Airport park sewer rates in question
Toolbox
Published: September 21, 2009
When the Board of Aldermen meet tonight they'll tackle an agenda that includes a request that they reconsider the sewer rate the Rutland Area Business Park is charged.
Although the aldermen recently approved the renewal of a 25-year contract with the business park, its president Richard Gile writes that the agreement was never finalized as more information came to the business park's attention. After an accounting discrepancy made business park officials go back and look at the cost of sewer to park businesses, they realized that the fee they're paying, $13.15 per 100 cubic feet, is more than three times what Rutland City users pay and double the Rutland Town rate.
"At the time the original agreements were made, the park was a high-risk dream," Giles wrote in a letter to the board. "The city was putting up some of its airport land for a project with promise but no certainty. The sewer rate reflected the risk that was involved. … The risk is gone and the high rate is now a detriment to the effort to fill the vacant park lots with new businesses."
Giles is asking that the park businesses be billed at the same rate as the Rutland Town users. He figures it will cost the city about $1,900 per quarter, but notes the shortfall will be more than made up for by the increased property taxes the city will receive from the park after Clarendon's recent reappraisal.
In other business, Fire Chief Robert Schlachter is requesting permission to replace a pickup from the equipment replacement fund.
The aldermen also have a request for a first-class liquor license from a new business called Ginger China Restaurant at 124 Woodstock Ave.
Full slate
The aldermen again have a full calendar this week. On Tuesday the General Committee will discuss Treasurer's Office personnel and the roles each play — an issue raised by Alderman Joe Tilden after budget season ended and Treasurer Wendy Wilton told him she didn't think the board was aware of the work done in her office.
On Wednesday, Routes 4 and 7 Committee, chaired by Alderwoman Sharon Davis, will meet to hear an update on the status of the project. Then on Thursday, the Charter and Ordinance Committee will consider a request from the owner of the Red Moon Saloon that a city ordinance be changed to allow 18 to 21-year-olds entrance in venues with entertainment licenses.
Charter review planned
Alderman Dave Dress has scheduled a Charter and Ordinance Committee meeting to review the city's current form of government that calls for an elected mayor, treasurer and assessor. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.
Dress asks that any residents interested in being part of a charter review committee e-mail him at djdress@comcast.net.
Case moves ahead
A recent court-ordered mediation between former city employee Debra Bearss and the city officials she's suing for defamation and damage to her career didn't solve the dispute, according to a report from the neutral evaluator assigned to the case.
Mayor Christopher Louras and Wilton — both of whom are named as defendants in the suit, as well as Board President David Allaire, City Attorney Andrew Costello, John Leddy, the attorney representing the city and the mayor, and Jim Carroll, Wilton's attorney, all traveled to Burlington on Sept. 10. So too did Terri McAdams, an attorney with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns — which provides the city's insurance — who had settlement authority for all defendants. Bearss was present with her attorneys, Paul Kulig and Christopher Sullivan, who is also a former city attorney.
According to the short report from James Spink, a Burlington attorney, the session went about three and a half hours and included oral presentations from all counsel. The case was not settled.
stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com
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