[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6230359,"mediaKeyId","3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8","parentId",3442263,"title","Public commenters accuse mayor of mishandling rec superintendent’s situation; aldermen hear criticism during public comment","audioSeconds",445,"startMs",960000,"endMs",1405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8&start=960&end=1405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8/thumbnail_960000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230359/Rutland-City/Rutland-County/Vermont/Public-commenters-accuse-mayor-of-mishandling-rec-superintendents-situation-aldermen-hear-criticism-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230359-7a31f75ebe7b8c4d58b4d6b604979832/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204601&Signature=cLcf7YmhMK4Zq~HHvIm-aveS7SAB~n2woANPF6JfXhW4fEsIm9B3286~8leKbTNkOpObiL7qq~LpnM6F6jLVX3wTidtioI3HvUOhSlZHSq-tJjfGHhTbb0exuO-BtxS5qdYLMs1-hm0WG1z6iRJG~Gk2Ey4jaosuMbiKlWCEWGktfkaaMnxDkNxfnXXqye9WO~tzcD9Qpp6sCW2pEihoc1ewmWwkQvjr3EHNcn99uOzpuOFSjxsa0PU5upx7bclw9O~JHVMlSjm1mHyCXUHrAp9YHsW5OlTAy9obFPiG0OXH5qRNwLsqIbkds24LlIDE1XQ--nwSRknXBMtBDtwTiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutland City, VT","date","2025-05-22T09:08:56.86Z","article","Several residents used the Board of Aldermen public-comment period on May 19 to criticize Mayor David Dungess’s handling of the non-reappointment of Recreation Superintendent Kim Peters, alleging the mayor publicly questioned Peters’ integrity and failed to address concerns directly with the superintendent.

Kim Heck, a Rutland resident, read a letter addressed to the mayor and said the mayor “violated her privacy and have forever labeled her as unworthy.” Heck said the mayor’s public remarks “call into question your ability to lead and operate with the decency that all city employees deserve” and urged the mayor to “do the right thing for our community.”

During Heck’s remarks the board chair interrupted to ask for restraint: “This is not a place for personal attacks,” the chair said when comments grew heated. Heck replied that she had the right to speak and criticized what she described as a double standard. The exchange ended without formal board action; the public-comment period concluded and the meeting proceeded with agenda items.

No motion, inquiry, or personnel action related to the matter was recorded on the meeting agenda or taken by the board at the meeting. The comments were recorded on the public record during the meeting and will be part of the official minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rutland City TIF Informational & Board of Aldermen Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comments at the May 19 meeting, residents criticized Mayor David Dungess’s handling of Recreation Superintendent Kim Peters’ non-reappointment, saying the mayor publicly questioned Peters’ integrity and failed to address the matter privately; the board did not take action during the meeting.","taxTitle","Rutland City, Rutland County, Vermont","taxId",2753,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230362,"Aldermen refer downtown wildlife-feeding and rodent concerns to Charter and Ordinance committee",394,1541000,1935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8&start=1541&end=1935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8/thumbnail_1541000.jpg","/articles/6230362/Rutland-City/Rutland-County/Vermont/Aldermen-refer-downtown-wildlife-feeding-and-rodent-concerns-to-Charter-and-Ordinance-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230362-d20e65eb30cc246c48e69e0823ded675/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204601&Signature=FMmFh21tpqOh0YKX4capn0pueCHqm-pXQizZjXHnH061lqHBm~Xp~i299URoBl72PMoo2iRAPHlPFbMTcRu3uatrOYwEWs~g4YhRqoSUX4pJfaDpUgaclWstpNx5a9pd9b72eWj4AT1P9WVR3Hgku4S0iWbwNUuqgRHY-AWpAUC9woFsnGx0jq~zOArc6kB0EG655s0QJvkEPd8N962lxI712bUZ2S8~Q23EtypAunfU~DZmBplHHC0Q8ZSFdDp5ikRxD55v4g0hI0rNidrQO5U0zfqJPknhngKwsbUV~4JhZnaS1C~in2VnFpTRjkmmvGXEDVGKTyI48kPlJM1Jnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident's report of widespread mice and rat activity downtown prompted the Rutland City Board of Aldermen on May 19 to send possible ordinance language addressing feeding of wildlife and downtown pest control to the Charter and Ordinance Committee.

