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
JULY 16th, 2007
WILLIAMSVILLE HALL
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Daniel DeWalt, Joseph Mandell, Peter Rysz, and Guy Wachtel
Absent: Ellen Darrow
Also Present: Steve Zaluzny of Zaluzny Excavation Corp., Brud Sanderson
of Stevens & Associates, Fred Bacon, Todd Lawley as Road Foreman,
and Doris Knechtel as Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The special meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chairman Mandell.
2. CULHANE CORNER CONTRACT
The contract for the stone retaining wall at Culhane Corner, as prepared
by Brud Sanderson of Stevens & Associates, was reviewed and discussed.
The stone retaining wall replaces the original proposal which was
for a soldier pile retaining wall which had a base cost of $197,000.
Various issues were reviewed such as the results of the previous test
borings that had been done where no ledge was found. The drainage,
catch basin, and replacement of a 15" culvert to an 18"
culvert across Dover Road (TH#2) was also reviewed. There was some
discussion about some extras that may or may not be an issue. It was
agreed by a handshake, that the amounts for the extra items will not
be added to the total contract price at this time, but will be added
as change orders at a time and materials rate, if needed. S. Zaluzny
presented his Performance Bond information. A Certificate of Insurance
will be forwarded to the town.
Motion was made by D. DeWalt and seconded by P. Rysz to hire Zaluzny
Excavating Corporation for the amount of $195,500 to perform the necessary
work as outlined in the bid to construct a stone retaining wall at
Culhane Corner in South Newfane. Unanimous. Funds for the project
will be from a state highway structures grant and the Capital budget.
S. Zaluzny is hoping to start next week by having the tree contractor
remove the necessary trees. There will also be a pre-construction
meeting scheduled at the site. He will let the town know the date
so that Mary Culhane can be notified. (D. DeWalt left, G. Wachtel
arrived)
3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE
SELECTBOARD
A. The Town Highway Annual Financial Plan was prepared for the Board
and the Road Foreman to review. The yearly plan is required in order
for the town to apply for state highway grants, either structure or
retreatment. The plan is based on the Town Highway Budget as passed
and on the Bridge and Highway Capital Plan. Motion was made by P.
Rysz and seconded by G. Wachtel to approve the Annual Town Highway
Financial Plan as presented. Unanimous. The signed document will be
forwarded to District #2.
B. Todd Lawley prepared a Scope of Work document for the proposed
Grimes Hill Road (TH#5) bank stabilization project. The project will
be put out to bid. Some contractors have already looked at it. T.
Lawley will ask S. Zaluzny about digging some test holes to find out
what type of soils are there. Concern was expressed about the current
condition of the guard rails. There are cones and markers along the
areas of concern. The funds for this project will come from Capital
and from a state highway grant.
C. Bridge #14 - Response has been received from Roger Whitcomb expressing
two concerns from the recent letter sent by the Board regarding Bridge
#14. The first is the location of the centerline and the equal division
of the extra width. The state does not want to disturb the upstream
side by widening on that side because of the old bridge abutment and
because of the sewer line running across the bridge. The other concern
has to do with the proposed third rail system by separating the sidewalk.
The anticipated additional expense would be $35,000 for the extra
width and railing, a 100% local share. At the meeting of July 19th
the Selectboard will discuss the matter again. T. Lawley that he could
plow off a raised sidewalk, as originally proposed. He also reminded
the Board that the condition of the bridge is “not getting any
better”.
Also, a letter has been received from VTrans, Frank Malnati, Right-of-Way
Agent, which included existing right-of way in the Bridge #14 area
as shown in 1945. This r-o-w information needs to be plotted to another
sheet by a surveyor.
D. T. Lawley indicated that water bars need to be put in on the Bud
Bergmann property where Powling is doing some logging as water is
draining into the Dover Road/Auger Hole Road intersection.
E. The town has received the information from the state regarding
the education tax rates; Homestead - $1.1523 and Non-Residential $1.1824.
The municipal rate was set by the Selectboard at $0.3578. Tax bills
have been printed and will be mailed out on 07/17/07.
F. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion was made by P . Rysz and seconded G. Wachtel to go into Executive
Session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a matter of personnel. Unanimous.
Fred Bacon was present with Board members.
Motion was made by P. Rysz and seconded by G. Wachtel to come out
of Executive Session at 7:28 p.m. Unanimous.
As a result of the discussion during Executive Session, the full Board
will have an Executive Session to discuss the AA search at 8:00 p.m.
at their July 19th meeting.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
