The Town of Rutland Selectboard convened on December 3, 2024, to address ongoing concerns regarding construction delays and associated costs. The meeting began with a review of the previous week's agenda, which had been postponed due to the holiday.

A significant topic of discussion was the delays caused by unsuitable materials and the improper ordering of a fire pump, which has resulted in a six-month setback for the project. Board members expressed frustration over the continuing delays, emphasizing that the town should not bear additional costs due to these issues. One member highlighted that the initial delay from unsuitable soils was understandable, but the subsequent issues were the responsibility of the contractor, VMS, and their subcontractors.

Concerns were raised about the accountability of VMS, with a call for the town to seek compensation for the inconvenience caused by the delays. The board discussed the potential for credit to the town for the disruption, noting that they should have been able to occupy the building a month earlier.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to address these concerns directly with VMS in an upcoming meeting scheduled for Friday morning. Board members expressed their intention to hold the contractor accountable for the delays and ensure that the town is not financially impacted by their mistakes. The Selectboard aims to resolve these issues promptly to move forward with the project.