.

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

__________________ABSENT____________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

_______________________________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.