Selectboard Minutes 6-3-2025

Selectboard Minutes 6-3-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

JUNE 3^rd, 2025

 

• The meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance.
• Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, Kurt Hathaway, and Matt Getty
• Members of the public present Jacob Carringer, Alexandra Wenzel, Jim Marsh, Attorney David Grayck, Justin Belden President of Belden Construction, Craig Hewitt of MSK engineers, Chris Howe, Robyn Sweet, Shelley Dumas, Lisa Knickerbocker, Keith Whitcomb Jr

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for May 20^th:

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

Approval of Orders

Selectman Denardo moved to approve the orders. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Question from the Floor / Public Comment

1. Jacob Carringer and Alexandra Wenzel from Town Line Road were present to discuss the status of a resolution of an easement deed and settlement agreement regarding the Moonbrook culvert on their property. There is a draft settlement agreement, but it has not been finalized. Board Chair Ashcroft will discuss it with the Town Attorney and follow up.
2. Jim Marsh, our new appointment to the Regional Board of Commissioners, was present. The Regional Planning Commission also has an opening on their Regional Airport Committee. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to appoint Jim Marsh to the Airport Committee. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Review the Act 250 application for the demolition of a portion of the old Diamond Run Mall building.

1. Attorney David Grayck was present to discuss the application. Also in attendance is Justin Belden President of Belden Construction and Craig Hewitt with MSK engineers.
2. Attorney Grayck attended the recent Planning Commission meeting where they voted that the application was consistent with the Town plan.
3. Drawings were provided to Board members showing the project.
4. Discussed the water and sewer infrastructure. There are no plans to change any of them. All water and sewer infrastructure, including fire hydrants, are remaining.
5. Attorney Grayck assured the Board security and response obligations from the existing Act 250 permit are not changing. Perimeter fencing and security cameras will be in use during this project.
6. Deputy Chief Washburn brought up an access road on the South end of the property. This was noted and barriers will be added.
7. Security requirements are carrying forward and will also be addressed in the construction application for the new building.
8. All related department heads need to sign off on the municipal impact questionnaire. The Police Chief discussed his concerns; the Road Commissioner discussed his concern. Mr. Sweet will circulate the MIQ among the department heads for their sign off.
9. The first step of the Act 250 process is for the commission to decide whether a complete application has been filed. It will take approximately three weeks for them to determine this. If they do, there are different options they have to proceed.
10. Selectman Getty moved to instruct the municipal impact questionnaire be completed and signed and the town give its endorsement as proposed. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. All appropriate department heads will be asked for the sign off. Once this is received Mr. Sweet will be authorized to sign off on the form. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

1. Recent calls for service were provided.
2. The Cortina Inn has reopened, but they are not taking vouchers from DCF. There are people staying there but they pay for the hotel directly. The owners are not subject to the agreement if they do not accept vouchers.
3. Discussed topics from the recent Police Committee meeting. The overtime line was high due to some training programs which were longer than an 8-hour day. The new finger printing machine has not been paid for yet. Deputy Chief Washburn will reach out to them. An invoice has not been received from them. A vote to affirm plans for the Cortina Inn funds will be added to the next agenda. The draft alarm ordinance was reviewed by the Police. They do not have any input for it.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

1. The plan is to open the pool this weekend for school functions weather permitting, and it will open to the public on June 13^th.
2. Pass and lesson sign ups started today.
3. Baseball is wrapping up next week.
4. The field at Dewey looks great, and the poles have all been taken down.
5. Provided the list of lifeguards for the coming season, and compensation rates. An increase will need to be discussed as part of the budgeting process.
6. Discussed the open maintenance position at Dewey field. Using an employee from another department would be an issue with overtime rules. Mr. Rowe only has a few days left at school before he is out. After discussion, Mr. Rowe will do the maintenance tasks for now and see how it works.
7. The next event for the seniors will be on the Ethan Allen boat on June 24^th.
8. The event at the West Rutland Town Hall went very well.

