Rutland Select Board approves driveway permit, park fence, rescinds sewer agreement and opens fuel bids

The Rutland Select Board took several municipal actions at its July 30 meeting, approving routine permit language and authorizing maintenance spending while referring procurement decisions to staff committees.

Driveway permit: Following highway committee review, the board adopted a Town Driveway Installation Permit that incorporates updated VTrans standards and standard application materials. The board voted by voice to adopt the one‑page permit, instructions and special conditions to clarify construction and inspection requirements.

Parks maintenance: Recreation Director Mike Rowe asked the board to approve replacing the remaining 10 feet of aged fence at Dewey Park. Rowe said he had a quote from their preferred vendor of “about $8,000 and change” and asked the board to authorize work from the recreation depreciation account. The board moved, seconded and approved a motion to proceed, with the motion limiting cost to not exceed $9,000 from the depreciation fund.

Procurement: The board opened multiple bids for municipal fuel (heating oil, propane, and diesel) for the 2024–25 contract year. Vendors including Johnson Energy, Suburban Propane, Procter Gas and Irving submitted fixed and variable pricing; the board referred the bids to the building committee and asked staff to prepare a comparison chart for decision at a future meeting.

Sewer agreement: After an executive session to receive legal advice on personnel, litigation and contracts, the board voted to rescind the sewer maintenance agreement with Eco Wash (formerly doing business under other names) and authorized town counsel to send notice and record the change in the land records. The board noted the underlying sewer ordinance remains in effect.

Other committee business included selecting the Regional Planning Commission to prepare a local hazard mitigation plan update (lowest responsive proposal) and progress reports on Post Road sidewalk engineering and other capital projects.

Votes at a glance - Approve replacement fencing at Dewey Park: motion carried; funding from rec depreciation; price not to exceed $9,000. - Adopt Town Driveway Installation Permit: motion carried by voice vote. - Rescind sewer maintenance agreement with Eco Wash: motion carried; staff to notify and record notice in land records. - Authorize solicitation of contract from Regional Planning Commission for hazard mitigation update: motion carried.

The board referred bid review and building‑related procurement to the building committee and set follow‑up items for upcoming meetings.