Chairman M. Rohan called the Regular Meeting of the Board to order at 7:02 p.m.

Ann Landenberger was present to ask the Board about including funds within the budget in the amount of $5,000 to hire a consultant to prepare the application for placing Williamsville Village on the National Register of Historic Places. The area of the village would be from the Arch Bridge (BR#120 to the covered bridge (CB#17). The estimated cost to prepare an application for just the Williamsville Hall would be $1,800. With the village on the National Register of Historic Places, there would be more grant funding available, tax credits, and increased value of buildings included. It could benefit the entire community. Paula Sagerman, resident and historic planner, indicated that the cost for the South Newfane village could be approximately $3,000 as there are less buildings in the South Newfane. M. Rohan reviewed some of the historical information about funding for improvements to buildings within the Newfane Village and Williamsville areas. Newfane buildings raised money for their improvements, while tax monies were used in the Williamsville area.

Board members felt that there should be a petition requesting an article in the warning for the funds to hire a professional consultant to prepare an application to place Williamsville Village on the National Register of Historic Places to allow the residents to vote on the matter, rather than placing it in the budget. J. Anderson suggested that the petition for an article include South Newfane and Brookside as well as Williamsville. There could also be a possibility of raising some of the funds.

There is a recommendation included within the Town Plan that the town should explore the feasibility of nominating the villages of Williamsville, South Newfane and Brookside to the National Register of Historic Places. It was suggested that A. Landenberger check with DAK on the wording of the petition for an article.

A. A request has been received on behalf of the South Newfane Community Association for consideration of a budget allocation of $1,000 towards the rehabilitation of the South Newfane Schoolhouse. A copy of the preservation plan prepared by Paula Sagerman, Historic Preservation Consultant, was included with the request. After some discussion, motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by M. Rohan to include an article in the warning for the March 6 Town Meeting for the request. No petition will be required. Unanimous.

B. Various correspondence has been received regarding proposed traffic calming suggestions for the villages of Williamsville and South Newfane. John Spicer, as co-chairman, has submitted a Progress Report from the Village Enhancement Committee - Traffic Calming Group. Letters have been received from the NewBrook Fire Department and the South Newfane-Williamsville Fire Departments expressing their concerns about some of the suggestions being made by the VEC that would interfere with sight distances and rights of way. The VEC seems to have shifted its focus from planting trees to traffic calming. The perceived problem of speed and traffic control is more of an enforcement issues and decision of the Board.

Piet van Loon has proposed having a public meeting sometime in February, to be set up by the Planning Commission with representatives of WRC, a state transportation engineer, and others to look again at the Depot/Dover Road study. The hearing would give all interested parties a chance to voice their ideas and objections to some of the traffic calming suggestions being proposed.

The Board will also review the original charge of the Village Enhancement Committee at the time of their appointment. E. Druke, a member of the VEC group also expressed his concern about meetings not being properly warned by the VEC. A letter is to be written to remind the committee of the necessity to meet the statutes concerning the open meeting law.

A. ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT - (No report was submitted)

B. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT - (See attached report)

(1) Items #5 - The deck on the covered bridge (CB#17), which was repaired in October of 1997 for $6,900, is getting worse and work should be done to correct the situation. Daniels Construction has submitted a proposal for the repairs for the amount of $9,220. (See minutes of 12/07/00 - 4.F.) M. Rohan will contact Wm. Noyes about alternatives for repairing the deck. The bridge is scheduled to be replaced in four years. With twice as many stringers on the bridge from the repairs of 1998-99, J. Anderson felt that new deck repairs would last longer. The Board will discuss the matter at their meeting of 01/18/01.

(2) Item #3 - The SnowKing plow has been improved with a new adeprene trip edge and different adjusting arms. The Mack plow frame has been damaged from hitting the new granite curbing at the handicap access in front of the church. The estimated damage to the frame is $2,500. (3) Item #4 - Overweight vehicles continue to use the Green Iron Bridge (BR#49) in South Newfane on Parish Hill Road (TH#26).

(4) Item #2 - R. Dowley will speak to the owner of the vehicle that parked out near the edge of the road in Williamsville Village, impeding snow removal. He will be reminded of the winter regulations pertaining to parking and impeding snow removal.

C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS

No Excess Weight Permits were presented for action.

No Access/Right of Way Permits were presented for action by the Board.

(1) L. Bedell asked what can be done regarding the problem of "mud slides" and water runoff into Depot Road (TH#2) from a driveway. The situation seems to be getting worse. It was suggested that a letter be written to the property owner.

Board members will contact the appraisal companies that did not respond to the letters sent by the town asking for their interest in reappraising the town. The matter will be discussed at the meeting of January 18th.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (See attached report)

A. Item #2 - The draft audit report of the FY 2000 financial Statement has been received from John Mudgett, CPA and copies have been sent to Amelia Darrow, Newfane Auditor, for review. A letter has been received by the Board from A. Darrow to indicate that her displeasure with not having received the draft of the town audit. She has also indicated that she will not seek the office of auditor when her term is up in March. Information was also given to the Board regarding the Roles and Responsibilities of the elected auditors as well as information about the possibility of including an article in the warning regarding the Elimination of office of auditor; appointment of public accountant. (17 VSA § 2651b.)

B. Item #5 - The Board will review the drainage situation in the Village of Newfane before any budget allocation is considered.

