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Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 03/15/01 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.

MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 15th, 2001

NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:

Selectmen: Michael Rohan, Jesse Anderson, Lynn Bedell, and Richard Dowley

Absent: Carter Van Iderstine.

Also Present: Charles "Bud" Bergmann, James O. Gray, Road Foreman, and Doris Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman M. Rohan called the Regular Meeting of the Board to order at 7:03 p.m.

2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A. CHARLES BUD BERGMANN - VILLAGE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE TREE PLANTING GRANT PROPOSAL

Charles "Bud" Bergmann, a member of the Village Enhancement Committee, has prepared a Mini Grant Application for a $200 grant request, and a Tree Planting Grant Application for a $2,656 grant request to be submitted to the Urban and Community Forestry "Trees for Local Communities" Program. The total cost of the mini project is anticipated to be $370 for the planting of a red oak on the Riege property to replace an old red oak. The larger project, with an anticipated total cost of $9,296, is for the planting of eight (8) trees along the Dover Road (TH#2) east of the Green Iron Bridge (BR#49). The trees are to be planted on the edge of the town highway right of way on private property with permission from the property owners. The property owners are to also agree to maintain the trees. The planting plan is part of the study done by Elizabeth Courtney (ECOS). Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by L. Bedell to have Chairman Michael Rohan sign the "Trees for Local Communities" Mini Grant Application and the Tree Planting Grant Application on behalf of the town of Newfane. Unanimous. Three copies of each application will be sent to the Urban and Community Forestry Program on 02/16/01.

2. B. MIKE FITZPATRICK - RIVER ROAD RIP RAP INVOICE

M. Fitzpatrick had indicated that he expected to be in attendance at the meeting, but he did not attend. The invoice in question is for 1,463 yards of rip rap at $3.50 per cubic yard for a total amount of $5,120.50 used on the River Road (TH#15) project. The materials came from the ledge on Mercede property that was blasted for the proposed new River Road (TH#15) access onto Radway Hill Road (TH#4). J. Gray indicated that he had understood that the town would be charged for the material or for the blasting. He also indicated that the cost would have been more if the supply was from another location. L. Bedell provided a list of sand, gravel and stone products for various pit locations owned by Cersosimo Industries, Inc. The cost for rip rap various from $10.00 to $12.00 per cubic yard depending on the location. The town receives the prices for road maintenance materials from the various suppliers twice a year.

4. G. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS

(1) M. Rohan let J. Gray know that J. Sinon was in to complain that Timson Hill Road (TH#41) has been sanded only twice 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. during the recent ice storm while Newfane Hill Road (TH#20) was sanded four times during that same period. L. Bedell complimented J. Gray on the great job that the highway crew has done during this recent difficult storms.

4. F. VERIZON UTILITY POLE PLACEMENT PERMIT - RIVER ROAD

At the previous Board meeting on 02/01/01, the Board proposed to add a condition to the permit requested for River Road (TH#15) that the short poles on the Depot Road (TH#2) project of two years ago be removed. Any old poles on the current River Road (TH#15) project should also be removed. Now the Board would like to call the Public Service Board and Verizon to find out what the town can do to have the old poles removed in a more timely manner. The permit (Verizon Job #946981) was not signed at this time. The Board will wait for further information.

4. E. ANNUAL TOWN HIGHWAY MILEAGE REPORT

The 2001 Certificate of Highway Mileage for the Newfane has been received from the state. As of February 10, 2001, no changes from the previous years mileage have been made. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by R. Dowley to sign the Newfane Certificate of Highway Mileage for 16.900 miles of Class 2 highways; 47.050 miles of Class 3 highways; 5.662 miles of State Highway and 0.660 miles of Class 4 highways, for a total of 69.612 miles, not including the Class 4 amount. Unanimous. The amounts are used to determine and distribute state aid for Town Highways.

4. ROAD BUSINESS

A. ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT - (No report was submitted)

B. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT - (See attached report)

None of the items listed required any action by the Board.

C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS

No Excess Weight Permits were presented for action.

D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS

No Access/Right of Way Permits were presented for action by the Board.

