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Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 02/10/04 Board of Selectmen's meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.

MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 22nd, 2004
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectmen: Piet van Loon, Gorty Baldwin, Priscilla Cotton, Gary Katz and Chris Williams.
Also Present: Greg Record, Norman Lawley, Merle Tessier, Frank Suponski, and Doris Knechtel as Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Piet van Loon at 6:32 p.m.

2. MERLE TESSIER

The Selectboard received a letter from Merle Tessier regarding the decision if the Board in the hiring of a new Road Foreman. Mr. Tessier was opposed to the choice and felt that a Newfane candidate should have been chosen. The Board invited Mr. Tessier to attend the meeting this evening to discuss the matter.
Frank Suponski indicated that he has observed a difference in the way that the town highways are being taken care of. The snow is pushed back and the side roads are sanded. He thinks that the Board made a good decision in the choice that was made in hiring the new Road Foreman.
For those members of the public present, the hiring process was explained. The Selectboard advertised for the position of Road Foreman in the Brattleboro Reformer and the Rutland Herald. Four applicants were received. The candidates were interviewed by a committee of three, two Selectboard members and Phil Bartlett, a 30 year Road Commissioner from Dover. All of the candidates were asked the same questions. All were strong candidates of which three had recent experience as a Road Foreman. References were checked on each candidate. The town of Wardsboro did not give a reference for K. Bostrom, as that is their policy. Other references were obtained for K. Bostrom, including the District #2 Technician. References for all of the candidates were good.
M. Tessier indicated that one of the candidates worked for the highway crew for 17 years, is a resident and taxpayer in Newfane, and a highly respected fire chief. He felt that the Board ignored these attributes and chose a candidate from outside of the community who was not familiar with Newfane=s roads.
Board members indicated that they took all of the candidates abilities into consideration and decided on a candidate that they felt was the best overall for the town and the road network. The new Foreman has already taken initiatives, improving the organization of parts and taking an inventory of signs. Some signs that are missing do not need to be ordered as the town has them in stock. He has looked at the budget and at the equipment and made thoughtful suggestions. Trees within the highway right of way that have been damaged by snow plows have been marked for possible removal.
It was noted by G. Record that the public does not understand the process and only sees the end result after the fact. He also asked about items that should be on file for any new hires in their confidential personnel file.
P. Cotton indicated that she has been involved at various times in the process of hiring Executive Directors for organizations. The focus has been on the qualifications and abilities of each person, not the individual name and residence. The decision that was made by the Board was with consideration of what would be most beneficial to the town.
P. van Loon indicated that it was a disappointment to the Board that the reaction of some of the townspeople was not based on fact. P. van Loon also went and spoke with the highway crew before the new Road Foreman started to hopefully quell any possible rumors.
The members of the public were thanked for coming to the Board to air their views and to hear from the Selectboard on the process used for the hiring of the new Road Foreman.

5. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
A. G. Katz reported that on Wednesday, he rode with the Road Foreman, K. Bostrom, to review the trees within several town road rights of way that have been hit with plows. These trees have been marked for possible removal. Questions were raised about whether it would be necessary or not to contact the Tree Warden, Bill Guenther, to review the trees first before any cutting is done. Copies of The Law of Trees pamphlet, written by Paul Gillies, Esq. was distributed to the Board. The majority of the Board members felt that it would be prudent to have B. Guenther look at the trees. It was suggested that K. Bostrom meet with B. Guenther. Some of the property owners have already given permission to have the trees cut down.
B. Newfane/Dummerston VCDP Grant #220/941G - There is a project that is being done through the use of funds from this program. Motion was made by G. Baldwin and seconded by P. Cotton to authorize the payment of $16,546.17 from the VCDP Grant #220/941G to the property owner and contractor. Unanimous.

3. FINAL BUDGET APPROVAL
A. EXPENSES

Board members reviewed the expenses as proposed for the Fiscal Year 2005 as presented and explained by D. Knechtel. The adjustments made from the meeting of January 20th were explained. There was discussion regarding the special appropriations requests and any possible changes in the way these requests are handled. Rising health insurance costs and possible changes to what is to be offered was also discussed. It was suggested that a special appropriation policy and a review of health insurance costs be reviewed by the Board in August of 2004. The total proposed expenditures for the town to be presented at town meeting is $893,929, an increase of 3.49% above the amount approved for Fiscal Year 2004. Much of the increase has been due to some additional items and the increase in health insurance costs. Motion was made by C. Williams and seconded by P. Cotton to approve the proposed expense budget to be presented at Town Meeting for the amount $893,929. In favor: P. van Loon, G. Baldwin, P. Cotton and C. Williams. Opposed: G. Katz. Motion passes.
The estimated tax rate for the municipal portion is expected to be $0.51 for FY 2005, compared to $0.47 for FY 2004. Part of this difference is due to the larger amount of funds used in FY 2004 to reduce the tax rate; $45,651 for FY 2004 as compared to $15,000 for FY 2005.
B. REVENUES
The anticipated revenues, other than the amount to be received from taxes and from the State Land Use Taxes is $205,100, which is $100 less that the previous year. It is not known if there will be any funds from the state for bridges and/or paving grants.
3. C. CAPITAL
D. Knechtel explained the Capital Budget and Plan to be voted on at the upcoming town meeting. What is to be voted on at the meeting is the amount to be raised in taxes to be put into the capital reserve fund ($75,000), the amount to be expensed for the projects ($166,859) along with the amount of reserve funds to be used ($92,609), and the amount to be borrowed ($57,250). Board members agreed to the Capital plan as presented.
4. FINAL ARTICLES OF WARNING
The Board reviewed the articles as presented. Nothing new has been received since the last draft articles of warning had been presented to the Board. The approved capital and town expenditure proposed budget numbers have been entered. The School budget number of $1,609,700 has also been included. Motion was made by G. Baldwin and seconded by P. Cotton to approve the Articles on the Warning for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on March 2, 2004 as presented. Unanimous.
C. The Town Treasurer, S. Hescock, has been training the person who will be running for the position of Town Treasurer. The question was raised as to what wage the Assistant Treasurer should be paid. Motion was made by G. Katz and seconded by P. Cotton to pay the Assistant Treasurer at the rate of $8.00 per hour. Unanimous. There will be a need for an Assistant Treasurer after Town Meeting for further training and other occasions. For the FY 2005 budget $1,000 was put in. The FY 2004 budget will be overspent.
D. James Gray has requested that he be paid weekly for his remaining 45 days of vacation time due to him. During that time, the town will be paying the 80% for his health insurance. Motion was made by P. Cotton and seconded by G. Katz to pay James Gray on a weekly basis for the vacation time that is due him. Unanimous.
E. Items to be worked on and completed hopefully before Town Meeting are the Access/Right of Way Policy and the revised Personnel Policy.
F. Board members thanked Gorty Baldwin for his year of service to the town as a members of the Selectboard. The Board appreciated all of the many contributions that he has made. He will be missed. Unfortunately for the town and the Board Gorty will be moving to Aanother@ community and will be unable to complete his term. Best wishes! Come visit.

6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by G. Baldwin and seconded by G. Katz to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board at 9:35 p.m. Unanimous.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted: Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store, Williamsville General Store, and South Newfane General Store & Deli. www.newfanevt.com

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