Rutland Select Board approves firearm trade‑in, Taser contract and multiple public‑safety change orders; transfer‑switch vote split 4–1

At its April 29 special meeting, the Town of Rutland Select Board approved a package of public‑safety contracts and change orders, including replacement of seven department handguns with a trade‑in, a five‑year Taser 10 bundle, a dedicated line for the public safety building, a multi‑year printer/copier contract, and two construction change orders for the new public safety building.

Select Board member Matt Geddy moved the board to approve a contract and bill of sale with a local vendor for replacement handguns; the board approved the contract by voice vote. Town staff told the board the selected bidder, Black Dog Shooting Supplies (local vendor), offered a trade‑in allowance and the net cost to the town for replacing seven handguns was $7,231. The bill of sale language was added to remove any potential town liability for the traded‑in firearms.

The board approved a consolidated communications line for the public safety building (a dedicated line for the APHIS machine) at $20 per month and authorized town administrator Bill to sign the agreement.

The board approved a five‑year contract for the new Taser 10 devices and associated bundle. The total contract price over five years is $40,099.20; the board authorized the police chief to sign the contract.

The board authorized a five‑year SimQuest contract for printer/copier services at the public safety building and the town will sign the agreement through the administrator’s office; the town’s existing devices will be transitioned to the new service as contracts expire.

Two construction change orders related to the public safety building were approved. The first was a $1,622.94 change order for a new manual fire pull station at the maintenance bay (installed) to meet inspection requirements; Joey was authorized to sign that change order. The second was a net $22,004.57 change order for an automatic transfer switch (difference between the originally procured switch and the required unit). The transfer‑switch change order drew from the capital improvement fund (town finance reported $83,002.82 remaining in the fund) and the board approved it subject to signature authorization.

Board discussion on the transfer‑switch change order included technical and risk considerations: staff and the department of fire safety said the sprinkler pump need not be tied to the generator under the current fire marshal guidance, and some board members argued the $22,000 could be directed to other systems (for example a cascade system) that would see more frequent use. The motion to approve the transfer‑switch change order carried by a recorded result of 4–1; the board authorized Joe (Select Board chair) to sign the change order.

Votes and authorizations recorded at the meeting (as presented to the board): • Approval of handgun replacement contract with trade‑in (Black Dog Shooting Supplies): approved by voice vote; net cost presented $7,231; authorized signatures as required. • Approval of consolidated communications dedicated line (Consolidated Communications): $20/month; authorized Bill to sign. • Approval of Taser 10 five‑year contract: total $40,099.20; authorized police chief to sign. • Approval of SimQuest printer/copier service contract: authorized; administrator to sign. • Approval of fire pull‑station change order: $1,622.94; authorized Joey to sign. • Approval of transfer‑switch change order: net $22,004.57; motion carried 4–1; authorized Joe to sign.

The board placed the regional plan presentation on the agenda for the next regular meeting to consider whether to prepare coordinated comments to the Regional Planning Commission.