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
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