Board of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday October 9, 2018
Rutland Public Library
6:00 p.m.
Present: Sheila Dibb, Leroy Clark, Jeff Stillings, Leah Whiteman
Others: Robert Reed – Interim Town Administrator, Abby Benoit – Administrative Assistant
Absent: Wayne Walker
Opening of the meeting by Chair, Ms. Dibb at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be televised on local Channel 191 and YouTube.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Clark moved to approve Warrant #8 and payroll. Mr. Stillings 2nd. Vote unanimous.
APPOINTMENTS
6:00 p.m.: Rutland Youth Soccer, Field Proposal
Mr. Reed stated there are approximately 25 acres for a bid that was put out 5 years ago with a 5-year agreement for hayfields. There is no lease for the parcel, it was an agreement at the time for 5 years. Ms. Dibb stated that Dick Williams had looked at the back portion of Glenwood and it was wet. Ms. Dibb also asked if any of the DCR land is getting bid out for hay. Mr. Clark said next April DCR land will go out for bids again.
Randy Jordan, 51 Muschopauge Rd, stated the State property in Rutland has been walked away from by Phil Stevens. Typically, if you rent 50 acres, you bush hog 50 acres. Farmers are not fighting over the fields at DCR due to the quality. There are DCR fields and haying is a generous term for what’s being done when taking on these fields.
Leah Whiteman joined the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
The DCR fields are not comparable to Glenwood. The DCR land is not quality feed product and you cannot fertilize or lime. There was also discussion about solar going in off Wheeler that may impact hay fields.
DCR is a 5-year contract. The farmer walked away from the contract this year. The farmer farming the Rutland fields now is a man named Mike from Oakham. Ms. Dibb stated they need to continue to look into the Central Tree acreage for hay use.
Sean McLaughlin, 75 Barre Paxton Road, made copies of the bid that went out for the haying. The Glenwood Field is not in the area that is to be contracted for hay. Mr. McLaughlin provided copies to the Board. Currently, Mike from Oakham is haying Glenwood. The contract is for approximately 25 acres of the Muschopauge watershed area. If you look at Glenwood and DCR maps, the Glenwood field does not fall in the Muschopauge area. Mr. McLaughlin stated to him it is simple that if it is not part of the bid it can be put out to bid for soccer.
Mr. Jordan stated when the bid sheet was put out 20 years ago it was 2 fields – one by the power station and one by the pumping station. After the school came into play, over time it evolved, and it became assumed that whomever wins the bid would get the Glenwood hay field as well. Mr. Jordan believes it was Gary Kellaher who gave that assumption. The Agricultural Commission is working on revising the bid and specifically spelling out the Glenwood portion of the land.
Ms. Dibb stated the Board is trying to figure out whether or not to change the use of the parcel so how the paperwork looks doesn’t really matter. Mr. Jordan said there was never a lease, it is just an awarded bid.
Ms. Dibb does not think there is any question that there is a need for more playing field space. They need to make a decision what the future use is for that particular parcel. The question is long-term for both parties. Mr. McLaughlin said they need to do something soon. He believes the Heights property could also be an option.
Mr. Clark asked about the trees being cut at the Heights to make fields for soccer. There was further discussion about field space and having hayable fields and what is in the best interest of the Town.
Ms. Dibb stated the Board would be voting on the use of a portion of the parcel without seeing anything that has been engineered or surveyed. The Board committed at a recent meeting to seeing where they stand with preservation of agricultural land.
Ken Lebetkin, 62 Wheeler Road, Vice President Rutland Youth Soccer, stated there are currently other soccer fields nearby. Adding fields to this area would centralize the soccer fields and increase parking for the school. Right now, the fields are spread out and all mixed-use. They cannot control use of the fields when they are mixed-use.
Ms. Whiteman asked if the land were turned over to soccer how the Board can be more proactive about preserving farm land.
There was discussion about APR land and 61A land lost. Mr. Jordan discussed 61A back taxes payment and asked where it goes. He would like to see the back taxes put into a separate account. Ms. Dibb stated it would be a conservation fund.
Mr. Jordan stated the Board needs to consider that the Agricultural Commission is not against soccer, they are about protecting farmland. They are not the only board that is not in favor of this land turning to soccer fields.
