PRESENT:   

Selectboard:   Gary Katz, Frank Suponski, Dennis Wiswall

Also Present:  Ed Druke, Marc Gray, Jamie Cone, George Friend

1.                 CALL TO ORDER

 Gary Katz, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and reminded the board and Shannon that he will be out until the first week of June.

2.         MINUTES

A motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to approve the minutes of April 15, 2010 as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

3.                              ROAD BUSINESS

After a brief discussion a motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to ask Shannon to send a letter to Fred Ross outlining the concerns of the board regarding the Dover Road being closed without sufficient notice. The motion carried unanimously. Shannon will draft the letter for Dennis’s signature.

Discussion ensued regarding the State’s comments regarding the safety of the Arch Bridge in Williamsville. A motion was made by Todd Lawley to send a letter to Pam Thurber regarding closure of the bridge. The motion was seconded by Dennis Wiswall. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion ensued regarding Bridge #14, next to the South Newfane General Store. A right-of-way agreement was received by the Town. A motion was made by Dennis Wiswall to approve the Right-of-Way Agreement. The motion was seconded by Frank Suponski. The motion carried unanimously.

Todd mentioned that the bridge is in poor shape and the board should be considering lowering the weight limit. Todd will get in touch with John Alexander and have him look at it with him. A motion was made by Frank Suponski to authorize Todd Lawley to lower the weight limit of the South Newfane Bridge # 14, pending recommendation of the State of Vermont. The motion was seconded by Dennis Wiswall. The motion carried unanimously.

Todd recommended that the town award the paving bid to Lane Construction. A motion to that affect was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall. The motion carried unanimously.

Todd recommended that the Town award the roadside mowing bid to Chris Lowe and over-the-road mowing to M&M Excavating. After a brief discussion regarding over-the-rail mowing, a motion to that affect was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Dennis Wiswall. The motion carried unanimously.

4.         SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Marc Gray was present to talk about the bush guards near the building at the town office, and also the fence. Todd will look at the old town garage to see if there’s room for the bush guards, and the Highway Crew will be taking the fence down. Marc also mentioned the garbage blowing around at the Town Office, and the ruts at the cemetery off Beetlestone Hill Road. Todd will look at it and fill in the ruts. Shannon will contact Windham Solid Waste Management about the garbage blowing in the yard.

5.                  UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

There were no Unscheduled Members of the Public.

6.         NEW BUSINESS

Newfane Hill Common Logging: Gary went over the high points of the contract for the logging, noting that either will be no cost to the Town or the town will gain a little income for it. A short discussion ensued.

7.                  OLD BUSINESS

Junk Ordinance Violation: Shannon reported that she had been in contact with Mr. Van Dyke and he’d like to know whether the town could negotiate the amount of money owed. Todd Lawley made a motion to authorize Shannon to report back to Mr. Van Dyke that the board is not willing to negotiate. The motion was seconded by Frank Suponski. The motion carried unanimously.

Planning Commission Appointments: Shannon reported that there are currently six people interested in serving on the Planning Commission. There will be an informational session on May 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. for those interested.

Grant Possibilities: Dennis noted that he’d have a letter drafted for the next meeting.

8.                  ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT

Shannon reported that the person who’d damaged the guard rails on Dover Road last year signed agreement to pay $200.00 per month until they were paid off.

Shannon reported that she’d been in discussion with members of the Williamsville Hall Committee and expressed interest in recruiting the Hall Committee to take over the Hall Rentals. She noted that there were many more rentals than in previous years, and it was now a weekly task to drive over to the Hall during the work days. Hearing no objections, a motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to approve the Williamsville Hall Committee taking over the rentals with the conditions that a) the money still go through the Town Office, b) the town be kept apprised of all rentals and dates, and c) that one person be designated as a contact between the Hall Committee and Shannon with regards to rentals and procedure. The motion carried unanimously.

Shannon further reported that the Williamsville Hall Committee has expressed some interest in hosting a regular Community Event, where the hall would be open for a period of time each week to allow the public to come in and use the facilities, i.e. play ping pong, read, visit, etc… Discussion ensued regarding whether there’d be any liability with people playing the ping pong.  A motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to approve the Community Events, with the understanding that someone from the Hall Committee be present at each open event for the entire duration. The motion carried unanimously.

9.                  CORRESPONDENCE: 

A letter was received from Carolyn Coleman in response to the letter the Board had sent her. This was regarding the wire running through the culvert across the road. After a short discussion, the board asked Shannon to send Carolyn a letter letting her know that there’s no further problem with the wire, as long as it’s understood that if anything happens to the wire, the town is not liable.

A letter was received from Maureen Albert – Piascik, Treasurer, asking for direction on assigning line items to certain expenses. After discussion, a motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to have Shannon inform the Treasurer that they were in agreement with her proposed line items, being that the four items related to recording come from Town Clerk Records Expense line item, and the fifth item, a notary stamp, is to come from Office Supplies. The motion carried unanimously.

10.              EXECUTIVE SESSION

A motion was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to enter Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue. The motion carried unanimously. The board came out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.

A motion was made by Frank Suponski and seconded by Todd Lawley to ask Dennis Wiswall as Vice-Chair to follow up with the Zoning Administrator regarding the discussion in Executive Session. The motion carried unanimously.

11.              PAY ORDERS

Dennis Wiswall made a motion to approve pay orders. The motion was seconded by Frank Suponski. The motion carried unanimously. Todd Lawley abstained as to Payroll Orders.

12.       ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Todd Lawley and seconded by Dennis Wiswall to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. 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)