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Residents Renew Calls for Answers After Death Linked to 133 Grove Street; Aldermen Add Executive-session Update
Summary
Family members and residents urged the Rutland City Board of Aldermen to investigate police handling of repeated incidents at 133 Grove Street after a resident died May 13; the board agreed to an executive-session update and to schedule follow-up meetings with complainants.
Residents told the Rutland City Board of Aldermen on June 2 that persistent problems at 133 Grove Street — including reported drug activity, an aggressive dog and repeated emergency calls — culminated in the suspicious death of a resident on May 13 and that city responses to complaints have been inadequate.
The public-safety concerns drew the board’s attention during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Lori Coombs, who identified herself as living at 51 Edgerton Street, said the house at 133 Grove had “consumed” multiple city resources over the past year and said family members could not get answers from the police about the circumstances of her brother’s death. “My brother was a vulnerable individual who deserved to be protected, and he was not protected,” Coombs said.
Why it matters: Complainants say the property is close to an intermediate and middle school and that repeated police and code-enforcement contacts did not resolve a pattern of calls that neighbors say included violent behavior and an attack by an aggressive dog. The family alleges an officer later escorted a person back onto the property despite an earlier no-trespass restriction; hours later the resident was found unresponsive, they said.
Several other speakers backed Coombs’ concerns. Lindy Smith, who described herself as temporarily homeless and having worked on cleaning out the boarding house, said she was assaulted at the same address and urged the mayor and police chief to “look into this situation.” Both speakers asked the board for a clearer account of city actions and for help preventing further harm.
Board response and next steps: Mayor Mike Dunges asked that the police chief be allowed to give the board an executive-session update on the situation at the end of the meeting; the aldermen voted to add that session. The mayor also said he had scheduled a meeting with Coombs to follow up and would reschedule if necessary. City Attorney LaChance later moved the formal finding and motions necessary to enter executive session to discuss security or emergency-response matters, and the board voted to convene behind closed doors with the mayor, treasurer, city clerk, city attorney and the police chief present.
What was not decided: No formal findings or policy changes were reported in open session on June 2. The public commenters requested an investigation and additional transparency; the board agreed to receive an update in executive session and to meet privately with one complainant, but the board did not take a public vote imposing new directives or discipline.
Context: At the meeting the speakers referenced a no-trespass notice and a citation filed by the city’s building-inspection office prior to May 13. City staff confirmed there was a schedule to speak further about 133 Grove in executive session and that the mayor would follow up with Coombs about a separate meeting she requested.
Ending: The board indicated it would provide a closed-session update and follow up with complainants; any public actions or formal findings arising from the executive-session discussion have not yet been released.
