| Any and all corrections to the following minutes
will be made at the 07/19/01 Board of Selectmen's Meeting and are considered
unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that
meeting.
MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JULY 10th, 2001
WILLIAMSVILLE/SOUTH NEWFANE POST OFFICE IN WILLIAMSVILLE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Mike Rohan, Jesse Anderson, Fred Bacon, Lynn Bedell and Richard Marek.
Also Present: Richard Thibodeau, Manager of Administrative Services for USPS, John Feifel, Charles Bergmann, John Walker, Roger Sandes (at BR#12 site only) and Doris Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order at 2:31 p.m. by Chairman Mike Rohan.
2. RICHARD THIBODEAU, USPS - DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC CIRCULATION, PARKING & AESTHETIC CONSIDERATION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Board asked Richard Thibodeau of the USPS to attend an on-site meeting at the South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office to primarily discuss the traffic flow, parking, sight distances and obstructed views. Ordinally, for commercial development, there would have been site plan approval required by the Planning Commission for the upgrading of this project for the combining of the Williamsville and South Newfane Post Offices. M. Rohan indicated that the town understands how the USPS operates and that they were not trying to circumvent the Town's Zoning Bylaw. However, without the review of traffic safety by the community, any liability would rest with the USPS. Some postal customers are parking perpendicular to the building and backing out into traffic, which is against the law. M. Rohan suggested a proposed parking plan for the front of the building and for the parking area to the westerly side of the building.
R. Thibodeau indicated that the USPS makes every attempt to abide by the wishes of the community. There are items that are part of the improvements for the South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office that have not yet been done because of a Capital project freeze within the postal department. Part of the plan is to extend more gravel within the parking area for the post office and Druke Insurance for a better parking configuration and to allow ample space for use of the parking ramp by the delivery vehicles. The immediate critical problem, the parking in the front of the building, can be addressed as a life safety issue where funds up to $2,000 can be utilized. Mr. Thibodeau will have the postal service architect draw up plans for the required handicap space and for one or more parking spaces in the front. Signs and some type of delineation in front of the building, possible planters out side of the town highway right of way, will be installed for parallel parking only. Other signs will also be installed to indicate that parking if for postal patrons only. There have been vehicles using the parking area to access the swimming area by the former dam.
It was suggested that it would be advantageous and good public relations for the USPS to indicate to the public the short term and long range plans for the improvements to the South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office along with an explanation of the financial constraints and various reporting channels that the Postal Service has to adhere before projects can move forward.
The concerns expressed in a letter from Emily Wadhams of State Historic Preservation were addressed by Mr. Thibodeau. The sodium light fixture is to be replaced with a more appropriate
"carriage type" fixture that will accommodate a fluorescent screw-in bulb. Mr. Thibodeau also explained that the reason for having a full length glass panel door is for the protection of the patrons using the facility, especially after the window portion is closed. Patrons will have better visibility of the inside of the building and be aware of any potential dangers before entering. Patrons may get their mail from the boxes from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Board members thanked Mr. Thibodeau for agreeing to meet at the site to discuss the towns concerns. It was a very productive and informative meeting. Mr. Thibodeau will be in contact with Chairman M. Rohan.
3:20 p.m. - The Board proceeded to the Arch Bridge (BR#12) to meet with Roger Sandes.
3. OTHER BUSINESS - ROGER SANDES - DISCUSSION OF SWIMMING RIGHTS
Arch Bridge Site (BR#12) - Board members met with Roger Sandes to discuss with him the situation of people swimming in the Rock River adjacent to his property. His property deed indicates that he owns to the high water mark on the southerly side of the Rock River. His property was a former mill site. The old town garage property also abuts the stream. Mr. Sandes has invited and does allow people to swim if they obey his requirements for the use of the area. The rules are: (1) no dogs; (2) no nude bathing; and (3) no alcoholic beverages. He also expects those who use the area to cooperate by taking their trash with them. Mr. Sandes does speak to some who disobey his rules. There have been occasions when he has had to call the Sheriff's Department. The town does not have any enforcement authority for use of his personal property. He may deny access onto his property for just cause. Although Mr. Sandes owns the river bed, he does not control the water, as the waterways belong to the state. Mr. Sandes wanted to inform the Board of the land ownership boundary situation in the event that there are any calls or complaints received about his requirements for use of the swimming area.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by L. Bedell to adjourn the Special Meeting at 3:40 p.m. Unanimous.
Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen
Posted: Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store,
Lessing's Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli.
www.newfanevt.com
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