January 13, 2020

Special Meeting

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Hendrik van Loon, Shelly Huber, Michael Fitzpatrick, Christopher Williams, and Angela Sanborn.

OTHERS PRESENT: Jay Wilson, Melissa Brown, Frank Suponski and Wannetta Powling.

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Hendrik van Loon.

 MINUTES:

Minutes of the January 6th regular meeting to be reviewed at the January 18th meeting

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

Mr. Suponski was in attendance to discuss the Animal Control Officer and the Assistant Health Officer Budget request. Mr. Suponski has concerns for the rate paid for the Animal Control Officer, to respond to calls. Also the issue’s of transporting dogs to the Windham County Humane Society on weekends and after hours.

• Perhaps the Town would consider charging a fee for the animal control officer to answer a nuisance call, and if there is sufficient reason to issue a ticket.

A motion to go into Executive session was made by Ms. Huber and seconded by Ms. Sanborn.

The motion carried.

Board went into Executive session at 6:10 pm.

Board came out of Executive session at 6:20 pm

Mr. Williams made a motion to leave the Animal control budget as it is, until Town meeting day.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Sanborn.

The motion carried.

ROAD BUSINESS:

Road Foreman’s & Road Commissioner’s Report:

Depot Road Box Culvert plans was discussed with the Selectboard. Mr. Wilson said the next steps could take 4-5 months, before construction begins. The towns would like to see this move along in order to be ready for the Arch Bridge construction set for the late spring of 2021.

There was no public impute.

A motion to move forward with the Depot Road Box Culvert was made by Ms. Sanborn and seconded by Mr. Williams.

The motion carried.

BUDGET:

Other budget line items were discussed, including the need to increase the Cemetery maintenance fund to cover the cost of removing necessary trees before damage to the headstones.

The Selectboard discussed the Williamsville Hall, and the need to paint the building, and the idea was raised to have the building inspected to make a list of future work that could be prioritized.

The Selectboard asked the Administrative Assistant to outline a Policy for the Williamsville Hall for a future meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick to leave the Williamsville Hall Budget as is. Ms. Sanborn seconded the motion.

The motion carried.

ADJOURN:

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded Ms. Huber to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:15 pm,

