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Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 04/05/01 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

MARCH 1 st, 2001

NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:

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

Also Present: Edward Druke, Sr., James O. Gray, Road Foreman, and Doris Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman M. Rohan called the Regular Meeting of the Board to order at 7:00 p.m.

4. F. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS

(1) Chris Ballou, Chairman of the Brookline Board of Selectmen, has asked about the repair of the potholes on the shared Brookline/Newfane Bridge #19. He has indicated that Brookline will take care of the potholes. There is a question about whether the alternating responsibility for routine maintenance and repair for each town be on a calendar year or a fiscal year. M. Rohan has assumed that it be a calendar year with Newfane being responsible on the odd year and J. Gray feels that it should be on a fiscal year. M. Rohan will discuss the matter with C. Ballou.

(2) Brookline-Newfane BHO 1442(25) - BR #19 - Preliminary plans have been received from Roger Whitcomb of VTrans for the rehabilitation of BR#19. The plans include a pedestrian walkway on the upstream side of the bridge and approach work improvements for the walkway on the Brookline side. The cost estimate for the rehabilitation of the bridge, including construction engineering and contingencies is $1,435,076 of which there is no local cost share except for the pedestrian walkway and approach work improvements. The costs for these items requires a local share of $3,250 per town. A response has been requested from the Board on the plans by March 16, 2001. If the plans are accepted by the lead town, Brookline, Newfane will support their decision.

2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A. MIKE FITZPATRICK - RIVER ROAD RIP RAP INVOICE

M. Fitzpatrick called on the phone, as he was unable to come to the meeting. M. Rohan spoke with and asked questions for the Board. J. Gray indicated that he had understood from M. Fitzpatrick that the town would be charged for the material or for the blasting. The cost for the blasting would have been in the neighborhood of $6,000. J. Gray also indicated that the price from Zaluzny or from Cersosimo for rip rap would be $10.00/CY at the pit. The cost for the rip rap from Fitzpatrick near the work site, was $3.50 per cubic yard plus hauling. The invoice in question is for 1,463 yards of rip rap for a total amount of $5,120.50 which was used on the River Road (TH#15) project. Motion was made by R. Dowley and seconded by J. Anderson to pay Fitzpatrick Excavating $5,120.50 for the materials used on the River Road (TH#15) capital project. Unanimous. Board members will seek to get these types of agreements in writing before projects resume so that it is clear what is being done and what is to be paid for.

4. ROAD BUSINESS

A. ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT - (No report was submitted)

The Road Commissioner, R. Dowley, prepared an employee evaluation report on the Road Foreman, J. Gray, for the Board to review. The RC and the RF have both signed the report.

4. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS - (cont.)

(3) J. Gray reported that F.R. Lafayette installed more bandrail than was required per the bid specifications. They also installed used band rail instead of new band rail as requested in the bid specifications. The result is that the invoice for payment is almost $1,000 more than the accepted bid amount. The town should not have to pay the extra amount as it was not part of the bid as awarded. J. Gray will investigate the matter further before payment is made.

4. B. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT - (See attached report)

(1) Items #3 - J. Gray reported that he is not getting any cooperation from Terry Redfield of CVPS about the cutting of dangerous trees. It was suggested that J. Gray compile a prioritized list of the trees in question and that Newfane Tree Warden be contacted for a second opinion.

4. E. VERIZON UTILITY POLE PLACEMENT PERMIT - RIVER ROAD

The Board has proposed to add a condition to the permit requested for River Road (TH#15) that the short poles on the Depot Road (TH#2) project of two years ago be removed. Any old poles on the current River Road (TH#15) project should also be removed. The permit (Verizon Job #946981) was not signed at this time. The call will be made to gather further information.

4. C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS

No Excess Weight Permits were presented for action.

D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS

No Access/Right of Way Permits were presented for action by the Board.

