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Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the
05/01/03 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
APRIL 17th, 2003
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Piet van Loon, Gorty Baldwin, Priscilla Cotton, Gary Katz and
Chris Williams.
Also Present: Floyd Roberts, District #2 Administrator, James Gray, Road
Foreman and Doris Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman Piet
van Loon.
2. ANNUAL MEETING WITH FLOYD ROBERTS - DISTRICT #2 ADMINISTRATOR
A. TOWN HIGHWAY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004
Floyd Roberts, VTrans District #2 Administrator, was present to review
and discuss the preliminary figures for the Annual Highway Financial Plan
for Newfane Fiscal Year 2004 as prepared by D. Knechtel according to 19
VSA § 306(e). The figures were compiled from the highway budget passed
at the recent Town Meeting and the Capital Budget and plan. The information
is used to determine funds to be allocated for the various highway programs.
The amount to be received from the state for the Newfane Class 2 and Class
3 roads is expected to be $131,554.31, more than what was originally anticipated.
The amount to be raised in taxes for the town highways is $288,545.69,
plus $28,000 from the Capital budget for a total amount of highways expenditures
for Fiscal Year 2004 of $448,100, including the capital amount. Motion
was made by G. Katz and seconded by P. Cotton to approve and sign the
Annual Town Financial Plan for Town Highways as presented. Unanimous.
C. BRIDGE PROJECTS
(1) The Board discussed the Williamsville Covered bridge (CB#17) with
Roger Whitcomb, Project Manager from VTrans at a recent meeting. In order
to obtain the weight load requirements, the state proposed to place glulam
beams under the bridge. These will come down one to one and one-half feet
below the current bridge. Some concern was expressed about possible ice
buildup under the bridge stream channel. The state will be doing another
hydraulic study. The covered bridge is due to be refurbished in 2005 or
2006.
(2) The surface of the Brookline Bridge (BR#19) was discussed. This bridge
is scheduled to be refurbished starting at the end of the summer with
a temporary bridge to be installed during the late summer. Newfane is
responsible for general maintenance on the bridge during the odd years.
The bridge surface has a number of potholes. The asphalt surface does
not adhere to the wooden planks. It was discussed about the possibility
of removing the asphalt from the deck and have the motorist ride on the
wooden surface until such time as the temporary bridge is installed. The
town may be reimbursed for the removal of the asphalt, as the bridge contractor
won’t have that expense when the project begins. F. Roberts will
check with the project engineer for BR#19 for his recommendation on how
to deal with the problem.
(3) J. Gray asked about paving over the deck on Bridge #14 by the South
Newfane Store. F. Roberts indicated that it would add to the dead load.
He suggested that the current asphalt be removed, ground down and relayered.
He also indicated that R. Whitcomb by contacted.
(4) The Green Iron Bridge (BR#49) deck is to be replaced by the state
as soon as time and money permits. The surface has been determined to
be hazardous material and will be hauled away. The state is responsible
for the repair due to the state agreement for historic truss bridges.
2. B. HIGHWAY PROJECTS
(1) Widening a section of Upper River Road (TH#15) was discussed. The
project would involve the state as there is an outcropping of ledge in
the area to be widened where the road intersects with VT Route 30. F.
Roberts indicated that he does not have funds within his budget for assisting
with this proposed project.
3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
OF SELECTMEN
A. Signs - J. Gray brought up some state signs off of Route 30 that need
to be replaced; a Stop Ahead sign on Depot Road and a Stop Sign on Upper
River Road has been damaged. These signs are the responsibility of the
state to replace.
B. The town has applied for three grants through the Class 2 and Structures
programs. For Class 2 it is for one mile of retreatment for Town Highway
32 (Dover/Depot Road), for Structures it is for the rail and deck on Monroe
Bridge (BR#15) and the retaining wall at Culhane’s on Dover Road
(TH#2). The applications have been filed with the state through District
#2.
C. Inventory - F. Roberts indicated that forms are available through Paul
Gould from District #2 for the town’s road infrastructure study
and inventory. Windham Regional Commission is also available for assistance.
The inventory is to identify the location, size, deficiencies/condition,
and estimated cost to repair culverts and such.
D. J. Gray asked about the proposed traffic calming suggestion of an island
in front of the Town Office on VT Route 30. Funding at this point has
been limited to striping and signs. There should also be a public hearing
on the matter held by the Newfane Selectboard. F. Roberts is not in favor
of islands within a major highway route.
E. The Board asked F. Roberts about how the state handles claims from
property owners for damage to property as a result of road maintenance.
Any claim is turned over to risk management and to their insurance carrier.
District #2 Administrator, F. Roberts was thanked for his attendance at
the meeting.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The Special Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m
Doris A.. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen
Posted: Newfane
Town Office, Newfane Store, Williamsville General Store, Williamsville
Hall and South Newfane General Store & Deli.
www.newfanevt.com |