Respectfully Submitted, Wannetta Powling

TOWN OF NEWFANE SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES
Monday January 6, 2019
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Hendrik van Loon, Shelly Huber, Michael Fitzpatrick, Christopher Williams, and Angela Sanborn.
OTHERS PRESENT: Jay Wilson, Marion Dowling, Deborah Luskin, Steve Levine, Janine Rose, Wannetta Powling and BCTV.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Hendrik van Loon.
ADDITIONS/ AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
MINUTES:
• A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn to accept the Minutes of November 25, 2019 budget meeting
Mr. Williams seconded, Ms. Huber and Mr. Fitzpatrick abstained,
The Motion Carried.
• A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick to accept the Minutes of December 16, 2019 regular meeting Ms. Huber seconded, Mr. Williams and Ms. Sanborn abstained.
The Motion Carried.
• A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn to accept the Minutes of December 23, 2019 budget meeting
Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded.
The Motion Carried.
• A motion was made by Mr. Williams, to accept the Minutes of January 2, 2020 budget meeting
Ms. Huber seconded, Ms. Sanborn abstained.
The Motion Carried.
ROAD BUSINESS:
Road Foreman’s & Road Commissioner’s Report:
1. The tree removal in Williamsville happened last Thursday and everything went well. The part of the tree that was over the fire station had substantial rot Bill Guenther’s assessment was quite accurate.
2. We have to review the Depot Rd. box culvert plans the next time the Selectmen meet. It’s required to be on the agenda as part of the grant requirements. The project stops until we complete this step.
3. We will have to do the same thing for the Sand/Salt shed project. Unfortunately, those plans are not quite ready to be reviewed at the same time.
4. Efficiency VT reviewed the garage lighting because our florescent tubes are all the same age and are starting to burn out. To replace with LED tubes it would be $736, they are suggesting that we replace the fixtures and that would give us about 30% more light and about 20% less cost to run. The town share after rebate would be $1237.
5. A couple of weekends’ ago the heat was off in the Williamsville Hall, it ending up being the emergency switch at the top of the stairs had been shut off. We were thinking that something could be put over the switch to make it more difficult to shut off so it doesn’t get done accidentally.
6. We have been updating to current standards the road name and road signs between So. Newfane and Williamsville and will be continuing down Depot Rd. I was going to skip the area around the Arch Bridge since all of those signs will be updated with the bridge project.
Mr. Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s request to replace the lighting at the town garage,
Ms. Sanborn seconded. The Motion Carried
Mr. Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the Road Foreman’s report Ms. Sanborn seconded. The Motion Carried
ADMINISTRATIVE AS SISTANT’S REPORT:
Monday Holidays
The next Board meeting January 20th is on a (MLK) holiday and the February 17th (President’s Day) is a federal holiday. What would the Board like to decide on those meeting dates?
A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn to move the Monday January 20th meeting to Tuesday 21st & Monday February17th meeting to Tuesday 18th Mr. Williams seconded The Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn to accept the Administrative Assistants report
Mr. Williams seconded, The Motion Carried.
SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Williamsville Hall Committee Update – Steve Levine
Fire Alarm installation is complete; we are awaiting inspection of the system by the fire marshal. The phone (land- line in the utility room) system and Wi-Fi has also been installed. With the current funds in the Capital Budget for WHC it has been discussed to use these funds to paint the building. Two estimates have been received; waiting on two others.
Chair van Loon asked if painting was considered capital or maintenance. This would need to be reviewed by the Selectboard for consideration.
• $1800 was used to purchase 10- 60″ round banquet table paid by the donation fund.
• Working on ordering Blinds for the hall, double side for downstairs and blackout blinds for upstairs.
Ms Huber asked for copies of budget expense. Town treasurer Ms. Brown does all of the transaction accounts. Ms. Dowling asked why the Selectboard needed to know about accounts of “BBQ – fund raisers” the chair addressed this question, that it is still considered town owned property and if anything good or bad goes on the Board needs to be aware and have a record.
WHC minutes will be forwarded to the Selectboard monthly.
Ms. Luskin made a comment that the WHC policy was found at the WHC website, They hosted the Nonprofit Green Mountain Conservancy in December and the hall was able to hold seventy people downstairs.
Ms. Luskin stated that the more it is being used for community events, the more people will see that it is a really nice hall for private events and would be more likely that it could be rented and used.
Mr. Levine asked the board to review the updated changes to the hall usage policy and fee changes and if that could be approved and added to the website.
Selectboard recommendations
• Would suggest that the Board handles future purchases for the hall, in excess of a thousand dollars that biding issues be put out by the board to secure the offers, and follow biding policy.
• Outside lighting issues need to be addressed as soon as possible.
• With the assistance of the Road foreman, to minimize the drop off on the side of parking near the hall This will be a spring project.
UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
Town Moderator -Deborah Luskin
Requesting the Board send Town Moderator to training in Montpelier February 5th regarding
“Town Meeting Tune Up”
A motion to send Moderator to training was made by Ms. Sanborn and seconded by Mr. Williams.
The motion carried
Permission to do a Front Porch forum or other inquiries to address concerns
• Parliamentarian for future plans if Moderator is not available, or has questions during the meeting.
• Lunch – organization needs to be addressed / provided by Ladies Aid, or school PTO, or other Non profit.
• Child care for Town Meeting morning –
• Draft for articles for review by the moderator.
We need to look for volunteers willing to organize these needs to increase the attendance at Town Meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Confirmation of Planning Commission member (Withdrawn)
NEW BUSINESS:
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
• US Department of Veterans Affairs with Disabilities
• Ian Silverman – Local representative for Consolidated Communications
PAY ORDERS:
• Payroll Warrant No. 11431 in the amount of $5,081.58
• Payroll Warrant No. 11432 in the amount of $5,214.62
• Accounts Payable No. 20013 in the amount of $ 26,799.71
• Payroll Warrant No. 11433 in the amount of $6,906.23
A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded by Ms. Huber to approve the pay orders.
The motion carried
ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded Ms. Huber to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:35 pm,
Respectfully Submitted, Wannetta Powling

BUDGET MEETING MINUTES December 9, 2019

  BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Hendrik van Loon, Angela Sanborn, Christopher Williams, Shelly Huber, and Michael Fitzpatrick

OTHERS PRESENT:   Jay Wilson, Melissa Brown, Wannetta Powling

 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mr. van Loon, Chair.

TOWN REPORT DESIGN

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed cover photo, along with dedication of the Town Report. Review of Historical photos will be selected, for the Selectboard approval at the next meeting.

CAPITAL BUDGET

The Board reviewed the proposed replacement schedule for the Arch Bridge.  Discussion ensued regarding the need to increase the Capital budget for the bridge replacement, along with the salt shed construction that is due to begin in 2020-2021.

