NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
MINUTES
AUGUST 7, 2008
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectboard:
Also Present:

1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Gary Katz, Chair.

2. MINUTES

The minutes of July 17, 2008 were reviewed. Joe Mandell made a motion to approve. Jeff Gouger seconded. Approved unanimously. Joe Mandell noted that the decisions related to the Old County Road should be in the minutes, specifically that Mr. Suponski had 30 days to cut the wood up in 4 foot sections.

The minutes of July 21, 2008 were reviewed. Joe Mandell made a motion to approve. Guy Wachtel seconded. Approved unanimously.

3. ROAD BUSINESS

Road Foreman/Road Commissioner’s Report: See attached report.

Discussion ensued regarding the purchase of the new Sterling truck.

Peter asked Todd about the spot on Baker Brook Road where it hollows out, just beyond the blacktop, if he could look at it.

Discussion regarding Windham Regional Commission monitoring trucks on Parish Hill Road. They are wondering what the best spot for monitoring is.

Excess Weight Permits:

The following applications were received:

Cersosimo Industries applied for 69,000, 76,000, 90,000 and 99,000 pounds and all four were approved at 60,000 pounds.

Douglas Waterman Logging applied for 99,000 pounds and was approved for 60,000 pounds.

James Rogers Trucking applied for 60,000 and 70,000 pounds and both were approved at 60,000 pounds.

Russell Stoddard applied for 69,000 pounds and 99,000 pounds. Both were approved at 60,000 pounds.

Peter expressed his concerns that four trucking companies observed in the recent past do not have Excess Weight Permits. Guy Wachtel made a motion to have Shannon to draft a letter for Gary’s signature to the companies that do not have permits. Peter seconded. Unanimous.

Peter made a motion to have Shannon send letter to Nick Mercede regarding the access, that it is not a legal access yet, so a sign needs to go up, and block it. Joe seconded. Unanimous.

4. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Cross Street Drainage: Adelle Graham spoke to the board regarding drainage on Cross Street, and presented a survey that she’d had drawn up. She requested that the town put in curbing and drainage. Discussion ensued. Christopher Williams and Todd Lawley will look at the area and come back to the board with recommendations.

Bea MacFarland gave a brief history of the drainage in the Village of Newfane and wanted to make everyone aware that the Town has on file, the engineering report by Stevens & Associates. Shannon will try to locate the study that was done. It was April 2000.

Jon Julian, Williamsville Hall: Requested that the Town apply for a Change of Use Permit from the Zoning Administrator, for the purpose of a general store. The Williamsville Hall Committee also requested the Board to approve them having their own checking account for donations.

Peter made a motion to approve the Change of Use Application for the Williamsville Hall. Joe Mandell seconded the motion. Discussion: Gary noted that at the time for hiring a Highway Crew member, that decisions should be tabled until the Finance Committee meets next week. The consensus of the board was that this is a different situation. Peter called the question. Vote: 4 in favor. 1 against. Motion carries. The Williamsville Hall Committee will pay the fee for the permit.

Peter felt that regarding the checking account, the Committee should wait for the budget committee meeting. These funds would be separate from general Williamsville Hall Rental monies; it would be simply for donated funds. Discussion regarding policy of the town for handling all funds, as to whether it needs to be handled by the Treasurer or not. Shannon to look into the legitimacy of the Committee having their own checking account. Would like assurance that any donations made, will go the correct fund, and be available to the Committee for their projects. The board was in agreement.

Historical nature, the Committee wanted to inquire what is involved in transferring buildings, that are historical in nature. The history is that the Grange sold the Williamsville Hall to the Town for 1.00, Discussion ensued. All of its uses, stipulations for right of first refusal, proviso for using it for town meeting, also the town not losing it for other uses. Tax exemption, the town using the Hall would require the town to pay a fee.

5. UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Peter Rysz as an Unscheduled Member of the Public requested a copy of the letter sent to the board, dated July 2nd by Maureen. There are no copies available, however Shannon will provide a copy of the audio file to Peter on C.D.

6. NEW BUSINESS

Discussion ensued regarding town finances, the treasurer’s appearance at meetings and yearly audits.

7. OLD BUSINESS

Junk Ordinance: Recorded documents by Town Clerk will be returned to the Attorney, beginning the time period for legal action. Also, a package of information has been sent to the attorney to get the final okay to remove the trailer. Shannon will inquire as to whether the documents have been recorded yet.

Conflict of Interest Policy: Discussion regarding the necessity/and sense in adopting this policy. The board reviewed the proposed policy and held discussion. G. Wachtel made a motion to approve the Conflict of Interest Policy. J. Mandell seconded. 4 in favor. 1 opposed. Motion passes.

Roberts Rules: The board reviewed the Roberts Rules Procedures. J. Mandell made a motion to approve the Roberts Rules Procedure with amendments by the board. G. Wachtel seconded. Vote: Unanimous.

Selectboard Rules of Procedure: The board reviewed the variables within this policy and was in agreement. Shannon will print the document as is.

Structure on Route 30: Was there a permit for the new building on Route 30, where the Cottons have their business? Discussion regarding this issue, and Planning Commission will get back to the board after their meeting on the 12th.

8. CORRESPONDENCE:

Gary noted that a letter from Woodward & Kelley states there will be a Status Conference: October 8, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.

Shannon’s Memo: Vacation time, would like to take the week of August 18, 2008 off. Discussion ensued regarding available vacation time. This vacation time has already been accrued.

Barrows/Fisher Oil: 4.589/gallon for Pre-buy… Discussion ensued.
Consensus of the board was that they did not want to purchase through the pre-buy program. Peter agreed to price check different oil companies. It should be bid out to the different companies. Shannon will look up the total gallonage for last year and email the information to Peter.

Peter to come back to the board with his recommendations to the next meeting.

Vermont Dept. of Buildings & General Services: Will forward to the Williamsville Hall Committee.

Vermont Dept. of Taxes: Tax Values: letter FYI

Maureen Albert-Piascik: Regarding damage to her house, Tree has been removed. Shannon will pass claim on to VLCT. Mike asked if it mattered if the board is responsible if the tree is live, and not dead.

9. PAY ORDERS: – G. Wachtel made a motion to approve the pay orders as follows. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Pay Orders: 08/08/08 - $24,554.41

Payroll:
07/30/08 - $3,381.92
08/06/08 - $2,388.00
08/08/08 - $4,369.22

IRS Electronic Payment:
08/06/08 - $1,130.82
08/13/08 - $ 786.76
08/13/08 - $873.31

10. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by G. Wachtel and seconded by J. Gouger to adjourn the meeting at 9:36 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)