Back to homepage Newfane Elementary School Telephone Directory events calendar school board meetings Newfane Business Association Meeting schedules Area Guide Board of Selectmen
Seal of Newfane, Vermont

Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 05/18/00 Board of Selectmen's Meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.

MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MAY 4th, 2000 NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

Selectboard Present: Mile Rohan, Lynn Bedell, Dick Dowley, and Jesse Anderson.
Selectboard Absent: Carter Van Iderstine
Also Present: Marc Gray and James Gray, Road Foreman

1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman M. Rohan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A. OPENING OF CEMETERY MOWING BIDS
The Cemetery Mowing bids were opened. Mark Stevens of J & M Lawn Care bid $17 per hour. Marc Gray also bid at $15 per hour. No fixed price bids were solicited or received although it has been noted by Carter Van Iderstine that these types of bids should be entertained in the future so that large and small operators with different types of equipment and different numbers of employees can all bid on an even footing.
It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Lynn Bedell to hire Marc Gray for Cemetery mowing. The vote was unanimously in favor.
The $15 per hour rate was confirmed for the Town Office mowing which the board already hired Marc to do. Some discussion ensued about the conditions of the cemeteries. Marc will not broken stones which he is already aware of a few in Beetlestone Cemetery. Marc will also restore stone walls, a few stones at a time if he has time and notices any minor damage.

4. E. NEWFANE VILLAGE DRAINAGE - PLAN REVIEW
The Stevens & Associates Drainage plans were received for the drainage project by the church in Newfane Village. Mike will facilitate a meeting on May 18th at 6:30 p.m., if possible, for all parties (Selectboard, Stevens, Bea MacFarland for the village, someone from the church, someone from the Four Columns, etcetera) to be present at the site and to discuss the next step of the project. The cost estimate came in near the budget estimate. Members wanted to be sure that all costs had been identified.

4. F. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS

(1) Doris and Jim have prepared Calcium Chloride and Roadside Mowing bids in the same fashion as last year.
It was moved by Jesse Anderson and seconded by Dick Dowley to send out the bids. The Calcium Chloride bids are due on May 18, 2000 and the Roadside Mowing bids are due on June 15, 2000. The vote was unanimously in favor.

(2) Bell Atlantic has asked the Town for written permission (Job #946663) to add poles/guy wires, and perform tree trimming along Baker Brook Road in the Town right of way. Jim Gray recommended approval in his report. The location and scope of work was discussed.
It was moved by Jesse Anderson and seconded by Dick Dowley to approve the work. The vote was unanimously in favor.

(3) River Road - The town has received a proposal from a local contractor to perform bank stabilization work between the river and the road on River Road in the narrow section in the middle. The work would be to lay up large stone that was removed from the River Road/Radway Hill Road intersection job. The contractor believes that the owner will make the stone available through him and that the total cost of the job would be very reasonable compared to some other proposals (pull outs at two locations, with associated engineering, for example). Jim reports that there is a worsening erosion problem in that location besides the narrowness that has always been a problem. Jesse Anderson asked if the bank stabilization would be sufficient to allow guard rails to be installed, which was not known at this time. It was generally agreed that this low tech solution, if feasible, should be pursued to allow a solution to this problem sooner rather than later. Mike agreed to contact the State Technician so that he can recommend a sequence of steps to get the project moving. Jesse Anderson mentioned that state provided 'project review sheets' have been used on other projects to guide the process from permitting through completion. Dick Dowley and Jim Gray discussed the work that has been done adjacent to the problem area. Any new project would be a continuation of this earlier stabilization work.

(4) Highway Budget - The highway budget was discussed with the Road foreman to see if we are on track as we near the end of the fiscal year. Jim noted that the cost of the generator was a capital cost that should be moved out of the highway budget. He has mentioned it to the Treasurer. Otherwise he feels that the budget is on track.

(5) Jim noted that he will be leaving town work signs out for use by the Green Up people. Green Up is on Saturday and Green and Yellow bags will be in use.

5. OLD BUSINESS - MILLER v. TOWN OF NEWFANE & 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Miller Property Evaluation court case was discussed, including the advice of the Town's hired attorney.
It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Dick Dowley to enter into executive session to discuss various aspects of the case. The vote was unanimously in favor.
After some brief discussion it was moved by Dick Dowley and seconded by Lynn Bedell to emerge from executive session and return to the normal meeting. The vote was unanimously in favor.
It was moved by Jesse Anderson and seconded by Lynn Bedell to offer to settle the pending legal action between the Town of Newfane and the Miller's of Williamsville by setting the Miller's property at the value determined by the Newfane Listers and upheld by the Board of Civil Authority, plus legal fees incurred by the Town of Newfane to date, contingent upon the agreement of the majority of the Listers. The vote was unanimously in favor.

