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MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JANUARY 11th, 2001

NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

 

PRESENT:

Selectmen: Michael Rohan, Lynn Bedell, Richard Dowley and Carter Van Iderstine.

Absent: Jesse Anderson

Also Present: Angela Magara, VEM Hazard Mitigation Officer and Doris A. Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Special Meeting was called to order by Chairman M. Rohan at 6:00 p.m.

2. STATE HAZARD MITIGATION OFFICER - ANGELA MAGARA

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PROPERTY ACQUISITION

The Board asked Angela Magara, VEM Hazard Mitigation Officer, to meet with them to explain the process to be followed for applying for a Hazard Mitigation Grant for possible acquisition of the Kauffeld property on Steep Way (TH#21) damaged in the flood of July 16 - 17, 2000.

The town is the applicant for the project. A. Magara mentioned items that she will need from the town. A copy of the estimated costs to replace the foundation, well and septic and to repair the land which was provided by the property owner. She also provided forms that will need to be completed by the property owner(s). The application, once completed, is reviewed by the Vermont Emergency Management Committee that would make a recommendation in late February to FEMA. The application will compete with others in the state for a limited amount of funding. The process could take anywhere from six weeks to four months. Once the project is approved, the town would have a closing on the property. The cost of the closing as well as administrative costs, (3% of the project costs) will be paid for through the program and should not cost the town. The structure may be moved to another location or it may be demolished. Any alteration to the structure, removal of doors, windows, etcetera, the full acquisition will not be received. The property may be kept as open green space or may be given to a land trust. The septic will need to be filled in and the well capped. Plantings may be put in to hold the land.

A. Magara will contact Rob Allen of USDA regarding their assessment and determination of the property when they reviewed it for their program.

With the buy-out, both the mortgage company and property owner will get something through the FEMA program, but they will not recover the equity that has been put into the property.

3. BUDGET AND TOWN REPORT

A. PROPOSED 2002 BUDGET

(1) EXPENSES

The Board reviewed the budget as proposed for 01/04/01. Items that may need further discussion included the Listers wages, legal fees, small office equipment breakdown for the $1,000, and the Windham County Sheriff’s Department amount for designated enforcement. The areas within the highway budget include road construction, chloride, guard rails & signs. It was agreed to add the $31,500 estimated from the bridge and culvert program to the $15,000 already in the bridge - contracted services line item. The small tools and equipment should also be explained by J. Gray who was not in attendance at the meeting. There has also been an increase of $285 in the Windham County Tax from the amount that was shown on the budget. The proposed expenditure budget will be reviewed again at the next meeting on January 18th when all Board members and J. Gray are present.

3. A. (2) REVENUE BUDGET

The Board reviewed the revenue budget numbers and actual amounts received. The amount of $224,500 include the anticipated amount of $31,500 from the state highway bridge and culvert program. The proposed revenue will be further reviewed at the meeting of 01/18/01.

3. A. (3) CAPITAL BUDGET & PLAN

The Board members did a quick review of the proposed Capital Plan. M. Rohan suggested that the 1991 926E Loader be postponed for replacement until the FY 2003 budget. He has looked at the machine, which is in good condition with approximately 4,000 hours on it, and also provided the Board members with information regarding auction prices for the same machine and older machines of the same type. The piece of equipment appears to hold its value from year to year.

3. B. SELECTMEN’S REPORT FOR TOWN REPORT

M. Rohan will prepare a draft Selectmen’s Report for the Town Report for the other members to review for the next meeting.

3. C. DRAFT ARTICLES OF WARNING

The Board members will review the draft articles as presented and discuss them at the meeting of 01/18/01. Any articles to be considered by petition must be received by Thursday, Jan. 25th at 5:00 p.m.

3. D. SUGGESTIONS FOR TOWN REPORT DEDICATION

A few names were mentioned for consideration for having the Town Report dedicated to them. More research will be done on the people mentioned.

4. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

A. The Board discussed the concept of the possibility of hiring a trained appraiser to assist the Listers with their work. Westminster will be contacted about one of their elected Listers who also is hired as an appraiser. Another area of discussion included the feasibility of a Town Manager form of government. M. Rohan suggested that more investigation and research should be done with a viable plan before recommending these options to the voters. These subjects could be considered as goals and objectives for the next Board.

B. Another area of discussion centered around the Windham County Sheriff’s Department and earmarking the funds for particular traffic control enforcement areas. From the summary reports, it is hard to determine what is being covered for law enforcement activities within the town of Newfane. There was also the suggestion of appointing a part-time constable to provide general law enforcement along with the VT State Police as was done in the past. More research and investigation will also need be done on this subject as another goal and objective.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by C. Van Iderstine and seconded by R. Dowley to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 7:45 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, and www.newfanevt.com





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