Glen Kauppila, 126 Main Street, Agricultural Commission, asked about the sign on route 56 and why there couldn’t be space for fields on the 88 acres. Ms. Dibb stated it has been investigated at great length in different directions. The legislation states that the Town must make money off the property. The RDIC has made it a priority to develop it. A portion of it can be used. Recreation is also part of the plan. There was discussion about Central Tree land.
Jesse Klayman, 166 Main Street, asked Rutland Youth Soccer how much the soccer project at Glenwood could cost. The cost for drawings and surveying would be $20,000 and they would look for donations as a non-profit.
Mr. Jordan stated that all Town-owned property should be controlled or managed by RDIC. Ms. Dibb stated she does not believe that is the charge.
Mr. Stillings moved that the Town allow Rutland Youth Soccer to proceed with their soccer field proposal to construct soccer fields on approximately 8-acres of Town-owned open land referenced in the Rutland Youth Soccer 2018 Field Proposal. Mr. Clark 2nd. Ms. Dibb would amend to see that the decision is subsequent to a final proposal and subject to an RFP and lease agreement. Mr. Stillings – aye, Ms. Whiteman – aye, Ms. Dibb – aye, Mr. Clark – abstain. Motion passed 3-0-1.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Paul Mattson, 24 Birchwood Road, Cable Advisory Committee, thanked everyone involved in taking care of the issue with the door to the Selectmen’s room. It looks like it will hold up. Mr. Mattson thanked everyone for coming together.
Town Administrator Report, Robert Reed
DPW Superintendent Search – Mr. Reed spoke with Alan Gould. The advertising period will end next Monday. They will get through the process in a couple of weeks and should be able to get finalists to the Board the first week in November. There are 11 applicants at this point, but the firm typically sees more at the very end.
Ms. Whiteman asked if the compensation package is competitive. Mr. Reed does not recall a comment from Mr. Gould about that regarding the DPW search.
Town Administrator Search – Bernie Lynch will be coming to the Town on October 16th to meet with departments. The public forum will be at the Library at 6:30 on the 16th. Anyone is welcome to come and share comments about the Town Administrator position.
Special Town Meeting – the warrant closes on October 18th. Mr. Reed has a few articles, the bulk of which are from the Planning Board including road acceptance requests and the potential for several articles regarding marijuana and its uses. The Planning Board will be holding a forum on marijuana on October 23rd. The draft bylaw is with Town Counsel for review. The Board would like to see it.
There was discussion about the zoning bylaw. Ms. Dibb suggested a special Board of Selectmen meeting on October 29th. Ms. Dibb suggested that Mr. Stillings attend the Planning Board public hearing. The Board has not historically given their opinion on the warrant articles, the Finance Committee does. They have votes on every article. The Planning Board will be presenting the articles. Ms. Whiteman encouraged the public to come out on October 23rd to learn more and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Mr. Reed forwarded the proposed language to the Board for attorney certification for road acceptance to get as much information as possible prior to Town Meeting on the condition of the roads.
The roof project is being rebid and being advertised in the Central Register tomorrow.
Ms. Whiteman stated the Town calendar for the public hearing on October 23rd has the proposed bylaws listed.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Clark moved to accept the meeting minutes of September 18, 2018. Mr. Stillings 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the meeting minutes of September 24, 2018. Ms. Whiteman 2nd. Vote unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
Agricultural Commission Appointment
Mr. Stillings thanked Jesse Klayman for his letter of interest.
Mr. Clark moved to appoint Jesse Klayman to the Agricultural Commission, expiring 2021. Mr. Stillings 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Street Sign Request, Paddock Road and Bushy Lane
The request has been reviewed and approved by DPW, Fire, and Police.
Mr. Clark moved to approve the request for stop signs at Paddock Road and Bushy Lane. Mr. Stillings 2nd. Ms. Whiteman asked if it is a 2-way or 4-way stop – request is unclear. Vote unanimous.
Steve Sherman, Paddock Road, stated since the speed limit sign went in cars have been slowing down.
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Stillings 2nd. Vote unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Abby Benoit
Administrative Secretary
Board of Selectmen
Prepared by Laura Scannell Approved ___
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