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MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE NEWFANE SELECTBOARD
MARCH 6, 2008
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectboard: Gary Katz, Jeff Gouger, Peter Rysz, Guy Wachtel
Also Present: Greg Record, Dick Marek, Richard Hickey, Priscilla Cotton, Ed Druke, Gunther Garbe, Jahari Overton, Mike O’Donnell, Robert Holden, Christopher Williams, Road Commissioner, Todd Lawley, Road Foreman, Shannon Meckle, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The organizational meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.

2. ELECT: CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR, AND CLERK
CHAIR: After discussion of the roles and responsibilities of Chair, Guy Wachtel made a motion to elect Gary Katz as Selectboard Chair. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. Gary Katz was elected unanimously.
VICE-CHAIR: Peter Rysz made a motion to elect Guy Wachtel as Vice-Chair. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. Guy Wachtel was elected unanimously.
CLERK – Guy Wachtel made a motion to elect Administrative Assistant, Shannon Meckle as Clerk to the Board. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Gary Katz elected as Chair of the Newfane Selectboard.
Guy Wachtel elected as Vice-Chair of the Newfane Selectboard.
Shannon Meckle elected as the Clerk of the Newfane Selectboard.

Gary Katz chaired the meeting this point forward.

Board members agreed that most of the remaining decisions for the appointments and such will be made by consensus of the Board rather than a motion unless necessary.

3. MEETING SCHEDULE
The regular meetings of the Newfane Selectboard on the first and third Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Newfane Town Office. Agreed.
Any meetings of the Board of Health and Local Board of Liquor Control Commissioners will be held, as needed, on the first and third Thursday of the month. Agreed.

4. LOCATION FOR POSTING OF NOTICES & MINUTES
Notices be posted at the following locations: Town Clerk=s Office, Newfane Store, W.W. Building Supply, Newfane Elementary School, South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office, The South Newfane General Store & Deli and the website, www.newfanevt.com. Agreed

5. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR POSTING OF NOTICES & ADVERTISEMENTS
The Brattleboro Reformer will be the official newspaper for the posting of regular and special notices, legal notices and advertisements. Agreed.

6. APPOINTMENTS
A. ROAD COMMISSIONER
Discussion ensued regarding standard procedures for road business as it relates to Road Commissioner, Highway Crew, and discussions at meetings. Gary offered to contact the Road Commissioner at the earliest convenience, any new discussion of road business that the Road Commissioner may not have been involved with. Ed Druke also suggested going back to the method of keeping a road project on the agenda until it is completed, even if there is no new information.
Motion was made by Guy Wachtel and seconded by Jeff Gouger to appoint Christopher Williams to serve as the Road Commissioner for the Town of Newfane. Unanimous.
B. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Board members agreed to appoint David Moore, Todd Lawley, Steve D. Jones, Jay Wilson and Greg Record to serve as members of the Emergency Management Committee.
C. DELEGATES TO WINDHAM REGIONAL COMMISSION
Board members agreed to appoint Hendrik W. van Loon and Jodi P. French to serve as the Delegates to Windham Regional Commission from Newfane.
D. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER - Board members agreed to appoint the Constable Kevin Behan to serve as the Animal Control Officer for the Town of Newfane.
E. POUNDKEEPER - Board members agreed to appoint the Windham County Humane Society to serve as the Poundkeeper for Newfane.
F. FENCE VIEWERS - Board members agreed to appoint Larry C. Robinson, Gregory L. Record and Theodor E. Schreyer to serve as the Fence Viewers for the Town of Newfane.
G. INSPECTOR OF LUMBER, SHINGLES, & WOOD
Board members agreed to appoint Carleton Chaffee to serve as the Inspector of Lumber, Shingles & Wood for the Town of Newfane.
H. WEIGHER OF COAL - Board members agreed to appoint Carleton Chaffee to serve as the Weigher of Coal for Newfane.
I. REPRESENTATIVE TO RESCUE, INC. - Board members agreed to appoint Robert Holden to serve as the Newfane Representative to Rescue Inc.
J. TOWN ENERGY COORDINATOR
Board members agreed to appoint Edward J. Druke, Sr. to serve as the Town Energy Coordinator for Newfane.
K. TOWN SERVICE OFFICER - Board members agreed to appoint Barbara Williams as the Town Service Officer for Newfane.
L. TREE WARDEN - Board members agreed to appoint William C. Guenther as the Tree Warden for Newfane.
M. COUNCIL ON AGING REPRESENTATIVE
Board members agreed to appoint Judy Egan and Virginia Grabowski as representatives to the Council on Aging.
N. WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Board members agreed to appoint Doris Knechtel to serve as the Supervisor from Newfane on the WSWMD Board, and Neal Carter as Alternate Supervisor.
O. VERMONT GREEN-UP - Board members agreed to appoint Laura Bacon, and Thanice ANissa@ Petrak to serve as the Co-Chairs for Vermont Green-Up for Newfane.
P. VILLAGE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
It was agreed by Board members to appoint Charles A. Bergmann, Edward J. Druke, Sr., Chris Petrak, Thanice Petrak, John T. Spicer and Margaret Spicer to serve as members of the Village Enhancement Committee until March 2009.
Q. TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE - Board members agreed to appoint Paul Dedell, Judy Egan, Peter Lilienthal, Chris Petrak, to serve as members of the Traffic Calming Committee.
R. PLANNING COMMISSION - It was agreed to appoint Gunther Garbe and John Feifel to serve as members of the Newfane Planning Commission until March of 2011.
S. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD – It was agreed to appoint John Feifel and John Mariano to serve until March 2011.
T. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD ALTERNATES – It was agreed to re-appoint Hendrik van Loon as Alternate DRB member until March 2011. There remains two Vacancies.
U. CONSERVATION COMMISSION - There is one VACANCY on the Conservation Commission for a term ending March 2010. The board agreed that if Mark Pickering and Jennifer Gagliardi are willing to continue on, they will be reappointed until March 2011.
V. NEWFANE HILL COMMON COMMITTEE
The board agreed to appoint the following to the Newfane Hill Common Committee: Ed Druke, Alicia Field, Scott Heller, Bud Keller, David King, Carleen Pelsue, Tom Russell, and Kelli Crego.