5. F. OTHER OLD BUSINESS

(1) The Village Enhancement Committee was not reappointed during the organizational meeting. The board is pleased to encourage this group to continue their work. The shift of emphasis from Williamsville to South Newfane is reflected in the present make up of the committee.
It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Dick Dowley to appoint Laura Bacon, Charles Bergmann, Holly Cullen, Amelia Darrow, Edward Druke, Sr., Myra Fassler, Nancy Riege, Chris Petrak, John Spicer and Targ Spicer for one year. The vote was unanimously in favor.

(2) The cost o the Town of handling Septic permits is higher than the fee that is charged for these permits. The fee schedule has been discussed at previous meetings with the Sewage Control Officer at the time of his appointment. The fees were set sometime in the eighties and are less than some of the other comparable area towns which were contacted by Doris in order to compare.
It was moved by Dick Dowley and seconded by Lynn Bedell to set the fee schedule as follows, effective July 1, 2000:
Recording Fees - $7
Renovations and/or repairs to existing septic systems - $10
New or Replacement septic systems to residential dwellings - $40
New or Replacement septic system to commercial buildings - $60
The vote was unanimously in favor.

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. DRAFT LETTER - TRANSFORMERS
The transformers that are stored on a platform on the ground at the Chandler property were discussed, especially in regards to any possibility of them containing PCBs and any possibility that they could spill there contents if they tipped over (as happened in Bellows Falls). Doris has prepared a letter seeking information about the transformers and expressing concern about them to the landowner(s).
It was moved by Jesse Anderson and seconded by Lynn Bedell to send the letter as drafted. The vote was unanimously in favor.

B. GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Doris has prepared a list of goals and objectives based on our old goals and objectives and other input. The list was reviewed and it was agreed that it was up to date and manageable. No additions were made. Mike noted that any projects involving changes to roads needs to be done early in the year because the zoning bylaw changes will be coming out later in the year and will require a lot of time.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT'S REPORT - (See attached)

A. Items #5 & 6 - Doris has been in touch with electrical contractors and plumbing contractors in regards to Williamsville Hall enhancements. Art Campbell has made detailed suggestions for modest improvements and has checked the integrity of the existing wiring. His recommendations are in the attached Administrative Assistant's Report. Tim Jeffers also provided an estimate for installing a sink, details of which are also in the attached report. Mike expressed a desire to meet with these contractors and go over the details of their estimates and firms up their proposals. Wednesday, May 10 or Thursday, May 11 at 4 p.m. was selected as the target date and time for setting up the meeting, which Mike agreed to facilitate.

B. Item #7 - Doris provided some details on a new copier purchase/trade in which engendered some discussion. This was a budgeted item, however the budgeted amounts were less than some of the new machines are going for. Revenues are at the same pace as last year or greater. The machine partially pays for itself through per copy fees. It was agreed to take the matter up again with Doris present to explore the features, expected lifetime, etcetera of the different products.

C. Item #8 - The portion of Pound Road that is higher up Newfane Hill was discussed.
Pound Road has an impassable Class 4 section in the middle. The Misniks have called requesting that the sign for the lower portion of Pound Road be removed, or that the sign for the upper section, where their property is, be renamed Upper Pound Road. There was a lot of discussion about this with some members that a confusing situation has been allowed to happen that should be fixed.
It was moved by Jesse Anderson and seconded by Lynn Bedell to have Doris schedule a hearing, with the necessary warnings, etcetera, to consider a road name change to clarify the Misnik's address. The vote was unanimously in favor.

D. Item #3 - Mike agreed to invite Greg Andrews to the next Selectboard meting to discuss his possible use of Williamsville Hall to hold an auction sometime in June.

E. Item #4 - Jesse Anderson agreed to contact Nancy Riege about moving a refrigerator from the Landenberger's house to the Williamsville Hall. The possibility of asking the road crew to move the refrigerator was discussed with mixed opinions concerning the appropriateness of doing so. The request was not made. Two old refrigerators were moved to the front steps by the volunteer cleaning crew and disposed of by the road crew. Jesse has access to a dolly to get the refrigerator to the lower floor. The Landenbergers are uphill from the hall and about a hundred yards away.

8. MINUTES: 04/24/00

It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Lynn Bedell to approve the minutes of 04/24/00. The vote was unanimously in favor.

9. PAY ORDERS

The pay orders were reviewed. It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Lynn Bedell to approve the pay orders as signed by the members present. The vote was unanimously in favor.
Payroll 04/22/00 $ 2,633.92
Payroll 04/29/00 $ 2,804.17
Payroll 05/01/00 $ 2,278.21
Acct's Pay #23 05/05/00 $ 308,715.35

IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments
04/25/00 $ 916.59 and
05/02/00 $ 968.57

10. CORRESPONDENCE

(1) The request of the Morris dancers to perform in Newfane on May 28, 2000 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. was considered. This has been an annual event. It was moved by Mike Rohan and seconded by Lynn Bedell to close West Street to facilitate the Morris dance performance at the date and times noted. The vote was unanimously in favor.

(2) Chairman Rohan signed the previously acted upon appointment of Barbara Williams as the Town Service Officer.

