MINUTES OF THE NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 1, 2007
TOWN OFFICES
NEWFANE, VERMONT
PRESENT
Selectboard members: Dan Dewalt, Joe Mandell, Peter Rysz, Guy Wachtel
Also Present: Shannon Meckle, Administrative Assistant; Christopher
Williams, Road Commissioner; Gunther Garbe, Planning Commission Chair;
Ed Druke; Piet van Loon; Judy Egan; Brian Donovan; Gary Katz
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Joe Mandell
MINUTES
The minutes of the October 18, 2007 regular board meeting were reviewed.
The following changes were made:
Under Bridges: It should be noted that the major repairs to the bridge
need to wait until school gets out in June, so that the buses won’t
have to use the detour.
Under W.W. Building Supply: It should be noted that W.W. Building
Supply will need to carry an insurance policy; and there should be
some sort of clause protecting the town from liability.
Peter Rysz made a motion to approve the minutes with the amendments.
Guy Wachtel seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with listed
revisions, unanimously.
ROAD BUSINESS
Road Foreman’s Report: Todd Lawley was not present at the meeting.
His report was read by Peter Rysz. Please see attached report.
Road Commissioner’s Report: Christopher Williams reported that
the Highway Crew has been doing grading and general maintenance of
the Roads. He noted that the Beetlestone Bridge has been repaired
and it looks good. He also reported that the bearing block has been
replaced on the Covered Bridge; however the plates have not been bolted
down yet.
Christopher reported to the Selectboard that he’s received
approximately 25 complaints regarding the stop sign that was installed
at the Arch Bridge; and in general the sign situation in town is getting
out of hand. It was noted by the Administrative Assistant that the
notice has been posted regarding the Traffic Ordinance revision, and
the residents have until December 2nd to petition for a hearing.
A discussion ensued regarding signage in town, as well as traffic
issues. Christopher reported that there’s a one-ton truck on
Grimes Hill Road that has been parked there since the beginning of
the week, and it’s interfering with the travel lane. It was
suggested that the town have Todd Lawley contact the owner and ask
him to remove it. Then, if it isn’t removed, call the Sheriff’s
Department.
Radway Hill Road: Peter Rysz noted that the board should get Mike
Fitzpatrick and Mercede together to get this project rolling.
Excess Weight Permits: Savage Trucking applied for an overweight
permit. After much discussion regarding the process of applying and
reviewing, and approving overweight permits, Peter Rysz made a motion
to approve the application for 69,000 pounds and deny the application
for 99,000 pounds. Guy Wachtel seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Planning Commission: Gunther reported that the Planning Commission
is about half way through the revision of the Zoning Bylaws. John
Feifel and Gunther will not be running again in March; however Gunther
stated that he won’t abandon the project of rewriting the Zoning
Bylaws, so perhaps he would take a one year term.
There also may be other members that will want to step down, so if
anyone’s interested, please let the Planning Commission.
Joe Mandell asked Gunther what the process is for suggesting edits
to the Zoning Bylaws. Gunther gave an overview of the process and
noted that anyone with an idea should come to the meeting and present
their ideas. The Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesdays
of each month at 7:00 p.m.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Excess Weight Permit Review Sub-Committee: Brian Donovan was present
at the meeting to offer his support for the town to review overweight
permit applications. A lengthy discussion ensued about the process
of reviewing and approving Excess Weight Permits. After this discussion,
Peter Rysz made a motion to allow Judy Egan and Brian Donovan to form
a sub-committee to gather information on this subject. Guy Wachtel
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Electrical Update at Town Offices: Peter Rysz spoke about the new
surveillance camera hooked into the Town Offices for the recycling
bins. There are no outlets in the attic of the town offices, and there
needs to be for the cameras. Also, there is a lack of electrical outlets
in the town office, as evidenced by the many power strips being used
for equipment. Shannon will make a list of things that need to be
done and contact Norman Lamoria.
OLD BUSINESS
W.W. Building Supply: The draft lease with W.W. Building Supply will
be looked at next meeting when each member has had a chance to read
it, and after it’s been sent to W.W. Building Supply.
