Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 03/16/06 Board of Selectmen's meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.

MINUTES - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MARCH 9th, 2006
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectmen: Hendrik W. “Piet” van Loon, Priscilla Cotton, Dan DeWalt, Patricia Halloran and Joseph Mandell.
Also Present: Edward Druke, Sr., Gary Katz, Christopher Williams, Greg Record, Jenna Russell of the Boston Globe, and Doris A. Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The organizational meeting was called to order by Piet van Loon 6:34 p.m. Members of the Board were recently elected to serve the following terms: Patricia Halloran (2007), Piet van Loon (2007) and Joseph Mandell (2009). Mr. Mandell and Ms. Halloran were sworn into office by Notary Public, D. Knechtel before the meeting began.

2. ELECT: CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN AND CLERK
CHAIRMAN - P. Cotton nominated Hendrik W. “Piet” van Loon as the Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard. Nominations were closed. In favor of Hendrik W. “Piet” van Loon as Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard: P. Cotton, D. DeWalt, P. Halloran, and J. Mandell. P. van Loon abstained.
VICE-CHAIRMAN - D. DeWalt nominated Priscilla Cotton as the Vice-Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard. Nominations were closed. In favor of Priscilla Cotton as Vice-Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard: D. DeWalt, P. Halloran, J. Mandell, and P. Van Loon. P. Cotton abstained.
CLERK - P. Cotton nominated Administrative Assistant Doris A. Knechtel, as Clerk of the Newfane Board of Selectmen. Nominations were closed. All in favor and so voted.
Hendrik “Piet” W. van Loon elected as Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard.
Priscilla M. Cotton elected as Vice-Chairman of the Newfane Selectboard.
Doris A. Knechtel elected as the Clerk of the Newfane Selectboard.

Board members agreed that most of the remaining decisions for the appointments and such will be made by declaration of the Board rather than a motion unless necessary.

3. MEETING SCHEDULE
The regular meetings of the Newfane Selectboard on the first and third Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Newfane Town Office. Agreed.
Any meetings of the Board of Health and Local Board of Liquor Control Commissioners will be held, as needed, on the first and third Thursday of the month. Agreed.

4. LOCATION FOR POSTING OF NOTICES & MINUTES
There was much discussion regarding the majority minutes that have not been posted during the past months. Minutes are available in note form at the Town Office. Motion was made by D. DeWalt and seconded by P. Halloran that the notices be posted at the following locations: Town Clerk’s Office, Newfane Store, Williamsville General Store, South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office, The South Newfane General Store & Deli and the website, www.newfanevt.com and to further note that the minutes are available to the public, in note form, at the Town Office. Unanimous. It is the intention that the minutes will be posted at those locations as time permits.

5. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR POSTING OF NOTICES & ADVERTISEMENTS
The Brattleboro Reformer will be the official newspaper for the posting of regular and special notices, legal notices and advertisements. Agreed.

