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Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 10/18/01 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
OCTOBER 4th, 2001
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE

PRESENT:
Selectmen: Mike Rohan, Jesse Anderson, Fred Bacon, Lynn Bedell and Richard Marek.
Also Present: William J Krajeski, Vice President of Customer Relations for Patriot Properties, Inc., H. W. Piet van Loon as Zoning Administrator, James O. Gray as Road Foreman and Doris A. Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Mike Rohan at 3:07 p.m. M. Rohan announced that he will have to leave the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A. PATRIOT PROPERTIES - WILLIAM J. KRAJESKI
TOWN-WIDE REAPPRAISAL
(1) SIGN CONTRACT
Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by J. Anderson to have the Board members sign each of three contracts with Patriot Properties, Inc. for town-wide reappraisal for the town of Newfane to be delivered in final form on or before June 16, 2002 for the amount of $68,000. Unanimous.

(3) LETTER TO PROPERTY OWNERS
W. Krajeski and two other staff appraisers from Patriot Properties, Inc., Michael Cassidy and Scott W. McCathern, will start the field listing on October 18th and 19th. A copy of their resumes was given to the Board. They will be involved with the entire project. A letter of introduction about the two staff members, photo identification, and vehicle being used, will be given to the Town Clerk and the Windham County Sheriff's Department. A draft letter was prepared by W. Krajeski to be sent to all property owners letting them know about the town-wide reappraisal process. Only one change was made to the letter. For the outside cover of the letter the Board agreed to title it as "Property Tax Reappraisal Information" and to add "Important - Please Read." The letter is to sent no later than October 12th by bulk rate postage.

(4) OTHER REAPPRAISAL ISSUES
W. Krajeski indicated that RFP had the number of parcels as 1,280, which he based his bid proposal on, when in fact there are 1,473 parcels. The difference appears to be contiguous lots which show a zero value as individual lots in the Grand List, but the value is included within the total contiguous value of a particular property. If the parcels are to be listed with a separate contiguous value, additional reappraisal payment would be required at the rate of $10.00 for each vacant residential parcel, which these are thought to be. Or the properties in question could still be listed as they are now with a zero value, whichever way the Board prefers as long as it is applied consistently. If listed separately, there would be a separate tax bill for each lot. It was mentioned that the state may require that the contiguous parcels be combined, as through the Act 60 law, the state pays $7.00 per parcel to the towns for reappraisal and Lister purposes. W. Krajeski will check with the state on the requirements.

2. A. PATRIOT PROPERTIES - TOWN WIDE REAPPRAISAL
(2) COMPUTER DECISION
Mr. Krajeski spoke to the Board regarding whether the computer to be ordered should be a work station or a small server. Although a network system for the town office computers may be a good solution for the future, at this time the Board opted for a workstation for the Listers. W. Krajeski will first concur with Hank Durby from his office about the best configuration for the work station before ordering it on October 5th from Dell. There will be a network card, CD burner, internal zip drive and modem, dual hard drives, etcetera. The intention is to have the computer set up for October 18th to begin Lister training and testing of data bases.

2. B. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES - GRANT APPLICATION WILLIAMSVILLE, SOUTH NEWFANE & BROOKSIDE
Paula Sagerman was contacted, and she agreed, to present the grant application for the National Register of Historic Places for Williamsville, South Newfane and Brookside at the October 18th meeting instead of at this meeting as scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

2. C. OPENING OF BIDS
Board members will return at 7:00 p.m. for the opening of the bids for winter sand, regular bandrail installation and flood work bandrail installation.

6. B. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
(1) R. Marek let the Board know that the NewBrook Fire Department will be conducting a coin drop on both Saturday and Sunday during the Heritage Festival on October 6th and 7th. (2) R. Marek indicated that the Village will be having a special meeting on October 11th to discuss the village sidewalk project. The village has received approximately $460,000 to replace the sidewalk with granite curbing. There will need to be in-kind services and/or additional funds of 10% allocated toward the project There was some discussion by those present that the Cross Street (TH#14) sidewalk should remain and not be removed. R. Marek will bring up the Cross Street sidewalk at the meeting. It was also mentioned that keeping the sidewalk with the curbing would help to take care of 95% of A. Graham's drainage and other drainage problems along the street.

4. ROAD BUSINESS
A. ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT (See attached report)
(1) Item #10 - The SnoKing plow on the F550 needs to be replaced. Proposals are forthcoming from VT Municipal Equipment and H. R. Fairfield for a possible trade-in of the existing plow. As the cost will be approximately $4,000, specifications will need to be drawn up.