Karen, who identified herself as a downtown resident, described visible mice and rats in her building and said she observed people scattering bread and seed in downtown areas; she told the board she had documentation from the city clerk's office about prior complaints. “A breeding female, a single breeding female can have 80 or more mice in a year's time,” she said, explaining why she wanted a local ordinance drafted quickly to prevent further infestations.

Alderman Talbot moved to refer the matter to the Charter and Ordinance Committee with direction to consider ordinances related to pests or wildlife in the downtown district; the motion was seconded and passed. During discussion Alderman Clifford and others noted similar complaints in other parts of the city and said the problem may include composting and trash management as well as intentional feeding.

Committee members asked staff to contact the resident when the committee schedules a meeting. Alderman Oliver McClure asked committee members to consider splitting the inquiry into two related tracks: one focused on feeding wildlife within the downtown district and another broader discussion about rats and infestations citywide. The board's referral language instructed the committee to consider both approaches.

No ordinance text was adopted at the meeting; the board's action was a referral to committee to draft and evaluate possible ordinances and implementation steps.","Following a resident’s report of increased mice and rats linked to feeding in the downtown core, the Board of Aldermen voted to refer possible ordinances addressing feeding wildlife and pest management to the Charter and Ordinance Committee for drafting and review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230367,"Finance committee authorizes opioid-settlement funds for outreach vehicle and treatment court support",234,5260000,5494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8&start=5260&end=5494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8/thumbnail_5260000.jpg","/articles/6230367/Rutland-City/Rutland-County/Vermont/Finance-committee-authorizes-opioid-settlement-funds-for-outreach-vehicle-and-treatment-court-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230367-65baaed62674fd5feeaf3ed053de98df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204601&Signature=PSUxvYIudFi8kN7KzN1PKVo~oTOW6IZlCIrxvfuh0bdRRndaD3Hn9LL1-VLoB7DP8rMjGMb5j8eWH9J2FVD6EITxea2J6EKVzNVzAjIdiEO6hwYrR9hPRYZscQSeFbIvfneDyFvCD2P11Tbsb36DJ64p8qyylVjEoUhYbwtzg-0uBtSxN0-gj~HZH4uexnUgCt1Xw17s~~u9~ZQmp5zi5OkY1V0iZU4PAMe~E8lpGDhSHV-tByKRNNjWugdh4xKM5BfUHA-yN7~Tx6MYOprtAgo~NhAdvZ3QkwLBciUajvC-CXSDs~AEQsDvwS-6VTokQ5Fpq0c5v5Pat-UCnFNMSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutland's Finance Committee voted to allocate opioid-settlement funds to support mobile outreach and court-based treatment initiatives, the committee chair reported to the full Board of Aldermen on May 19.

Committee materials and the committee chair's report to the board described two actions: authorization to spend up to $122,888 to procure a command-post vehicle for the Outreach Care Team, plus $4,250 for the vehicle's radio system to support mobile intervention and recovery services; and authorization of $1,000 from the opioid settlement fund to support treatment and recovery court programming.

According to the committee summary read into the record, Commander Prouty (Police Department) explained the outreach-care effort serves frequent utilizers of services and people disconnected from support systems; the committee recorded that evidence supports the outreach work both for direct needs and prevention. The vehicle quote presented to the committee was $122,888, and the committee voted 4–0 to authorize the purchase from opioid settlement funds and to pay for the radio system from the same source.

The committee also discussed a “situation table” initiative — a multi-agency case coordination process for individuals with complex co-occurring social, health and housing challenges. Committee members supported the initiative in principle but asked that final action be held until the police department provides receipts and scope for the space renovation required to host the situation table.

The Finance Committee's recommendations were reported to the full board; the board then approved the committee motion during the meeting. The committee also noted a separate discussion of city debt, current borrowing needs and bond compliance that was informational and required no immediate action.