4. F. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS - (cont.)

(4) Newfane BHF 0106(4)S - CB#17 - Williamsville Covered Bridge - The board has received the preliminary plans and estimate for the replacement of the Williamsville Covered Bridge (CB#17) from Roger Whitcomb, VTrans Project Manager. The current overall estimated cost for th project is $1,102,500. R. Whitcomb would like to meet with the Board to discuss the changes that correct some inadequacies in the current structure. The changes are: entrance portal overhang, which provides a better way to end the lattice members and provides more protection from the elements; opening in the siding for the whole length of the bridge to provide more light; metal roofing, wood approach guardrail, wood curbs to center traffic and provide a safer place for pedestrians to walk. With at least two new members to be elected to the Selectboard, R. Whitcomb will be contacted to attend the meeting of April 5th or April 19th at 6:30 p.m.

(5) J. Gray reported to the Board that a non-resident took it upon himself to plow from Jack Hill on Dover Road (TH#2) to the town garage after a recent snow/sleet/ice storm. The Board indicated that J. Gray should inform the WCSD.

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. TOWN MEETING INFORMATION

(1) Article 3 - The Board members discussed the mileage reimbursement of $0.17 per mile. Only a few of the employees request mileage reimbursement; sewage control officer, Listers and Road Foreman for use pf personal vehicle. Motion was made by C. Van Iderstine and seconded by J. Anderson to recommend at Town meeting that mileage reimbursement be at $0.34 per mile. Unanimous. The federal allowance for mileage is thought to be between $0.32 to $0.34 .

(2) Article 14 - Reappraisal - The article is asking the voters for permission to spend up to $110,000 for a town wide reappraisal. If the voters approve the addition of $25,000 under article 15, the anticipated balance of the reappraisal fund should be around $95,000 by the end of FY 2002. At $75 per parcel the estimated cost would be about $94,000. A draft Request for Proposal for a town wide reappraisal will be prepared in the near future. The Board has suggested that the Listers attend the March 15th Board meeting to discuss the process. No one is running for the three year position of Lister, unless there is a write-in candidate that may be interested.

(3) Article 20 - To see if the voters of the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to investigate the feasibility of the Town Manager form of government for Newfane. Information on the Town Manager form of government had been prepared for the Board and the Moderator for the 02/15/01 meeting. L. Bedell prepared additional information on the Town Manager form of government to be considered for handing out to those residents in attendance at Town Meeting. Included in the information of towns with Town Manager’s or Town Administrators was statistical comparisons of town roads and bridges. M. Rohan questioned why just the information about roads and bridges was included and not other departments within the communities with Town Managers/Administrators, such as police, fire, water, sewer. He also felt that the written information prepared by L. Bedell was biased toward approving the Town Manager form of government. It was suggested that L. Bedell present the positive aspects and that M. Rohan present the negative aspects of having the Town Manager form of government for Newfane. After further discussion it was agreed that J. Anderson would present the advantages and disadvantages of the town Manager form of government for Newfane. For information to be handed out, motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by C. Van Iderstine to hand out the VLCT information showing towns with Town Managers and/or Town Administrators showing 1999 Estimated population and Annual Operating Budget with the Newfane information to be added for comparison. In favor: M. Rohan, J. Anderson and C. Van Iderstine. Opposed: L. Bedell and R. Dowley. Motion passes. C. Van Iderstine left at 9:00 p.m.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (See attached report)

A. Item #2 - The VLCT Model Conflict of Interest policy as well as examples from the Town of Berlin and the Essex Junction Village Charter and the Town of Essex Planning Commission was included for the Board members to review. The definition of Conflict of Interest speaks of "direct personal or pecuniary interest". In discussion with the Secretary of State’s office there is nothing in the statute to prohibit an employee from serving as a member of the Selectboard.

B. Item #3 - The Board members agreed to have the piano at the Williamsville Hall tuned for between $60 to $100, as the piano belongs to the town. If there are any repairs needed, then the piano tuner should get back to the Board.

8. MINUTES

The minutes of the Regular Meeting of 01/18/01 and 02/15/01 have not yet been completed. 10. CORRESPONDENCE

A. Notification has been received that the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has grants available for Reducing Illegal Burning of Solid Waste. Application deadline is April 27, 2001 at 4:30 p.m.