C. Item #6 - J. Anderson stopped by at the Williamsville Hall before the meeting and the floor has already been done. Some Board members were concerned that the work was done before it was authorized by the Selectmen. Liability issues have to be considered. There was also discussion about changing the locks again at the Williamsville Hall with only one key available from the Administrative Assistant at the Town Office. Any work that is done in any of the town buildings or on town property has to be approved by the Selectboard.

D. The plans for the Act 250 hearing for the intersection of River Road (TH#15) and Radway Hill Road (TH#4) are not completed. Attorney T. O’Connor will notify the District #2 Environmental Commission.

E. Chris Ballou, Chair of the Selectboard in Brookline, has indicated that Brookline will pay for the repair work done on the Brookline/Newfane bridge (BR#19) by Daniels Construction and then Brookline will bill Newfane for their 2.5% portion of the cost, which is approximately $535.00.

F. After some discussion, the Board decided to have a special meeting on January 11th beginning at 6:00 p.m. to work on the FY 2002 expense, revenue and capital budget. There may also be a short meeting on January 25th to sign the final warning for Town meeting.

(1) R. Dowley relayed his conversation with J. Gray about the shoveling of the walkways and the plowing of the parking lot at the Town Office. C. Van Iderstine indicated that he came by at 5:00 p.m. and the parking lot had not been plowed from a storm that had ended in the morning. It was suggested that the plowing could be added to one of the drivers plow route. Board members agreed that the parking lot should be plowed and the walkways shoveled before the opening of business at 9:00 a.m. R. Dowley will relay the message.

(2) Correspondence has been received from Attorney Jane Krochmalny asking if the Board would like to present oral arguments before the Vermont Supreme Court on the Miller vs. Town of Newfane. The Miller’s attorney has indicated that he will not be presenting oral arguments. Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by J. Anderson the have Chairman Michael Rohan inform Attorney Krochmalny that the town of Newfane will waive oral arguments in the Vermont Supreme Court case of Miller v. Town of Newfane. Unanimous.

The minutes of the Regular Meeting of 12/07/00 and 12/20/00 were reviewed by the Board. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by R. Dowley to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of 12/07/00 and 12/20/00 as written. Unanimous.

A. Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by C. Van Iderstine to approve the Newfane Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants, as signed, for the following:

12/23/00 Payroll $ 3,421.54

12/30/00 Payroll $ 3,537.05

01/05/01 Payroll $ 1,796.35

01/05/01 Acct’s Payable #15 $ 189,115.79 Unanimous

12/27/00 $ 1,531.86

01/03/01 $ 1,274.93

Note: The invoice from Fitzpatrick Excavating in the amount of $5,120.50 was deducted from Accounts Payable Warrant #15. The charge is for rip rap for the River Road (TH#15) project which was completed in May/June of 2000. Further investigation needs to be done before payment is made.

A. Notification has been received from the Department of Taxes regarding the Equalization Education Property Value and the Coefficient of Dispersion. The town wide COD is at 21.11%. If it is above 20% the state will require the town to reappraise. Lister, Ted Schreyer will review the information and lt the Board know if the town should petition for a redetermination of the EEPV or COD.

B. A report has been received from Ted Schreyer of all the errors and omissions and the abatements that were approved, which pertain to the Grand List for the year 2000. There were three properties with abatement of taxes, full or partial, and no errors or omissions.

C. A copy of the Water Supply/Wastewater disposal Permit for Stephen and Diane Brown has been received from Daniel Wilcox of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

D. A report has been received from John Feifel, Sewage Control Officer, regarding the status of the Septic Health Permits from January 1998 through December 2000.

E. Notification has been received from the Vermont Department of Health that Dr. Timothy Shafer has been reappointed as Health Officer for Newfane for a three year term beginning December 1, 2000.

F. Thank you letter from Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) for the contribution of $400 from the Town of Newfane.

G. The town has received a Certification of Appreciation for service and cooperation during Census 2000.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - An Executive Session was not required.

Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by C. Van Iderstine to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Newfane Board of Selectmen at 9:40 p.m. Unanimous.

 Doris A. Knechtel

Administrative Assistant

Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted: Town Clerk’s Office, Newfane Store, Patsy’s County Seat Market, Lessing’s Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli, www.newfanevt.com

Respectfully submitted,

James O. Gray

1. The area by the lift at the Williamsville Hall has been repaired by the Draft Detective so that hopefully it will not leak any more.

2. The draft audit report has been received from John Mudgett, CPA. Three copies have been sent to Amelia Darrow. An update of the draft audit report has been just received and included with your information.

3. Scott Dorman came in with a complaint regarding the pick-up truck that is parked with the back-end very close to the edge of Dover Road (TH#2) within the Village of Williamsville causing motorists to cross the center line. Also he said snow can not be properly removed. J. Gray has been notified of the complaint.

4. Ernest White of Auger Hole Road (TH#3) came in to complain about the drainage onto his property from the road. The problem has been fixed once but needs to be repaired again. J. Gray has been notified of the complaint.

5. Bea MacFarland came in to inquire about money in the budget for drainage of West Street (TH#1). She believes that there is $10,000 needed in the FY 2002, or available in this years budget, FY 2001.

6. Jonathan Julian asked about refinishing the floor in the dining area at the Williamsville Hall with two coats of finish after being sanded. (Kitchen not to be included). He estimates that with the rental of the sander and three gallons of finish, it will cost $150. I happened to get Consumers Reports that had an article about refinishing floors and made a copy for J. Julian. I suspect that the cost will be more than $150.

Please send all comments, suggestions and questions to info@newfanevt.com