6. APPOINTMENTS
A. ROAD COMMISSIONER
In the past the town has appointed one or two members from the Selectboard to serve as the Road Commissioner for the town. Two candidates were present who expressed an interest in serving the town in that position, Gary Katz and Chris Williams. Each person spoke of their qualifications for the position. Members asked questions of each candidate. Motion was made P. Cotton and seconded by J. Mandell to enter into Executive Session at 7:04 p.m. to discuss a matter of personnel. All were in favor. Board members went into the Town Clerk’s office. Motion was made by P. Halloran and seconded by P. Cotton to come out of Executive Session at 7:24 p.m. All were in favor. Motion was made by P. Halloran and seconded by J. Mandell to appoint Christopher Williams to serve as the Road Commissioner for the Town of Newfane. Unanimous.
B. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Board members agreed to appoint Edward J. Druke, Sr., Todd Lawley, Steve D. Jones, Jay Wilson and Greg Record to serve as members of the Emergency Management Committee.
C. DELEGATES TO WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION
Board members agreed to appoint Hendrik W. van Loon and Jodi P. French to serve as the Delegates to Windham Regional Commission from Newfane.
D. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER - Board members agreed to appoint the Constable Kevin Behan to serve as the Animal Control Officer for the Town of Newfane.
E. POUNDKEEPER - Board members agreed to appoint the Windham County Humane Society to serve as the Poundkeeper for Newfane.
F. FENCE VIEWERS - Board members agreed to appoint Larry C. Robinson, Gregory L. Record and Theodor E. Schreyer to serve as the Fence Viewers for the Town of Newfane.
G. INSPECTOR OF LUMBER, SHINGLES, & WOOD
Board members agreed to appoint Carleton Chaffee to serve as the Inspector of Lumber, Shingles & Wood for the Town of Newfane.
H. WEIGHER OF COAL - Board members agreed to appoint Carleton Chaffee to serve as the Weigher of Coal for Newfane.
I. REPRESENTATIVE TO RESCUE, INC. - Board members agreed to appoint Gary M. Katz to serve as the Newfane Representative to Rescue Inc.
J. TOWN ENERGY COORDINATOR
Board members agreed to appoint Edward J. Druke, Sr. to serve as the Town Energy Coordinator for Newfane.
K. TOWN SERVICE OFFICER - Board members agreed to appoint Barbara Williams as the Town Service Officer for Newfane.
L. TREE WARDEN - Board members agreed to appoint William C. Guenther as the Tree Warden for Newfane.
M. SEWAGE CONTROL OFFICER - It was agreed by Board members to appoint John J. Feifel, Sr. to serve as the Sewage Control Officer for the Town of Newfane. Even though there is a change in the state rules, there may be a need for a local sewage control officer.
N. COUNCIL ON AGING REPRESENTATIVE
Board members agreed to appoint Thanice “Nissa” Petrak to serve as the representative from Newfane on the Council on Aging.
O. WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Board members agreed to appoint Doris Knechtel to serve as the Supervisor from Newfane on the WSWMD Board. An Alternate Supervisor will be appointed at a later date.
P. VERMONT GREEN-UP - Board members agreed to appoint Laura Bacon and Thanice “Nissa” Petrak to serve as the Co-Chairmen for Vermont Green-Up for Newfane.
Q. VILLAGE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
It was agreed by Board members to appoint Charles A. Bergmann, Edward J. Druke, Sr., Chris Petrak, Thanice Petrak, John T. Spicer and Margaret Spicer to serve as members of the Village Enhancement Committee until March 2007. The committee has done an inventory of the trees and are continuing to care and water the trees that have been planted.
R. TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE
Board members agreed to appoint Paul Dedell, Patricia Halloran, Peter Lilienthal, Chris Petrak and Walter Phelps to serve as members of the Traffic Calming Committee. Dan DeWalt will not remain on the committee. The committee will also be looking into having other interested people join the committee.
S. PLANNING COMMISSION
There is a term of one-year to be filled until March 2007 due to the resignation of James Spencer. No interest has been expressed as yet for that position. The Planning Commission membership is currently at five (5) members. The Planning Commission will be holding a Town Plan hearing at the Newfane Elementary School on Thursday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Windham Regional Commission is assisting them with the document.
T. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
There are three vacant positions on the Development Review Board; one regular three year term, one alternate three year term and one alternate two year term. Gary Katz expressed his interest in serving on the DRB for the regular three year term. Board members agreed to appoint Gary M. Katz to serve on the Development Review Board a regular three year term until March 2009. The Board will be seeking interested citizens to serve as alternates to the DRB.
U. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
Richard Sullivan finished out his term as Zoning Administrator and is not interested in serving a new three year term. Applications are being received by the Planning Commission until March 14th for those interested in the three year position of ZA for Newfane. The PC will make a recommendation to the Selectboard. The Board agreed to continue having John J. Feifel serve as the Acting Zoning Administrator for the Town of Newfane.
V. CONSERVATION COMMISSION - The opening on the Newfane Conservation Commission is for a term until March 2007. The CC may have a recommendation.
Each of the people appointed to the above positions will be sent a letter asking if they accept their individual appointments.
W. ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK - Town Clerk, Janice Litchfield, will appoint her Assistant Town Clerk(s).
X. ASSISTANT TREASURER - Town Treasurer, Maureen Albert-Piascik, will appoint her Assistant Treasurer(s).
Y. ELECTED OFFICIAL POSITIONS OPEN
(1) TOWN AGENT - No action
(2) GRAND JUROR - No action
If anyone knows someone who may be interested they should contact Selectboard.

7. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

8. UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

9. ROAD BUSINESS
D. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS
(1) The new Sterling truck should be ready for final delivery within the next week and a half. The vehicle is at Tenco in Barre for the body and the plow.
(2) Concern was expressed about logs within in the ditch area along the upper Newfane Hill Road (TH#20). Also of concern is the transporting of logs during “mud season”. T. Lawley should be posting the roads as needed for mud conditions.
(3) The town has received an invoice from Lane Construction which includes a substantial amount for service charges. The unpaid balance is a result of the dispute that the town has over the poor quality of the work and the extra work done that was not part of the contract. P. van Loon will draft a letter for the Board’s review to be sent to Lane Construction.
(4) The town has received a letter from UniFirst Corporation, the former uniform company used by the highway department, regarding the amount due to them for canceling the contract. Board members agreed to have P. van Loon draft a letter regarding the town’s position and have it reviewed by an attorney.
(5) Selectboard members received an e-mail from Mary Culhane requesting a copy of the motion made at the meeting of 03/02/06 regarding the Culhane Corner project. A brief history of the project was explained to the newly elected board member, J. Mandell. P. Cotton and P. van Loon met with the engineer and Tree Warden at the site on March 6th. It was agreed to eliminate the curb, move the final location of the retaining wall, in some areas, further away from the Culhane property and adjust the drainage. Those items that will may have a direct impact on the Culhane property will be a silt fence and some tree removal. The majority of the work in located within the town highway right of way. A draft letter will be written to invite Mary Culhane to meet with one or more Board members to discuss the project.
(6) Board members reviewed the discussion of the Williamsville Covered Bridge that occurred at the recent Town Meeting. If there is a petition to do something with the covered bridge, other than what has been proposed, there will be a substantial cost to the town. The current plan is to rehabilitate the historic bridge and funds have been earmarked for the project. ($1,600,000)
(7) J. Mandell mentioned that there is some confusion on the town maps regarding former Wheeler Road being changed to Parish Hill Road. Wheeler Hill does not appear on the maps. Town Clerk, J. Litchfield, has notified the 911 authorities.
(8) The Road Commissioner, C. Williams will work with the Road Foreman to prepare a list of road concerns that need to be accomplished. Ditches and drainage will be a priority. Also, the applications are due (March 16th) for hiring a road crew member to replace Kevin Shrader who will be leaving as of March 15th. Interviews will need to be conducted by the Road Commissioner and Road Foreman after that date.

10. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (See attached report)
The items listed were reviewed. Some had been discussed earlier during the meeting. No additional action was required.

11. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Board members discussed background of the Traffic Calming Committee and the process for bringing suggestions to the Selectboard for implementation. The use of delineaters to assist in the slowing of traffic are to be used in the area where there are cross walks. D. DeWalt suggested areas for cross walks in the Williamsville village.
B. P. van Loon suggested that there be a change in the order of the agenda at some point in the future to include financial review.

15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by D. DeWalt and seconded by P. Cotton to adjourn the Organizational Meeting of the Board at 9:30 p.m. Unanimous.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

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

1. I received a request from J. Brisson to remove the sod in the spring time that is blocking his right-of-way behind the Williamsville Hall. No rush, just a reminder. The sod is on the town property and is there as a result of the town keeping the r-o-w open during the winter season.

2. I received a complaint regarding the poor condition of Baker Brook Road (TH#19) and Parish Hill Road (TH#26) for the past several months. It has not been as well taken care of as in previous years.

3. Another complaint was received regarding the poor condition of Beetlestone Hill Road (TH#47). The person indicated that it used to be in much better condition than it has been during the previous several months.

4. Janice and I spent much of the day after town meeting fielding calls coming in from across the country, both pro and con, on the impeachment vote. Many calls were forwarded to Dan. Janice has an irate message on her phone that she would like the Selectboard to listen to. I have also included within you information some faxes that we received today. Hopefully this matter will die down so that we can get back to work.

5. There are no Liquor Licenses to deal with this evening. The licenses should all be available for review at the meeting of March 16.

6. There is a letter from UniFirst Corporation (former Uniform Company) that needs to be reviewed and discussed. A copy is in your folders.

7. A copy of the most recent invoice from Land Construction is with your information. Please note the Service Charge of $871.72.