Old County Road: Joe reported that this issue is now in the hands
of Trooper Loyzelle from the Vermont State Police. It was suggested
that such discussion wait until Executive Session, as it is a legal
matter. Christopher Williams stated that the only issue with the trail
improvements he had is that there is a 12” culvert installed,
and it is not an acceptable culvert. It should be a minimum of 15,”
similar to the one near the Pikes’ driveway.
Rescue Inc./Vernon’s Invitation: This discussion was tabled
until later in the meeting, when the Newfane Representative to Rescue,
Inc. Robert Holden could be present.
Gunther Garbe inquired about the tickets that have been sent thus
far to the Sorrell property owners, as it looks like there is another
car added to the property. Shannon will look into this and issue a
ticket, in addition to the other tickets that will be issued in the
near future.
Peter Rysz noted that while we are holding the remaining payment
for Zaluzny’s, the following issues were noted:
Peter Rysz reported on a truck that has been parked at the intersection
of Dover Road and Auger Hole Road. He was told that it would be out
of there last Wednesday, but as of this evening, it was still there.
The board quickly discussed FEMA and whether the town has received
at least a partial payment thus far. The Administrative Assistant
reported that she had spoke with the FEMA official, and the check
was “on its way.” Peter Rysz enquired whether the board
could write a letter to Congress expressing it’s frustration
with this process. Joe agreed to draft a letter for the board’s
review; and also reiterated that any correspondence to FEMA, should
now be sent via Return Receipt, in order to avoid any miscommunications.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT
Shannon reported that Norman Lamoria had come and put in all the
energy efficient lightbulbs in the town offices. So far, none of them
have blown. They are good for approximately 3,000 hours.
Shannon expressed her concerns regarding re-bidding insurance policies
at this juncture, with the budgeting happening next month, along with
the Town Report and Town Meeting following. After a lengthy discussion,
the board decided to put an ad in the newspaper soliciting proposals,
as the town reserves the right to reject any proposal, and if it seems
as though time is an issue, the board reserves the right to decide
to renew with VLCT.
Shannon passed on a suggestion from John Spicer regarding the white
“stop lines” that are usually painted at the point where
cars should stop at stop signs. He suggested one for the covered bridge
stop sign and at the Arch Bridge. The discussion was tabled until
such time that Todd could be present for the meeting, and until the
Arch Bridge stop sign is past the hearing period.
Rescue Inc./Vernon Invitation: This discussion was revisited. Vernon
has invited all Rescue, Inc. member towns’ selectboards to a
joint forum to discuss areas of concern and the future of Rescue,
Inc. The board members’ attendance was discussed at length;
after such discussion, Joe Mandell and Peter Rysz agreed to attend
the meeting. Discussion ensued about the possibility of Robert Holden’s
attendance as well. No other action was taken regarding this topic.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was no correspondence to discuss.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Peter Rysz made a motion to enter Executive Session. Guy Wachtel
seconded the motion. Upon unanimous vote, the board entered Executive
Session at 8:15 p.m.
Peter Rysz made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:40
p.m. Dan Dewalt seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
A letter to the Suponskis and Independent Partners was signed by
the board, and a copy will go to Trooper Loyzelle and Richard Perra,
Esq.
The board revisited the issue of re-bidding the insurance. It was
the sense of the board that with this being the first year for this
Administrative Assistant is working on the budget and the Town Report
and Town meeting, that perhaps rebidding the insurance should wait
until next year. Joe Mandell suggested that the board write a letter
to those companies that have been working on a proposal, that if there
proposal is prepared, we will take it under advisement however, we
cannot devote more staff time to this project with the budget and
town meeting in the near future.
PAY WARRANTS:
Peter Rysz made a motion to approve the pay warrants as presented:
Payroll: 10/24 $3,122.28
10/31 $3,360.15
11/02 $ 994.45
IRS Electronic Payment: 10/22 – 10/24 $1,120.41
10/27 – 11/2 $1,289.50
The motion passed unanimously.
Peter Rysz made a motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Dan Dewalt seconded
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
