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Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the
03/06/03 Board of Selectmen's meeting and are considered unapproved until
then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.
MINUTES
- REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 20th, 2003
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Piet van Loon, Jesse Anderson, Gorty Baldwin, Lynn Bedell,
and Gary Katz.
Also Present: James Gray as Road Foreman and Doris Knechtel as Administrative
Assistant.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman at 7:01 p.m.
2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No one scheduled.
3. UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No one present
4. ROAD BUSINESS
A. ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT - (See
attached)
Board members discussed their concerns about the request for a change
in access for the Inn at South Newfane. The proposed access will interfere
with the current drainage that goes to a drop inlet. To install a culvert
would make it too low to connect with the current drainage. A shallow
swale may work. Concern was also expressed about the run-off of water
into the road from the logging road which also causes further drainage
problems along Dover Road to the drop inlet. Motion was made by G. Katz
and seconded by J. Anderson to write a letter to Bud Bergmann which indicates
that the Board given the his change of access permit preliminary consideration
but the Board would like a plan developed by VT licensed engineer that
addresses the drainage from the new access so as not to interfere with
the current flow of water along Dover Road and the run-off from the junction
of the logging road with Dover Road. Unanimous.
4. C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS
Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by L. Bedell to approve of
a Fleet Excess Weight Permit for Cardinal Freight Carriers, Inc. of Concord,
NC for vehicles not to exceed 60,000#. Requests for over 60,000 # are
denied. Unanimous.
5. D. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
(1) The Planning Commission has met with Glenn Bowman regarding the Eagle
River Mining soapstone operation off of Silver Mine Trail and will conduct
a site plan review and hearing on March 18th. There were questions raised
about the impact on the trails (White Birch Lane and Silver Mine Trail)
and road (South Wardsboro Road) involved in the operation as well as any
possible environmental impact. There was also discussion about any Act
250 upgrade of their current permit. G. Katz asked about the Board’s
responsibility in the Act 250 process. Both the Planning Commission and
the Selectboard are statutory parties in the Act 250 hearing process as
well as the regional planning commission and affected State agencies.
10. CORRESPONDENCE
A. Information has been received from the VT Municipal Highway Association
regarding their meeting of April 9th in East Barre and about the annual
dues. J. Gray has been given a copy.
B. Copies of the documents sent to Kenneth Mason of the VT Agency of Transportation
regarding the Newfane/Brookline bridge (BR#19) and the lands of NJM Realty
Limited Partnership as signed by Nicholas Mercede. Questions were raised
by the Board about the items included in the option that are to be done
by the Town of Newfane. K. Mason will be contacted for clarification.
C. ADA Traffic Control, Ltd. has sent information regarding rates for
certified traffic controllers, laborers, sign packages, etcetera for construction
projects and other highway hazards.
D. Information has been received regarding training in White River Junction
on March 4 - 6, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily for Treat and Risk
Assessment sponsored by the Department of Public Safety. Ed Druke will
be notified.
E. Notification has been received of the Southwester NH District Mutual
Aid System Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 9th in Keene, NH. Public
Safety Official and Town Officials are invited to attend.
F. The quarterly newsletter from the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
(RSVP) has been received.
G. The February 2003 WRC News Briefs, a monthly publication, has been
received as well as minutes of their meetings of January 14th and 28th,
their January financial report and their upcoming schedule through the
end of March.
H. A Project Review Sheet from the Agency of Natural Resources regarding
the subdivision of property by Charles Bergmann in South Newfane indicated
that an Act 250 permit is required.
I. A Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Permit has been received
by Charles Bergmann from the Department of Environmental Conservation
for his proposed subdivision. The permit is approved for one proposed
lot and two existing lots, a single family residence and the Inn at South
Newfane.
J. A copy of a letter to the Nye’s on Railroad Lane from the Agency
of Natural Resources which indicates that they are exempt from Water Supply/Wastewater
Disposal Permit for the conversion of a single family residence to include
a small apartment.
K. The December Windham County Sheriff’s Department Statistics and
report have been received for the Board’s review.
L. P. van Loon supplied notes from a conversation with Hank Lambert of
Vermont Local Roads about various road issues for the Board to review.
At some point, P. van Loon will be meeting with H. Lambert.
G. Katz would like to be present when they get together.
5. A. TOWN MEETING - ARTICLES OF WARNING
A packet of information regarding the articles to be voted on at the upcoming
Town Meeting. The Board reviewed the information. J. Anderson will be
the spokesman for the Board. Article 6 deals with the elimination of the
Office of Town Auditor. Article 11, SEVCA appropriation request, was included
as an article by the Selectboard as the request increased from $400 to
$1,600. Articles 8, 9, and 10 are advisory and outside of the business
of the town, in particular, Article 9 sections 4. and 5. The other town
articles 17 through 20 deal with the Capital Budget needs and the Town
and Highway operational expenditures.