Each of the people appointed to the above positions will be sent a letter asking if they accept their individual appointments. Vacant positions will be posted and advertised.

W. VERMONT STATE POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD: Priscilla Cotton reported that she had been the Representative to this board, and is no longer interested, but that Kevin Behan is. The board agreed that this was a sensible idea.
X. ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK - Town Clerk, Jahari Overton, will appoint her Assistant Town Clerk(s).
Y. ASSISTANT TREASURER - Town Treasurer, Maureen Albert-Piascik, will appoint her Assistant Treasurer(s).
Z. ELECTED OFFICIAL POSITIONS OPEN
Grand Juror: Guy Wachtel made a motion to appoint Dan DeWalt as Grand Juror for the term of one year. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Town Agent: Guy Wachtel made a motion to appoint Neal Carter as Town Agent for the term of one year. Jeff Gouger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
7. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC - No one scheduled.

8. UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Richard Marek was present to discuss a Resolution regarding five trustees that are appointed to oversee $5,000 that was donated many years ago. In the past, the library trustees have been the same that oversee the funds. The Trustees presented a continuous resolution to the board for continuity. Peter Rysz made a motion to adopt the resolution. Guy Wachtel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and the board presented a signed resolution.

Greg Record stated to the board that he had heard that some elected officials that were upset about pay raises have decided that they will not work 40 hours per week. If this is the case, he felt that it should be brought to the attention of the voters at the next town meeting.

9. ROAD BUSINESS
A. WILLIAMSVILLE COVERED BRIDGE – A discussion with Representative Dick Marek regarding the serious condition of the Covered Bridge ensued, giving him a brief synopsis of the situation, historically and presently, and urging him to put some pressure on the legislature to do something about the bridge. He stated that he’d be happy to push for this, but cautioned that it’s a state wide problem, and other Representatives will most likely be pushing for the same thing in their area. It was decided that the board will write a letter to Dick Marek and include some background documentation.

B. ROAD COMMISSIONER’S REPORT – Christopher Williams reported that the Highway Crew has been working very hard, and would like to see better weather soon. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of a relief crew to take on some of the storms so that at least some of the men could stay home. The board will look forward to suggestions from Todd.

C. ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT - See Attached Report
? The bridge to Brookline and its posted weight was discussed, as Newfane’s sign shows one weight, and Brookline’s sign shows another.
? A new Engine Brake sign needs to be ordered for Baker Brook Road.

D. EXCESS WEIGHT LIMIT PERMIT – Decisions on Excess Weight Permit Applications were tabled until more information could be obtained and presented to the board.

E. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS – No Applications submitted.

F. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS – Discussion ensued regarding improvements in procedures, such as keeping road business on the agenda until a project is complete, even if there is nothing new to report, also improvements in communication between staff and officials.

10. CORRESPONDENCE: The Sheriff’s Department will be hosting a meeting for member towns to discuss the services they provide to towns and how to make them better. Jeff Gouger will attend.

11. OTHER BUSINESS – The board discussed priorities and specific efforts they want to explore in the upcoming year, including the post office building, broadband, and a five year plan for highway/bridge needs.

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

Pay Orders: 2/25/08 - $2,338.45
3/07/08 - $47,744.39

Payroll: 3/07/08 - $1,762.70 IRS Electronic Payment: 3/05/08 - $2,224.69
3/05/08 - $5,548.46 3/12/08 - $2,126.86 2/27/08 - $5,736.07 3/12/08 - $304.93

15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Guy Wachtel and seconded by Jeff Gouger to adjourn the Organizational Meeting at 9:50 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)

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