B. Notes and minutes from the Special Planning Commission meeting of February 21 on Traffic Calming have been received from the Planning Commission, Piet van Loon and from Dover Selectman, David Ewing.

C. A draft copy of the Vermont Agency of Transportation Long-Range Transportation Plan has been received. Written comments are to be sent to Bruce Bender, Senior Policy analyst by Friday, April 27.

9. PAY ORDERS

A. Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by M. Rohan to approve the Newfane Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants, as signed, for the following:

02/17/01 Payroll $ 3,564.80

02/24/01 Payroll $ 3,012.13

03/01/01 Payroll $ 1,418.61

02/21/01 Acct’s Payable #19 $ 517.20

03/02/01 Acct’s Payable #20 $ 34,648.95 Unanimous

B. IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments

02/21/01 $ 1,701.64

02/28/01 $ 1,328.91

6. B. TIME AND DATE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

The Organizational meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, March 15, 2001 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Newfane Town Office.

6. C. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

(1) Dick Dowley was thanked by the Board for his years of service to the Town as a member of the Selectboard and for serving as the Newfane Road Commissioner for three years.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - An Executive Session was not required.

12. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by R. Dowley and seconded by J. Anderson to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Newfane Board of Selectmen at 9:30 p.m. Unanimous.

 

Doris A. Knechtel

Administrative Assistant

Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted: Town Clerk’s Office, Newfane Store, Patsy’s County Seat Market, Lessing’s Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli, www.newfanevt.com




ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT 03/01/01

TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY

1. Major ice storm with mixed precipitation made the roads very difficult to plow and sand on 02/25/01. Some roads are still icy due to the buildup on frozen roads. Daily sanding is necessary on a few roads. Ice storms require salt and sand in large quantities. Salt is difficult to obtain.

2. Equipment: A. The generator on the 4 X 4 Chevy was rebuilt. B. The L-9000 rear brake s-cams were replaced. C. The SnowKing snowplow is still a problem when plowing. D. All other equipment is operational.

3. Terry Redfield, CVPS representative was contacted and notified of dangerous trees near CVPS lines. Problem still exists. No visible action taken. Trees will come down and wipe out power as happened on Dover Road.

4. Winter sand is being taken from old garage by some private contractors for private drives. More sand is needed every storm. Out of town people are also taking sand for their drives. It is impossible to monitor.

5. Mud season will be here soon. Roads will have to be posted.

Respectfully submitted,

James O. Gray




To:

Newfane Board of Selectmen

 

From:

Doris A. Knechtel

 

Subject:

Administrative Assistant’s Report

 

Date:

March 1, 2001

 

1. The Town Reports were finally mailed on Wednesday, February 21st, thanks to Shelba, Janice, Piet, Jim, and to the Conservation Commission for inserting their trail map. There was some question for a while about the "undeliverable" reports being returned from the post office, as has been done in the past, but for this year, that matter has been resolved.

2. I prepared a separate memo and packet of information regarding the "Conflict of Interest" subject.

3. Deb Feiner called to inquire if the town can pay to have the piano at the Williamsville Hall tuned for the upcoming Talent Show on March 10th.

4. There is an item on the pay order for this evening to reimburse Laura Bacon for the Newfane Conservation Commission membership fee to the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions. This expense has been budgeted for in FY 2002, but not for this year , FY 2001. I suggested to Shelba that the cost be expended to miscellaneous.

5. Andy Flagg from the state called to say that the FEMA request for payment for the flood work done by the Williamsville School Preservation building off of Timson Hill Road (TH#41) has not yet been approved for payment through the FEMA process.

6. I have been out for most of this week (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) with laryngitis and a lingering very bad cold. Slept most of the time. Consequently the minutes are not done and other things have not been taken care of. Most of last week, Monday (yes I worked part of the holiday) to Wednesday was spent on getting the Town reports from the printers and sent out in the mail.





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