David Sears Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

1. Hired A1 for a few days to clean catch basins ahead of our MS4 review.
2. A new water connection was made on Post Road
3. Work is continuing on the shared use path. The top layer is going on.
4. Discussed topics from the recent Highway Committee meeting.
   1. The South end sewer project has been put out to bid. The prebid meeting will be June 10^th starting at Town hall and then going down to the site. Bids are planned to be open on June 26^th with a contract award planned for July 1^st. Discussed the comments received from the town attorney on the contract.
   2. Discussed expanding municipal water to different parts of town.
5. Reviewed the authorization to proceed from Otter Creek Engineering. Selectman Denardo moved to approve the document with a total budget of $81,500 and to authorize the Board chair to sign. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Marcia Chioffi Rutland Town Head Lister

1. Provided the Board with a letter from the State requiring the reappraisal. Bid requests were sent out for reappraisal services and none of the vendors provided a bid. Selectman Denardo moved to approve signing the notice from the state and to authorize the Chair to sign. Selectman Hathaway seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. Chioffi will follow up with the state with our compliance plan.
2. The utility valuations are being done by the state this year. We are the only Town in the state who has not received their valuation. Other towns which have already received theirs are not happy with the numbers, which are lower than what was used in the past. This has the potential to lead to a tax increase.
3. Business personal property accounts are still coming in. There are over 200.

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

1. Chief Clark is not present. He left 2 applications for new members for approval. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the applications. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

1. Provided the Board with the warrant to destroy unlicensed dogs. After discussion, Selectman Getty moved to approve the warrant. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 -2 with Selectman Hathaway and Selectwoman Russell voting against the motion.

Joe Denardo Public Safety Building Clerk

1. There are no major issues outstanding.
2. The sprinkler pump transfer switch is still pending.
3. A letter was received from a town resident who went to the open house giving her thanks and compliments on the new building.

Barbara Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

1. Discussed the work being done on the subdivision ordinance. The town attorney came to talk with their group. Recommended having him come and talk to the Board about this. It would help guide the direction going forward. We will reach out to Kevin Brown to see if he could be available July 1^st at 530PM for this discussion.
2. A letter of interest was received for the open position on the Planning Commission from Demetrio Gagnon. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to appoint Demetrio Gagnon as alternate to the Town Planning Commission and alternate to the Regional Board of Commissioners. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

Bill Sweet Town Administrator:

1. A letter from Peter Franzoni was sent to the Board about the resolution condemning attacks on due process. The resolution is based on the copy adopted by the City of Rutland, updated to be relevant to the Town. Selectman Getty moved to adopt it as edited. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 1 with Selectman Hathaway voting against the motion.
2. Reviewed the offer to purchase 29 acres of land, which the town acquired from a tax sale. The offer is $20,000. There is a process to sell the land. After discussion, this topic will be moved to a future agenda for a possible discussion in executive session.
3. Reviewed the updates to the proposed future regional land use map. The Board is in favor of the changes. Selectman Denardo moved to authorize the Chair to pass these comments and requests for revisions along. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
4. Provided the updated quote for the fire department cascade system. The department has received some donations and expects to have approximately $30,000 in surplus budget funds at the end of the fiscal year, which will be moved into capital improvements. After discussion, this will be added to the July 1^st meeting agenda.
5. Provided a new contract for a printer used in the Clerks office. After discussion, Selectman Hathaway moved to approve the agreement and to authorize the Chair to sign. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
6. Provided an agreement with Northstar fireworks for the Town Wide Celebration fireworks display. Selectman Hathaway moved to approve and to authorize the Chair to sign. Selectman Getty seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
7. Reviewed the list of Town Officials. The ones typically done in March have not been voted on. Selectman Hathaway said the Cemetery Commission voted to appoint Dakota Harvey to the commission. Selectman Getty moved to reappoint the historical positions to the current incumbents, and Chris Howe reappointed as the Tree Warden. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
8. The door locks have been changed on the fire side of the new building.
9. Discussed changing the name of Diamond Run Mall Place to Diamond Run Place. The State coordinator has no issue with it. After discussion, Mr. Sweet will reach out to Attorney Grayck about it.

 

Selectman Hathaway moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet, Town Administrator.

 

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Mary Ashcroft, Chair

 

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Joseph Denardo, Clerk

 

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Sharon Russell

 

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Kurt Hathaway

 

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Matt Getty

 

Center Rutland, VT.