No contractual vendors or purchase orders were signed on the dais; the committee authorized use of opioid-settlement funds and directed departments to proceed with procurement steps and follow-up reporting consistent with city purchasing rules.","Rutland's finance committee approved allocation of opioid settlement funds to buy a mobile outreach vehicle and to support treatment/recovery court services; the committee requested additional receipts before finalizing renovation funding for a situation-table space.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230372,"Rutland aldermen approve filing for downtown hotel TIF financing and development agreement",3335,0,3335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8&start=0&end=3335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442263-cf0daf2f015e141b81e35758608000f8/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6230372/Rutland-City/Rutland-County/Vermont/Rutland-aldermen-approve-filing-for-downtown-hotel-TIF-financing-and-development-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230372-6bb9c3231be871edd4ba913cb52935f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204601&Signature=XRjnhvwA2SO5MIom7J5dHHkdkvbm-tI0Ga9GOob7PFxXwlO5nxYWytuaIzmgAEztG5Ppa4OXc1aSFdTrwCsNHXHgx~4abd7vSqxWoHWZLOCh~eig~b~iu40DC5c3SSyr8vKvjA0pk8-XOQzNHUqt1g8PGDiAPiY46n7PSzDgXzLe6oPKYBCjqg3EjhwgoypUPAhom2Q5aSRR4iJ2qtxiNbQ0LStQOs1qiCGhK-Eb0vWazepDLvFj56AFrGCQ8dWj69nu179bzLA5huW5d-1g4h1W2n54tmeBcJEPROLW61ufNtLFekwv0VwJiUbCRskbTQjEkxasegQJn7EKwrLQDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutland City aldermen voted on May 19 to approve a development agreement and a Phase 1 TIF filing to be submitted to the Vermont Economic Progress Council as part of a public–private plan to build a downtown hotel and related infrastructure.

The vote follows a public hearing and a Community and Economic Development Committee recommendation. Stephanie Clark, a consultant with White and Burke Real Estate Advisors, told the board the filing is “our official ask of the board to approve the first phase filing that's going to go in to the state for the TIF component of the hotel infrastructure.”

The approved packet includes a development agreement negotiated between the city and the developer, a financial workbook for the Phase 1 TIF filing, and authorization for the mayor and board president to sign a VEPC cover letter. The Community and Economic Development Committee considered the package at a May 12 meeting and recommended approval to the full board; the committee vote was unanimous.

According to documents presented and summarized during the meeting, the infrastructure scope is focused on water and wastewater upgrades with a current estimated cost of $7,800,000. The financing plan shown to the board allocates $3,100,000 to TIF-supported debt; remaining sources were described as roughly $4.7 million from other grants or funding, and a proposed voter-authorized bond with a $3.9 million statutory limit and a target of $3.8 million to cover financing costs. Clark said the city would not incur this debt until later in the year and that short-term borrowing could be used if needed as cash flows are finalized.

Developer Kent Melvin, speaking for the project team, described the development as a mixed-use building with “a 99 room hotel, 26 market rate apartments on top, [and] bar [and] restaurant.” He said remediation of soils and related site work could begin later in 2025, with remediation work potentially running through November, and that the team hopes to open the hotel in the fall of 2027.

The development agreement includes a tax-stabilization provision tied to an assumed minimum post-development taxable value of $15,000,000 for the hotel parcel. Committee minutes read into the record state the city would fix the municipal valuation of the parcel at $616,100 for a period of 10 years commencing two fiscal years after project commencement confirmation; that stabilization would affect municipal taxation and the downtown special benefit district tax but not state education taxes.

Next steps outlined at the hearing: staff will submit the Phase 1 filing to VEPC (the Vermont Economic Progress Council) for consideration at its July meeting, with possible further review in August; if VEPC approval and other funding align, the city would ask voters to approve the proposed TIF debt at a special election in the fall. Only after voter approval and final funding would city infrastructure construction and developer work proceed.

No formal board conditions beyond the approved documents were recorded at the meeting; the development agreement and Phase 1 materials were approved by motion after the committee recommendation and the board vote passed without a recorded roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.","Rutland aldermen voted to approve a development agreement and a Phase 1 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) filing to submit to the Vermont Economic Progress Council for the proposed downtown hotel and infrastructure project, advancing the plan toward a possible voter bond in fall 2025 and construction in 2026–2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters accuse mayor of mishandling rec superintendent’s situation; aldermen hear criticism during public comment

Aldermen refer downtown wildlife-feeding and rodent concerns to Charter and Ordinance committee

Finance committee authorizes opioid-settlement funds for outreach vehicle and treatment court support

Rutland aldermen approve filing for downtown hotel TIF financing and development agreement