M. Rohan explained to the members of the town Highway Department that the first time through on the town budget, the proposed increase for the town budget would have been an additional $0.13 on the tax rate. In the past there have been substantial surplus funds which have helped to reduce the tax rate. The surplus from FY 1999 was $12,531, as compared to $98,508 in FY 1998. The Selectmen went back through the budget and made cuts in many areas. It is a tight budget for all, but expenses will need to be watched more carefully.
J. Anderson indicated that when it comes to sand and salt for winter maintenance, safety should not be sacrificed. Consideration may be given, of instance, to not scheduling a guard rail project for FY 2001 and using those funds in other areas. In the use of calcium chloride to stabilize the road surface during dry spells, the highway department should be more judicious. The overall bottom line amount for the highway department expenses should not be exceeded. After discussion about maintenance of sanders, the Board agreed to add $1,000 to the sander maintenance line item.
It is anticipated that the budget for the next fiscal year will level out and be closer to reality. It was noted by Board members that salaries and benefits were not cut when considering budget cut proposals. Other possible health benefit packages will be looked into for future budgets.
Board members thanked the highway personnel for their attendance and helpful contributions to the discussion.

B. ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT - (See attached report) The Board reviewed his report. No action was taken on any of the items listed.

C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS No Excess Weight Permits were presented that required action by the Board.

D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS No Access/Right of Way permits were presented to the Board that required any action.

E. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS
(1) Vermont Electric Cooperative has submitted a permit for replacing poles and anchors within the right of way on Baker Brook Road (TH#19) and Porter Thayer Road (TH#51). Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by J. Anderson to have the Board sign the permit to perform work within the town right of way on Baker Brook Road (TH#19) and Porter Thayer Road (TH#51) for the placing of poles and anchors to be placed as agreed to at the one site meeting between Richard Dowley, James Gray and Mike Bernard of VEC held on 01/11/00. Unanimous.
(2) J. Gray indicated that the posting should be done for mud season to give advance notice to truckers before the "mud season" conditions occur.
(3) The Certificate of Highway Mileage for the year ending February 10, 2000 has been received from the state. No changes have been made. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by J. Anderson to have the Board sign the Newfane Certificate of Highway Mileage for the year ending February 10, 2000. Unanimous.
Class 2 roads - 16.90 miles, Class 3 - 47.05 miles, State Highway - 5.662 miles for a total of 69.612 miles. 0.66 miles of Class 4 roads is not included in the total.

B. BUDGET REVIEW - EXPENSE, REVENUE & CAPITAL
J. Gray indicated that did not object to some of the particular highway budget cuts. He would have liked to have seen the retreatment amount stay as it was to try to keep up with the paving needs. There is approximately 14.50 miles of paved roads in Newfane. The town tries to repave a road every seven years. M. Rohan suggested that the small amount deducted to level fund a few of the appropriations should be added back into the budget. The other Board members agreed (amount - $265). The budget figures will be recalculated to include the various additions to line items.

C. DRAFT ARTICLES FOR THE WARNING
The Board reviewed the draft articles. M. Rohan spoke with A. Darrow about the article which suggests eliminating the office of Town Auditor with future audits to be provided by a certified public accountant. There are currently two positions open for election at town meeting. After some discussion, the Board decided to not include this article this year, but to wait until the 2001 meeting. The Village Trustees have reduced their request for and appropriation for repairs to Union Hall from $10,000 to $5,000. No petition will be required. The wording for articles 19 & 20 concerning the Williamsville-covered Bridge were reworded. Article 21, to vote to put $25,000 into Minutes - the Reappraisal Fund will be included in the warning. Article 24 will be reworded and the amount of expenditures will be updated after the budget changes earlier in the meeting. It was suggested that after the articles have been revised, that a copy be sent to Moderator Fred Houston for his review and comment. The Board will come to sign the warning on Friday, January 28th, in the event any petitions are received with the appropriate number of signatures of registered voters for articles to be included on the warning. Petitions may be received until Thursday, January 27th at 5:00 p.m.

D. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
(1) The options and the condition of the Williamsville-covered bridge were discussed.
(2) The generator received from Grace Cottage Hospital is still at the old town garage.
If Townshend or Brookline are still interested, they need to be contacted to have the item removed or the town will have to advertise from another interested party. The overhead hot air furnace at the old town garage will be advertised in the upcoming weeks along with the old garage doors that are currently at the Williamsville Hall.

B. DRAFT SELECTMEN'S REPORT FOR THE TOWN REPORT
The Board members present reviewed the Newfane Board of Selectmen's Report for the Town Report and made some recommended changes.

B. Item #4 - M. Rohan will call Tree Warden, Bill Guenther, about the hearing for the large white pine(s) at the corner of West Street (TH#1) and Cross Street (TH#15). The issue of who will pay for the removal of the large white pine or pines has not yet been resolved. The hearing and decision of the Tree Warden should come first. In the report from the state on the health of two large white pines indicates that the one farthest from the corner should be removed. (High risk - #12) The other is at the top end of the lower risk scale. (#6).

B. IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments

B. A letter was received from Larry Robinson, Clerk of Windham Superior Court which includes the new Equalized Education Grand List and rate to be used to figure the county tax liability for Newfane.

C. Bahman Mahdavi has posted the minutes of the Selectmen's meeting on the Web at http://www.webwerk.com/newfane. He would like the Board members to review the pages and let him know of other information that might be useful to the community at large.

D. A letter has been received from DAK, Chairman of the WSWMD Board of Supervisors, to indicate the portion of the $250,000 assessment due from the town of Newfane for Fiscal Year 2001 for the Windham Solid Waste Management District. $12,600 or 5.04% of the total.

E. The November 1999 statistics for Newfane and speed monitoring reports from 12/20/99 have been received from the Windham County Sheriff's Department.

F. A copy of a two-lot subdivision permit for Frederick Jenness issued by the State of Vermont has been received.

G. A copy of the February 2000 WRC Newsbriefs has been received.

2. I spoke to Jim about putting road closed signs at both ends of roads that are not maintained in the winter months. He said he would take care of it.

3. 01/20 - Had a concern from Lynn Wilson about an icy spot on River Road (TH#15). I called the town garage and they said they would take care of it.

Dick Dowley

2. Cold weather is freezing ditches and culverts in some locations. This is creating icy spots.

3. The highway signs in the Williamsville Hall were moved to the old town garage and new garage. Road closed signs arrived and will be put up.

4. A sewer line froze up at the town garage requiring digging up pipe and replaced with new pipe.

5. Equipment: A. The '93 G.M.C. brakes were repaired. B. Vermont Municipal is going to work on the Snowking plow to improve performance.

2. Roger Whitcomb, Project Manager from VAOT, will attend the Board meeting of February 17th for an informational discussion on the covered bridge options. Would the Board prefer to begin that meeting at 6:30 p.m. or at 7:00 p.m.?

3. I met with Patrick Haley of the Department of Labor & Industry on 01/14/00 at the Williamsville Hall. The following items were discussed:

4. I contacted the Secretary of State's Office regarding the warning notice for the Tree Warden. Kathy DeWolfe indicated that the statute is silent on the requirement for this particular hearing notice. She indicated that the property owners and interested citizens should be warned by posting the notice in at least two places and letting the individuals concerned know within a reasonable period of time; five days or so.

5. I spoke with Wm. Noyes, District #2 VAOT, about how the revenue and expenditure for retreatment has been handled in the proposed budget. The Board has handled it correctly. I also spoke to him about the proposal discussed for stabilizing the River Road (TH#15). The stabilizing of the road would be helpful IF it is done correctly. He still feels that pull-outs he proposed would be the most helpful for the monies spent.