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all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 04/18/02 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
APRIL 11th, 2002
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Richard Marek, Lynn Bedell, Gary Katz and Piet van Loon
Absent: Jesse Anderson
Also Present: William Krajeski of Patriot Properties, Inc., Fred Jenness,
Edward Druke of Emergency Management and Doris Knechtel, Administrative
Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order by Chairman R. Marek at 6:00 p.m.
3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
A. William Noyes, AOT District #2 Technician, will be meeting with invited
contractors on April 16th at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the plans for the repair
work needed for Bridge #32 on Bruce Brook Road (TH#21). A Special Meeting
of the Board has been warned for that date and time in the event that
three or more Selectmen attend the meeting.
B. Correspondence has been received from Jane Krochmalny, Esquire along
with a copy of a letter from Attorney Richard Gale, legal counsel for
Donald and Patricia Williams. The Williams's would like to be able to
remove their remaining personal property, and other tangible property
attached to the real estate, including the deck, kitchen cabinets and
sky lights, before the closing of the property through the Hazardous Mitigation
Program. FEMA is currently negotiating the final payoff with the mortgagee
before the closing will take place. Motion was made by P. van Loon and
seconded by L. Bedell to allow D. and P. Williams to remove their remaining
personal property and other tangible property attached to the real estate
before the date of the closing. Discussion: G. Katz expressed his opinion
that it would not be appropriate for them to remove anything from the
property, as it would be a loss of equity. Other members felt that the
settlement agreement would have to be renegotiated with FEMA, and the
building will need to be razed by the town as part of the agreement. The
items they want to remove would not be of significant value to the town.
According to the current settlement, the town is to receive $10,000 to
mitigate the property. The Williams will also received $10,000 from which
they will have to pay the taxes due on the property. Vote: In favor: R.
Marek, L. Bedell and P. van Loon. Opposed: G. Katz. Motion passes.
2. PATRIOT PROPERTIES, INC. - WM. KRAJESKI
Each Board member was presented with a copy of the Preliminary results
of the 2002 Revaluation as prepared by William Krajeski of Patriot Properties,
Inc. A single sales analysis book was also provided for the Board members
to review. Wm. Krajeski explained the process that has been followed to
date. Of the 1,478 parcels, 1,001 are developed. The number of physical
inspections has been 632 (63%). Of the 1,001, 631 properties are occupied
by Newfane residents of which 72% have been entered. Patriot Properties
is still taking appointments. Booklets will be mailed to all property
owners containing information about the old and new value of each property
with instructions on meeting with Patriot Properties for an informal appeal/discussion
of the new value. It is anticipated that during this time more dwellings
will be inspected Then individual notices will be sent to all property
owners with any adjusted value information and instructions on meeting
with the Board of Listers for a formal grievance meeting. If the property
owner does not agree with the Listers assessment, they may appeal to the
BCA.
It is anticipated that the Listers will try to get into any of the dwellings
that Patriot Properties was unable to enter for one reason or another,
during the upcoming year.
Wm. Krajeski has spoken with Charles Merriman, Esq. of PV&R, regarding
G. Katz's concern regarding those sales that sold for more than the new
assessed value. One or two outlyers will not disrupt the overall COD.
There are some unique properties within the town.
One of the main reports given to the Board shows the ratio between the
previous value and the current value. The average ratio is 1.48%. If the
ratio is more or less, there are various factors to consider, such as
improvements to the property, buildings may have been removed, the previous
value was incorrect, or a subdivision may have occurred.
Board members asked additional questions about the report information
supplied. The members will further review the information for more questions
on the meeting of April 18th.
Wm. Krajeski suggested that the first meeting with the public may be held
slightly later than originally scheduled to give landowners plenty of
time to review the reappraisal figures after they are released.
3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE NEWFANE BOARD
OF SELECTMEN - (cont.)
C. E. Druke has a questionnaire related to emergency planning that he
would like to send with the tax bills. This has been done in the past.
The question of whether material other than the tax bill can be sent in
that mailing will be checked with the state. The Board sees no problem
from the Town's point of view.
D. R. Marek reported that he had contacted the Windham County Humane Society
and they, anticipating some reaction from the Town, will take our concerns
to their board for consideration. R. Marek also reported having contacted
Archer Mayor, Constable, and Sheriff Henry Farnum on the other dog problem
before the board. P van Loon noted that he had been contacted by the dogs'
owner, who would like to appear before the Selectboard. R. Marek will
write a letter inviting the owner to the next Selectmen's meeting.
E. L. Bedell raised the question of what the new sign for the Williamsville
Hall, saying there was some confusion as to whether it should read "Williamsville
Grange", "Williamsville Grange Hall", or "Williamsville
Hall". Motion was made by P. van Loon and seconded by R. Marek to
have the sign read "Williamsville Hall" as the Grange is no
longer involved and that is the name by which the building is now known.
The motion carried, provided that the Department of Historic Preservation
is contacted to see if there are restrictions that need to be followed.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by G. Katz to adjourn the Special
Meeting of the Board of Selectmen at 6:59 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
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