4. B. ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT - (See attached report)
(1) J. Gray indicated that the Old Newfane Inn is a good example of what happens when trees and bushes are planted within the right of way and are not kept trimmed. They infringe on the use of the sidewalk, causing people to walk out into the street. (2) Gurney Brothers have not repaired the wingwall on the Wiswall Hill bridge (BR#43). Most of the communication has been between Wm. Noyes and D. Gurney and not with the town. J. Anderson will contact D. Gurney to find out when the town can expect the wingwall to be repaired. In stream work is to be done between June 1 and October 1 according to the sate Water Quality Division.

4. C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS
No Excess Weight Permits were presented to the Board for action.

4. D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS
(1) After much discussion, motion was made by F. Bacon and seconded by R. Marek to amend the sketch for the Stone/Sinon (Tax Map #D-43) request to install a split rail fence within the town highway (Timson Hill - TH#10) right of way with a minimum set back of four feet (4') from the edge of the road on the house side up to the pine tree and on the side opposite the house the set back is to be a minimum of eight feet (8') from the edge of the town highway. Unanimous. It is understood that the hemlocks will be removed.

(2) Adele Graham has requested to rebuild one stone planter within the town highway right of way on Cross Street (TH#14) and to also build a new stone planter. Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by R. Marek to approve the request made by Adele Graham (Tax Map #B016) to rebuild and build stone planters within the town highway right of way along Cross Street (TH#14) with the condition that the plants be trimmed and maintained and that the existing sidewalk remain in place until such time as there is a decision made by the Village Trustees to have the sidewalk remain or be removed. Unanimous.

5. B. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
(1) F. Bacon asked whether J. Gray has repaired the steps at the Williamsville Hall. He indicated that it is more of a job than he is able to do. A couple of names were mentioned to possibly repair or replace the steps. M. Rohan will contact the individuals.

(2) M. Rohan spoke with Sargent Wilson who indicated that because of the necessity to provide extra security for Vermont Yankee, that speed enforcement requested by Newfane by the Windham County Sheriff's Department has slowed down.

(3) Piet van Loon suggested that there be a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment at a special meeting in November to discuss the possibility of forming a Development Review Board. The DRB would replace the functions of the ZBA and would exercise the development review functions now covered by the Planning Commission. The PC would continue to perform its planning and bylaw functions. [24 V.S.A. S 4401 (a)(2) (b)(2) and 24 V.S.A. S 4461.]

7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT'S REPORT - (See attached report)
None of the items listed required any action from the Board.

Chairman Mike Rohan left the meeting at this time. (5:05 p.m.)
Vice-Chairman Lynn Bedell chaired the rest of the afternoon meeting.

5. A. TRAFFIC CALMING/SPEED ENFORCEMENT
The Board members present agreed to meet for a Special Meeting on Friday, October 12th at 1:00 p.m. to discuss Traffic Calming/Speed enforcement issues.

8. MINUTES
The minutes of Board meetings of 09/20/01 and 09/21/01 were reviewed by the Board. CORRECTION: Minutes of 09/21/01, page #2, first P, Delete: The matter will be discussed closer to the April 11th date. ADD: The April 11th, 2002 triggers the penalty cost of $25 per day. Motion was made by R. Marek and seconded by F. Bacon to approve the minutes of 10/20/01, as written and the minutes of 10/21/01, as corrected. Unanimous.

9. PAY ORDERS
Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by J. Anderson to approve the Newfane Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants for the following amounts:
09/22/01 Payroll $ 2,745.03
09/29/01 Payroll $ 2,985.37
10/01/01 Payroll $ 2,236.47
10/05/01 Acct's Payable #8 $ 31,112.92
Unanimous.
Note: Accounts Payable #8 includes the addition of Patriot Properties invoice in the amount of $10,200 for computer, setup and training, and the addition of The Draft Detective invoice in the amount of $875 for the windows at the Williamsville Hall.
IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments
09/26/01 $ 948.51
10/03/01 $ 951.70

10. CORRESPONDENCE
(1) A letter was received from Ann Kroll to indicate that the Closeout Agreement Report for the Town of Newfane Consortium (0222/94CA(03)) is due on October 29, 2001 for the reporting period of October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001. Shelbajean Hescock is working on the information required for the report.

(2) The minutes of the Village Enhancement Committee meeting of 09/20/01 have been received along with a note from John Spicer regarding the process of contacting property owners to have trees planted on their property.

(3) A copy of a letter to West River Acres from the ANR Department of Environmental Conservation regarding a recent permit to convert a dairy farm to a horse stable, riding arena and a two-bedroom apartment.

