Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made
at the next regular Selectboard Meeting and are considered unapproved
until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.
MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING OF THE NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
DECEMBER 11th, 2006
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Patricia Halloran, Joseph Mandell, and Hendrik van Loon.
Absent: Daniel DeWalt and Christopher Williams
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman van
Loon.
3. BUDGET SESSION
A. EXPENSES
Board members present reviewed the proposed budget line items presented
by T. Lawley. The section on wages depends on the Board’s decision
for a COL increase. Discussions were had regarding mowing over the
rail this next fiscal year, paving program for the 17 miles of paved
roads, what constitutes good gravel and the limited availability of
it, diesel vs. bio-diesel, etcetera. The proposed total highway budget
after the discussion is $552,900 an increase of $46,450 over last
year. Board members also discussed the problem with the broken wheels
on the trucks. Todd is waiting to hear something back from Accuride
about the wheels. The town may want to switch to “bud”
wheels with pilot hubs.
B. CAPITAL
Board members reviewed the proposed working Capital Budget which includes
the numbers suggested by T. Lawley. He has recommended that the sander
on the Mack be replaced with a side dump sander, which will put the
sand in front of the rear wheels. The Steam Jenny is also scheduled
for replacement. The Arch Bridge (#12) and the Stratton Hill Road
bridge (#42) were discussed. T. Lawley has been doing a monthly transit
reading on the Arch Bridge. The old drains were closed so that the
salt wouldn’t go into the river. Various options for the repair/replacement
of the Stratton Hill Road bridge were discussed. John Alexander of
AOT District #2 will be contacted about the hydraulic study that was
supposed to have occurred. Concern was expressed regarding the need
to close the road while it is bring repaired or replaced. A foot bridge
may be necessary.
C. REVENUES - No further review at this time.
2. RECENT CULHANE CORNER LETTERS
Board members reviewed and discussed the letter (e-mail) from Mary
Culhane regarding her concerns about the Culhane Corner project and
the easement/slope rights issue as well as the potential damage to
her septic system. Slope rights were obtained for Grimes Hill Road
(TH#5). It allows the town to work outside of the highway right of
way to stabilize banks and control drainage that may damage a town
highway. An easement would go with the land and does not give the
town free access at any time to the property without notice. Her concern
about any damage to the septic system could be determined by an engineer
soon after the wall project is completed. Any future replacement septic
needs would come from state approval after July 1, 2007. The points
made by C. Bergmann in his letter seemed to be reasonable. P. van
Loon will contact Attorney Rich Perra about the Board’s thoughts
on this matter.
4. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING
A. Chairman van Loon indicated that Attorney Sam Angell, who the town
has used for the Chandler - Phoenix Mgmt. and the Joseph Wright zoning
matters, will be leaving the Giddings Law office and going to the
Gale Law office the first of January, 2007.
4. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING - (cont.)
B. Chairman van Loon has drafted two letters, one to Roger Sparks
and one to Mark Stephens/Cindy Gilbeau regarding junk and junk vehicles
on the Sparks property. Board members reviewed the letters and okayed
the contents.
C. Health Insurance - The town has received costs for from the VLCT
Health Trust for the CIGNA rates and from Northern Benefits for BC/BS
of VT rates. A cost comparison of like plans with both CIGNA and BC/BS
of VT and the current BC/BS JY Plan was prepared by the AA for the
Board to review. There has been a report that if the town leaves the
Health Trust, that there will be a two year waiting period before
the town can rejoin 01/2009. This information will be checked. The
cost difference for the town for CIGNA - plus $6,740.25; for BC/BS
of VT - plus $1,725.02. Motion was made by D. DeWalt and seconded
by C. Williams to contract with Northern Benefits through Hillary
Cooke, for Health Insurance coverage for the eligible town employees
for the BC/BS of VT J-Plan. In favor: D. DeWalt, J. Mandell, C. Williams
and P. van Loon. Abstaining - P. Halloran. Motion passes.
D. Next Budget Session - The Selectboard will be having a special
meeting on Monday 12/18/06 beginning at 7:00 p.m. for the Personnel
Policy. If there is time, the Board will continue with the budget
process.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by D. DeWalt and seconded by P. Halloran to adjourn
the special meeting at 9:45 p.m. Unanimous.
Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Posted: Newfane Town Office, Newfane Market, Williamsville General
Store, South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office and South Newfane General
Store & Deli.
www.newfanevt.com