4. G. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS

(2) J. Anderson asked about the repairs to Bridge #43 on Wiswall Hill Road (TH#11) and Bridge #12 (Arch Bridge) on Depot Road (TH#2). The annual April highway meeting with Wm. Noyes, District #2 Technician, will focus on the repair of these two bridges. J. Gray indicated that the safety repair of adding a section of band rail to the southwest corner of the Arch Bridge (BR#12). The property owner has indicated that he is not in favor of the band rail installation. The Board will also work to have the Arch Bridge (BR#12) put on the state bridge program. Also in reference to BR#12 and BR#43, see the Administrative Assistant’s Report Item #4.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (See attached report)

A. Item #1 - Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by L. Bedell to approve the issuance of a check for the bulk rate postage to send out the Town Report. Unanimous.

B. Item #2 - The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service has sent a Cooperative Agreement for Locally Led Contracting to be signed by the Board. A liaison between the sponsor (Town of Newfane) and NRCS is to be designated and the agreement is to be signed by the Chairman of the Board on behalf of the sponsor. The agreement is for the Ken Robinson property off of Route 30 and the estimated cost of the flood damage repairs is $2,550. NCRS pays 75% ($1,912.50) and the sponsor pays 25% ($637.50). The sponsors share is to be paid for by the state. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by R. Dowley to have D. Knechtel serve as the liaison between the sponsor and NRCS and to have Chairman Michael N. Rohan sign the USDA-NCRS Cooperative Agreement for Locally Led Contracting on behalf of the sponsor (Newfane). Unanimous.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT - (cont.)

C. Item #3 - The Board reviewed the Hazard Mitigation Application for the Pat Kauffeld Williams property. The property owner and the mortgage company are to absorb a portion of the cost. According to Angela Magara, VT hazard Mitigation Officer, there should not be any cost to the town other than in-kind services. She will be contacted to double check the figures included in the application.

D. Item #5 - J. Anderson indicated that the Board should write a letter when more information and suggestions are received from Wm. Noyes regarding the change in the formula proposed for FEMA damage and the percentage of responsibility for the towns and the proposed legislative change in the town highway grants.

    1. Item #6 - The Board will review the information compiled for Town Meeting and ask for any additional to be ready for the March 1 meeting. Fred Houston, Moderator, has also been given a copy. L. Bedell indicated that she is working on a draft for a handout at the meeting for Article 20, to have the Board investigate the feasibility of having a Town Manager form of government. M. Rohan suggested that he and L. Bedell could present the two points of view, for having or not having, a town manager form of government. L. Bedell feels that she can give an unbiased point of view on the matter. Her thought is to have a part-time manager for $25,000 to $30,000 per year. That person could be the delinquent tax collector if the town voted to have the manager collect taxes. The person could also serve as the Zoning Administrator and Sewage Control officer as well as the Road Commissioner. M. Rohan indicated that he felt that there should have been more research before it was put on the warning. He also does not feel that the expense could be sustained every year. Some towns with the town manager form of government have more departments, highway, police, fire, water, than Newfane, with only a highway department. He would rather have the Board review the job descriptions of the Road Foreman and Administrative Assistant to consider additional responsibilities for items that the Board deals with, such as excess weight permits and access/right of way permits. J. Anderson indicated that there is a trend to consider moving toward a town manager form of government and it may be prudent for Newfane to look into it at this time. Only 50 of the 247 towns in Vermont have town manager form of government and it has been that way for about 10 years. L. Bedell indicated that the basic idea of the town manager form of government has the Board of Selectmen make policy and the Town Manager sees that the policies are implemented. The BOS would give up some of their responsibilities to a town manager.

6. B. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

(1) During the FY 2002 budget process, the Board members agreed to a 3% increase in the wages for the members of the highway employees and for the Administrative Assistant. The 3% recommended increases for the Town Clerk and the Town Treasurer will be voted on at town meeting under Article 3. Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by M. Rohan to sign the document for the 3% wages increases for the highway employees and the Administrative Assistant to be effective on July 1, 2002. Unanimous.

