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

The Special Meeting was called to order by Chairman M. Rohan at 7:03 p.m.

A. EXPENSES - The total proposed budget Fiscal Year 2002 for the operational expenditures for the Town and the Highway is $789,253. The Board will leave that number as it is and include that amount in Article 19 of the warning. The amount requested for Rescue, Inc. needs to be double checked. If there is a change it can be adjusted at Town Meeting.

B. REVENUES - The proposed anticipated revenues to be received for FY 2002, other than the amount to be raised by taxation, is budgeted for $224,500. The amount of $224,500 includes the anticipated amount of $31,500 from the state highway bridge and culvert program. The Board will leave the other revenue figure as proposed at $224,500.

C. CAPITAL - The capital plan, as revised, was reviewed for Fiscal Year 2002. The fund expenditures are expected to be $78,529 with $53,529 to be used from the capital reserve fund. An article is included in the warning to borrow the other $21,000 needed for the anticipated capital expenditures. An additional article will ask to raise $65,000 to be put into the capital reserve fund for future expenditures.

The Board agreed to the above FY 2002 Budget amounts for the Expenses, Revenues and Capital expenditures.

A. Edward Druke was present to ask about including more funds for the Windham County Sheriff’s Department for extra coverage. The Board did increase the amount from $14,500 to $16,000 for FY 2002, a little over 10%. One of the Goals and Objectives for the Board will be to look at how the money is now being spent and how the town can better direct the WCSD law enforcement initiatives. During the review, the Board will look into the possible increased responsibility of the Newfane Constable with training and the use of the Vermont State Police. At this juncture the Board will leave the budgeted amount of $16,000 for the Windham County Sheriff’s Department, as proposed.

The final articles, as presented, were reviewed by the Board.

Article 6 - The article speaks to the elimination of the Office of Town Auditor. M. Rohan will be prepared to speak to this article. There are three positions open, a one-year, a two-year and a three-year. No one has petitioned to have their name on the ballot. There are varying opinions as to whether the auditors positions should remain or not. The town does have a professional audit done every year.

Article 14 - This article deals with voting the approval to expend an amount not to exceed $110,000 for a town wide reappraisal. It is anticipated that the amount in the Town Reappraisal Fund at the end of Fiscal Year 2002 will be $94,500, which includes the addition of $25,000 to be voted in Article 15, interest income and the amount received from the state for each Newfane parcel.

Article 20 - M. Rohan has received a letter and information from Karen Horn, VLCT Director of Membership & Legislative Services, regarding town manager form of government. There are about 50 towns in Vermont with the manager form of government ranging in size from Cavendish (1,417) to Colchester (16,600). Newfane’s population in 1999 was 1,537. L. Bedell had also called and spoke with Karen Horn about the Town Manager form of government. K. Horn indicated that a Town Manager form of government assumes two or more departments, such as highway, police, and fire. The Town Manager form of government gives authority and responsibilities through the statutes that belong to the Selectboard in non-manager towns. An Administrative Assistant or Town Administrator can function in a similar manner as a manager. No statute governs the position of administrator and some communities find this more flexible.

C. Van Iderstine questioned why this is even being considered. M. Rohan indicated that he felt that the Board should wait to present a more formal presentation, with budget numbers for costs associated with the change before going to the voters. Current job descriptions could be reviewed and job responsibilities changed for the Administrative Assistant and the Road Foreman, readjust what the town currently has.

L. Bedell feels that a Town Manager, working on a part-time basis, would be more beneficial to the community. She feels that the current AA could assist the part-time manager. There would be more efficiency within the structure of government. More research could be done on equipment purchases and a more formal presentation of the budget and plan would result. The Town Manager could be the Delinquent Tax Collector if the town votes to have a town manager collect the delinquents. J. Anderson does not feel that the Town Manger should be part-time. He also suggested that the Board could delegate more authority for a higher level of administration, without having a Town Manager form of government. He does agree that the voters should be asked the question at town meeting.

Motion was made by C. Van Iderstine and seconded by M. Rohan to withdraw article 20 asking the voters to authorize the Board of Selectmen to investigate the feasibility of the Town Manager form of government for Newfane. In favor: M. Rohan and C. Van Iderstine. Opposed: J. Anderson, L. Bedell and R. Dowley. Motion fails. L. Bedell will speak to the issue at Town Meeting and will prepare information regarding the advantages an disadvantages of a Town Manager form of government for Newfane. There is a meeting scheduled in Dover on Wednesday, February 6th at the Dover Town Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by R. Dowley to sign the articles of Warning for the March 6th Annual Meeting of the town of Newfane to be held at the Williamsville Hall beginning at 9:00 a.m. Unanimous.

. Carter Van Iderstine has submitted his resignation as a member of the Newfane Board of Selectmen to become effective upon the swearing in of his elected successor on March 6th, 2001. His place of residence is in question as of April. The Board accepted his resignation with regret. There is one year remaining on his unexpired term.

C. A letter to Samuel Lewis of VTrans regarding Traffic Calming Projects has been prepared by Joan Weir, Chairman of the Planning Commission. The town is asking for consideration of grant funds for possible traffic calming proposals within the Williamsville and South Newfane villages. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by R. Dowley to have Chairman Michael Rohan sign the letter on behalf of the Newfane Selectboard. Unanimous. Joan Weir will need to sign the letter before it is sent to Mr. Lewis by the January 31st deadline.

4. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE NEWFANE BOARD OF SEELCTMEN - (cont.)

D. The question arose about whether the Board should charge for the use of the Williamsville Hall for the Council on Aging Senior Congregate meals. The Board unanimously agreed to waive any fee associated with the use of the hall for this particular purpose.

Motion was made by R. Dowley and seconded by J. Anderson to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 8:30 p.m. Unanimous.

 Doris A. Knechtel

Administrative Assistant

Newfane Board of Selectmen

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