4. ROAD BUSINESS
B. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT - (See
attached report)
(1) Item #2 - The notice for the posting for mud season has been done.
(2) Item #4 - Every snow storm there are incidents of snow being plowed
across the town highways. The towns Winter Regulations prohibit this practice.
4. D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS
No Access/Right of Way permits were presented to the Board for action.
See 4. A.
4. F. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS
(1) Now that the Town Highway & Bridge Weight Restriction List has
been sent to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, the special weight
limits are enforceable by DMV. This should help with some of the continuing
excess weight use on some of the roads and bridges.
(2) South Wardsboro Road (TH#1) is posted for mud season every year.
(3) The frost heaves and the moving of the black top have been worse this
year than in recent years.
(4) Jim Gray thanked J. Anderson and L. Bedell for working with him over
the past 6 years as Board members. They in turn thanked Jim Gray for his
cooperation and work as the Road Foreman.
5. C. DRAFT PERSONNEL POLICY
L. Bedell has made the necessary changes to the proposed Personnel Policy.
The future Board will review and discuss the proposed Personnel Policy
at some meeting after the election and Town Meeting. P van Loon indicated
to L. Bedell that he will call on her and Fred Bacon to provide any input
in the process that they may be able to contribute.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. APPOINTMENTS - (1) AUDITORS - 1 - No action taken.
6. B. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
(1) A letter has been received from Gregory Gould of Southern Vermont
Wilderness Search and Rescue asking for a donation of $200.00. A letter
will be written to Mr. Gould to let him know the process for asking for
appropriations from the town.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (See
attached report)
A. Item #2 - J. Anderson indicated that Hank Sweeney of West Dover should
be sent a Request for Proposal for the replacement of the steps and the
walkway.
8. MINUTES
Motion was made by G. Baldwin and seconded by G. Katz to approve the minutes
of January 2nd as written. Unanimous. The minutes of February 6th have
been completed but the Board did not act on them at this time. The minutes
of February 13 have not been completed.
9. PAY ORDERS
Motion was made by P. van Loon and seconded by L. Bedell to approve the
Newfane Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants for the following amounts:
02/08/03 Payroll $ 3,001.84
02/15/03 Payroll $ 2,747.55
02/19/03 Payroll $ 303.56
02/18/03 Acct.’t Payable #17 $ 521.76
02/21/03 Acct.’s Payable #18 $ 23,232.00 Unanimous.
IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments
02/12/03 $ 1,145.97
02/19/03 $ 1,052.11
(2) P van Loon thanked both L. Bedell and J. Anderson for their man contributions
to the Board. He indicated that he may call on their expertise from time
to time.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No matters came before the Selectboard that required Executive Session.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by L. Bedell to adjourn the
Regular Meeting of the Board at 9:10 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
ROAD
COMMISSIONER’S REPORT of 02/20/03
1. I have
little to report for these two weeks. Winter maintenance continues.
2. There
has been no action on Charles Bergmann’s application due to my work
schedule and due to winter storms. I am concerned about how to get drainage
to the drain that would be cut off by the new driveway. Perhaps some of
the delay is a desire to avoid saying no to Bud’s proposal on that
basis.
Jesse Anderson
Road Commissioner
ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT 02/20/03
TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY
1. Winter
storms occurred on 2/7, 10, 11, 12 & 17/03 keeping the Road Crew busy
salting, sanding and plowing highways. Roads are being pushed back, intersections
cleaned up, and many blind spots fixed. Mud season will be upon us very
soon if not now.
2. Roads
will have to be posted for mud season soon. It only takes one trip with
a heavily loaded truck to make wheel ruts trapping water and causing deep
mud.
3. Equipment:
A. The L-9000 blew a hydraulic hose on 02/12/03 during a snow storm. Hose
was replaced. B. Other equipment is operational.
4. During
the President’s day storm many private snow plows pushed snow into
town roads.
Respectfully
submitted,
James O. Gray, Road Foreman
To:
Newfane Selectboard MEMORANDUM
From: Doris A. Knechtel
Subject: Administrative Assistant’s Report
Date: February 20, 2003
1. The Town
Reports were finally mailed on Tuesday, February 18th with thanks for
some assistance from Piet, Gary, Carolyn, Janice and Shelba.
2. The request
for bids for the replacement of the Williamsville Hall steps and walkway
has been mailed to potential bidders and well as being sent to the Brattleboro
Reformer for advertisement.
3. Jon Julian
will be doing a luncheon on Town Meeting Day. He is looking for “helpers”
to assist him with the meal. I have left a message with Joyce Van Pamelen
regarding coffee and pastry sales during the meeting.
4. Bud Bergmann
called to inquire about the status of his access permit. I told him that
the Board would probably be dealing with it this evening. The Planning
Commission has had their site plan review, a copy of which is with your
information for this evening.
5. The minutes
of the February 13th special meeting have not yet been completed. |