(3) Chairman Rohan signed the fuel tank cathodic protection tests for the new town garage fuel tanks that are below ground level (in concrete enclosures). The testing company has signed that the tests were successful and the town is signing as the owners of the tanks. The completed test form is for the Agency of Natural Resources.

B. The letter from the Tree Warden about the Large White Pine Trees (2) on the Williams property on Cross Street in Newfane was discussed. The letter summarizes a report by the State's Ms. Burns, the result of a public hearing held on 04/11/00, the history of these trees, and his own findings about the trees. Mr. Guenther recommends, regrettably but with strong reasons, that the trees be removed. The board generally agreed with the recommendation of the Tree Warden and Mike agreed to contact the Williams' to discuss the details of the tree removal and their property at the first mutually agreeable meeting time.

12. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Dick Dowley and seconded by Lynn Bedell to adjourn at 9:54 p.m. The vote was unanimously in favor.

Jesse W. Anderson
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 COMMISSIONER'S REPORT 05/04/00

1. Jim and I looked at and talked about the River Road (TH#15) problems. Jim has talked to Mike Fitzpatrick about fixing the two bad spots by building a wall with the rocks from Mercede's project at the end of the River Road (TH#15). Mike has spoken to mercede and he is agreeable for him to use the stone. By fixing these two bad spots both Jim and I feel this will be a great solution to our River Road (TH#15) problems.

2. I had a call from Bea MacFarland wondering if the town could put some hot patch in front of the church. It is a small crack between the road, Chruch Street (TH#55) and the new curb they just put in.

Dick Dowley


ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT 05/04/00
TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY


1. The following roads were worked on since the last regular Board of Selectmen's meeting: River Road (TH#15), Steepway Road (TH#21), Sawmill Road (TH#77), Newfane Hill Road (TH#20), Upper River Road (TH#15), Flynn Road (TH#49), Browns Road (TH#45), Sunset Lake Road (TH#42), Penner Road (TH#31), South Wardsboro Road (TH#1), Loop Road (TH#76), and Cushing Flats Road (TH#6).

2. All road closed signs and mud posting signs have been taken down.

3. The area at the Town office for the waste bins was dug out. Bank run gravel with a top dressing of crushed gravel with a top dressing of crushed gravel was put in to bring this area to grade and prevent mud.

4. The generator was loaded for the town of Townshend on May 3, 2000.

5. The permit for Bell Atlantic lines and poles should be approved as presented. Job #946663 - Baker Brook Road (TH#19).

6. Bridges are now being swept off in anticipation of washing.

7. Equipment is all operational. One sander remains on the International truck.


Respectfully submitted,

James O. Gray


To: Newfane Board of Selectmen
Memorandum From:
Doris A. Knechtel Subject: Administrative Assistant's Report
Date: May 4, 2000

1. The advertising and comment period for the post closure landfill certification has been completed. The town should be receiving the Solid waste management Facility Certification from ANR soon.

2. Catherine Audette, one of the Timson Hill School directors called about the possibility of using the Williamsville Hall for the upcoming school year for six students and one teacher. I suggested that if the building were to be used for that purpose that the space adjacent to the dining room may be available. I also indicated to her the fee schedule for daily rental. They are looking into other options as well.

3. Greg Andrews stopped in to ask about the possibility of renting the Williamsville Hall sometime in June for an auction of his own wares. He would need the space for three or four days to set up for the auction. I also asked if there may be a possibility of auctioning off some of the items from the hall. He may consider that option.

4. Nancy Riege asked if the refrigerator, donated by the Landenberger's could be moved off of their porch into the Williamsville Hall with assistance from the road crew.

5. Art Campbell has looked at the Williamsville Hall electrical. The nob and tub wiring is okay. There are lights that need to be fixed upstairs. There should be a light switch inside the front door and a switch to turn on the lights in the main room other than on the stage. In the kitchen area, he recommends a subpanel by installed to allow for expansion as needed. His estimate for the cost of the subpanel plus three outlets would be a maximum of $1,000. (Left a message about Wed or Thurs. Meeting.)

6. Spoke with Tim Jeffers about the cost for the installation of a three bay sink at the Williamsville Hall. The cost of a new sink plus the faucets, basket, etcetera would be $1,300. The cost of the piping and installation would be $1,040. I spoke with a former restaurant owner here in town and he has a used three bay sink which he may be willing to sell. For a meeting on Wed. or Thurs., Jeffers would prefer 4:00 p.m., just let him know what day.

7. I have submitted a proposal for the purchase of a new copier. Please review and let me know your thoughts.

8. Susan Misnick would like to see the Pound Road sign off of Upper spring Hill Road changed to Upper Pound Road or have the Pound Road sign off of Timson Hill removed. Misnick's are the only ones with a E911 Pound Road Address. (See map)





back to homepage



Town Offices:
Route 30, P.O. Box 36, Newfane VT 05345, Tel. (802) 365-7772

Please send all comments, suggestions and questions to info@newfanevt.com