(4) A copy of a letter has been received from Alan Quackenbush of ANR to Henry Pickney regarding the summary of a recent site visit to Pickney's property regarding wetlands.

(5) The more definitive Proposed Site Plan for the Williamsville Post Office and a letter have been received from Richard A. Thibodeau of the USPS. The Board will need to let Mr. Thibodeau know if the Board concurs with the plan.

(6) A copy of a certified letter sent from the Zoning Administrator, Piet van Loon, to Robert Bursky regarding a Zoning Violation for the Kindle Farm operation.

(7) A copy of Protecting Historic Properties guide to Section 106 Review has been received. Copies were given to each Board member for their review.

(8) Copies of the September 2001 Vermont Local Roads News and the September 2001 VLCT News have been received.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No matters came before the Board that required an Executive Session.

12. RECESS
Motion was made by L. Bedell and seconded by J. Anderson to recess the meeting at 5:15 p.m. and to reconvene at 7:00 p.m. on this same date and place. Unanimous.

PRESENT:
Present: Jesse Anderson, Fred Bacon and Richard Marek.
Absent: Lynn Bedell and Mike Rohan
Also Present: Gordon Goss of G & P Construction and Doris Knechtel, Administrative Assistant

1. A. CALL TO ORDER
Jesse Anderson reconvened the recessed meeting at 7:05 p.m.

2. C. OPENING OF BIDS
(2) BAND RAIL
The following bids were received for non-flood bandrail work.
Non-Flood Work
F.R. Lafayette, $ 11,161.00, $13.00/lf
Gordon Goss, $ 10,517.00, $9.75/lf & $12.50/lf

(3) BAND RAIL - FLOOD WORK - SO. WARDSBORO RD (TH#1)
Flood Work
F.R. Lafayette, $ 6,052.00, $13.00/lf
Gordon Goss, $ 5,429.00, $11.40/lf

(1) WINTER SAND
Cersosimo, $ 7.65 per cubic yard delivered
Zaluzny, $ 6.98 per cubic yard delivered

Motion was made by R. Marek and seconded by F. Bacon accept the low bid for the non-flood and flood bandrail work subject to review by the Road Foreman, J. Gray and the sand bid subject to inspection of the sand by the Road Commissioner and the Road Foreman. Unanimous.

12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by R. Marek and seconded by F. Bacon to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board at 7:18 p.m. Unanimous.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

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


ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT - 10/04/01
1. PERMITS
* Action is needed on the Sinon's right of way permit (fence). We need to discuss an acceptable set back distance.

* Action is needed on the Cross Street (TH#14) right of way permit (stone planter/walls, landscaping, etc.). We need to discuss sidewalk removal issues. Also, will they need a new building permit or a change to an existing permit? Jim and I reviewed the plans. The plans are not to scale and points where the plans and the stakes at the site differ can be explained. Do historic preservation rules allow sidewalks to be removed? Also, the sidewalk exists for the entire length of Cross Street (TH#14), and not just for a short segment in front of the subject property. The middle segment of the sidewalk is overgrown but could be restored by removing a thin layer of dirt. This is not exactly the way it was reported at the last meeting.

2. FLOOD WORK
* Fitzpatrick has gone over the remaining flood work projects, however, as of last week he has not started work. Update - Cemetery Hill (TH#16) mostly done - Sunset Lake Road (TH#42) is next.

* The miscellaneous small projects to be done by the road crew have been whittles down to a couple.

* Bids for South Wardsboro Road (TH#1) bandrail are due tonight at 7:00 p.m.

* Steep Way (TH#21) bridge (BR#32) is to be handled as an alternative project next year.

3. BANDRAIL
* Non-flood related bandrail bids are due in tonight at 7:00 p.m. Jim and I are meeting with David Berrie at 1:00 p.m. today on the curved rail section to go on the Williamsville Arch Bridge (BR#12) on his property at the entrance to his driveway. Update - If guardrail bends sufficiently to allow horse trailer to get into driveway then rail is okay with Berrie.

4. RADWAY HILL/RIVER ROAD INTERSECTION
* Beck's plans need to be reviewed. This project is completely stalled.

5. COVERED BRIDGE
* The state's initial plans were withdrawn. New plans are due from the state at a later date. The revised plans will be for a restoration and not for a replacement. Adjacent landowners have been contacted by the state about placement /easements for a temporary bridge during the project.

6. BROOKLINE BRIDGE
* Adjacent landowners have been contacted by the state placement/easements for a temporary bridge during the project. Final comments have been sent in by Newfane and Brookline on the state plans.

