Selectboard Minutes 6-17-2025

Selectboard Minutes 6-17-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JUNE 17^th, 2025

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Chris Howe, Robyn Sweet

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for June 3^rd:

Selectman Denardo 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 Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.

Meet with Howard Burgess from Fire District #1 to discuss the transition to West Rutland

There is one large project left, installing a pressure reducing valve between the 2 systems, before the transition can move forward. Once the transition is complete, West Rutland will be responsible for the entire Center Rutland system including maintenance and billing. The Fire District will remain for some time wrapping up state requirements.

Discussed the recent propane emergency in Center Rutland. The Fire District has some expenses related to the incident. The bills for related expenses will be sent to Town Hall and forwarded to our insurance carrier for review.

Asked the Fire Department to be mindful of pressure when opening and closing hydrants.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. The shared use path in Northwood Park is nearly complete. Bid requests for fencing have gone out.
2. Reviewed the south end sewer replacement pre-bid meeting.
3. Reviewed the last meeting about the Route 7 North sidewalk project.
4. The first round of roadside mowing is done. Mendon has the mower now. When it comes back, another pass around will be done.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Deputy Chief Washburn spoke with the company working on our new cruiser. It is expected within 2 weeks.
2. The Board discussed the carryover of the Cortina Settlement Fund balance. Selectman Denrdo moved to carry the remaining fund balance over to the next fiscal year in its own separate fund. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
3. Selectman Denardo asked about a cleaning service for the Police Department. After discussion, Chief Dumas and Deputy Chief Washburn will look into vendors who are qualified.
4. Discussed the mowing service for the new building. We have a vendor but the ground covering used to start the lawn needs to be addressed before this can be done.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. The Grand List will be lodged on Monday at 2PM.
2. The State has sent us the utility valuations. A report on this should be available for the next Board meeting.
3. Discussed the reappraisal order. Once the Grand List is lodged and grievance hearings are over, the vendors who provide reappraisal services will be contacted to find out why they didn’t send in a bid.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Discussed the purchase of the cascade system. The Department raised $13,500 in donations toward this. There is approximately $30,000 in surplus from the fire budget which will be carried over in capital improvements. The unit costs $88,584.40. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the cascade system purchase for $88,584.40 from Reynolds and Son, with the funds to come from donations and the balance to come from capital improvements. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed 4 – 0.
2. Discussed coordinating the electrician wiring the next sprinkler panel and the cascade system at the same time to help reduce costs. Selectman Denardo will look into the timing on the sprinkler panel.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. This meeting has the last AP and payroll for the fiscal year. Final numbers will be available for the next meeting.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. Reviewed the annual contract for generator maintenance with Brookfield Service. The total is $4996 and includes all town generators including the public safety building. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to approve the contract and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed 4 – 0.
2. Social service agencies who have received appropriations from the Town voters were contacted about attending the Town Wide Celebration. Some have followed up and confirmed already. A vendor reached out about coming to sell ice cream at the event. They were told this event is organized and put on using donated services. They have offered to come and donate the ice cream this year.

Selectman Hathaway moved to enter executive session to discuss a possible land transaction. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The Board entered executive session at 7:04 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 7:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

_______________________________________________

Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

_______________________________________________

Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

______________ABSENT________________________
Sharon Russell

 

_______________________________________________

Kurt Hathaway

 

_______________________________________________

Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.