Rutland clears $15,000 easement payment for town line project; approves Johnson Energy fuel contract and discusses parsnip control

The Rutland Town Select Board on Aug. 12 completed several routine but fiscal matters for the highway and sewer programs: it approved a $15,000 check for an easement related to a Town Line Road property, settled funding sources for that payment, approved a variable fuel contract with a capped rate, and discussed invasive wild‑parsnip control and winter road‑treatment options.

Why it matters: The easement payment settles a long‑running land access issue needed for road work; the fuel contract sets municipal winter fuel pricing for town buildings and generators; and the parsnip control discussion identifies an approach the town will take in spring that balances effectiveness and environmental considerations.

Easement and funding: The board approved writing the $15,000 check tied to the Wenzel Carrington easement and agreed the town will request roughly $7,500 back from the League of Cities and Towns while covering the other $7,500 from the town’s capital improvement fund. The motion to allocate $7,500 from capital and seek a $7,500 reimbursement was made, seconded and carried (voice votes recorded with four in favor and one abstention reported during tallying discussion).

Sewer and contracts: Town staff reported the South End Sewer Project contract attestation (signature pages) had been completed and forwarded for recordkeeping; staff also said that approximately $30,000 in engineering costs remain coded to engineering for now but would be charged to the sewer fund where appropriate and could be recoded later.

Fuel bids and selection: The board opened the municipal fuel bids submitted by local suppliers. After comparing fixed and variable options and a cap proposal, the board approved a Johnson Energy variable heating-oil/diesel proposal that charges 40¢ per gallon over Johnson’s cost on day of delivery with a maximum cap rate of $2.699 per gallon for the contract period. The board also provisionally accepted an Irving propane fixed price pending confirmation that the vendor still honored the quote submitted with the bid packet.

Invasive plant control and road chemical practice: Road Commissioner Dave Sears described options to control wild parsnip on town lands. He reported that 2,4‑D application rates discussed were 0.66 pints per 1.33 acres and explained that timing is important: town staff plan spring and late‑season spot treatments rather than immediate spraying in August because seed production and dispersal timing reduce effectiveness if treated too late. Sears and staff also reviewed non‑chemical options (steam sprayers) and limitations and discussed brine and white‑salt options for winter anti‑icing; the board heard that brine works well for parking lots but that winter-road brine application has operational complexity and risks.

Ending: The board approved the easement payment arrangement, authorized Johnson Energy for municipal fuel under the stated cap, and set a modest timeline and strategy for parsnip control and winter salt/brine evaluation. Town staff will follow up with state wastewater and engineering partners, process vendor contracts and present a capital schedule for future equipment decisions.