Corrections to the following minutes will be made at the next
meeting of the Selectmen and are unapproved until then. Changes will
be noted in that meeting’s minutes.
MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING OF NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
MAY 11, 2007
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Joseph Mandell, Peter Rysz and Guy Wachtel
Absent: Ellen Darrow and Daniel DeWalt
Also Present: Edward Druke, Bryan Donovan, Maureen Albert-Piascik
as Treasurer, Todd Lawley as Road Foreman, Judy Egan and Doris Knechtel,
Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The special meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.m. by Chairman
Mandell.
2. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT BIDS - SIDE DUMP BODY
The Selectboard agreed to send out the proposed bids for the Side
Dump Body for the Mack truck as presented with the exception of the
return date to be Thursday, May 31st by 6:30 p.m. The Board will have
a special meeting at that time for the purpose of opening the bids.
3. DISCUSSION OF FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR STATUS
There will be a meeting with FEMA for Windham County on Tuesday, May
15th beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the application process. It is anticipated
that FEMA will pay 75% of the costs. The other 25% has been split
between the state (12.50%) and the town (12.50%). At the time that
T. Lawley went around with Joe Ruzzo to assess the damage there was
an estimate of $300,000, which did not include the damages to Stratton
Hill Road (TH#35). It is anticipated that the town will get a better
estimate in writing at the 05/15 meeting, unless the town can get
a written estimate from Joe Ruzzo. T. Lawley anticipates that the
contractors will be finished this next week with their work on the
flood damage. The town will then have to take care of the rest of
the work to finish up.
4. DISCUSSION OF LINE OF CREDIT
Treasurer Maureen Albert-Piascik has spoken with a representative
at Chittenden Bank regarding a line of credit for the town to help
pay for the flood invoices, as there isn’t much in the way of
taxes coming in now until the new tax bills come out in July with
the first payment due in mid-August. At this time the bank has indicated
that they will issue a line of credit in the amount of $300,00 or
more for one year at the rate of 3.9% if the town gives then documentation
that the town is eligible for FEMA funds. If the town can get a firm
figure and the necessary paper work, there may be a special meeting
to sign for the line of credit for one year or more before the 05/17
meeting, otherwise it will be taken care of at that meeting.
5. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
A. There was some discussion regarding the covered bridge and the
continuing problem with the lag bolts coming up and the planks becoming
loose. The boards underneath are rotten and the bolts do not hold.
J. Egan spoke of the “thumping” noise when vehicles cross
the bridge. The metal plates at the ends are also loose causing some
of the noise.
B. T. Lawley spoke about a situation on Baker Brook Road (TH#19) regarding
chloride application that he took care of.
C. Bryan Donovan spoke of his concerns about the drainage in the area
of his property on Newfane Hill Road (TH#20). A former drainage area
in a stone wall opening above Mr. Donovan’s, was closed, diverting
the drainage to go down the side of the road an onto his property.
The Selectboard agreed to meet at the site on Thursday, May 17th at
5:30 p.m. The other property owner involved will be notified of the
meeting.
D. There is a state statute regarding the fining of a person who injures
a public highway by obstructing or diverting a stream, watercourse
or sluice and their liability to the town or to any individual for
any damage to the highway or property. Costs may be recovered in a
civil action. (V.S.A. Title 19 § 1108)
E. T. Lawley is planning to take some vacation time the last week
of May after the “flood” contractors have completed their
work..
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by G. Wachtel and seconded by P. Rysz to adjourn the
special meeting at 11:05 a.m. Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,