Newfane Selectboard Minutes - December 17, 2009 PDF Print E-mail

NEWFANE SELECTBOARD MINUTES

DECEMBER 17, 2009

NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE 

PRESENT:     Selectboard:   Gary Katz, Christopher Williams, Dennis Wiswall, Todd LawleyAlso Present:  Gunther Garbe, Virginia Grabowski, Ed Druke, Maureen Albert-Piascik  

1.        CALL TO ORDER Gary Katz, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 

2.         MINUTES The minutes of December 3, 2009 were reviewed. A motion was made by Dennis Wiswall and seconded by Christopher Williams to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried with three in favor and Todd Lawley abstaining, as he was not at the meeting. 

3.         FINANCE REPORT Maureen Albert-Piascik, Treasurer, was present to discuss the status of the finances. She presented the loan documents to the board for renewing the loan on the 2009 Sterling truck. A motion was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Christopher Williams to pay the 1/5 due on the loan and to renew the loan for another year at 2.5%. The motion carried unanimously. Maureen also inquired about an invoice from the Windham County Humane Society for impoundment. As she hadn’t seen one like that before, she was unsure of where that would come from. The board asked Shannon to call WCHS and look into it. 

4.         ROAD BUSINESS Road Foreman’s Report:  See attached report. 

Upper River Road: Discussion ensued regarding recommendations for dealing with the possible closure of Upper River Road. Todd will have recommendations for a special meeting to be warned for January 4.  

Follow up on permit request for laying pipes and wires: Shannon presented the board with the application for Laying Pipes and Wires submitted by Jon Julian. The board had no objections, however  no immediate action was taken. 

Signage on South Wardsboro Road: Dennis went through his recommendations resulting from a meeting with Blake Prescott. The board also discussed Depot Road and some dangerous sections there. 

Bridge 14 Right of Way Approval: After limited discussion, a motion was made by Todd Lawley to accept the Right of way plans as presented by the State of Vermont, stating that the board is prepared to defend the right of way as presented. The motion was seconded by Dennis Wiswall. The motion carried unanimously. 

5.         SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Jack Bell submitted a letter requesting a variance on the Excess Weight Permit held by Savage Trucking for the South Wardsboro Road. Christopher noted that they have been very respectful on their project on Baker Brook Road, and were also cooperative when asked not truck during the closure of covered bridge. In addition it was noted that there are no compromised bridges on South Wardsboro Road. A motion was made by Christopher Williams and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to approve the variance to 99,000 pounds for the South Wardsboro Road, based on the use of 6 axle trucks, for the listed projects in the vicinity, for forestry purposes. The motion carried unanimously.

6.         UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC  

7.         NEW BUSINESS 

Health Insurance: Gary reviewed the costs and benefits of Health Insurance companies. After a discussion, a motion was made by Dennis Wiswall and seconded by Christopher Williams to switch health insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield to MVP Trivantage. The motion carried with three in favor. Todd Lawley recused himself from discussion and vote. Dental Insurance: After the vote to switch health insurance, a motion was made by Dennis Wiswall and seconded by Christopher Williams to join Delta Dental for all full-time employees. Discussion: Dennis Wiswall noted that it is a substantial savings for the Town and also giving additional benefit to the employee, a win-win situation. Christopher felt it was a good deal. Gary felt that with the substantial savings to the town, why not add to the benefits of the employee. The motion carried with three in favor. Todd Lawley recused himself from discussion and vote. 

Posting of Notices: Shannon notified the board that the South Newfane Store is not open and there is no snow removal. This makes posting notices difficult. Also, there is no snow removal at the Williamsville Hall. A motion was made by Christopher Williams and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to suspend posting at the Williamsville Hall through the winter months and the South Newfane General Store until it opens up again. Discussion: Gary pointed out that the remaining posting places are still in accordance with the law. The motion carried unanimously. 

9.         OLD BUSINESS Gary mentioned that tax sales would be held Friday at 1:00 at the Town Office. The Selectboard will need to be buyer of last resort. He also noted that there is a buyer for the property at Legion Road that the town had purchased at the previous tax sale. 

10.       CORRESPONDENCE:   George D. Aiken: Notice of grants available. The board asked Shannon to look into this and to come back to the board with recommendations. A motion was made by Dennis Wiswall and seconded by Todd Lawley to contract with Thermal House to conduct an energy audit for the town office in preparation for applying for funds through Windham Regional Commission. The motion carried unanimously. The board also asked Shannon to contact Steve Levine with the information for Thermal House and perhaps they’d want to do an energy audit as well. 

11.              PAY ORDERSA motion was made by Dennis Wiswall to approve pay orders. Todd Lawley seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 

12.       ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to adjourn at 8:15. The motion carried unanimously. 

Respectfully Submitted,Shannon Meckle 

Posted:  Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store, W.W. Building Supply, Williamsville Hall, S. Newfane/Williamsville Post Office and the South Newfane General Store & Deli. www.newfanevt.com (after approval)