Selectboard Minutes 8-17-2021

Publish date: August 19, 2021

Selectboard Minutes 8-17-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECT BOARD OPEN MEETING

RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL

181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT  05736

AUGUST 17th, 2021

 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 Mary Ashcroft, Sharon Russell, Joe Denardo, John Paul Faignant and Don Chioffi
  • Members of the public present Howard Burgess, Chrissy Haskins, Jim Scholtz, Lydia Flynn, and David Ricard

Approval of Orders

The Board approved the orders, except for the line for paving.

Fuller Sand and Gravel submitted a bill for $584,105. The bid document was located, and they had bid $571,603 for a difference of $12,502 over the bid. Town Road Commissioner Byron Hathaway is not in attendance tonight to discuss this. Mr. Faignant moved to issue payment for the undisputed amount. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. The amount in the orders was changed.

Approval of Selectboard Minutes for August 3rd:

  • Ms. Russell moved to approve the minutes; Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. After 1 correction, the motion passed 4-0. Mr. Denardo abstained.

Ed Dumas Rutland Town Police Chief:

  1. Recent calls for service were provided. Issues at the Green Mountain Plaza have diminished but have increased at the Diamond Run Mall.
  2. Mr. Denardo and Mr. Chioffi discussed issues at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and North Grove Street. Cars are passing other vehicles in the intersection, and others are parking in the right of way. Signs may be installed to address these issues.
  3. Officer Schermerhorn will attend the next meeting to meet the board

Chris Clark Rutland Town Fire Chief:

  1. There have been 7 calls for service since the last meeting.
  2. We recently attended a parade at the fairgrounds.
  3. There is vehicle extrication training planned for the 18th.
  4. Hose testing was recently completed and 4 lengths of 5” supply hose failed. It was some of our original supply line.
  5. Pump test certifications are planned for this Sunday.
  6. The air conditioners at the Center Rutland Fire Station have failed and are being serviced.

Kari Clark Rutland Town Clerk and Treasurer:

  1. The first installment of the expected ARPA funds has been received. We received $215,342.
  2. Tax bills have been sent out, and the first installment is due September 10th.
    1. Several calls have been received about state payments. Ms. Clark said that if a homestead declaration was never filed, there would not be a state payment.
  3. A quote from one of the companies proposing to digitize our land records was received. It will be provided to the board for review at the next meeting. Other companies will be contacted as well. The quote was approximately $30,000.

Ms. Ashcroft thanked towns people who have already paid their taxes. She reminded everyone that the general budget is completely funded by the 1% local option tax and a portion of the Police budget is offset by it as well. Mr. Chioffi wanted to ensure Harbor Freight will be collecting the correct tax amount once they open.

Byron Hathaway Rutland Town Road Commissioner:

  1. Mr. Hathaway was not present for the meeting but provided the board with a written update.
  2. Gleason Road is closed until next week for a culvert replacement.
  3. Sidewalk paving work is done, and topsoil work is almost done.
  4. Roadside mowing is ongoing, and all streets should be done in the next few weeks.
  5. Striping and stop bar painting will be done as weather permits.
  6. Recommended signing the project acceptance form for the Post Road sidewalk.
  7. A pressure monitor has been installed at the end of the Post Road water line to take readings. Robert Clark, from Otter Creek Engineering, feels there is enough pressure to accomplish the extension.
  8. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the project acceptance form and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the board. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  9. The blow off valve on the end of the Post Road water line is not functioning correctly. Mr. Hathaway is asking to be able to contact Rutland City for repair. The board had no objections to him getting it repaired.

Mike Rowe Rutland Town Recreation Director:

  1. The closing date for the pool is 2PM on Sunday August 29th.
  2. The pool pump motor failed. It has been removed and is being repaired. The pool will be closed on the 18th, and we hope to reopen on the 19th. We do not own a spare motor.
    1. There are 2 old motors there, but they are not able to be used. They are a replacement for the old pump. Discussed seeing if a local vendor can use them.
  3. The letter of intent for the recreation grant has been sent out. We hope to know by the end of September if our letter is accepted.
  4. Soccer starts soon. Forms are available online and at Town Hall.
  5. A vendor is coming soon to help investigate if there are any cracks or leaks in the pool.

