MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SEPTEMBER 1st, 2004
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectmen: Piet van Loon, Carleton Chaffee, Priscilla Cotton, and Chris Williams.
Absent: Gary Katz
Also Present: Brud Sanderson of Stevens & Associates, Marc Gray, Charles ABud@ Bergmann, Hermine Bergmann, Peter L. Lilienthal, III, Tana Lilienthal, Chris Triebert, Carol Ross, Jean Riccardi, Sheila K. Riccardi, Kurt Bostrom as Road Foreman, and Doris Knechtel as Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order by Chairman Piet van Loon at 7:06 p.m.

2. STEVENS & ASSOCIATES - BRUD SANDERSON, Engineer
Chairman P. van Loon indicated that Brud Sanderson of Stevens & Associates did a presentation for the Selectboard of the options to be considered for replacing the Culhane Corner retaining wall along with potential construction costs at the August 19th meeting. The Board has not had a chance to discuss the matter since that meeting. The town does have some grant funds from the state toward this project, but it is not enough for the entire project. The grant required that there be engineered plans for the project and the Board hired Stevens & Associates.

Brud Sanderson reviewed the printed materials that he made available to those present. He first reviewed the overall condition of the wall. Between station 0 and 0+75, portions of the wall need repair, it will not substantially impact the road. Wall replacement/maintenance can be deferred. Between station 0+75 and 1+20 there is thick vegetation that is holding the slope together and restricting sight distance along the road. The section between station 1+20 an 1+60 does not appear to have a wall. The slope is maintained by the roots of the trees and vegetation. Vines restrict the sight distance along the corner. The slope/wall projects toward the road. Between 1+60 an 2+25 the wall Abulges@ out toward the paved section of the road reducing the shoulder width and sight distance. The road narrows in through this section. The proximity of the Culhane barn makes wall replacement difficult. The section between 2+25 and 2+50 is severely tipped out at the end, but the wall is further back from the edge of road than any other section.

The corner is sharp and the sight distance is poor. Proper drainage is also a problem in the area. The road tips toward the wall. There are catch basins, however, not all of the water gets to the basins. The condition of the pavement of the easterly portion if the road in that area is poor and will need to be redone after the wall has been replaced. The guard rails on the opposite side of the road are to be replaced by the town. Walls over 4' in height will be required to have a protective fence installed. Replacement landscaping is also recommended for the project. The possible installation of a sidewalk on the northerly side of the road, opposite the wall was suggested. However, it would be an extra expense for the walkway plus continued maintenance.

B. Sanderson then spoke of the various options for replacement of the retaining wall. A gravity stone retaining wall is suitable for station 0 to 0+75 as it would be up to 4' in height. Beyond that other options included a Concrete retaining wall, a Segmental retaining wall, Core 10 sheet piling, Soldier Pile Wall with Planking and Earth Tiebacks, Bin Wall and Earth Reinfoeced Wall with Stone Face. Examples of some of the options were shown in photos that were made available. Some of the options will require more excavation than others. The excavation behind the Core 10 Sheet Piling would be limited. There would need to be curtain drains for better drainage for this option. The concrete and segmental retaining walls would require more excavation and the shoring of the Culhane barn. Drainage considerations would be put behind the wall for these options. The width of the road is designed for two 11' travel sections with two foot shoulders. On the wall portion of the road area,it is designed to have a two foot or more shoulder area with a curb. This area will allow for snow storage during the inclement weather and for an area to walk during the better weather, if needed. The curb will channel the water to the catch basins. Some of the options may to stone faced after construction. If a stone face of the retaining wall is chosen, addition stones will need to be purchased. The option that would take the least amount of time for construction would be the Core 10 option. To make it more attractive, vines could be planted.

The area will be opened up more than it is now. Some members of the public asked that the rural feeling is an important consideration. Another suggestion was to move the Culhane barn southerly toward the property line. There would be a problem with the limited space for the existing septic system.

P. van Loon thanked the members of the public for their attendance. The Selectboard will be discussing this matter at future meetings and will be looking into the funds that will be required to complete the entire project. Prices range from $180,500 to $225,700.

3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
No further business came before the Selectboard at this time.

4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by C. Chaffee and seconded by P. Cotton to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Board at 8:30 p.m. Unanimous.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted: Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store, Williamsville General Store, and South Newfane General Store & Deli.
www.newfanevt.com

Please send all comments, suggestions and questions to info@newfanevt.com