8. MINUTES

Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by L. Bedell to approve the minutes of the minutes of the Regular Meetings of 01/04/01 and 02/01/01 and the Special Meetings of 01/11/01 and 01/25/01 as written. Unanimous. The minutes of the Regular Meeting of 01/18/01 have not yet been completed.

9. PAY ORDERS

A. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by L. Bedell to approve the Newfane Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants, as signed, for the following:

02/03/01 Payroll $ 3,289.63

02/10/01 Payroll $ 4,245.96

02/15/01 Payroll $ 316.36

02/16/01 Acct’s Payable #18 $ 7,977.40 Unanimous

B. IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments

02/06/01 $ 1,409.76

02/13/01 $ 1,202.52

6. B. OTHER NEW BUSINESS - (cont.)

(2) There will be a Town and School candidates forum held at the Newfane Elementary School on Monday, February 26th beginning at 7:00 p.m.

(3) Board members expressed an interest in looking into a Conflict of Interest policy for the town. Information will be compiled for the Board by the Administrative Assistant for the March 1 meeting. A model policy from VLCT is on file.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - An Executive Session was not required.

12. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by R. Dowley to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Newfane Board of Selectmen at 9:15 p.m. Unanimous.

 

Doris A. Knechtel

Administrative Assistant

Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted: Town Clerk’s Office, Newfane Store, Patsy’s County Seat Market, Lessing’s Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli, www.newfanevt.com




ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT 02/15/01

TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY

1. Major snow storm occurred on 02/05/01 & 02/06/01. Up to 30" of snow fell. Roads were difficult to clear. Visibility was terrible - very limited sight distance. Ice storms occurred on 02/10/01 & 02/15/01. Very slippery using much salt and sand. The storm on 02/15/01 was very stubborn. Ice continued to form most of the night.

2. Equipment: A. The CVC joints on the F-550 needs replacing, It is warrantied. B. All other equipment operational.

3. Sand has been replenished. Salt is difficult to obtain. Daley will be delivering salt tomorrow.

4. A CVPS representative was appraised of the dead trees next to the utility lines on Timson Hill Road (TH#41), Dover Road (TH#2) Grimes Hill Road (TH#5) and Lost Mile Road (TH#43). The tree on Timson Hill Road (TH#41) was struck by lightening two years ago. No action yet.

5. Many people from out of town are taking winter sand from the old garage site. It is quite convenient.

Respectfully submitted,

James O. Gray




To:

Newfane Board of Selectmen

 

From:

Doris A. Knechtel

 

Subject:

Administrative Assistant’s Report

 

Date:

February 15, 2001

 

1. The Town reports should be ready from the printers tomorrow or Monday. They will be sent out next week. The Board will need to give permission to the Town Treasurer to issue a check for the postage. The amount will range from $450 to $500.

2. The USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service has sent a Cooperative Agreement for Locally Led Contracting that needs to be singed by the Chairman of the Board. This agreement is for the Ken Robinson project which was removed from the other agreement because it is over $2,000.

3. A copy of the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program application for Don and pat Williams has been included with your meeting information. D. Williams has been notified and a copy was sent to Attorney Richard Gale’s office.

4. I spoke with James McCarthy of VTrans about Bridge #12 and Bridge #43 repairs. He indicated that the bridges should be repaired by the end of the 2001 construction season.

5. I called and spoke with Wm. Noyes about the information received from WRC regarding proposed changes in the percentage that town have to pay for the FEMA projects. Currently the town pays 12.5% and the State pays 12.5%. In the new proposal, the towns may be responsible for the full 25% depending on the amount of damage as compared to the non-school budget. The way I figured the new formula, a FEMA disaster in Newfane would have to be at least $300,000 in damages before there is any assistance from the state. The recent flood in July was about $506,000 with the state and town at 12.5% of $63,330 each. The other area that he indicated that the Board should be more concerned about is the proposed legislative change for the town highway grants. I have included the information for you from the recent VLCT Legislative Report #5. He will be writing a letter to the towns about his concerns regarding these two matters.

6. I have compiled information for the Board and for Fred Houston regarding the articles for Town Meeting. If there is additional information that you may need, please let me now so that I may have it ready for the March 1 st meeting.





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