New Business Board to Hold Public Concern Hearing for the Route 7 North Sidewalk Scoping Study

  1. Mr. Chioffi moved to recess for the purpose of holding the public hearing. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  2. Chrissy Haskins, from the Dufresne Group, was present and gave an overview of the project, and gave a PowerPoint presentation.
  3. Minutes from the kickoff meeting were provided to board members.
  4. A survey link will be published seeking public input.
  5. Additional public meetings will be help in the future to discuss projects options.
  6. The Dufresne Group will talk to VTrans soon to ensure they have no objections to the project.
  7. Discussed the possibility of this being a shared use path. There are some minimum sizes which would need to be met. This will be included in the project alternatives.
  8. Ms. Russell moved to resume the Selectboard meeting. Ms. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Barbara Noyes-Pulling Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair:

  1. Provided an agreement for the land survey from MSK Engineering. This is in addition to the already signed work authorization.
    1. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the contract and to authorize the chair to sign on behalf of the board. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  2. A meeting with historical stakeholders regarding the Pocket Park is being planned. Many different groups are being invited.

New Business Board to review First District VLCT reimbursement request letters

  1. Four letters were provided to the board for review and approval.
  2. In a late 2018 meeting, these 4 Fire Districts, who obtain insurance coverage through our VLCT policy, agreed to reimburse the town for their coverage.
  3. Since then, only 2 payments have been received.
  4. The letters each have a corresponding invoice for the balance due. Each year when our policy renews, we are sent a detail list of the charges that make up our policy. These charges were reviewed, credit given for the amounts paid, and the balance was included on the invoice.
  5. If these invoices go unpaid, a follow up letter will be sent stating insurance coverage will be canceled.
  6. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the letters. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

New Business Board to Review for Approval a Letter to BAI Rutland, LLC

  1. A draft letter to the owners of the Diamond Run Mall property was reviewed. It details the issues being experienced, a list of Police responses and posts from social media showing the inside.
  2. This requests them to come to our next Selectboard meeting on August 31st to discuss the matter with the board.
  3. Representatives of the Spartan Arena have contacted Ms. Ashcroft to express their concern. They are interested in meeting with the board on the 31st as well.
  4. There was extensive conversation on possible remediation efforts, but any ideas need collaboration with the owners. The Act 250 permit needs to be reviewed for information on security requirements.
  5. The letter will be sent certified and regular mail.
  6. Ms. Russell moved to approve and send the letter. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Bill Sweet Administrative Assistant to the Select Board:

  1. Provided the current meeting schedule and committee agenda items.
  2. Provided correspondence from a resident regarding pedestrian safety on Route 7 South.
  3. Provided a welcome letter to Exotica Flowers. They are a business that recently moved into town.
  4. The countertops will be reinstalled in the Clerk’s office on Thursday.

Committee meeting updates:

Reviewed the Building Committee meeting minutes.

  1. Discussed the purchase of 6 Beyond Air Purifiers from Aerus.
    1. Business owner David Ricard was present and discussed the product with the board.
    2. The units are fully portable but are best kept in place to maintain the benefit of the filtering and purification.
    3. The building committee recommended the purchase of 6 units, using ARPA funds.
    4. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the purchase of 6 units for $9000 using the ARPA funds. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion passed 5-0.
  2. Discussed the Town Hall War Memorial project.
    1. After some discussion, Mr. Denardo moved to create an ad-hoc committee with Mr. Chioffi and Ms. Russell chairing the committee. Mr. Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  3. Reviewed the concrete work proposed for the office.
    1. Mr. Chioffi moved to accept the quote from Ed Lowell for $2600 for the repair work. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  4. Reviewed the quote for lock work at Town Hall to rekey several locks. The building committee is recommending moving forward with the work. Two quotes were received, and the Royal Group was the lower cost.
    1. Denardo moved to approve the project for an amount not to exceed $1000. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Reviewed the Public Safety Building Committee meeting minutes

