NEWFANE SELECTBOARD MINUTES
June 12, 2008
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectboard:
Also Present:
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. by Gary Katz, Chair.
2. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING DISCUSSIONS:
Desirability of having town authorize additional expenditures to cover
expenditures of deficit as well as rises in supplies.
Gunther read memo from Gunther, Maureen, and Shannon.
Language for a warning was discussed.
Is it necessary to have this meeting? Peter asked if the tax rate
was already set for the year. Abutting towns have already held special
town meetings to deal with this situation.
Discussion regarding the causes of the deficit.
Delinquent taxes discussed.
Bud Bergmann: If the voter’s approve additional taxes for the
year, would that completely straighten the budget out?
Aside from long-term debt, what could blow this out of the water would
be costs continuing to sky rocket. This $300,000.00 is to cover previous
expenses, but they’re not sure if anticipated increases are covered.
Unanticipated costs could blow the budget out of the water as well.
Discussion regarding the timing of such meeting, as the Listers need
the time to get the tax bills together. The consensus of the board was
that we could ask the Listers do the calculation under the assumption
that the town votes to add the $300,000.00
Two articles in the warning. July 14, 2008 for the meeting. Time: Union
Hall, Discussion regarding the place. Union Hall. If not, check on the
availability of the Williamsville Hall. Time: 7:00 p.m. – Monday,
Motion to warn special Newfane town meeting Newfane Union Hall, Monday
July 14, Gary read the warning and articles:
Changing Tax Due Date to August 25, 2008.
Joe Mandell moved, Peter Rysz seconded.
Discussion: Are those the only articles on the warning?
Yes, but what about other expenditures. Also have to make sure moderator
is available for that day. Maureen pointed.
Unanimous.
2. WILLIAMSVILLE COVERED BRIDGE: Mike Renaud unavailable.
Todd brought the board and the public up to date. Shannon filled out
the application, and Gary signed, and it’s in the mail. 3”
planks, instead of 1” – 1 ½ “ planks. Todd
to measure the loader and grader tomorrow. Anticipate the money.
Grant money is not his issue, but he’d talk to John Alexander
and Joe Ruzzo about it. Talked to Mike Renaud too, and thought he could
cover that.
Todd’s other issue was that we need to give people a week’s
notice before the detour. Schedule: That week, and after that, they
were pretty busy.
Glimmer of hope. July 1, might be available.
Couple of weeks between now and then.
Extra signs.
Practical matter: Is the biggest safety issue, for the motorcyclists,
is that the planks are loose?
July 2, 2008.
The town was originally going to be paying about $10,000, and $45,000.00,
more than a glimmer of hope, considering that in the spring, it’s
going to be rebuilt in Spring 2009.
State’s already committed their 20% match for this project.
Peter questioned whether Matt Mann could push from his end, and Matt
suggested that the Executive Director wrote a letter to the State, that
this bridge was important.
No timbers from the bridge, because there is no written policy as of
yet. Because the state funds a large portion of it, they will want portions
of the bridge for their own use.
1st Selectboard meeting in July, is the board okay with updates until
then? Each person will continue to push on their ends.
Worrying about Mike’s schedule, let’s hope it doesn’t
take that long.
Okay to wait until first meeting in July.
3. ZONING PERMIT ISSUANCE:
Joe had noticed a detail, Joe’s email.
After a short discussion, Gary entertained a motion (see Tom Bedell’s
email) Guy moved. Peter second. Discussion: Does that nullify the Secretary
of State’s decision? The Planning Commission continues to review
the Zoning Permits. UNANIMOUS.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE BOARD:
Eileen Blackwood is hoping to have the written report available by
Monday.
Joe asked if this could wait until Thursday, or if the board should
meet before then?
Warn a meeting for Tuesday, Executive Session to review initial report
from Investigator, Eileen Blackwood for the sole purpose of identifying
if any clarifications are necessary, on June 18, 2008 and to determine
if we have any questions for her. 7:00 p.m.
Special Meeting of the Selectboard for that purpose: UP THERE. At the
meeting, someone will make a motion to enter Executive Session.
Will the public have access to the entire report? Whatever the FINAL
report will be, the public will have access to.
Kelly Kindestin, PACIF, answers insurance questions, to the extent
that anyone has questions, she requested that they pass those questions
on to Gary, and have him forward them to her, So they don’t have
to worry about who has authority to do what. Peter objected. This was
Kelly’s request, not a request of the board. The other members
of the board felt, is it proper for her to change the rules, and not
able to contact VLCT. Gag order? Interpret as? Agree that if they contact
VLCT that they are doing so on behalf of the Selectboard, or on behalf
of themselves. Concern about that, obviously there is some sense on
Kelly’s part, of confusion or uncertainty, we have no authority
to do anything as individuals. There has to be a result of the board
to make a determination.
Discussion on whether it will be clear to you if the request is coming
from the board or an individual board member, and you may refuse to
answer any questions that you don’t think is legitimate question.
Are you suggesting that I respond, saying that the board will coordinate
through the chair, board members may call with individual questions,
board doesn’t feel those need to be (in writing?) and the board
recognizes that you can choose not to answer a question if she deems
it inappropriate if she deems it inappropriate, and states why.
Guy moved. Jeff seconded. Discussion: GUY: at that point, whoever is
asking the question, will have to not keep pushing her for an answer,
they can come to the board for further information.
She has a right to say it’s inappropriate. Gary wanted to remind
everyone that according to Vermont Statute, 1 V.S.A. Section 1172, states
Rules of Procedure for Vermont Selectboards: Tabled until the next
meeting.
Use of Town Equipment: Peter questioned. Tabled until the next meeting.
Changing Schedule to allow Scheduled Members of the Public first. CHANGE
AGENDA.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Guy Wachtel and seconded by Peter Rysz to adjourn
the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Meckle
Posted: Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store, W.W. Building Supply,
S. Newfane/Williamsville Post Office and the South Newfane General Store
& Deli. www.newfanevt.com
(after approval)