SPECIAL SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS

The Board reviewed additional appropriations requests received since the November 25, Budget meeting. Comparisons of neighboring towns were made, some reductions and cuts were made.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

1 VSA ~313 (a) (1) (B) labor relations with employees

Tabled until the next Budget Meeting

ADJOURN

The Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Wannetta Powling

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES

December 2, 2019

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Hendrik van Loon, Angela Sanborn, Shelly Huber and Michael Fitzpatrick,    Absent: Christopher Williams

OTHERS PRESENT:  Wannetta Powling, and BCTV

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Chair Hendrik van Loon.

ADDITIONS/ AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:

·         Due to weather conditions SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Thomas Simmons – U.S. Census Bureau was moved to the top of the agenda.

Executive Session: None

MINUTES:

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick to accept the Minutes of November 18, 2019 regular meeting, Ms. Sanborn seconded, The Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Ms. Sanborn to table the Minutes of November 25, 2019 budget meeting, The Motion Carried.

ROAD BUSINESS:

Road Foreman’s & Road Commissioner’s Report:

None (Snow Storm)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT:

See attached report.

Ms. Sanborn made a motion to accept the Administrative Assistant report Mr. Fitzpatrick seconded, The Motion Carried

UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: None

SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

  Thomas Simmons – U.S. Census Bureau

Informational outline for the U.S. Census 10 year decennia survey.

The U.S. Census has effect on representation in local government. These figures gathered have a compelling effect on how 675 billion dollars are allocated to the states, and these numbers and are locked in for 10 years. These programs all help to bring dollars to the local economy. Programs you may immediately recognize include

• School Lunch Programs
• Meals on wheels
• WIC (Woman Infant Children)
• Special Education
• Medicaid Part B
• First Responders
• Economic Development
• Fuel Assistance

When answering questions for the survey, significant changes were made to make things easier. You can now take and answer the survey on line. Starting in March you will get a mailing notice addressed to OCCUPANT in your PO Box / Street address. Asking for basic information

• Name
• Address
• Age
• Date Of Birth
• Race
• Gender
• How many people live at the address
• Several attempts will be made to get people to complete the survey; if they don’t respond by completing the survey, the forth and finale attempt they will be contacted by trained employee from the Census Bureau.

OLD BUSINESS:

Traffic Ordinance Policy- Review  

A copy was given for board members to review before the next regular meeting.  A road map was suggested as a point of reference. The signs will be reviewed by the highway dept. for any changes needed. TABLED discussion to future meeting

NEW BUSINESS:

Health Insurance

Employee Health insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield with the current increase monthly cost was discussed. The board agreed to continue to cover the insurance at the same rate as the previous years,  going with 80% cover by the Town 20% paid by the Employee

Family Plan Cost Monthly  $2,529.37           Employee Pays $ 357.33             Town Pays  $2,172.04

 Individual Plan Cost Monthly $ 900.13       Employee Pays $105.95             Town Pays $ 794.18

 Adult /Child Plan Cost Monthly $ 1,737.25    Employee Pays $ 173.72         Town Pays $1,563.53

 Mr. Fitzpatrick made a motion to approve the proposed outline for insurance coverage Ms. Sanborn seconded the motion. The motion Passed.

 CORRESPONDENCE:

·         Planning Commission Amendment to the Zoning Bylaw

 PAY ORDERS:

• Payroll Warrant 11426 in the amount of $4,002.68
• Accounts Payable 20011 in the amount of $ 33,929.01

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded by Ms. Sanborn to approve the pay orders.  The motion carried

ADJOURN:

A motion was made by Mr. Fitzpatrick and seconded Ms. Sanborn to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:35 pm,

Respectfully Submitted,

Wannetta Powling

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT

December 2, 2019

•  With budget meetings underway now, that has been where most of the focus has been.
• A few more request for social service appropriations have been received – I will include copies to you in my email on Friday.
• I am working on updating our renewal for the SAM (System for Award Management) it allows us to seek federal funding for disaster recovery.

Respectfully,

Wannetta Powling

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT

December 2, 2019

• With budget meetings underway now, that has been where most of the focus has been.
• A few more request for social service appropriations have been received – I will include copies to you in my email on Friday.
• I am working on updating our renewal for the SAM (System for Award Management) it allows us to seek federal funding for disaster recovery.

Respectfully,

Wannetta Powling