  1. Five surveyors were contacted, 3 replied in time with a quote.
    1. Mark Courcelle quoted $3100 and 8 weeks to schedule
    2. Vermont Survey Consultants quoted $2400 and 6 to 8 weeks to schedule
    3. Action Survey quoted $2000 and Spring of 2022 to schedule.
  2. Mr. Faignant moved to approve Vermont Survey Consultants. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.
  3. Another meeting will be planned soon.
  4. Square footage of each portion of the building needs to be planned.

Reviewed the Inter-Municipal Committee Meeting

  1. Ms. Ashcroft and Mr. Faignant met recently with Alderman from the City of Rutland.
  2. The main topic was pedestrian safety on Route 7 North and South.
  3. The speed limit coming into town from the South is proposed to be reduced to 35 MPH starting at the Holiday Inn traffic light and maintain the 35 MPH speed limit on the North side of town until you pass the East Pittsford Road.
  4. Crosswalks and the timing of traffic lights was also discussed.
  5. The board discussed other mitigation efforts, including hiring a Sheriff as a possible addition for speed enforcement.
  6. Mr. Faignant moved to approve recommending to VTrans the speed limit be lowered in the areas described. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0.

Reviewed the Personnel Committee meeting minutes

  1. The committee is recommending correcting, retroactively, a raise which was not given to Walter Tripp in the Highway Department. Mr. Faignant moved to make the reimbursement. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Mr. Chioffi thanked Town Clerk and Treasurer Kari Clark for her work to pull together the figures.
  2. Reviewed a request made to modify the personnel policy for who can be included on the town insurance policy. The committee is recommending to not take any action as the request cannot be accommodated.

Reviewed the Transfer Station Committee meeting minutes

  1. Reviewed the request made by Transfer Station Manger Larry Dellveneri to purchase a portable restroom for the facility. Mr. Faignant moved to approve the purchase and installation for $4000. Mr. Chioffi seconded the motion. The funds would come from the capital improvement fund if it cannot be funded by ARPA funds. The motion passed 5-0.
  2. Reviewed the discussion of zero sort recycling. Further discussion will be had at future meetings.

New Business Board to discuss the Personnel Policy and who should sign it.

  1. After some discussion about the Personnel Policy, Mr. Faignant moved for anyone who receives a paycheck from the town should sign the policy. A page acknowledging receipt of the policy needs to be signed. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. After some discussion about portions of the policy that apply to individuals based upon whether they are elected or appointed, the motion passed 5-0.

New Business Board to discuss succession planning and storage of town records

This will be moved to a future agenda.

Mr. Faignant asked for the board, at a future meeting, to discuss adding a ballot asking residents to allow the sale of marijuana in town in the future.

Ms. Ashcroft acknowledged 3 thank you letters received from scholarship award recipients.

Ms. Ashcroft gave a brief overview of a meeting she attended with Rutland City Mayor David Allaire regarding the Evergreen Cemetery. It was affirmed that the cemetery does not lie in the Town at all.

Mr. Denardo moved to enter executive session for a personnel matter with Town Lister Howard Burgess attending and a second on possible litigation. Mr. Chioffi seconded motion. The motion passed unanimously. The board entered executive session at 8:19 PM.

Upon leaving executive session, with no action being taken, Mr. Faignant moved to adjourn. Mr. Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet

 

 
Mary Ashcroft, Chair
 
Joseph Denardo, Clerk
 
John Paul Faignant
 
Sharon Russell
 
Don Chioffi

 

Center Rutland, VT.

Rutland Town News

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