7. VIC BENJAMIN CULVERT
* Bazin has largely completed the project. Bandrail remains to be done. They have submitted a bill with the understanding that the bandrail will not be paid for at this time. The big rain storm threatened the temporary road around the project but it was only minimally affected and quickly repaired. This will be a good improvement for anyone using this road in the winter months because the stream crossing is now wide with shoulders.

8. WISWALL HILL BRIDGE WING WALL
* No action/communication by Gurney regards fixing void under the wing wall.

9. SOUTH NEWFANE BRIDGE BY THE GENERAL STORE
* Comments on the state plans have been sent to the state.

10. EQUIPMENT
* The SnoKing plow for the F550 has never worked adequately. The vendor has only succeeded in delaying a critical decision until the Town has owned the plow for an extended period. We need to get rid of the SnoKing plow. It may have salvage value to someone who would only use it on blacktop. We need to buy a heavy duty Fisher plow. Because this is an approximately $4,000 item, we need to discuss going out to bid for the plow.

11. COMPLAINTS/PROBLEM REPORTS
* A berm has been put up on Spring Hill Road (TH#24). This will help during the winter when the berm will freeze solid and deflect anyone sliding into it back into the road. This should serve as a very good substitute for the requested bandrail.

* Beavers are at work on Newfane Hill Road (TH#20) and off of South Wardsboro Road (TH#1). If they cannot be discouraged by removing the sticks from the culvert, from the culvert, etc., then more drastic action will be needed, although I am not sure what all of our options are.

* Mr. Quackenbush from the state was contacted concerning water quality of Kenney Pond regards runoff from the town road. He said that there is an opportunity for an incremental improvement, but that there is no immediate water quality problem, based on this I would recommend that we not remove any trees along town roads by Kenney Pond so as to move the road incrementally away from the pond.

* Kevin Moore has a failing culvert on his property. It does not look like a town or state installed culvert, It carries water away from the septic system. It goes under a driveway that he would like to pave. Original highway plans need to be checked (town copy, state copy?) to see whose culvert this is. If it is town responsibility then alternative configuration may be preferable.

Road Commissioner, Jesse Anderson


ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT 10/04/01
TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY

1. The following roads were worked on since the last BOS meeting: Timson Hill Road (TH#41) from Dover Road (TH#2) to St. Pierre's, Joseph Lane (TH#78), toby Hill Road (TH#20), Stratton Hill Road (TH#35), Wiswall Hill Road (TH#11), Eddy Road (TH#71), French Cabin road (TH#36), and Spring Hill Road (TH#24). Beavers are now active, working on Cushing Flats (TH#6) and Newfane Hill Road (TH#20) culverts daily.

2. Bridge #51 (Vic Benjamin Road (TH#64)) is nearly completed. Work to be completed is 200' of band rail.

3. Fitzpatrick has started the last phase of flood work. Cemetery Hill Road (TH#16) is currently being done.

4. The section of Dover road (TH#2) was closed to traffic between Baker Brook road (TH#19) and Parish Hill Road (TH#26) with no notification on two occasions. Adequate notice should be given so that emergency services and the town of Newfane are informed. Adequate signing should also be in place before closure. Verizon was setting the utility poles.

5. Equipment: A. All equipment is operational. B. Prices for plow for F-550 and wing for '90 Mack are being received from equipment dealers.

Respectfully submitted,
James O. Gray
Road Foreman


To: Newfane Board of Selectmen

Memorandum From: Doris A. Knechtel

Subject: Administrative Assistant's Report

Date: September 20, 2001

1. I have made copies of Section 106, the Federal law dealing with Historic Preservation, for your information. It has been mentioned several times in reference to the South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office.

2. More detailed plans have been received from Richard Thibodeau regarding the parking and signs at the South Newfane/Williamsville Post Office.

3. I assisted the Listers to get all of their assessment cards copied to be available for Bill Krajeski today. We made it!

4. Bud Bergmann indicated that the Planning Commission appreciated the letter that the Board sent to Richard Thibodeau of the USPS.

5. Attorney Pyatak called regarding the knoll on Parish Hill Road (TH#26) that was discussed at the July 19th meeting. He has been speaking with George Childs about the necessity to cut down the knoll for better sight distance. A letter and a petition may be forthcoming on the matter. I indicated to him that the project may be a consideration at budget time.

6. You have received the September expenses, which is for the first quarter of FY 2002. However, the accruals are still included. Budget time is fast approaching.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

 


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